Happy Haunting!

Happy first Friday of November!!  Time is certainly flying by. Yes, Halloween has passed, but your spooktacular photos are still waiting to be scrapped! Bella Blvd has the cutest Halloween paper collection Sweet & Spooky and it was perfect for my pic of my littlest Ry Guy and I at school! 

  The PI cut file Happy Haunting was perfect to coordinate with this photo!  It's been awhile since I used a large cut file title and I love the little dangling spider!  The larger bat works great as a photo mat and helped to ground my photo.

 The Uma Thurman October scrapbook kit included Nuvo black, so of course I needed to add little dots throughout the design! Have you tried Nuvo crystal drops instead of enamel dots??  If not, you need to try them out!

The Bella Blvd Sweet & Spooky collection has so many cute ephemera and sticker pieces to tuck into layers and sprinkle throughout the design. Using a cut file title is an easy way to create a unique look and a major statement on your layout!

Messy stitching is a great addition to a spooky design or any border!  A few times stitching around the page provides more definition against a patterned background get this orange scallop "Smell My Feet" paper here!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Do you have plans to create some layouts this weekend? 

 If so, be sure to add your October challenges by November 4th 

or add your new challenges to the Paper Issues November Facebook album!

It's almost the PI Paper Issues crop, November 9th -11th!! 

Have you placed your Paper Issues order to stock up?

Use code: Stacie to save 20% off your entire order.

Meeting Kariel: Mermaids Have More Fun

It's such a fun day! It's Try it Tuesday hosted by Amanda-Jayne.  

She's got a great challenge for October.  

Get your mixed media on your paper and then punch it out, 

cut it out, or use your scissors to create your page elements. 

Go check out the Paper Issues blog for all of the details.  

For my take, I used Shimmerz paints on cardstock and after it dried I ran the paper through the Silhouette with a free PI cut file for my mermaid scallops background.

Here are a few more views:

Bella Blvd Secrets of the Sea and Fancy Pants Hello Sunshine --that citron paper!!

Don't be afraid to paint, splatter, and get messy on your paper and then use a cutting machine when it's dry!  You may want to flatten the paper overnight before cutting it. Machine stitching or foam adhesive behind the cut file make it easier to deal with warping or uneven surfaces.

We hope you'll play along!

Free File Friday titles: Sun & Fun

I am up on the Paper Issues blog with a new installment of Free File Friday!  

We are focusing on using a cut file title this month!  

I used the Sun & Fun title from the Geo Tropical Palms cut file and converted into stitching dots.  See this blog post for the details on how to get the perfect-sized hand stitching holes by converting the cut file--it's so easy! 

Bella Blvd Secrets of the Sea was perfect for documenting my little fish!

After you convert the cut file lines to stitching marks, I usually cut the cut file out as a solid shape.  This helps when it's a scripty title or other intricate shape so you can lay the shape on top to see where the stitches go as well as spots you might want to add a stitch hole to make the stitching more rounded.

I adore this printed quote paper from Bella Blvd Secrets of the Sea.  I had wanted the quote to show--and voila--I realized by showing only the border of it the top and bottom of the paper display the entire quote.  So very sweet! The ephemera pack and sticker sheet worked well together for layering and adding details.

 I just played with Shimmerz brand watercolors for this layout. I love how it worked on the paper and the way it dried is so pretty.  Some colors were shimmery and all colors played off the color scheme of the Secrets of the Seas papers. I got paint into the stitching area in some spots but the twine just soaks it up.

More stitching and Shimmerz paint close ups on the cut file title. So, here's my "secret of the seas"--I started this stitching layout in June and just completed it in August!!!  Anyone else have page designs that you start and don't finish or take you forever to finish?!

One last view of the title in full. I added lots of splatters as you can see he was all splashed by the waves in the photo. I love the look of the ombre colors in the letters. The Bella Blvd fish were so cute with this design.

 

I hope you are inspired to use a cut file title in your projects this month.  

Paper Issues has so many words, titles, alphabets, and quotes to use to help you with your page designs. 

Create a title and submit your project in the August Challenge thread in PIFF (Paper Issues Friends and Fans on Facebook.)  

Who knows, you might be the lucky one to win a PI store gift card?!

Grab some cut files to download and get ready to create. 

Bonus if you create a title that you converted to a stitching file.

I love seeing what you create.  Tag us on social media so we can share some love!

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

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!

Bella Blvd Spotlight

Today on the Paper Issues blog we are checking out all of the new Bella Blvd beautiful collections.  I added Illustrated Faith Delight in his Day and Popsicles & Pandas with a bit of Secrets of the Sea.  I love how Bella Blvd and IF can work together on a single layout!

Look at details and quality of embossing and color on the new Bella puffy stickers.  Check out the panda's glasses! These are such a favorite of mine.  The cloud puffy sticker looks like sprinkles are on it!

The ephemera pieces from Illustrated Faith Delight in His Day and Bella's Secret of the Seas  I cut apart strips of paper from the borders paper for the bold blue polka dots and the gingham Picnic paper to add layers to the busy and fun panda patterned paper. My sewing machine got a work out with stitching everything down for added pattern and texture.

How sweet is this saying from the Daily Details paper?  I loved layering it with the die cut palm tree.

Here's the journaling up close and also, how fun is that "I can't even" sticker.  Totally love saying that about this little guy!

I hope you stopped by the Paper Issues blog to see more in depth looks at other collections and projects made with everything Bella!  The design team was able to put these fun collections to use to document so many fun things!

Save 20% at Paper Issues with code: Stacie as you shop for Bella and everything else you need!

