For avid crafters and beginners alike, creating fun and meaningful scrapbook layouts is the perfect way to spice up a slow day! With the Craft with Heart™ subscription program, get beautiful scrapbooking kits designed to make two coordinating 12″ x 12″ layouts delivered directly to your door! (Talk about happy mail!)
Each kit included in the Craft with Heart™ program is part of our Cut Above® line, which means that all the artwork is pre-designed, including pre-printed base pages and complementary die-cuts and stickers. All you need to bring to the crafting table is a journaling pen, your favorite adhesive, and, of course, your photos!
Cut Above® kits are a wonderful balance of ease and creativity. Each kit features two beautifully designed two-page layouts. While your pages come pre-designed, you still reap the joy and benefits of creating something yourself and that comes together in just minutes with an easy-to-follow instructional guide. If you’re just getting started as a scrapper, or would like to get started, Cut Above® layout kits are great place to begin! Even if you’re a more experienced memory keeper, these projects will keep your creativity flowing and maybe provide inspiration for your own designs!
Take a closer look at the layouts currently available for May–August:
The designs for the May layouts might look intricate and complicated, but since everything is pre-printed and cut for you, they’re a cinch to put together! The fun patterns and vibrant colors are a perfect way to compliment photos of your favorite moments and will be a treasured keepsake for years to come.
These kits are so easy to work with, they are a wonderful way to get your little ones excited about crafting and preserving memories. Help them pick out a few of their favorite photos and you’ll have the makings of a fun activity for the whole family! In a day and age where so many of our photos live on our phones or social media accounts, seeing a printed photo can be a real treat for a child, and a fun way to introduce them to memory keeping!
With their versatile design and color palettes, these July layouts offer a perfect spot for some fun summer photos! These layout designs are the ideal complement for anything from fun family night photos to snapshots of a day at the beach. Summer is coming and these layouts are here for it!
The layouts for August offer a simpler, more photo-focused approach to scrapbooking. However, they still showcase the polished designs and bright colors we love to see in a scrapbook.
There is a subscription option for everyone! You can choose to sign up for a monthly, 4-month, or 12-month subscription. The longer period of time you choose, the better deal you’ll get! With a 12-month subscription, you’ll receive four layout kits, every four months at a 20% discount, AND you’ll get FREE shipping! To see more details about each subscription option—monthly, 4-month, and 12-month—just click here.
For those of you who aren’t quite sure if a Craft with Heart™ subscription is for you, throughout May, National Scrapbooking Month, we are offering the Blue Skies Cut Above® layout kit without any further commitments.
We hope you’re keeping up your creativity and, if you haven’t already, check out the Craft with Heart™ program! Click here to sign up today, and keep an eye out for your first delivery!
We’re going to shake things up a bit today by taking a closer look at some innovative ways to use the shaker windows we all know and love!
For the most basic shaker windows (which are still so much fun!), sequins and paper confetti are placed over a plain or stamped background. However, you can take a shaker window to new heights by switching up your base and adding a few fun embellishments to the exterior of the window.
In this card, a few adhesive-backed dots from our Seas the Day collection turned a plain white overlay into a ship’s porthole. Looking into the window, you can see how artistically torn cardstock has formed white-cap waves by exposing the paper’s white core. When these elements come together, it creates a whimsical card any ocean lover will be thrilled with!
Another way to dress up your shaker windows is to fill them with unique elements. Replacing sequins or paper with a few unexpected parts is a great way to turn the tables on familiar shaker windows.
By bringing some sand home from a fun day at the beach, you can preserve a bit of the actual setting along with the memories you made there.
Any mocha enthusiast will love these fun coffee bean cards!
If you plan to include larger shaker elements in your windows, you should plan to double-stack your 3-D foam tape to leave enough room for the shaker elements inside to move around.
If you really want to add a unique flair to your shaker windows, you can try adding some small die-cut shapes to the interior of your shaker.
By combining these miniature stamped shapes with a few sequins pieces, it’s easy to put your own mark on your cards!
One last example to shake things up your windows is to use them in creative places. In this post, we’ve shown you how to incorporate shaker windows into cards and even scrapbook layouts, but in this example, you can see how a basic shaker window also makes an unforgettable gift tag.
