2 Artist Trading Cards: John Howard Bawden & Mette Kathrina Pedersen

 I have been creating little ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) featuring some of my ancestors.  I began thinking about this idea a month ago and decided to create cards for my direct ancestors who have birthdays in the month of October.  

As it seems with most everything in this season, I have not had the strength, energy and/or time to hunker down and bring this idea to fruition.  Last Sunday, the last day of October, I was finally able to start.  I completed an ATC for my 2nd great-grandfather, John Howard Bawden. He is my mother's mother's grandfather.

Later this week, I began an ATC for my 2nd great-grandmother, Mette Kathrina Pedersen.  She is my father's father's grandmother.  I was not able to finish this in a single sitting.  However, I really felt the creative "itch" this morning.  I am tickled with the way it turned out, and I think I might be able to convince myself to tackle some of the "have-to's" for the day now :).

Although these look really large in the photos, they measure 2.5"x3.5" in accordance with ATC standard sizing. My current thoughts are to put all of these finished cards onto a 2-page scrapbook layout.  Who knows? I may create some for all of my first 6 generations (where photos exist).

I have 4 more to go.  Hopefully, it won't take me another month before I get one done!

Tyler's Graduation Layout

 

It's crazy to think that my second child just graduated from high school.  I remember many days desperately watching the clock for the anticipated arrival of "daddy" from work, so I could have a "mommy" break.  My two boys are grown.  How exciting for them and for us.

I chose to do this layout in blues and greens, because his favorite color is dark blue, and his high school colors are green, black and white.

I only used cardstock as my paper resource.  To create the printed backgrounds, I used shimmer mists and color sprays.  The tag/flag stamps are all from Close to My Heart.  The accent embellishment stamps are also from Close to My Heart.  The thread like stamp is from Stampin Up.  I embossed these thread circles as well as the "Bravo" sentiment.

On a side note, I used Adobe Spark to create his graduation announcement (left side).  I have the free version.  It is so fun to work with and produces professional results!

Can Achieve When Believe

You Can Achieve When You Believe

I FINALLY scrapbooked our family photo at my graduation from WGU in the Spring of 2017.  I know that is a little ways back there :).  I went back to finishing my degree in 2016.  It was INTENSE.  I truly felt that I was inspired and directed to finish at that time.  However, I didn't just feel the prompting and push to finish.  I felt the push that I needed to finish as soon as possible.  When I enrolled at WGU, I asked them if they thought it was possible to finish in 18 months.  The answer was an absolute no.  Somehow, though, I felt like that was the time frame I needed to complete my education in.  I sat down and mapped out how many credits I would need to complete in a semester.  Then, I broke it down further and figured out that I would need to complete each course in 2.5 weeks.  To help me stay focused, I printed out a little sign that said, "You CAN achieve when you BELIEVE."   

For 12 months, I slept, ate and did school.  Oh.  That's not true.  I also continued subbing for the school district in all of the schools K-12 and volunteering once a week in my daughter's classroom for 3 hours every time.  

Then, if that wasn't enough, one week before school started in 2016, the elementary principal asked me if I would be willing to start the year out for the English 4th grade dual immersion teacher.  She had just had an accident on her lawn mower and got a major concussion.  I said, "Sure."  I set up her classroom, met with her and went over the routines and procedures she wanted the students to learn.  That week turned into 4 months teaching full-time.  I had three weeks right before Christmas break when I only taught half-days, so I could finish my clinicals.  Then, on the first day back from Christmas break, I returned to that classroom and the Spanish cohort side.  I taught the first half of the day in Spanish and the second half of the day in English.  By this time, these two teachers knew me really well and just had me take charge of all the learning while I was in class.  I was also called as my ward's Primary President.  We had a rather large Primary.  I was over 110 children ages 18 months to 11 years old and 46 different leaders.  

Despite everything, I was ABLE to finish in 18 months.  I referred back to my little sign every day.  I deliberately capitalized CAN and BELIEVE, because it helped me to believe in myself when it was really hard.  We CAN BELIEVE, and when we really do, there is nothing that can stop us for reaching our goals.  

