Hi friends! Dana here today sharing an art journal page that I created using the amazing Clique World Heritage Matryoshka Kit. The double-sided 8x8 inch patterned papers in this kit are designed and printed in the U.K. from Angela Poole. This kit is a celebration of the heritage of folk art exemplified by the hand-painted charming matryoshka dolls from Russia. The rich colors and folk art influenced motifs are beautiful for any project. I know that you will fall in love with them too!

The word matryoshka has a Latin root (mater) meaning "mother" and these hand carved nesting wooden dolls symbolize the lineage of fertility passed from generation to generation. The largest doll is the maternal figure with all of the generations inside representing the importance of women as creators and nurturers. The original doll maker had the idea of making a toy with many little toys inside. The motifs painted by peasant folk artists represented the reverence for female fertility and abundance in an agricultural society. The traditional matryoshka doll is depicted as carrying a Rooster, also a peasant motif symbolic of masculine fertility. 
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I started with a page from the Studio Light Art by Marlene Art Journal. The page measures approximately 7.5 x 10 inches. All the pages in this album are ring-bound, which means that the pages are removable! I loved working on a single page rather than inside a bulky bound journal. I primed the page with gesso and then used the Amy Tangerine Brave and Bold Watercolor Set to add color to the page. I used blue acrylic paint with a stencil in the center of the page to add more texture to the design. I created a large nesting doll using the patterned papers from the kit. The face I placed on the doll was from my own supplies.
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I embellished the page with stenciled and stamped designs using supplies from my stash that had similar folksy elements as the beautiful patterned papers. I added a red bow to a Russian doll wood button and placed it over the center of my large nesting doll. The blue crystal rhinestones were a fun way to embellish the centers of my doily stampings.
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I used the stamp set from the kit to add the "Beautiful Inside & Out" sentiment to the page which really resonated with me. While many view nesting dolls as a symbol of a nurturer, I think of the outer shell as the me that faces the world. I only reveal my true inner layers to a select group of trusted people.

Once I had the majority of my page elements in place, I added doodles and dots with white and black markers and black watercolor to add finishing touches to the design. 

Clique International Supplies:
Clique World Heritage Matryoshka Kit
Studio Light Art by Marlene Art Journal
Amy Tangerine Brave and Bold Watercolor Set

Other Supplies: Acrylic Paint: DecoArt, Ranger; Paint Pens: Posca; Markers: American Crafts; Solvent Ink: Tsukineko; Stamps: Kaisercraft, Maya Road; Stencils: Prima Marketing, The Crafter's Workshop

Hi friends! Dana here today sharing a scrapbook layout filled with happy rainbows for our new blog category On Repeat. Whether it is color, pattern, texture, or shape, the idea behind these posts is to find something that inspires you and use it in a repetitive way. I think it is pretty obvious that I chose to repeat rainbows! I used colorful cardstock and a My Favorite Things Happy Rainbow Die to create my own base patterned paper. I topped that with rainbow vellum, a shaker embellishment filled with rainbow shaker elements, and a photo of a double rainbow.

A double rainbow is considered a symbol of transformation and is a sign of good fortune. The first arc represents the material world, and the second arc signifies the spiritual realm. Double rainbows are also thought to be a sign of future success. Furthermore, anuenue means "rainbow" in Hawaiian and is a common theme in many Clique kits. If you're a fan of rainbows, you'll easily find what you need to make a similar layout in the Clique Shop.
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I have a confession to make; cardstock scares me! I try all the time to use it as the base for my layouts, but the lack of a print really challenges my patterned paper loving brain. To finally cut in to my beautiful colored cardstock stash I decided to create my own patterned cardstock.
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Once my base cardstock was complete, I added another rainbow using the Pretty Little Studio Rainbow Connection Vellum from the Color Me Happy Clique Sampler Kit. I used the arcs as a guide for my title letters. This vellum sheet worked perfectly for a smooth journaling spot.
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My Sister-in-Law captured this gorgeous double rainbow while vacationing in the Virgin Islands several years ago. I marked the end of each rainbow in the photo with Waffleflower Enamel Dots. Finally, I assembled a cardstock cloud shaker embellishment and filled it with Dress My Craft Rainbow Shaker Elements.

