:: 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!

:: sand angels ::

It's new issue Monday on the  Paper Issues Blog!  Our issue is sponsored by SugarPea Designs, and the winner will get a gift certificate to SugarPea Designs (with free shipping)!

Here is my layout for the issue:

The issue, Let's Get This Party Star-ted and Par-ty Heart-y has a long name (which really means there are many ways to interpret the challenge)!  Here are a few ideas (the items I used are in bold):

celebrations of all kinds, graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, use hearts, golfing (par), stars, stamping, use May printable, use SugarPea Designs products



The SugarPea Designs product that I used is a clear stamp set called Build a Background - Basics (pictured to the right).  These stamps caught my eye because I thought they would be perfect for art journaling, mix media layouts, and to use in my planner! For the challenge, obviously, I chose to do a layout.  I used both of the chevron-looking stamps (top two) with paint and with ink!  I even got to use my small Geli Plate when working with the paint and stamps together! So. Fun.  Here are a few close ups, which include the story:

I started with white card stock and a bunch of washi tape! I stuck with mostly pink and oranges, but various patterns.  One of the washi tapes also had a little bit of blue -- and B.'s shirt is blue, so I went with it. :-)

 I used some orange, yellow and red gelatos to create a layer under the photo.  Then I added the stamping over that with orange StazOn ink.

That bright blue chevron was made with paint.  I used my Geli Plate, spread some blue paint on it with a roller, and then I stamped directly onto the Geli Plate.  Once I made the pattern in the paint that I was looking for, I pulled a couple of prints (using plain white card stock).  I placed these behind the photo.  It was fun!  I absolutely loved working with these stamps from SugarPea Designs!

Check out the rest of the Design Team inspiration over at the blog.  While you are over there, stop in at the store, too!  There are so many new things popping up every day!  The Crate Paper is to die for!  Trust me! Oh and the Webster's Pages stuff (we even have a teal planner in)! OMG I totally forgot to mention the Maggie Holmes Confetti Collection.  Seriously.  So much yummy stuff! Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: so happy ::

It's one of my favorite days -- SWAG Bag Sunday Spotlight at Paper Issues!  I had the honor of creating a layout and post for this day!  Woo too!

This photo is from Easter Sunday -- my daughter and grandson getting ready to find the eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

I used a bunch of different SWAG bags for this LO, but most of what you see is from the April SWAG bag.

Of course I had to add a bit of stitching (orange, no less).

The April SWAG bag came with some stamps (see the orange & yellow "stars"?)!  I used some of the new Ombre Inks from Hero Arts.

I did add a few things fro my stash like these AWESOME alphas from the new Amy Tangerine line!

Also from Amy Tangerine's Rise and Shine collection these awesome phrase stickers.  I'm pretty sure I have been hoarding that orange and white arrow for about 6 months (or more), but it was also from a past SWAG bag. 

As always, I loved working with the April Swag Bag. If you would like to pick up a SWAG bag, or a SWAG bag subscription they are available here.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle to receive 20% off whatever is in your shopping cart! 

:: sibling smooches :: with a sketch

Good Morning!

Some of the PI girls are playing with a sketch today over on the Paper Issues blog!  I was all sneaky and grabbed this photo of my grandson and his big sister from my daughter's Facebook page so I could do this layout!  I love this photo!

I'm using a lot of "Dream in Color" by Webster's Pages on this layout!  I totally love this combination of colors and designs! Brandin O'Neal hit this collection out of the ballpark.  It's available in the Paper Issues Store here.

The sketch is used was inspired by layout we spied on the Fancy Pants blog by Nicole Nowosad.

And here's the sketch:

I absolutely love all those circles (I changed a few circles to circles inside squares just to mix it up a bit).

As usual, lots of stitching all over, and I added a few layers under the photo.

This was a fun one!  And it came together quickly with all these awesome papers and a great sketch!

Check out the Paper Issues blog if you'd like to play along with Sketchy Saturday!  And check out the store here if you'd like some of the yummy goodness by Webster's Pages (or anything else)!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle at check out for 20% off your order!

:: hello ::

It's new issue Monday over on the Paper Issues blog!  This issue is sponsored by Scrapbook Circle, so I spent some time with their March Kit!  Details below about how you can participate and win a kit for yourself!

The theme is "Prints Charming's Beautiful Papers", and aren't these papers fabulously beautiful?! I just love the bokeh background patterned paper by Webster's Pages!! I used this free cut file from Paper Issues to make the star confetti.  This photo is of my daughter and I making a sand castle (actually it turned out to be a shamrock sand castle)!

I've been a little addicted to vellum lately -- and so I used a bit down the center to tone down the pattern just a little…and of course, machine stitching nearly always makes it onto the page!

See that bow? It opens up to reveal another photo, and the journaling (typed on vellum). 

Would you like to play along for a chance to win this awesome kit (I only scratched the surface, there are several more layouts I will make with this kit, trust me)!?  Here are the details (and check the link to see what the other DT members made):

Prints Charming's Beautiful Papers: charms, prints of all kinds, subway art, Disney trips, castles, stamping, animal and paw prints, pets, animals, princes and princesses, dress up, use your favorite patterned papers, especially the ones you've been hoarding. Go ahead, cut into them and showcase them so you can enjoy them and document a memory, use Scrapbook Circle kits

Can't wait to see what you make! See you soon!

