Shimelle Let's Go to San Juan

Today on the blog at Paper Issues it is all about Shimelle and her collections from American Crafts.  I love this fun travel collection she released this summer.  Go Now Go was perfect for my summer travel pics to San Juan, Puerto Rico.  I did more of a tone on tone LO for this photo of me against a gorgeous artsy wall!

It was fun to paper piece the background and do this design off-centered.  I have seen it done centered on the page and wanted to try a varied look.  I had the Cut It Up January challenge free cut file sitting on my desk, so I incorporated it into the photo. I added navy paper and a Shimelle puffy sticker to the cut file.

Here are a few close ups:

Love the bronze glitter Thicker phrases!  It makes thinking of a title so easy!  Also, the sticker booklet had words that went right with this travel themed page and the mini alpha stickers to spell out the city I was in.  The wood buttons and enamel shapes add a bit of fun to the corner of the photo.

Thanks for taking a peek at this fun way to use patterned paper for a textured background!  Sew down those strips of paper and lift them up for shadowing.  Go super colorful or stick with monochromatic like I did!

Have you checked out the Paper Issues store?  All the new AC collections are in the store and more will be in from other companies in the next few weeks.  Save 20% of all of Shimelle and everything else with my code: Stacie

Swag Bag Snowflake

Today we are up on the Paper Issues blog rocking the amazing PI Swag Bags.  I love the Paper Issues monthly Swag Bag kits that Cassie curates and coordinates so perfectly!  Here's another LO using the December Swag Bag.  I love that this is already the third layout I have made with embellishments, papers, and amazing bits!  I made a different variation of the paper snowflake that was inspired by TillyandArthur on Instagram last year.  This time I altered the shape of the snowflake.

I cut three 3x4 swag bag cards that I wanted to use for this project into 1/2 inch strips.  These are then cut down to the size needed to be the 'v's on the snowflake.  I cut one 4x6 card into 1/2 in. strips as well and these are the snowflake arms that come outward.  

I placed the pieces down with minimal adhesive and then added stitching.  Some spots shifted when I was stitching--so it's a good idea to add more adhesive to avoid the lack of alignment!!  When I finished sewing, I always find it's so hard to cover any of the design up!! 

I layered the photo of my daughter with several beautiful gold 3x4 cards included in the swag bag.  I popped this photo up using foam adhesive.

I love the sequins, Simple Stories clear stickers, gold paper clip, and Fancy Pants Merry & Bright ephemera (all included in the SWAG BAG!!) that worked so perfectly with my LO.  

Just one more close up-- I love the pops of gold scattered throughout this design!  I lifted up the paper strips to add dimension against the snowy Simple Stories Winter Wonderland (similar) paper.

I hope you are keeping your eyes on the Paper Issues store for monthly swag bag releases....or that you sign up for a six month subscription for a monthly swag bag!  

Also, many of the new CHA releases are coming this week! 

Stock up and save 20% off of everything you buy with my code: Stacie

You can't beat Paper Issues amazing service and shipping.

Heart Day

Today at Paper Issues it is all about Crate Paper Heart Day!  I LOVE this collection's fun papers, embellishments, and versatile ways to use it beyond Valentine's Day!

I found a pic of the two of us indulging in some amazing ice cream shoppe's-mega portion-waffle cone from St. Paul this summer. 

It was the day before our anniversary so we were posing for the total cheesy love picture! This love cut file heart wreath is free at Paper Issues! Get it here in the free files section of the store!

I went mixed media for my background.  I used layers of gesso, gelatos, watercolors, and India ink splatters. I added a layer- dried it, and then added a new color, this helps to decrease the warping of the paper and keeps the colors from mixing too much!

I love that the hearts are large and it was fast to back them in all of the Heart Day papers.  I popped up the cut file using foam dots and then started layering the embellishments around my photo.  I used a lot of embellies from the January PI Swag Bag.  It was sooooo perfect.  All the little bits necessary to make this LO come together!

