Summer Splash!

Today we are up on the Paper Issues blog with all new collections by Echo Park.  I love these fabulous collections and have cut into a few of them already!  I used the new Summer Dreams collection and it is definitely a favorite.

I super-sized the summer cut file and cut it in navy cardstock. I glued it right onto paper and cut around it this time for a different look.  I tore the paper edges and layered them to create movement for a water themed paper.  It provides just enough splash to go with the paint splatters.

Swag Bag: Together

I hope you are ready to be wowed by the power of a magical swag bag from Paper Issues.  These kits are nothing but bliss each month!  Here's my layout using the April swag bag kit!  I love how it led me to try out a monochromatic layout with neutrals and gold.

A few more looks at the beautiful gold shine and fun patterns included in the swag bag.

The gold binder clips from Heidi Swapp and tags with gold are perfect for layering!

 The Heidi Swapp Magnolia Jane gold script words are so pretty to add a pop of shine in projects.

The black pockets with gold embossing were perfect to tuck journaling into and layer with photos and embellishments.

Go check out the subscription to grab a monthly swag bag for yourself.  This LO only used a portion of this April swag bag.  I still have lots left to use on several projects.  Check out this amazing swag bag kit that Cassie creates each month. You won't be disappointed!  You can purchase one each month if you are fast enough to grab one before they are sold out!

Save 20% at Paper Issues with code: Stacie  Happy Shopping!

Scraplift Sunday: Things I Love

Today we are lifting an awesome layout by Amy Coose on the Paper Issues blog.  I was inspired by the use of the frames and little embellishment clusters.
 I had fun stashbusting Crate Paper Heart Day, Maggie Holmes, Cocoa Vanilla Studios embellishments, and more.  I had been hoarding the pink woodgrain paper from We R's Love Notes collection.  A picture of peonies and Starbucks were epic enough for me to bust out this pretty paper!

This LO was a two day adventure in placing items, moving things, adding embellishments, and then finally coming back to it to glue it down and commit to it!

It's such a sense of accomplishment when you can pull together multiple manufacturers and make products work together.  It was fun to stash bust so many random bits for this one. Crate Paper Heart Day for a non-Valentine's Day layout, sure did.   Love the phrase chipboard Thickers from Maggie Holmes' Chasing Dreams!  The Crafty Pocket flair was the perfect fit for this design.

 I loved pulling out Cocoa Vanilla Studios Make a Wish collection and using the florals and wood veneer.  A bit of AC Hazelwood got added in for this mash up of all things pink!

  I hope you get inspired to play along with the awesome challenges at Paper Issues. Scraplift Sunday is just one of my faves!  There are sooo many to try.  There's definitely something for everyone!  Post your projects now through June 4th.

Save 20% in the Paper Issues store with code:

Free File Friday: Mom Life

Hello and hooray for Friday!  It's another look at Free File Friday on the Paper Issues blog. It's a great week to celebrate moms, friendships, daily life (it's a feat somedays!!), and other special ladies in our lives!  I love this picture of my mom and I on Mother's Day a few years ago and was glad to get it documented!

Here's a closer look at this layout and cut files:

I cut the heart in black and white cardstock to make it shadowed and more prominent against the Crate Paper Maggie Holmes patterned paper. Next, I added mixed media packaging technique to add mint and pink to the background.  To lighten the colors and blend out the background, I added white gesso over the center of the page where the cut file heart will be.

I love Maggie Holmes' Chasing Dreams collection and used tags to back the mom life open letters.  Here's better look at the mixed media colors peeking through.

 I love the Chasing Dreams puffy gold hearts and the dimension they add!  I popped up the mom life cut file with foam dots.

Thanks for taking a peek at this layout!  It was a good challenge for me to use a bold and busy background paper for a sweet page about my mom and I.

Check out the Paper Issues Free Files for the Mom Life cut files or the Slices of Life file for more day in the life or mom moments! If you use one of the cut files, be sure to post your project on the Facebook challenge thread.
As always, save 20% in the PI store on all of the gorgeous Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams or anything else that makes you happy!

Nature Spotlight

It is definitely time to be spending as much time as possible outdoors!  We have the spotlight on all things outdoors on the Paper Issues blog.  Here's my favorite time outdside in summer--being on the lake!

I used the new Photo Play Paper Lakeside to document a sunset boat cruise at my parent's lake home.
Lakeside is definitely a fun collection mixed with Campfire to make summer adventures come to life!

The cut file title Lake Life was cut on white and I used gesso to help it with not getting warped with mixed media.  I next mixed watercolors-blues and black to get a blue that coordinated with the lake color. You can find the cut file here for free.

I love this fun lake map paper called Hidden Lakes.  I also cut the layered circles out of the badges Campfire grid paper to use as an embellishment.

I hope you'll check out the Paper Issue store for both of Photo Play's new outdoor collections and so many more outdoor papers such as woodgrain that could be the perfect way to document outdoor adventures!

Try It Tuesday

Today we have a new challenge for you called Try It Tuesday.  Find out all about it on the Paper Issues blog. For the challenge of mixing something with water--I went with watercolor crayons similar to gelatos under the cut file.

I used the NSD free cut file which included a diagonal flower chain.  I played with watercolor crayons under the openings to add colors to coordinate with Paige Taylor Evan's Pink Paislee collection Oh My Heart.

The free cut file I used is from NSD 2017 cut file.  Find it and all the others in the Free File section of the PI store.