Clique International Supplies:
Dress My Craft Rainbow Shaker Elements
Color Me Happy Clique Sampler Kit
Clique Chromatics Anuenue Kit
American Crafts Textured Cardstock: Lemon, Pool, Ocean, Taffy, Emerald

Other Supplies: Chipboard Cloud Shaker: Creative Embellishments; White Acrylic Paint; White Foam Letter Stickers
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Hi friends! Dana here today sharing how I altered a Mintopia Rainbow Shaker Album.  I used the Clique Chromatics Anuenue Kit, the Clique Chromatics Unicorn Kit, and some whimsical embellishments from past kits. Anuenue means "rainbow" in Hawaiian and is a common theme in many Clique kits. This album was absolutely perfect for documenting my daughter's 7th birthday party which took place back in 2015. Waiting to use those photos definitely paid off!
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I used a colorful mix of dye inks to add color to the top rainbow die-cut that fits onto the cover of the album. Once the ink was blended to my linking, I applied a layer of clear ultra fine glitter paint for a sparkly finish. Finally, to add texture to the cover, I spread on a layer of Bad Girls Couture Haute Mess Glass Bead Gel, which is part of the Capsule Wardrobe Acrylic Mixed Media Kit.
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I painted the face of the front cover with Bad Girls Couture Haute Mess Fallen Angel Acrylic Paint. I used a silver paint pen to outline the inner and outer edges of the wood rainbow that sits on the cover of the album. Once the paint was dry, I glued the wood rainbow to the white base and filled the space with sequins and gems. Next, I glued the solid acrylic rainbow over the sequins, sealing them in to the cover, and then glued the rainbow die-cut on top of that. The top left corner of this photo shows what the album looks like before altering.
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I used the back cover as a template for the album pages, which I cut from Waffleflower cardstock. The cardstock is single-sided, so I cut two colors each of pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple patterned papers. Before I adhered the colored pages together, I added a small washi tape tab between each set of pages to help turn the pages. This was also a fun way to add another rainbow to the album.
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Once the pages were secured inside the album it was time to embellish! I used a combination of Bella Blvd Squeeze The Day ephemera and enamel shapes from a past kit and Pretty Little Studio Color Me Happy Die-Cuts and Stickers. (The Pretty Little Studio Kit is part of the Retiring Kits Sale, so you can pick it up for a great price while supplies last!) I made a quick pocket on the front inside cover using a die-cut. Simply apply adhesive to the bottom and lower edges of the die-cut and leave the top unattached--perfect for holding journaling cards!
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There is plenty of room for photos, journaling, and embellishments in this album! Stop by the Clique International Instagram Account for a video flip though of this album.

Clique International Supplies:
Mintopia Rainbow Shaker Album
Clique Chromatics Anuenue Kit
​Clique Chromatic Unicorn Kit
Clique Chromatics Capsule Wardrobe
Pretty Little Studio Color Me Happy Sampler Kit

The stunning patterned paper that is the background of the finished album photo at the top of this post is from the Limited Edition Bliss Bad Girls Couture and Clique International Collaboration Kit. I used every other piece of paper from that kit and thought that this design was just too beautiful to cut.
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Hi friends! Dana here today sharing a travel layout that features some of the breathtaking photos from a friend's Summer road trip through the Southwest United States. She visited several National Parks and the photos she shared along the way are absolutely stunning. I had a blast living vicariously through her! I'm definitely putting these places on my must-see list. Until I can go to these sites in person, I'm documenting them using the gorgeous Sedona Base Kit. The Sedona kit contains all 6 beautiful 12x12 double-sided patterned papers from Prima Marketing's new Golden Desert collection, many with gorgeous copper foil accents. This kit also contains 2 12x12 double-sided patterned papers from the 49 and Market Vintage Artistry Wedgewood collection, which are the perfect shades of blue to complement the browns and pinks in this kit.
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I cut two States from patterned paper, Utah and Colorado, and used them for the base of the title spot. I used the two state shapes as maps to show where the three National Parks visited on this portion of the road trip are located. I printed the locations on the pale blue 49 and Market patterned paper and used Prima copper foil die-cuts as place markers. I cut thin strips of dark blue 49 and Market patterned paper to connect the National Park locations with the corresponding photos on this layout.
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The foam stickers, die-cuts, and wood embellishments from the kit were a great way to embellish the photos without distracting from the beautiful scenery.
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I embellished the top and bottom edges of the layout with simple patterned paper strips, foiled die-cuts, foam stickers, and Sparkletz gems, which are all included in the kit.
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What a fantastic way to unplug from life for awhile! There are more than 400 National Parks in the United States available to everyone, every day. While some of the parks charge an entrance fee, fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. I'm so ready for a road trip!

