And here's a layout I created using the kit. I'm really loving layered papers right now, so this was fun playing with the different colors.

And I just realized I haven't even mentioned this little trip to the beach, here on my blog. Ah well. It was overcast but we got sunburned anyway. The journaling on the layout tells you everything you need to know. It was a great trip and I'm glad to have it documented!

Here's a peek at one of the inside pages.

And another one.

These will eventually get mailed to Princess L's grandmother. I think she will like them.

This was fun because I made a digital overlay for my photo before printing it and that became my primary title. For my secondary title, I used my Dyno Label maker on a strip of cardstock. I ran it through and then sanded it to make the white core of the paper stand out.

Fun stuff people.

So, the thing I like the most about this layout is the little mini-book attached for hidden journaling. Its not too thick, it will fit inside a page protector. But its got several little pages for me to write "love notes" to my girl. Someday, she will slip this page out of its protector and be able to read some of the thousands of things that made me love her at this moment in time. She will love that. And so I love it.

So today, I've got a treat for you.

First, a couple of projects I created using the new buttons I received.

This sits on a shelf in my craft room and I love the cheerful, bright button mix with the black and white photo.

And this one.

The flower buttons were calling out for a garden theme. This collage-style piece was fun to make and makes me smile when I spot it in my craft room.

And last but not least, for my digi gals, those vintage buttons from my grandma and her friends? Well, now you can share them with me for your layouts. Just click on the preview to download a stash of buttons for your personal use. A little freebie from me!

Just click on the preview to download and have fun!

She's 16" tall and completely covered in scrapbook papers from Graphic 45. I used an adhesive called Liquid Laminate which was awesome. Its very watery so if you are used to Mod Podge, it might take a bit of practice, but no bubbles and no streaks. I love the stuff. So she's wearing an apron which is fastened with ribbon. The apron has a pocket on it with an ATC inside.

Here's a closeup of the top of the apron. Flower, buttons, and grungeboard wings finish off this part of the piece.

This is her neckline. She's got Distress Stickles added to her ribbon collar and although she might appear to be a housewife, this is no plain-Jane ordinary housewife, as can be seen by the rub-on tattoos peeking out of her blouse. She's also wearing a necklace, which was made from an old buttoncover (you might need to be over the age of 35 or so to remember button covers), a punch from scrapbook paper, liquid laminate inside to gloss it up a bit, and a ribbon.

I don't have a close-up of the little birdie on her shoulder, but he's pretty cute too. He's got grungeboard wings and a button hat. He's got an idea-ology tag around his ankle and he's whispering in her ear all the things she needs to know to get through her hectic and busy day.

Thanks for looking!

Supply List:
Paper Mache Box: Craft Pedlars "Paper Mache Block 4"  Square w/ Lid";
Paper: Daisy Bucket Designs "Chic, Posh  Posies Groovy";
Adhesive:  Beacon Adhesives "Zip Dry," Martha Stewart Crafts "Glue Pad"; 
Embellishments : Martha Stewart Crafts Microfine Glitter "Limeade";
Ink:  Close To My Heart  "Pansy Purple";
Paint: Adirondack Acrylic  Paint Dabber by Ranger "Pink Sherbet"; 
Pens: Sakura "Glaze, IdentiPen";
Stamp: Close To My Heart "Annotations";
Misc: Buttons, beads, embroidery thread,  jewelry wire, packaging plastic, pop dots

I made this card.

Credits: Paper: Rusty Pickle "Pop Star: Emily, Monique";
Stamps: Rusty Pickle  "Girlfriend Font";
Cardstock: Couture Cardstock "Witch Hazel";
Adhesive:  Beacon Adhesives "3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue, Zip Dry";
Ink: Tim Holtz  Distress Ink by Ranger "Peeled  Paint";
Misc: Bling, ribbon

And I made this 6x12" layout, only mine is more of a wall hanging than a layout. The square that looks like a photo is actually a mirror. When I look at this, I see myself. A nice reminder of who I can be.

Credits: Paper: Rusty Pickle "Pop Star: Emily, Hillary, Lucas, Miley";
Embellishments: Rusty Pickle "Buttons:  Black and White Assorted,"
Blumenthal Lansing "Buttons: 1992," Prima Marketing "Makes Me Happy: Flowers";
Stamps: Rusty  Pickle "Girlfriend Font," Close To My Heart "Precious Alphabet";
Stickers: Rusty Pickle "Pop Star";
Cardstock: Couture Cardstock  "Tropical Rain";
Adhesive: Beacon Adhesives "3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue,  Zip Dry";
Pens: Close To My Heart "Ocean," Marvy Uchida "Brush Marker:  Cherry";
Misc: Flowers, Ikea mirror "Malva"

Hope you enjoyed looking!

As you can see, I still used my computer to print out my photo and added some text. I couldn't resist a little bit of digital, so I guess that makes this a HYBRID project, right? Silly me for being so freaked out. The paper flower on the bottom right was made by cutting a strip of paper, then fan folding it on a slight curve. I then glued it together and plopped some buttons on top.

This bit of title work was done using my Dymo Label Maker. I cut a strip of paper and slid it through just like I would the label roll. Then I sanded the letters to help them pop. It worked great and honestly, I love my Dymo. I use it quite a bit in my projects. I had to hunt a bit to find one of these manual label makers, everyone sells the electronic ones now, but that doesn't give you the embossing which is what I like about the whole thing!

Project credits: Paper: Pink Paislee "Cupid: Bow & Arrow, Love Potion";
Stamp: Pink Paislee "Cupid: Impressions";
Stickers: Pink Paislee "Expressions Glitter: Limeade";
Cardstock: Couture Cardstock "Tank Green";
Adhesive: Beacon Adhesives "3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue, Zip Dry";
Embellishments:  Canvas Home Basics "Jute Rope," Close To My Heart
"Clear Buttons," Kaisercraft "Pearls: Lush," Queen & Co.
"Felt Border: Bee Blue";
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger "Walnut  Stain";
Tools: Dymo Label Maker; Misc: Button

Credits: Digital Kit: "Beach Bum" by WM[squared] Designs; Font: Piquarnic

This layout was an exercise in blending. The original photo was taken by the staff at our local water park and had a water park logo in the corner and all sorts of lame computer framing. I didn't want any of that in my layout. The photo was also extremely overexposed because of the bright sunlight and the blue water. Using my blending options in Photoshop, I blended the photo with the background paper from the kit and then used my eraser tool to eliminate the edges of my photo. I think it turned out great and this one will definitely be in our 2009 album.

Credits: "Happy Together" by Gwenipooh Designs; Font: Piquarnic

This one was fun to make. I had a lot of photos with green backgrounds. I need to be sure they were seen against  my background so I added a white border to each photo. I also added a lot of stitching to this one simply because I love the look of stitching on scrapbook pages.

There are LOTS of layouts using product from ScrapMatters in the new issue of Scrap N'Art magazine. In fact, every issue is packed full of over 100 pages of inspirational projects, tutorials and product reviews. Go grab a subscription and join in on the fun!