..:: beautiful ::..

Hi Friends! I am up on the Paper Issues blog today with a layout using one of the Free Cut Files available in the Paper Issues Store.  This is a fun one! The cut file is called Stitching Flowers Background and it cuts the holes in your paper so you can stitch! Here is my layout:

The free cut file also includes the "inside" cut so you can add paper to the insides of the flowers. I chose yellow, green, red, and orange. 

I popped up the patterned papers with some foam to add some dimension to the flowers.

Many of the papers and embellishments are from Elle's Studio and can be found here.

This was a super fun layout to make!  I made a video of my process if that's something that suits your fancy!

I am posting this one in the Free File Free-For-All challenge. You can find this and all of our current challenges in the July Challenge album in our Facebook Group. You have plenty of time to participate. Play along until August 2, for a chance to win a gift card to the Paper Issues Store. Shop the store using the code OrangeGearle for 20% off your purchase.

Thanks for stopping by and I will see you again soon! XO o.g.

..:: right now this girl ::..

HI Friends! I am up on the Paper Issues blog today layout and process video for the February Sketch Challenge! Here is a look at my layout :

Here is the sketch : 

I followed the main idea of the sketch -- a wreath design with two overlapping photos and some embellishments in two clusters. I didn't follow it exactly, but I think you can tell I used this sketch as inspiration for sure. I also used my Silhouette Cameo software and a sketch pen to journal around the circle!

I cut the Heart Wreath free cut file out of white card stock, then I backed some of the hearts with papers from the 6x6 Doodlebug Love Notes paper pack.  Before putting it down on the page, I added some pink and read Vicki Boutin paint behind the cut file. 

I stitched some of the hearts using some yellow embroidery floss. I also added some to my photo, because the sketch indicates some embellishment on the photo. 

I used a couple of banners and speech bubbles from the Chit Chat Ephemera pack as embellishment along the wreath and also in the top left and bottom right of the page. 

For my title I cut "This Girl" free hand out of the same 6x6 papers I used to back the cut file. Each sentence in my journaling starts with the words, "Right now this girl", so that's what I used as my title.

I did make a video of my process if that's something that suits your fancy!

You can find this and all of our current challenges in the February Challenges album in our Facebook Group. You have plenty of time to participate. Play along until March 1, for a chance to win a gift card to the Paper Issues Store. Shop the store using the code OrangeGearle for 20% off your purchase. Thank you for stopping by!  See you again soon! XO o.g.

..:: spring ::..

Hi friends! I am up on The Cut Shoppe blog today with a layout I made using the Geo Flower cut file -- which is a Freebie FriYay file available here.  Here is my layout:

Here are a few close ups:

I used Turn the Page by Paige Taylor Evans to back my file and I used a piece from flair from {a flair for buttons}.

I made a video of my process if that's something that suits your fancy!

Thanks so much for stopping by and see you again soon!

..:: shark girl ::..

Hi friends! I am up on the {A Flair for Buttons} blog today with this colorful layout and process video!

I was completely inspired by the flair that you see in the photo below!  When I saw it, I knew I wanted to do a layout that used water colored flowers.

I grabbed a cut file from the Silhouette store and cut the holes in my background paper so that I could hand stitch around the flower, then I painted the flower using gelatos and a bit of water. I used the same painting technique for a bunch of other flowers that I cut out of white card stock, and then added them to my page.

I used three pieces of flair from the same set -- Watercolors and I just love how this turned out. Here are a few more close-ups.

I made a process video of that something that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon!

..:: nature: a love story ::..

Hello!  I am up on the Scrapbook Circle blog with this layout that I made using the 2017 May kit - Take Note. My assignment was to use the exclusive cork hearts in a unique way. I chose to use one of them as part of my title in this layout that documents my daughter's love of nature.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to poke holes in white card stock so that I could easily hand stitch the word "Nature". I set it up in the Silhouette Studio software using the Bebas font, keeping in mind exactly where I wanted it on the page.  Then after it cut the holes for me, I stitched using black embroidery floss. 

I used watercolors to paint inside the lines that I stitched. I grabbed color inspiration from the patterned papers and embellishments  that I chose from this month's kit.

I did a little fussy cutting of the flowers from the Webster's Pages patterned paper and added some bits from the Elle's Studio Live Laugh Love bits and pieces included in the kit. 

My title was completed with the "love" cork heart, and the acrylic word "story". I added just a little bit of journaling and this simple, but fun page, was complete!

Check out how Kelly used the cork hearts by visiting the Scrapbook Circle blog today!

Thanks for stopping by. See you soon!

..:: gimmie some knucks ::..

I am up on the Scrapbook Circle blog today with a new layout using the May Scrapbook Circle Kit and Printable.

I used the Pinkfresh Studio alpha for "gimmie some" and then cut the word "knocks" freehand from patterned paper. Then to help "Knucks" stand out better I added some hand stitching around the letters.

I used the printable card that says "I love you because..." behind my photo as a layer. I was also inspired by the words for my journaling.

I also added some machine stitching for a final touch to this monochromatic layout about my daughter's silliness.

I made a process video if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon!

..:: just chillaxin' ::..

