Altenew Crafty Friends Blog Hop Day 1 + Giveaway


Hey everyone, welcome to Day 1 of the Crafty Friends Blog hop for Altenew. I am so excited to be a friend and fan of the amazing company Altenew. You possibly arrived here from Kristina's blog, thanks so much for stopping by and joining in on this hop!

Here is the layout that I have created to share with you today. 

Todays layout focus' on the things I love most; gorgeous papers and embellishments and storytelling. I am a big advocate for getting my stories (however short) onto my pages. I think that is the root of my passion for scrapbooking really; documenting our everyday. I have memories of going through photos after my grandparents passed and thinking to myself; who is in those photos, what are they doing, where were they? etc. Sometimes I would be lucky enough to find a small handwritten name on the back of a photo and a year. That was like finding gold and was few and far between. I think to myself how much I would love to be able to read the stories about what things were like in those photographs of my family in the past. To me, what I am doing is special, and even if it is not appreciated by those around me now, I am sure long after I am gone and my children are older it will be. That's the hope anyway and the big drive behind why I do what I do. Can anyone else relate to this?

My kiddies are growing up so quick. These photos were taken on a recent family trip away. The town we went to was having a big festival for the weekend. We went on a 'farm hop' and visited a few of the local farms in the area who opened their doors to the public on this day. This particular farm had free range chickens and produced eggs. The kids absolutely loved the baby chicks and spent so much time with them picking them up and talking to them. It was so adorable. 

I used the Our Family scrapbook kit available in the Altenew store to document this page. I did mix it a little with the Reflections kit too as I couldnt help but add in some of it's embellishments. 

The journaling for this page is not too detailed, but detailed enough that you know the who, what and where of these photos. 

The main feature of the page is a fussy cut floral from one of the patterned papers in the kit. I decided to only incorporate part of the design and make a feature of it on my page; nestling my photos within the florals and the journaling in the negative space. The colours within this kit were the perfect match to the colours within the photos. That can sometimes be a tough feat when you are wanting to use particular products on a layout. 

I used a combination of regular tape adhesive; I use the Altenew tape runner (its so quick and easy) and a foam adhesive to add a pop of dimension. I included the wood cranes in this layout, I know they are not chickens ha - but I took some crafty licence and figured there were birds so added them to a couple of places on the page. 



You will notice that I have three main areas of embellishments on my layout. One to the top right of the page next to the photo, one on the bottom left of the left side photo and one where the journaling is. I tend to create all layouts with this 'three' clusters rule and adding them to the layout in a way that forms a triangle. This helps to guide your eyes from one spot on the layout to another and so on, giving you a reading/viewing path on my page.


Anyways enough from me, onto the amazing details of how you can join in and win!

Special Offer to you!!!

FREE U.S. shipping with code CRAFTY18 or $5 OFF international shipping with code FRIENDS18 at checkout. Offer valid from 11/29/2018 at 12:01 am EST through 12/1/2018 at 11:59 pm EST. Not valid on prior purchases. Cannot be combined with other promo codes.


Prizes for this Hop
Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 5 lucky winners and one Altenew Academy class to 5 lucky winners. There are also 12 awesome friends who are celebrating with us, and they are offering the following prizes:



My Sweet Petunia: 3 MISTI stamping tools(Memory, Original, and Mini)
Jennifer McGuire Ink: Altenew $50 gift certificate & 10 handmade cards
Online Card Classes: 3 class spots
Create and Craft TV: £50 gift certificate
Ellen Hutson LLC: $30 gift certificate
Chameleon Art Products: 1 pack of 5 Chameleon Pens
Stamp & Scrapbook Expo: $25 gift certificate
Butterfly Reflections Ink: $25 gift certificate
Simon Says Stamp: $25 gift certificate
Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine: 2 copies of Scrapbook & Cards Today Fall 2018 issue
Scrapbook.com: $25 gift certificate
Tombow USA: 1 pack of 10 Dual Brush Pens

Be sure to leave comments on all the blog posts by Sunday, December 9th, 2018 for a chance to win! 37 winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on all of the blogs listed below and will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog and Altenew Scrapbook Blog on December 15th, 2018. How cool is that!!!!!