Have a lovely Spring day, friends!

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!

Save money at Paper Issues with my code: Stacie

Remember December- New Issue at PI

Hello!  Happiest of December wishes to you!  

We are kicking off this month with a new issue- Remember December on the Paper Issues blog.
I hope you are inspired and take the time to play along after your cards are sent and the cookies are baked!
Here's my layout with this super cute picture of my littlest reindeer when he was two at his Christmas concert!  I used Illustrated Faith Christmas and Bella Blvd's Holly Jolly Christmas.

The background is the holly branches cut file is from Just Nick Studio and the pops of red are this gorgeous Sweater Weather paper by Bella Blvd. I wanted the white on white look and added white stitching to the branches.  The border paper is by Illustrated Faith and I love the bold black with a look of snow balls on it!

I added ephemera from the bits pack of Illustrated Faith's Christmas and the cardstock stickers from Holly Jolly and IF's Christmas. 

Aren't these bits and pieces from Illustrated Faith's CHRISTmas line just too cute?!  I love the little reindeer and how it works with my photo of Ryan.

 I added my date and journaling to the side (the only long space I had available without a cut file layer on it!)

 I love the white on white detail from the cut file and the ephemera pieces!  It makes me think of snowy branches on our trees here!

Thank you for joining us at Paper Issues with our new issue!  We hope you will document something about December, holidays, family traditions, etc... and post it to the challenge album!

When you shop--save 20% using code: Stacie  

Snow in Love

Today we are on the Paper Issues blog showing off the newest Bella Blvd and Illustrated Faith releases!  They are truly versatile and can be used for more than one theme!
I used two Illustrated Faith collections for my project: Bright and Brave and You Are Loved.

I love that I could make a winter page with products that were not winter specific! 

The You are Loved collection bits worked well with my title and I loved the banner bits/die cut pieces from the November swag bag and You Are Loved sticker sheet.

I loved all of the tabbies that were included in this month's swag bag.  The Bright and Brave tabbies had the snowflake looking one which matched the papers and I loved it for this snowy LO.

My fave alpha stamps are showing off way in the back of this photo.  Get these Homespun alphas for the handcut letter look.  I stamped these on cardstock and quickly fussy-cut them out.  I love how it turned out!

Layers of gorgeous prints!  I adore this Bright and Brave side B "Typed" paper that looks like colorful snowflakes. Get these pretty papers now in the shop!  They have the mixed media look on some of them like my background "The Heavens" paper.  It makes for a quick layout when you don't have to wait for paint splatters to dry!

Thanks for checking out our product spotlight on all of the new Bella Blvd & Illustrated Faith collections!

Save 20% with my code: Stacie

Get shopping at Paper Issues and link up your Bella projects that you create.  Tag us so we can see your work on Instagram.  Post your work on our Facebook group to be eligible for prizes!

Halloween Round Up!

Today on the Paper Issues blog we are giving you lots of Halloween inspiration!  Here is my latest using Bella Blvd Spooktacular. My kiddos last year went as Jake and the Neverland Pirates, a witch costume custom made by my mom, and a baby.  My middle schooler bought this mask on a shopping trip with friends.  Creepy baby mask, for sure!

First I prepped my paper with gesso and then used the packaging technique with watercolors to add oranges, red-orange, and gold to the background.  I finished by adding splatters once it was dried.

I super love this text paper instead of white cardstock for a change!

I used the cut apart paper (the little 2x2 squares) to make little banner ends for both sides of the photo.   I added messy threads in matching colors to add dimension in a few places.

The 12x12 sticker sheet , clips, and die cuts and pieces pack gave me plenty of things to embellish with.  I also love the Doodlebug Design enamel eyeballs.

Here are my other Halloween pages I have made this month:

This was for the Pinspire Me board for October.  I used lots of Doodlebug Boos & Brews and the background border is Bella Blvd, Spooktacular.  The photo mat papers are Bella Blvd Trick or Treat.

This was using the same collection- Bella Blvd Spooktacular.  I scraplifted Dona, Orange Gearle, for this Mix It Up LO of hers.  Here's my background for it.

Messy stenciled chevrons for the three colors.  I started with gesso, then added watercolor via packaging technique, and then stenciled with ink pads.

If you made it this far, thanks for scrolling through! I hope you were inspired to get those fun pictures into your albums! It is my Halloween Round Up for this year.  I hope you will check out Paper Issues blog and store for more inspiration as well as on Instagram and Facebook.  Save 20% at the shop with my code: Stacie 

Pinspire Me October

We are super spooked and loving this new fun mood board from Paper Issues Pinspire Me on the blog!  Check out this amazing board:

I was inspired by the super crazy eye balls, cobweb, and bat.  I grabbed Doodlebug's Boos & Brews from the Paper Issues store and had fun layering Trick or Treak papers from Bella Blvd from my stash along with a new paper from Bella's Spooktacular collection.

I love how this picture of my daughter last Halloween looks with the fun Halloween bits.  The enamel spiders and eyes from Doodlebug are a must!  I love the way they shine and have such a playful spin on this page about my glasses wearing girl!

I was inspired by fellow PI team member, Kathy Skou, and her Doodlebug layout here.  I loved her stitched border and that led me to the multiple stitching lines for the webs.  I love the inked wood veneer bats that are in this lower corner with the magic potion. 

I hope you are able to get out your Halloween, outdoors, or get inspired by the beautiful colors in the mood board.  Be PInspired with us and add your projects to our Facebook group.  As always, shop your heart out and save 20%: