Cardstock Carnival - Tag layout

 It has been a little while!!  Life has been busy! But today, I have a layout to share that was inspired by the art department at Close To My Heart during their cardstock carnival celebration in March.  The layout could be easily re-created using border cuts from Cricut or other sources.  

The original art work was a cute little accordion book, however when I first saw it all I could think of was Shamrock right??  So this was the project for those who attended my "no-perks" day on Shamrock Thursday.  I really am not very good at following my own "no perks" rules  as participants still receive a project and supplies just not me teaching them.

Isn't this book just adorable?

So from here, I opted to make this into a 2-page 12" x 12" layout.  I used White Daisy as my base and used Limeaide, Clover and Evergreen for the shades of green.  The die cuts were pre-cut from CTMH and the string was a generic string that I had in my stash.  I sized, and cut, all of the tags on my Cricut.  For the Evergreen tag, I stamped the rainbow image from the current Operation Smile stamp set in Evergreen Exclusive Ink.  For the final touch, I added the Limeaide Enamel Dots from the Hunny Bunny Dot collection and some hand stitching using a White Gel Pen.  I, for one, am quite delighted with how the layout came together, and furthermore turned out.  

Here is the finished layout, as well as some close-ups.

The sentiment was stamped with a rock-and-roll technique of Limeaide and Clover Exclusive Inks.  The hearts are stamped with Limeaide Exclusive Ink and the cloud is stamped with Clover Exclusive Ink.

The rainbow was stamped with Evergreen Exclusive Ink.

Supplies used:  (X6030) Evergreen cs, (X6040) Clover cs, (X6075) Limeaide cs, (Z6512) Evergreen Exclusive Ink Pad, (Z6575) Limeaide Exclusive Ink Pad, (Z6507) Clover Exclusive Ink Pad, (1385) White Daisy cs, (X7302D) Hunny Bunny Enamel Dots, (D2190) Your Smile Operation Smile Stamp Set.  Additionally,  Thin Foam Tape, white string.  Current items are available on my website at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com.

Have a Sassy Day!

Tonya

Shimmer Trim Overlay Layout

Darlings, you most certainly are marvelous!!  Love this layout!! The color combination used, the overlay, the details, and of course, the "darlings" that the layout was created for!

Truth.  I re-created, tweaked, and altered a card design that I used many moons ago (we are talking maybe 2013 when Artbooking was first introduced!) and made it into a layout design that I am now even more in love with than the initial card!

The overlay design was significantly altered, sliced, and welded in Design Space to create the look that I wanted and so that the design would stretch the length of a 12" page so you are actually seeing 4 different sections 4" x 12" in size, all created on the base pages.

The Shimmer Trim that I used in the Darlings layout is Flamingo and Papaya however, this could be tweaked to your choice of colors -- or even to highlight more than two colors - this is just the combination I really like for my photographs.  If going with my sequence, the layout will require 4 rolls of shimmer trim with a little left on each roll.

The words "Darlings" and "marvelous" are cut three times, stacked and adhered directly on top of one another for stability.  As the title is so incredibly intricate it was challenging to pop the title up with Thin Foam Tape, and stacking the layers of cardstock helped create that thickness and height so that there is more depth in the layout.  Because of the texture of the Shimmer Trim, it is important to adhere the title over the White Daisy overlay so that the title has something to adhere too.

Hand-journaling isn't typically my forte' however I decided to journal directly on the overlay itself.  Doing this didn't break the flow of the overlay yet become a complimenting component of the layout.

The Clear Shimmer Brush was used on the stamped macarons to pull in the glitter component.  These worked great for my personal layout, but could easily be switched to another embellishment for another layout.

Now that you have seen the possibilities for the layout, here is the card design that the layout originated from with updated colors.  This is indeed a 5" x 7" card and perfect for a special occasion.

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So let's take this step-by-step on how to create the overlay portion of this layout:

For this step-by-step, Candy Apple and Clover Green Shimmer Trims were used.

1.  Begin with the overlay.  Flip this to the back side where all the attachment, and positioning, will take place.

2.  Adhere Red-Line Tape to the edges and any of the spaces that will allow for it.  Also note, extending the red line tape to the All-Purpose mat helps keep the overlay in one spot and makes it easier to add the layers accurately.

3.  When attaching the Shimmer Trim, begin with the large scallop part of the overlay.  Attach the shimmer trim face down to the overlay allowing it to stick to the red line tape.  

4.  Using fine tip scissors, cut notches - essentially triangles - at each place where the scallop "dips". This is easiest accomplished by cutting from the front glitter side.  

5.  Remove the film from the scalloped portion of the shimmer trim.  

6.  Now, adhere the next layer of the shimmer trim making sure to attach it to the back of the scalloped shimmer trim.  This will keep the pieces from moving while you are filling in the spaces.

