As scrapbookers, we use our emotions in every facet of our creativity. Whether it's our photography, our layouts, our cards, our paper crafts or our altered art, emotions are at the heart of our projects. The need and desire to express ourselves cannot be contained. Whether it’s simple, everyday love or a more deep seeded emotion or feeling of empowerment, emotions drive our creativity. Emotions drive our lives. Emotions drive who we are.

February seems to be a month when we can more openly express our feelings. Feelings of a first time, puppy love between children, feelings of love of freedom, and even feelings of love for humor shared between a father and son, all of which are showcased in the following layouts. Show a little love today!

It Must be Love by Aymee Gandy

Supplies: Paper: 7Gypsies, Kaisercraft, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, SEI, Chipboard Alphabet, Ribbon: Kasiercraft, Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories, Flowers, Brads: Chatterbox, Glitter Glue: Ranger Industries, Die-Cut: Teresa Collins, Tools: Die-Cutting Machine: Cricut Expression (Provo Craft).

Design Notes: I created this layout to highlight my nephew and his best little gal pal, Carly. During a summer trip to the beach, they really bonded. I just love these pictures of them. As I sit here and look at them, I wonder...'Could this be first love?' To create the shaped papers, I used Sure Cuts A Lot Software and my Cricut Expression. Don't have these tools? No problem! You can buy these shapes at any scrapbook store and use them as templates on future pages.

Freedom by Vanessa Menguita Gutierrez

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard, Tape, Journal Block, Bling: Prima Marketing, Transparency: Hambly Screen Prints, Alphabet: Heidi Swapp, Thread: DMC, Pen: ZIG.

Design Notes: To complete the layout, I doodled the swirl as a border andhand-stiched it.

Journaling: I thank God for the gift of freedom. Nobody wants to be in a cage. Everybody wants to fly as a bird. And I am happy that I am able to express the real me.

Scary, Aren’t We? By Anna Koziarek

Supplies: Paper: Basic Grey, Crafty Secrets, Creative Imaginations, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Ink, Paint: Ranger Industries, Embossing Powder: Heat It Up, Stamps: Tim Holtz, Stampers Anonymous, Frame: Heidi Swapp.

Design Notes: I used a lot of Ranger distressing products as well as stamps to underline the photo which I find hilarious. I also put crackle paint (both transparent and black) on paper flowers and vines. The stamped images of raven and cat are heat embossed and cut out and randomly covered with crackle paint.