Blooming Medallion Scrapbook Borders

Yesterday advisors and customers from all over the world opened our Secret Boxes that we bought last month from Creative Memories. The contents of the Secret Box were a surprise, and we purchased the boxes on the good faith that we would love the contents – and CM did not disappoint! This is the third Secret Box that CM has offered, and each one has contained a paper pack, stickers or embellishments, a tool and some other small surprises. I’ve been happy with each Secret Box, and I especially love this one! Our next Secret Box will be available to purchase in August with an open date in September.

Flowers make me happy! And sweet smelling roses are one of my favorites! So I was thrilled with the Shabby Chic Rose Paper and Embellishments. And I can make my own rose embellishments and borders with the Blooming Medallion Punch! After opening my box yesterday, I did just that. I pulled out all of my different shades of red cardstock and started to play. Currently CM offers three shades of red cardstock – Cranberry, Crimson and Firecracker Shimmer. Recently our product line also included Red and Scarlet Cardstock. Each shade looks great with the Shabby Chic Rose Paper, and I created multi-dimensional roses by adhering a 1″ circle behind each punched piece.


I rummaged through my collection of current and retired punches and border maker cartridges and created a set of borders that range from simple to more intricate. I paired my borders with Dark Green and Charcoal Cardstock and used Foam Squares to add additional dimension.

I created these simple borders by layering the Blooming Medallion Punch pieces with 1″ circles in a variety of the red cardstock shades that I mentioned above. I used from left to right, the Garden Vine Border Punch, the Climbing Vine Border Maker Cartridge with Spring Leaf Punch and the On the Vine Border Punch. The Climbing Vine Border Maker Cartridge and Spring Leaf Punch are current items that are available for purchase.

The Blooming Medallion Punch coordinates nicely with so many of our past and current punches and border maker cartridges! The combinations seem endless! I used from top to bottom, the Simple Leaf Border Maker Cartridge, Wheatfield Border Punch and Rose Chain Border Maker Cartridge and the Doily Border Punch with Spring Leaf Punch. The Spring Leaf Punch is a current item that is available for purchase.

My last set of borders are a bit more intricate and include a few more layers. For these, I used the new 5 Leaf Punch and the new Spring Leaf Punch with some recently retired border punches. I always like to create and show new ways to use our older tools as I know that so many of you have purchased these in the past.

Border on Left:
1. Use the Baroque Border Punch to punch a border from Charcoal Cardstock, and cut off of cardstock at 2-1/2″.
2. Cut a strip of Dark Green Cardstock to 1-3/8″ x 12″. Cut a strip of Light Gray Cardstock to 1-1/4″ x 12″. Layer and adhere pieces to the baroque border.
3. Use the Blooming Medallion Punch to punch roses from Cranberry Cardstock. Use the old Mini Circle Punch to punch 1″ circles from Scarlet Cardstock. Layer and adhere the pieces. Use Foam Squares to adhere to the border piece.
4. Use the Spring Leaf Punch to punch leaves from Dark Green Cardstock, and adhere as shown.

Middle Border:
1. Use the Argyle Border Punch to punch a border from Dark Green Cardstock.
2. Use the Blooming Medallion Punch to punch roses from Firecracker Shimmer Cardstock. Use the old Mini Circle Punch to punch 1″ circles from Crimson Cardstock. Layer and adhere the pieces. Use Foam Squares to adhere to the border piece.
3. Use the Spring Leaf Punch to punch leaves from Dark Green Cardstock, and adhere as shown.
4. Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch a border from Charcoal Cardstock. Cut apart with scissors, and adhere to border as shown.

Border on Right:
1. Use the Lattice Border Punch to punch a border from Charcoal Cardstock.
2. Use the Blooming Medallion Punch to punch roses from Cranberry Cardstock. Use the old Mini Circle Punch to punch 1″ circles from Scarlet Cardstock. Layer and adhere the pieces. Use Foam Squares to adhere to the border piece.
3. Use the 5 Leaf Punch to punch leaves from Dark Green Cardstock, and adhere to border as shown.


I hope that I’ve inspired you to pull out some of your old punches and border maker cartridges and play! I would love to see what you create. Please feel free to share your creations on Karyn’s Croppers on Facebook.

Please note that Creative Memories is offering a $20 off Promo beginning at noon CT on Monday, June 14th. You may also wish to check out our current Cardstock Buffets that are offering some limited edition cardstock colors and paper paper packs along with some free gifts with purchase. Click here to use my Creative Memories website link to shop.

Happy Scrapping!
Karyn

Spring Cottage Scrapbook Layouts

Happy Spring! It’s my favorite time of the year! However, the spring weather draws me outside and competes with my time to scrapbook! I love working in my garden and watching new things bloom daily. My lilacs – one of my favorites – are in full bloom right now. I also love spring hikes to hunt for the changing blooms of wildflowers. The lovely Spring Cottage collection from Creative Memories is perfect for of all of my spring photos!




The layout above is ready for a photos of my spring garden blooms. I adapted the stick tree layout that I created this past winter and turned it into a spring tree full of visiting songbirds. (Please scroll back through my blog or search for two more versions of this layout using the Merry Blooms and Winter Woods Collections.)

