Pretty Little Studio | AIN'T LIFE GRAND!! & GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday friends!  The wait for my third collection, Ain't Life Grand, for Pretty Little Studio is over!  It's NOW available for Pre-order in the PLS Shop!

Here are a few (or a lot) of my favorite things from the collection!

Now, head over to the Pretty Little Studio Shop and check out the full collection.  Then come back and leave me a comment letting me know your favorite item or items from the collection, and I'll have a small giveaway for one lucky WINNER!

Pretty Little Studio | Too Cute

Today, I'm stopping in to share my first layout with my Ain't Life Grand, that's coming to the Pretty Little Studio shop soon...hopefully next week!!  Starting this month, I'll be sharing two posts on the PLS Blog, and bringing you inspiration using my collections.  I had to get creative with my first layout, because I only had part of the collection...Journaling Cards and Die Cuts.

I decided to use one of the Cloud Nine 6×4 Pocket Cards and and a couple of the Hello Today 3×4 cards as my patterned paper.  Before adding the cards to my background, I drew the words Too Cute on my White card stock with the Silhouette Sketch Pens and then hand stitched over the title.  I also added machine stitching to the cards, before placing them on the layout.

I placed my photo over the Journaling Cards and also brought in one of the Easy Breezy Shipping Tags for more layering.  Next up, it was time to add some of the fun die cuts!  I used a mix of pieces from the Document This pack, the Bloomin’ Blooms pack and the Framed pack.  When I’m using die cuts on my layouts, I like to use pop dots with some of the pieces to add a dimensional look on the layout.

I wanted to add some textural embellishments to the layout, but not having any from the collection yet, I had to turn to my scrappy stash.  I used some enamel dots and a paper clip arrow, that coordinated with the colors in Ain’t Life Grand.  I also grabbed one of the Flair Buttons from my Tinsel Town collection, that went with the colors in the layout.  I love it when you can mix items from different collections!

I have a process video to go along with my layout, showing how everything came together.  You can check it out here!

I can’t wait for the Ain’t Life Grand collection to be available in the Shop!  I hope you’ve found some inspiration from my layout today, and that you’re looking forward to picking up some of this bright and happy collection!

Tinsel Town | The Magic of Christmas

I am so excited to stop in today and share my first layout, using my newest collection from Pretty Little Studio, Tinsel Town!!  The collection arrived the day before we went out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, so I couldn't wait to sit down and make a layout, our first day back home!  

I love using non-traditional Christmas colors, so I knew I wanted a bright, fun color scheme when I created this collection.  I also love Wood Grain papers, so I started the layout by cutting my title from the Yule Log patterned paper.  I used the new Christmas Magic cut file set from The Cut Shoppe, to create a large title on the layout.  Once the title was cut, I added it to a white cardstock background, tilted it a bit and then stitched through it with my sewing machine.

I wanted several textures on the layout, so I used a mix of the Twinkle Acrylics, Twinkle Die Cuts, Wood Veneers, Flair Button and sequins.  I love the scattered look of the embellishments and the various dimension created by each one.  Since the design of the layout gravitated on the left side of the page, I decided to balance it with some patterned papers from the collection on the right hand side.  I cut strips from several of the patterned papers and layered them along the right side of the page.  Then I stitched along each one, to bring some texture to the strips.

I hope you've had a chance to pick up some of the Tinsel Town collection from the PLS shop, and that you've found some inspiration today for working with the collection!  This is a LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION, so make sure you get it while it's available!

I'm also doing a GIVEAWAY on my Instagram account, so make sure you check it out for the chance to win a selection of the Tinsel Town collection.  You can find me on Instagram at @ashleyhorton75.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission from any purchases made from product clicks on this post.

PRODUCTS USED:

 

Oakley Avenue | Love Us

When the whole family wears plaid, it calls for a layout!  We were off to church this past Sunday, and I grabbed the selfie stick to snap a photo before we headed inside.  As I got started on the layout, I knew I wanted to use the Cozy Blanket patterned paper from my Oakley Avenue collection with Pretty Little Studio, for some die cut leaves from the Leaf It To Me cut file set from The Cut Shoppe!

