..:: love this life ::..

It's Mix It Up Monday at Paper Issues! Our challenge is all about using some sort of wet media to add texture to your page. I used transparent texture paste, and stamped with an ABC stamp to add more texture. 

I was going for a light and airy look with this layout, which isn't really the way I usually go, but I was trying to challenge myself. 😀 I like how it turned out!  Here are a couple of close ups.

I also made a video if that suits your fancy!

Check out the blog for more information about how to play along this month! I cannot wait to see what you make! Check out all the new goodies in the Paper Issues Store, and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

.:: love without looking back and always choose crazy ::..

I'm up on the Paper Issues Blog with another Mix It Up Monday Challenge! This month we are using embossing powder on our projects!  I used this free cut file from the Paper Issues Store.

I used the Dear Lizzy Lovely Day collection for my papers and embellishments. 

Thanks for stopping by!

..:: birthday selfies ::..

It's Mix It Up Monday on the Paper Issues Blog and here's my take on the challenge this month!

This photo was taken on my birthday while we were out to eat celebrating together as a family. B. is always ready for the camera!

I used lots of bits and pieces from several collections this month -- it alls started with Simple Stories New Year's collection which I did use a bit of, but mostly the colors grabbed me!  So, I got the black and white started and then I grabbed the colors that I wanted to pop off the page from multiple lines. 

Check out the other inspiration from our Design Team here, and make sure you play along!

..:: love this ::..

It's Mix It Up Monday: November Edition on the Paper Issues Blog today!  This month I challenge you to use some inks and/or stamps. Here's my take on the challenge:

I made a background paper (see all that yellow?) using a yellow ink pad, some water, and the packaging technique.  Next I stamped numbers all over it! It's a perfect match with Cocoa Vanilla's Make a Wish collection and for this layout about Bea's seventh birthday.  Here's a close up of the layer that I made.

Grab some Cocoa Vanilla, or any of your paper needs in the Paper Issues Store today. Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

..:: 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!

..:: all smile ::..

Hi! It's been a while! Far too long since I've been able to play with paper -- but I'm back today with a layout for Paper Issues' Mix It Up Monday!  This layout features a missing tooth!

I used a bunch of Cocoa Vanilla's recent collection Love Always and I am loving it! The challenge this month is to make something mixed media-ish (I used acrylic paint, water, and water colors) and then CUT IT UP! You can use your die cut machine, your scissors, or punches. I created a 'background' using orange watercolors and pink paint. Then I used several sizes of circle punches to punch out these circles! Here's a process video if that suits your fancy!

And here are a few close ups!

Check out the Paper Issues Blog for more inspiration and details on how to enter your project!

..:: for the love of summer ::.. Mix It Up Monday

It's one of my most favorite Monday's of the month -- Mix it Up Monday on the Paper Issues blog!

This month you need to grab your water colors (or your child's water colors) and use them on a project. Play along with us, won't you? Get all the details in the July Challenge Album and on the blog!

I started by designing a mosaic heart cut file (which you can grab for free here), and I also had my Silhouette Cameo "cut out" the word summer. Actually instead of having it cut out the word summer, but I designed it to poke holes so that I could use thread to stitch around the title. 

Here are a few close ups:

I made a process video if that's something that you fancy! I'd love it if you'd subscribe to my You Tube channel.

For this layout I used mostly items from the Sunshine & Happiness collection by Simple Stories.  Grab that or any of the other new stuff from the store, and don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: hello sheep whisperers ::

I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with another addition of Mix It Up Monday. This month we are focusing on using acrylic paint with a project. Here's my take:

I pulled inspiration from a combination of SWAG bag embellishments and cards.  I added some acrylic words and stars that I just recently received from Color Cast Designs, and I added a couple of flair buttons from A Flair For Buttons.

I kept the video rolling as I put this one together -- so here is a process video for those that enjoy them. Feel freed to subscribe (and tell your friends - LOL )!

Play along with us for a chance to win a gift card to the Paper Issues store. Details on how to do that here. There are a zillion new items that have been added to the store in the last few days! Grab what you need and, as always, 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!

:: 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!

:: 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).

..:: 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!