..:: sketchy saturday @ paper issues : there's an app for that? ::..

No, there isn't a Paper Issues App (but that's an awesome idea)!  However, there is a new feature at Paper Issues: Sketchy Saturday! You can see the awesome sketch by Jen Chapin on the blog here.  Have I mentioned there is a prize involved????

For this layout I used some awesome papers from We R Memory Keepers : The It Factor, available in the store here.  I cut out some of the speech bubbles from the patterned paper to add a few of the comments that the girls were making while I was taking these papers. I popped them up a bit with pop dots.

I also used these awesome wood drop chevron stickers from Pinkfresh Studio (also in the store).

There are fabulous new things in the store nearly every day (at least that's what it seems like)! Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' at checkout to receive 20% off your order at Paper Issues.

I am linking this up with our Current Issue as well -- You're sew cute, you keep me in stitches.  So many chances to win these days at Paper Issues -- and so much inspiration!  

:: new library book ::

Hi friends!  I'm up on the Paper Issues Blog today with a new layout!



This LO tells the story of B. loving that new book smell!  She made us all smell the inside of the book (it was brand new -- the first time it was checked out from the library)! She's hilarious!

When I saw this cute flair from Fancy Pants, I knew I had to use this collection to document this story!

I'm linking this one up to Paper Issues current link party : anything goes. Last chance to enter from some fun yumminess from Whisker Graphics!

Also, there have been a gazillion things added to the store!  Check it out!  And don't forget to use the code "orangegearle" to get 20% off your order!

Until next time!

:: swag bag spotlight : beach love ::

I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with a Swag Bag feature.

I used some Echo Park papers + the September Swag Bag + some goodies from past Swag Bags to create this layout about my B. at the beach.

"BEACH" is from Echo Park's Creative Agenda, and so is the background paper!  I am loving these colors!

Don't you love that vellum!?

Everything above is available at Paper Issues!  In fact, we've gotten quite a few new things in recently! And just because I love you, if you use the code 'orangegearle' at checkout, you will receive 20% off your order!  I know, right?

See you soon!

..:: Paper Issues New Issue :: anything goes ::..

I'm on the Paper Issues blog today with my first feature in the latest issue!  So. Fun.

I've been looking for a way to document some of the lovely flowers that my One True Love plants for us each year.  This year, he took a bunch of photos (often times it's just me), I think because they were particularly beautiful. When I received my package from Paper Issues for the current issue (did I mention that it starts today?), I knew that these bags, stickers, twine, and tags would go together quite nicely for a little mini book! 

I used one of the bigger bags for the front and back covers (it's just folded around some card stock).  Inside the bag I created a shaker for the cover (totally fun)!

Next, I printed photos of flowers that included an array of colors (2.5 inches by 2.5 inches) and paired the photos with the bags, tags, and stickers from Whisker Graphics. I also used Gelatos throughout the book (one of my favorite things, of course)!

I received some twine in my Whisker Graphics bundle of goodies.  So I used those for some added embellishment on some of the pages and with the tags.

I found some quotes about gardens and flowers to pair up with each photo.

I did use some washi, alphas, and punches from my stash, a few other little items here and there (and gelatos) but all the big stuff you see is from Whisker Graphics.  I love how this turned out!

I had to change my thread and bobbin A LOT for this project.  LOL

The theme for this issue over at Paper Issues is "anything goes" and the sponsor is….you guessed it….Whisker Graphics!  Did you know that you can post old or new projects to each of our issues to be eligible for the prize??  YOU CAN! :-)  Just don't forget to link back to the issue!

OMGoodness…I just got an awesome package from Paper Issues!  Check this out:

Don't forget, if you order from Paper Issues and use my code (orangegearle) you can get 20% off your order! 

:: colorful fun ::

I am up on the Paper Issues blog today, sharing an August Swag Bag creation!

I started with white card stock and gelatos (see tutorial below).  Then I got out the Swag Bag, which is particularly yummy this month!

Don't you LOVE all of those stars?? See that chevron stamp?  THE SWAG BAG HAS A STAMP!  Woot!  Love it!

All of those fun layers are created from cards included in the kit. Seriously fun kit this month.  Have you got yours yet?  They are available here.

An extra for today: video about having fun with Gelatos!  :-)  I show you the technique I used on this layout as well as a few others to get you started!


Thanks for stopping by!  See you again, soon!

