:: his & hers :: Paper Issues New Issue Monday

It's new issue Monday over on the Paper Issues blog!  For this issue I got to work with one of my very favorite things -- flair from {aflairforbuttons}! Scroll down to see a couple of extra goodies for this issue…..

This layout started with the multicolored flair you see above. I saw it, and went with it. Lots of color. Lots of circles. Lots of fun do dads from past Swag Bags.

I found a simple circle cut file from the Silhouette store (here). I resized it so that the circles would be about an inch (this works for the flair and I can use my 1 inch circle punch for the fun stuff behind the circles).  I grabbed some current and past Swag Bags and a few other things from my stash and added color all over the place! I even grabbed a couple of gelatos and a water brush for two of the circles.

And then I got to layering under the photo.

This was fun and came together quickly!

So here are the details of the Hip to Be Square issue:

Suggested link up ideas: use 3x3, 4x4, 6x6/8x8/12x12 paper, photos and other square elements, use a grid design, use paper that has squares on it, favorite room in your house, quilt-like patterns, show off current scrapbooking trends (chevron, bokeh, woodgrain, arrows, etc.), square dancing, square root, baked goods because bars, brownies, etc. are cut into squares, city block, square brackets, square knot (scouting or boating), game boards like chess, checkers, Scrabble (and online variations), a square meal, use A Flair for Buttons products

I know when you look at my LO you may see circles, can you see my squares?  ;-)

So here is what you get!  If you link up you could win an assortment of flair from our sponsor, A Flair for Buttons!:

There is a free cut file in the store to go with this issue (awesome)!  AND, if you use the code IHAVEISSUES15 at check out, you will get 10% off at A Flair for Buttons etsy shop!

And finally, as always, pick up what you need from the Paper Issues store and get 20% off anything by using the code orangegearle at check out!

❃ have more firsts ❃

This background is created by me with papers, paints and stamps. The words are from Ali Edwards' kit club brushes.

My One Little Word this year is DO. I knew I really needed an action word this year. There are so many things that I need to accomplish! As I was searching for my word, I sat down with a pen and paper and made a list of things that I really wanted in my life, or to accomplish, and a list of things that I wanted to eliminate in my life. When I did this I had "DOs" and don'ts. Then it hit me…DO is the perfect word for this year.  That was in December.

Also in December I received my first Story Kit from Ali Edwards. The theme was "Firsts".  When I saw the stamp set, I knew that I really wanted to start a project. Instant inspiration to do. In fact, I almost changed my word to 'firsts'  when I saw it.  But I quickly realized that first is a great match with do. So, a project was born.

I have challenged myself to have more firsts this year.  This year, I will be intentional about creating opportunities to do something for the first time each month.  I anticipate that I will have firsts that are simple, easy, and risk free like going to a new restaurant for the first time.  But I am hopeful that I will also take some real risks, put myself out there, and create new experiences for myself, and maybe even a few new experiences with my family.

I've started my firsts and will be sharing them here soon and as the year progresses! So exciting!


If you want to know more about One Little Word, visit Ali Edwards site, here.  If you are interested in receiving her story kits and/or stamps, you can find that information here.

:: project life : week 3 ::

I'm on the Paper Issues blog today with a product spotlight.  For week 3 of my Project Life album, I used a kit that I purchased from the Paper Issues Store called the Becky Higgins Desktop Kit.  Here is a look at the left side of my two page spread.

And the right side looks like this:

That photo in the upper right flips up to reveal another photo and some journaling that I wanted to be a bit more private.

Here are the two pages together -- without the insert:

This was a birthday week for our nephew -- and he just happens to be Bea's best friend. Here is what it looks like with the insert (you can see the front)

Here are the two inserts (front & back):

And here is what it looks like when that insert page is turned:

I enjoyed working with this kit!  There are several PL kits available in the Paper Issues Store here.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle at check out to get 20% off your entire order!

Thanks for stopping by! I will be back soon to share week four!

:: SWAG bag spotlight ::

Swag Bag Spotlight time over at the Paper Issues blog! Here's my contribution.

