Color Theory Class | For Like Ever

I am sad that the Studio Calico Color Theory class has reached an end!  It was so much fun learning the techniques that Wilna Furstenberg shared each week.  I'm a little behind on the last three lessons, because of so many things going on all at the same time, but I found time over the weekend to complete a layout for Lesson 6 Tints & Shades.

The painting technique for this lesson, gave me a little more trouble than the others.  My first mistake, was placing the paint too far and too low on the right hand side of the cardstock.  I didn't like the placement at all.  So once it dried, I decided to cut around the paint strokes and adhere it to another piece of cardstock, and get it in a better spot.  And my painting technique didn't turn out exactly the way it was supposed to, but I still loved the end result of the layout.

I have two lessons to finish up, and I can't wait to work on those.  Once I have them completed, I'll be back to share them with you!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper, Wood Veneers, Chipboard, Brads, Enamel Dots, Stickers, & Ephemera:  Simple Stories; Acrylic Paint:  Studio Calico & Reeves; Thickers & Date Stamp:  American Crafts; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz

 ETSY STORE

Simple Stories | Shape It Up

Last Friday, I was up on the Simple Stories Blog with two new layouts, and I wanted to pop in and share them with you today.  I love using my Silhouette Cameo and die cuts to create fun, unique looks on my layouts.  And every once in a while, I like to do something a little different and use popular shapes to create shaped photos on my layouts!  For my first layout, I used one of the Simple Stories talk bubble shapes.  Did you know, that Simple Stories has lots of fun shapes in the Silhouette store?  Well they do, so make sure you stop by and check them out!

I used the Wood Grain paper from the Life Documented collection as the background for this layout.  Then I ran it through my Cameo and cut three large talk bubble shapes.  After they were cut, I backed each talk bubble shape with my photos.

Since the large talk bubbles were a negative cut, I also wanted to add some smaller positive talk bubbles.  I cut these from four different patterned papers from the Life Documented collection and added pop dots under each one to add some dimension to my layout.

And I also played around with mixing product on this layout.  Most of it is from the Life Documented collection, but I also mixed in wood veneers from the Say Cheese II Collection and some items from the Epic SN@P Pack.

Supplies Used:

Thinking Out Loud Patterned Paper:  7016

It's Your Life Patterned Paper:  7019

Stitch In Time Patterned Paper:  7020

Bold Moves Patterned Paper:  7021

Life Documented Bits & Pieces:  7029

Life Documented Enamel Dots:  7031

Life Documented Icon Stickers:  7040

SN@P Stickers Light:  7059

Say Cheese II Wood Veneer:  4337

SN@P Pack Epic:  7085

On my second layout, I wanted to use a Triangle design.  I used a basic Triangle shape and created several different sizes, and randomly arranged them in Silhouette Studio.  Once the Triangles were cut, I backed them with different patterned papers from the I Am 6x6 paper pad.

Because I was using a square Instagram photo, my printed photo didn't fill in the large Triangle where I wanted to place it.  So I added the photo first behind the Triangle shape, and then used the Yellow diagonal striped paper from the 6x6 paper pad behind the photo to cover the rest of the Triangle.

I wanted to embellish my layout, but not cover all of the patterned papers behind the Triangles, so I chose a few of them to embellish with Stickers, Bits & Pieces, Bradz, and Enamel Dots.
 

Supplies Used:

I Am Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers:  4502

I Am Expressions Cardstock Stickers:  4503

I Am 6x6 Paper Pad:  4522

I Am Bradz:  4527

I Am Chipboard Stickers:  4528

I Am Bits & Pieces:  4529

I Am Enamel Dots:  4531

I Am Stickers:  4532

I Am Wood Veneer:  4541

So if you're looking for a fun way to use some of your Simple Stories products, make sure you check out the coordinating cut files in the Silhouette store.  There are a lot of great shapes to use for your next project!

 ETSY STORE

Simple Stories | Love Is In the Air

Today I have two brand new layouts on the Simple Stories Blog, and I wanted to share them here too!  I am having so much fun creating with the new I Am and Say Cheese II collections!  And since Valentine's Day is only a few days away, I wanted to share some "love"ly ideas for creating love themed layouts, with these two collections.

I think we all have a tendency to document what we feel are the "best" photos on our layouts.  But I think it's important to also document the not so perfect photos too.  We want our albums to be a record of memories for future generations, so I think that includes the good and the not so good.  The photo I used definitely isn't perfect.  The kids hair was wind blown and our son had his eyes closed, but I love that it showed the bond between the kids.

I started my layout, with the idea to create the heart circle die cut and add water color paint behind it.  Once I had my die cut paper layered over the dry water color paint, I mounted the White cardstock on the Courageous 12x12 paper.  Then I used my sewing machine to add some messy stitched circles around the heart design.