:: beach friends ::

A few weeks ago we took B. to the "beach".  It's about as close to a beach as we get in the middle of the US.  It's really a river, but there is sand and back channels free of currents that are perfect for wading, swimming and building sand castles.  We went there quite a few times last season, but haven't been there yet this year due to flooding.  Two of my close friends brought their children and grandchildren and they had a blast!  So did the adults!  So. Fun.  Soon after arriving home I had a chance to sit down with my Paper Issues July Swag Bag and I created a LO to share this story.



Nearly everything in this LO (besides the white background paper) came from either the July Swag Bag from Paper Issues (or previous bits and pieces from past Swag Bags).  So fun!  Have you picked up your Swag Bag yet?  The July bags are sold out, but the August bags are now in the shop -- grab one here! Don't forget, if you use my code (orangegearle) you can save 20%!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you again soon!

P.S. I just got my August Swag Bag, and it is awesome (there is even a stamp)!  I cannot wait to create with it. Srsly. Get one, and subscribe while you are at it! :-)

:: cotton candy cousins ::

Hi all! Today is my first post over on the Paper Issues blog!  So. Exciting.  It's also the last day to link up with current issue, Mix Tape.  I'm linking up this layout, just in the nick of time.

There are many ways to interpret this issue. I chose to go with a "mix" of collections, and use a song and use some washi "tape"!  This layout is about B, and her cousin L. eating cotton candy (the real story, told with hidden journaling, is all about them sneaking more by going off and hiding in the closet, eating handfuls at a time)! 

Link up by midnight tonight!  Link back to Paper Issues to be eligible for an awesome prize by Hazel & Ruby!

Guess what?  I have a code to share with you!  It gives you (yes you) a 20% discount at the Paper Issues Store! Woot!

See you again soon!

:: darling boy ::

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of babysitting my grandson, B.  He is so flipping cute!

For this layout I used a bunch of Amy Tangerine 6x6 papers and the stamps that are in the Plus One collection. I also used a few random embellishments from some past Swag Bags at Paper Issues.

See that awesome cut file in the background?  I purchased this at a (newish) etsy store that my friend Ashley Horton has called The Cut Shoppe.  Ashley also has a blog of the same name where she frequently has challenges and sketches to go alone with her cut files! I think I'm going to try to play along with the August sketch & challenge.  Don't worry, I'll share!


Thanks for stopping by!

:: hello august ::

 

hello backyard buddies.

hello catching fireflies.

hello wishing we could stay up later.

hello meal planning.

hello no more excuses.

hello PiYo.

hello back to school supplies.

hello back to school (what????)

hello paper issues design team.

hello happy dance.

hello making pretty things.

In case you missed the announcement, I have been asked to be on the Design Team over at Paper Issues!!!  Awesome!!  So exciting!  I'll share a discount code with you all soon!  Woot!

:: horseshoes :

Simple, but fun layout for today! 

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the title. I started by typing "Horseshoes" in bebas font. Then, I went in to the symmetrical letters and erase one half. Finally, I added a dashed line on the edges of those letters so they would fold easily. Before I cut, it looked like this:

I used Mister Huey spray ink to spray the wood veneer triangles at the top, and then added some white with a white out pen.

I'm linking this up to Paper Issues Current Issue : In The Navy.  The link party goes through July 6th -- plenty of time to join the party!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: hello ice cream man ::

I finally got a chance to dig into my June Swag Bag from Paper Issues.  At first I thought I might use all of the awesome cards for Project Life.  But, as I laid out the cards to see what was included in the kit, this layout was born.

The colors in this kit are awesome!  I used some Crate Paper vellum (backed with white card stock) for my base.  I've been hoarding the vellum for a long time, and I hated to cover it up, but it was perfect for this LO.  The circle die cut behind the main photo also came in a Swag Bag; I altered it by misting with some Heidi Swapp Color Shine.

To be honest, when I saw the "this is the sweet life", I knew I needed to turn this into a layout with B's first ice cream man experience!

For the hidden journal spot, I used some textured white card stock (came in the Swag Bag).  I painted it with gelatos and a water brush for an ombre effect.  Then I printed my journaling on card stock, cut it out and added it.  I forgot a few words, so I added them in pen.  Done!

I'm linking this LO up with Paper Issues current issue.  It's a link-y party!  Join in the fun!