Happily Ever After Wedding 12x12 Layout (Double Page Spread) -- M.A.G. Challenge, My Creative Time Challenge

Last fall I told myself that I really wanted to start using some of my Cricut Cartridges that I rarely get to use for one reason or another (We all have our favorites, right?  You know, the cartridge that we use over and over for every project we tackle?)...  So I was happy to create this double page layout using ONLY page 69 from the Storybook Cartridge (my first time using it!)!!  I am entering this 12x12 (or is 12x24???) page layout into TWO challenges:  The M.A.G Challenge By The Page (Challenge #10) and Emma's Throwback Thursday Challenge over at My Creative Time...

M.A.G. Challenge By The Page is a newer challenge site that was started by three very talented ladies...  I actually found it through another blogger, Melissa a.k.a. Moe Creations...  She's on the Design Team for Cricut Cardz, and she is always kind enough to leave me a lovely comment on each and every entry I do...  I think their challenge blog has a really neat concept -- You can ONLY use the Cricut to cut the images from ONE specific page from ONE specific cartridge each week (they announce which one each Friday)...  This REALLY is a challenge!!  It's really hard to put your Cricut away after cutting only the images from that one page (it means you can't use the font from another cartridge or any other cuts from any other pages/cartridges!!).  This week, the challenge was to use ONLY page 69 from the Storybook Cartridge.  Not only did I use the 'Happily Ever After' image, but I also used the Accent Frames feature and the Accent Blackout feature.

Additionally, I created these flowers by cutting lots of little ovals with the Shadow/Shift feature (these were then folded and inked to give them more dimension).  Thank goodness you can use any other embellishments that *aren't* from your Cricut -- It's really encouraged me to pull out my punches (for the hearts and the circles on the flowers) as well as going *old school* to hand-cut the leaves!!  I hope you'll visit them and maybe even try out a challenge for yourself!!

Emma at My Creative Time has a Throwback Thursday Challenge that features an *older* Cricut Cartridge.  This week it was a 'Viewer's Choice' -- any cartridge, any theme as long as it featured a HEART somewhere in the design...  I used my Creative Memories Love Struck Maker (Heart Border Punch) to punch some little, little hearts (cuz remember I couldn't cut them with my Cricut!) which I added to the accent frames...

My background paper is from the Creative Memories Black & White Power Palette Designer Paper -- This is such a versatile pack since you can add any color and either have a striking contrast or a very subtle touch of color...  If you do not have a Creative Memories consultant and would like to order any of the CM products I've used, you can have them direct shipped by clicking and shopping HERE...

I would love to read your comments on my layout, so please be sure to let me know you were here. :)  If you live or visit the Western Pennsylvania area, I'd love to have you join us at one of our Scrapbooking Retreat Weekends!!  We have one coming up in just a few weeks with only a few spots still available...  You can read all about it HERE!!  To see all of my current creations, please CLICK HERE! Thanks for stopping by -- Hope to see you here again soon!!