2020 blues

Hi Friends! I am up on the Papers Issues blog today with a layout I created for the February Name Game challenge in the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} Facebook group!  Here's a look at my project:

Here is the idea of the challenge :  using the letters in your name, choose scrapbook elements that begin with each letter.   So I chose to use my social media name "Orange" Gearle. I used : Orange, Ripped paper, Arrow, Numbers, Grid design (and green and grey), and Ephemera. Here are a few close up images:

I added some mixed media to the background and then some fun layers and tangled thread for added pops of color and texture.

I told the story with a few strips of journaling. I also added a card behind the journaling that contained the lyrics to the song that she wrote, called 2020 Blues. 

I chose items mostly from the Unforgettable collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studios. This challenge was super fun! I enjoyed brain storming a list of ideas for each letter. I made a video of my process if that's something that suits your fancy!

Thank you for stopping by!  See you again soon! XO o.g.

..:: girl power ::..

Hi! I am up on The Cut Shoppe blog today with a layout using the Floral Wreath cut file and some pretty papers by Paige Taylor Evans. Here is a look at my layout!

Here is the file that I used:

When I cut the file, I cut the full wreath, but I also cut and pasted a few extra flowers so that I could have a few single flowers to use as embellishments! 

I backed the cut file and the extra flowers with pink, blue, and orange papers. Then I added some more flowers from the floral die cuts.

I used a couple of butterfly punches to add some butterflies to my layout as well. 

I did a little mixed media behind the wreath. I first put some gesso on my card stock, then I added some Shimmerz paints over the top for a watercolor look.

I really like how this one turned out, this was such a fun file to work with! I also made a process video if that's something that suits your fancy!

Thanks so much for stopping by -- see you again soon! XO o.g.

..:: do what makes your soul happy ::..

Hello! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog today with this layout using a few of my favorite things -- paper, Shimmerz Paint, and AFFB flair!  Here's a look:

I started with white card stock. I added some gesso to toughen it up a bit and prime it for all the water I was about to use! Then I used a mixture of the packaging technique, some splattering and using a paint brush to add my Shimmerz paints. I used Vibez Jeni B Blue, and two Coloringz sprays -- No Yolking and Pretty in Pink. 

I used items from Paige Evan's Whimsical collection for the bulk of my layout. I did a little fussy cutting for some of my embellishments, and added some of the gorgeous flowers as well. 

The sunglasses and smile flair both came from the Summer Vibes Flair set and were PERFECT for this story!

I also grabbed this "hello life" flair from the set of the same name.  The flair and sequins added the perfect pops of color for this page. 

I also made a video of my process, if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you again soon! XO o.g.

..:: love fall ::..

I friends! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog today with a new layout using two pieces of flair and a bunch of Shimmerz Paint.  Here is a look at my layout:

The Shimmerz Design Team were challenged to pick ONE COLOR and make it the focus color of the layout. I chose Vibez Sunset Strip. The gorgeous fall colors of the leaves in the photograph march the color perfectly!  I also added a few splatters of Coloringz Night Moves and Vibez Jeni B Bleu. Here are a few close ups:

See that pretty yellow!? Did you know that you can order custom flair from {a flair for buttons}?  You can! The "be present" flair was flair that I asked Shelley to make because it was my One Little Word a few years ago. I thought the idea of being present and noticing the beauty of fall made this the perfect flair for this project.

The flair above is from the Take a Picture 1 flair set. Once again, it's the perfect pop of color, and I think it's telling you to CHECK OUT THIS PHOTO! :-)  

I added some stamping to this layout as well. To see exactly how I put this together, check out my process video, if that suits your fancy!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  See you soon! XO o.g.

..:: singing in the rain ::..

Hi friends! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog today with this super fun and colorful layout. You might think this is a spring layout -- but it actually all happened this fall. :-)  We have had a lot of rain. And my daughter made the best of it, as usual. Here is my layout.

As you can see I used a ton of Shimmerz Paints on this one as well. It was so much fun to make! I actually used ten different Shimmerz products for this one!  I started with this cut file from The Cut Shoppe and made my rain drops, then I added the paint and stitching. I found four pieces of flair (all from the Linen Hearts Flair set) that worked quite well with the Vicki Boutin ephemera pieces. I love how the stitching and color blocking worked out!  Here are a few close ups:

I made a video of my process if that suits your fancy (the Shimmerz Products used are linked in the video comments as well).

Thank you so much for stopping by. Look for another layout and video SOON. XO o.g.

..:: enjoy the journey embrace the detours ::..

Hi friends I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog with this layout using flair from Just Hearts 2 Flair, Hello Life Flair, and Lovely Words 2.  I started with a piece of white card stock and created my background using several (new) Shimmerz Paints!  Here is my layout:

I made a background by painting stripes with four different colors of Shimmerz. And I love how it turned out. I used Shimmerz Limoncello, It's Mint to Be, Lilac Bloom, and Orange Sherbet. Here is what it looks like up close.

Next I picked out three pieces of flair from {a flair for buttons} and decided that the Pinkfresh Studio collections of Be You, Let Your Heart Decide, and Case of the Blahs went together quite nicely!  Here are the flairs up close!

My title is a quote --- something to remember for me and my daughter (and whoever else looks at this LO in years to come) -- Enjoy the Journey and Embrace the Detours. This quote fits my photos perfectly. It was before school/work and my daughter decided to take a moment to blow the dandelion seeds around. Instead of saying what I wanted to, "Come on we are going to be late," I decided to stop, enjoy the moment, and take a few pictures. It was a good decision.

I added a bunch of stitching to this layout to finish it off. I also made a video of my process if that's something that suits your fancy!

If you decide to purchase something from the Shimmerz Store....remember if you put my name in the comments you will get a little something extra with your order!

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

..:: outside love ::..

Hi friends! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog with a layout using several flair buttons and a bunch of Shimmerz Paints!  Here's my layout:

This is one of those times that I started with the flair. I knew they matched these pictures perfectly, so I grabbed them and printed off my photos.

You may recognize that gorgeous Flutterby cut file! If you remember, I had cut them too small the first time, but I saved them because I knew I would use them. There were sitting there on my desk so I just had to use them!

I actually started by creating a background paper using several Shimmerz Vibez mists that matched my flair. Then I used that background paper to cut butterfly shapes to go behind the cut file. Finally, I stitched with gold thread down the center. I absolutely love how these butterflies turned out! Here are the paints I used:

The flair I used are from this fair set:

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

Don't forget, if you are purchasing any Shimmerz products, put my name (orange gearle) in the comments and you will get a little something extra in your order!

Thanks for stopping by and see you again soon!

..:: fly high ::..

Hi Friends! I am up on The Cut Shoppe Blog today with a layout I made using a new cut file called Flutterby. I also used a bunch of Shimmerz Paints on my background and I love how it turned out -- here is my project.

I knew I wanted to use Paige Evans' Pick Me Up collection that I had just gotten in the mail from the Paper Issues Store, so I grabbed a bunch of Shimmerz products to match the colors in the collection. I used several Creameez, an Inklings, some Vibez, and a Coloringz! For a complete list, check the comments in the process video. 

I actually cut this file twice. The first time I cut it too small -- so I cut it again. I used the larger piece for my main circle of butterflies. I cut three of the smaller butterflies out of the circle (with my scissors) and layered them on top. I love how that ended up working out!

I also made a process video, if that suits your fancy! 

Don't forget, if you are purchasing any Shimmerz products, put my name (orange gearle) in the comments and you will get a little something extra in your order!

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