How are you using windows in your paper crafts? Do you use them in cards, scrapbook pages, or in a unique way? Share your fun and innovative ideas with all of us, below!
Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary day, we give you a fairy tale that looks like a free scrapbook pattern!
This timeless pattern made its original debut years ago with our You Rock collection. Without the need of any pixie dust, the instructions have been revamped so they can be used with any papers and for any occasion!
We created a truly enchanting spread by pairing this pattern with the More Magical paper packet, coordinating cardstock, and stamp set. Our current More Magical workshop kit makes 4 coordinating two-page layouts to preserve all of your magical adventures. Download the pattern and cutting diagrams below and use them to make a fifth coordinating layout to add to your album!
As usual, we encourage you to make this, and any, pattern your own by being flexible with its parts. Take a close look at our completed layout for some examples. Instead of using a small photo at the top of 2D, we filled the space with a stamp. Then, we added another 4 x 4 photo to the layout by splitting it down the middle and attaching half of it on each page to complete the row of photos across the top.
And don’t forget about those pocket cards that are part of the paper packet! Use them whole, cut up, or even torn to incorporate additional patterns, sentiments, and accents. Adding a pocket card with a lighter design to a page made up of darker patterns is also an easy way to create space for stamping.
No matter where your happiest place on earth is, take advantage of the bright patterns and motifs available in the More Magical collection and use them to preserve all of your fairy tale adventures. Remember, this collection is only available through the end of the month while supplies last, so make sure to grab yours while you still can!
For even more timeless scrapbook patterns, check out our Make It from Your Heart™ pattern books! If you love the free scrapbook patterns we share on the blog, you’re sure to be blown away by the patterns and inspirational artwork in all of our how-to books.
Are you ready for some new Cricut Design Space™ ideas? Today we’re going to walk you through creating your very own pocket cards for your pocket scrapbooking layouts. Making pocket cards is a great and relatively easy way to add unique shapes or titles to your memory keeping projects using images that can be manipulated in Design Space. Simply follow our steps below to learn how.
This layout shows three different pocket cards made with the You Are Here Cricut® collection. The variety of shapes from this travel-themed collection pair perfectly with the colors and patterns of the Fresh Air paper.
These three pocket cards come together quickly when you use tools like Contour and Slice in Design Space. Let’s show you how to make the layered pieces for the title card, “THE Adventure BEGINS,” from one image in Design Space.
Before getting started, make sure you own the You Are Here Cricut® collection so you can use the same title that we did on this pocket card. You will also need a Cricut® machine that is Design Space™ compatible (any of the Explore models or the new Maker) to link your collections to your account. (If you do not know how to do this, click here.)
The steps below show you how to work in Design Space from a desktop or laptop computer. If you use the app on a mobile device, the buttons and tools will be located in slightly different places on your screen, but the same features are available on any device.
1. Sign in to Cricut Design Space™ at design.cricut.com.
Log in with your Cricut ID and password, and then select the green New Project button in the top right corner.
2. Insert and resize a basic square shape.
To make the pocket card base, you will first insert a square by clicking on Shapes on the left side of your screen. Next you can easily resize this square to a 4″ x 6″ rectangle. Click the lock to unlock the size and change the width to 6″ and the height to 4″.
3. Insert the title image and resize.
To add the title from the You Are Here collection to your canvas, click Images on the left side of your screen. Then search for image #M2763105 in the search box at the top. This is the exact title you need. Select it and click Insert Images in the bottom right corner to add it to your canvas. Then change the width only to 5.25″. Design Space™ automatically resizes the height to the correct proportions as long as the lock icon above the size is locked.
4. Duplicate the rectangle and title.
To create this pocket card, you will need several images to slice and contour. To duplicate both the rectangle and the title, select the image and then click Duplicate in the Layers panel. The second rectangle will serve as the base for your pocket card.
5. Without ungrouping, use the Slice tool on one of your title images.
To slice the title, select it and then click “Slice” in the bottom right corner. This will help you create one of the layers on your pocket card. After slicing your first title, you’ll have several pieces of text remaining. The screenshot shows you the three different pieces that will be made after you use slice on this first title image.