To create my layout:

1. Cut a 1″ hollow frame from Charcoal Cardstock. Trim yellow print paper to 11-1/2″ x 11-1/2″, and adhere to the
frame.
2. From three different designer print papers, cut the following strips: 6″ x 3/4″, 6″ x 1/2″, 5-1/2″ x 3/4″, 5″ x 3/4″, 4-
1/2″ x 1/2″, 4″ x 1/2″, 2-1/2″ x 1/2″.
3. Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch two borders from Charcoal Cardstock and trim to: 6″, 5″ and 3″.
4. Cut a 3/8″ x 9-1/2″ strip from wood patterned paper to use as the trunk of the tree.
5. Adhere strips and border border pieces to the trunk piece.
6. From Charcoal Cardstock, cut two photo mats that measure 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ and 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″. From Light Gray
Cardstock, cut two photos mats that measure 4″ x 4″ and 4″ x 6″, and adhere to the charcoal mats.
7. Add Spring Cottage Embellishments and Stickers as shown adhering with Foam Squares.
8. To make the raffia-style bow, please view my YouTube video.


You may have already seen my second layout on the Creative Life Scrapbooking Community Group on Facebook. Please join me and my scrappy friends in that group to see the instructions. Also on Friday, April 30th, the Creative Life Scrapbooking team will be hosting a PJ Party Virtual Crop. To register and for more information, please click here.

Again I used the Spring Cottage Collection for this layout. In the instructions, I demonstrate how to create the fancy layered frame with mitered corners. I also included another raffia-style bow.


You may purchase any of the tools or materials that I used through my Creative Memories website link. Please note that beginning at noon CT on Monday, April 19th, CM will be offering a free punch promotion! It is likely that these punches will run out before the end of the promotion period, so please order early if you’re interested.

Happy Scrapping!
Karyn

Christmas Scrapbook Layouts

Ho, ho, ho! Happy Holidays! I hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas! And I’m hoping that we all have a much better New Year!

As you might know, I’m a founding member of Creative Life Scrapbooking. We are a group of eight Creative Memories advisors who for the past five years have shared tons of scrapbooking ideas on Facebook. Weekly we share for #BorderMakerMonday and #FeaturedProjectFriday. We also host quarterly Blog Hops which you’ve seen here on Karyn Crops, and we also host PJ Party virtual crops.

Our next PJ Party virtual crop will be on Friday, January 29th, and we invite you to join us! As we enter our 6th year of hosting PJ Parties, we will be moving the format to Zoom where you’ll be able to interact with us and see step by step demonstrations on how to make six featured scrapbook layouts. We’ll also share two more bonus layouts, photos and printable handouts in a private Facebook group for the PJ Party. For more information and to register, please click here.


As a Christmas gift to our followers, Creative Life Scrapbooking is currently running a 12 Days of Christmas (#CLS12Days) feature on our Facebook page. Each day from December 25th through January 5th, we are sharing a new holiday layout. Joining the 8 CLS team members are 4 very special guest designers. Below is the layout that I created and shared on December 25th for the 1st Day of Christmas.

I used the Christmas Spirit Paper, Embellishments and Stickers from Creative Memories to create my layout. With images of Santa, elves and reindeer, this is a super fun Christmas collection! The Christmas Spirit Embellishments and Laser Cut Border Embellishments are especially cute!



To Make My Layout:

1. Cut hollow frames from two sheets of Crimson Cardstock leaving a 1″ edge.
2. Cut wood patterned paper to 11-3/4″ x 11-1/2″, and adhere to the Crimson Cardstock frames.
3. From designer paper, cut squares that measure: 3″x3″, 4″x4″, 5″x5″, 6″x6″ and 7″x7″.
4. From White Cardstock, cut squares that measure: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″, 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″, 5-1/4″ x 5-1/4″, 6-1/4″ x 6-1/4″ and 7-1/4″ x 7-1/4″.
5. From the top center of each square, cut diagonally to the bottom right and left corners to create triangles.
6. Use the Custom Cutting System with the largest Oval Pattern and Red Blade on the outside edge to cut a sloping edge on the bottoms of the triangle pieces. Adhere the patterned triangles to the cardstock triangles.
7. Cut a 3″x3″ square from Brown Cardstock, and trim into a triangle to make the tree trunk.
8. Assemble tree using Foam Squares to adhere the layers.
9. Use the Train Tracks Border Punch to punch a piece from Brown Cardstock, and trim with scissors to create a small step ladder. Or create a small ladder using small strips of cardstock.
10. From Crimson Cardstock, cut the following pieces: 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″, 12″ x 6-1/4″, (2) 4-1/4″ x 1-1/4″, and (2) 12″ x 1-1/4″.
11. From music print paper, cut the following pieces: (2) 4″x1″, (2) 11-3/4″ x 1″. Adhere to the Crimson Cardstock strips.
12. Assemble and adhere pieces on layout as shown.
13. Using scissors, fussy cut the scroll piece journaling box from a variety mat. Cut in half and adhere as shown.
14. Add embellishments and stickers using Foam Squares as shown.


Below is another layout that I recently shared to Creative Life Scrapbooking for #BorderMakerMonday. I used the Original Border Maker System from Creative Memories to jazz up a simple Christmas tree made from strips of paper. I also used the Songbirds Border Punch to add a few partridges in my pear tree! This is a fun layout that assembles quickly. To top off my tree, I added a hand-tied paper bow. The designer paper and embellishments are from the Merry Blooms collection from our Black Friday Promotion.