When I saw this paper in the February Swag Bag, I knew I had to use it right away!  I love those pinks and oranges!

Then I saw the flower frame and the orange + paper and about lost it (looks kinda red in these photos, but trust me it's an awesome orange)! 

The wood veneer potty people, lips and hearts, all from the bag.  LOVELY.  I love the flowers and all that woodgrain together (there are even woodgrain flowers in that patterned paper).  It's perfect for a LO like this because it's both feminine and masculine (in my opinion).

I absolutely loved working with this Swag Bag!  (Pssst….I heard the February ones will be in the shop tomorrow -- and there are several others to choose from). Remember, if you'd like to purchase anything (or everything) from the Paper Issues Store (there are so many new products right now), use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!  Also, make sure you check out what some of the other PI girls did with their Swag Bags (here)!

:: project life : week 2 ::

And week two is in the books!  Here is the left side of this two page spread.

Documenting all the organizing that I've been doing in my scrap space -- and B. has been playing in the boxes, of course.  Also documenting that I was sick. Ugh.  That awesome calendar card is from the January free printable over at Paper Issues.  You can grab that (did I mention it's free?) here -- along with the rest of the free files!  Here is the right side:

Documenting a bit of the creating that happened in our house this week -- creating and a little bit of silliness.  Here is the two page spread together.

This week I also added a 8.5x11 insert.  The front is a letter that B. wrote me when I was sick. I plan on documenting the page with proper spelling, I just haven't decided how I want to do that yet. Dear Mommy I feel sorry that you don't feel good today and go to the doctor today. Love, Bea.

This week B. discovered the typewriter.  I documented that story with photos and words in the two page spread -- and here is the first "book" that she wrote on the back of the insert.  I love that I can get these things into the book! It's probably one of my favorite parts of Project Life.  Here is her story about cows in the forrest.

I used the same black alphas (two styles) throughout the layout to tie it all together.  I chose pinks and greens from my collection of PL cards.  I think most of them came from the Kiwi Kit.  If you want to know where a specific card came from, just ask and I'll track it down for you!

:: you & me ::

Hi!  I'm here today with a layout about me and my One True Love!

This layout was based on this awesome sketch by Heather Leopard for Gossamer Blue! Here's the sketch!

Most of the products that I used were from the On My Desk Collection by Gossamer Blue (available at the Paper Issues Store -- linked).  I also snuck in a few bits from the Gramercy Road Collection (also GB)!  I loved both of these collections so much. I've pretty much used it all up!

I am digging the gold trend….totally digging it.

See you again soon!

:: sewing with dad ::

Hi ! I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with a layout that I created using Dear Lizzy's Serendipity collection and the January Sketch by Jen Chapin. 

I love the aqua, navy and pinks in this collection! If you limit the pink and add a bit of the yellow included in the collection you can get a more masculine feel to your layout, too. I love the versatility of this collection!

I also used the free cut file from the shop that is based on Jen's sketch -- which made this come together quickly.

Pop dots and stitching to add interest and texture. I also added a few things from my stash (most of which were actually from past Swag Bags).

I love these alphas!  Gah!  I may need to purchase some more!

And finally, it's all about the story. I used my new-to-me typewriter with some vellum to document the story that goes with these photos. I added the vellum over the patterned paper and sewed it in to place. The vellum helps tone down the paper a bit so that the text is more visible.

You can link your layout based on Jen's sketch to the Paper Issues blog, too. You could win a gift card to the Paper Issues store.  While you're there, you can use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you again soon!

:: project life : title page ::

Hello!  I kind of did this backwards.  I was working on my title page and my first week of PL at the same time, and I am sharing them backwards. Please forgive me! ;-)

I decided that this year I would use a 6x12 page for my intro.  I actually took a regular 12x12 "a" style page, and just cut it in half on my paper cutter!

This is what it looks like over week one's LO.



And here it is "open" so you can see the back:



I worked on week one and the title page at the same time, so I was able to use a few things in both to tie them together. I thought this was important because I was only using a 6x12 for the title page, and because I knew the back side of the title page would be seen when looking at Week 1. So, I brought the gold into week one and I used Elle's Studio cork on both the title page and Week 1!  As a result of that last part I am linking this up to the Current Issue at Paper Issues -- Popping the cork.

