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

Week 39: 52 Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! It's week 39 with our series 52 Friday Favorites! 

I am up on the Paper Issues blog today sharing my week in review!

This week I documented how proud I am of Brooklyn as a 7th grader 

playing up in high school tennis. I think she is so brave and has rose to the challenge.

 I think it definitely worthy of a shout out in my family's notable 52 weeks of highlights! 

I stashbusted some of the Pebbles Girl Squad stripe paper, Wild Child by Pink Paislee embellishments, and Thickers by Vicki Boutin for AC from the Paper Issues August kit Blue Ain't Your Color! The Pinkfresh enamel hearts added the perfect amount of color and shine, too! I adore the Crate Paper Rose two-tone alpha Thickers that you can still grab from the store!

I love this format to use small photos that I've printed and it's a great way to use up favorite scraps of paper and embellishments on a smaller scale. Some weeks I document on a single page and other week's like this one I wanted a larger title to create a double-pager entry.

I love these stripes and how they make all of the green in the tennis pictures pop! It was fun to get them to meet up in the middle at opposite angles in a V-design.

Sometimes my journaling is anything but straight when I am done.  

I think it looks pretty intentional when you add messy/wonky lines to your writing!

Let's see what is your favorite memory of the week! 

 Please post your entries in the Paper Issues 

Friends and Fans September Album for 52 Friday Favorites!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Make sure you tag us online when you have completed Paper Issues challenges.

Save 20% on each item you order with code: Stacie

Read It: Pinspire Me

Hello! A fun September mood board is ready for you in the 

Facebook Friends and Fans group. I was so inspired by the stack of books that

 I immediately set out to use my Silhouette to cut books and use them with my son's photo! 

Check out my blog post at Paper Issues to check out the moodboard and other details!

September's Mood Board:

For the book cut files, I grabbed my watercolors 

and chose colors that matched the Simple Stories Lil Dude papers.  

After drying it, I added fine line doodle outlines with my WE R ruler on each of the books 

to give the stack of books more definition.

I love the reflection of the book and my son in the countertop. 

 It was a fun picture to capture because usually they are 

hiding in their rooms when they read!  

I love the text overlay in the Thickers and in the patterned paper.

 It all adds details to the reading theme which is an extra bonus!

Tone on tone stickers and little enamel dots for pops of color.

  I hope you check out the September challenges on Facebook,

 especially the Pinspire Me moodboard challenge.

I have so many challenges I can't wait to try out!

Have you checked out the August kits? The swag bag and the kit of the month are beyond awesome and full of fun!

Blue Ain't Your Color is on my desk right now.  

There is so much included!

Get yours before it's gone!

Don't forget to check out the new cut files

 that are always free in the store.

Save 20% on all of your favorites in stock at Paper Issues!

code: Stacie

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by!

Page Maps- September Sketch

We partnered with Becky Fleck of Page Maps this month at Paper Issues

 and here's my take on the sketch!

You can see I mixed up the sketch and used stars in place of the hearts. 

 It was so much fun to stitch on a layout using lots of colors to coordinate.

The Simple Stories Lil Dude collection was fun to use

 and it paired so well with Ryan's photos from Hawaii.

Check out more PI Design Team team ups with Page Maps on the Page Maps blog.

You can find all of the Page Maps sketches

 for September and play along! 

Thanks for stopping by!