To Make My Layout:

1. Cut a 3/8” x 10-1/2” strip from Rich Brown Cardstock to use as the tree trunk.
2. Cut strips from a variety of designer paper in varying widths and heights. My strips from top down are: 2-1/2” x ½”; 3-1/2” x ½”; 4-1/4” x 6/8”; 5” x ½”; 5-1/2” x 6/8”; and 6” x ½”.
3. Punch borders using border punches and the Original Border Maker System with a variety of border maker cartridges. My borders are: Songbirds Border Punch 3-1/2”; Christmas Stockings Chain 5-1/2; and Ruffle Trim 6”.
4. Add a star with a Foam Square.
5. Wrap a very thin 1/16” strip of cardstock, around two of your fingers to make loops. Using another thin strip of paper, carefully tie a knot in the center. Pull as tight as you can without tearing your paper. You will have better results with thinner paper. Adhere the bow with a Foam Square.
6. My photo mats are 4-1/4” x 4-1/4” and 4-1/4” x 6-1/4”.


My last layout for today is one that I shared with my own private Facebook group, Karyn’s Croppers. On Karyn’s Croppers, I share info about Creative Memories products, specials and my own events. Earlier in the month, I held a virtual class to assemble the Under the Tree Tag Kit from CM. I also taught how to use the tags to make the layout below. Please join Karyn’s Croppers on Facebook if you would like to participate in my events and see more scrapbooking ideas.


The adorable tags and twine are part of the Under the Tree Tag Kit that is still available to purchase through my Creative Memories website link. The sheet of background paper is from the Merry Blooms Paper that was a promotional item for our Black Friday special. My bow is constructed from Scarlet Cardstock.

To Create the Bow:


Most of the items that I used for these layouts can be purchased through my Creative Memories website link.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday season, and I hope to see you at our Creative Life Scrapbooking PJ Party virtual crop on January 29th!

Karyn

Winter Woods Scrapbook Layouts

I LOVE the first snowfall of the year! We typically don’t get much snow at our home, so we’re always excited when it falls. We live in a wooded area, and the trees in our yard are so beautiful with a dusting of snow. The snow usually doesn’t last long, so we need to be quick with the camera. The very beautiful Winter Woods Collection from Creative Memories is perfect for creating lovely winter layouts! I love the woodsy theme and the soft shades of green, brown and white. The Winter Woods Stickers, Laser Cut Borders and Foiled Embellishments are absolutely gorgeous with winter greenery, woodland creatures with touches of gold foil. You can see and purchase the Winter Woods Collection through my Creative Memories website link.

For my first layout, I created a mason jar snow globe to use as a decorative embellishment piece. I used a Winter Woods Variety Mat for the center of my snow globe and a Winter Woods Laser Cut Border for the title across the top of my layout. If you like my mason jar snow globe, you might also like the mason jar layout that I created for National Scrapbook Day this year. Please see my post from August 7th for that layout.

To Create My Layout:
1. Cut a hollow frame from a sheet of Brown Cardstock for the background.
2. Cut a sheet of Winter Woods Paper to 11-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ and adhere to the background.
3. Use the Custom Cutting System with the smaller of the Rectangle Cutting Patterns and Green Blade on the outside edge to cut a rectangle from White Shimmer Cardstock. Use the same pattern and the Red Blade on the outside edge to cut a Winter Woods Variety Mat. Outline the variety mat piece using a Brown Dual-Tip Pen.
4. Use the Custom Cutting System with the smaller of the Rectangle Cutting Patterns and Red Blade on the outside edge to cut two partial rectangles from White Shimmer Cardstock. Tear the tops of the cardstock pieces to create snowdrifts for the inside of your snow globe.
5. To create the lid, cut a 2-1/2″ x 1″ rectangle from Platinum Shimmer Cardstock. Use your scissors to slightly round the corners. Draw lines with a Brown Dual-Tip Pen.
6. Create a raffia bow by wrapping a very thin 1/16” strip of Brown Cardstock around two of your fingers to make loops. Using another thin strip of paper, carefully tie a knot in the center. Pull as tight as you can without tearing your paper. You will have better results with thinner paper. Adhere the bow with a Foam Square. Add Winter Woods Foil Embellishments to the snow globe.
7. Tie thin 1/16″ strips of Brown Cardstock through the holes in the Laser Cut Border title piece and adhere to the page.
8. From Brown Cardstock, cut 6-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ photo mats.
9. Cut a Winter Woods Variety Mat to use as a small journaling box.


My second layout is a new version of a simple tree layout that I shared earlier this week with Creative Life Scrapbooking on Facebook. My first version was a Christmas tree in bright colors. I loved the layout so much that I wanted to recreate it as a woodland tree. This is a quick and fun layout, and you can use a variety of different papers, Border Punches, and Border Maker Cartridges for different effects. You can also use stickers for some of your strips!


To Create My Layout:
1. Cut a hollow frame from a sheet of Brown Cardstock.
2. Cut a sheet of Winter Woods Paper to 11-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ and adhere to the frame.
3. Cut a 3/8” x 10-1/2” strip from Brown Cardstock to use as the tree trunk.
4. Cut strips from a variety of designer paper in varying widths and heights. My strips from top down are: 2-1/2” x ½”; 3-1/2” x ½”; 4-1/4” x 6/8”; 5” x ½”; 5-1/2” x 6/8”; and 6” x ½”.
5. Punch borders using Border Punches and the Original Border Maker System with a variety of Border Maker Cartridges. My borders are: Songbirds Border Punch 3-1/2”; old Winter Vine Border Punch 5-1/2; and old Winter Vine Border Punch 6”.
6. Punch and add a star with a Foam Square.
7. Wrap a very thin 1/16” strip of cardstock, around two of your fingers to make loops. Using another thin strip of paper, carefully tie a knot in the center. Pull as tight as you can without tearing your paper. You will have better results with thinner paper. Adhere the bow with a Foam Square.
8. My photo mats are 4-1/4” x 6-1/4” and 4-1/4” x 4-1/4”.