There was a lot of color going on in the photo, since all of our shirts had different colored plaids.  I didn't want to change the photo to black & white and take away from the plaid pattern, so I had to figure out a way to make the photo work with the colors in the Oakley Avenue collection.  I decided it would work best, to cut all of the leaves from the Cozy Blanket patterned paper, instead of bringing in more color and pattern with other papers from the collection.  This gave me a contrast between the colors in the photo and the colors in the patterned paper, that helped complement one another, instead of fighting with one another on the layout.

Instead of cutting all of the leaves as solid shapes from the Cozy Blanket paper, I also cut the outline of a few of them from White cardstock.  Then I backed the open leaf design with the solid leaf cut from the patterned paper.  Once all of the leaves were cut, I arranged them in a scattered look and machine stitched each one to my White cardstock background.  Since these leaves gave me two layers, I folded up the edges to create a fun dimensional look on the layout.

I wanted to keep the leaves uncovered, so I left a space on the bottom left for my photo.  Then I used some of the Oakley Avenue die cuts scattered among the leaves and two flair buttons, layered over a couple of the leaves.  I completed the layout with a bit of Black Color Shine splatters. 

If you need a fun Fall collection to document your photos or use for your paper crafting projects, make sure you visit the Pretty Little Studio shop and check out the full Oakley Avenue collection! 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission from any purchases made from product clicks on this post.

PRODUCTS USED:

 

Oakley Avenue | My Favorite

Happy Friday everyone!  We are finally supposed to get some cooler temperatures coming in over the next couple of weeks, so I thought a Fall layout was in order for today!  I wanted to use my Oakley Avenue collection with the new Flock of Feathers background cut file from The Cut Shoppe.

 
Since the patterned papers from Pretty Little Studio are not offered in 12x12 sizes, I always have to decide what I want to do for the background first.  I've used a lot of White cardstock backgrounds to go along with the OA collection, but I thought I would try something different this time.  I was inspired by my scrappy friend, Gina Lideros, to try a kraft background.  It's been a long time since I used a full kraft background.  I usually feel like the colors in a collection just don't look right with it, but I think the OA collection went really well with the kraft.

I cut the Flock of Feathers background from White cardstock...I can't totally get away from the White!!  Then I backed the open feathers with several different patterned papers from the OA collection.  I also machine stitched on the solid feathers to add more interest and texture to the design.

My photo needed to stand out from the colorful background, so I decided to print it in Black & White for contrast.  I used the die cut Orchard Words and Vibrant letter stickers to add my title.  Then I placed a few more of the die cut words above and below the photo.  I kept the rest of the embellishing fairly simple, with a few wood veneers and stickers.

You can still pick up the Oakley Avenue collection from the Pretty Little Studio shop, and you can also check out my new Christmas collection, Tinsel Town, while you're there.  It's available for pre-order through November 10th! 
 
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission from any purchases made from product clicks on this post.

PRODUCTS USED: 

Silhouette America - Cameo Version 2 - Electronic Cutting System - Starter Bundle
Scrapbook.com

Hello Fall & OAKLEY AVENUE GIVEAWAY!!

I'm still making my way through the Oakley Avenue collection, and I had some time to create a new layout earlier this week.  I wanted to work with the Leaf Pile cut file from The Cut Shoppe, and mix it with some products from the Oakley Avenue collection.  And there's something really unusual about this layout...I didn't use any patterned paper!  That's something I haven't done in a long, long time!

Since the papers in the Pretty Little Studio collections are not sized to 12x12, I decided to use a White cardstock background for this layout.  Then I cut the Leaf Pile 12x12 background from a second sheet of White cardstock.  Initially, I thought I might add in some patterned papers behind the cut file or add some watercolor, but in the end, I really loved the White on White look.

I decided to go with some of the embellishments from the collection, to bring in pops of color.  The Fall Florals stickers were the first thing I grabbed.  I knew the Red and Yellow colors on the flowers would look great against the White background.  I mixed some of the wood veneers, stickers and fussy cut leaves around the photo, to create a fun visual triangle.

And for some extra pops of color, I finished the layout with some scattered Harvest Pumpkin sequins!  I really loved the final effect of the pops of color against the White background paper and cut file!

You can check out the full Oakley Avenue collection, by heading over to the Pretty Little Studio website!

How would you like to win a selection of products from the Oakley Avenue collection??!!  I'm giving away some selected products to one lucky winner!

HOW TO ENTER:

Make sure you are following my Blog.

Leave a comment below and let me know what is one of your favorite items from the Oakley Avenue collection!

