:: week nine ::

Today the Paper Issues DT are highlighting the I AM collection by Simple Stories.  I am loving this collection and I'm glad I was able to be a part of this product spotlight! I chose to use parts of this collection for my Week 9 project life spread.  It was exactly what I needed to complete this project.

How do you handle documenting difficult stories in your Project Life?  

Week nine was a really difficult week for us, both personally and professionally. 

My One True Love and I work in the same school district, and have worked at various buildings over the years. During this week we lost two long time district employees to murder suicide (they were married).  MOTL and I knew them both fairly well, and it was devastating for everyone involved.  They also left behind this sweet dog; a therapy dog that went to school to be with students every day. Primos is a survivor, so I made him this card.

And here is the left side of this week's two page spread.

This entire side of the layout is dedicated to the story of Sherry, Mitch and Primos. The way I chose to document this story was through hidden journaling. 

The two cards above started out as just plain white card stock (4x6).  I typed my journaling on the inside and then embellished the outside.  That circle stamp is from Ali Edward's Story Stamps.  I used washi from my stash, and the other elements are from the I Am Collection.

 When you pull out the card, you can open it up to see the journaling inside. One of the cards tells the basic story of Mitch and Sherry as we knew them.  The other one is all about Primos and what I did with Primos that day.

In some cases I used I AM patterned paper and just cut it down to size.  Other times I used the cards that come on 12x12 sheet with the collection.  For one of the cards on this side of the layout, I used some of the patterned paper, but cut it so that most of the sentiments worked. Then I took some of the stickers in the collection and put more appropriate sayings right over the less meaningful ones to make this card work.  I like how this collection is really about strength, journeys, beauty and goodness.  These are all great words to help tell Sherry's story, as well as how we have responded to the tragic even in our small community.

I decided to dedicate the whole other side to happy stories, and stories that tell about how thankful I am to have my family, and how life does go on, a new normal arrives at some point.  We still dream, our children grow, and we smile again.  Here is the right side of the two page spread.

This week our nephew turned ten and we had a birthday gathering at My One True Love's parent's house. Our nephew got a dog for his birthday!  What could be better than that?

The above card is one of my favorites because I love the paper clip!!!  :-)  That paper clip actually came from a Swag Bag at Paper Issues!

Here is a look at how the two page spread came together.

The I AM collection was perfection for this week's stories.  If you'd like to pick up this collection, a Swag Bag or just about anything else you need -- check out the Paper Issues store and use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

#picrop

The Paper Issues Girls are hosting an online crop over on Facebook tonight and all day tomorrow!  Every hour or so there are challenges and games -- AND PRIZES!  My challenge is a stitching challenge -- hand stitching or machine stitching on a layout or card.  I did BOTH.

I also used a bunch of wash and little do dads from my stash!

Here are a couple of closeups of the title stitching.  I used Amy Tangerine's Comrade Embroider kit.

This was a fun one!  Hope you join us over at Facebook and play along.  You have through March 29th to link up a photograph of your never-before-seen project -- and there are some really awesome prizes!  

See you soon!

:: so loved ::

Some of the Paper Issues Girls are up on the Paper Issues Blog with a product spotlight using AC's DIY Shop 2 collection.  I got to work with this collection and loved all of the gold goodness!

As soon as I saw that sequins ribbon, I knew I wanted to use it for a big, bold title! I am loving that gold dot burlap!  That's my favorite part of this collection!

I created a little pocket for behind the photo so that I could use the Mercantile tags from the collection both as a design element and a place for hidden journaling. This story is a personal one, about a therapy dog at our school, and his owners.

Check out what some of the other PI girls created using this collection here.

There are lots of new things in the store -- it's bursting!! Check things out and don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

See you soon!

:: let me count the ways ::

New Issue Mondays at Paper Issues just make me giddy (and I'm extra giddy because we are on Spring Break)!

Our current issue, Painting by the Numbers, is sponsored by Waffle Flower Crafts and full of possibilities!!



