:: a splash of fun ::

Hi friends! I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with a layout created with products from October Afternoon!

Check out the Paper Issues blog today to see more inspiration from the design team.


I super loved working with this product!! There's still some in the store, along with a bunch of newer stuff as well!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: chip off the old block ::

It's New Issue Monday over on the Paper Issues Blog!  This issue, sponsored by Paper Issues, is called  Chip Off the Old Block. I grabbed some Crate Paper Confetti and created something to link up for the issue!

For the "chipboard" I used alphas words and arrows from the Confetti collection (You don't have to use chipboard -- check out the bottom of this post for other ideas for this issue)!



And just for fun I used a bunch of the little bits found in the Ephemera Hardware Pack from the same collection.

Stop by the blog to see what the other ladies have created for this issue!  There is still some Crate Paper Confetti in the shop -- along with a bunch of other goodies.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

Some ideas for this issue:

• Use chipboard on your project. You could even use blocks, as in squares of paper, a grid design, etc.
• Create a project around the words "board" or "bored" — activities that keeps kids from saying, "Mom, I'm bored", board games, a cruise vacation (because you're on "board" a ship), add in a surf board, etc.
• Show us a project that has to do with family traits, because they're a "chip off the old block". 
• Download July's free printable, Color My World or August's free printable, The Beach is Calling, from the Paper Issues store and use one or more of the cards on your project.
• Download the free printable, Chip Off the Old Block, our very own Danielle designed for this issue, and use one or more of the cards on your project.

:: wander :: July PINspire Me Monday

Looking for some inspiration?  How about some PINspiration?  It's PINspire Me Monday at Paper Issues!  Design team member Leah found this to inspire you:

There is so much here that I love. The colors are fab, the window, and…because flamingo. As soon as I saw this, though, I remembered a photo that we took of B. wandering down a path, spring flowers blooming and everything just beginning to 'green up'. So I used Leah's PinSpiration to scrap that photo! Here is what I came up with:

I also let the colors inspire me a bit, but certainly not exact. I have to admit, I am not super happy with the end result. I love the idea of this one. I don't completely hate it, but it pales in comparison to the inspiration piece. :-/  Does that ever happen to you?

The good news:  some of the other DT members created projects too.  You can find them here.

More good news: love it or not, I will always remember this day when I flip to this layout in my album. Story Documented.

See you soon!

:: soaking up the sun and relaxing ::

It's Cut-It-Out Saturday over on the Paper Issues blog.  Do you know what that means?  It means FREE cut files and a LINK party!!  Can I get a woo-hoo?!?!

I love all these, don't you?!  Perfect for summer! For my layout, I stuck with the "soaking' up the sun" because it totally fit my photo.  :-)

Soakin' up the sun must be followed up with relaxing.  ;-)

Charlie captured this photo of Bea and I totally love it.

I used mostly Crate Paper Poolside for this layout, along with a bit of October Afternoon's Summertime collection,  Visit  The  Paper Issues Store to grab some of these goodies for yourself.  There are also a bunch of new items hitting the store often!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle to receive 20% off your order!

Thanks for stopping by.  Make sure you check out the Paper Issues Blog for more inspiration and a chance to win! 

:: Frozen : Summer Style ::

Hi!  I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with a layout using the Summer Vibes collection by Simple Stories.  This collection has completely knocked my socks off!

Does the design look familiar?  I used the Sketchy Saturday Sketch (the same one I used for this card).  Don't worry there is still time to play along and win!

Pretty much everything you see here is from the Summer Vibes collection, with the exception of the big  title alphas.  I used the frames to highlight the photos so they wouldn't be upstaged by the beautiful papers. The triangles are part of the 6x6 paper page, and I used the small letter stickers and the phrase stickers from the collection as well.

Check out the Summer Vibes Product Spotlight over on the blog -- the Design Time has left you some awesome inspiration!

While you are over at the blog, you can click through to the shop and pick up some Simple Stories (there are a couple new SS collections, too) and anything else you might need!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!

:: New Issue Monday at Paper Issues ::

I've said it before, and I will likely say it again -- New Issue Monday's make me giddy. Always. For this current issue the Paper Issues Girls received product from Color Cast Designs to play with. I got to play with the Embellish Me (Neutral) set and here is what I came up with!