More about the parks highlighted in this layout:

Arches National Park is a national park in eastern Utah, United States. The park is adjacent to the Colorado River, 4 miles north of Moab, Utah. More than 2,000 natural sandstone arches are located in the park, including the well-known Delicate Arch, as well as a variety of unique geological resources and formations. The park contains the highest density of natural arches in the world.

Canyonlands National Park is an American national park located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. The park preserves a colorful landscape eroded into numerous canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries.

Mesa Verde National Park is an American national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The park protects some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United States.

Clique International Supplies:
Prima Marketing Sedona Base Kit

Hi friends! Dana here today sharing a set of Galentine's Day cards that I created using the Studio Tekturek Strawberry Shake Collection.  This is a Summer paper collection, BUT the palette and so many of the prints and embellishments are absolutely perfect for love-inspired crafts. I made up these cards early so that they are sure to reach their recipients next month.
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I used Jillibean Soup Heart Shaker Cards and Inserts for the base of each card and then had so much fun mixing prints, stickers, chipboard, and washi tape from the Strawberry Shake collection.
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I filled the heart shakers with Clique International Sequin Mixes from past kits. Check out the NEW selection of Mini Sequins Family Packs.

Clique International Supplies:
Studio Tekturek Strawberry Shake Sampler Kit
Clique International Sequin Mix

Other Supplies: Heart Shaker Cards and Inserts: Jillibean Soup; Glitter Bow: Dear Lizzy; Twine: American Crafts; Chalk Ink: Clearsnap; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L
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Happy New Year friends! Dana here today sharing a layout that invokes a feeling of hygge for me. What does that mean?  Hygge is a quality of coziness and comfortable friendliness that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. The temperatures are dropping in the mid-west United States and I'm looking to feel as cozy as I can. I picked up the Studio Forty Gaia and Nordica Kits from the Clique Shop and fell in love with the life-like patterns of soft textures. The neutral palettes of these collections were perfect for documenting a carton of fresh eggs that was delivered by a friend who keeps chickens.
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I absolutely LOVE fresh eggs. To help convey the gratitude that I felt for this gift I created an oversized title using a stencil from my stash. I cut the letters out by hand and outlined them with a thin black marker to help define the edges. 
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I couldn't resist adding a pop of color, so I placed floral die-cuts from a past kit around the letters.
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The 3x4 Nordica documenter cards are the perfect for framing  a wallet size photo. I cut speech bubbles from another card to create a fun journaling spot.
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I added a small subtitle under the photo with a sentiment that I cut from a Kaisercraft patterned paper from a past kit. I used 3D Foam Strips to lift the text off the page.

Clique International Supplies:
Studio Forty Nordica Modern Documenter Kit
Studio Forty Gaia International Series Kit
Embellishments and Patterned Paper from Past Kits

Other Supplies: Love Stencil: Stencil1; Black Marker: Sharpie; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope your New Year is off to a cozy start!
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Hi friends! Dana here today sharing the results of my experiment using The Stamp Market Embroidery Hoop Dies to create a set of woodland winter greeting cards. In the spirit of the challenge running this month in the Clique Facebook Group, I have tried the crafty crossover of incorporating cross stitch, embroidery, and quilling techniques on a project. This was a real challenge for me because I don't usually create projects that use any of these skills. The extra time I put in to these cards was absolutely worth it! I'm loving the results.
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I used the same basic design for all the cards. I used the larger embroidery hoop dies to cut the hoop embellishments from cardstock and specialty patterned paper. Once I added stitching to each hoop, I added them to the cards.
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To finish each card, I added a Pretty Little Studio sentiment sticker, handmade quilled acorn embellishments, and some glittered adhesive dots to the cheeks of each animal.
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Step 1: Use the slotted quilling tool to roll strips of quilling paper into a tight coil large enough to fit inside an acorn cap. Join more than one paper strip together by using a micro adhesive runner or liquid glue.