6. Delete one of the extra titles.
Delete of one of the extra titles by selecting the red X. Make sure you leave the image with the words “THE” and “BEGINS” on your canvas.
7. Contour the remaining sliced title.
With the remaining title image from your slice, you will use Contour to hide the word “BEGINS” from the image to leave only the word “Adventure.” Select it and then click Contour in the bottom right corner. Then click on all the pieces you want to hide to get ride of the word “BEGINS.” This will leave only the word “Adventure” that you’ll use in the next step.
8. Use Slice to cut title into one rectangle.
To cut the “Adventure” title into one of the rectangles, click and drag your mouse over the banner and text to highlight both images. This will allow the Slice option to become available in the bottom right corner. Click Slice.
9. Delete extra text and contour the title.
Both titles from slicing into your rectangle can be deleted by selecting the text and clicking the red X. You won’t need to use them to build your pocket card. To allow parts of the solid cardstock to show beneath title you sliced in this pocket card, use the Contour tool to remove some of the extra cuts. Select the sliced title and click Contour. Then select some of the inside pieces to remove, like the inside cut of the letters “A,” “d,” and “u.” You can also contour part of the curly line at the beginning and the end of the word.
10. Ungroup the duplicate title image and delete extra pieces.
To create Juniper layer of this title, select the duplicate title and click Ungroup in the layers panel. Then delete the purple “Adventure BEGINS” image by select the red X.
11. Assign colors to your project pieces.
Assigning colors to your pieces is an optional step, but it can help you see what color of cardstock you need when you cut your project. You can also color each piece and move them around to visually get a sense for how your project pieces will look when they come together, like we did below.
12. Cut your project and assemble your pocket card!
When you’re ready, click the green Make It button in the top right corner and follow the prompts. We used light Toffee cardstock for the pocket card base and Toffee cardstock for the 4″ x 6″ sliced title card. We used Juniper cardstock for the title piece with the solid banner. Finish it off with New England Ivy cardstock for the separate title pieces, “THE” and “BEGINS” and then “Adventure”. After your pieces are cut, it’s easy to assemble the layers for this title on your pocket card. Just remember that the final layer will be your two New England Ivy pieces, and you’ll attach them to your card over the Juniper cardstock.
If you liked the title we made today but it doesn’t match your photos, that’s an easy fix. You can use the tools in Design Space to create other pocket cards in any color scheme. You’d follow the same steps and then simply choose other colors of cardstock when you cut the project. The creative options in Design Space can be used for your 12″ x 12″ scrapbook pages, but they also allow you to design projects for other types of memory keeping like pocket cards. Enjoy!
The hustle and bustle of the holidays is just around the corner, with Christmas only a little over two months away! To help you get your holiday cheer going (if it isn’t already!), we are sharing a Christmas album with you made entirely from patterns featured in our new how-to book, Make It from Your Heart™, Vol. 3.
Use the images below as inspiration to make your own layouts. If you’d like to replicate them exactly, look to our supply list at the end of this post. You’ll see that you only need a handful of products, including one of each of the items in our Beary Christmas suite: one paper packet, one set of coordinating cardstock, one set of Complements, one set of dots, and one silver shimmer trim.
Make It from Your Heart™, Vol. 3: Pattern 17 (p. 38)
Add stamped accents like this one to your pages with the October Stamp of the Month, Christmas Tunes
Make It from Your Heart ™, Vol. 3: Pattern 1 (p. 6)
Make It from Your Heart™, Vol. 3: Pattern 4 (p. 12)
Make It from Your Heart™, Vol. 3: Pattern 5 (p. 14)
Make It from Your Heart™, Vol. 3: Pattern 8 (p. 20)
Prepare now to preserve all of the wonderful memories the holidays have to offer.
If you plan on making this album, but maybe not until after the craziness of the season, make sure you grab your supplies while they are available! The October Stamp of the Month, featured in several of these pages, is available this month only, while the Beary Christmas suite is only available through December 31, while supplies last.
Keep up with us on the blog all season long to see all the fun things we have in store for you! We are going to do our darndest to make sure you are ready for the holidays this year!