So much has happened since then.  Immediately after graduating, I was hired on as a K-5 elementary teacher and started a brand new blended learning STEAM elementary school.  That first year I taught grades 3-5 on Monday and Wednesday and grades K-2 on Tuesday and Thursday.  On Fridays, we had different activities, and I taught Spanish to students in K-5.  The staff consisted of myself and the principal.  Between the two of us, we did everything- admin, recess duty, instruction, interventions, secretarial and janitorial duties.  

That was 3 years ago.  Now, we are weathering through COVID-19; however, this feels like nothing compared to the three years before.  In fact, I feel that things went really well for me and my students this past Spring.  Looking towards this next year, I am not afraid or overwhelmed that I will have students in 2 grades attending M-TH in class; 100% remotely; 50% in class and 50% remotely; 3 days in class; and M-TH half days.  

All products used in this scrapbook page are from Close to My Heart or Stampin' Up except for the gold flourish stickers and dark blue cardstock. 

CTMH Sangria Family photo layout

Hello! Hello!

I am in love with this layout :).  It came together quite easily, and I love how all of the elements add to it.  I created this with CTMH's Sangria paper packet, CTMH's Blushed embellishments, black paper, white glitter cardstock, and three different CTMH stamp sets (all past Stamp of the Month sets).  

I haven't posted in a while, and I probably won't post frequently for awhile.  I am no longer a CTMH consultant, because I am starting school soon and can't put forth the energy/time needed to be successful in both endeavors.

I have a year and a half left before I will have my teaching degree.  I want to teach in the Dual Immersion Program.  Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you today :) -Dari

CTMH SCHOOL layout

Wow!  When I logged onto Blogger, I noticed that my pageviews for my blog have reached 10064.  At first, I had to think about it. When I realized it wasn't 1,064 but 10,064 I just about screamed!  Yeah!  Some of us are a little crazy (lol).  Plus, I don't think I could scream if I wanted to right now.  I am fighting a head cold :(.  

This fun layout I am sharing with you today is the layout we are going to do at my monthly scrapbooking group next Thursday.  I am really pleased with the results.  The photo does not do it justice.  Those coming to the group do the 12x12 spreads, so theirs are cut to that size.  

I will attempt to remember which ingredients I used for this.  It's hard to utilize brain cells when your head is pounding :).

*Note: All ingredients are CTMH.

White daisy card stock

Lagoon shimmer tape

Artbooking Stamp Set

Hopscotch (I think) Stamp Set

Artbooking Cricut cartridge

Last January's 2015 special stamp set (Celebrate New Year?)

Chalk It Up paper pack

Flaxen card stock

Dye Inks: sorbet, glacier, lagoon, black.

Thanks for stopping by! -Dari

CTMH La Vie en Rose Display Swap 12x12 layout

How's that for a title?  It seems like I have been away for forever (lol).  During the years you have kids in school, life seems to revolve around that aspect.  Changes are made each year.  Each year brings its own challenges and adventures.  This year has seemed like there have been more.  Not in a bad way, but I haven't fully adjusted to all of them yet. 

This year all of my kids are in school all day.  I have one in each school (high, middle, elementary).  I began substitute teaching. I go help at the MS and Elementary one day a week.  In addition to these activities, I have been going to the temple once a week.  These are the things I have ADDED to life.  I am still a mother, still a wife, still a housekeeper/homemaker, still a friend, still...... the list goes on.  I'm not sure how to fit it all in (not possible).  What has taken the back seat is my crafting.  

CTMH's new annual catalog is now available, and I recently took part in a display kit swap.  I deliberately chose the  La Vie en Rose paper pack, because it did not "jump" out at me, and at the time of sign ups, I was in the mood for a challenge.  Let me just say that I have LOVED working with this pack.  I am so glad that I stretched myself, because I would not have ordered this and had so much fun if I hadn't stepped out of my comfort zone.

This is the 12x12 layout I completed for the swap.  All products are CTMH. 

Here are the ingredients:
La Vie en Rose paper pack
Fern cardstock
Damask embossing folder
Artbooking Cricut cartridge (title)
Blossoming Expressions Stamp Set (D1665)
Dye Inks: Saddle, black, pomegranate, grey flannel (whisper), olive (fern), new england ivy, pixie.
3D foam tape

I also used Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridge (flourish).

