It's National Scrapbooking Month!

Did you know that May is National Scrapbook Month? I just learned of it myself. Curious about it's origins, I decided to do some research. Unfortunately, my internet search did not turn up much history on this observance, but I did learn that May is also National Barbeque Month, National Bike Month, Get Caught Reading Month, Clean Air Month and ton of other things. So I guess you can take you pick on which one to celebrate. I choose Scrapbooking!

To help you celebrate National Scrapbooking Month, Close to My Heart released an lovely scrapbooking kit, You & Me, and I'd like to show you what I made last weekend with it. (I'm so proud!)

Close To My Heart made a great preview video of this kit that you can view by clicking here.

SKIP TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST TO SEE HOW YOU CAN GET THIS KIT DISCOUNTED OR FREE!


I chose to design my own layouts rather than follow the instructions that came with the kit. Both of my projects are from about 4 years ago. My first layout documents the first few weeks that our dog Calla came to live with us. This cute little puppy is now about 50 pounds, but remains as sweet as she was then.



There is so much to love about this kit: the papers, stamp set, Irresistable chip board elements, ribbon and Opaques. I love the way clusters of embellishment look, but sometimes it is really hard to combine different elements. These coordinated perfect and it was really easy to put together. Here's some close ups of the clusters in this layout.


The tickets in the prior picture use the included stamp set with Desert Sand and Smoothie ink. The fluer de lis on the next two pages are also stamped. The stitching around the edge of the page is also stamped.

Take a look at the brown (Desert Sand) chipboard shapes in the next two pictures. These are called Irresistables and were completely white when they arrived. The fun began when I started sponging them with ink. The "resist" pattern (see the stitching and flourish on the next picture) appeared in white! Isn't that cool?




You may also notice that I lined the stems of the fluer de lis with seed-sized opaques. I love the detail this adds. Keep reading to see how I used the larger size opaques to simulate a rope.

My second project was a single page commemorating my daughter as "Principal for the Day" when she was 6 (going on 40!). Don't you love her little blazer and hair bun. I left a little room on the right for her name badge (when I find it). I love how this page turned out and chuckle at the memories everytime I look at it.


Here are a couple more close ups of the details. So what is holding up the banner? Nothing! The opaques placed between the banner panels makes it appear to be hanging from a rope.



I can't say enough how much I love this kit. The pictures really don't do it justice. This kit is all about the details. Just take a look at everything you get!
  


I know you can't wait to get one for yourselves, so let me tell you how. There are three ways:
1) Purchase at the retail price of $34.95,
2) Purchase for just $15 with additional $50 in purchases, or
3) Receive it for FREE if you sign up to be a Close To My Heart consultant in May.

Click here to begin shopping or here to learn more about becoming a consultant.

Thanks for letting me share my pages with you.