:: look mom, i'm rich ::

Have you documented Easter, yet?  I'm getting to it.  Today I'm sharing a layout inspired by a quote heard from my daughter on Easter at my parent's house.

I just love those alphas from Amy Tangerine's new line.  I grabbed some patterned papers from her new Rise & Shine collection, too, and came up with this layout!

I love the colors in this collection! I thought they went perfectly with this photo and story! My mom always puts a little money in the Easter Eggs for the kids. After they find all their hidden eggs, they go through the loot on the living room floor.  She told us how rich she is.  In the journaling for this LO, I agreed with her. 

And since she can always find joy, I just had to add this flair from {aflairforbuttons} -- and another in the upper left corner of the layout.  The colors and sentiments match this layout perfectly.  You can grab some from Shelly's shop, here.

I'm linking this up to the Eggs-cellent Add-ventures link party at Paper Issues!  One more day to enter old or new projects and be eligible for a $20 Gift Certificate from our sponsor, 17turtles!

See you soon!

:: park love ::

I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today!!!  Woot woot! I never get tired of saying that!  I'm lucky to be a PI girl! Paper Issues is my online happy place. 

  

There have been a zillion new things coming in to the Paper Issues store, and I buy all the things, so I grabbed the Color Chaos collection from Bella and got to work!  These photos are of my daughter's first park visit of the year! I love the bright & happy colors in this collection and I extra love how they worked with the photos!

To get in a little more fun, I made 5 of the 6 squares on the layout flip up to reveal either journaling, another photo, or just some fun papers and embellishments. I did this by using a cut file that I made in the Silhouette software.  Because I love you, that file is available to you for free here.  Here are a few photos of the flaps closed, and then opened:

 

(don't you love that shaker!!!! vellum + sewing + embellishment + sequins + fun)

 If you are interested in the Color Chaos collection (or just about anything else) I bet Paper Issues has it!  And rumor has it that there are a few more Swag Bags left!  Grab what you need (including the free cut file) and use the code orangegearle at checkout for  20% off your entire purchase!

#picrop

The Paper Issues Girls are hosting an online crop over on Facebook tonight and all day tomorrow!  Every hour or so there are challenges and games -- AND PRIZES!  My challenge is a stitching challenge -- hand stitching or machine stitching on a layout or card.  I did BOTH.

I also used a bunch of wash and little do dads from my stash!

Here are a couple of closeups of the title stitching.  I used Amy Tangerine's Comrade Embroider kit.

This was a fun one!  Hope you join us over at Facebook and play along.  You have through March 29th to link up a photograph of your never-before-seen project -- and there are some really awesome prizes!  

See you soon!

:: you are my sunshine ::

I am up on the Paper Issues Blog today with a layout using Pinkfresh Studio's Up in the Clouds collection.

I've had this photo printed out and ready to scrap for several years. When I saw this awesome watercolor paper, I knew it would be perfect for this photo and this story.  Look how little she is!  YIKES!  Time flies, doesn't it??

I loved the "rain" look of this paper so I decided to go with that -- and enhance it a bit.  I stitched with my machine at various lengths, and added an enamel dot to the end of each stitched line.  I really love how it turned out!  I've also been waiting for just-that-right layout to use those awesome hearts!

It may be difficult to tell in the photos, but there is pink tulle behind the cut out title.

I am linking this up to Paper Issues current issue: Enamored with Enamel sponsored by Paper Camellia.

Here are some ideas for what could you link up to Enamored with Enamel:

• Use enamel embellishments, like enamel dots, hearts, chevrons, words, etc.
• Do you love stars? Let them take a starring role on your project.
• Are polka dots your thing? Go ahead, go dotty with dots.
• Get things pointed in the right direction by using arrows, geotags, globes, etc.
• Is punctuation your thing? Add punctuation symbols to your project.
• Share the love by using hearts.
• Show us something you absolutely love, whether it be a person, flower, food, thing, place, movie, song, etc.
• Use Paper Camellia's kits.

Here's what you need to do to be eligible to win Paper Camellia's March Main Kit:

1. Link up as many projects as you'd like. They can be new OR old.

2. LINK BACK to Paper Issues between now and March 22nd.

Enabler Alert: There are new goodies coming into the Paper Issues Store so often that it's difficult to keep up (I am not complaining, let me tell ya).  Check out the store and don't forget to use the code orangegearle to get 20% off your entire purchase!

:: namaste : vampire lotus ::

Hello!!!  I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with a product feature.  I absolutely loved working with the Kiss Kiss collection from Crate Paper!

On the way home from a birthday party -- Bea won some bright pink vampire teeth.  At one point I looked back and saw her in a lotus pose, with the teeth. She cracks me up!  

The paper in this collection is just gorgeous, and so are the tags and other ephemera!

I used a bunch of the vellum-y (totally a word) goodness for this layout. And gold. Of course, gold.

A few splatters of paint to pull it all together.  This was a fun one!  Stop on over to the blog to see what the other PI girls have done with this collection!

Use the code orangegearle at checkout in the Paper Issues Store to receive 20% of your entire purchase.

P.S. I'm also linking this one up to Paper Issues latest issue : Hip to be Square!