You may purchase the Winter Woods Collection, the Custom Cutting System and Patterns, and the Songbirds Border Punch through my Creative Memories website link.

I hope that you’re able to experience a beautiful snowfall this winter! Thanks much for visiting with me today!

Karyn

Hello, Autumn – Fall Sampler Scrapbook Layout

Happy fall, y’all! Last week was the official beginning of the fall season, and it’s beginning to feel a bit like fall at my house. It’s getting darker earlier, it’s been cooler, the sumac are starting to turn color, and there’s that undeniable feeling of fall in the air. With the change of each season, I like to change out the display on my old Everyday Display Frame from the old Creative Memories.


Creative Memories currently has a display item in our product line called the Wooden Frame Hanger. The Wooden Frame Hanger has a top and bottom wooden bar into which you can place layouts. The top bar is attached to a gold chain that can be hung on your wall. It’s a modern and streamlined look that is great for your home, office, or scrapbook room.


I typically hold an in-person workshop with my croppers to make a seasonal sampler page that we can hang on our displays. They’re fun to make and can include photos or not. A few years ago, I even shared a few on the CM Blog. You can use the search function on the CM Blog and the search function on my blog here to search for past samplers.


In addition to using as displays and home décor items, the single page samplers make great introductory pages for a scrapbook album and great fillers when you end up with a blank page in your album. They can also easily be adapted to add photos. Above and below I share examples of the same sampler without photos and with spaces for photos. Just add photos to the gold photo mats. Also notice the pen detail on this page. The faux stitching really adds a lot and gives the page the look of a cozy fall quilt.

For my fall sampler this year, I used the Hello, Autumn Tone on Tone Paper, Variety Mats and Stickers. I also used a fun combination of our CM tools.

To make my sampler layout:

1. Use the 12″ Trimmer to cut out a 9″ x 9″ square from the center of a piece of Hello, Autumn Tone on Tone Paper. Cut the 9″ x 9″ piece into six 3″ x 3″ squares.
2. Use the Arch Frame Border Punch to punch around the perimeter of a 12″x 12″ sheet of Brown Cardstock, and adhere the piece to the hollow frame of the tone on tone paper.
3. From Marigold Cardstock (from the last CM Cardstock Buffet), cut six 3-3/8″ x 3-3/8″ mats.
4. From Hello, Autumn Variety Mats, cut 3″ x 3″ squares and cut in half on the diagonal. Adhere to the plaid square pieces, and then adhere to the marigold mats.
5. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Infinity Border Maker Cartridge to punch a border from Marigold Cardstock, and cut off two 3″ segments.
6. Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch a border from Brown Cardstock, and cut apart into two 3″ segments.
7. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch two borders from Marigold Cardstock.
8. With your scissors, fussy cut the round leave piece from a Hello, Autumn Variety Mat. Add a title from the Hello, Autumn Stickers.
9. Assemble and adhere pieces as shown. Adhere the title piece with Foam Squares.
10. Use a Brown Dual-Tip Pen to add faux stitching to the pieces as shown.



All of the materials and tools that I used can be purchased through my CM website link. The current Punch Promo has been extended until noon CT on Friday, October 2nd! With a $125 purchase, you get your choice of either the exclusive (not available for purchase) Gifts Border Punch or the exclusive Heart Heart Heart Border Punch for FREE! Your purchase of $50+ will also get you entered into my $100 Quarterly Shopping Spree Give-Away!



I’m hosting a virtual weekend of scrapping fun on October 23rd – 25th and would LOVE for you to join us! I’ll be creating a private Facebook group for the event where I’ll share demonstration videos, challenges, door prize opportunities and CM products at special pricing. There will be lots of inspiration and sharing and even a fun game or two. I’ll also be teaching page classes and hosting Scrap & Chat sessions through Zoom. The page classes will be recorded and will include a handout, so you can make the layouts at your leisure. There is a $25 fee to participate. To register, just pay your fee using my Pay Pal link below. I’ll be using the Croptoberfest Bundle and the Hello, Autumn Decorative Bundle for the pages that I share during the event. It’s not mandatory for you to use these items. But if you would like your layouts to look like mine, you may wish to purchase them. Please use my CM website link for your purchases.

Thanks much for visiting with me today, and I hope that you can participate in my Virtual Croptoberfest Weekend Retreat on October 23rd-25th!

Karyn

Apple Border Scrapbook Layouts

Hello! I’m in a rush today to get these layouts shared with you. I made my layouts a few days ago, but I just learned that some of the tools that I used are now in limited quantities with Creative Memories and may sell out quickly. If you like these tools and any of the other items in the Last Chance section of our website, I recommend that you purchase them quickly.

Don’t forget that our FREE PUNCH PROMO is still happening until noon CT on September 29th or while supplies last. (It’s possible that the freebie punches will run out before the end of the promo period. So again, please order early if you’re interested.) With a $125 order, you will receive your choice of either the Gifts Border Punch or the Heart Heart Heart Border Punch for FREE! Your order of $50+ through my website link or from me in person will also qualify you for my own $100 Quarterly Shopping Spree Give-Away! I’ll be drawing my next winner on October 1st.

Although the Apple Chain Border Cartridge was released with our Hello, Autumn Collection this month, it’s also great from summer layouts! The two layouts that I’m sharing today are bright and summery. My first layout would be great for photos from a summer picnic or photos from baking in your kitchen. The red gingham paper is from the S’mores Memory Paper that is in the Last Chance section of our website. I also used the Basketweave Border Punch that is also new to our Last Chance section. The Apple Chain Border Cartridge has been a hot seller and is currently sold out but will be returning to our product line in December.


