A stitch in time …

What could be more timely than a few hearts using American Crafts’ Stitched range from Amy Tan … and on Valentine’s day !
Valentine’s Day happens to be a year to the day that we acquired our new kitten Jenny . What better way to celebrate that a layout showing her cute little face over the year that she’s been with us. I love geometric patterns and triangles lend themselves to creating a geometric heart .  I used a 2.5″ square punch to make sure every piece was a uniform size , cut diagonally to make 2 triangles . This design requires a total of 20 pieces less however many spaces you decide to fill with photos. When you’re printing your photos , bear in mind that you’re only going to be using one triangle’s worth of image  … I learnt the hard way !
It’s also a good idea to map them out on a sheet of cardsock laid onto a grid mat so that you can align them accurately ( since when have I ever done anything accurately ?! ) Can you spot a few other patterned paper pieces from the Hey Little Magpie shelves – it’s a great way to use of scraps and leftovers mixed in with new stash.
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I didn’t think it needed anything more than a black title – keeping it simple .
 
 
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Next up is a layout using some of the lovely patterned paper in the Amy Tan Stitched Collection all of which are perfect for Valentine’s layouts . I particularly love the gold shaped paperclips too. I can see those sneaking on to quite a few layouts in the future.
 
 
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A few more of my favoured triangles and a scattering of frames from Gossamer Blue’s On My Desk collection. You can never have enough of these in your stash collection . They’re prefect for layering and you can see through to the papers beneath – an added bonus. Funny how it isn’t until you come to look at the photographs you’ve taken that you notice how skewed some elements are – must have lost my glasses at that point !
 
 
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And finally , something I’m really into at the moment and easy to achieve – a layout with a drop shadow effect. My title is cut into a 12″ x 12 ” piece of card stock on the Silhouette Cameo but the brave could cut this by hand .
 
 
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You then use the letters raised on foam dots ( American Crafts make my favourites – easily released from their backing as they’re all separated – lazy I know but hey ! ) offset a little to create a drop shadow effect  ,then back your top card stock with a contrasting piece of card stock behind.
 
 
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This is echoed in the matting of the photo – this only requires 2 adjacent strips of black card stock , offset in the same direction by the same thickness.
 
 
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The photo is taken through some French windows so it seemed apt to use an acetate photo overlay that had the same panelled effect. Underneath that is a piece of white card stock embossed with the Amy Tan Stitched Love Spun embossing folder – the sweetest cross stitch heart design ever and oh so subtle. A couple of stamped images using gold ink on black card stock make perfect embellishments. I love this set of Technique Tuesday stamps – they’re so versatile. I’ve only used the heart stamp here but there are 9 designs in total in the set – all kinds of flair sized icons – stars, ampersands, arrows hearts … they’re all here. I’m also still getting great use out of the pack of Crater Paper’s Notes and Things rub-ons. Again , they’re so versatile and there’s loads in a pack.
 
Here’s hoping you’re all having  a lovey dovey Valentine’s Day  … preferably with a massive heart – shaped box of chocs.
 
 
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched Collection
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Dobby Paper
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Continued Paper
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Repeat Paper
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Gold Shaped Paperclips
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Hooked Paper
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Love Spun Embossing Folder
American Crafts – Amy Tan Stitched – Day Dream Clear Stamps
Technique Tuesday – Clear Stamp – Flairific
Acetate Photo Overlays
 American Crafts Adhesive Foam Dots
 
CLAIRE

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