A few close-ups:



I typed on vellum and then stapled it to the card.  Added the "us" from the Open Book collection, and a 3x4 card.

Pretty much gold is everywhere, eh? So I went with it! These cards are from Theresa Collins WRMK edition. I cut two 4x6 cards to about 4x4 (above and below).  Then I grabbed a couple of the clear photo overlays from the Desktop PL (Becky Higgins) edition. I machine stitched the cards to the overlays and added some sequins on either side.

 I didn't use any photos on my title page! That may seem strange, but I kinda like how it turned out!

See you soon!

:: project life 2015 ::

Week one is in the books! I used the January SWAG bag  and a few items from my stash (including some embellishments from past SWAG bags)!

I decided to go with a one-pager for this first week. My weeks will go Monday-Sunday this year, and so this is just the 1st-4th.  My goal is to keep it pretty simple this year and I think I've succeeded on this one! I do have a flip, and a pocket, though.  Here are a couple of close-ups.

I wanted to include another photo and a bit more story, so I used some washi to create a flip up. The photo flips up (another photo is attached to it) and I typed my story underneath. I am so excited to use my typewriter this year! I think it will help with the simple & clean style that I'm going for (however, there will likely still be a lot of color)!

There was a pocket in the Swag Bag which was perfect for holding (hiding) this screenshot from my phone. The app is called Authentic Weather, and there are lots of inappropriate words, so I hid the photo in the pocket. ;-)  

There is a Swag Bag spotlight over at Paper Issues Blog today! Check it out here. Interested in the Swag Bag? Check that out in the Paper Issues Store here. And if you use the code orangegearle, you can get 20% off your entire order! 

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

:: bea you ::

Hi!  I had so much fun with the Pink Paislee Bella Rouge collection, I had to make another layout with it  -- and with a little bit of sparkle! 

The "Don't let anyone ever dull your sparkle" card and this photo of my daughter being silly were the inspiration for this LO. I decided the card needed a little extra sparkle so I added some silver glitter embossing powder.

The 3x4 cards in a grid layout came together quickly…add a little stitching and bling and another story is in the books!

If you want to grab some of this fab collection, stop by the Paper Issues Store and use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase.  There are new things arriving all the time!!!

Thanks for stopping by! 

:: daddy & me ::

Hi!  Today at Paper Issues we are spotlighting the Bella Rouge collection from Pink Paislee!  I am loving this collection so much that I've made quite a few layouts with it already (Those alphas especially are to die for)! 

For the journaling on this layout I used a direct quote from my daughter.  She said this when she was looking at the photo which was taken a few days before. I love the idea of using direct quotes on my pages -- I do it a lot in Project Life, but I loved using it here as well.  And did you notice the type??  I used my new-to-me typewriter!  So. FUN.

Aren't these papers fab??? In addition to the collection, I also purchased It Adds Up from The Cut Shoppe.  I thought that this lovely cut file by Ashley Horton went with the background paper perfectly!

I backed a few of the + with yellow patterned paper (from the collection) and I stitched all over the thing. Gah! I  love stitching -- especially messy stitching!

I absolutely love the ephemera pack that goes with this collection! It comes with paper die cuts and acetate -- I used both -- because fun!

Try this | Try using a quote from someone else in your layout.  So often we journal a story from our point of view, which is wonderful, and it's also nice to hear from someone else in the family! An easy way to make this happen is simply to show your child, significant other, friend, parent, etc. a photo that they are in and ask them to tell you about how they were feeling, or what they were doing when that story was happening; that photo was taken.  I will surely do this again!

Check out what some other members of the Design Team at Paper Issues did with the lovely Bella Rouge collection from Pink Paislee by hopping over to the Paper Issues blog here. 

Want to grab some Bella Rouge??  Click on over to the store and snatch some yumminess!  Remember to use the code orangegearle at check out and you will save 20% of your order! 

See you soon!