..:: 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

:: hot rod lincoln ::

Hellooooooo!  I'm up on the Paper Issues Blog today as part of the Cut It Up features!  I got to use this awesome free cut file (found here, in the Paper Issues Store). I paired the cut file with some white card stock and Pink Paislee's Fancy Free collection! 

This photo of my daughter was meant to be scrapped! We went out to eat and this car was parked in the parking lot. My One True Love went to take a photo of the car and B. said, "WAIT!" and then posed. Seriously silly girl.

I love these triangles!  And that ombre paper is awesome behind it! I typed up just a little bit of journaling that ended with the title.

I have seriously loved using all of the products from the Fancy Free collection, but I think the die cuts are my favorite.  Or maybe the 6x6 pad.  Or maybe it's the patterned papers....or the 12x12 chipboard elements.  Ok. I love it ALL.

There are tons of fun things in the shop right now such as the latest Swag Bag, items from Lawn Fawn and Photo Play and much much more.  While you are grabbing that free cut file, if you find a few more things thrown in your cart -- don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!

:: 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!

:: you're my favorite thing ::

Good morning! It's National Scrapbooking Day and Paper Issues is having a day long scrap and chat full of inspiration, challenges, games, and PRIZES! You can play along here.  Here is my challenge: Use a Quote.  Easy enough, right?

I used a quote from a Replacements Song!  To be honest, I've had this photo from a couple of years ago, and when I saw the puffy stickers in the Fancy Free collection -- the "favorite" stood out to me and I immediately started to sing this song! So a layout was born!

I chose a song quote, but for the challenge, you can use any quote -- a child's quote, your favorite quote from an author or favorite person, etc. Join us today (and everyday) in the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} group!  We have a lot of fun!

:: 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!

:: follow your heart :: new issue at paper issues

Each month Paper Issues has a new "issue" posted and the Design Team gets to play along. This month I got to participate! The theme is "Into the Woods", and here's my take on the theme:

I cut and glued papers from Webster's Pages Painted Passport collection. I chose a photo of my daughter riding her bike "into the woods" for this theme. I also played on the theme by using both woodgrain paper (find that here and here) as well as a bunch of random wood veneer pieces from my stash.  This was fun!  

I fussy cut a flower out of some of the patterned papers. I also used gelato to paint a few of the wood veneer shapes and add a bit of splatter behind the title.

Here are some more ways to play along with us this month: use wood veneer embellishments, wood grain papers or woodgrain stamps, camping, enjoying the outdoors, add woodland animals like owls, deer, foxes, etc., use the April printables.

Grab Webster's Pages or whatever your paper needs from the Paper Issues Store, and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!  

:: ice cream cheers ::

It's Sketchy Saturday at Paper Issues!  Here's my take on the sketch using Amy Tangerine's Better Together collection.

And here's the sketch by the awesome Amy Coose!

I loved this sketch instantly...and then went a bit crazy with the circles!  Here are a few close ups!

Pick up Amy's latest collection in the Paper Issues Store! Don't forget to use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your purchase!