I had fun making this super sweet layout and used a few of my favorite tools – the Songbirds Border Punch, Dazzle Border Punch, Arch Frame Border Punch and the retired Leaf Trio Punch. I also used the Scallop Blade for the 12″ Trimmer.

To make my layout:

1. Use the Scallop Blade for the 12″ Trimmer and cut one long end of a 12″ x 3/4″ piece of White Cardstock. Adhere strip to the top of your 12″x 12″ Black Cardstock.
2. Cut a 12″ x 2-1/2″ strip from red gingham paper (from S’mores Memory Paper) and adhere to the white strip.
3. Punch one end of a 12″ strip of White Cardstock with the Dazzle Border Punch and cut off of your cardstock at 1-1/2″. Adhere to the bottom of the gingham strip.
4. Use the Arch Frame Border Punch to punch a border from Brown Cardstock. Cut the segments apart as shown. Use the Basketweave Border Punch to punch a border from Rich Brown Cardstock cut into almost 2″ pieces and adhere to your basket shapes with Repositionable Tape.
5. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch borders from Scarlet and Leaf Green Cardstock. Cut the tops off of the red border, and adhere the red border to the green border. Use scissors to cut the border apart into 2 apple segments. Put some Repositionable Tape Runner on the bottoms of the apple pieces and tuck them into your basket pieces. Adhere the basket pieces with Foam Squares to the bottom edge of the gingham piece.
6. Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch a border from Black Cardstock. Adhere the bird border to the bottoms of your baskets.
7. Use the Leaf Trio Punch to punch leaves from Leaf Green Cardstock and adhere underneath your baskets.
8. Use the Scallop Blade for your 12″ Trimmer to cut a narrow 12″ border and adhere to a 12″ x 1/2″ strip of red gingham paper. Adhere to the bottom of your layout.
9. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch borders from Scarlet and Leaf Green Cardstock. Cut the tops off of the red border, and adhere the red border to the green border. Cut the border to 6″ and adhere to the bottom border with Foam Squares.
10. Add faux stitching with a Black Dual-Tip Pen.



My second layout is just as sweet as the first. Although I used a sheet of paper from the Hello, Autumn Tone-on-Tone Paper for my base, the layout also has a summery feel to it. The Lace Trim Border Punch has been one of my favorites, and it’s now in the Last Chance section of the CM website.

I made my darling apple photo mats with the small heart cutting pattern from the Gemstones Cutting Patterns for the Custom Cutting System. I just used my scissors to create a little dip in the bottoms of the heart pieces to make them look like apples instead. I used the new Hello, Autumn Journal Template to trace the leaf pieces for the tops of the apples, but you could free-hand cut some.

To create my layout:

1. Cut a strip of White Cardstock to 12″ x 3-1/2″. Punch one long end with the Lace Trim Border Punch and the other long end with the Dazzle Border Punch.
2. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Infinity Border Cartridge to punch a border from Scarlet Cardstock. Adhere as shown.
3. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch borders from Scarlet and Leaf Green Cardstock. Cut the tops off of the red border, and adhere the red border to the green border. Adhere as shown.
4. Use the Custom Cutting System with the small heart pattern of the Gemstones Cutting Patterns and the Green Blade on the outside edge to cut two heart shapes from Scarlet Cardstock. Use your scissors to cut little dips in the bottoms of the hearts to look like apples. Use the new Hello, Autumn Journal Template to trace the leaf pieces from Leaf Green Cardstock for the tops of the apples.
5. Cut a 6-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ photo mat from Scarlet Cardstock. Cut ribbon pieces from White Cardstock and add pen dots. Add a title sticker from the Hello, Autumn Stickers.


Creative Memories has the BEST scrapbooking tools on the market, and you can purchase them through my CM website link! I hope that I’ve provided some scrapping inspiration for this incredible combination of CM tools! Have a great weekend!

Karyn

Hello, Autumn – Apple Chain Border Layouts

I had fun playing with my Creative Memories tools and the new Hello, Autumn Paper and Hello, Autumn Tone-on-Tone Paper to create a few fall borders. For my first layout, used the new Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge and two of my favorite border punches – the Branch Border Punch and the Songbirds Border Punch to create a tree branch full of apples and black crows.

I hope that you were able to purchase the Branch Border Punch last year as it is no longer available. I love how the Branch Border Punch can be used to create borders for all four seasons of the year! If you search my blog, you’ll find several different ideas for using it. If you love the Songbirds Border Punch, I recommend purchasing it sooner than later as it’s been in our product line for about a year now. I also used the new Arch Frame Border Punch – which is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.



I love how the new Arch Frame Border Punch can be used in many different ways! (Please view my video below.) I also love how it can more easily be used for masculine layouts than some of our other punches. The punch creates a shape that is similar to that of our Medallion Frame Chain Border Maker Cartridge, and borders created with these two tools can be used together for a nice affect.