Here's another layout that I did during Paper Issues online crop this weekend!  This was for the stitching challenge. I used both hand and machine stitching (two of my faves)!

For this layout I used items from Shimelle's most recent collection Little by Little.  I fussy cut those circles out -- and stitched them down with my machine. But before that I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut stitching holes for my title!  So fun!   Here are a few close ups!

This crop was so much fun! It's been great seeing all of the different takes on each challenge!

:: too hot for blading ::

Today is my last post as a Guest Designer at Scrapbook Circle.  If you are a follower of my blog you know how much I love these kits!  I am so honored that I was asked to be on the GDT this month, and, as always, I have really enjoyed working with this kit!  Each month I am amazed at how beautifully Lisa (et. al) pulls together these papers and embellies to make a perfect kit!

This month a two pager was born!  (I haven't done these for a while, but I have done a few lately)! We celebrated my daughter's birthday (the second celebration) with my extended family on the hottest weekend of the summer!  B. got some great gifts; among them, roller blades!  We practiced a bit at Grandma and Grandpa's house (they are the ones that purchased the skates) and then after returning home, she practiced a bit more!  IT WAS SO HOT!  We even had to have a clothing change in between skating because there was a bunch of water play in between!

The challenge at Scrapbook Circle was all about stitching!  So. Awesome. that I was asked to do that!  I love stitching, as you know. So I got out my machine and stitched all around the page.

But, to live up the challenge I also did a bit of hand stitching!  Here are a few more close ups (and they include a lot of GOLD; I am so loving this trend)!

I would like to thank Lisa and Tessa at Scrapbook Circle for welcoming me in to the Scrapbook Circle Family this month!  I had a great time!!!!

Until next time!  :-) O.G.

:: stitched : the dark knight ::

I am currently taking an online class through Studio Calico called "Stitched".  If you follow my blog much you probably already know that I love stitching on my layouts! You may also know that I purchased my sewing machine just for scrapbooking, meaning, I do not sew! It was quite the fiasco the first time I tried to thread my so-called self-threading machine. 

I thought I might just benefit from taking a class specifically about stitching on layouts. As always, this class is fun and I have gotten quite a few ideas from it. For this layout, I used both hand stitching and machine stitching.

The circles are a cut file that came with the class (one of the things I always love about classes are the "free" things that come with it like printables or cut files)! I cut it with the Silhouette Cameo and then found various patterned papers to back several of the circles. I also used Gelatos and a water brush to paint a few of the circles, stars, and wood veneer pieces.

I used this Ali Edwards (technique tuesday) stamp set to stamp a few sentiments. (I love her stuff. Always.)

FInally, I journaled around the outside of the layout as a border. I love how this one turned out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Scrap Your Story :: growing love

UPDATE:  I'm linking this up to Paper Issues Feb. 7, 2015 Issue Hip to Be Square (I used square photos and some {aflairforbuttons} flair.

It's FRIDAY -- and you know what that means -- another challenge at Scrap Your Story Challenge blog! Ready to play along? This is a "theme" week -- and the theme is "favorite(s)".  You can interpret that anyway you wish, as long in your journaling or title we can see that you are sharing something that is a favorite!

I have the word "favorite" a couple of places on this layout.  First I used an Amy Tangerine stamp that I got at Target and stamped "You are my fave" all over a piece of patterned paper.  Then I used one of Amy Tangerine's templates to make a speech bubble with a heart in the middle.  The second place, also involved stamping.  This time it was an Ali Edwards stamp "SUPER favorite" that I stamped over some Elle's studio tags (all supplies are linked below). Most of the rest of the supplies came from the Lucky You Scrapbook Kit by paperissues available here. And of course there is flair from {a flair for buttons}!

This photo was taken on the anniversary of Mikaela's death. It was a difficult day for us all. My daughter Hollyanne came over just to be with us for a while, and I was ever so thankful. I journaled a bit about that, but also about how B. was obsessed with her baby belly! Either way, I wanted the journaling to be hidden. I'm really happy with how this one turned out!  Love that green/yellow combo! Hope you play along with us this week at Scrap Your Story Challenges!


Supplies
Crate Paper :: Party Day :: Happy
My Minds Eye :: Collectable :: Remarkable Smile Grin
American Crafts :: Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm :: 6x6 paper pad
American Crafts :: Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm :: Wild Hearts
Studio Calico :: Here & There :: woodgrain thickers
Glitz :: Color Me Happy :: 6x6 paper pad
Glitz :: Color Me Happy :: woodgrain paper
Glitz :: woodgrain washi tape
Jillibean Soup :: Sunshine Resin Sugar Picks
Studio Calico :: Sundrifter :: flowers and leave wood veneer
My Minds Eye :: Collectable :: Remarkable Day Decorative Buttons
My Minds Eye :: The Sweetest Thing :: enamel dots
a flair for buttons :: arrow 1 flair
a flair for buttons :: lovely words flair
TCW :: Minivine mask
Elle's Studio :: Day to Day tidbits
American Crafts :: Amy Tangerine :: stencils
American Crafts :: Amy Tangerine :: authentic phrase stamp
Technique Tuesday :: Studeio AE :: super fantastic
Heidi Swapp :: Color Shine :: Mustard
Heidi Swapp :: Color Shine :: Mint Green