For the Love of Family

Take 5 Tuesday is up on the blog at Paper Issues and I am documenting our recent family photos from October. I love the golden glow and this burst paper from Turn the Page by Pink Paislee and Paige Taylor Evans layered with flowers seemed like the perfect way to draw focus to our photo.
This month's prompts are fun with a winter twist, but I made it work! 3. white (acrylic paint drops) 7. patterned paper 9. journal 11. layers 12. sticker (alpha & florals)

The Dear Lizzy big chipboard title words are so much fun to customize.  I added gesso and two colors of gelatos to match some of the floral colors and the golden leaves color from my picture.

The Turn the Page sticker book had the mini floral alphas for my secondary title words. Most florals were from the ephemera packs and sticker booklets. I also fussy cut many to tuck into spots or add to the depth of layers.

 I love the 6x6 paper pad for this collection as it had the mini prints with foil details. It was the perfect border for the main  family photo.

Thanks for taking a closer look at today's Take 5 Tuesday project.

 I hope you'll play along this month.

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Favorite Moments: Swag Bag October kit

Happy Monday! Are you rocking a "swag-ger" in your step today? Go check out the PI blog for all sorts of swag bag kit inspiration. 

 I dug right into the October kit which included so many awesome embellishments.

 Swag Bags are the perfect motivator to get you creating all sorts of projects.  

I love using them on layouts, but swag bags can be used for planners, pocket pages, paper crafts, traveler's notebooks, and so much more.

 The little mini flip book card from Maggie Holmes was the perfect spot for mini 2x3 photos of my parents with all of their grandkids. I used my Silhouette Cameo sketch pens for the journaling to document these special photos taken on my parent's anniversary.

After the journaling was set, I added gesso and gold acrylic paint with the packaging technique.  After it dried, I splattered green watercolor. I used my Cameo to cut the cut file daisy from the Rings of Life cut file to cut into the 3x4 cards which coordinated with the florals and my photo.  With the remaining scraps, I cut the little flowers from Made with Love.  How about that amazing Maggie Holmes bow?!  I love that it fit right below my wreath of flowers.

I love the Dear Lizzy Star Gazer big wood veneer paper clip that was so perfect for clipping down the Maggie Holmes Carousel interactive flip booklet of photos. Simply slide the clip over and look at the other photos. This would be the perfect spot for hidden journaling or having my kids write messages to their grandparents.

 The October kit was jam packed full of embellishments--including an entire set of mixed embellishments from Shimelle Glitter Girl.  I used the sequin stickers and enamel dots in the larger flowers around the page. I have already used the embellishments on another layout and still have more remaining!

 Nuvo glue was perfect for any flower or embellishment gluing. If you haven't tried Nuvo, you are missing out-- the small tip is perfect for precision glue jobs like cut files! I tied in the word "golden" into my journaling as I wanted to add to the sparkle that was prompted by the gold sequins in this kit along with the gold strip attached to the Maggie Holmes flip booklet.

So that's it! Get the new October Swag Bag kit that is new in the shop today!  Save 20% off with code: Stacie  You will not be at a loss at what to do--these fun embellishments can be used on so many projects.   Get yours before it sells out, and they usually sell out fast!

Friends-aversary Issue: Oktoberfest

It's an annual event and this was our third year!  Oktoberfest with friends and cousins meeting up at the State Fair grounds for the big event.  Pretzel necklaces are a must!! Pebbles Girl Squad was the perfect pairing for this photo! Have you checked out the Paper Issues blog for more takes on the PI Issue for June?

A few more close ups of the pretty new collection from Pebbles!  Go grab Girl Squad for all of your fun friend events and outings.  Hello foam script Thickers...totally a need for everyone!

Add all the little bits around the photo:  Girl Squad ephemera, puffy stickers, enamel dots, Pink Paislee Paige Evan's Take Me Away paper clips, Dear Lizzy Saturday clear stickers.

Always find a spot for an ampersand, lol!  Here's a close up of the layers and the pretzel necklaces-- the whole reason I needed this Girl Squad paper.

Have a great week ahead!  Make time to do something creative!  

We look forward to seeing what fun things you create this week.

Play along with the Friend-aversary issue!

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Cut It Up November

It's a new Cut It Up Challenge for the month of November at Paper Issues. Danielle created this awesome Triangle Puzzle. I used Fancy Pants Golden Days for my project.

This collection worked well with this photo of my parents with all of their grandchildren.  The special detail was we had these photos taken on their actual anniversary and the photo shoot was their gift.