<<<<<<<< WFC sent DT members these awesome number stamps! I love how versatile these stamps are! I have several project ideas rolling around in my head,  and I am certain that I will use them over and over again.  When you hop over to the Paper Issues blog you will be able to see how several design team members used these number stamps on their projects.  Here is a look at what I came up with for this project:

I'm using patterned papers from Webster's Pages & Pinkfresh Studio, StazOn ink and and some watercolors that I purchased at Michaels.  I stamped numbers randomly all over the pink paper -- every which way.  Then I used my watercolors and filled in the holes.  :-)  I decided that I wanted a little more texture so I stamped some more numbers on white card stock, painted them in, cut them out, and then popped them up!

As always, you can link up your projects (new or old) and you could win this same versatile stamp set! Here are a few suggested link up ideas: use numbers (embellishments, stickers, rulers, patterned paper, etc.), mixed media (watercolor, gelatos, inks), stamping, St. Patrick's Day, use Waffle Flower Crafts products.

There are new items coming in to the Paper Issues store frequently. If you want to save 20% off your entire purchase, use the code orangegearle!

:: ham{burger}ing it up ::

Today is Sketchy Saturday at Paper Issues and I'm  up on the blog with my take on the sketch!

Who doesn't love a good grid???  I used both machine stitching and hand stitching to create my grid first, and then I got out my photos, some Pink Paislee Bella Rouge scraps (that's all I have left,  I may need to get more from the Paper Issues Store soon) and a couple of circle punches.

I love combining the circles with the grid layout! It was fun, but not complete until I added three pieces of flair from {a flair for buttons}!

And then the journaling, of course.   I really love how this one turned out, it's definitely one of my favorites! And it all started with this sketch at Paper Issues made by the great Jennifer Chapin.  Check it out, play with it, and link it up by March 20 for a chance to win a gift card to The Paper Issues Store.

There are so many new goodies in the store right now! And Cassie keeps adding new stuff as she receives the newest releases.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle to receive 20% off your entire purchase!

See you soon!

:: #30 days of lists ::

Are you a lister?  I'm a lister and I'm playing along with other listers this month over at 30 Days of Lists!  I made a tag mini book using Crate Paper's Open Book Collection.  I love all the gold accents throughout this collection!

Along with the purchase of March's #30days of lists, there are discount codes and free files.  I am using the free prompt files and adding my own embellishments when I add it to the tag.

P.S. I see the spelling error.  Thank goodness for erasable pens!  I fixed it, but I was way too lazy to take another photo.  ;-)

Here are days 2 & 3!

See you again soon!

:: you are my sunshine ::

I am up on the Paper Issues Blog today with a layout using Pinkfresh Studio's Up in the Clouds collection.

I've had this photo printed out and ready to scrap for several years. When I saw this awesome watercolor paper, I knew it would be perfect for this photo and this story.  Look how little she is!  YIKES!  Time flies, doesn't it??

I loved the "rain" look of this paper so I decided to go with that -- and enhance it a bit.  I stitched with my machine at various lengths, and added an enamel dot to the end of each stitched line.  I really love how it turned out!  I've also been waiting for just-that-right layout to use those awesome hearts!

It may be difficult to tell in the photos, but there is pink tulle behind the cut out title.

I am linking this up to Paper Issues current issue: Enamored with Enamel sponsored by Paper Camellia.

Here are some ideas for what could you link up to Enamored with Enamel:

• Use enamel embellishments, like enamel dots, hearts, chevrons, words, etc.
• Do you love stars? Let them take a starring role on your project.
• Are polka dots your thing? Go ahead, go dotty with dots.
• Get things pointed in the right direction by using arrows, geotags, globes, etc.
• Is punctuation your thing? Add punctuation symbols to your project.
• Share the love by using hearts.
• Show us something you absolutely love, whether it be a person, flower, food, thing, place, movie, song, etc.
• Use Paper Camellia's kits.

