:: making a splash ::

Today the Paper Issues Design Team is spotlighting Carta Bella's Beach Day collection and I got to play along. This photograph of my daughter at the splash pad was perfect for this collection!

That zig-zaggy, chevron patterned paper has gotta be my favorite. Such great colors!

I used the machine to stitch along the top of the chevron and then again on the yellow zig-zag part of the way down.

I incorporated items from the ephemera pack around my photo. I also used the cut apart 12x12 paper behind my photo and one of the 3x4 cards fit perfectly with the theme of this LO.

I popped a few of the elements up with pop dots, and tangled thread for more texture and pops of color.

This was a super fun collection to work with and I have a feeling I will be using every little bit of it (I have another LO in progress on my desk right now)!  Grab this collection and anything else you need at the Paper Issues Store -- don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you soon!

:: my true north ::

It's a new issue on the Paper Issues blog -- and I got to play along!

The issue, Let's Get Knot-ical. is a great theme for this time of year.  Some suggested theme ideas: anything you can do on the water; use a compass on your project, ship's wheel, sailboat or ocean creatures as embellishments; add knots to your project; beach vacation, Father's Day, etc.  

I used a compass to fit the theme. This layout is all about my One True Love, my True North.

I used products from Pink Fresh Studios for most of my layout, along with some Tim Holtz phrase stickers and watercolors, of course!

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:: buggin' out ::

There's a product spotlight post on the Paper Issues Blog today.  This week we are highlighting the Illustrated Faith: She Blooms collection.  I got to play along with these great photos of my daughter, "buggin' out."

I stitched a circle with white thread, and then went around a couple more times with that hot pink color. I added some chipboard flowers from the 12x12 chipboard elements.

Here are a few close-ups.

I added several layers of patterned paper from the collection under my photos -- and as usual some watercolors and thread.

I added enamel hearts from the collection as well as some stickers and words from the cut apart pieces included in the patterned papers. I put them all around the stitched circle to further emphasize the stitched circle. 

This was a fun collection to work with! There are so many different things in the Paper Issues Store right now!  Check them out, buy a few, and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

:: embrace the glam life ::

Hi! It's time for another Mix It Up Monday challenge at Paper Issues. Let's do this thing:

I took this photo of my daughter in the car on our way to the doctor's office, where she tested positive for Influenza A. Even though she wasn't feeling well, she looked so beautiful, and those glasses made me giggle. 

When I received my Paper Issues order with the Fancy Free collection I was immediately inspired by the papers and flowers and made this cut file of wonky flowers (free to you)! 

This layout started a bit differently than it ended, and I ran into a few bumps along the way -- but I made a process video in case you would like to see how it came to be.

I love how this layout turned out, and I have already made another using the Fancy Free collection! Grab it here, or any of your other paper needs in the Paper Issues Store. Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: epic ride ::

Paper Issues is spotlighting Cocoa Vanilla's Totally Rad collection and I got to play along.

I love this little guy! This is my grandson, B. He is riding his Big Wheel on one of the first nice days of this spring. Shhhh....don't tell, but I stole this photo off my daughter's Facebook page. ;-)

These splatters are my favorite.  Lots of different colors of Heidi Swapp Color Shine.

I loved working with this collection. The colors are fabulous!

Pick up a little Cocoa Vanilla for yourself -- or just about anything else you want -- in the Paper Issues Store.  Use the code 'orangegearle' for 20 percent off your purchase!

:: she's our monkey girl ::

It's Mix it Up Monday on the Paper Issues blog and this month is all about texture!

The definition of texture as it pertains to art is basically the surface quality of a piece of artwork.  Texture can be experienced visually, or physically (through touch).  There are many ways to add texture to a project in this layout I used several ways.

1. You may not be able to tell in the photo but I used pop dots behind the word "monkey". (By the way, you can get that free cut file here).
2. I used texture paste with a stencil on the 'O' (I also used that same paste and stencil on the background). I tinted the paste first with a yellow gelato!
3. On the 'K' I used an embossing folder to add raised dots.
4. I added tangled thread in a few places -- and
5. I did some machine stitching, too!

You should play along with us this month!  All you have to do is add texture to a project and share it with us in the Facebook Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} April Challenge Album  by May 1st!  Chose one way, or incorporate many different textures on your page -- it's up to you! I cannot wait to see what you make!

:: hooray you ::

It's product spotlight time on the Paper Issues blog!  Today members of the design team are highlighting Simple Stories : Life in Color collection, and I just had to play along!

I started with some black and white pieces and then added some yellow and red -- colors I pulled directly from the photo. 

