Sweet Friends

Hi! I am up on the Paper Issues blog today with the new challenge Those Were the Days, My Friend.
I documented my sister and I along with our childhood friends from California. 
I couldn't wait to put this Cocoa Vanilla Studio specialty mosaic heart to use.

I used Cocoa Vanilla Studio Happiness collection and machine stitched with bright pink around the heart and all along the mosaic lines.  It is messy and imperfect, but that is ok!
 I love these die cut title words from CVS for added dimension.

The June Pontoon Scrapbook Kit is sold out, but this CVS heart was included in the kit.  Be sure to check out the kit page in the PI store for kits that are still available (yes, you need them!) and new ones that are for sale each month!

The journaling to this photo story seemed to balance out the dark title words.

Stop by and check out the new November challenges in the Paper Issues Facebook group
 and keep tagging Paper Issues on social media. We love seeing what you create. 
Get inspired to play along at Paper Issues!
Save 20% in the Paper Issues store on every order!
Code: Stacie

Fall is the Best of All

I am up on the Paper Issues blog today with the Take 5 challenge. 

 I used stickers, patterned paper, layers, border, leaves, and orange to create this design.

Here's October's list:

I used the October Tupelo Honey Scrapbook kit for the woodgrain Thickers and the Uma Thurman kit and Family Tradition kit from November for the paper layers. Vellum leaves were in my stash. Another idea would be to use  a PI cut file to cut lots of leaves to mimic the look of  this leaf border.

A few more close ups: 

I love the look of the leaves tucked into the paper stack under the photo. So many scraps from the past few Paper Issues scrapbook kits were perfect colors for this fall design.

 The gold thread stitching to add texture and to create movement similar to leaves floating down. Woodgrain background paper and woodgrain foam Thickers--total bliss!

 Action shots of my children makes me so happy.  Seeing the sheer joy as they playfully mess around is the best. Bring on the unposed real-life pictures!

Keep up the creating and entering the October challenges or the Monster Bash Fall Crop challenges. Find them all on our Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook page.

If you need more fall scrappy supplies, then 20% savings will be pure gold. Use code: Stacie

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fantastic day!

To the Moon and Back: Ad-spiration Challenge

I am up on the Paper Issues blog today to show you how this Ad-spiration challenge came together!

The dark background was a fun depature into space and away from the normal light or white cardstock base!

Here's the stunning ad for the October challenge:

I love that you could also be inspired by the books, 

stars, reading quote, night sky, latern light,  and colors!

 I took in the night sky vibe and went with it! 

 I layered mix media swirls on the background, splattered paints, and then topped it off with gold thread machine stitching!

So many swirls of stitching! 

 My machine did not like the tacky surface of the paint and

 I ended up re-threading the machine so many times! 

But, in the end, I think the effect of golden circles was worth the extra effort!

 If you haven't tried using a dark background recently, 

I challenge you to try this out-of-this-world background with an outer space vibe!

Thank you for stopping by the PI blog and playing along in the Facebook group with this month's challenges.  The Monster Bash Fall Crop is this week-- are you joining in on the fun?

Crop details here in the Facebook Group

Save 20% in the Paper Issues store on all.the.things!!

Use code: Stacie

Grab the new October kit while you are shopping!

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.

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

Sweet Moment

I am playing along with the new Paper Issues Challenge called PI Partners Up.  This month we are partnered with the CSI Scrapbook blog site.  They have fun "cases" each month to solve by creating something from the case file that inspires you.  The Hawaiian case photo or tropical beach image had me all inspired to pull out our Hawaii vacay pics!

The CSI Case #247 was a tropical scene and that screamed Hawaii to me!

I used lots of Amy Tangerine Hustle &Heart for this tropical scene.  How perfect is the Sweet Sensation pineapple paper for the border?! It fit the colors in the CSI scene.  The tropical pink flowers were a must to scatter throughout my design and pick up the photo included in the CSI case for February.

I used a PI free cut file for the pineapple and backed it with more AT Hustle & Heart papers.

I added acrylic paint splatters to tie in the white Thickers and cut file outline. 

Check out PI Partners Up this month and all of the February Challenges!

Save 20% if you stop by and check out Amy Tangerine's Hustle & Heart in the Paper Issues store.

Save on everything you need. 

Pinspire Me: Pastel Winter

Today on the blog at Paper Issues it is time for a new Pinspired moodboard made by Mary-Ann! I call it Pastel Holidays! Winter is usually white and soft here in MN, so pastels are the perfect partner!

I was inspired by all of the trees.  I created a tree farm cut file to use with Crate Paper Snow & Cocoa.

I cut the background cut file from white cardstock and then cut a background pieces of patterned paper for behind the openings and then cut a patterned paper tree from the cut file to layer and stitch together.  I was able to lift the layers for instant dimension to the trees.

Up close details of the layers. Crate Paper Snow & Cocoa chipboard, word stickers, ephemera, 12x12 patterned paper scraps & 6x6 papers.

 Side view of the tree dimension. I love that I could include so many of the cute patterned papers in one design without being too crazy looking! Pink and black splatters to fit the moodboard vibes.

 A bit of white twine to string the ephemera tags together.

Play along with this beautiful board now through December 31. Be pinspired by all of the inspiration images.  Maybe try a cut file with your design--there are 100s of free files in the PI store for instant download!

Don't forget about the Paper Issues sale going on right now!!

Take 5 Tuesday: Rocking Fall Break

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by to check out Take 5 at Paper Issues!

Take 5 is such a fun challenge to check out each month! 

 Paper Issues blog has the inspiration and the list for the month to refer to and start creating!

Here's my take: I used Pebbles Girl Squad. 

2. gold 4. leaves 6. Fall title 7. patterned paper 8. cardstock 11. stitching 13. date 15.frame

I love this fun guitar, music themed paper from Pebbles Girl Squad.  It's perfect for a boy page just how you see that I used it.  It can rock the best of boys' themes, too!  How cute is his kid's meal served in a guitar?!

The gold foam Thickers are from the newest collections for Halloween called Spooktacular.  They are backed with black foam and I loved the contrast it provided!

The Amy Tangerine sticker book has a whole page of gold and colorful mini hearts.  Yes!  I love them to sprinkle on my pages!

The We R Memory Keepers Stitch Happy Twine can be used on its own without the machine! Grab some today for your messy threads or other fun ideas to embellish! More Amy Tangerine Hustle & Heart mini heart stickers from the sticker booklet!

Save 20% with code: Stacie to grab all of the things!!  

There are more new things hitting the store so don't miss out!

Thanks for checking out my blog today. 

I can't wait to see what you create for Take 5 in September!