You can also win a $20 gift certificate just by commenting here on my blog. I will announce a winner by 12/9/2018.

Blog Hop Order:
Altenew Card Blog
Jennifer McGuire
May Sukyong Park
My Sweet Petunia
Kathy Racoosin
Norine Borys
Chameleon Art Products
Svitlana Shayevich
Kristina Pokazanieva
Raquel Bowman - You are here *****
Keeway Tsao
Butterfly Reflections Ink
Virginia Lu
Laura Jane
Simon Says Stamp
Lilith Eeckels
Dana Gong
Alex Syberia
Stamp & Scrapbook Expo
Zinia Redo
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Zsoka Marko
Meghann Andrew
Kay Miller
Thanks so much for popping by today, you're next stop is Keeway Tsao's blog.

Raquel xxx

219 comments

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Isabel Z said...

I am always so inspired by your creations--thank you.

ellepaulette said...

What fun! Thank you for the lovely inspiration and the giveaways!!

Debbie Rumpza said...

Beautiful layout! I love the colors.

KimK said...

Such a pretty page for a great memory! Thank you!

Unknown said...

I too am a scrapbooking fan and I agree, even the smallest detail in the what, who, where, when captures all that is required. Lovely page, thanks for sharing!

Drena Putz said...

What a beautiful scrapbook page! I love all of the colorful flowers!

Drena Putz said...

What a beautiful scrapbook page! I love all of the colorful flowers!

Carol S said...

Cute layout

CCDivaMM said...

The Altenew paper is so pretty. The children are adorable too. not a fan of fussy cutting but love the way it looks when you added the leaves in and around the pictures.

Donnalee Boisseau said...

Supercute!

CCDivaMM said...

really pretty Altenew Paper. The kids are adorable. I am not a fan of fussy cutting but the leaves looks so pretty around the pictures.

Joy Smith said...

I am not a scrapbooker but I love your layouts......I sure can use some of your ideas on my cards.

Joy Smith said...

I'm not a scrapbooker but I love your layouts and certainly use them in my card making.....

Debbie said...

what a beautiful scrapbook page!

Joy Smith said...

This is the third time I have tried to leave a comment on your site.....should be easier.
I love your layout although I am not a scrapbooker, I can use them in my card making.

jan metcalf said...

Love the pops of color on your layout!!

Michelle Varol said...

What a beautiful layout!

Patty said...

First time I’ve seen your work and love what you did for your scrapbook page! It is all about story telling and preserving our memories and moments in time! I love the layout!

Purple Princess said...

Such an adorable layout!

Patty said...

Seems my first comment didn’t go through? In any case I love your layout and preserving family history and memories in this way is something your kids will be grateful for when grown! Nicely done!

MaryG said...

What a great page! I agree about finding old photos and then not knowing who or when or what. Scrapbooking is important and there will be lasting memories.

Anne Harada said...

Beautiful layout! Definitely totally cute!! :)

robiw said...

What a beautiful layout!

robiw said...

This is such a beautiful layout! Well done!

Vivian C. said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful layout.

Barbara Mann said...

Raquel, what a wonderful scrapbook layout. Super cheerful.

Thank you for sharing.

Helen Kalb said...

I thought your layout was lovely Raquel, and then I started reading and I love the way you explain why you scrapbook and your process of putting a page together. I am a card maker but I think we can all learn from each other and the three focal point rule is certainly universal.

Dee Earnshaw said...

what a delightful layout - your coloring is amazing!!

Kari Hansen said...

Beautiful layout!

Lisa Buchanan said...