Step 2: Use a mini mold to transform the tight coil into a 3D dome. If you don't have this tool, simple push on the center of the coil, or use the rounded end of the slotted quilling tool, to form the dome.

Step 3: Coat the inside of the paper dome with liquid glue and let dry.

Step 4: Glue the paper dome into the acorn cap.

A note about acorn caps: I purchased the acorn caps that I used for these cards. They were cleaned and dried for me. If you collect acorns from nature for use on craft projects, first clean them with soapy water and let dry. To be sure that there aren't any insects in the caps, heat them in a 175 degree oven for about 90 minutes.
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Thanks for stopping by today! I hope I have inspired you to try a new craft. These winter woodland cards are will make the perfect greeting all season long.

Clique International Supplies:
Explore & Learn Series: Quilling For Scrapbookers
Alexandra Renke Cardstock
Altenew + The Stamp Market Mega 6x6 Paper Stack Sampler Kit
The Stamp Market Embroidery Hoop Dies
AC Specialty Cardstock
Kaisercraft Patterned Paper
Pretty Little Studio Sentiment Stickers

​Other Supplies: Acorn Caps; Glitter: American Crafts; Embroidery Floss; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Hi friends! Dana Tatar here today sharing a dog themed shadow box that I altered using the super cute Bella Blvd Cooper Add-On Kit and a Foundations Décor Magnetic Shadow Box. I had a lot of fun creating this décor piece celebrating all the fantastic dogs in my life. I'm not able to socialize with family as much as I would like during this pandemic, which means I'm also missing spending time with my favorite furry friends. This frame has place of pride on my mantle where I can look at it often during my day.

Foundations Décor Magnetic Shadow Box Measurements
I like to plan décor projects in advance as they are a bit more involved. I thought it would be helpful to share the specific measurements of this tray and the compartments, as well as some assembly details, before going into the design specifics.

The outer measurement of the shadow box frame is 12.25 x 12.25 inches. A metal sheet is sandwiched between a top compartmentalized wood frame and a solid piece of wood. The metal layer holds the wood inserts with magnets that are applied by a simple peel and stick method to the back of the wood inserts. The wood inserts are easy to pop in and out of the frame. This feature allows one frame to be used all year long, swapping the inserts with the changing seasons. (CLICK HERE to see the Easter Frame I embellished earlier this year.) The frame is nearly 5/8 inches thick, so after adding the wood inserts and the magnets, there is about a 1/4 inch of space to the top edge of the frame. This means there is plenty of room for thicker and/or layered embellishments!

Wood Insert Measurements (1/8 inch MDF, 6 Total)

• 2.5 x 11.25 inches (1)
• 4 x 3.25 inches (2)
• 4 x 5x5 inches (2)
• 4 x 4 inches (1)

Note: This shadow box can be altered in any orientation if you are designing with blank wood inserts and not a specific shadow box kit.
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Magnetic Shadow Box Design Details

After covering the wood insert with patterned paper from the American Crafts A Simpler Life Base Kit, I embossed a piece of chipboard from my stash to add a pop of bright red to the title spot of this frame. Then, I embellished the chipboard with a house button and glass bead from the Cooper Kit. I used an American Crafts Thickers Alphabet Set from a past kit to spell out 'Home is Where My Dog Is.'
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I used the Newton's Nook Woof Add-on Kit to add small stamped paw print around the title insert.

I used the same design formula to embellish each wood insert to fill the rest of the fame. I topped patterned papers from the kits with a photo of a family dog, and then added die-cuts, buttons, glass beads, and a letter for the first initial of each dog's name.
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I added more embossed chipboard pieces from my stash to the bottom of the frame. Lastly, I tied a piece of ribbon around the frame for some contrasting texture. 