Thanks for stopping by! Here's to stretching yourself :)  -Dari

Mommy Date layout

Hello! Hello!  Life has been extremely busy for me lately. I have been canning and involved in family things. I feel a little lost, because I haven't been able to craft :).  This morning my little princess said that we haven't had a crafting date in awhile.  Yes!! She misses it, too.  She remembered the pretty flowers that came in the Brushed WOTG scrapbooking kit and wanted to create something with them.  So, we sat down and created this together!  It was wonderful to get my fingers sticky with glue and create.

All of the products in this project came from CTMH's Brushed WOTG kit.  You can order it from your consultant or from me on my website dariscreativecorner.ctmh.com.  Thanks for stopping :) -Dari

Wedding Explosion Box

 Hello! Hello!  I created this explosion  box for my niece as a bridal shower gift. The color combination was harder for me to work with than I thought it would be; however, I like the results :).

 There are 8 pockets inside with a tag in each for journaling or adding additional photos.  There are 12 designated spots for photos.

 These pretty little flowers were made using CTMH's Flowers For Mom (B1473) stamp set, pansy purple dye ink, cranberry dye ink, versamark ink, gold embossing powder and my heat gun. 

 I love how simple yet elegant this layer turned out.  I cut this flourish out on my Cricut using the Cindy Loo cartridge. The fun sentiment came from one of my favorite stamp sets: CTMH Your Own Kind of Wonderful (D1627).

 I was pleasantly surprised with the lacy feel of this layer!   I love how the punched border complements and accentuates the stamped images.  For this layer, I used CTMH's Flowers for Mom Stamp set (flower), Believe in Yourself C1574 (corner flourish and swirl flourish), Saddle, Cocoa, Cranberry, Barn Red dye inks, Zig Emboss  pen, and Lavender Pearl Ex powder. 

Just a note, although you can't see it in the photo, there is a purple metallic shine in the center of the flower.  I created this by coloring the center of the flower with my Zig Embossing pen, brushing the Pearl Ex over it with a paint brush, wiping off the extra powder and heat embossing it to set it.  I used this technique a lot in this box.

Just realized this photo is upside down and having a moment of, "I don't want to fix it."  I love the center layer of this box.  It really is the "icing on the cake" :).  The photo above (glittery lace border) is on two sides and the flowers shown here make up the other two sides of this layer.  I used the same technique described above with the Pearl Ex on these flowers.   For the sentiment on the center bottom shown here (upside down), I used CTMH's Happy To Be Friends Stamp Set (C1605) and Cocoa dye ink. It is simply beautiful!

My niece was so excited about her gift.  She said, "I've seen your boxes on Facebook and have really wanted one!"  Well, this one was totally customized just for her :). 

I did not identify the stamps used for the box top, so here they are: Blossom WOTG Stamp Set (leaves) stamped with New England Ivy, Flowers for Mom (techniques mentioned in post), February 2015 SOTM A Happy Hello (S1502) for the circle pendant.

Thanks for stopping by! -Dari

Summer Fun layout

Hello! Hello!  It seems that it is a milestone when I complete a project that has nothing to do with one of my classes, groups or events; however, I actually took some time just for myself, and this is what I came up with :).

This layout is simple in its design, yet it screams "happy" to me, which is exactly what I was going for.  There are lots of fun memories behind these photos, and I wanted them to be the focal point.

Hidden behind the title is a journaling tag that slides in and out of the main photo.  This layout just naturally gave me the perfect opportunity to do a little "magic" (hiding).  When I insert this layout into the sheet protectors, I will simply cut the protector so that the tag can slide in and out without having to remove the layout from the protector.

The only CTMH ingredients I used for this project are:

*Bonding Glue Pen
*Blossom Cardmaking Stamp Set (D1649)
*Year Noted Stamp Set (C1618)
*Dye inks: Pear, Lagoon, Sorbet and Bamboo

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you have a fantastic day :) -Dari

Father's Day Explosion Box

Hello! Hello! I have really had fun with these boxes :).  This is my newest addition, and I am offering this for sale until June 5th.  The cost is $20/box ($25 with shipping).  Like my other explosion boxes, this has 8 pockets and pull out tags for extra bonuses :).  