I layered tissue paper and patterned papers behind the photo and I also added three flair buttons from {a flair for buttons} Black and White Words 1 flair.

Lots of layers and a few splashes of Heidi Swapp Color Shine and I was done! I loved working with this collection!

You can grab Simple Stories Life in Color and oh so much more at the Paper Issues Store.  Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

:: 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!

:: eggcellent :: pinspire me

It's time for one of my favorite challenges on the Paper Issues blog -- (P)Inspire Me Monday! Here is my take on the mood board.

I created a cut file and backed it with papers from Doodlebug's Spring Garden 6x6 Paper Pad (available in the Paper Issues Store here).  I added a few of the papers behind my photo and a Bella Blvd clip just for fun! 

Speaking of fun -- I made three of these little egg shakers from card stock, sequins, and a few pieces of confetti that I punched out of the same patterned papers. 

You can download the cut file I made here (for free, of course). Make sure you check out what the other DT members have made for this challenge and if you haven't joined the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} Facebook page yet -- what are you waiting for!

Get your Doodlebug, Bella Blvd, Simple Stories, Pinkfresh and more at the Paper Issues Store.  Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

:: celebrate it's your birthday :: free flower cut file

The free April cut file is live on the Paper Issues Blog! Aren't these flowers cute? I shrunk down the file to make this card for my mom!

I started with white card stock and Gelatos to make the background.  As soon as it was dry I cut the file.

We are having a ton of fun in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. We just started a new round of #iSpyWithPI.  Check out all the fun and play along!

:: queen for the day ::

Have you been playing along with the Paper Issues Spring Crop (click link for details)?  There are all kinds of challenges, and even more fun.  And did I mention that there are Gift Cards to the Paper Issues Store up for grabs?

My challenge -- Bling me up Scotty -- is to put a little bling on that thing!

My bling is lots of gold, some Color Shine, sequins and glitter!  Check out what everyone is talking about by clicking on this link and joining the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} Facebook group so you can play along!

I used items from Pink Paislee's C'est La Vie collection and some bits from Maggie Holme's (Crate Paper) Bloom collections.  Get either of those and so much more from the Paper Issues Store and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: remember the moments ::

Hi friends! This weekend is the Paper Issues Spring Crop! Woo hoo!  I thought I would share this layout with out that I made during our last crop. I'm using some Maggie Holmes Shine and Ali Edwards stamps.

I started with white card stock and stamped "little moments' over and over to create my background.  Then I used some papers from the Shine collection to create layers behind my photo and add some circles.  Stitching, of course, journaling, and some fun embellishments. Done!

If you haven't joined the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group yet, do that here! You'll get the most up to date info on new items to the store, the fun challenges that we have every month, and, of course, the Spring Crop!

Join us for the Spring Crop!  There are Gift Cards up for grabs (like $250 bucks worth) and there is a whole bunch of new yummies in the shop!  Check it out and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

:: joyful breeze ::

Up on the Paper Issues blog today with a C'est La Vie (Pink Paislee) product spotlight!

This one came together rather quickly! It's just a basic grid pattern with little bits of stickers and paper throughout the LO to bring it all together.

I layered these frames, added some puffy stickers, and then some embroidery thread wrapped around the frame for some extra texture.

I really like how this one turned out. Those giant letters are just awesome! Pick up some C'est La Vie in the shop -- and check out the latest, new goodies, too! Use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: mix it up monday : explore ::

It's Mix It Up Monday on the Paper Issues blog!  Here's what I made this month:

I also made a process video if you are interested (feel free to subscribe to my youtube channel)!

Play with us and share it in the March Challenge Album on the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group and you just might be featured or win a prize, yo!

Most of the papers I used were from the 6x6 pad in the Dear Lizzy Happy Place collection. I also used stickers from the same collection, items from my stash and, of course, a bunch of Heidi Swapp Color Shine. Grab some from the store (or anything else) and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase!

Here is a free link to the explore cut file (and a couple of other words).

:: hey, snow day ::

So, we had this "big snow" predicted.  As always, the meteorologists were saying, "It's too early to tell" and then (not so usual)  "It could be as much as 16-17 inches."  We haven't had a snow day this year so we were all rooting for the big snow to happen (except the people who have to shovel it).  Instead we got our snow day with just a bit of snow.  But it was enough for a snowman!

She was pretty proud of her work.

I used the February sketch at Paper Issues, some Crate Paper Hello Love, a few items from the January SWAG bag, and some flair from my stash to put this one together.  Here's my take on the sketch.

The sketch and details can be found here. Check it out and play along!

There are a bunch of new items in the Paper Issues store.  Check 'em out, and when you check out, use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!