Traveler's Notebook Summer Travels

Hello!  It's my parent's 50th Anniversary today and we just got back

 from celebrating on vacation with them! 

It was definitely a must to document and I am sharing two TN pages

 for 52 Favorites on the Paper Issues blog today-scroll down to see both!

It's so easy to pack a few supplies and document as you go!

This is week 31! Post on social media with #52favorites

I absolutely love the Pinkfresh mini puffy alpha and they are always my go-to for titles in my TN spreads!

I used the Kaisecraft little dots stamp that was included in the PI July Flyover States Scrapbook kit! 

 I love the subtle look it adds to the background! 

Added to the dots was an Amy Tangerine heart stamp to the background.

I took apart the Pinkfresh layered hearts embellishments to add the word together. 

The cut file connected  hearts are from the TN pages free cut file coming soon to the shop. 

Here's the second using a map that I grabbed from a travel brochure 

and the free PI cut file TN Pages Let's Talk about Love!

  

The best part of documenting as you travel??  You can photograph your pages right in the place you are visiting! That's right- set it right on the beach like I did, hold it up to the sun, capture the foliage around you, it's a fun way to remember the actual details you are journaling about!

 The tiny Pretty Little Studio star stickers are from July's Flyover States scrapbook kit! Perfect for noting details and places on a map. The background papers are from PI Kits as well, get the trend here??--all things that come in the kits get used!! 

Did you see that Paper Issues now offers a "Tell Your Story" TN kit as well?  If you are in need of an amazing kit that is ready to go for travels as I used mine or to document your life at home!  It is a perfect thing to try for bite-size memory keeping!! Check the new traveler's notebook kit out here!

I hope you are inspired to play along with all of the new August challenges posted in our Facebook group!  Check out the August fun on FB here!

Need a few things? The store now offers Sezzle for payment plans! Shop now and make payments!
Save 20% on alllllllll the things in the Paper Issues store--including all of the kits!
Code: Stacie 

Thanks for visiting today. Make today great! Create a life you LOVE!

Super Sundae Player of the Game

Hello! Stacie here with the new June challenge, Super Sundae!

 Go check out more details on the Paper Issues blog.  

I couldn't wait to use the beautiful, new June kit: Pontoon.

The May swag bag for added ephemera and layers. 

I was inspired to create the look of sprinkles on top of the sundae!

The PI free cut file baseball heart is from the set called  Homerun Heart. 

I backed the cut file baseball with vellum for a cool opague layer. 

It created a nice title grouping in the solid "dish" part of the sundae.  My son loves the team huddle after each game to hear the coach talk and award the Dairy Queen sundae player of the game! 

We all play for ice cream!

The photo mat layers are from the June kit or the PI  Swag Bag from May. I love the pops of color that are stacked and lead your eye into the sprinkle toppings (polka dot).  The cool Bella Blvd. red Florence alpha for the title was such a fun pop of color on the layered title. 

I hope you are inspired to try a new June challenge including Super Sundae in the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group.  All June challenges are open until July 1st.

Have you tried a Paper Issues monthly kit?  If not, go grab the scrapbook  kit or swag bag kit-you'll be so happy that you did!  They are seriously full of amazing products each month!

Don't forget to save 20% on your whole purchase at Paper Issues.  Code: Stacie

April Showers: Dream and Wonder Wanderlust

Here's a look at the April Showers challenge this month at Paper Issues. I was inspired by this challenge to find some fluffy clouds and document a sweet moment with my littlest!

I love when you find the paper that coordinates with your photo, looks like you got messy, and really all you did was color match embellishments.  The Vicki Boutin watercolor background is so beautiful!

My littlest was fascinated with the sea birds that were landing and flying near the beach, so he decided to follow them for miles down the beach and back.  My friend and I ran behind him and captured so many sweet pictures.

I wanted to go for lots of textures to bring in the soft clouds and the mix of water along the beach, so the torn paper edges, messy threads, and soft color palette was my mission!

I love the Vicki Boutin Color Kaleidoscope mixed media paper pad and that was the perfect watercolor base for this beach photo. The colors were so much fun to coordinate threads in several blues, paper layers, and soft vellum to back the cut file clouds from the PI free file: Sky's the Limit. 

I used the April Paper Issues Bohemian Rhapsody kit for the sticker title Wanderlust and for paper mat layers! The PI kits always have just the perfect embellishments or papers that I need to finish off so many design projects!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. 

I hope you join in on the final days of April challenges and

 post them  in the Friends and Fans FB group. 

Have you shopped at Paper Issues?  If not, go check it now for new kits,

 free cut files, and lots of new releases!

Save 20% with my code:

Stacie

Tag us on Social Media--we love seeing what you create!

If you use a PI cut file, use #picutfile and #PaperIssues 

Here's what I used:

Sky's the Limit cut file

Puppy Pals: Kali and Ryan

Hello! I'm on the Paper Issues blog with the Secret Life of Pets
 is always a fun challenge to capture the cuteness!

