:: Our Adventure : a mini book ::

Hi! I am up on the Paper Issues Blog today sharing a mini book that I made about our adventures to the Indiana Sand Dunes. For this project I used mostly Crate Paper's Journey Collection.

I repurposed a very small clipboard for this mini by taking off the original clamp and replacing it with a Tim Horton two ring binder piece. I cut my papers and printed my photos in a variety of sizes (mostly the same width but varying lengths) to create a bit of extra texture and interest.

I worked on this project over a period of time.  In order to make it as easy as possible I stuck with one basic collection, pulled items that matched the collection and/or theme from my stash, and then placed everything in a tray (from Target).  This was so helpful. I was able to work on this project just about anywhere because I put everything together and I could just grab the tray and go (to another house, another place within our home, etc).

I simply love all of the gold and transparent pieces in this collection!

Sometimes I chose to print a photo or two (usually a favorite) a bit larger and let it just be a page on it's own (with a few embellishments -- digital and/or traditional).

One of my favorite things about creating mini books is including the ephemera that is part of the story.  An example: I created a few pages with "pockets" in them and included all the ephemera (like the room key, or a receipt).  I did most of my journaling on tags that I was able to place in pockets throughout the book, shorter stories were handwritten on journal cards or labels.

 

I had a blast creating this mini book!

If you would like to purchase the Crate Paper Journey collection, or all the things, click on the links and head over to the Paper Issues store!  Make sure you use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: Printable Sunday : July Goals ::

I am up on the blog today using a FREE printable from Paper Issues (available here). This printable, design by the great Becky Monmaney and Jana McCarthy, is a black and white dream, just waiting to be colored.

I added some color.  :-)

I colored it up and put it in my planner with my July goals (more on my goals next week).

I grabbed this patterned paper from Amy Tangerine's Rise and Shine collection and fussy cut the labels.  I also grabbed some other Amy Tangerine from my stash and added some circle cutouts just for fun.

The alphas are from Webester's pages (all supplies linked below). I stitched the alphas to a label before I glued it down so that the stitching didn't go through to the other side of my planner page.

It was super fun to work with these printables. Check out what a few other DT members have created with them here.

Grab any supplies you need from the Paper Issues Store - but don't forget to use my code orangegearle to receive 20% off your entire purchase!

Paper Issues Free Printable
Black and White Alphas - Webster's Pages These are the Days
Patterned paper from Amy Tangerine Rise & Shine


I am using Elise Cripe's Get to Work Book as my planner base. Update on my goal setting and planner thoughts coming soon!

:: hello sunshine ::

Hello summer, hello June, hello sunshine! I have a feeling I'm going to use up all of Crate Paper's Poolside collection, just sayin'!

There's a product spotlight over on the Paper Issues blog today -- check out what other DT members have done with this awesome collection!

Inspired?  Want to purchase some of this collection (or anything else)?  Stop by the Paper Issues Store and use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: hello there sunshine ::

It's time for June Pinspire!  Shannon Morgan is up on the Paper Issues Blog today with this piece of Pinspiration, and several DT members, including myself, shared their interpretations.

June Pinspire

Here's my take on it:

As you can see I played around with the colors a bit, and used the word "sunshine" taken from the photos of sunshine, but the main pieces of inspiration were the popsicle and ice-cream! Nearly everything on this card came from the Poolside collection by Crate Paper.  Want to play along?  You have until July 12th to link up to our Facebook group : Paper Issues {Friends & Fans}.

Want to pick up some Poolside, or just about anything else? Don't forget to use the code orangegearle at checkout for 20% off your whole order!

:: hello you ::

Believe it or not, I have another card for you today!  I know, right?

While I was working on this layout that I shared earlier this week for Paper Issues using Fancy Pants Designs Summer Sun Collection, I made this card, too! I used both the front and back sides of that yellow paper, and then I punched out circles from various patterned papers in the collection and placed them along the seam. A little misting and a Lawn Fawn stamp and it was done!  Simple and already given to a sweet friend!

I'm linking this one up to our current issue at Paper Issues.  Link up your old or new images that fit the theme "Mist-er Fix-It" for a chance to win! A few suggestions might be:  Father's Day, misting, tools (scrapbooking and otherwise), home repairs and home improvements, masculine pages, use Fancy Pants products, summer, use June printables.

If you want to grab some Fancy Pants (or anything else) from the shop, don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: TIME :: amy tangerine product feature

It's time for another product feature on the Paper Issues blog!  Today we are using Amy Tangerine's Rise & Shine Collection!

The story that I am documenting today is about the passage of time.  The photos of B. with the binky were taken two years ago at Morgan Creek park.  The other photos were taken this year at the same park, climbing the same fence.  The park is a go to place for us, and apparently climbing the fence is a favorite (but if you follow my blog and stories of B. you know that climbing anything has always been a favorite)!

The templates for the cut file came from an Ali Edwards story kit, and when I saw all the lovely colors and patterns in this collection, I knew I wanted to use them with this cut file! So. Yummy.

I added stitching and I journaled around the biggest circle.

The layout wouldn't be complete without a flair from {aflairforbuttons}! I used a piece of flair from this batch.

Seriously loved working with these patterned papers! 

Grab some of your own at The Paper Issues Store!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle at checkout for 20% off your total order!

:: beach party ::

I love new issue Mondays at Paper Issues!  This latest issue is sponsored by Fancy Pants Designs.  I was super excited to play with some of their new goodies in the Summer Sun collection!

Link up your old or new images that fit the theme "Mist-er Fix-It" for a chance to win! A few suggestions might be:  Father's Day, misting, tools (scrapbooking and otherwise), home repairs and home improvements, masculine pages, use Fancy Pants products, summer, use June printables

Here are a couple of close-ups:

 The wood veneer "sun" and the background patterned paper inspired cutting the photos into circles.

I layered some of the square die cuts included in the collection for behind my photos.  I also used some arrows and fun shaped boarders.

In the collection there are also some round embellishments that I scattered throughout the photos. I loved working with this collection!

Grab some of these and other goodies at the store.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: oh blah card -- what????? ::

I'm not really a card maker.  But lately I have enjoyed trying to stretch myself a bit! A friend of mine was going through a difficult time, and so I grabbed some snarky stamps (which are made exclusively for Paper Issues and available at this link), and got to work!

I used mostly items from Amy Tangerine's stitched collection.  I love the pretty flower paper!!! The soft pretty front of this card is a nice contrast to the "naughtiness" of the inside of the card!

I used white card stock to stamp words and phrases over and over using Snarky Stamps. Then I used a couple of different sized circle punches to add my sentiment.  I popped both circles up a bit with pop dots.

This was a super easy one, and I love how it turned out! I may end up being a card maker after all!

If you'd like to grab some Snarky Stamps or Amy Tangerine for yourself, or any of the other yummy stuff in the store -- don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your purchase!

:: june ::

Hello June. I am so happy you are finally here.