Baseball, Harry Potter and the School of Pitchcraft!

Today I am sharing a layout that combines the magic Harry Potter and Baseball using the “Harry Potter” 2-Page Kit from Hearts N Crafts.

The San Diego Padres hosted their 4th annual Harry Potter Night at Petco Park this season. My husband totally understands my HP obsession and planned this fabulous day at the ballpark for us (believe me, he would much rather watch the game in the cozy comfort of his recliner at home!).

A Major League Baseball game can be quite the expensive outing, but we did our research and had such an amazing time—especially with a Padres WIN! 

My Journaling explains how we made the most of this day, without breaking the bank!

Petco Park had tons of fun Harry Potter photo ops, and honestly, the stadium itself is so beautiful that there are incredible picture spots everywhere. The hubs indulged my every whim!

The giveaway for the game was a Joe Musgrove School of Pitchcraft Bobblehead - as an avowed Hufflepuff - I could not have been happier that the bobblehead had yellow robes!

So, grab a mug of Butter Beer, and let’s see how I documented this magical day!:

The Kit & My Personal Tweaks

I really rearranged the elements in this kit! That’s the beauty of scrapbooking kits—you can stick to the example for a quick and stunning layout, or tweak it to fit your own aesthetic and photos to make it truly one-of-a-kind.

Here are a few ways I personalized this kit:

• Sub-Title Magic: I love using a journaling strip right across the main title to set the stage and give a little context for the page.

• Repurposing Die Cuts: The Harry Potter character die cut didn't quite match my layout's exact theme, so I carefully cut the broom out of his hand to use as a fun accent tucked under a photo! 

          

• Custom Potion Bottles: The potion bottle die cuts were so perfect for personalizing! A little ink, a fun alpha stamp, and voila! Actual custom Hogwarts potions for a really special touch.

• Hidden Journaling Shield: I had a ton to say about this outing, and the shield die cut gave me the perfect opportunity to create a hidden journaling spot with lots of writing space! I simply cut a piece of cardstock just smaller than the shield die cut (to add some fun visual layering), typed out my story on white cardstock, and used an "old school" metal turn-arrow and brad to keep the folded flap closed.

I am so pleased with how this layout came together! I hope this inspires you to think outside the box and use specifically themed kits in fresh, creative new ways.

Happy crafting!

Shelly

Sunkissed & Salty

Todays layout is made with the Hearts-N-Crafts 2-page Kit - "Sunkissed & Salty". This kit is gorgeous!

Let's get started - supplies first!

Hearts-N-Crafts "Sunkissed & Salty" 2 Page Kit

Each Hearts-N-Crafts Kit includes:

• Two 12x12 printed pages. Top and bottom borders are included on the printed page, no need to cut and attach!
• Four 12x12 sheets of cardstock  (2 to mat the printed pages and 2 for photo mats) 
• Assorted ephemera as shown
• Photo of Completed Kit Layout 

Added Extras Page 1:

• Kraft Cardstock (to double mat photos)
• Twine
• Dew Drops by The Robins Nest
• Sequins (always!)
• Ink - Stampin' Up Night of Navy
• Mini Foam Alphas (for year) Michael's

Added Extras Page 2:

• Kraft Cardstock (to double mat photos)
• Twine
• Dew Drops by The Robins Nest
• Sequins 
• Ink - Stampin' Up Night of Navy
• Vellum (to create my "message in a bottle"and journaling strip)
• Random cardstock stickers from my stash that fit theme and colors
• Tea stained doily

Tools:

• Adhesives:  Art Glitter Liquid Glue and Creative Memories Foam Pop Dots
• Stamp: Stampin Up Alpha Stamp (retired item, but available on eBay!)
• Epson Picturemate PM-400 printer
• Making Memories Hole Punch / Eyelet Setter (a blast from the past!)

Photo Sizes and Prep:

Page 1: (2) 4x6 Photos with border

Note: The sky exposure in photo 1 was a little blown out - so I added a fun quote that makes the photo a bit artistic. I use the Rhonna Ferrar Designs app on my phone - which I highly recommend for all scrapbookers that print their own photos and journaling.

Page 2: (1) 5x7 Collage with border, (1) 3-1/2 x 5 with border

Note: I use the Epson Creative Print App to make collages

First things first:

• Trim both patterned base pages 1/4" and mount on navy cardstock
• Double mat all photos with kraft and navy cardstock

Before I get started with the details, let's take a moment to appreciate the elegance of  double matting a bordered photo! I usually do NOT mat photos - but this looks really elevated!