Here's what you need to do to be eligible to win Paper Camellia's March Main Kit:

1. Link up as many projects as you'd like. They can be new OR old.

2. LINK BACK to Paper Issues between now and March 22nd.

Enabler Alert: There are new goodies coming into the Paper Issues Store so often that it's difficult to keep up (I am not complaining, let me tell ya).  Check out the store and don't forget to use the code orangegearle to get 20% off your entire purchase!

:: 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!

:: project life : week 6 ::

Hi!  Today I'm sharing 2015: Week 6!

:: week 6 left ::

This week I dug into my huge stash of Project Life core/mini kits.  I was feeling a bit watercolor-y (totally a word), so I grabbed Amy Tangerine's Plus One mini kit and the 6x6 paper pad from the collection and got busy!

:: week 6 right ::

I got out my gelatos and a water brush and "painted" the words Friday, Saturday, Sunday on that 3x4 card.  This was mainly just to add some color, but also the stuff on that page is from those three days, too.  I also painted the "here we go" which was originally white. I also had a story to tell without a photo -- so guess what I did?  I told the story (on the Today card) without a photo.  :-) This is how it looks all together:

:: week 6 spread ::

As always I love working with products that Amy Tangerine has designed! The 6x6 pad had little cards in it like the "xoxo", "so this happened" and "brand new".  I cut those up and added them as embellishments to the cards. I love the way that turned out!

The Plus One 6x6 paper pad is still available in the Paper Issues store if you are interested.  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle to receive 20% off your entire purchase!

Thanks for stopping by.  See you again soon!

:: project life : week 5 ::

Welcome back!  I'm here today with another Project Life share -- this time week 5.

:: week 5 left ::

My week started with a visit to the hospital!  Not for me, but for my older daughter, my "Number 1", H. The photo of her in the hospital bed at the top flips to the right and there is another photo and private journaling underneath.  She is doing much better!

:: week 5 right ::

Snow, work, sunsets, and a little paint on the carpet. All documented!  The photo of my B. and her friend, (and neighbor) A. outside in the snow flips up to reveal another photo and some journaling.  I didn't need to hide it, this was just a way to get another photo and some extra journaling in!

journaling flip

Since I am not subscribing to Studio Calico's PL kits anymore, I've decided to use up some of my stash some weeks.  This week I grabbed one of my favorite collections (Echo Park's Creative Agenda) and used mostly items from that.  I have used so much of this collection already, so I really only have partial pages of patterned paper left -- just enough to fill up this week with color -- and I was able to use up some of the chipboard and sticker embellishments, too! This is what the spread looks like all together:

:: week 5 spread ::

There is still some Creative Agenda available in the Paper Issues Store if you are interested!  Don't forget to use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

Thanks for stopping by!

:: project life : week 4 ::

Hi!  I'm here today with Project Life :: 2015 sharing!

:: week 4 left ::

I used mostly items from the January Studio Calico PL kit. When the kit came there was a dog card and a cat card -- we have neither.  But one night during this week a lost dog showed up at our house and spent a little time with us while we located her owner!  Lovely coincidence! I'll take it!

:: week 4 right ::

 More cousin time for B. and a date night for us. Awesome!  This is what the spread looks like together:

:: week 4 spread ::

I am way behind on sharing PL -- but at least my 2015 album is current!  Look for more PL sharing during this week as I catch up on sharing!

:: namaste : vampire lotus ::

Hello!!!  I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today with a product feature.  I absolutely loved working with the Kiss Kiss collection from Crate Paper!

On the way home from a birthday party -- Bea won some bright pink vampire teeth.  At one point I looked back and saw her in a lotus pose, with the teeth. She cracks me up!  

The paper in this collection is just gorgeous, and so are the tags and other ephemera!

I used a bunch of the vellum-y (totally a word) goodness for this layout. And gold. Of course, gold.

A few splatters of paint to pull it all together.  This was a fun one!  Stop on over to the blog to see what the other PI girls have done with this collection!

Use the code orangegearle at checkout in the Paper Issues Store to receive 20% of your entire purchase.

P.S. I'm also linking this one up to Paper Issues latest issue : Hip to be Square!