Arch Frame Border Punch Demo Video

To Create My Layout:

1. Cut a 12″ x 2-1/2″ strip from Hello, Autumn Paper.
2. Use the Arch Frame Border Punch to punch a border from Crimson Cardstock. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Medallion Frame Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch a border from Crimson Cardstock. Layer these pieces as shown, and adhere to a sheet of Hello, Autumn Tone-on-Tone Paper.
3. Cut two 12″ x 1/4″ strips from Crimson Cardstock, and adhere to the seams of the borders.
4. Use the Branch Border Punch to punch a border from Brown Cardstock.
5. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch borders from Crimson Cardstock and Hello, Autumn Tone-on-Tone Paper (dark green plaid). With scissors, cut out individual apples from both border pieces and layer.
6. Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch birds from Black Cardstock.
7. Use the retired Leaf Trio Punch to punch leaves from Hello, Autumn Paper and Hello, Autumn Tone-on-Tone Paper. Crease the leaves slightly to create dimension.
8. Adhere the apples, birds and leaves to the border using Foam Squares to adhere some.
9. My photo mats are: 6-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ and 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″, and the mat for my journaling box is 6-1/4″ x 1-3/4″. My journaling box is 1/8″ smaller than the mat is cut from the new White Lined Paper.
10. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Infinity Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch a border from Crimson Cardstock. Adhere to the bottom of the layout.
11. Add a final embellishment of songbirds and leaves to the bottom corner. Add a title from the Hello, Autumn Stickers.

For my second layout, I paired the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge with the Train Tracks Border Punch to create a fall fence row against an autumn moon. Just for fun, I added a few more black crows to complete the border piece. The background paper is from the Hello, Autumn Tone-on-Tone Paper and the leaf patterned paper is from the Hello, Autumn Paper.

For this layout, I also used the Marigold Cardstock that was part of CM’s Cardstock Buffet this past spring. Once a quarter, CM offers a Cardstock Buffet of unique shades of cardstock that will coordinate with up-coming collections. I highly recommend purchasing this extra cardstock whenever it’s available.

To Create My Layout:

1. Cut a 12″ x 3/4″ strip of leave print paper, and adhere to the top of the page.
2. Cut a 12″ x 1/4″ strip of Crimson Cardstock and adhere over the seam of the leaf border and the background paper.
3. Use the Train Tracks Border Punch to punch a border from Brown Cardstock.
4. Use the Custom Cutting System and the largest Circle Cutting Pattern and the Red Blade on the inside edge to cut a circle from Marigold Cardstock.
5. Position the train track/fence piece about 1″ down from the crimson strip, and position the marigold circle behind it. Adhere the pieces.
6. Use the Original Border Maker System with the Apple Chain Border Maker Cartridge to punch borders from Leaf Green Cardstock, Crimson Cardstock and Marigold Cardstock. With scissors, cut off the leaves and stems from the crimson border and layer on top of the leaf green border. Use scissors to cut out individual marigold apples and adhere on top of crimson apples. Adhere apple border to the bottom of your fence piece.
7. Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch birds from Black Cardstock. Adhere birds with Foam Squares.
8. Add a title from the Hello, Autumn Stickers with Foam Squares.
9. Cut a piece of leaf print paper to 11″ x 7-1/2″. Cut photo mats to 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″ from Crimson Cardstock. Adhere pieces as shown.
10. Use the Hello, Autumn Journaling Template to trace a small apple piece from Marigold and Leaf Green Cardstocks. Cut out with scissors. Adhere with Foam Squares and add black songbirds.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today for Border Maker Monday with Creative Life Scrapbooking! Please note that Creative Memories is offering a promo beginning today at noon CT (Monday, September 21st) through September 29th at noon CT. With a $125 purchase, you’ll receive your choice of one of two FREE border punches! Please place your orders through my my Creative Memories website link.

Happy Scrapping!
Karyn

National Scrapbook Day Layouts – Part 2

Hello!  I’m back with three more layouts that I made from Creative Memories 2020 National Scrapbook Day Kit.  Please see my post from Friday, August 7th for my first layout.  The National Scrapbook Day Kit is super sweet and still available for purchase.  Please use my CM link to order.  Click on Shop and then Virtual Events on the top menu bar to find the kit.  You may wish to purchase the Bundle as you will also get the extra embellishments that I used for my layouts.

I used up almost all of the paper, stickers and embellishments from the NSD kit to make my four layouts.  Please read the instructions carefully, so you’ll have enough materials to make all four layouts.   To make the second layout that I’m sharing today, you’ll need a piece of reserved paper that you cut from my first layout from August 7th (Step 1).

KarynCropsNSDLayouts - Page 011

For my second layout, I created a woven basket piece as a background with the strawberry print paper to highlight a special photo from my granddaughter’s first birthday party.  The circular piece created with the Floral Circle Punch reminds me of the crocheted doilies that my grandmothers used to create.

KarynCropsNSDLayouts - Page 010

 

To create my layout:

1.  Cut a hollow frame from a sheet of Scarlet Cardstock.  Set aside the cut out square to use for the next layout.  Cut the strawberry paper to 11-1/2″ x 11-1/2″ and adhere over the hollow frame.
2.  Cut strips of the dark green and light green papers to 7/8″ x 6″  and 7/8″ x 10-1/8″.  Cut strips of White Cardstock to 1″ x 6-1/8″ and 1″ x 10-1/4″.  Adhere the green strips on top of the white strips.
3.  Evenly position the shorter dark green pieces in the lower center part of your page, and adhere the tops of the pieces with Tape Runner.  Weave through the longer light green pieces, and slide the three long pieces until they’re evenly spaced. Adhere the ends with Tape Runner.  Adhere the bottoms of the dark green pieces.
4.  From Evergreen Cardstock (or Dark Green Cardstock), use the Floral Circle Punch to punch a circle and then trim as shown.  Use the Custom Cutting System with the smallest Circle Pattern and Red Blade on the outside edge to cut a circle from White Cardstock.  Trim as shown and adhere to the floral circle piece.  Add faux stitching with a Dual-Tip Black Pen.
5.  Mat a photo with White Cardstock measuring 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″.
6.  Add embellishment pieces with Foam Squares as shown.