I used the busy floral Forever With You print for the triangles and decided to keep the rest of the background clean.  Often I add watercolors or gelatos, but this helped keep the focus on the photo on center stage.

I stitched with gold thread around the cut file and then placed the photo and stitched into the cut file.

I used several of the puffy stickers.  I love that the angle/arrow stickers fit perfectly in the angles of the cut file.

I love the flair that is part of the collection.  It has sweet sentiments and images that make it all coordinate.  I fussy cut some of the florals and layered them.

I can't wait to see what you make with the free cut file.

Don't forget the Fall Crop is going on in the PIFF Facebook group  Nov 11-13 and we need you to get scrappy with us!  Complete one challenge or all of them!  The more you scrap the more chances for prizes.  See you there!

There's a special 30% store code: CROPSHOP  Shop for it all!  (code ends 11-13)  If you are too late,  the code: Stacie gets you 20% off at Paper issues.

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!

Warm and Cozy Spotlight

Today we are up the Paper Issues blog with a product spotlight on Jen Hadfield's new collection with Pebbles, Warm & Cozy.  It is super rich in color and has so many gorgeous fall details in the collection.

I love the Log Cabin wood grain paper and the Logs leaf paper with wood grain design.  The cut logs on the opposite side are perfect for outdoor pictures, as well.  I stitched strips of these papers at the side and bottom edge of the layout.  The title Family is from the 6x12 title stickers.

I love the leaves that come in the ephemera and sticker pack.  There are a few in the copper/rose gold color and several in color.  These partnered well with the wood grain/bark/dictionary chipboard leaves in the collection.  These leaves are my favorites!  I love the look of texture and interest they add.

I cut out the large leave cut file from the Cut Shoppe and popped it off the page with foam adhesive.  I also added Shimelle's Go Now Go wooden enamel buttons and Studio Calico sequins. I love the groupings of leaves and sprinkling of sequins to keep the movement in the design.  

Check out the PI store for Pebbles Warm and Cozy and so much more.  Save 20% with my code: Stacie.

Stitch on It

Today I'm up on the Paper Issues blog with the We R High Five collection with a focus on stitching.  I love how stitching whether it be sewing machine stitching, hand stitching, or faux stitching with messy threads can add interest and texture to your project.

The soft blue and gold made me pull out our fall pictures from last year where the golden leaves and rugged dock play off of this vintage vibe in the We R papers.  I love the flair paper and all of the fun sentiments.  They perfectly stated my sweet thoughts about this moment with Dad and toddler son!

The back stitching around the hexagon took a bit of time to do, so I tend to watch a tv show or listen to music. Once it is stitched, I like to make the rest of the page a faster process, which is why I love sticking with the same collection. Next, I backed the cut file openings with High Five papers.  I placed the similar photos-one in color and one in B&W.  I love to have both versions as it captures different feelings and ties in the colors of the page elements.

I love the variety of papers in We R High Five- from bricks, to wood, to plaid, and playful outdoor prints.  The 6 x 12 cardstock stickers are easy to layer and add throughout your project.  I finished the page off with watercolor splatters.

The We R flair, stickers, and ephemera made it so easy to create with a cohesive look.   It helps to coordinate and scrap with speed. I love when a page design comes together as you imagine it! I can't wait to see how you use stitching on your projects. We have fun free stitching cut files in the PI store to try this technique.  If you want these gorgeous We R High Five items, grab them all in the store with 20% off by using code: Stacie

Thanks for checking out the details on my layout.  Have a great weekend!

High Five Whale Watching

Today we are shining the spotlight on We R's High Five collection on the Paper Issues blog.  This collection is super fun to design with as it can be versatile for outdoor adventures or just everyday life pages. I love this golden map paper for travel layouts.

I went on a whale watching catamaran cruise with my daughter while visiting California.  We saw absolutely zero whales, but we got amazingly close to so many dolphins.  It was an incredible trip with her and no boys along!!  Hello Epic whale paper and all the whale bits and pieces!  The cardstock stickers have fun shapes to add details, too.

The ephemera pack had so many awesome little bits to add to the LO and give details to the story.  The cut file title is a freebie in the Paper Issues shop.

I love adding foam adhesive to add height and dimension on layouts that are more basic in design like this one.  I added light blue spray mist for the water splatters at the end.

I hope you can find time to create with High Five and post your creations on Instagram or PIFF so we can be inspired by you!

Save 20% in the Paper Issues store with code: Stacie

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.