Lasting Memories Layout Challenges: #64 - Hidden Journaling!! :) A blast from my Texas past...

Yee-Haw!!  As y'all are probably aware, I've been taking some time off from the bloggie-world...  I'm still in the middle of that break, but I've missed sharing some of my favorite challenges!!  Since there's still a few days left to join this week's challenge over at Lasting Memories, I was hoping I could inspire you to try some HIDDEN JOURNALING in a layout for the current challenge!!  As you know, I simply LOVE doing layouts, and Lasting Memories is ALL about layouts (and layouts only -- no cards -- woot woot!!)...

What do ya think?  Wanna create a layout this week?  C'mon!!  Let's do it!! :)  Now, this is a layout that I've shown before, but I really, really, really LOVE it and hoped I'd be sharing something you might not have seen before...

On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state in the Union...  Nicknamed the "Lone Star State," the state flower is Bluebonnets, the state bird is a Mockingbird, and the state tree is Pecan...  Now, it's a bit hard for me to sit and write about the state of Texas without immediately becoming a little twang-ish...  You see, my family and friends who love me dearly would all tell you that the one of their favorite things to come out of the state of Texas is...  ME!! :)

Yeppers, faithful friends...  I'm a Texas Girl!!  Well, now doesn't that just explain a few of the Howdies, Yee-Haws, and Hey-there Pardners???  :)  If ever you get the chance to saddle up your horse and head to Texas...  Well, I just couldn't recommend anything more!! :)

I don't know about you, but when I think of Texas, I think about the Red-White-and-Blue (okay, and the Texas Longhorns...  HOOK 'EM HORNS!!)...  This 12x12 layout features some of my favorite 'retired' paper from the Creative Memories Primary 4th of July Additions Kit (I've actually been saving this paper for this layout in particular!!) and the retired Star Shape Maker Punch.  All of the Cricut cuts (the state, name, and mockingbird) are from the 50 States Cricut Cartridge (oh, how I LOVE this cartridge!!).  I also used my Creative Memories Tag Punch for the hidden journaling tags....

Two tags are hidden on the left side of the Texas state cut (the state is cut at 11.5" using the base feature and shadow feature).  I distressed the white cardstock with Stampin' Up!'s Creamy Caramel ink...  The ribbon is from my stash...

On the right side of the state, I included a hidden 4.5"x6.5" double-sided photo mat also with hidden journaling tags...  This gives me a little extra room to hide some memorabilia, event tickets, or even one of those pennies that you flatten in those souvenir machines. :)

Here you can see that the entire photo mat pulls out from under the state...  It is matted on both sides so that I can add TWO 4x6 photos (this is a great time to make a mini-collage of several photos and really jam-pack the memories into one layout)...

As I mentioned, the state bird is a mockingbird...  Not quite as regal as an eagle, but since the nation claimed that for the National bird, I suppose it's okay that it wasn't up for grabs in Texas. :)  Anyway, I think the mockingbird is a rather nifty bird...  If I had a mockingbird outside my window, I think I'd enjoy hearing it sing quite a bit!!  So this is a picture of the state bird......

And this is my mockingbird on my layout!! :)  One of the great features on the 50 States Cricut Cartridge is that it has a cut for each state bird...  I cut this one at 2.75" -- Two of the base layer (for extra thickness) in black and one in the top layer in light gray.  I then used my white Signo pen and black marker to add some details and finished it off by shading it with some black ink. 

The TEXAS title (another feature on the cartridge) was cut at 2.5" in both the base layer and shadow layer.  I popped the title up with some foam tape for a little extra dimension...

And there you have it!!  That's my Texas layout featuring LOTS of hidden spots for journaling (or even EXTRA photos)!!  I hope you've enjoyed it!! :)
Ready for a little more inspiration???  Wait til you see all the fantastic layouts that my Design Team Sisters over at Lasting Memories made!!  Please be sure to click on the logo below to check out the creativity!! :)

And now it's your turn!!  Create your layout using some hidden journaling, and link it up at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges...  You have until Sunday night to link up!!  Make sure you let me know if you enter as you just never know when I'll pull out a Texas-sized RAK for one lucky entrant!! :)

I can't to see what you create!! :)

Until next time,