There is plenty of room to add photos and memories/journaling and folds back up into a nice box!!

If you'd like to make your own, you can view my YouTube tutorial to learn how :).  My channel is Dari's Creative Corner.

The ingredients for this box are (all CTMH unless noted):

*Jackson paper pack
*Glacier thick twine
*White daisy cardstock
*Triangle Stud
*Stamp Sets: Happy to Be Friends (C1605), Believe in Yourself Everyday Life (C1574), My Hero Hostess Rewards (B1448), Give a Lift (D1581), Honeycomb (C1537), Finding the Words (D1646).
*Dye inks: Barn Red, Glacier, Slate, Lagoon, Juniper, Cocoa
*Bonding Glue Pen
*3D foam tape
*Liquid Glass
*Ribbon (Offray brand)

If you'd like any of these CTMH ingredients, you can shop through me at dariscreativecorner.ctmh.com.

Thanks for stopping by!   Happy Crafting!  -Dari

CTMH Easter layout

Hello! Hello!  I can't seem to get enough of this Blossom Paper Pack :).  I really love it.  Normally, after I use a paper pack for a month, I am done with it.  However, I still love this paper!

We made this fun Easter layout yesterday at my monthly scrapbooking group.  I love how simple it is and yet how classy it looks.

Here are the ingredients I used:
*CTMH White daisy cardstock
*Craft cardstock
*CTMH Blossom paper pack
*CTMH February 2015 Stamp of  the Month Set
*CTMH dye inks: sorbet, smoothie, glacier, flaxen and sweet leaf
*CTMH bonding glue pen
*CTMH glacier thick twine
*CTMH Coral sequins
*CTMH Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (title)
*3D foam tape
*CTMH liquid glass (to adhere twine)
*CTMH New Year Stamp Set 2015 (the one that was in Dec-January).  Don't have the set in front of me at the moment.
*CTMH quatrefoil embossing folder
*CTMH Blossom Card Kit Stamp Set

We have a lot of fun at this group.  It always brings me smiles to create and visit with friends at the same time.  If you'd like to join our monthly group, I'd love to have you join us :).

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend- Dari

CTMH Mother's Day Explosion Box

Hello! Hello!  I have had a lot of people on facebook ask about this project.  I thought I had the ingredients listed for it; however, as I was browsing my past posts, I realized that I didn't post this box!  I posted a similar one, but it doesn't have the ingredients either :)!

So, if you have been searching for the ingredients for this box and been unsuccessful in your quest, it isn't because you are technically challenged.  It's because my brain goes way faster than the rest of my being :).

Here is the list of ingredients I used for this (CTMH= Close To My Heart product):

*CTMH Blossom paper packet
*CTMH flaxen and white daisy cardstocks
CTMH Blossom Cardmaking Workshop Stamp Set (D1649)
*CTMH Flowers for Mom Stamp Set (B1473)
*CTMH Happy to Be Friends Stamp Set (C1605)
CTMH Delicate Wings Petite Perks Stamp Set-little butterfly on inside (W2028)
CTMH Your Own Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set (D1627)
CTMH Believe in Yourself Stamp Set (C1574)
CTMH dots embossing folder and quatrefoil embossing folder
CTMH dye inks: sorbet, smoothie, sweet leaf, glacier, lagoon, flaxen, black
CTMH Bonding Glue Pen
CTMH Lagoon stripe washi tape
CTMH Liquid glass 
*3D foam tape
Ribbon- glacier color and pear color (not CTMH but equivalent)

Whew!  That was a lot.  The * stands for products you see/I used on the outside of the box.

To download and print your own copy of my cutting/scoring diagram, click here.  This link will take you to my website :).  Just scroll down the page until you see the box and click on the file under the picture.

You can watch my YouTube tutorial for this project on my channel: Dari's Creative Corner.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting! -Dari

P.S.:  I would love for you to comment below if you make your own.  I would love to see your creation :).  Also, if you are interested in purchasing any of the CTMH products I used for this project, you can shop with me at dariscreativecorner.ctmh.com.
stapler with regular gray staples :)
Cricut- Craft Room Basics- the tag on the front and circle on the top

CTMH Be Your Own Kind of Wonderful Scrapbook Layout

Hello! Hello!  I actually scrapbooked a page featuring myself!!  We will be creating this layout tomorrow for my monthly scrapbooking group.  I used two of my all-time favorite CTMH stamp sets- Your Own Kind of Wonderful (D1627) and A Happy Hello (S1502).  

