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.

You Make Me Smile

I am up on the Paper Issues blog today showcasing the Notable Quotable challenge for April. Here's the quote image:

I was inspired by the flowers and mason jar.  I used the mason jar cut file from the PI free files and made that my focus on the design.

For this layout, I was all about adding extra dimension to the cut file. I added watercolor to the stems to add a touch of green.  Amy Tangerine's Sunshine and Good Times new collection has fun patterns and spring colors that worked well against the dark background wood grain. The vellum layer for the mason jar softened the background and helped be the base of the photo.

Lately, I have used so much gold in my projects. It was a nice change to dig through my stash for silver. The silver pink foam Thickers were from an older Pink Paislee collection. I had silver chipboard frames that worked as a dimensional layer behind the photo.

After backing the flowers, I added enamel dots to the centers for added color and shine! The messy threads were a fun addition since I didn't use a bow or twine (or any sewing!!) on this design. I love the texture they add to the flower bouquet.

I hope you have enjoyed the weekend crop at Paper Issues, as well as our April Challenges.  The crop challenges are open through the week so you can enjoy International Scrapbook Day and play along with PI! Check out Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} for all of the details. April challenges are open through April 30th.  Spring Crop is open until May 6th at midnight pacific time.

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. 

Scraplift Sunday: Together Quote

Today it's Scraplift Sunday on the Paper Issues blog and we are lifting a layout done by me for Take 5 Tuesday this past week.

I was inspired to use a striped paper as the base to layer and create mixed media effects. Amy Tangerine Hustle & Heart worked perfectly with this design. 

I started with the watercolors and worked on opposite sides of the paper so colors wouldn't blend together while it was wet. A straw from the Paper Issues Swag Bag kit was perfect for blowing the watercolors to create the long splatters.

I started layering ephemera, layered stickers, puffy hearts, mini bows, sticker book stickers, etc... from the Amy Tangerine Hustle and Heart collection.

This was such an easy way to use up some Thicker words from my stash! Most are from Amy Tangerine collections and just two were from Dear Lizzy.  Don't forget to cut things apart to form words you need!  I did this trick for the word "place." The layered globe sticker is absolutely the cutest.

By starting with the Bright Side paper as the base to match watercolors and ephemera, it becomes an easy process to match things up by stripe color. By grouping things tone on tone, it looks less crazy busy, and more layered and colorful. The eye can clearly scan the page and focus back on the small b & w photos. I especially love the clear heart stickers in all the colors found in the sticker book.  You get a whole page of the mini wonky hearts!

Have a wonderful week ahead!  

We hope you are inspired to play along with this week's scraplift or any of the new November challenges.  Please tag us on social media so we can be inspired by your creating and leave you some love!

Save 20% on all the things at Paper Issues

Notable Quotable: Together Hooray!

It's time to be inspired by Michelle's quote pick of the month. Check out the Paper Issues blog today for all of the details! I love this month's print from the talented Amy Tangerine.  The rainbow colors and her script writing made this layout come together in a flash.

I used her new On A Whim collection and I love how the daisy cut file made the patterned paper pop against the bold pink!

I used the daisy frame cut file to be my photo border.  I love the Amy Tangerine half circle felt embellishments.  They add another texture, dimension, and color to a project. I love how these worked out perfectly for the flower centers.  My next new item added to the collecion are the enamel pin stickers. The camera was the perfect embellishment for my cousin and I, as we tried to snap so many selfies.

The paper clip flower has to be my favorite paper design.  I love how it looks on petals. Splatters of watered down acrylic paint finished it off! All the colors and patterns add to the quote vibe by Amy Tangerine. Speaking of Amy--did you see Cassie is offering 50% all of Amy Tangerine products that are in the shop. Code at checkout: AMY use code before Sunday!

We hope you will join us in the PIFF group and submit your CROP challenges before Friday/Sat.

This project gets linked in the Notable Quotable November gallery.

Cut files and Swag Bag: Yay! Golden Birthday

It's a great day to play!
Here's my second layout made with my August swag bag.

Love this! Scrap Soup

Hello!  I played along with Mary Ann's Scrap Soup Challenge at Paper Issues.  Each month she gives you a recipe of what to use in your design. Check out the PI blog today with ideas on how to join in the fun.

I love using a Swag Bag kit from the Paper Issues store when I am scrapping away from home as it provides so many great coordinating pieces and papers to create something fun!  

This was the July kit and it worked so well with my photo and sunset color scheme.

 The big Amy Tangerine chipboard Thicker started the circle grouping and layers of polka dot papers.  I love adding chipboard elements like this to add height and instant titles or sayings! All the circles!

 I layered a sun and the title piece from Fancy Pants Designs. The background close ups show water colors, acrylic paint, and Shimmerz.

I added machine stitching around the photo to add more texture and a cohesive border to my photo.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you try Mary Ann's Scrap Soup today and post your challenge entries online in the Paper Issues Facebook group.
Save 20% on your next Swag Bag or anything else from the store.

Preschool Picasso

Check out the blog today at Paper Issues for all of the Amy Tangerine Hustle & Heart inspiration.  I love this bold collection that can be used for documenting so many fun things.  I have used it for travel pages, a page about my son with his cool sunglasses, a beach wavy design, and now an artist layout.