I hope I have inspired you today! I you have any questions about working with this magnetic shadow box, please leave me a note in the comments section and I'll be happy to answer. 

If you're looking for a fun shadow box kit, there are a couple to choose from in the Clique Store:
Limited Edition Kit - Baby Shadow Box Bundle
​Limited Edition Kit - Spring Shadow Box Bundle

Clique International Supplies:
Bella Blvd Cooper Add-on Kit
Newton's Nook Woof Add-on Kit
American Crafts A Simpler Life Base Kit
Foundations Décor Magnetic Shadow Box Frame

Other Supplies: Chipboard: Creative Embellishments; Embossing Powder: Ranger; Ink: Tsukineko; Ribbon: May Arts; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Hi friends! Dana here today sharing a scrapbook layout that I was inspired to create after listening to the song "Soul Singing" by The Black Crowes. I've been streaming a lot of concerts from home over the last 6 months. One of the most recent shows featured various artists, one of whom was Rich Robinson. After that show ended, YouTube auto-played The Black Crowes VH1 Unplugged Show from 2008 (which I highly recommend!). Since then, I've had those songs running through my head.

Whenever life has me feeling stressed out, I always find relief by looking through photos of my family, especially my young nieces and nephews. I found this gem and couldn't help but smile! This sweet photo and two lines from the song; "My life's a smile not a frown," and "You got my soul singing," were all I needed to get my mojo running. I combined the Bad Girls Couture and Clique International Limited Edition Bliss Kit with the American Crafts Urban Legend Base Kit to create this page.  The pastel color palettes, flowers, and wood grain designs of both kits blend really well together.
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I cut two wood frames from one of the Mintay patterned papers from the Bliss Kit. I used one for a photo frame which I embellished with a die-cut from the Urban Legend Kit and a chipboard sticker from the Bliss Kit. I placed the foam flower stickers from the Urban Legend kit under my photo to help raise it off the background paper.
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I created a shaker embellishment with the second wood frame. To create this feature I first cut a piece of patterned paper the same size as the frame. Then, I applied foam tape around the edge of the floral patterned paper. Next, I sprinkled Clique sequin mix onto the patterned paper. I also added a small die-cut to the area. Lastly, I topped the foam tape with a piece of acetate and then the paper frame. I attached this embellishment to the page just like the other frame, on top of foam flower stickers, for added dimension.

Clique International Supplies:
Bad Girls Couture and Clique International Limited Edition Bliss Kit
American Crafts Urban Legend Base Kit
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Hi friends! Dana here today sharing a Halloween scrapbook layout that I created with a mix of kits from the Clique Shop. I combined the super fun Halloween themed Modern Documenter Spooks Kit from The Paper Curator with several non-Halloween kits that shared the same color palette.  I love the unique result!
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This layout came together rather quickly. I kept my design simple by using pieces of patterned papers cut  into basic shapes to build up layers of contrasting prints. You can't go wrong with rectangles and squares! Then, I applied purple chalk ink to the edges of each piece of patterned paper to help define the separate sheets.
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I had a lot of fun building a large title spot for this page. I cut letters to spell 'trick or treat' from The Paper Curator Kit. Once I had the letters arranged on the layout, I embellished the white space with acrylic stars for a touch of sparkle.
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The last embellishment I added to this page was a spider journaling card for some creep factor. I added twine from the top of the page down to the journaling card to make it look like the spider was moving.

There are several Halloween and Fall Kits available for purchase from the Clique Shop while supplies last, so treat yourself and stock up before they sell out!

Clique International Supplies:
The Paper Curator Spooks Modern Documenter Kit
Paper Inky Metropolis 12x12 Paper Pack
49 and Market Lilac Vintage Artistry Add-On Kit
49 and Market Lilac Vintage Artistry Ephemera Stack
​49 and Market Lilac Vintage Artistry Washi Strips
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Other Supplies: Acrylic Stars: Elle's Studio; Purple Chalk Ink: Clearsnap; Purple Marker: Sharpie; , Purple Twine: American Crafts