I love the 6 x12 sticker sheet for added layers and bits to add around the LO.  I used the sweetheart sticker and hearts on top and lower corners of the design.  I used ephemera pieces to tuck into spots and turned tags into paper pieces for the back of the hearts,

The Heart Day chipboard pieces fit so well with this LO.  I used the cotton candy as my huge ice cream and hello, hot lips!  The PI January swag bag was perfect for the getting XO paper clips!  Some of the Heart Day papers used to back the hearts were also from the January Swag Bag!

 One last peek at the whole LO.  I adore this pretty collection!

Don't forget to get all of your Heart Day things for 20% with my code: Stacie at Paper Issues.

Buy all the things. You know you need it!!

Cut It Up January

It is another round of Cut It Up for Paper Issues!  I hope you have been playing around with your cutting machines and that you are ready for some new cut files to try out!

This month we have the New Year's theme going on!  It also is perfect for album title pages, a year in review page, New Year's Eve parties, a family photo, or supersize the snowflakes or heart to create a totally different vibe!
I used the 2016 to document our family photo session from October.  It is always our mission to capture the colors of the season and hope to get one to work for our Christmas cards.

I used Hazelwood and it worked so well to pop up the cut file frame up and off the background with foam dots and add the patterned paper, floral stickers,and I fussy cut out a few more florals to add more depth.

A few close ups of the gorgeous Hazelwood:

 Those swoon worthy gold and mint foam Thickers!!  I love them!  See the cutest Hazelwood heart stamp?!  You need those adorable alpha stamps and icons!  I love the pops of coral with this collection and had the perfect thread color to coordinate.

All of the gold in the Hazelwood collection works so well with my golden fall photos from October.

Here's another LO I made this month using the Cut It Up January cut file title.  I hand stitched the title and popped it up with foam dots. It made this countdown come to life!  Loved the bright fun collection from Simple Stories.  Also, check out the cutest flair from PI's Cassie!

Thanks for checking out the cut files in action up close.  I hope you'll play along and link up your projects to PI's Facebook album.  You have through Feb 5th to play along for a chance a winning PI giftcard.

As always, save 20% on all items that you must have in the Paper Issues store.  Download those favorite cut files!

My Funny Valentine

Today's Paper Issues spotlight is on Pebbles My Funny Valentine.  I wanted to use it in a non-Valentine's Day way, so I found my silly butterfly seat photo op picture that my husband snapped of me on St. Thomas.  He failed to let me know it said, "Butt..." behind my head.  Most people would center the person in the photo or tell them to scoot down to cover up the words. Nope.  He was just a fan of one and done picture taking, smile and then onto the next adventure!  So he gave me the gift of this punny picture which goes perfectly with this Pebbles line!

I added gesso and gelatos to blend out the title section of the background with layers of pinks and red to help the adorable heart Thickers pop off of the background.  Those scattered hearts are so adorable on these "Ella" Thickers!  The mini alpha were on an AC remarks sticker sheet.  To position, straighten and change my mind with the title, I use the clear sticker packaging to place the Thickers on and then align them with it as a straight edge.
I love how the title came together.  It is a total play on words with the BUT and the Butt...erfly picture.  It was fun to document this silly moment with my husband. I love you, but....  This still makes me laugh.  The things they do!!  The 6x12 stickers had more golden bliss on it, check out the hearts and butterfly stickers from this sticker sheet!

I love all of the pops of gold that is included in this collection!  The ephemera worked perfectly with my silly pic.  Love these glitter heart stickers and  there are three colors of textured gold glitter hearts in the pack--they will be used for lots of fun projects!  The puffy stickers are also a win!  Check out that cute arrow that was all matchy matchy with the tear strip from the paper.

May your day have something silly to laugh at, too!!  Find the little things and make them big moments to treasure!  