I love that you are also instructing the how and why of your design! That is so helpful for others starting out or reminding old timers! Thank you, it’s beautiful!

Barbara said...

Your layout design is beautiful and the inspiration I get from you and all the others on this celebration blog hop of crafty friends is amazing. Thank you!

Carol Rossouw said...

Lovely layout!Thanks for the inspiration! What a wonderful blog hop to celebrate this great international crafty community!

Darlene Renshaw said...

Your page is very lovely. The flowers are beautiful and the children are adorable 💕Merry Christmas 🎄 .

Katrin said...

I am a card maker and scrapbooker but struggle using my card making supplies like stamps and stencils on my layouts. Your examples on using the Altenew products helps motivate me to move outside my comfort zone when creating layouts!

Brenda Kuder said...

I love your layout! I only make cards but I am impressed with scrapbook layouts.

El Rincón de Pram said...

Beautiful project.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Becca Yahrling said...

Your layout is so lovely! If your kids aren't twins, they sure look like it! :-)

DisDesigns said...

I love all the details in this layout that come together so well! Thanks for the inspiration!

Miriam Baker said...

Nice layout.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Layout.

Deeps said...

Oh what a really cute page. Love the soft colors in the background.

Ingrid said...

This blog hop is so inspiring! So many beautiful creations. Happy to be a crafter

BobbisTreasure said...

Love the rich colors!

Denise Terry said...

While I don't do a lot of scrapbooking, I still love that I can take some design lessons away from your posts. And the washi...oh how I do love that Altenew washi :)

Super Stick Chick said...

Beautiful page. Oh yes, total cuteness!

Ruby said...

Wow this layout is amazing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work.

Connie Hinkle said...

Such a cute layout 😍

Laura said...

What a beautiful page! The subjects in the photos are adorable!

Laura said...

Love the page and the two cuties in the photos!

Mary said...

I completely agree with you that scrapbooking will only be appreciated later - but the effort is worth it.

Irene said...

I really like the child like feeling to this lay out. Your rough fussy cutting fit the child like feel.

Kandice J. said...

I absolutely love the colors you used. Very elegant.

Kandice J. said...

I absolutely love the colors you used. Very elegant!

Kimberly McField said...

I'm not a scrapbooker, but I appreciate the time and thought that goes into lovely layouts like this one. Thank you for sharing!

Kandice J. said...

I absolutely love the colors you used. Very elegant!

Rema DeLeeuw said...

Lovely layouts!

Sandy M said...

One of your best layouts. (one of many). I love the colors.

Patty Butler said...

Pretty layout! Cute kids!

Cathy said...

Such a pretty page

Edina S. said...

Very nice layout and colour combinations!

Debbie said...

great layout!!

Jean and Jan said...

What great work.

Rhonda said...

LOVE, LOVE this layout!!! Can't wait to try this.

Janet D. said...

Your layout is awesome!

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

And this layout would be "total cuteness!" Lovely color--reminds me of Eric Carle who always makes me smile! Happy holidays to you:)

Peraltae443 said...

Beautiful designs, Thank you so much for sharing.

pamboe said...

I have photos just waiting to be put into layouts . . . yours is so beautiful it encourages me to get those photos out and start scrapbooking.

pamboe said...

I have photos just waiting to be put into layouts . . . yours is so beautiful it encourages me to get those photos out and start scrapbooking.

Jean Arizona said...

I need to get back to scrapbooking. Thanks for the beautiful page and inspiration.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Fabulous page with the additional water coloring

Laurie said...

Lovely!

Unknown said...

Beautiful layout! Such a pretty design <3

QuilterLaura said...

Your layout is absolutely gorgeous!

Jeanne Beam said...

Such a beautiful layout!
Thanks so much for sharing...

Christy said...

Great use of stamping for your scrapbook!

Christy said...

Great use of stamping in scrapbooking!

Unknown said...

This is a really lovely layout. Love the fussy cutting too.