I will announce one random winner on the Blog, on Tuesday, November 1st, so make sure you check back to see if you're the lucky winner! 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission from any purchases made from product clicks on this post.

PRODUCTS USED:

Silhouette America - Cameo Version 2 - Electronic Cutting System - Starter Bundle
Scrapbook.com

TINSEL TOWN COLLECTION!

It's a little too early to wish you a Merry Christmas, but it's not too early to check out my newest collection, Tinsel Town with Pretty Little Studio!  It's perfect for documenting your Christmas photos on layouts, for your Christmas Daily albums, decorating your December Planner spread and more!  The collection is available for Pre-Order right now on the Pretty Little Studio website.  Pre-orders are taking place now through November 5th.

Here's a look at some of the products you'll find included in the Tinsel Town collection...but make sure you check everything out on the PLS website, because there's so much more!!

While you're checking out the Tinsel Town collection, don't forget to take a look at Oakley Avenue, if you haven't had a chance to pick it up yet!  It's been so awesome to see all of the amazing projects you've created with Oakley Avenue, and I can't wait to see how you use Tinsel Town!

Oakley Avenue | Changing Colors

I am having so much fun with my Oakley Avenue collection from Pretty Little Studio!  I have a new layout to share today, using the Leaf Pile cut file from The Cut Shoppe.  The collection and cut file were perfect with the photo I snapped, of a fall leaf that was found on an afternoon walk.

Instead of cutting the full background cut file, I just cut three individual leaves.  Then I backed each one with various papers from Oakley Avenue.  I knew I wanted to layer my photo over the leaves in the background.  Then I used a mix of the Breezy, Rusted, Golden and Vibrant letter stickers for the title, as well as the Firewood Alphas...which are my favorite!!

Once I had the title finished, I embellished around the photo with a mix of wood veneers, cut aparts, die cuts and a flair button from the collection.  I also decided to add a bit more leaves to the layout, so I fussy cut several from the Leaf Love patterned paper.  After placing the leaves, I noticed that I had ended up with a heart shape!  So I decided to machine stitch around the design to help define the heart shape.

Do you have a favorite from the collection?  Mine would definitely be the Firewood Alphas and the Fall Away Arrows!  You can grab your favorites over in the Pretty Little Studio shop!

Oakley Avenue | Hello Boots

I probably wear flip flops about 90% of the year, but I also love a cute pair of boots!  My two current pairs of boots, are high boots, but I decided to buy some ankle boots...that are really cute and were on sale, which makes them even better!  And of course, I had to snap a photo of them, and what better collection to document the photo, than my Oakley Avenue collection from Pretty Little Studio!

I really love the Cross My Heart vellum paper, so I cut a large circle on my Cameo to use in the background of the layout.  I added a bit of adhesive to the vellum paper, where I knew my photo would cover it and then stitched around the outside edge of the circle with my sewing machine.  For the title, I mixed the Orchard Words Die Cuts with the Firewood Alphas.  

I always like to embellish around my photo, so I also added the Love word from the Love Fall Acrylic shapes.  And I really wanted to work in some of the pretty Fall Florals stickers, so I made a cluster on the left hand side of the photo.  From there, I used a mix of the die cuts, stickers and Golden sequins to create a diagonal, scattered design on the layout.  I finished with a line of the Fall In Love Vellum Tape down the right hand side of the layout.

You can check out the full Oakley Avenue collection on the Pretty Little Studio website!  It's perfect for your favorite Fall photos and can be used with everyday photos, too!  If you're creating with the collection, I'd love to see your projects, so make sure you tag me on Instagram at ashleyhorton75!

Tinsel Town Collection!

I know we've still got to get through Halloween and Thanksgiving, but when it comes to Scrapbook Collections, things have to show up ahead of schedule!  To help get you in the holiday spirit, my new Christmas collection called Tinsel Town will be coming to the Pretty Little Studio shop soon!  Pre-orders will take place October 18th-30th.  I thought I would pop in today and share a few sneaks with you!

Lots of fun die cuts!  You can never have too many die cuts, in my opinion!!  And here are a few of my favorite patterned papers that will be included in the collection.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

REINDEER GAMES

 TRIM THE TREE

This collection will also include flair buttons, stickers, sequins, wood veneers, acrylics and more!  So make sure you head over to the Pretty Little Studio website on October 18th to place your pre-order!!