7.  Continue until all open spaces have been covered.

8.  Pull any remaining film from the back of the shimmer trim.  Adhere entire section to the White Daisy base.

9.  Using fine tip scissors, or a paper trimmer, trim all shimmer trim edges, that exceed the base, off.

10.  Repeat with all four sections.

11.  And you are done!  Easy right?

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Both the layout, and the card set, are available in my shop at www.inallsassiness.com.  When ordering my kits for either the layout, or the 5" x 7" cards, you have color choices!  I can't wait to see what color combinations that you will put together!  

Supplies used: (Z3515) Black journaling pen, (1385) White Daisy (Z3801) Flamingo Shimmer Trim, (Z5014) Papaya Shimmer Trim, (X6047) Black cs, (Z3314) Black & White Dots, (Z2805) Black Exclusive Ink, (Z4101) Ooh, La, La Macarons Stamp & Thin Cuts, (Z3777) Waterfall Thin Cuts (the title banner), (retired) Stitched Circle Thin Cuts, (Z3293) Clear Shimmer Brush, (D2063) Smile Big Stamp Set,  (Z2060) Thin 3-d Foam tape, (Z3341) Thin 3-d Foam Dots, ((Z3372) Adhesive Runner, (Z341) Mini Glue Dots, (Z5024) Red Line Tape, Z3340) Dual Tip Permanent Glue Pen. Markers/Shimmer brushes of choice to color the macarons.  All of the current items may be purchased on my Close To My Heart website at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com.

Sassfully yours,

Tonya

The Important Things...

The important things is a journaling model that I was introduced to spring a year ago.  I embraced this model and used in during my journey with Leukemia to journal -- for me it served two purposes -- it was a coping for me to write my thoughts and feelings down and it also became a tool to share updates with my friends and family through my Caring Bridges site.

When Close To My Heart announced the guidelines for this year's Layout Contest and that the focus was on journaling, I knew this was what I wanted to create a layout using.  Below is my contest entry, which I am humbled to say, was chosen as one of the winning entries.  I took little bits and pieces of my journaling and pulled them all together to tell my story.  

Full Spread with 4" x 12" Flip Flap closed

Left side with 5" x 7" flip flap open & top 3" x 4" flip flap open

5" x 7" Flip Flap journaling:  

"The important thing about today is that my heart is filled with hope.  Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  Many words are used for synonyms of hope:  aspiration, desire, wish, expectation, ambition, await, goal, design, dream.  These synonyms define my heart right now.  I believe in wishing on stars…my wish is for the Leukemia cells will not return to my blood.  My desire if for the next 2 weeks to move quickly, uneventfully, and with no obstacles.  I anxiously await my next bone marrow biopsy to be clear and to enable me to go home.  I aspire to be home in time to celebrate Nicholas’ 14th birthday.  My dream for when I leave the hospital is to go to the beach, and witness the ocean, in all its majesticness, with family.  My expectation is that this journey will continue to be challenging but my plan is to continue to fight with grace, faith, courage and dignity.  My goal is to lead a life of joy and to find the joy within every situation.  My ambition is to live a life that I design not one that the Leukemia lays out for me.  But, the important thing about today is that my heart is filled with hope."

5" x 7" Circle journaling:

"The important thing about today is that I am alive and I am fighting.  The sun came up again this morning and it is a new day. Yesterday is behind me.  I can see His beautiful mountains from my window which makes me smile.  My medical team are holding my hands and guiding me with compassion, dignity and knowledge.  I am persevering. I am overwhelmed by the love of my friends and family.  My body, and my blood, may be broken, but my heart is full.  I am not where I WANT to be but I am where I NEED to be.  This is ME.  I am filled with hope and faith.  But the important thing about today is that I am alive and I am fighting."

left side with 5" x 7" flip flap open and bottom 3" x 4" flip flap open

3" x 4" Flip Flap journaling:  

"The important thing about today is that my hair is gone and I am still smiling.  My hair has been increasingly falling out and with each clump in my hands, I have found my emotions growing.  So today, my dear friend, who has cut my hair since I moved to Virginia, came to cut what was left of my hair.  If someone was going to shave it I wanted her to be “my person”.  My nurse filled my day with sunshine, and smiles.  She helped ease the way.  She added a little soft humor which went such a long way.  My husband was here for support.  I thought he would have a hard time but instead he hugged me, kissed my head and called me beautiful.  My friend laughed with me and made me feel normal during the entire process.  She was wonderful.  And it filled my heart.  I thought it would be absolutely horrible but really, it was not.  I thought I wouldn’t be able to cope with it, but I am coping.  I thought the reflection in the mirror would be frightful, but it was not.  It was just different. Once my hair was cut, we pulled out the scarves and she taught me how to tie them.  I felt like I was  a little girl playing dress up. There was laughter and smiles. Instead of feeling sad, I found myself feeling empowered and even a little confidant that I could do this.  When all was said and done, I was relieved and felt a sense of peace.  I am sure there will still be emotional ups and downs along this “bald-journey”, but for now, I am okay."

