..:: summer sensation ::..

Hi Friends! I am up on The Cut Shoppe blog today with this layout featuring my grandson:

I used the Indian Summer cut file -- but it wasn't an "Indian Summer" story -- so I just covered up the word "Indian" with my photos! Here is a look at the cut file:

I backed the leaves with patterned papers that had a lot of green in them. These are all from  Amy Tangerine's Sunshine and Good Times collection. I also used a yellow ampersand paper from the same collection to back the word 'summer'.

For my background I added some Shimmerz Paints using the packaging technique. I took color inspiration from the photo and the patterned papers.

I added some tangled thread throughout the layout for pops of color. I used yellow and a peachy salmon color.  I also used a piece of flair from {A Flair for Buttons} -- The Summer Vibes Flair set.

Most of my embellishments came from Pinkfresh Studio's Be You collection. The colors matched perfectly!

This was a fun one to make. I'm so glad I got this story told!  Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon! XO o.g.

..:: you are my ::..

Hi friends! I am up on The Cut Shoppe Blog today with this layout of my daughter. Here's my layout:

I am using the August Hip Kit Club kit full of Amy Tangerine and Maggie Holmes and this awesome free cut file from The Cut Shoppe (available here).

 My goal with this one was to make it super feminine, because she is being so NOT feminine, as well as silly. This cut file and these papers worked together nicely to accomplish that, I think.  Here are a few close ups:

I absolutely loved making this layout! It came together so quickly! I made a video of my process if that suits your fancy!

Thank you so much for stopping by! See you again soon!

..:: graffiti artists ::..

Hi friends!  I have a new layout and process video to share with you today! I am using Shimmerz Paints and flair from A Flair For Buttons, and I love this combination! Here's my layout:

And here are a few close-ups:



This flair is from the Hello Life Flair set. It's perfect for this layout because I do LOVE this photo -- but it also completely matches the red, black, white, high contrast look I was going for.

I also got to play around with some Shimmerz Paints! This is is a perfect splat of Night Moves. :-)

Behind my photo I added some AcriTonez Roses are Red.  I love using this paint because it has the primer built right in and it dries fast -- not to mention the rich color!

Check out my process video if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you again soon!

..:: finally #bffsleepover ::..

Hi friends!  I'm here with another Hip Kit Club DT layout. This layout is using the main kit only, and my first LO using September kits. My assignment was stitching -- and boy did I use stitching!

For this layout I used pattern papers from Paige Taylor Evan's Turn the Page collection by Pink Paislee. I used Paper 8 as my background paper and Paper 12 for the border and to make part of my title. I cut the word "FINALLY" freehand and then stitched around it using embroidery floss.

I used several pieces of ephemera from the ephemera pack included in the kit (also from Turn the Page). And of course some thread from my stash for a few more pops of color.

I love the exclusive alphas this month. They are beautiful! And not one piece of chipboard is wasted because there are all these colorful hearts, dots, stars, and asterisks included with those alphas. I used a few of the hearts around my page, too.

Lots of machine stitching with blue and gold to finish it off.

I made a process video if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!

..:: the amazing beatrice ::..

It's one of my favorite Mondays -- New Issue Monday on the Paper Issues Blog! I played along this month with this layout using some old (er) Amy Tangerine, some alphas that I hadn't touched, and those Doodlebug matte enamel dots that I've been hoarding forever!

Here are a couple of close ups:

I hope you play along with us this month! Get all the details here!

Remember, you can always get 20% off your order from the Paper Issues Store, by using the code 'orangegearle' at check out!

..:: crazy sock day ::..

It's time again to get out the mixed media materials for Mix It Up Monday over on the Paper Issues Blog!  The challenge this month: use stencils. If you are someone that has never used stencils before, just use them! If stencils are something that you do use, try using them in a different way. A few examples might be: use a stencil you make from a cut file, use mist, use acrylic paint, use water colors, use stamping ink, use texture paste, use the negative of the stencil, use the stencil as a stamp, etc.  Here's my take on the challenge:

I used stencils and ink pads for this layout! Here are a few close ups:

And finally I did create a short video of the technique I used, if that suits your fancy.

