Free File Friday:Sailing

Hello!  Happy Memorial Day long weekend for those of you celebrating! It's almost summer vacay here, so naturally my focus was past summer trips!  I am up on the Paper Issues blog today with a fun way to layer your cut files as a texture and design element!

The Vicki Boutin Color Kaleidoscope paper pad had this

 blue toned water color background that was perfect for my base.

  I added more watercolor drops and splatters from other colors

 to add more splashes in the background. 

I sewed on the free cut file:

 Sailing into Summer waves and splattered some more!

My little dude showing his shaka sign- hang loose, especially when you're sailing in Hawaii!

Add sewing machine to stitching lines for more movement and texture to the background.

I can't wait for you to try a cut file in a new way. 

Maybe it is taking a smaller cut file like these waves

 and altering them by welding them together to create a longer strip of waves.

  Another idea would be to use a cut file in a repetitive way

in your background. Try painting or stenciling a background

 with a cut file or altering it with mixed media. 

Cut the cut file out of colored cardstock.

Try backing it or paper piecing a cut file!

Hope you are playing along with the May challenges 

that are posted in Paper Issues Friends and Fans!  

Save 20% on all the things you need from the Paper Issues store!  

There are so many new collections, free cut files,  and PI kits to try out!

What's App? Living that Starbs Venti Life

Hello and What's App?  I'm here today on the Paper Issues blog!  It's no shocker that I love coffee and of course, if you would ask me list my top 10 apps, my fave coffee apps would be on it!  The new Vicki Boutin Color Kaleidoscope mixed media paper pad had the perfect colors to document my Starbucks pic, gift card, and gold title details. I love a big circle swirl of paints!

I kept the photo full 4x6 size, for the sake of the purpose of this page, I wanted to show that the "starbs app life" is so convenient, as I can order ahead and pick it up at the drive thru! Simple as order ahead and instant bliss is waiting for you in winter or on all the days ending in y!! Coffee is life.

To balance all of the pops of gold, I added wood veneer embellishments-the Elle's Studio coffee cup, Shimelle wooden buttons, and mini hearts from a past swag bag kit. The gold Heidi Shine mist drops covered parts of my journaling, but you can still kind of read it. The ephemera is from Vicki Boutin's past collection and her current Color Kaleidoscope collection.

The cool cat clip just fit the colors and needed to be the focus of the upper cluster of embellishments. I love how it clips the layers together and brings the perfect burst of pink.  Layers and layers of VB Color Kaleidoscope papers from the March kit and available by the sheet in the store!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

I hope you will play along with all of the April challenges that are posted at Paper Issues!

Join us in the Facebook group for fun and inspiring daily posts!

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Get all the new things before they are gone.

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Free File Friday: Paper Piecing using the Cameo

Hello! Today I am on the Paper Issues blog showing you a fun way to paper piece or pattern-block cut files in an easy way by having your Cameo or cutting machine do the intricate pieces (no hand cutting necessary!) Be sure to visit the Paper Issues blog to see my step by step tutorial on how to separate the pieces and offset them to a slightly larger size to back the cut file.

A few close ups:
The Amy Tangerine Sunshine & Good Times watercolor tags included the HOORAY title. It was super fun to rainbow watercolor these to match the background.  I added bits of Sunshine & Good Times ephemera (hello, holographic foil!!) and Thickers to complete the embellies. I kept it minimal as the background packs a punch with color! Love the repetitive rainbow background for a total burst of happiness. Who else loves the magic of seeing a rainbow??

Popping up a cut file from the background with foam dots is a great way to add some dimension and interest! Rainbow enamel dots, yes please! This rainbow was early in the morning during our hike up Diamondhead Crater on Oahu.  The mist and sprinkles of rain gave way to this beautiful double rainbow that we marveled in! A total Hooray!

