..:: Where's Waldo? ::..

It's SWAG bag Sunday at Paper Issues and I played along this month! I absolutely love these delicious little bags of joy!

This is a photo that was taken by a colleague that I work with. It's a photo of my daughter, on pajama day, taking her winter reading assessment.  My friend appreciates the uniqueness of our daughter -- including how she sits. She snapped the photo and sent it to me. When I sent it to My One True Love, his response was "Where's Waldo?" and a title was born.

This SWAG baby was pretty valentine-y, but I was easily able to make it work for a non-Valentine layout. I do love this tiny flair, and the zillion little hearts that came in the bag this month!

The entire journaling reads: It was pajama day and testing day at school. This is how she sits when she's eating breakfast. Apparently it's also how she tests.

Lots of fun little layers in this one. 

I made a process video if it suits your fancy!

Do you get a SWAG bag each month? If not, you should totally try them out. They are great for cards, layouts, and pocket page spreads.  You can sign up for a subscription (that can be canceled at any time -- but you get first dibs each month), or you can buy them each month when they come out. So. Much. Fun.  

Grab what you need at the Paper Issues Store, and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your 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!

:: mix it up monday : explore ::

It's Mix It Up Monday on the Paper Issues blog!  Here's what I made this month:

I also made a process video if you are interested (feel free to subscribe to my youtube channel)!

Play with us and share it in the March Challenge Album on the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group and you just might be featured or win a prize, yo!

Most of the papers I used were from the 6x6 pad in the Dear Lizzy Happy Place collection. I also used stickers from the same collection, items from my stash and, of course, a bunch of Heidi Swapp Color Shine. Grab some from the store (or anything else) and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase!

Here is a free link to the explore cut file (and a couple of other words).

:: project life : week 7 ::

Hi friends!  Welcome to week 7.  I'm  almost completely up to date on my sharing for this year!  I had just gotten a package from The Paper Issues Store full of Simple Stories Life Documented yumminess.  So I broke it open and got started (and I even caught it all on video, see below) This was Valentine's Day week. I have a two page spread, with an insert of valentines!

:: week 7 left ::

:: week 7 right ::

:: week 7 spread ::

:: week 7 spread with insert ::

I took B.'s valentines from school and cut them up into 2x2 squares -- sometimes showing the kid's writing, sometimes showing a portion of the valentine itself.  I filled this coin protector, front and back.  FUN!

I struggled a bit this week because I didn't have very many photos -- but I like how it turned out and I love that insert.  I grabbed my iPhone and took video as I created the two page spread.  Check it out if you are interested. I hope to do more process videos (PL and otherwise), so subscribe if this is something that interests you!

Since I used flair from {a flair for buttons}(Script Words in Color and Words to Live By 1) I'm linking this up to our latest issue at Paper Issues (last day to link up!), sponsored by {a flair for buttons}.  Nearly all the rest of the supplies I used can be found at Paper Issues here.  Use my code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you soon!