Here's a list of all the fun ingredients I used:

CTMH Hopscotch paper packet

CTMH White Daisy cardstock

CTMH quatrefoil embossing folder

CTMH dye inks: glacier, lagoon, pear, sorbet, flaxen, hollyhock, sunflower, bubblegum, juniper.

CTMH 3D foam tape

CTMH bonding glue pen

CTMH mini flourishes

CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting! -Dari

Dari's Pocket Explosion Box

Hello! Hello!  I promised you all I would have a YouTube tutorial and a cutting/scoring diagram.  I began this endeavor several days ago.  I didn't realize how much time it would take :).

I finally have the diagrams done and you can access them on my website here.  Just scroll down the page until you see the photo.  Underneath there is a link so you can open up the file.

I am in the process of uploading the video.  I had to break it up into three sections because it is so detailed.  As I am typing this, the first part is ready to view.  The second and third parts are uploading so they should be available in the next couple of hours :).

I hope you enjoy it.  I love the box!  It is so versatile.  You could make it for a newborn baby, for Valentine's Day, for a fun way to highlight yearly family moments, for a special trip, for a birthday, for Mother's Day or Father's Day, for anything you want!!

I would love to hear from you what you create and would love for you to send me a link so I can see for myself :).

Thanks for stopping by! -Dari

CTMH February 2015 SOTM Creations!

Hello! Hello!  Two days ago I was browsing a CTMH SOTM (Stamp of the month) blog hop.  I was totally inspired by some of the creations out there.  One in particular sparked my creative juices. Jeanie Burch from clearlycards.blogspot.com created a very simple card using a washi tape masking technique.  I fell in love with it!  I had to use this technique to create my own works of art :). Her blog walks you through the steps for this technique, so hop on over to her blog to learn how to do it.  Thanks Jeanie for a great tutorial.

On the layout you see above, I masked off three areas and used her technique.  I began with a piece of white cardstock and stamped away.  When I finished, I was so happy with the results that I had to finish the page (lol).  Do you ever do that?  If I didn't like it, I thought I would just trim off the section I had stamped and save the rest for another project :). As I looked through my printed photos, I ran across this one picture from my wedding day and thought, "That's perfect!" Read on to see some of my favorite parts of this layout (besides the masking technique).

This is a closer photo of the stamping technique.  In addition to the February 2015 SOTM set, I used another favorite stamp set Happy to Be Friends (C1605).  The sentiments were perfect for my layout :).  This stamp set is in CTMH's Seasonal Expressions, which is only available through March (next month).

I not only used the February SOTM set for the background blocks, I also used it to create my focal embellishment.  I stamped the different layers and then assembled them using 3D foam tape.  On the white background, I used the leaf stamp in the set.  The larger flower I sponged more color on so it wasn't so white and added some purple glitter glue to the center.  It looked better before I smeared it with my palm (that's a typical me thing to do :).)

After I created my epoxy paper clip in the top of the photo frame, I had a little piece of stamped paper left over.  I couldn't throw it away because I liked it so much; so, I moved it around on my paper until I found a spot and idea how to use it.  Adding the three stamps (also in the SOTM set) and some of CTMH's lagoon striped washi tape, I had the perfect layout.

For this layout, I used the following CTMH products:
*White daisy cardstock
*Glacier cardstock
*Lagoon Striped washi tape
*Dye inks: Pear, Lagoon, Thistle, Glacier, Sunflower (current color- Canary), Flaxen.
*3D Foam tape

This was my first creation I made from Jeanie's technique.  I love the way this one turned out as well!  We need those days, right?  When we are pleased with the results :).

For this card, I cut a piece of white daisy cardstock to 3.75" x 5" and masked off a section that had a 1.5" high area to stamp. I used the washi tape masking technique.  Then I stamped the sentiment from the SOTM set (so many versatile stamps on this set).  I ran half of my card base through my cuttlebug. Next, I glued down my card front onto my base.  It looked fine, but I had to give it some more bling!  I rummaged through my scraps and found this little remnant of flourishes and the flower embellishment.  I thought they fit perfectly.  I put some clear glitter in the center of the two orange flowers and wah lah!