I hope you play along with us this month! Grab those stencils and get busy!

:: love you ::

B. lost her first tooth! Luckily Paper Issues is having a product spotlight on Amy Tangerine's Oh Happy Life and it worked just perfectly to tell this story.

I'm not gonna lie, I bought more than one of that striped paper on the left. I completely dig it, and all the colors in this collection. 

Here are a few close ups:

Make sure you check out all the awesome on the Paper Issues Blog today! Then stop in at the store and grab some Amy Tangerine, or anything else you need at the Paper Issues Store (there are tons of new things that just got added this week)! Use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your order!

:: love you ::

B. lost her first tooth! Luckily Paper Issues is having a product spotlight on Amy Tangerine's Oh Happy Life and it worked just perfectly to tell this story.

I'm not gonna lie, I bought more than one of that striped paper on the left. I completely dig it, and all the colors in this collection. 

Here are a few close ups:

Make sure you check out all the awesome on the Paper Issues Blog today! Then stop in at the store and grab some Amy Tangerine, or anything else you need at the Paper Issues Store (there are tons of new things that just got added this week)! Use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your order!

..:: baby you're a firework! ::..

Hi!  Happy 5th of July! I'm participating in the July Take 5 Tuesday Challenge over on the Paper Issues Blog today.  I scrapped this photo from the 4th of July, 2013. 

I went all out theme-y for this one (which isn't usually my style, but I kinda like it anyway)! I pulled all of my patterned papers and stickers from Amy Tangerine's Better Together collection. I added some blue and red sequins from Jillibean Soup, and Mister Huey's for the paint splatters!

I created this fireworks cut file and it's available in the shop for free!  I backed the cut file with various papers from the Better Together Collection.

To participate in Take 5 Tuesday, you just need to pick 5 of the things from the list and use them! I used 8 (I've always been an over achiever)! Ha!  

Play along with this challenge, or any of the other July challenges in the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} group! You have until August 1st to enter! Details are also on the Paper Issues Blog!

There are new items in the store (along with that free cut file). Grab 'em quick and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: ice cream cheers ::

It's Sketchy Saturday at Paper Issues!  Here's my take on the sketch using Amy Tangerine's Better Together collection.

And here's the sketch by the awesome Amy Coose!

I loved this sketch instantly...and then went a bit crazy with the circles!  Here are a few close ups!

Pick up Amy's latest collection in the Paper Issues Store! Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

..:: mix it up monday ::..

Wow!  I'm super excited to share this fun news with you!  I get to continue to be a part of the Paper Issues Design Team (exciting!) and I was asked to share a new feature on the Paper Issues Blog called Mix It Up Monday!  MIU Monday is an invitation to you to get messy on a project -- mixed media, ink, paint, mist, stencils, stamps, etc. So. Much. Fun.

Here is what I came up with this month:

I played with gesso, water colors, ink, stamps, gelatos and a bit of mist. Most of the patterned papers are by Amy Tangerine. I also made a process video to show exactly how I did it!  Check it out (products are linked below):

Here are a couple of close ups (more included in the video above):

Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!


Products Used (links provided when possible):

American Crafts 12x12 white card stock
gesso
watercolor paints
Amy Tangerine Scarlet Metal Dies (Rise & Shine Collection)
Amy Tangerine 6x6 Paper Pad (Plus One Collection
Amy Tangerine 6x6 Paper Pad (Stitched Collection)
Lawn Fawn Ink Pad
Black Thickers (American Crafts, but not sure of the specific collection)
Elle's Studio Stamps -- On the Menu (Let's Eat)
Goldie List Make Roller Stamp (Seven Paper)

Check out the Paper Issues Store and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!