Penny Crafty Creations said...

love your layout for the page and thank you for the techniques and the great hop along the way

Bunny said...

Farm hopping? Oh, I'd like that. Love the page that you made to remember it by. [Bunny]`````

Nora Noll said...

What a lovely page!! I love the fun groupings of the beautiful botanicals!!

Karen V. said...

Love the colors you chose for the layout!

Karen V. said...

Love the colors you chose for the layout

Karen V. said...

Love the colors you chose for the layout.

Russell Productions said...

Totally awesome

Jane hoffman said...

Total cuteness for sure!

Papercrafting Maven said...

What a beautiful layout!

Unknown said...

I miss scrapbooking. Thank you for this layout. Nice to switch up from cards

MadeByMeghanK said...

This is TOTAL CUTENSS! What a great layout! I love the colors!

RobinG said...

beautiful layout!! I love the flowered papers you chose to fussy cut!!

Teresa said...

So “cute”! Great layout!

Sue said...

very pretty

Marsha said...

Such a beautiful layout.

arleneshipley said...

beautiful - im jealous of the "story telling" i never do enough - angelkisses

'Debra Strohbehn said...

Brilliant colors and lovely layout!

Sue W. said...

Beautiful page! Love the flow of your design!

Sue D said...

Totally cute layout. My grandkids love holding baby chicks at our farm.

Mclay said...

You are such an inspiration with your creative inspiration, Raquel!

littlesavedgirl said...

The page was sweet and the kids were adorable !

Patty-Treasures in Letters said...

Adorable scrapbook page...and kids. :)

Rea' said...

This layout is absolutely adorable; I love all your elements, the fussy cuts, the story telling. Absolutely love your composition!!!

Helen said...

Love your scrapbook layout. As a scrapbooker, I appreciate the work and love that goes into creating a page like this one. tfs

Mendy said...

Love this layout. I have never thought of making a layout with stamps.

Mendy said...

I love the layout. I have never thought of making a layout with stamps. Beautiful!!

Karthikha said...

That's a lovely project! :)

Cheryl C said...

Like you said - Total Cuteness! Thank you.

Emma S. said...

I love your scrapbook page! Beautiful and your kids are cute too! Thanks for sharing!

Conniecrafter said...

Love the watercolor feel to this, so sweet

VanGrandma2 said...

Very nice layout. Your work is beautiful

VanGrandma2 said...

Beautiful work

sandi said...

I don't scrapbook much anymore but I get what you are saying about having pictures without stories. I love how you embellish your page.

Kaye Thrasher said...

Your page is awesome. I really wish that I had something like this to give my girls. My oldest will be 30 next year and it was just yesterday when I brought her home in doll clothes. She was two months early and now she is an amazing woman. It goes by so fast. Enjoy all the little moments because that is what they remember. Thanks so much for sharing your art.🐧

Unknown said...

Love the layout thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

I love your layout!

Sharon P. said...

Just getting started with scrapbook pages. Thank you for the inspiration. It's a beautiful page.

Unknown said...

I love your layout!

Kristen said...

Love your layout! It has movement and color and joyful tidings!

Billie said...

love the watercolor look, great idea

Daniela May said...

Lovely layout and great colors...

Hussena said...

What an amazingly beautiful layout!Love it !

Kathy Ferguson said...

Total cuteness is a perfect title for your scrapbook layout. The photos of your two adorable children are perfectly framed in your design. Thanks for sharing your time and talent with us.

Heather M said...

Fabulous page! Your kiddos are adorable!! It is wonderful to discover the stories behind those precious pictures!!

Nandini said...

Love the layout. It is so colourful! The perfect way to capture a fun, memorable day!

DQ said...

Great layout, total Cutie pies on it. TFS

Nanette Leiker said...

I really enjoyed your page layout! Your fussy cutting of the background fit the kiddos just right! Thanks for sharing your techniques with us!