What better way to wrap up National Scrapbooking Month than to give our readers a free scrapbook pattern? 🙂
This pattern originally debuted with our Moon Doggie papers, but we decided to pair it with our National Scrapbooking Month Live Beautifully paper packet and stamp set—and we love the finished look! It goes to show how scrapbook patterns are truly timeless.
Download the pattern above, and then create your own layout. Though the photo sizes on this pattern are not standard, you could easily replace the 5 ½” x 8″ photo on the left page with a matted 5″ x 7″. For the 4″ x 2 ½” photos on the right page, it is easy to trim ½” off of a 4″ x 3″ to fit the space.
For even more timeless patterns, check out our collection of affordable how-to pattern books, many of which are only available until the end of July. We know you’ll love them!
Some Kinda Wonderful is a whimsical, playful paper collection with bright colors and unique designs. Though you may initially look at it and think “little girl,” these papers and embellishments can be paired with all sorts of other photos as well! It really is some kinda wonderful! 😉
Here we have photos of college besties getting together to surprise their friend on her birthday. It’d also be super cute to use this collection with photos from any girls trip, like a trip to the spa or the mall.
On the flip side, this collection also has colors that work well for photos of boys at any age—including black glitter die-cuts.
All we can say is, there’s a whole lotta potential in this one paper collection!
Which of the two layouts is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!
The Welcome Home wreath kit helps you create a beautiful paper succulent wreath. With pre-cut pieces you simply punch out, curl, layer, and attach, this is a wonderful place for beginners to start if they’re interested in trying out DIY home décor.
It’s a great project for your first home as a married couple—or give it as a unique bridal shower or wedding present to a friend! The new bride is sure to love creating something herself for her new home—especially with her new last name 😉 !
Our Cut Above™ Forever & Always layout kit is also a great beginner crafting kit for the bride. Those first few years together go by lightning fast, so start the habit of preserving your love story by doing something with all those wedding photos! Trust us, you won’t want to forget those sweet newlywed moments.
This affordable kit comes with pre-cut pieces and instructions for assembling the two pages you see in this album, as well as Memory Protectors™ to keep your pages safe.
It also comes with pocket cards and two divided Memory Protectors™ to create even more pages, which fit in between your main pages for preserving additional pictures and moments from your special day!
The birth of your first child is definitely the time to start thinking about preserving memories—if you haven’t already (and not in that black hole of a phone or computer, either!).
In addition to being affordable (which is a must with a new babe around!), all the pages in this kit come together in less than 15 minutes—really! So complete your kit, and then take a nice long nap with all that time you save. 🙂 Get a feel for how easily these kits come together by watching this quick video:
And while you’re at it…
Why not add a Welcome Home wreath to baby’s nursery? Once again, this is a super affordable and unique baby shower gift, perfect for a new mama who will be nesting like crazy soon. 😉
Whether you’re a newlywed, young mom, or a friend looking for a unique shower gift, the Welcome Home wreath kit and the Cut Above™ layout kits are the perfect go-to projects for beginners. With affordable price tags and easy-to-follow instructions, these kits are sure to light a smile on anyone’s face as she discovers she can craft and make something beautiful for her family.
Our brand new Holiday Expressions idea book has now been live for almost two weeks, and we’re thrilled you finally get to see all the beautiful seasonal papers we’ve worked so hard on getting just right. 🙂 Part of making sure our papers are absolutely perfect includes balancing themed patterns with non-themed patterns so you have as much versatility as possible when you sit down to create.
Take this artwork, for example. It uses our Jeepers Creepers paper packet, which is Halloween themed, but you would never guess that it came from a Halloween paper packet, right?
The fun lightening bolts are just the pattern for pairing with this spunky little girl. They’d also be adorable with pictures of a little boy.
Now how about this one? Does it remind you of Halloween?
Who would have thought that this paper packet could be paired with spring photos? And yet it totally works! We paired some ribbon from our Whimsy ribbon pack with the purple Jeepers Creepers paper to give it a feminine touch.
Switching seasons, Jeepers Creepers also has colors that are perfect for your fall photos, like these family pictures:
Whenever you pull out our papers to create something, you can count on beautiful themed patterns and also patterns that will work year-round. When it comes to preserving your memories, we want you to get papers with the best value that will also allow you to get as creative as you’d like!