When I initially laid out all the product, I did so in a grid.  So I went with it! I love the black, white, grey and wood veneer combo.  I ended up sticking with the black and white -- and I grabbed the Just Add Color collection from Bella Blvd. I did exactly as I was told -- I just added color. :-) I grabbed my watercolors and painted some flowers and a border. When all was said and done, I thought the painted flower paper took a bit too much away from the photos, so I sewed some vellum over the top!

Check out what Jana, Jennifer, Tarrah, Becky and Lisa made and the prize you could win by participating here.

Check out all the new goodies in the Paper Issues Store!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase (also, did you know that if you spend $60, there are no shipping costs??)!

:: Sketchy Saturday : Summer Vibes ::

It's Sketchy Saturday over on the Paper Issues blog!  This month Stephanie Buice's True Friends Layout for Doodlebug Design caught our eye!

It's it fab?  You can see why the PI ladies just had to lift it!  Here is the sketch created based on the layout.

I used this sketch as inspiration for a card!  (I KNOW!  I can't believe it!  Maybe I'm a card girl after all?)?!

You can see what the rest of the ladies created based on Stephanie's lovely inspiration piece by visiting the Paper Issues Blog.

I am simply loving the Simple Stories Summer Vibe Collection! I made another layout using this collection (and the sketch as inspiration).  I will be sharing that here soon!

Don't forget to use the code orangegearle if you want to grab Simple Stories Summer Vibe collection, or anything else at the Paper Issues Store!.

:: Our Adventure : a mini book ::

Hi! I am up on the Paper Issues Blog today sharing a mini book that I made about our adventures to the Indiana Sand Dunes. For this project I used mostly Crate Paper's Journey Collection.

I repurposed a very small clipboard for this mini by taking off the original clamp and replacing it with a Tim Horton two ring binder piece. I cut my papers and printed my photos in a variety of sizes (mostly the same width but varying lengths) to create a bit of extra texture and interest.

I worked on this project over a period of time.  In order to make it as easy as possible I stuck with one basic collection, pulled items that matched the collection and/or theme from my stash, and then placed everything in a tray (from Target).  This was so helpful. I was able to work on this project just about anywhere because I put everything together and I could just grab the tray and go (to another house, another place within our home, etc).

I simply love all of the gold and transparent pieces in this collection!

Sometimes I chose to print a photo or two (usually a favorite) a bit larger and let it just be a page on it's own (with a few embellishments -- digital and/or traditional).

One of my favorite things about creating mini books is including the ephemera that is part of the story.  An example: I created a few pages with "pockets" in them and included all the ephemera (like the room key, or a receipt).  I did most of my journaling on tags that I was able to place in pockets throughout the book, shorter stories were handwritten on journal cards or labels.

 

I had a blast creating this mini book!

If you would like to purchase the Crate Paper Journey collection, or all the things, click on the links and head over to the Paper Issues store!  Make sure you use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: Printable Sunday : July Goals ::

I am up on the blog today using a FREE printable from Paper Issues (available here). This printable, design by the great Becky Monmaney and Jana McCarthy, is a black and white dream, just waiting to be colored.

I added some color.  :-)

I colored it up and put it in my planner with my July goals (more on my goals next week).

I grabbed this patterned paper from Amy Tangerine's Rise and Shine collection and fussy cut the labels.  I also grabbed some other Amy Tangerine from my stash and added some circle cutouts just for fun.

The alphas are from Webester's pages (all supplies linked below). I stitched the alphas to a label before I glued it down so that the stitching didn't go through to the other side of my planner page.

It was super fun to work with these printables. Check out what a few other DT members have created with them here.

Grab any supplies you need from the Paper Issues Store - but don't forget to use my code orangegearle to receive 20% off your entire purchase!

Paper Issues Free Printable
Black and White Alphas - Webster's Pages These are the Days
Patterned paper from Amy Tangerine Rise & Shine


I am using Elise Cripe's Get to Work Book as my planner base. Update on my goal setting and planner thoughts coming soon!

:: beach party ::

I love new issue Mondays at Paper Issues!  This latest issue is sponsored by Fancy Pants Designs.  I was super excited to play with some of their new goodies in the Summer Sun collection!

Link up your old or new images that fit the theme "Mist-er Fix-It" for a chance to win! A few suggestions might be:  Father's Day, misting, tools (scrapbooking and otherwise), home repairs and home improvements, masculine pages, use Fancy Pants products, summer, use June printables

Here are a couple of close-ups:

 The wood veneer "sun" and the background patterned paper inspired cutting the photos into circles.

