..:: 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!

:: 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!