Oh, a tip if you want to use this masking technique- on this card I used some cheap washi tape I had that I don't see myself using again.  It was too sticky.  If you look closely at my card above, you can see some areas where the paper got peeled up a little.  For the layout, I used CTMH washi tape- not as sticky and came off better :). Shucks, I was hoping to find a good use for this washi tape!

I couldn't leave the inside of my card blank.  My blogging friend, Donna, has inspired me to decorate the insides of my cards as well as the fronts.  Thanks Donna! the inside is really simple.  I just stamped along the right edge with images I had used on the front of my card and glued it down.

The CTMH products I used for this card are:
*White Daisy cardstock
*February 2015 SOTM set (only available this month)  You can get it for $17.95 or $5 with a $50 order.
*Mini flourishes
*Skylark embellishment (discontinued)
*Dye inks: sorbet, sunflower (current- canary), lagoon, thistle, pear

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you to give this technique a try!  I would love to hear/see what you create from this post. -Dari

P.S.: To order any of the products mentioned in this blog, contact your consultant, or I would love to be your consultant :).  You can click on my CTMH link on the right. Have a great day!

CTMH Love Struck layout

Hello! Hello!  I found this adorable sketch via YouTube.  I can't remember the creator of the video; however, she got the sketch from nutsaboutsketches.blogspot.com. When I saw it, I knew I had to create my own layout from the sketch.  We will be creating this in my monthly scrapbooking group the last Thursday of the month :).

Here are the CTMH products I used to create this:

CTMH Heart Strings Paper Packet
CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge (banner)
CTMH lagoon washi tape
CTMH cranberry, slate and black dye inks
CTMH Forever in My Heart stamp set (C1604)- title and hearts
CTMH Take Note Stamp Set (D1574)- journal lines

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting :) -Dari

Christmas Joy layout

Hello! Hello! I am so glad you stopped by today.  Yesterday was my monthly scrapbooking group. This is the layout we did. I wanted something that want the traditional Christmas colors. I opted for glitter and bling. This page reminds me of ornaments :). The layout idea came from the CTMH Reflections book.  I used the Artbooking cartridge for the die cuts. We also incorporated a fun technique using Pearl ex powders and verdant ink.  This was lots of fun! The stamp sets we used for this layout are CTMH Flakey Friends and CTMH Sweet and Lovely (cricut bundle).
Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting! - Dari

CTMH Halloween 2014

Hello! Hello!  OK, so I know I'm crazy, but I am totally excited.  When I went to my blog dashboard, I noticed that my blog has been viewed over 300 times in the last month.  That is a huge milestone for me!  Like I said, I'm crazy!  However, that brightened my day.  Thanks to all those who visit my blog.  I hope you find inspiration and enjoy your stop.

Tonight is my monthly scrapbook club.  Normally it is on the fourth Thursday, but seeing as Thanksgiving falls on that day, we had to move it. This is the layout we will be creating.  Not sure if I like the photo of it or not (lol). I am very pleased with the actual layout- I just think this photo does it injustice. 

The recipe for my layout is:

CTMH Scaredy Cat paper pack
CTMH White Daisy card stock
CTMH Thistle and Sweet Pea card stocks
Black card stock
CTMH frightfully fun stamp set
CTMH Hopscotch alphabet stamp set
CTMH black, thistle, pear and autumn terracotta dye inks
CTMH stripes embossing folder
CTMH sanding block
CTMH Skylark Workshop on the Go stamp set (white corner flourish)
CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge
Black journaling pen
White pigment ink pad

If you have any questions, just drop me a line.  Hope you have a great day! -Dari

CTMH First Day layout

Wow!  I turned the flash off, and the reflection from the sheet protectors still came through (lol).  Oh well.  I'm not taking this out of the sheet protectors.  Most of the layouts I have done the last couple of months are sitting in a stack inside a wicker basket.  So, glare or no glare, at least I can say this is ready for the books!