Notes on Crafting Page 1:

• I stayed mostly true to example layout, I changed the photo orientation from Landscape to Portrait to fit with the photos I had and used the "beach" sign die cut on this page.
• Punched a hole through top of anchor on title and attached twine.
• I stamped "Costa Rica" along the bottom of beach sign.  
• On each of the die cuts, I tore and inked small areas for texture and interest.
• Mini foam alphas used to include the year of photos
• Ephemera adhered to page - some using foam dimensional pop dots.
• Final touch is a smattering of Dew Drops and Sequins for sparkle

Notes on Crafting Page 2:

• I had a lot fun adding extra details on this page!
• Using an exacto knife, I fussy cut 2 of the starfish legs on the patterned base paper.  This allowed me to tuck the bottle ephemera behind the legs
• I created a "note" for my bottle by rolling up a strip of vellum and securing with twine.  This touch ties the pages together nicely.
• I also used a vellum strip to print caption - crinkled it a bit to create the illusion that it was pulled from the bottle
• As always, my final touch is Dew Drops and sequins. 

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

XOXO

Sweet Summer Rose: Customizing a Hearts-N-Crafts "Sweet Baby Girl" Layout

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

Today, I’m sharing a double-page layout I created using the gorgeous Hearts-N-Crafts "Sweet Baby Girl" Kit.

On May 31st, my sweet Great-Niece, Summer Rose, made her grand entrance. She was in a bit of a hurry to meet us—arriving over four weeks early! She spent her first month getting things sorted out in the NICU, but she has already proven she is one fierce, strong little girl. I’ve spent years scrapbooking her mama’s antics, and I am absolutely thrilled that I now get to start documenting hers!

What I used:

While the Hearts-N-Crafts kits come with almost everything you need—including patterned cardstock, solid cardstock, pre-cut embellishments, and a placement guide—I always like to add a little extra to reflect my own scrappy personality!

 

The Scrapbook Recipe:

The Goodies

• The Kit: Hearts-N-Crafts "Sweet Baby Girl" 2-Page Layout Kit

• The Extras:

  • Small white shipping tags (from the office supply store)

  • Pink and white baker’s twine

  • Glitter (Heidi Swapp Marquee Love)

  • Floral stickers (Carta Bella - Floral No. 6 Collection)

  • Sequins (always!)

My Tools

• Adhesives: Art Glitter Liquid Glue & Creative Memories Dimensional Foam

• Stamps: Alpha Stamp set from Stampin' Up

• Printer: Epson PictureMate PM-400 Photo Printer

Photo Sizes & Prep

• Page One: Two 4x6 photos printed as a collage with borders on 5x7 photo paper, matted with black cardstock (using the Epson Creative Print App).

• Page Two: Two 3.5x5 photos printed with borders, plus one 2.5x3.5 photo.

  • Scrappy Tip: I printed the smallest photo as a two-picture collage with borders, then matted it on black cardstock to make it pop!

Step-by-Step: How I Built It

1. Prep and Sparkle

Before assembling, I gave the kit a little facelift:

• Add the Shine: I started by applying glitter to all the heart die-cuts that came with the kit. A little sparkle makes everything better!

• Create the Border: I trimmed both of the patterned background sheets down by 1/4" and mounted them onto black cardstock. This tiny step creates a beautiful frame that makes the pastel colors instantly pop.

Notes on Page 1:

Crafting Page One

For the first page, I followed the kit's guide but made a few custom tweaks to better fit my photos and story:

• Embellishment Shift: The guide suggested putting the largest die-cut at the top center. Because my photo had a lot of empty "white space" in the lower right, I moved the die-cut there to balance the page perfectly.

• Baby's Birth Stats: To document Summer's birth details, I stamped the numbers onto tiny white shipping tags using my Stampin' Up alphabet stamps. I inked the edges of the tags in pink, tied them off with pink and white baker's twine, and tucked them in.

• Finishing Touches: I popped up the glittered star die-cuts using dimensional foam, added some sequin clusters, and tucked a few floral stickers near the title.

