Welcome to The Cherry On Top.
In these most serious of times it is essential that we take a step back and remember that a dose of humor is beneficial to our mental health. If current times are giving you nothing to laugh about, then think back and remind yourself of the funny moments in your life. Sometimes, it happens that things are so overwhelmingly...overwhelming that it takes a few moments to realize that it's actually pretty funny or even hilarious.
For example, I was showering and my two year old was running around the upstairs on the loose. When I came out of the shower, I found him running around the hallways and bedrooms stamping poop everywhere. He'd run back to his diaper, stamp all in the poop then run around leaving poopy foot prints everywhere and of course the walls were not to escape this fecal massacre! Can you just imagine?! There I stood all squeaky clean looking at the most disgusting sight I've ever seen in my life! The incredulity struck first. Then anger and then as time lapsed ever so slowly, the hilarity struck me. I didn't even know where to start and I laughed and laughed and showed my kid how to clean up.
Pardon me for going a bit off topic, but it seems like a great introduction to what's new in the shop this week as well as a means to allow you to escape. Run away to the three ring circus that is my life and forget your current worries if not just for a bit.
I designed two packs of circus themed templates. The second will be out next week. Many of my team said they didn't have circus goodies and we found there really were not too many out there. I also found them all to be quite juvenile so I composed a more grown up kit full of really fabulous flowers and a dark, dramatic color palette with a touch of vintage and a warm, inviting gold accent.
Keep scrolling to see just what pretty pages you can design with our Clown'n Around kit and templates.
You can go with a vintage feel, family fun vibe or macabre. These would be a great starting point for some kind of mixed media design, too. Get creative and have fun!
I want to walk you through my first page. As you can see I pulled out only a few of the colors. For one, my picture has a lot of the opposite colors in it. A bit cringe, but I just had to use this picture so I pulled out the purple and yellow/gold from the picture and the same for the majority of my design. Black goes with just about everything so I was ok there, too. This way my photo doesn't stick out all that much.
I added some puffy styles to my wagon and customized the banner. One huge cluster to show off all of the gorgeous flowers and greenery, a grunge edge, also included in the kit and a touch of scatter. Not all that much really, right? The star bust paper seems most fitting for the theme.
I've always been a sucker for star or sunburst styled templates and I've given you them as well as in the papers in the kit. There are so many layers on the papers. Take a good look! They are texture rich and I've included a lot of the colors from the kit in them. As a CT myself, I think these kinds of papers are essential in a kit. It helps bring everything together.
For my page above, I even added an extra stroke in my sunburst template for more cohesion. A stroke is sometimes all you need to help bring your page together. That's the little guy who covered the second floor in his poop.
As you can see, I've no circus pictures. I'm not a fan of the circus for so many reasons. Besides, our life provides more than enough entertainment. I went very experimental with this kit. Trying my hand at all kinds of new techniques. The clown is pretty much all mine as is the tent and the wagon.
I couldn't resist a chance to work with Lou's kit, again. Such great colors and nifty unique elements. I did add an antique style to most of the layers. I also took some texture, added the pretty gold over it and placed it over the top of my design for something different. It gives it a neat, texture rich, aged feel. I also put some paint over my background paper to make it all blend a bit more. Some dark shadows gives it an almost ominous feel. Cool, eh? That's my lovely kitty, Pluisje.
Here are some pages from my awesome team.
If you look carefully at our pages, you'll see that most of them didn't mix the whimsical goodies with the realistic ones. This isn't a rule by any means. I tried mixing them and wasn't thrilled with the result, but you can pull it off.
Use Apps to get some fun pics to scrap like Hilary and Ren did!
Clown'N Around Templates and Ooh La La Scraps
You certainly do not have to go dark and mysterious. Just look at the bright side!
Clown'N Around Templates and goodies from the Sweet Shoppe
Clown'N Around Templates and a mix of goodies
There were such a great variety of usages with today's new products. I'm sure there is something that fits you just perfectly.
Moving on to other new kits and collections from other designers.
Our gal Aimee has designed a collection that is close to my heart. Our gorgeous planet! It has a nice hippy, recycle, take care of the place which we live, keep it nice for future generations and appreciate the beauty that is still left.
As soon as I saw the globe, I knew what templates I needed. Such great colors of earth's beauty. I went a bit traditional with my page and just a touch of artsy by using Aimee's edges over and over again, just scaled back with each new introduction. I got this pic from FB in one of the Mosel River groups I'm in. There is an amazing photographer there. This is actually taken right across the street from my place.
A favorite of mine!
My next page is where your freebie comes from. Thanks to Lou for allowing us to host it!
Here is this week's new freebie.
If you are quarantined, then you might want to join the Survivor challenge going on at GingerScraps. It might help get your mind off of things and of course it'll be fun. I plan on doing a spin off on my blog and in the group. There will be freebies, challenges all with a focus on healthy eating. I'd love if you played along with us as well. In typical Cherry fashion, there will be no deadlines and no stress. Just laughs and fun.
Stay occupied with Sandy's Speed Scrap. Never done one? Make this your first!
This freebie is great in times of boredom. Check out all of the freebies that might help you keep the kids busy. Keeping them occupied will be good for ya both.
Thanks so much joining us at The Cherry. We're back tomorrow with more fab freebies we found this week, new page inspiration and some hybrid loving.
Take care, be smart and think of others. Some are very much in need. many people don't have cars and getting to the shop is a big problem. Reach out and help if you can.
I wish you health, happiness and many scrap-a-licious moments!
