Together

There's a new issue at Paper Issues and it's called.... "Let's Give Them Pumpkin to Talk About" and that was a go sign to me to bust out the autumn collections for my project. I love this sweet family photo and it was the perfect reason to use the PI Rings of Life cut file.

I stuck with lots of Carta Bella's Hello Fall and grabbed the script gold foil foam Thickers from one canoe two and small gold Thickers from Maggie Holmes Carousel collection.

The Paper Issues free file wood slice cut file background made a great base to layer the photo and title. This photo was each family member's hand and a leaf we had picked-it is truly a family tree!

The small lowercase foam Thickers from Maggie Holmes Carousel collection have a soft green foam layer which picks up the green in the photo background. You can see how some of the tree rings I chose to leave unglued to provide more dimension and shadows. The Carta Bella cardstock stickers and Fall Forest tree paper made this design come together.

I love using the natural outline of the shape to place my longer title. I love using two fonts of Thickers alpha to accentuate certain words in a longer phrase. This soft patterned background paper is the perfect way to look at a background as your light neutral to build layers on!

I hope you'll get in the Fall spirit and join us at Paper Issues for this newest issue.

If you need new Fall collections--check out at Paper Issues for all the latest!  

Save 20% with code: Stacie   This saves you on your entire order.

Pinspire Me November

It's time to be Pinspired by the new mood board at Paper Issues. I love each month's inspiration by Mary-Ann.  Here's the new board for November:

I was inspired by all of the colors and the leaves.  We recently had our family pictures done in October and it was fun to use a picture from our feat!

I love this mega size leaf  paper and added all of the colors of stitching to it around the edge and inside each section.  It added more texture and depth to the parts of the leaf.

This started out as a fun idea, but after switching the thread at least 5 times to get all of the colors, I was ready to embellish and finish this design up!  Some sections I "messy stitched,"so I went around it a second time.

I added several layers of patterned paper and pop dots for dimension.  I would recommend the 6x6 paper pad for the photo mat layers as well!  I loved using the cardstock stickers for the sections of the leaves to add these fun sayings.

The FALL 6x12 chipboard pieces worked perfectly with the prints on the leaf and bold letters I needed to stand out against the huge leaf.  I added the text stickers to the FALL letters which were from the 4x6 sticker pack that includes 8 pages of various stickers!  I have used it so much already!

The bits and pieces pack includes this mini leaves that mimic the paper.  I also had to use the Bradz piece in the corner.  If you can't find these anymore, go for the metal clips with similar epoxy designs on top.  They are a fave of mine.  The cardstock sticker sheet has these awesome numbers.

Thanks for joining us as we look to Pinspire you for November!

Shop to your heart's content at Paper Issues.

Join us on Facebook for the online Fall Crop this Friday, Nov. 11-Nov. 13th!

Hello Fall PI Spotlight

Today we are on the Paper Issues blog and Facebook group with a Product Spotlight on Simple Stories Hello Fall.  I have used this collection several times in the past few weeks and it is still a favorite of mine!  This time I went with more mixed media in my background and kept the page more  minimalist.

I started out with clear gesso on my background and then added gelatos with a brush to get the wispy look on the edges.

I used bits and pieces of ephemera mainly around my photo mat. The 4x6 sticker pack has so many options for date stickers, smaller scale stickers to coordinate with the chipboard, cardstock sticker sheet, and ephemera.

I love dimension on my pages so I lifted up my photo of my husband and I at an October barn venue wedding. I mixed up the floral chipboard, stickers, and ephemera to create different levels and depth in the arrangements.

The Simple Stories bradz or metal clips are such a favorite detail to add.  I love the metal edges and added shine it gives the lower corner cluster.

I hope you will check out the rest of the team's gorgeous inspiration on the blog using this fabulous Simple Stories fall collection.

If you must shop, Paper Issues is the place to go!  Use my code: Stacie to save 20%.

Pawsitively Pets November

Today we are up on the Paper Issues blog with Melissa's Pawsitively Pets Challenge.  This month it's all about using three or more patterned papers and adding mist or paint.

I love the Simple Stories, Hello Fall collection with the rich color tones and fun patterns.  I used the Falling for You woodgrain, Sweater Weather plaid, and leaves print for the main three pattern papers.  The other pops of color are all layered stickers from the 4x6 sticker pack.   I  love all of the die cut pieces and used the larger leaves and feathers from it for the corners.

I started with the background and stitched down the leaf paper frame.  Next, I added mist to the white gesso to get a tan color for a photo mat.  Then I added blue distress ink for an added color.

I added several stickers from the Hello Fall 4x6 pack.  I love that these stickers look the the papers so you can added them wherever you need them.  It worked great to add color behind the photo against the plaid and cover up ink splatters gone wild!

I used the letter stickers included in the sticker pack and the ephemera leaves, feathers and word phrase.  The Bradz or metal clips are a great way to add shine and weight to anchor a cluster of bits and pieces.

I love that sweet Maxie-boy and can't wait to give this layout to my sister for her family's memory book of their beloved pup.

I hope you will join us in documenting any of your pets, animals, zoo, or similar creature related adventures in our Pawsitively Pets Challenge for November.  You have until December 5 to post your design to the PIFF Facebook Group.

Save 20% at Paper Issues using my code: Stacie

Join us in PIFF this weekend, November 11-13 for our fantastic FALL CROP!  We are so excited to see all that you create!  

Take 5 Tuesday: Grateful

Today we are on the Paper Issues blog with the October Take 5 Challenge.  Check out all of the fun prompts to inspire your layout!
I couldn't wait to dig into the new Simple Stories, Hello Fall collection for these family photos.

My sweet friend and co-worker is always our go to photographer each fall as we capture the beauty of the season and get a Christmas card picture!  These are some of the fun pics from last year.  I went with the Take 5 prompts: orange, three pictures, three patterned papers, 2 or more fonts, arrow, leaves, and mixed media-orange mist.  The Simple Stories coordinating pieces and embellishments made this layout come together effortlessly!  

The fun Simple Stories Hello Fall ephemera pack, sticker sheet, sticker pack, chipboard stickers, and bradz are just some of the fall fun I added to the layers and photos.

Also, toddler photo tip...hand them some leaves to keep the picture session fun and entertaining for them!  I love the ones where he's got leaves in his face from the disgust of having to smile and pose. Get all of these fun fall things for 20% off with code: Stacie at Paper Issues.