Thanks for looking at all of the fun Pebbles Funny Valentine pics and have fun checking out the rest of the team's inspiration!

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Roll the Dice January

January's Roll the Dice is adorable--go check out Rachel's video roll!  I used a collage photo and busted out a four word title.  That was hard--everything I wanted to say was 5 or more words!

I was stash busting and this time I was chopping into Bella Blvd.  I mainly used Addison and Oh My Stars for this sports theme page!

A few close ups of Bella Blvd- Addison collection. Along with Oh My Stars, Illustrated FaithYou Are Loved, and others!

Some of the title pieces and stickers are from older Bella collections, but they keep their color palette so they they work so well together!  I love the polka dot Bella chipboard alpha.

 I stitched the photo mat of paper strips down as well as the side clusters!  It was dual purpose, I wanted stitching on the LO and  I ran out of adhesive and was using older adhesives which were not staying adhered down! Sewing machine to the rescue!

Thanks for looking!

I hope you will try this challenge out!  Get out a collage photo like I did, or use 4 photos and 4 words in your title!

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Mix it up Monday January

I love to push my messy side on mixed media and love when inspiration hits! 

Here's my take on Mix It Up Monday at Paper Issues.

 I was scrolling Instagram in December and saw this amazing Christmas tree done with green ribbon by Audrey Yeager.  

She mentioned her YouTube process video and ribbon cut file.  

I had the snowy tree pics which honestly is a favorite part of winter in MN.  

I love seeing the trees heavy with fresh snow!

I was super excited to use all of these fun trees, snowflakes, and Brr papers/blue-green paper from Crate Paper Snow and Cocoa.

Lots of pics below to show the process:  Using the tree cut file- added gesso above it. Added acrylic paint in layers using packaging plastic. Then I dried it before adding the white ribbon. Weaved the ribbon through the holes. (I should've watched her video again.  I made mine really full with ribbon as it was hard to know when to stop!!

 Added paint in layers-- added white, yellow, and blue paints--mixed varying shades of green.  I thought I would use the green ribbon in the picture--and then opted for the snowy white!

I threaded through all of the ribbon. I added the splatters of three colors of green mist. I decided the tree looked too messy with the excess green paint on the perimeter, so I added the hand stitching with white thread.

It was so much fun to dig through all of my Crate Paper Snow and Cocoa collection kit for this. I completely love this collection and really didn't get a chance to use much of it yet!

Also, how cute is that B &W mini flair from Feed Your Craft?!  I love it for my date!

 The title was so much fun to mess with and use the trees and snowflakes included on the sticker sheets, ephemera, and Snow and Cocoa chipboard.

 I thought the top edge looked boring so I added scraps and sewed them down.  These little banner pieces from the sticker sheet and cut apart paper worked well!

I hope you are inspired to try something new!  It is the perfect time to stashbust your ribbon, mixed media supplies, or collections of paper you haven't cut into yet!

Save 20% at Paper Issues with my code: Stacie

Sketchy Saturday January

I love starting off with a sketch.  This is so helpful when you are down on creative mojo!  This month's sketch from Amy Coose has so much to love.  Check out the PI blog to be inspired by design team members.

I am in full stashbusting mode knowing that many amazing new paper collections are being shipped out in the next few weeks.  It was great to cut into several more Maggie Holmes papers.  I love the picture of my daughter and niece in the matching pink tulle dresses that their grandmother made them!  The pink On Point dance paper was a perfect fit for this layout.

I love the Blessed chipboard Thickers and chipboard that was included in the Maggie Holmes Gather collection.  The pieces worked so well as the sketch elements for layering clusters.

More close ups: 

Layers  of pink!

The new date stamp is included in Hazelwood collection by American Crafts designed by 1canoe2, the floral border around it makes it a perfect match for Maggie's papers and prints.  Love the pops of gold glitter on the chipboard pieces.

Grab all of Gather by Crate Paper or anything else that makes you happy! Save 20% with my code: Stacie