I layered some of the square die cuts included in the collection for behind my photos.  I also used some arrows and fun shaped boarders.

In the collection there are also some round embellishments that I scattered throughout the photos. I loved working with this collection!

Grab some of these and other goodies at the store.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: sand angels ::

It's new issue Monday on the  Paper Issues Blog!  Our issue is sponsored by SugarPea Designs, and the winner will get a gift certificate to SugarPea Designs (with free shipping)!

Here is my layout for the issue:

The issue, Let's Get This Party Star-ted and Par-ty Heart-y has a long name (which really means there are many ways to interpret the challenge)!  Here are a few ideas (the items I used are in bold):

celebrations of all kinds, graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, use hearts, golfing (par), stars, stamping, use May printable, use SugarPea Designs products



The SugarPea Designs product that I used is a clear stamp set called Build a Background - Basics (pictured to the right).  These stamps caught my eye because I thought they would be perfect for art journaling, mix media layouts, and to use in my planner! For the challenge, obviously, I chose to do a layout.  I used both of the chevron-looking stamps (top two) with paint and with ink!  I even got to use my small Geli Plate when working with the paint and stamps together! So. Fun.  Here are a few close ups, which include the story:

I started with white card stock and a bunch of washi tape! I stuck with mostly pink and oranges, but various patterns.  One of the washi tapes also had a little bit of blue -- and B.'s shirt is blue, so I went with it. :-)

 I used some orange, yellow and red gelatos to create a layer under the photo.  Then I added the stamping over that with orange StazOn ink.

That bright blue chevron was made with paint.  I used my Geli Plate, spread some blue paint on it with a roller, and then I stamped directly onto the Geli Plate.  Once I made the pattern in the paint that I was looking for, I pulled a couple of prints (using plain white card stock).  I placed these behind the photo.  It was fun!  I absolutely loved working with these stamps from SugarPea Designs!

Check out the rest of the Design Team inspiration over at the blog.  While you are over there, stop in at the store, too!  There are so many new things popping up every day!  The Crate Paper is to die for!  Trust me! Oh and the Webster's Pages stuff (we even have a teal planner in)! OMG I totally forgot to mention the Maggie Holmes Confetti Collection.  Seriously.  So much yummy stuff! Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: so happy ::

It's one of my favorite days -- SWAG Bag Sunday Spotlight at Paper Issues!  I had the honor of creating a layout and post for this day!  Woo too!

This photo is from Easter Sunday -- my daughter and grandson getting ready to find the eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

I used a bunch of different SWAG bags for this LO, but most of what you see is from the April SWAG bag.

Of course I had to add a bit of stitching (orange, no less).

The April SWAG bag came with some stamps (see the orange & yellow "stars"?)!  I used some of the new Ombre Inks from Hero Arts.

I did add a few things fro my stash like these AWESOME alphas from the new Amy Tangerine line!

Also from Amy Tangerine's Rise and Shine collection these awesome phrase stickers.  I'm pretty sure I have been hoarding that orange and white arrow for about 6 months (or more), but it was also from a past SWAG bag. 

As always, I loved working with the April Swag Bag. If you would like to pick up a SWAG bag, or a SWAG bag subscription they are available here.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle to receive 20% off whatever is in your shopping cart! 

:: sibling smooches :: with a sketch

Good Morning!

Some of the PI girls are playing with a sketch today over on the Paper Issues blog!  I was all sneaky and grabbed this photo of my grandson and his big sister from my daughter's Facebook page so I could do this layout!  I love this photo!

I'm using a lot of "Dream in Color" by Webster's Pages on this layout!  I totally love this combination of colors and designs! Brandin O'Neal hit this collection out of the ballpark.  It's available in the Paper Issues Store here.

The sketch is used was inspired by layout we spied on the Fancy Pants blog by Nicole Nowosad.

And here's the sketch:

I absolutely love all those circles (I changed a few circles to circles inside squares just to mix it up a bit).

As usual, lots of stitching all over, and I added a few layers under the photo.

This was a fun one!  And it came together quickly with all these awesome papers and a great sketch!

Check out the Paper Issues blog if you'd like to play along with Sketchy Saturday!  And check out the store here if you'd like some of the yummy goodness by Webster's Pages (or anything else)!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle at check out for 20% off your order!