Have a wonderful weekend, Paper Issues friends! Happy creating! I hope you fire up your cutting machine and try this technique out! Tag us--we'd love to check out your amazing work!
Save 20% off of all the things in the Paper Issues store:
code: Stacie

Post all of your creations in the August Challenge album on Facebook.

Boys will be Boys: Real Life

Today I am up on the Paper Issues blog with a post for the Boys will be Boys challenge.

I paired Box of Crayons from Shimelle with the fun cut file A to Z from Paper Issues.

 I couldn't wait to document Ryan (my kindergartener's) school photos

 since we just wrapped up the school year.

  It is extra special to document these stories since

 I teach down the hall from him and I often come upon photo ops that make me laugh!

Box of Crayons has the perfect school vibe I was going for with this design.  My "Mr. Independent" Ryan insisted on wearing his brother's football jersey to school. He knew most shirts with words, "the words" go in the front, so of course his last name had to be front and center!

I added details to the story in the alphabet letters scattered throughout the page.

The black writing doesn't stick out lots unless you read it closely, 

but it helps add a subtle design connection with the pencils and crayons.

It ended up being the perfect match was Shimelle's Box of Crayons collection 

paired with the A to Z background cut file free from Paper Issues.  I scattered my alphabet connected journaling throughout the page design. 

I added some roller stamping and word strip stickers to the letters as well. 

My fave was NOPE for this epic fail of wearing his jersey backwards.  Here's the "nope"!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Do you have a "Boys will be Boys" story of your own to document? 

 I sure hope you will play along this month and post your 

entries in the June challenge album in the Paper Issues.

So many new products in stock at Paper Issues, stop by and stock up for 20% off!

Dream It, Wish It...

Today I am up on the Paper Issues blog sharing my love for PI Swag bags!
Paper Issues monthly Swag Bag kits are so easy to create with!
Here is how I  used the February "Write It Down" kit

to create my second project.  For this layout, I was inspired by 

the numerous Vicki Boutin "All the Good Things" collection items. 

 I added mixed media paint stripes in the background 

to pick up the minty-blue hues in the butterfly and embellishments.

Here's a pic of the February Swag Bag- the kit I used was a variation of this as all kits are slightly unique!

Here are a few close up views of the mixed media and hand stitching that I added for the butterfly trailing throughout the background. I added Shimmerz watercolor paint splatters and painted the cork star to be color-coordinated.

I attached the butterfly in the center and lifted up the wings with foam pop dots to give it dimension. The background paper is Jillibean Soup. The thread was the perfect match to bring the color across the page!

Time at the hotel pool, means hours of swimming and pretending to be a mermaid.  

Yes, always a mermazing time at the pool!

All of the Swag Bag kit papers become layers and pops of color for the photo cluster.

  The Vicki Boutin ephemera, journaling cards, and bird clip added the perfect little touch at the top.

The bow pin balanced out the pops of black that were scattered throughout the design.  I love the gold paper clip embellishment to group all of the layers together.

Here's how I used the February Swag Bag the first time using a background 

cut file from Paper Issues and the brighter colored swag bag items. 

See how you can create such a different look with the same kit??? 

 I love the versatility of each month! The Jillibean Soup felt bow is adorable to clip on photos!

Guess what...I still have February Swag Bag items left after two layouts!  

This is why you totally need one or both of the kits available in the shop!

Check out the matching watercolor splatters! I loved the rainbow vibes from this kit!

If you are wanting to see more- here's the March Swag Bag kit called- I've Got This! It's so bright and bold! This kit will be so perfect for Spring Break photos or documenting spring fun!

I can't wait to see what you create!  Please share your projects on social media and tag Paper Issues or play along in the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group.  

Stop by Paper Issues to grab these new kits or shop all of the new collections in the store.  

So many new releases!  Save 20% on all the things with code: Stacie

Sweet Moment

I am playing along with the new Paper Issues Challenge called PI Partners Up.  This month we are partnered with the CSI Scrapbook blog site.  They have fun "cases" each month to solve by creating something from the case file that inspires you.  The Hawaiian case photo or tropical beach image had me all inspired to pull out our Hawaii vacay pics!