 

KarynCropsNSDLayouts - Page 004

Although I didn’t grow strawberries, my blueberry bushes exploded with an abundance of berries this year!  I found myself competing with the backyard wildlife, and I had to hustle to pick my ripe berries before the birds and squirrels ate them.  My battle with the birds inspired my next layout that features a row of birds sitting above the strawberry patch.  The lovely Songbirds Border Punch has been one of my favorite CM punches this past year.

 

KarynCropsNSDLayouts - Page 002

To make my layout:

1.  Cut a piece of strawberry paper to 12″ x 4″ and adhere to the bottom of the green striped paper.  I positioned my stripes to run horizontally.  Use the Original Border Maker System with the new Ruffle Trim Border Maker Cartridge to punch a border from Scarlet Cardstock, and adhere to the strawberry strip.
2.  Cut a piece of Scarlet Cardstock to 9-1/4″ x 10″.  From the center of your piece, use the Custom Cutting System with the small heart pattern from the Gemstone Cutting Patterns and Green Blade on the outside edge to cut two heart photo mats.  Also cut a 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″ piece to use as a photo mat.  When cutting these pieces, make sure to leave an edge around your cardstock as you will use this now hollow piece as a frame for the leftover gray dot piece from the first layout (See my post from August 7th.)  The gray dot piece measures 9″ x 9″, so position it towards the bottom of the scarlet frame piece.
3.  From Evergreen Cardstock (or Dark Green Cardstock) punch a 9″ border using the Lace Trim Border Punch.  Cut off of your cardstock at 2″.  Position this piece on top of the gray dot piece leaving the Scarlet Cardstock frame showing.
4.  Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch a row of birds from Evergreen Cardstock.
5.  Adhere pieces as shown and add stickers and embellishments as shown.  I used Foam Squares for my ribbon pieces at the top of the layout.

 

KarynCropsNSDLayouts - Page 008

My last layout evokes another garden scene of picking strawberries.  I created a strawberry patch with the On the Vine Border Punch and heart punch outs.  The sweet little basket was inspired by my scrapping buddy, Fran Smitherman, who shared several ideas for creating baskets on our Creative Life Scrapbooking Facebook page.

 

KarynCropsNSDLayouts - Page 006

To make my layout:

1.  Cut a 12″ x 3″ piece of strawberry paper and adhere to the top of the gray dot paper.  Use the Original Border Maker System with the new Ruffle Trim Border Maker Cartridge to punch a border from Scarlet Cardstock, and adhere to the strawberry strip.
2.  Use the On the Vine Border Punch to punch a border from Evergreen Cardstock (or Dark Green Cardstock).  Adhere to the bottom of the page.  Use the Original Border Maker System with the Heart Duet Border Maker Cartridge to punch hearts from Scarlet Cardstock.  Use a black pen to add detail to the hearts and adhere over the circles in the vine piece.
3.  Use the Floral Circle Punch to punch a piece from White Cardstock and trim as shown. Adhere to top of the page.
4.  Add two 4-1/4″ x 6-1/4″ photo mats from Scarlet Cardstock.
5.  Use the Basketweave Border Punch to punch a piece from Brown Cardstock.  Trim with scissors as shown.  To create the handle, use the Custom Cutting System with the medium sized Circle Pattern and the Blue and Red Blades to cut a hollow frame piece.  Cut on the inside edge with the Blue Blade first and then without moving the cutting pattern, cut again with the Red Blade.  Trim with scissors to fit the basket piece.
6.  Add stickers, embellishments and a bird punched with the Songbirds Border Punch. Adhere some with Foam Squares as shown.

 
I hope you like these super sweet pages!  Don’t feel like you need “strawberry” photos for them.  Just use photos of your family members – or maybe stage some photos eating strawberry shortcakes or strawberry ice cream : )

Please note that the new Ruffle Trim Border Maker Cartridge sold out during CM’s promo last month. CM has ordered more of this cartridge, and it is expected to be back in stock in November.  To place an order, please use my Creative Memories website link.

Thanks so much for visiting with me, and I’ll be back at the end of the month with the Creative Life Scrapbooking 2020 Summer Blog Hop!

Karyn

Home-Bound Throw-Down Challenge – Week 5

Whew, April was a looong month!  For more reasons that one – huh?  But we made it through 5 weeks of self-quarantining and scrapbook challenges!  I’ve really enjoyed our Home-Bound Throw-Down, and I hope that you have also.  I’m a little sad to leave it behind, but I’m looking forward to new scrapping events and opportunities.  Please follow me on Facebook at Karyn’s Croppers to participate in my new Zoom classes on Thursdays in May and also our Karyn’s Croppers Virtual National Scrapbook Day workshop on Saturday, May 9th.

My 9th challenge for the Home-Bound Throw-Down features a way to use up scraps of paper and have with a combo of border punches and Border Maker cartridges.  I’m still using the Spring Medley collection from Creative Memories, and I must say that it’s one of my favorites from the past year.

KarynCropsHomeBoundThrowDown9&10 - Page 005

To make my layout:

1.  Cut strips of paper in varying widths and 1″ high.
2.  From cardstock, punch a variety of borders using border punches and the Original Border Maker System.  I used Navy, Cloud, Peacock and Deep Sea Green Cardstock with the Cable Chain and Spring Leaf Chain Border Maker Cartridges and the Flower Child, Songbirds, and Lace Trim Border Punches.
3.  Triple mat your photo to give it extra depth and dimension.
4.  Adhere Spring Medley Stickers and Embellishments with Foam Squares.