Full spread with 4" x 12" flip flap open

right side with 4" x 6"

circle journaling:

October 7th:  The important thing about today was that the Lord carried me through the day when I needed Him most.

October 7th:  I pray for my children.  They are struggling with my diagnosis - each in his/her own way.  They are just so young to have this on their little shoulders.  I see their tears and I just ask that the Lord provide comfort to them.

October 9th:  The important thing about today is that I have angels watching over me.  I believe in angels.  I believe that there are angels here on earth and angels in the Heavens and I believe there are some of both watching over me,

October 11th:  The important thing about today is that I am alive and I am fighting.  My Halloween costume is now complete - I have petechia over about 95% of my body.   My entire body itches beyond anything I have EVER experienced.

October 18th:  The important thing about today is that my day was filled with sunshine!  My husband hung a string with clips across my window so I could see all the beautiful cards that my friends and love ones have sent - each a little dose of sunshine.  I absolutely have no doubt my room is the most beautiful in the hospital.  Most certainly the most artsy!

October 25th:  The important thing about today is the I know "when I do through deep waters God is with me".  My old PICC line had some infection in it as well as a great deal of damaged skin around it that made it challenging to deal with so I was given a new PICC line.

November 21st:  The important thing about this week is that I am grateful beyond all measure.

right side with 3" x 4" flip flap open

I have had several ask that I teach this layout as a class, and offer it as a kit so I have decided to do so.  I decided because this was such an important journey for me that I would give $10 from each kit/class to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training and all $10 from the purchase of the digital files.  The kits may be purchased in my Square Shop at:  https://squareup.com/store/tonya-sheridan-independent-close-to-my-heart-consultant.  For those who would like the digital file, you may purchase that is my Square shop as well for $10 (all $10 going to LLS) or you may make your donation directly on my Team In Training Site (https://pages.lls.org/tnt/va/corps19/TSheridan) to have the receipt for your taxes.  

Supplies used:

X7244B True Love Paper Pack, X5994 Ballerina cs, X6027 White Daisy cs, Documented Dots (retired), Z3230 3" x 4" Flip Flaps, Z3231 4" x 6" Flip Flaps, Z3232 5" x 7" Flip Flaps, X5993 Sage cs, Z4182 Thin Cuts - Stitched Hearts, Z4309 Thin Cuts -  Shaker Window and Confetti, D1860 You Are My Sunshine stamp set, Z2848 Sapphire Exclusive Ink, Z679 Liquid Glass, Z4088 White Alphabet Foam Stickers.

Special note:  the 4" x 12" Flip Flap is not included in the kits however the materials to create this element are included in the event that you have, or have access to a 4" x 12" flip flap as this item is retired.

Share the Love - all February Long!

During the month of February, Close To My Heart is offering an exclusive stamp set to benefit Operation Smile.  

Filled with adorable icons and loveable sentiments, this stamp set will be a beautiful addition to your collection—but there is more to this stamp set than meets the eye! Not only will you get a high-quality, swoon-worthy stamp set by taking part in this promotion, but Close To My Heart will also donate $7 USD* of the proceeds from this stamp set to Operation Smile™, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world!

To learn more about Operation Smile, and why we are so happy to support this amazing organization, click here.

Set of 13
Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3 ½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006)

You can order your very own Share the Love stamp directly on my website at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com or by e-mailing me at: inallsassiness@gmail.com.

Operation Smile Special Edition Stamp Set

Close To My Heart has a strong commitment to Operation Smile and with that commitment, they have introduced two absolutely fabulous stamp sets with each of the releases of the Seasonal Expressions Book.  The first "You're the Bomb" actually retires on March 31st and then from April 1st through August 31st "Happy Everything" will be available.  Yes, they are both wonderful, incredible and irresistible but that is only half of the awesomeness!  When you purchase either of these exclusive stamp sets, Close To My Heart will donate $3.00 from the sale of each stamp to Operation Smile!  And from now (March 27th - May 31st when you purchase either stamp set from me, or on my website, I will match the $3.00 in a donation to Operation Smile.  I am certain you will fall in love with both of these stamps as I have!  To order your very own Operation Smile stamp set, e-mail me, or use this link.

"You're the Bomb" available until March 31st.

"Happy Everything" available April 1st - August 31st