The CSI Case #247 was a tropical scene and that screamed Hawaii to me!

I used lots of Amy Tangerine Hustle &Heart for this tropical scene.  How perfect is the Sweet Sensation pineapple paper for the border?! It fit the colors in the CSI scene.  The tropical pink flowers were a must to scatter throughout my design and pick up the photo included in the CSI case for February.

I used a PI free cut file for the pineapple and backed it with more AT Hustle & Heart papers.

I added acrylic paint splatters to tie in the white Thickers and cut file outline. 

Check out PI Partners Up this month and all of the February Challenges!

Save 20% if you stop by and check out Amy Tangerine's Hustle & Heart in the Paper Issues store.

Save on everything you need. 

Free File Friday: Winter Wonderland or Winter Woes?

I am up on the PI blog today with a look at winter from a few perspectives!  I hope you are inspired to grab your cutting machines and download all of the free files that you need to get some memories documented this weekend!
I love this black text paper from American Crafts Sweater Weather and it was the perfect base for my wintery skiing pictures from last year!

Grab this winter title from the Very Merry Holiday file and the snowflakes from the Circles and Snowflakes cut file. Both in the Free File section in the Paper Issues store.

 I added stitching to all of the snowflakes scattered throughout the page as I love the white on white look! The added texture it brings the design is perfect.

I love adding mixed media to the background.  This is a mix of white acrylic paint and water to give a light transparent snowy look along with the more opaque drops for variation and depth.

Join us on Paper Issues Friends and Fans to share all of your latest creations.  

Enter your projects in the January Challenges for more chances to win the monthly gift card.

 I hope you'll play along with Paper Issues free files and add to our post full of projects. 

Tag us on social media so we can see your creative takes using free files!

Save 20% on all of your purchases at Paper Issues.

Snow Day

I love Mary-Ann's mood boards and this month at Paper Issues is a new one to inspire! Today it's all about being Pinspired on the Paper Issues blog.

I love the snowy background!  I was inspired by the reds and light blues, obvi the snow, too!
I went with a new cut file for Paper Issues in the Free Files for my background.

Here's how the cut file snow grid background looked backed in Sweater Weather paper and stitched. I added the positive snowflake pieces in the openings.  I had to add snowflakes to go along with the mood board snowy images.

I added lots of Sweater Weather ephemera and chipboard from CP FaLaLa. The flair was from Fancy Pants holiday collection from last year.

I loved the soft blues in the moodboard and backed the snowflakes to mimic this element.

I love my little Kylo Ren-  he's such a Star Wars loving kiddo. I embraced the red and made that the "pop of" color for this design. Just a sprinkling of red just like the mood board images.

I hope you will play along at Paper Issues and create something sparked from this awesome mood board.  You have now through February 4th to submit your projects.  Simply add them to the posts on Facebook.

Smiles 4 Snowflake Season

It's time for a new Take 5 Tuesday at Paper Issues.  Mary Ann has a fun list of prompts to choose from for January.

I la la love Sweater Weather by American Crafts. It has bright and bold colors, but also ties in soft muted pastels to create some beautiful winter designs.

I love this font and the Paper Issues free cut file title using the winter weather words. It ties in the ephemera phrase and the words create a snowy cascade down the page.

I just want to hold on to these moments of our littlest before he is too big to be carried. No longer saying, "Do you want me to 'carry you up'?" as we have called it ever since our kids have been little. It's the little things I want to remember and cherish. The look of being content in his daddy's arms and the look of love back at me. The tassels on his cute winter hat.

I softened the look of the b & w photo with a layer of vellum. It gives that wintery white look that I was going for. Stickers, Thickers, and ephemera from Sweater Weather all made this design come together quickly.

GetGet  

Get all of the new collections being released this month or scroll through for remaining items that you need to complete your projects. Get your winter or holiday pictures printed and play along at Paper Issues.