Layouts…From Simple to Grand

This is the 2nd post in a 3 part series – be sure to check out Julie Tambrini’s post on simple layouts and Diana Brinsley’s post on grand layouts! Visit the CM Blog for more info!

Do you have a “style” to your scrapbooking?  While there are probably as many different styles as there are scrapbookers it seems like there are 3 basic types of layouts.   First, there is the simple layout.  This focuses mostly on the photos and often the stories behind the photos, using maybe only a bit of cardstock on their pages and just a few, if any, embellishments. Then we have the “grand” layouts.  These pages often incorporate different techniques and many products and tools are used to create them.   That leaves us with those layouts that fall somewhere in between the simple & grand styles.   These pages dip their toes in the fun stuff but resist going in head first.  Pages that have just enough fun stuff to compliment the photos.  It’s these types of pages that I  seen to complete most often.
Before going any further I want to say that one style is better than another and there is room for ALL types of scrapbookers! 
There are no scrapbooking police.
(Thank goodness!) 

These are your pages and you have permission to do what makes YOU happy (not that you need it but there it is just in case)!  And just because you are usually are a more simple scrapper does not mean you can’t do a grand page whenever you want & vice versa!
Whatever your scrappy style is, I think you will find the Fast2Fabulous (F2F) pages from Creative Memories a nice option.  These pages are pre-decorated (some more than others) – many have matching coversets and they are so versatile!  You can easily use them as is - simply adding your photos for a very quick page or you can get creative and use them as a starting point.  Most of the pages have coordinating papers and Slide-in packs and a few of the F2F packs (Be Bold and Flourish (BB&F) and Look on the Bright Side) have pages with just a bit of decoration & plenty of open space. 
Below are 2 simple layouts using F2F pages from the Be Bold and Flourish pack.

All I added to the BB&F F2F page above is the element to the right.  I cut a bit of turquoise paper from the top so it would stand out more. It is from the Be Bright and Flourish Slide-in Pack.   The yellow boxes are printed right on the page – perfectly sized for 4x6 photos. 

I again added pieces to this F2F page from the Be Bright and Flourish Slide-in Pack (the striped papers) and also I matted one of the photos with paper from the Be Bold and Flourish paper pack.  I wanted that to stand out a bit from the others because I <3 it!
With the addition of journaling I’d be happy to put these in our family album.
Sometimes I want to be just a little more creative so I add a little bit more decoration to those layouts – like the ones below.

The new  Black ABC/123 Stickers were perfect for adding a title to the page – not necessary, I included that info in my journaling, but I like it!

I added a little more paper from the Be Bold and Flourish paper pack, some more ABC/123 Stickers (Gold and Black) and added a little bit of detail using the Black Dual Tip Pen. That helped the Gold ABC/123 stickers  & lighter paper stand out a bit.

Take a closer look at the new & improved ABC/123 stickers from CM in this video:

I’m satisfied with this layout but if I wanted to make it a little more “grand” I could add some detail, maybe a border using the Border Maker System, to the bottom of that journal block – or over the white line behind the photo of the sunflowers.  Other ways to make these pages a bit more grand:  double mat the photos (or just the favorites) use the Two-Way Corner Rounder on the photos, add some more decorative elements from the BB&F Slide-in Pack or Paper Pack…the sky’s the limit!

Click here to see the papers in the BB&F Paper pack.

Click here to see the papers in the BB&F Slide-in pack.
Click here to see the pages in the BB&F F2F pack.
What is your scrappy style? 

Multipurpose Tool - Making A Comeback!!

THE MULTIPURPOSE TOOL IS BACK!!! 

There are other versions of this little gem out there – but none, IMHO, can hold a candle to the original.  This is EXACTLY like the first MPT that CM offered – NOT the one that was sold in the tool kit or offered by other companies.  This baby is strong yet flexible.  It removes, repositions, lifts, separates, punches, pokes, embosses, scores and I bet it could even dice & slice if you tried hard enough!

The MP Tools is available to order on my CM Advisor site along with another new item - the gorgeous Now Boarding 12x12 F2F (bookcloth!) album & F2F pages.  Orders that contain these items will begin shipping Wednesday, August 5th! 

The album is bookcloth and features four (si, quatro!) different foil stamps. The breathtaking design continues with "Explore, Dream, Discover" on the inside cover and some of the most beautiful pages yet!

See all of the Now Boarding refill pages by clicking here. 

July New CM Product Sneak Peek!

Holy cow!  It’s hard to believe that we only have a little more than a week left in June!   Don’t fret about the summer fading away – be happy because with the new month comes new products!!

Here is what’s expected next week:

• Sunshine, Teal and Coral 12x12 Bookcloth Coversets - colors to make you smile
• Be Bold & Flourish Fast2Fab (foiled bookcloth cover), and refill pages, of course
• Be Bold & Flourish Paper Pack and Slide-In Pack
• Red, White & Blue Paper Pack

I’m pretty sure this will be The Be Bold & Flourish Foiled Bookcloth Cover – CM Advisors were able to vote on some fun choices & this was the winning design!

Sample pages – hope they made the final cut – they’re cute!

Expected mid-July: new black and gold ABC/123 Stickers, plus new additions to the Tools category!

Stay tuned!

It’s Almost Graduation Time!

It’s so exciting – the end of one chapter and the beginning of another!  Times like these are a great time to reflect on the past and capture those memories in a scrapbook.  It also can be a daunting task – and often it’s one that needs to be completed in just a short amount of time.
This is the time of year that I usually receive quite a few phone calls & emails from people that need to get about 18 years of photos in an album…usually in about a month or two.  Facing piles of photos and memorabilia, they’re searching for a simple way to create an album to have on display at parties, for a gift or just for their own enjoyment.  
Well look no further - the search is over!  I am so thrilled to share that CM is here to help!
Announcing the Hats Off Fast2Fabulous Predesigned Pages – available with or without the Ebony Hats Off Album (shown below)

The great thing about the predecorated pages is that you can use them as is – making for a quick & easy project, or use them as a starting point - adding your own touch wherever you want.  Your album – your way!!

Have a lot of photos?  You can purchase additional predecorated refill pages.  Some of them can be used upside down to vary the designs.  You can also add in the Large Single Pocket Pages for memorabilia.  All of the CM pages will work together beautifully! 
The neutral tones used throughout the pages will not overshadow your photos and will compliment any school colors.  I think this would be perfect for any graduation – including high school, 8th grade & Kindergarten!
You can view what each predesigned page looks like by clicking here.
To thank you for shopping with me in April I’d like to send to you a custom embellishment that will coordinate with the artwork on the Hats Off Predesigned Pages.
I will send one embellishment for each Hats Off Album and/or set of pages that is ordered in April via my Advisor Link.

If you prefer different colors and email me shortly after placing your order (within a day or two, please) I’m happy to customize this for you.  Just let me know what colors you’d like substituted for the white, grey and black pieces.

If I do not hear from you I’ll send the embellishment as shown in the photos to the address your CM order was shipped to. 
I expect to begin mailing the embellishments mid-month.
Thanks for helping me do what I love!