💡 Cool Technique: DIY Rub-On Title

 I created a completely custom title using a DIY transparency transfer! Here is how you can do it too:

1. Create your title using Word Art in Microsoft Word.

2. Flip the image horizontally (mirror/reverse it 180 degrees) so it reads backward.

3. Print the reversed title onto a transparency sheet.

4. Let it sit for just a minute (be careful not to smudge it—unlike me, who rushed and had to do a quick repair with a fine-tip black Sharpie!).

5. Press the wet ink side down firmly onto your page to transfer. It's an easy way to get custom fonts in the perfect size!

Crafting Page Two

To keep the layout cohesive but distinct, I carried over the design choices from Page One:

• Going Off-Grid: Once again, I shifted the larger die-cut positions from the sample layout to better accommodate my photo arrangement.

• Tie It Together: Instead of using more floral stickers here, I punched a circle out of a piece of patterned paper from the same Carta Bella collection. I tucked this circle behind the large teddy bear die-cut, instantly marrying Page One and Page Two together.

• Final Details: A few more matching sequin clusters completed the look!

I love how this turned out, and I can't wait to fill many more pages with Miss Summer's adventures.

Have you ever used a transparency transfer for your titles? Or do you have a go-to trick for adding a personal twist to layout kits? Let me know in the comments below!

Tropical Card Set - All Occasion (Hearts-N-Crafts Kit for the win!)

 

I have been working with Hearts-N-Craft Etc and have just LOVED their scrapbook page kits!  Well, here is a new twist for me - a beautiful card kit!

This kit came with the "ingredients" to create  (2) cards - the cardstock came pre-scored which made it easy to put the cards together. These folds are FANCY!

They went together quickly.  

Things to note:

• The printed images for the panels come on full sheets that need to be trimmed to size, I then inked all the edges in coordinating color.
• The ephemera was all pre-cut
• This kit is printed on really premium paper with a good weight
• When adding the ephemera, I used foam dimensional spots from Creative Memories to give dimension
• On the flamingo card, the folds left 2 blank panels, so I stamped these panels for visual interest

• My final touch was to add SEQUINS!  I adore sequins!
• The Flamingo card is detailed front AND back - a really fun design!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Harry Potter, Summer Nights and the San Diego Symphony

I am an unashamed adult woman who owns her own wizard robes and a wand (House Hufflepuff for those who are interested!)

Having the score played live by the San Diego Symphony while watching a Harry Potter movie certainly makes for an unforgettable experience - especially bayside, under the stars.

My layout today documents my 2 very different Harry Potter / Symphony experiences! And I am combining 2 events that occurred 5 years apart.

Hearts N Crafts had the perfect 2 Page Kit for this project - Harry Potter Kings Cross Station. This is one of two Harry Potter themed kits available (stayed tuned for the next kit!)

These kits contain patterned paper, plenty of cardstock and and precut ephemera.  

You can stick to the sample photo included with the kit (which is perfect as it!) or veer off on your own design.... let's see how I made this my own!

I often do my journal first, it puts me back in the place of the photos and sparks my creativity! My journaling for this layout:

Bayside Summer Nights with the San Diego Symphony

In 2017, my fellow "Potterheads" Liz and her son Shane joined me for a screening of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets down on the bay. With the San Diego Symphony playing the entire score live, it was a truly magical experience! We had "lawn seats"—the bargain area—where we spread out a blanket and enjoyed picnic snacks, all while proudly sporting our Hogwarts gear.

Flash forward to 2022: the new Rady Shell (a work of art in itself) was finally complete. Danny and I, along with Brian and Sandy Calvin, leveled up our experience with table seating right down in front, complete with food and beverage service. We watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for another enchanting evening of live music under the stars.

Now let's scrap!

What I Used:

• Hearts N Crafts, Harry Potter Kings Cross Station 2 Page Kit
• Adhesives: Art Glitter Liquid Glue, Foam Pop Dots from Creative Memories
• Sequin Mix (big sequin mix from kids craft section of Michaels)
• Stamp:  Stampin' Up Alpha / Number Stamp (no longer available - but I got mine on eBay - I use it on almost EVERY layout - a must have tool for me!)

What I Did:

• To Start: Trim 1/4" off each edge of printed cardstock and mount onto solid black cardstock

•  Designer notes trim 1/2" off each edge and add faux or real stitching around your base for extra texture and "wow"!