This is the layout we are doing for my monthly scrapbooking club.  When I first looked through the new catalog, I must admit that the Chalk It Up paper line was not on my list of things to order.  I reluctantly ordered it, because the last few clubs have been on a white base, and I thought it was time to change things up a bit.  I am really pleased with the end product and think I might even be able to conjure up some more creations with this paper :). 

Besides the Chalk It Up paper line, I used:

CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge (notebook die, embellishment cutouts, and title)
CTMH Sorbet cardstock
CTMH White Daisy
CTMH Free To Be paper (promotional in May or June)
CTMH Glacier, flaxen and sorbet dye inks
CTMH 3D foam tape
CTMH dots embossing folder
CTMH Take Note Cricut Bundle Stamp Set (all stamped images)

My Reflections cardstock (blue)
My Reflections glitter glue (blue- used on title)

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you enjoy- Dari

CTMH Balloon Ride layout

I created this layout last month at my scrapbooking retreat.  I have really fallen in love with CTMH's Balloon Ride paper pack and stamp sets.  If you check my blog often, you already know that :). 

I print my photos directly from my computer, and therefore, I can change the sizes of the photos very easily.  Usually, I either find a layout I would like to use or design it on paper first so I know what sizes I need my pictures to be.  Other times I will create my layout and then print my pictures afterwards to fit the page. 

In this particular spread, I found this page sketch via Pinterest, and printed my photos based on it.  The layout is designed as a 12x12 spread; however, I really like the 8.5x11 scrapbooking.  So, I use an old algebraic equation to resize all my dimensions. 

How to:
The easiest way to demonstrate how to do this is to give you a "story problem."  The page sketch I found gave the following photo sizes: 4x6 and 3x4.  This sketch is designed for a 12x12 layout.  What are the photo sizes for an 8.5x11 layout?

The first step to figuring this out is to decide on ONE dimension- width or height. We are going to start with the 4x6 photo.  The direction that my photo is in the above layout means that 4 is the height, and 6 is the width.  Let's begin with the height.  The formula is: h*/H*=h/H.  The star is just there to differentiate between the layouts. h* will equal 4 (our photo is 4 in.). H* will equal 12 (the paper height is 12 in.). h is our variable or unknown, because we don't know the height of the resized photo.  H is 11 (the smaller paper is 11 in. in height).  OK.  Now that we know the info we need, let's plug it into the formula.  4 (h*)/ 12 (H*) = h/ 11 (H). 

Here is where that algebra comes in that you learned eons ago.  You can take the denominators (the bottom number from each side of the equation) and multiply them with their diagonal counterpart numerators (the top number).  Let me show you:
12 and 11 are the denominators in this equation.  You multiply 11 with 4 (opposite numerator).  The answer 44 stays on the side of the numerator (4 or the left).  You multiply 12 with h and get 12h.  This stays on the side of the h (right side of equal sign).  So, you have 44=12h.  Can you see what you need to do now?  You have to get h by itself. To do so, divide BOTH sides of the equation by 12.  44/12=12h/12.  3.67=h because 44/12= 3.67 and 12h/12=h because the twelves cancel each other out.  The height for the resized photo is 3.67 in.

To figure out the width, plug in the measurements for the width of the photo and papers and repeat.  w*/W*= w/W.  

6/12=w/8.5    (6- the photo is 6 inches wide; 12- the paper is 12 inches wide; w= new photo width;
                       8.5- width of the smaller paper)

Multiply denominators with opposite numerators.

6*8.5=12w

51=12w

Now get w by itself by dividing both sides of the equation by 12.
51/12= 12w/12

4.25=w

Your new width for the photo is 4.25.

My printer doesn't print 3.67x4.25 so I choose the option closest to these depending on the layout space available.  If there is plenty of space in that area, I will choose the 3.5x5 inch option.  If not, I will choose the 3x4 inch option.  Or, I can choose the 3.5x5 inch option and crop it down to 4.25. 

This also works if you want to cut background paper, frames, embellishments, etc. at the resized sizes.  I do this every month for my CTMH scrapbooking club.  I have 2 members who like to scrap the 8.5x12 inch size and 4 who like the 12x12 size.

Hope this helps.  If you have any questions, just ask!   -Dari