I cut the cut file out of the patterned paper as well, to get the cut out area to add the gelatos and align the cut file back. I cut pieces of foam tape to pop it up against the white background.

 I layered several kinds of Paige Evans Oh My Heart papers for the photo mat. The ephemera worked great for layers and I added chipboard flowers as well.

We can't wait to see what you mix with water for your Try It Tuesday.  Will it be markers, gelatos, or paints?  Save 20% at Paper Issues on all Oh My Heart items or so many more things!

Scraplift Sunday: Hello Beautiful Life

Today we are back at it with a fun Scraplift Sunday featuring my water-inspired scallop LO of Ryan on spring break!

I lifted my design and went for a white on white scallop using the new Mother's Day free cut file scallop.  I stitched it down in rainbow order similar to my original LO and added embellishments from my stash and Shimelle's Little by Little to bring pops of color throughout the design.
Ryan was so happy to be egg hunting and I sure adore his sweet shadow in the photo!

A few close ups: 

Each scallop cut file was stitched in a different color of the rainbow.  I matched ephemera and little bits from Shimelle's Little by Little, Elle's Studio Live Laugh Love collection, and Paige Evans' Fancy Free collection.

 I am loving the white on white elements on this page!

The scallop cut file will be in the Paper Issues free files today for Mother's Day.

Enjoy your weekend.  Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you can play along with the scraplift this month!  Post your creation in Paper Issues Friends and Fans group Scraplift Sunday thread.

Get all of these fun products for 20% off in the Paper Issues store with code:

Project Pocket: The Mouse & Me

A new challenge at Paper Issues is live on the blog today: Project Pocket!  I pulled out my new stash of Simple Stories Say Cheese III.  My son had an epic experience with meeting Mickey Mouse on Main Street.  Mickey grabbed Ryan's hand and walked him over to kiss Minnie Mouse and then paraded him further to his meet and greet spot!

A few close ups to see more Simple Stories, Mickey Mouse and Ryan:

I cut down larger Simple Stories pocket page cards to fit in the 3x4 pockets.  Layering chipboard stickers, cardstock stickers, flair and enamel dots are an easy way to personalize pocket page cards and to create dimension in the pockets.

My enamel dot Mickey to add more pops of black against the darker red.

Thanks for stopping by!  It was fun to get back into the Project Life style creating and get more pictures into albums!
I hope you'll try out the new Pocket Project challenge and get creating layouts and scrapping in the pockets!
Save 20% on all things in stock at Paper Issues.  Use code: Stacie

Pawsitively Pets: Ryan & Ruff

Today on the Paper Issues blog it's all about pets with another fun month of Pawsitively Pets.  I went the alternate route this month and documented my son's favorite dog-stuffed pet style, Ruff.

This dog is the mega sized stuffed animal from IKEA.  Ryan was one at the time and it was so cute to see him in the cart with the huge dog. Once the dog was in the cart....nope, no way, was that thing going out of his hands!

I wanted to use up some of my American Crafts Hazelwood collection by one canoe two.  I love this bold plaid print and mixed with black and white photos, it just pops!

I am so glad these photos of Ry and his fave fluffy dog worked with the Hazelwood collection.  I love the look of all of it together.  The Hazelwood cork embellishments were the perfect match to his dog Ruff.

The Hazelwood collection had so many beautiful shades of cool colors.  I added the 6 x 12 accent stickers to the tag cluster.

I hope you will join us this month with the "three things I love about" your pet or zoo adventure, or stuffed animal!!

As always save 20% with coded: Stacie  in the Paper Issues store.

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Pinspire Me: May

Mary-Ann has kicked off May with such an amazing mood board.  Go check out Paper Issues blog and see what inspires you to create!
I was so into the blues, the colors in the giraffes, and the eggs!  Here's my littlest with his chicken/rooster obsession.  We visited my friend's chicken coop and he was all in!

Here are a few details:

I used Cute Girl and Cool Kid from Crate Paper for my Title Brave & Cute, as well as the Best Kid chipboard piece.  Nearly everything else I used on the LO is Bella Blvd.

This flair from The Crafty Pocket coordinated with the colors, so I had to add that with messy thread. Also, how cute is this adorable background paper that is the bonus design in the Bella Blvd Barnyard collection pack.

I mixed in a few Bella Blvd collections for the arrows, clouds, and hearts.

I hope you are pinspired by this month's gorgeous mood board.  I love the fun images Mary-Ann finds each month!

Play along and post your project on the challenge thread in PIFF Facebook group.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a magical Monday!

Scraplift Sunday: Bunny Love

Today we are lifting the amazing Kelly Feldman and her multi-photo layout!  I LOVE her awesome titlework with overlapping chipboard letters and mini hearts scattered.  I kept in the style and format of the LO and transformed it into a girly Spring layout.
Here's Kelly's original design:



Here's my lift of the lovely LO:  I love this Bunny Love paper from Dear Lizzy Lovely Day


You can get all of the Dear Lizzy Lovely Day in the Paper Issues store.  I adore these sweet bunnies!

 Here are a few close ups of the beautiful Dear Lizzy alphabet Thickers with rose gold, chipboard Thickers sayings/florals, and ephemera.

 I love the enamel dots and enamel buttons in the embellishment pack.

I can't wait to see your lift of Kelly's inspiring LO.  I love SLS as it makes a LO come together so quickly as you have something to immediately use to inspire your design.

Save 20% on all of Dear Lizzy Lovely Day and all of rest of the Paper Issues shop with code: Stacie