Page 1:

• I added "Harry Potter" title to top of page as shown in kit example.  Added a sub-title (San Diego Symphony) across the main title using the alpha stamp on white cardstock scraps (inked edges of cardstock) mounted with foam dots.
• I used a 3x4 photo printed with border and matted on black, along with a 4 x 6 Journaling spot double mounted on white and black
• My journaling font is "kingthings typewriter 2" I wanted a font to give "Daily Prophet" vibes
• Added book stack and owl ephemera from kit - book stack is glued flat, owl is on pop dots.

Special Note:  I hated omitting the train ephemera on this page!  I was at a crop while I was putting together this layout and that one piece of ephemera got damaged!!  

Page 2:

• While the basic design is the same as kit example, I used (2) 4x6 collages (printed with border then mounted on black cardstock)  for photos and swapped the ephemera pieces positions on page.
• I cut off  the Harry Potter figure from the ephemera and used only the wording "have you seen this wizard" 
• Bordered the 9 3/4" ephemera in black cardstock, mounted with foam dots and added sequins for "magic"!
• I also added dates right on top of photos using cardstock and the Stanpin' Up Alpha stamp

The final touch......Sequins - - spread across both pages - but not random - I imagined the sweep of a wand! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Lakeside Western Days - Part 1 The Breakfast

Welcome back to the blog!  This week I am scrapping some of the activities that happen during our town's "Western Days".

I am using this fabulous "Breakfast" 2 page Kit from Hearts-N-Crafts, and adding a few elements from my stash to fit my personal style.

This kit could easily be adapted for different occasions - - Mothers Day breakfast in bed, a Bridesmaid breakfast or even your favorite breakfast recipes.  I knew the red and white checks of the tablecloth would be perfect for my western breakfast layout.

Page Journaling:

"As the dust kicks up with the arrival of the annual Lakeside Rodeo, our town celebrates “Western Days”.  The weekend begins early Saturday morning at the Lakeside Historical Society.  They host a genuine “cowboy breakfast” for just $5 - a hearty, honest start to the day that tastes like a throwback to simpler times.  What makes this morning special isn't just the live country music or the smell of coffee in the crisp air; it’s the sense of community and tradition. Lakeside’s Western roots run deep. It’s a moment where the town slows down to honor its history before the parade whistles blow and the rodeo gates fly open."

What I used:

• Breakfast Kit (2 Page) from Hearts-N-Crafts
• Jelly Roll 08 White Pen (for faux stitching)
• Banner Stickers ("Western") - Echo Park "Cowboys" Collection
• Misc. Chipboard Die Cuts & Alphas from Stash along with some twine, a charm and sequins (EVERYTHING is better with sequins!)

To Start:

• Trim Patterned Pages 1/4" on each side, mount to white cardstock
• Using white pen, draw faux stitching 1/2" from outer edge of white cardstock on 3 sides of each page

What I did (Page 1):

Photos:  (2) 4x6 with borders, mounted on black cardstock

I followed the example layout for this page pretty close - - I did move all the elements down since I wanted to add to the title.

My rule of thumb for layered die cut images - - first image is glued flat, second image layered slightly and lifted using foam dimensional tape or pop dots. Sometimes I go crazy and foam tape ALL the elements - but for the most part, a flat layer and a popped layer.

My title "Western" is cardstock stickers from Echo Park - I deactivated the stickiness and added pop dots with liquid glue for good adhesion.

After all my elements were glued down, I added brown sequins for some sparkle and wrapped a little twine around title for texture and of course that iconic vintage rodeo chipboard!

What I did (Page 2):

I really changed up page 2 from kit example!  

Photos:

(3) 3-1/2 x 5: (1 used as journaling) printed with border, mounted on black cardstock

(1) 4x4 collage printed with border, mounted on black cardstock

Journaling is such an important part of my scrapbooking! I will always opt to use a space for journaling rather than a photo.  It is so important for people to hear your voice!

This may be a "No-No" from the early days of scrapbooking, but I have no qualms about adding stickers, journaling, or other elements right on top of photos! In this layout, I wanted to highlight the adorable place settings made by the ladies at the Historical Society! 

For those that are interested- I use the Epson Picture PM-400 to print my photos and create collages to use on my layouts.  The apps for printing and collage making are so easy!

This is currently my favorite layout! Please feel welcome to reach out and ask any questions about photo printing, products I use - I am always happy to share (with no ulterior motive!)

Thanks for stopping by today!