The Ties That Bind: Zip It!

 Hello friends, Stacie here and I am on the Paper Issues blog today with the challenge The Ties That Bind.  When I thought of the challenge, the zipper cut file seemed to fit the connection of binding together! Check it out:

The zipper  Zip It cut file is free from the store and the pretty plaid paper is new Pretty Little Studio Christmas Cheer paper called Licorice. The cut file snowflakes I cut from several winter or snow-themed cut files free in the Paper Issues shop! I wanted to create the feeling that we could zip out the snow for a bit longer as this was a photo from Thanksgiving last year. 

Next up, Ranger Distress Oxides for a light color wash on each snowflake to have a bit more dimension on the page.  I popped up the top layer of the zipper pull with some foam dots to create dimension. I also placed foam squares under the plaid paper to scatter the snowflakes under the edges.

It was easy to cut away the center piece of the plaid paper to create a bit of space for the zipper and allowed for the Pink Paislee greenish-teal paper to peek through.   I also tucked the zipper into the rolled up distressed edges of the plaid PLS paper.  

I hope you are dreaming up what you might bind together with this zipper cut file! 

Fall leaves, flowers, snowflakes, or a rainbow?! So many fun ideas to explore!

Happy creating with the new November challenges.

 There is also 30 Days of Thankful happening this month at Paper Issues.

  I sure hope to see what creative ideas you have this month!

If you use this cut file tag #picutfile so we can find your pages!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

I have not been on here in almost a year...and what a year it's been!

As always, save 20% on everything in your Paper Issues cart!

Code: Stacie

Free File Free-For-All

I am over on the Paper Issues blog today because It's Free File Free-For-All!
It's Friday!! Annnnnnnd...it's Groundhog day....so in the spirit of seeing shadows, 

I created a fun black and white design using the heart wreath cut file today! 

 I love the Forever My Always collection from Pebbles. 

 These papers were so much fun to get creative with!  

Let's check out my take for February and Paper Issues Free File Free-For-All!

My why-

This guy--he is literally the sweetest.  

He will randomly say multiple times a day...."Mom?" 

 "Yes, Ryan?"

  "Mom, I love you."

  I mean my heart melts each and every time.

  He gives us all kisses.  

He makes sure we are happy.  

He just started opening my car door 

for me each morning before school...

and he waits outside so he can close my door, too.

Yes, so much love for this kid.  

I don't want to forget these moments. 

 We know they grow up in a blink!

Here are a few close ups:

Gesso and mixed media in the background. I used gelatos and the packaging technique for the color to bring color to the black and white background. I wanted the cut file heart wreath popped up with foam dots to create more of a shadow and depth from the bold text patterned paper.

  Still a fan of a touch of gold shimmer to a few of the embellishments scattered throughout.  Enamel dots and hearts are the perfect sprinkle!

See what I mean?!  All the Groundhog Day homage with the dark shadowy colors, black and white photo, and popped up layers!  The ephemera for Forever My Always, is just perfect for layering.

 I love the pink stitching against the dark backdrop.  Also, I just had to rough up the edges to curl back the patterned paper to show the soft pink and cute hearts.It ties in the colors of the cut file and the mixed media gelato colors that I layered.

So that's how I kicked off the new challenges at Paper Issues!  I sure hope you will join me and post your new creations using cut files or other PI free files in the February album!

Get your shop on at Paper Issues there are so many new things!

  As always- save 20% with code: Stacie

Paper Issues: Cut It Up Saturday

It's time for September's Cut It Up challenge at Paper Issues.  I love this new free cut file offered at the Paper Issues store.  Here's my layout using the chevron banners and Crate Paper's Cool Kid.

I added some of the Cool Kid 6x6 papers directly behind the Cool Kid Awesome background paper and other chevrons I popped up using foam pop dots to add dimension.

I added lots of layers to the photo and puffy Thickers from the Cool Kid collection.  I also sprinkled puffy stars and chipboard pieces throughout the layout.  I like to place them tone-on-tone to make it interesting, but not distracting as there is so much pattern going on throughout the background!

Check out the rest of the design team's creative takes on using the cut file from Danielle.  I love that it can be used as a stencil for mixed media, a large background or that you can personalize it by changing it up to work for your photos!

Get out your cutting machine or print and cut this out by hand!  It's a great one to try out this month.