HomeBoundThrowDown#9
For my 10th and final Home-Bound Throw-Down challenge, I created another layout for my Covid-19 project.  This layout will feature a photo of my husband and me on our front porch.  As you might be aware, there is a movement that is encouraging folks to have family photos taken on front porches to document their experience sheltering at home.  Neighbors are taking photos for neighbors, and professional photographers are offering this service.  If you search Facebook and/or Instagram, you’ll find heartwarming to creatively hilarious family photos that document this time.  I haven’t yet decided what our pose might be, but I plan to ask our neighbor to take our photo soon.

KarynCropsHomeBoundThrowDown9&10 - Page 006

This layout features the NEW 12″ Trimmer Stamping Blade.  I can not sing enough good praises for the 12″ Trimmer from Creative Memories!  I’ve been scrapbooking for a long time, and this is the BEST trimmer that I’ve used.  If you haven’t yet seen the trimmer, please click on this link to view a video that describes it’s features and benefits.  In addition to a straight blade, we have currently have 7 specialty blades that cut a variety of patterns.  The new Stamping Blade cuts a postage stamp edge.

IMG_2277

To create my layout:

1.  Cut a variety of Spring Medley Designer Paper to 2″ x 4″ and 2″ x 1-1/2″ sizes using the  12″ Trimmer with the Stamping Blade.
2.  Decorate a 6-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ photo mat with punched pieces from the Branch Border Punch.  Adhere the branches with small Foam Squares cut in half.
3.  Create a bird’s nest by layering two pieces punched with the Pine Cone Punch and trimming with scissors to shape.  Use the Songbirds Border Punch to punch two birds, cut apart with scissors and adhere inside of the nest.
4.  Add a Spring Medley Variety Mat for journaling and Spring Medley Stickers with Foam Squares.  (I LOVE how the sentiments on these stickers are perfect for my porch photo!)

You may purchase any of the tools and/or materials that I used on my Creative Memories website.  (Please note that the Branch Border Punch and Pine Cone Punch are retired items.  But please contact me if you would like to purchase them as I have a few in my personal inventory.)

Have a lovely weekend!
Karyn

 

 

Home-Bound Throw-Down Challenge – Week 2

Last week, I initiated my Home-Bound Throw-Down challenge on my private Facebook group, Karyn’s Croppers.  On Mondays and Fridays through April, I will be posting page challenges and asking my followers to create my layout and post their versions to Karyn’s Croppers to earn chances to win a prize.  I’ll also be sharing the layout challenges here on Karyn Crops on Fridays.

HomeBoundThrowDown#3

Our third Home-Bound Throw-Down challenge is to create a spring sampler.  I created mine as a decorative piece to hang on my old Everyday Display in my kitchen.  I used pieces from the new Spring Medley Designer Paper, Tone-on-Tone Paper, Variety Mats, Stickers and Embellishments and Navy Cardstock.  I also used the Songbirds Border Punch, the Tulips Border Punch and the Gum Leaf Punch.

Watermarks - Page 077

My background paper measures 12″ x 12″, and the other pieces measure:  10″ x 10″, 3-1/2″ x 3-1/8″ and 6″ x 3-1/8″.  I adhered the border pieces, stickers and embellishments with Foam Squares.  I finished the page by adding faux pen stitching to the rectangle pieces.

You can adapt this layout and include photos in any of the rectangular spaces.  You can also easily adapt it into a double-page spread.

 

For my fourth Home-Bound Throw-Down challenge, I created a double-page layout.  The layout features a wave cut that separates the rows of photos and paper pieces.  For my example, I created another spring layout.

HomeBoundThrowDown#4

I used paper and embellishments from CM’s old Mix and Match collection, White Cardstock and the Branch Border Punch to make my layout.  I used the 12″ Decorative Trimmer to cut a wave shape from the bottoms of the pieces on the first row and a wave shape from the tops of the pieces on the second row.

IMG_2039

To cut wave shapes from your photos and paper pieces:

1.  Take the photos and paper that will make up your first row and line them up on the trimmer (in the order that they will appear on your page) with the bottoms of the pieces a quarter inch past the right of the cutting groove.  The tops of the photos/papers will hang over the left side of the trimmer.  (See photo above.)
2.  Space the photos/papers apart a quarter inch on the trimmer base.  (See photo above.)
3.  Close the trimmer arm and apply pressure on the arm to keep your pieces from sliding.
4.  Cut.

IMG_2038
5. Take the photos and paper that will make up your second/bottom row and line them up on the trimmer (in the order that they will appear on your page) with the tops of the pieces a quarter inch past the left of the cutting groove.  The bottoms of the photos/papers will hang over the right side of the trimmer.  (See photo above.)
6.  Space the photos/papers apart a quarter inch on the trimmer base.  (See photo above.)
7.  Close the trimmer arm and apply pressure on the arm to keep your pieces from sliding.
8.  Cut.

 

KarynCropsHomeBoundThrowDown#4

I added journaling, sticker titles, flower embellishments and punched out branch pieces to decorate my pages.  I completed the layout with faux pen stitching around the perimeter.

KarynCropsHBTD4

 

You can purchase the 12″ Decorative Trimmer, Songbirds Border Punch, Tulips Border Punch, Gum Leaf Punch and the Spring Medley collection through my Creative Memories website link.

I hope that you all have a happy and blessed Easter on Sunday!  Please take photos of the not so usual way that you’ll celebrate the holiday this year.  I’ll be sharing some Easter layout ideas later in the month.

I’ll be back again next Friday with two more Home-Bound Throw-Down challenges!

Take care,
Karyn