Carol (HB) said...

What a beautiful page!

Tamara Lewis said...

Beautiful kiddos! Love your way of telling the story and the layout to showcase your memories. Very eye catching!! (And interesting)

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Love your layout and background!
Scrapbooking isn't for us now, it's for them later!

Wendy Lambert said...

Very cute layout. I love how your kids will look back on this and be able to recreate the memory!

AlohaDiane said...

Beautiful scrap booking! Love the colors and soft touch.

Teresa Doyle said...

Raquel this is a fantastic layout, your littlest are adorable.
Yes, you are doing an amazing thing by documenting these now. I am currently going through OLD photos of my 97 y/o MIL and my husband Aunts pics, most of which are not marked. They are awesome to look at but would be much nicer if I didn't need to be like a detective to learn who all of these people were. LOL However, I am looking at it as a good winter project.

Sherry Butcher said...

Wonderful layout with two cuties and baby chicks. Thanks for sharing your designs

Ingrid B said...

Yup, I can relate 😊

Holly Mahoney said...

Total cuteness is right! Your kiddos are adorable and your page is lovely!

mom2five said...

wonderful layout

El said...

Beautiful layout. Thanks for sharing with us.

El said...

Beautiful layout. Thanks for sharing with us.

Mary Holshouser said...

The kids favor each other - might be twins?
Love the triangular design of your
elements. They don't over-power the
picture. Fantastic page for future
memories. thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kathleen C. said...

Thank you so much for posting this. I am new to card making and have found that a lot of the cards start to seem the same. This is such a personal and fun way to craft! Great work!

Unknown said...

Love this layout! Your cute pictures really pop :)

Denise Kitts-Wadlow said...

SWEET!!! Love the layout and your kids are adorable! TFS--have a blessed day.

DJ said...

Beautiful layout! Thanks for the reminder about the triangle rule of thumb....I always seem to forget that. TFS!

liz said...

Love the versatility of stencils and Altenew's are so beautiful;

Miriam Prantner said...

Such a sweet layout! I love the fussy cutting of the florals!

Robin Kepler said...

How gorgeous is this layout?!! Thank you for being part of the blog hop!

Handmade by Hanneke said...

Total Cuteness - what an apt name for this adorable scrapbook page. Thanks for sharing!

Susanbcards said...

Total cuteness, for sure. Lovely.

Angela T said...

I love the use of color here. Really pretty layout

Michele K. Henderson said...

This is a really pretty design and layout! These kids totally are TOTAL CUTENESS! Adorable!

Nox said...

Beautiful layout and I love how fresh it looks - beautiful detail, but nothing overwhelming the focals.

Kristie Goulet said...

Very cute layout!! Great inspiration!

Šialka said...

Beautiful!

SusanME said...

This is so lovely! And thanks for the tip on clustering in threes!

bzyPTmom said...

Your layout is beautiful and your children are adorable! Love what you've done with these wonderful products.

MelissaF said...

Beautiful layout, I love the visual triangle rule, and your photo stays the focus of the page.

Riette said...

What a beautiful layout and stunning floral arrangement.

mzlikely said...

Great layout! Love the colors!

Angela T said...

Beautiful layout. I love the incorporation at colors.

Angela T said...

Gorgeous layout!

GothBarbie said...

Very pretty! Love the inspiration.

Amy Lombardo said...

This layout is beautiful! I love the colors!

Mary-Anne V said...

What a pretty layout...love the watercoloured look.

Bev Page said...

Hi Raquel. Love your gorgeous layout and the way your flowers frame those two sweet kidlets. Two of my Great Grands are around this age and I would love to "scraplift" your idea if you don't mind. I don't have the same stamps, but I could use what I have and hopefully still get a similar lovely layout. Thanks so much for sharing. I've been hooked on card making for about 3 years now, so my scrapbooking has fallen even further behind!!!!!! At least 3 Christmas days as well as all the birthdays and other occasions. Oh Boy! Bev from Sydney.