Here's mine using the painting icons as inspiration for this preschool art photo!

A few close ups:

Stitched border and a wonky, freestyle circle for the title and focal area of the layout. Perfect sticker book gold hearts to scatter and ephemera for layering..

White on white letters make me happy! They are the perfect size to add stitching over to ensure that they don't fall off the mixed media background.

The Hustle and Heart layered stickers are beautiful.  The puffy hearts are a sweet size to add to embellishing.

Be sure to stop by the Paper Issues shop for more beautiful Hustle an Heart items. 

 It is worth your time to stop in and shop--new items and so much in stock. 

Save 20% if you need some or all of the store items.

Swag Bag: Little Explorer Love

Hello!  It's my fave time of the month--a new swag bag is in the house!  Cassie has an amazing kit for August and I hope you are fast enough to buy one before they sell out. Check out the Paper Issues blog for more inspiration from the design team.

I was inspired by the Amy Tangerine Hustle & Heart items that were in the August kit. This prompted me to grab the across the waves paper from this collection as my background.  I really love how this turned out. It is perfect for Ryan running and exploring the beach at Newport Coast. The ombre heart paper is so adorable peeking out in the photo mats.

I mixed in a few embellishments from the June swag bag kit. I loved the Crate Paper Little Explorer title piece and it was the perfect match to my Love from AT Hustle and Heart ephemera pack. The little map stars, blue twine, rubber heart charm all coordinated with my theme.

 I added watered down white acrylic paint for the final drops of mixed media. I love the watery effect it gives the background. The burlap paper was such a fun texture and layer to add to my beachy photo.
  I added layers of 4x6 and 3x4 cards from the August kit. The AT enamel banner pin sticker was the focal piece of the top cluster. They are so cute to add to a project. I love the banner paper clip for wrapping twine and looping the twine into a grouping. Enamel dots were in the June kit and I love the little drops of shine they add.

These swag bag kits are the cutest each month, and each is slightly unique 

based on ephemera you get and variations in embellishments.  

It is so worth it to get a few or a small bit of all the cool things

 in the shop that have caught your eye.  I still have soooo much left of my August kit. 

I have so many ideas of how to use them in other projects.  

It is definitely not a kit for one project!

Get your swag bag subscription or take your chances at month to month.

Save 20% with my code: Stacie 

Fantastic Fun: San Antonio

It's time for Paper Issues August's Add it Up Challenge hosted by Michelle.  It is all about adding more and more until you hit the point totals.  This month the target is 110-120.  Here's my take using Amy Tangerine's Hustle and Heart collection paired with the brush stroke PI cut file. I got to a total of 115 points for this project. See the details on the PI blog.

Here's a closer look:

Do you need these little bitty bows?!  Yes, yes you do!  Get these adorable little babies in the store now!  I added splats of Shimmerz Inklingz in the "paint brush stroke strips".

 I mixed foam Thicker alphas from On a Whim and Hustle + Heart.  I love the fun brush script font that make them interchangeable! I added hand stitching on the photo mats.  It easily adds more texture and dimension.

I love the striped water color paper "The Bright Side" in Hustle + Heart.  I first cut it apart in strips.  I measured the width of the stripe and enlarged the Brush Stroke background cut file to fit this paper.  Simply ungroup the cut file and enlarge the brush strokes you want to use.  Check out those Hustle + Heart puffy hearts.  They are perfect for sprinkling around a page.

Fill up your page and add it up!

I sure hope to see your take on this fun challenge!

Play along now through September 3rd.

Shop for all of Amy Tangerine's brand new collection with American Crafts.

Save 20% at Paper Issues with code: Stacie

Too Cool

Today on the PI blog Mary-Ann is wowing us with a new moodboard for August for Pinspire Me.  I love her fun boards.  It is always so easy to play along.
I was inspired by the movie clapperboard and the little boy with candy scattered around him.

 I used Amy Tangerine Hustle + Heart for my take.  I welded the PI cut file letters and sunnies into my title for a fun take on my son's sunglasses obsession. I splattered Inklingz watercolors from Shimmerz throughout the background along with the packaging technique to mimic the Hustle + Heart paper I used for the title letters. I liked how it worked for the colors in the candy image.

Check out some of the fun details:

The PI free files include the open brush alpha which I welded with the sunglasses cut file from the summer cut file. I ungrouped the sunglasses cut file to lift off the lenses as I wanted just the background layer of the sunnies for my O's.

I love the ephemera that is part of the Hustle and Heart collection. It has a shiny layer and adds fun sayings and pops of color. 

 The Hustle + Heart  foam Thickers include shapes and this extra long arrow. The Amy Tangerine sticker booklet is so versatile with pages of clear sticker phrases, shapes--check out the multi colored and wonky shaped hearts I scattered.  The little red scallop sticker prompted me to doodle scallops on my journaling.

Get all of the awesome Amy Tangerine Hustle + Heart collection for 20% off in the Paper Issues store.  Cut files are always free! Grab them all and have fun playing around.  Alter them like I did  here to make them work for you!
Thanks for stopping by today, I can't wait to see how you are pinspired by the August moodboard. Play along now through September 3rd.