My seven year old absolutely adores spending time with our friend's

 mini-petite golden doodle.  They definitely enjoy

 each other's company and all the extra attention that comes along with it!

The Carta Bella Our House woodgrain heart paper was the perfect color to coordinate with the focal point of a pet page--the puppy!  I also love that Carta Bella is such a thick textured paper that I could rough up the edges because what puppy doesn't like to tear stuff up! The rough stitched layered edges also bring in more texture and dimension to the page besides the heart cut file in the center!

If you haven't gotten a Paper Issues swag bag, be sure to check them out each month.

Be warned- they sell out quickly once they hit the shop!

  It made coordinating this page design come together soooo quickly. 

 I adore these monthly kits that are so full of items to use immediately! 

I used the February swag bag kit for the photo paper layers and the embellishments. 

The hearts in the Love You Hearts cut file were watercolored

 to match the variated striped Heidi Swapp Color Fresh paper border.

 I add watercolor, dry it with a heat tool, then reapply lighter

 and darker colors in various spots immediately drying

 to minimize warping. The final step was flicking water onto the paint

 and letting that do its magic of taking away color in those spots.

Have you tried it?  If not, get out those paints and play!!

  It adds such cool colorations and subtle design within the cut file. 

 Next, I used white cardstock that was painted using the packaging technique

 and then backed the cut file with it. I popped the whole cut file with foam dots.

I adore that I could tuck two 3x4 pics on this page and they fit right into the cut file hearts!

I love that the sweet wooden Pinkfresh alphas that are in the

  December Hard Candy PI scrapbook kit, and how they worked so well

 with this design.  I added some white acrylic paint splatters to

 the background and called this design done! 

I think it speaks to the sweetness of these two!

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you're inspired to get creating!

Stop by the Paper Issues Facebook group to play along with the

 Secret Life of Pets and all of the other March challenges!

While you are browsing the Paper Issues store, 

grab all of the new items that were just added and save 20% with code: Stacie

Oh Snow Happy

Today I am up on the Paper Issues blog with their January Sketch and I absolutely LOVE this sketch.  I stayed pretty true to the sketch, but added the patterned Carta Bella woodgrain snow border because it was too good of a paper not to use more of it!
Here's my take on the sketch:

I started off with big drops of white pearl acrylic paint and let that dry while

 I was cutting snowflakes from several Paper Issues free cut files. (Drop Down Stitching, Winter Wisdom, Very Merry Holiday, and Snowflake Grid.)

The beautiful January sketch from Paper Issues:

Have you cut apart Thicker words to create your own?  For this title, if you look closely, I cut the word snow from three different words and it saved me from finding alpha stickers to coordinate!

I love capturing fresh snowfall pictures and printing them in black and white.  

This lended itself to being a neutral monochromatic design.  

The white on white background was a fun change from using lots of color.

 By slightly lifting/lightly gluing the snowflakes, 

they provide depth and texture behind the focus of the photos!

Also, be sure to grab the 3-dimensional snowflakes from Crate Paper FaLaLa collection

 from the PI store, I adore the pop it adds to the snowflakes on the page!

I can't wait to see your take on this month's sketch!  

Swap out the snowflakes for hearts, circles...what else can you add to your background?

Join in on the fun in the PI Facebook group.

The January challenges are sure to spark your creative juices.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Now, onto shopping!!

Stop by the Paper Issues store to check out

 all of the new collections and download free cut files, too!

The best part--everything you purchase is 20% with 

code: Stacie 

Favorites of 2018:Picks for My Top 9 Designs

Happy New Year!

I have had a busy year and did not make as many layouts as I did in 2017,

 but I need to count up my stacks before I get them into albums

 to see what my final count is for the year!

As for my favorites, that is always hard to choose.

These are similar to what the Instagram top 9 ended up being for me as well!

Here are my top layout designs choices of 2018.

Notice my go-to choices??

Three were made with Paper Issues swag bag kits! 

They are absolutely my favorite kit to create with each month.  

Have you tried one?

My top 9 from Instagram posts:

Things I notice as I browse through them all-

Yes, I still love a good woodgrain background!

  Yes, I still love some rainbow color on my designs. 

Yes, to free PI cut files.

Yes, to kits to speed up the design process!

 Yes, to paint and painted stripes.

Yes, to sprinkling on enamel dots and shapes!

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!

Here's to more creative play in the new year!!

Check out more at Paper Issues.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stacie

Free File Friday: Sweet Moments

Hello! Deccember is flying by and it's time to document 

more sweet moments of the season. I am up on the Paper Issues blog today 

with a free file Friday post.

The December Paper Issues kit, Hard Candy is absolutely fabulous

 and so easy to create pretty pages or projects with! 

The Candy Cane Hearts cut file is the perfect addition

 to the sweet treats my son was decorating with in the photo. 

