..:: hello spring break ::..

Hi Friends! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog today with this layout about Spring Break!  Here's my layout:

I used the Hello Spring cut file and the Up and Down background file from The Cut Shoppe as part of my title and my background. I think that Hello Spring cut file is one of my all time favorites!

I used a BUNCH of Shimmerz Paints to add a water color look to the cut file (for a full list of Shimmerz Products used, check out the description box in the process video). I used the Dear Lizzy Stay Colorful collection for my patterned papers (purchased from Paper Issues) and I added some gold elements with thread and alphas.

This piece of flair from the Inspirational Words 1 Flair  fit the feel of the layout perfectly -- and I simply love the design. The flower and the text are perfection.

I also used these butterflies from Color Cast Designs March release. I love them. I should buy some more for sure. Here are a couple more close ups:

I also made a process video if that suits your fancy! The description box includes all of the Shimmerz Paints that I used on this project!

Thank you so much for stopping by -- and I'll see you again soon!

..:: life is lovely ::..

Hi friends! I am here today to share with you my first layout as part of the Ambassador Team for Clique Kits!  We are focusing a on mixed media this week -- and you know I love mixed media, so I had extra fun creating this layout!

The Maggie Holmes Flourish collection has so many floral patterns that I thought it would be perfect to document a few of our pretty flowers from last season. It was especially nice to work on this because spring just doesn't want to show it's face in my area, so it was nice to look at pretty flowers even if it's just pictures and papers. I started by adding some Shimmerz Paints to my background, and I focused on the top third of the page. I used one of the big vellum pieces as my title and cut up one of the cards to add 'life is'. I also fussy cut some vellum butterflies, a few pieces of and added some exclusive flair. Here are a few close ups:

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

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

..:: beautiful things ::..

Hi! I'm back with a layout and process video using the new Shimmerz Stampz, a variety of Shimmerz Paints, and some awesome Color Cast Design products from the most recent release!  I used beautiful things for my title and the March Confetti Mix for a few pops of color on my page.  Here is my layout:

And here are a few close ups:

 Check out my a my process video, if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon!

..:: mj live ::..

Hi friends! I am here to share my most recent layout for Hip Kit Club -- a Mixed Media Monday layout using the February 2018 kits!  Here is my layout:

This is a fun layout about taking my daughter and her BFF to the MJ Live concert in Chicago. They had so much fun! It was a secret! In fact, when this photo was taken they still didn't know what was going on, OR why we thought they should wear their MJ gear. :-)  Here are a few close ups:

I used the Dina Wakley acrylic paint to add some color to my background. Also, I did some stitching and added embellishments from this month's kits.

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

Thanks for stopping by! See you again soon!

..:: mn&trh ::..

Hi friends! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog today with a layout that I made using flair from two different sets.  I also used a ton of Shimmerz products on this one!  Here is my layout:

I started by cutting the initials MN&TRH on my Silhouette Cameo -- using the Bebas font. The initials stand for Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts -- one of our favorite bands (it's also on the hat my daughter is wearing in these photos). 

I applied gesso to the whole thing, and let it dry. Then I grabbed my Shimmerz Paints and got busy! I used My Bleeding Heart, Peachy Keen, Lil' Yellow School Bus, Well Blue Me Down and Oh Say Can You Sea (all Coloringz products). 

For this layout I used two pieces of flair from the Rock On 3 Flair set and one flair button from the Phrases 1 flair set. Here are a couple of close-ups:

I added some stars from Color Cast Designs, and a bunch of stitching to finish it off. I also made a video of my process, if that suits your fancy!

Did you know that if you buy Shimmerz Paints you can get a little something free?  Just mention my name in the comments:

Thanks for stopping by! See you again soon!

..:: adventure ::..

Hi friends! Today I have a layout for you that I made using the October Hip Kit Club Kits! My assignment this week was a sketch  and here is my take on it:

I pretty much love everything about the October kits and this lovely color that I focused on is to die for. There are papers, embellishments and Shimmerz that all work together perfectly.

I thought this was the perfect phrase for this layout of me and my daughter trying something for the first time (her, not me)! She was brave and didn't let her "head" get in the way as she was learning to skate.

I cut some stars and stitched them down with gold thread. I also added color to that giant title from Dear Lizzy (spoiler alert, you are going to see more of these)! 

I absolutely love this Shimmerz color --- Old Yeller Inklings --- it's a perfect golden, shimmery, yellow. I made a process video, if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by! See you again soon!

..:: birthday glider girl ::..

Hello friends! I'd like to share a layout I made using an amazing sketch by Missy Whidden. I used the September Hip Kit Club Kits for this layout.  Here's a look at my final product.

And a few close-ups:

Lots of Paige Taylor Evans Turn the Page collection! 💗

THESE ALPHAS! The coral alphas are a Hip Kit exclusive and I LOVE THEM! I used the g-i-r-l from the word "glitter" found on the Shimelle Phrase Thickers  - both are in the September Embellishment kit.

I made a process video if that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by -- see you again tomorrow with another layout using the September HKC kits!

..:: 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!

:: snow shenanigans ::

It's a new issue over at Paper Issues and I got to play along this month!  The theme is Going Cold Turkey in Snowvember. I love it! I chose to go with the snow idea, and used the new collection from Crate Paper called Snow and Cocoa.

The photos are from January. It was such a fun day, and Bea enjoyed exploring the new neighborhood and play in the snow. She also got a little silly. She found these giant snow balls in the play yard of the school across the street.  These photos were perfect for this collection!

Thread and layers for the win. ;-)

Lots of water colors in the background, and I love all the gold pops throughout this collection.

I used the wood veneers in the collection, but I wanted some gold -- so I embossed half of each letter. Then I added 'shenanigans' using a cut file that I created, backing each letter with patterned papers. 

I loved working with this collection! I would love if you would play along with us -- details on how to do that are here.

Grab some Crate Paper or anything else you need at The Paper Issues Store and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!