Betty said...

thank you for sharing your lovely scrapbook page of your darling children - beautifully done!!

Stef Perry said...

What a lovely page memorializing such a lovely weekend! Love the design and cute photos of your children!

Kelsey Thomas said...

What a cute layout! :)

Cathy Lillie said...

What a beautiful layout! The colors are so pretty and compliment the photos nicely. It looks like you had a fun day and the kids really enjoyed the little chicks (I know I would).

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Your layout is gorgeous!

Denise Bryant said...

Enjoying the Crafty Friends blog hop! So many fabulous creations! Awesome details and color combo on your beautiful layout!

Laurie2cats said...

Lovely layout. This is why I scrapbook too. I love to record the stories and activities of daily life as well as the special occasions.

Maryam said...

Such a pretty design.. amazing with lovely details.

Anonymous said...

Your layout is beautiful! Your pictures look great against the florals. You have adorable children! I agree about the importance of story telling. My husband just doesn't get it and thinks scrapbooking is a waste of time, but as I get older and my memories go it will be nice to be able to look back and see the memories come to life.

Melody said...

Very sweet. Well design and nice colors.

Kiwigirl said...

These are so different and so beautiful!

ChanaPatterson said...

You are right Total Cuteness!! I love this idea of going to different sites this is brilliant. By the way Merry Christmas.

Rozy said...

What an adorable layout! You have some serious scrapbooking skills! Thanks for sharing this.

Paper Therapy Ponderings said...

your layout is beautiful
thanks for sharing
Barb Housner

ksdavis1947 said...

Thank you for the lovely inspiration. Great page of memories.


1:25 AM

Cynthia Cole said...

Super sweet layout page of your precious kiddos!

cindyq said...

Totally in love with this layout. Thank you so much for inspiring us!

Mirella said...

What a lovely layout - I love your colour choices, and the pictures (and of course the kiddos in them) are so sweet! I am useless with Layouts, so thanks for the inspiration!

D.Ann C said...

What a pair of cuties! And, of course, your layout is fab, too! : )

funkycrafter said...

wonderful layout. definite cuteness

Anne Lee said...

Total cuteness indeed! Love the layout and the bright colours

viv said...

beautiful layout capturing the moment! thank you for sharing.

Annalisa said...

I completely agree that having a little context on photos, especially older ones, is hitting a gold mine. Speaking of gold mines: having colors in a paper pack that match your photos perfectly? That's triple cherries right there. This whole layout is beautiful, and I'm sure that there will be many who appreciate all your efforts to collect family memories.

Melissa said...

I LOVE your layout!! Your children are adorable and of course they make it all wonderful! I love the colors in the paper you used and the way you did a quick note about the day. I agree with you in that I wish all pictures had more detail explaining who, what, when,and where. I love family pictures and your layout was just beautiful!

Sindhu said...

Lovely layout...

Sindhu said...

lovely layout...

Jean said...

Simply darling! Love seeing scrapbook layouts!

Henriëtte Creatively Happy said...

I can only confirm it Raquel, Total Cuteness. The story is told on a great way with this awesome page. Thank you so much for sharing.

ivette gonzalez said...

Very pretty! Love the colors.

ivette gonzalez said...

very pretty. love the colors

ivette gonzalez said...

very pretty. love the colors

Connie said...

Hi Raquel :) Your layout is captivating along with the smiles of your children. What a great mom you are :) Thanks for inspiring us!!!

In His Perfect Image said...

Absolutely love this layout! Thank you for sharing.

Tamra B said...

Such a great layout!

Andrea R said...

Love this layout.

Rebekah A. said...

Too Cute! Thanks for sharing!

Amy Peyton said...

I love your layouts! And what a fun trip to the farm for your kids :)

Melanie said...

This is a beautiful layout.

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