The Kaisercraft ephemera pieces are so lovely for layering

 and adding details to add to the holiday vibes!

How about the sweet gingerbread cookie ephemera?? 

 I mean how could I not add the perfect sized Amy Tangerine mini bow to the gingerbread person!?

Yes, you need mini bows.  They are so cute on everything!

The woodgrain paper included in the December kit was so easy to match up with this gingerbread themed page. I used machine stitching around the border to off-set the backgrounds with the powerful red polka dots behind this layer.

I released the compound path on the candy canes and created a solid layer for the candy canes. To tie in the white, I added the white acrylic paint splatters and the snowflakes for a visual triangle. The cut file snowflakes are from Snowflake Grid free file.

Thanks for stopping by the blog.  I can't wait to see how you use Paper Issues free cut files in your holiday projects.

There are so many ways to layer cut files, alter them, super-size the design... the ideas are endless.

Here's to hoping your Friday is fabulous!

Happy Holidays!

Stacie

Take 5: The Boo Crew

Hi! Today I am up on the Paper Issues blog to showcase this month's Take 5 challenge!  

The list had lots of fun options, but I was drawn to using the

 free Paper Issues cut file  patchwork pumpkin and the word, Boo.  

Check out the rich autumn tones and patterns from the  Forever Fall line from Simple Stories. 

It is hitting my heart strings with the Elle's Studio wood grain paper in the background.  

Hello, Fall beauty!!

From the Take 5 October list, I selected:  Boo (cut file title), patchwork pumpkin cutfile, large title, stitching, border, and a tag

With cut files of this size that dominate the layout design, popping them up with foam adhesive adds a slight shadow and depth to add more interest against the rustic woodgrain background.  I adore when you can paper piece cut files and use up your favorite paper scraps as well!

This cut file and title was cut out of another Simple Stories collection tone on tone patterned paper.

  It adds subtle interest with the slight pattern and is a fun change from standard cardstock.

 I also splattered the cut file with gold mist drops before I added the paper backing pieces.

As for my photo, my crew of trick or treaters was unposed 

and unaware I was snapping their picture.  

Love when you can just capture a small moment in time!

The stitching added to the rustic look of the Elle's Studio background wood grain paper and the colors used in this Forever Fall collection.  It added a basic border around the layout and finished it off. The baker's twine secured the cute fox tag and was easy to add to the pumpkin stem!

Definitely grab this wood grain paper (it's in stock!!) and 

the Simple Stories Forever Fall collection for any kind

 of autumn celebration or photos of fall!  

It is beautiful and so very versatile even for Halloween!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  

Get your October challenges submitted in the Facebook

 group anytime before November 4th!

I look forward to seeing your Take 5 challenge entry or

 any of the others that are waiting for you!

Tag us on social media when you use a Paper Issues

 cut file or play along with a challenge. 

 I look forward to gathering inspiration from you!

Get your SHOP on and stop by Paper Issues for all of the best!

Save 20% with my code: Stacie

Fall Crop is just a few weeks away...

be prepared and get some new items to inspire you!

Happy creating, friends!

Swanky Swatches: Beautiful Ordinary Family Life

Hello! I am up on the Paper Issues blog today with a new October challenge!

 It is time to bring out the rich fall colors and this month's

 Swanky Swatches challenge has the perfect set of colors

 to work with on your projects.  I went right for the new Pinkfresh Indigo Hills 2 collection!

Here's the swatch to base your October design off of:

You can see I was inspired by the top three on the paint swatch and the bottom gray tone. 

Another fall paper grouping that would be perfect is Pink Paislee's Auburn Lane!

The Pinkfresh Indigo Hills 2 Eminence paper was the lavender/light blue wash paper used to cut the Paper Issues free circle blooms cut file out of to begin my layers above the wreath design background paper from Pinkfresh.

Next, I stitched on the Paper Issues free  Leaves & Laurels cut file out of golden patterned paper and more Eminence Pinkfresh paper. Check out those sweet coordinating Pinkfresh mini alpha stickers!  They are puffy, cute, and perfect for the little title words or details you want to document!

The Pinkfresh ephemera pack and puffy stickers had several leaves that were perfect for tucking in along the stitched border to create more texture and depth. Add a sprinkling of Pinkfresh Indigo Hills 2 enamel dots and it's complete-- instant fall wreath for your autumn photos! Love that this paper already had paint splatters and inked lines for an amazing base to build up my wreath design.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

I can't wait to see how you interpret the amazing Swanky Swatch challenge this month!

 Don't forget to tag us online and post your creations to our October challenge albums on Facebook.

Play along with October challenges now through November 4th!

While you are checking out Paper Issues, be sure to

add all of the new Pinkfresh,

 October scrapbook kits (that match perfectly with this swatch!),

 and more from Pink Paislee and Pretty Little Studio!

Whatever you'd like is all 20% off with my special coupon code:

Stacie

Paper Issues free cut files used:

Circle Blooms

Leaves & Laurels

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!