..:: sparkle & shine ::..

I am super excited to be up on the Paper Issues Blog today as part of this months issue : Gleam Catchers. Here is my take on the theme:

I love this photo that my One True Love took of my daughter with her swimming goggles on! If you look closely you can see his reflection in the glasses and she looks SO. HAPPY. which makes me happy! :-)

I paired the photo with items mostly from Shimelle's Starshine collection. If you would like to play along with us this month you have until August 1st to join any of our challenges, which can be found here in the July Challenges Album.

There continues to be more and more new items posted in the Paper Issues Store. Check them out, fill your cart, and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

Thanks for stopping by and see you soon!

..:: 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!

..:: tragic s'mores mishap ::..

Woo hoo!  I'm back today with a layout inspired by Paper Issues July Pinspire Me challenge! Here's my layout all about an unfortunate, tragic, s'mores mishap. 

Sometimes, the marshmallow just jumps into your hair, right? Here are a few close ups.

I pulled my inspiration from this mood board. I was inspired by the s'mores and other tasty treats, and I loved the colors here!

Play along with this challenge, or any of the other July challenges in the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} group! You have until August 1st to enter! Details are also on the Paper Issues Blog!

Grab some new yumminess from the Paper Issues Store, and don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

..:: baby you're a firework! ::..

Hi!  Happy 5th of July! I'm participating in the July Take 5 Tuesday Challenge over on the Paper Issues Blog today.  I scrapped this photo from the 4th of July, 2013. 

I went all out theme-y for this one (which isn't usually my style, but I kinda like it anyway)! I pulled all of my patterned papers and stickers from Amy Tangerine's Better Together collection. I added some blue and red sequins from Jillibean Soup, and Mister Huey's for the paint splatters!

I created this fireworks cut file and it's available in the shop for free!  I backed the cut file with various papers from the Better Together Collection.

To participate in Take 5 Tuesday, you just need to pick 5 of the things from the list and use them! I used 8 (I've always been an over achiever)! Ha!  

Play along with this challenge, or any of the other July challenges in the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} group! You have until August 1st to enter! Details are also on the Paper Issues Blog!

There are new items in the store (along with that free cut file). Grab 'em quick and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!

..:: picking puzzle grass ::..

:: 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!

:: making a splash ::

Today the Paper Issues Design Team is spotlighting Carta Bella's Beach Day collection and I got to play along. This photograph of my daughter at the splash pad was perfect for this collection!

That zig-zaggy, chevron patterned paper has gotta be my favorite. Such great colors!

I used the machine to stitch along the top of the chevron and then again on the yellow zig-zag part of the way down.

I incorporated items from the ephemera pack around my photo. I also used the cut apart 12x12 paper behind my photo and one of the 3x4 cards fit perfectly with the theme of this LO.

I popped a few of the elements up with pop dots, and tangled thread for more texture and pops of color.

This was a super fun collection to work with and I have a feeling I will be using every little bit of it (I have another LO in progress on my desk right now)!  Grab this collection and anything else you need at the Paper Issues Store -- don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you soon!

:: my true north ::

It's a new issue on the Paper Issues blog -- and I got to play along!

The issue, Let's Get Knot-ical. is a great theme for this time of year.  Some suggested theme ideas: anything you can do on the water; use a compass on your project, ship's wheel, sailboat or ocean creatures as embellishments; add knots to your project; beach vacation, Father's Day, etc.  

I used a compass to fit the theme. This layout is all about my One True Love, my True North.

I used products from Pink Fresh Studios for most of my layout, along with some Tim Holtz phrase stickers and watercolors, of course!

SaveSave

:: 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!

:: 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!

:: epic ride ::

Paper Issues is spotlighting Cocoa Vanilla's Totally Rad collection and I got to play along.

I love this little guy! This is my grandson, B. He is riding his Big Wheel on one of the first nice days of this spring. Shhhh....don't tell, but I stole this photo off my daughter's Facebook page. ;-)

These splatters are my favorite.  Lots of different colors of Heidi Swapp Color Shine.

I loved working with this collection. The colors are fabulous!

Pick up a little Cocoa Vanilla for yourself -- or just about anything else you want -- in the Paper Issues Store.  Use the code 'orangegearle' for 20 percent off your 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!

:: hooray you ::

It's product spotlight time on the Paper Issues blog!  Today members of the design team are highlighting Simple Stories : Life in Color collection, and I just had to play along!

I started with some black and white pieces and then added some yellow and red -- colors I pulled directly from the photo. 

I layered tissue paper and patterned papers behind the photo and I also added three flair buttons from {a flair for buttons} Black and White Words 1 flair.

Lots of layers and a few splashes of Heidi Swapp Color Shine and I was done! I loved working with this collection!

You can grab Simple Stories Life in Color and oh so much more at the Paper Issues Store.  Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!