I thought it would be fun to add some dimension to my photo, so I layered it over one of the Interactive Elements.  After my photo was in place, I started adding embellishments from the I Am collection including Decorative Brads, Enamel Dots and Bits & Pieces.

Supplies Used:
Courageous Patterned Paper:  4505
2x2 and 4x6 Elements Patterned Paper:  4512
6x6 Paper Pad:  4522
Bradz:  4527

6x12 Chipboard:  4528

Bits & Pieces:  4529
Enamel Dots:  4531
Interactive Elements:  4537

On my second layout, using the Say Cheese II collection, I wanted to try out a fun trend that's been popping up lately...String Art.  I cut out the letters for the word Love on my Cameo, and then placed them on my background paper.  I traced around the letters, and then used my paper piercer to punch holes for my stitching.

After I back stitched around the edge of each letter, I randomly criss-cross stitched on the letters using Teal embroidery floss to create the String Art look.  I wanted the title in the center of my page, so I added my photo and embellishing at the top.  I chose the Teal striped patterned paper and embroidery floss, to balance out the Pink that was in my photo. 
 

I also thought it would be fun to create some hand cut letters to finish the title for my page.  I used four different papers from the Say Cheese II 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad and my small scissors to cut out the word This.  Once I had the letters in place, I used my sewing machine to add some stitching.

I also created a Process Video, showing how I put this layout together!  I hope you will check it out and Subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Supplies Used: 
Unique Patterned Paper:  4518
2x12, 4x12 & 6x12 Elements Patterned Paper:  4315
6x6 Paper Pad:  4322

Bradz:  4327

Bits & Pieces:  4329

Enamel Dots:  4331

4x6 Stickers Sheet:  4332

Chipboard Frames:  4338

The I Am collection and Say Cheese II collections would also be great, for some of your Valentine's projects or Cards!

 ETSY STORE

Simple Stories | My First Post!

I am so excited to share my first post as one of the new Design Team members for Simple Stories!  Their new collections are so fabulous, and I couldn't wait to use them.  For my first post I created two layouts, using the Say Cheese II collection and the I Am collection.  Here's a look at what I created with the collections!

I wanted to create a masculine layout, using the Say Cheese II collection.  I love that it's versatile enough to use for your Disney layouts and projects or for your everyday projects.  I started my layout by choosing the Laughter patterned paper for my background.  Before I started working on my layout, I cut my title from the background paper, using my Silhouette Cameo, and backed it with one of the patterned papers from the 6x6 paper pad.

 

Then I got to work on placing all of my embellishments.  I love to cluster elements around my photo, so it helps to draw attention to the subject of my layout.  I created a fun look by layering one of the Chipboard frames, some of the Bits & Pieces, Stickers and a Decorative Clip.  You just can go wrong with so many awesome coordinating embellishments!

Supplies Used:
Laughter Patterned Paper: 4311
3x4 & 4x6 Elements Patterned Paper: 4312 
Photo Op Patterned Paper: 4308
Say Cheese II 6x6 Paper Pad: 4322
Say Cheese II Chipboard Frames: 4338
Say Cheese II Bits & Pieces: 4329
Say Cheese II Enamel Dots: 4331
Say Cheese II Bradz: 4327
Say Cheese II Decorative Clips: 4336
Say Cheese II Stickers: 4332

Next up, is a layout using the gorgeous new I Am collection.  This collection is perfect for telling your own story...it's okay to be in front of the camera once in a while!  If you find it a little too intimidating to create a layout completely focused on you, then why not start out with baby steps, and do a family layout with a fun, family selfie!

Once I chose the Grateful patterned paper for my background, I knew the I Am Chipboard Frames would look great against the muted pattern.  Plus, it's pretty fun to fill them with different patterned papers and embellishments! 

I wanted to create an over-sized title on my layout, to balance out the photo and use of the frames.  I decided to mix the large I Am phrase from the Chipboard Stickers, with one of the Simple Stories die cut words, to create my title.  Once I had it in place, I added a little machine stitching to add some texture to my page.

Supplies Used:
Grateful Patterned Paper: 4508
I Am 6x6 Paper Pad: 4522
I Am Chipboard Frames: 4538
I Am Chipboard Stickers: 4528
I Am Enamel Dots: 4531
I Am Bits & Pieces: 4529
I Am Bradz: 4527

Both of these collections are being debuted at WCHA, along with the Enchanted collection and lots of other new Simple Stories goodies!  If you are at CHA this week, then make sure you stop by the Simple Stories booth for a visit, and check out all of the amazing new products!

 ETSY STORE