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

Echo Park | Roll Call

Today I'm stopping in to share a layout for Echo Park, created with the Through the Year collection!

This is such fun collection, because it gives you a little bit of all the seasons in one pack.  You could easily use this collection, to create a variety of cards, pocket scrapbook pages, or a layout, like I’m sharing today!

I used a mix of the patterned papers and stickers on my layout, and I wanted to create an interactive element on my page, using the coordinating Designer Dies.  The File Tab Die Set caught my eye, and I decided to create a mini file folder to add to my page.  You can stop by the Echo Park Blog, to see a tutorial of the steps for creating the file folder.


Supplies:
File Tab Die Set 
November Patterned Paper 
January to April Patterned Paper 
Days of the Week Patterned Paper 
Apples Patterned Paper
Month Border Strips Patterned Paper
Snowflake Flurry Patterned Paper 
Element Stickers Sheet 
Alpha Stickers Sheet

ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | Best Smile Ever

Today, I am sharing my first layout and card, using the January 2015 Hip Kits from Hip Kit Club!  I love all of the American Crafts product included in this month's Kits.  Here's a look at the layout and card I created!

 

When I opened the January 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, the first word that popped in my head was WOW! It was kind of hard to decide what I wanted to work with first! I really liked the striped background patterned paper from the Dear Lizzy Serendipity collection, and decided to use the Hero Arts heart mask in the background. I placed the mask on my background paper and used the Avery Elle stamp pad to add my color. I also wanted to incorporate another patterned paper, so I cut a strip of the Amy Tan kraft paper from the Stitched collection, and added it next to my photo. Then I added some hand stitching to several of the words on the patterned paper. I finished my page by adding two of the Amy Tan wood veneer frames, Thickers, the die cut words from the Dear Lizzy Serendipity collection, and embellishments from Elle's Studio and A Flair for buttons!

I love to use frames on my cards, especially when they are adorable wood veneer frames included in the January 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits! The Amy Tan wood frame gave me a great starting point for my card design. I layered several elements from the Heidi Swapp ephemera pack, to create clustering around the frame. And I love the combo of Pink and Navy, so I pulled products from the Kits, that included these two colors and made them the dominant colors on my card. I finished my card, by adding some messy machine stitching, with White thread.

Did you know that Hip Kit Club is having a DT call??!!  You can check out all of the details on the Blog, HERE!  This is an awesome Team to work with and the kits are always amazing! 

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yep, today is my birthday!  And not just any birthday, but my 40th birthday.  I don't really get bent out of shape about birthdays, because...well, what can you do about them.  You might as well try to enjoy it!  So to help celebrate, I have an awesome sale going on today in The Cut Shoppe!  Today only, you can use the Code FLASH40 and save 40% off of your purchase!

 
So I hope you'll pop over and get some of your favorite designs, you might have had your eye on.  And if it's your first visit to the Shop, do a little browsing and get a great discount on the cut files that catch your eye!

ETSY STORE

2014 Faves!

My Blog has been busy this week, but I wanted to stop in and share some of my favorite layouts from 2014!  It's always so hard to choose, and I chose more than 12!  :)  I'll keep it short and sweet and just share the layouts with you, so the post doesn't get incredibly long!

Thanks so much for spending this past year with me, and for all of your sweet comments!

ETSY STORE

A Simple Stories Happy New Year!

I am so thrilled to share, that I have been invited to be a part of the Simple Stories 2015 Design Team!  I have been a long time fan of Simple Stories, and I am looking forward to working with their collections this year, as well as the talented Ladies that will be a part of the Team for 2015!

 
Look for projects from the 2015 Team, beginning this month!  And I can't wait for you to see the new collections that will be shown at Winter CHA!

ETSY STORE

Hip Kit Club | Picture Perfect

WOW!  It's 2015!  Happy New Year friends!  I hope 2015 has great things in store for you!  Today, I am stopping in to share my last layout and card, using the December 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits.  And I'm looking forward to what's coming from Hip Kit Club in 2015!  Kimberly always puts together amazing kits each month!  So here's a look at what I created this week!

 

I wanted to make use of all of the alpha options included in the December 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, so I decided to use the acrylic alphas from Pink Paislee to create the title on my layout. I used my sewing machine to adhere the alphas to my background paper. This is a quick and easy way to adhere acrylic alphas to a page. I also wanted to use the second sheet of Amy Tan Thrifted paper, so I cut the strips from the paper and adhered them to my page above and below my photo and title.

The Amy Tan rub-ons, included in the December 2014 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits, are perfect for creating a water color look on your projects. I used several from the pack, to create a water color effect on my card. Once the rub-ons were adhered, I layered one of the Amy Tan Bits and Jillibean Soup tags. And the Dear Lizzy Printed Foil Thickers were perfect for adding the sentiment to my card.

I can't believe I've been working with these amazing Kits for a year now!  I know there will be a lot more great Kits coming in 2015!