Simple Stories | Summer, Summer Summertime

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of ashleyhortondesigns.com. I do receive compensation and material product from Simple Stories to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.

I've got two new layouts to brighten your day, using the Summer Vibes collection from Simple Stories!  There's no denying it's Summertime!  And with the warm temps, come popsicles out in the backyard and a lot of time spent in the swimming pool!
I started my first layout, with a die cut, to mimic the look of a large sun and cut it from the Yellow Wood/Grid patterned paper.  Then I backed several of the open spots with patterned paper from the 6x6 paper pad.

Since I had the large circle element at the center of the layout, I thought it would be fun to create a circular title to go around it.  I used Silhouette Studio and my Cameo to create and cut out the title letters from the 6x6 paper pad.  I wanted the title to really stand out on my layout, so instead of adhering the letters directly to the background paper, I added pop dot adhesive to each of the letters before arranging them around the die cut.

I didn't want to cover any of the title letters or the center die cut, so I placed my photo to the left hand side of the layout.  I used one of the Chipboard Frames from the Summer Vibes collection, along with some Bits & Pieces, Stickers and Chipboard Stickers, to draw attention to the photo.

Supplies:

Yellow Wood/Grid Patterned Paper #6320
Just Beachy Patterned Paper #6304
6x6 Paper Pad #6322
Bradz #6327
Bits & Pieces #6329
Chipboard Stickers #6328
Enamel Dots #6331
Chipboard Frames #6338

It took me a while to decide on a design for my second layout, because honestly, the Shine On patterned paper with the Bokeh print is so gorgeous on it's own!  I thought about just sticking my photo in the center of the paper and calling it done!!  But I do love to embellish, so I finally came up with a design that I was happy with and that still let the background paper "shine on".

I wanted a large element in the background, that I could use to ground the frames that I planned to use on the layout, but didn't want to use a large die cut that would cover the background paper.  I decided to go with a large stitched heart, and chose three colors of embroidery floss that coordinated with the Shine On patterned paper.  After I finished stitching around each of the hearts, I added my photo to the center, and the then used the remaining space around the heart, to add the Chipboard Frames.

I debated whether or not I wanted to back each of the frames, but decided to only back the one at the top of the layout.  This allowed the color from the background paper, and the stitching around the heart to show through the frames.  Then I used several embellishments from the Summer Vibes collection to "decorate" each of the frames.  

There are so many fun ways to use the Summer Vibes collection to document all of your Summer activities!  I know I'll be using it for a lot more upcoming Summer layouts! 

Supplies:

Shine On Patterned Paper #6305
6x6 Paper Pad #6322
Bradz #6327
Bits & Pieces #6329
Chipboard Stickers #6328
Enamel Dots #6331
Washi Paper Tape #6335
Chipboard Frames #6338

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Simple Stories | Summer Vibes & So Fancy

Today, I'm here to share two new Simple Stories layouts with you, for the month of June!  How is it June already??!!  Time flies when you're having fun!  And I must admit, that I am having tons of fun with the new collections from Simple Stories.  On today's layouts, I worked with the Summer Vibes collection and the So Fancy collection. 

I'll start off with my layout, using Summer Vibes, since summer is now upon us!  There is a little touch of a vintage vibe to this collection and I really love it!  I started my layout by choosing one of my favorite patterns to work with...wood grain!  The wood grain paper from the Summer Vibes Simple Basics Kit made a perfect background for my layout, and worked great with the large title I had in mind.

I chose the "You Can Never Have Too Much Happy" phrase from the Simple Stories images in the Silhouette Store.  Before cutting the phrase, I created an offset image in Silhouette Studio and used a Black sketch pen to draw out the phrase on my paper.  Then I deleted the offset lines and went back and cut the phrase by placing my blade back in the machine.  Once the cutting finished, I backed each of the words with a different patterned paper from the Summer Vibes 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad.

 
I enlarged the title to fill up my background, but created a space in between the last two lines of the phrase.  This gave me the perfect spot for adding my photos and a mix of embellishments from the Summer Vibes collection.  I created dimension by layering the Chipboard Frames, Chipboard Stickers, Bradz, Bits & Pieces and stickers.

If you're looking for fun ways to incorporate cut files and large titles in your layouts, then make sure you check out the Simple Stories portfolio in the Silhouette Store.  There are tons of great cut files that coordinate with each of the Simple Stories collections!

Supplies:

White Wood/Grid Patterned Paper #6316

Expressions Cardstock Stickers #6303

6x6 Paper Pad #6322

Bradz #6327

Chipboard Stickers #6328

Bits & Pieces #6329

Enamel Dots #6331

Chipboard Frames #6338

Now, it's time to go girly with the new So Fancy collection!  I have two daughters and the So Fancy papers and embellishments are perfect for your girly layouts.  I snapped a photo of our oldest daughter on a recent family vacation, and I wanted to pair it with this collection.

The idea for the design of this layout, started with the cards from the So Fancy SN@P pack.  I chose three that I wanted to use to create a grid design on my layout, along with my photo.  Before I placed the cards and photo on the background paper, I added a messy stitched circle with my sewing machine.  Then I started layering the cards and my photo.

I also did something on this layout that's a little different for me.  I didn't create a separate title for the layout.  A lot of the cards in the SN@P packs have great phrases on them, so I decided to use "You Make My World Sparkle" from the top card, as the title for my layout.  And the bottom two cards worked great as supporting sentiments for the layout.

Since I had the stitched circle in the background, I thought it would be fun to contrast the grid shape, by adding my embellishments in a circle around the grid.  I went through the Bits & Pieces pack, stickers, enamel dots and Bradz to pull out embellishments that would work well around the circle.  And I even pulled out a couple of wood veneer pieces from the I AM collection, to add a different texture to the layout!

So next time you're looking for a different design element on your layout, take out your SN@P pack and build your page off of some of your favorite cards from the pack!

Supplies:
Pink Watercolor/Triangles Patterned Paper #6419
6x6 Paper Pad #6422
Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers #6402
Expressions Cardstock Stickers #6403
SN@P! Cards #6423
Enamel Dots #6427
Chipboard Stickers #6428
Bits & Pieces #6429
Bradz #6431
Photo Stickers #6433
Chipboard Frames #6438
I AM Wood Veneer #4541

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Zoned Out: Creating Outside Your Comfort Zone | PL Inspired Layouts

Welcome to a new layout and video, this week for the Zoned Out: Creating Outside Your Comfort Zone series!  This week, I'm focusing on PL or Pocket Scrapbooking inspired layouts.  The whole idea of Project Life is completely outside of my comfort zone, but minimizing that idea to a single 12x12 layout makes it a lot more manageable.  And who doesn't love a good grid!

 

Here's the new video that's up to go with today's layout!  You can check out my full process for putting this layout together, and you'll also see a preview at the end, of what's coming up next Monday!

Thanks to everyone, that's joined me so far for this series, and if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, you can find the first two videos HERE and HERE!

Supplies:  SN@P Cards, Bradz, Bits & Pieces, Stickers, Chipboard & Enamel Dots: Simple Stories; Wood Veneers: Chic Tags; Thickers: American Crafts

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