Tiny Victories / Hip Kit Club

Hello again, friends!  I'm back today to share my newest layout for Hip Kit Club.  I used the 2018 April Hip Kits.  I sorted through all the Pinkfresh Studio chipboard pieces and puffy stickers and noticed a lot of the phrases on them fit my little family so perfectly.  I knew I had to use the green "Tiny Victories" circle as my title.  Both our girls have nonverbal autism, and they have never been interested in playing together.  They NEVER sit beside each other.  On this random day, they did!  I had to hurry and capture it.  Although that seems like something very small and common, for us it was HUGE.  Hence the title :)

I went with a vertical circle design since most of the embellishments were circles.  I punched a few more circles using some Paige Evans Pick-Me-Up patterned papers as well.  I used some gesso on the background before attaching all the circles and then used a mix of the Dylusions Shimmer Spray from the Color Kit and some of the Peacock Feathers & Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxides from previous kits.

To jazz up the paper circles and add more color and texture, I machine stitched in various matching colors.  I also used a few of the Pick-Me-Up floral die cuts and a few Crate Paper gold puffy Thicker hearts.

I really love the phrases on these circles...they really do say a lot about our daily challenges.  Our life is hardly perfect, and we embrace that.  It's fun and never dull, so we just go with it :)  I split my journaling up on both sides here.

I love how there was some open space in the photos here that left room for this green circle.  No heads were covered up :)

I added some tangled thread under the photo here for an extra pop of pink, and this "love this" piece is an exclusive Hip Kit puffy sticker.

Have you tried the Distress Oxides yet?  They react so well with water....the result is always gorgeous!

Here's one more close-up of all the fun details.

Have embellishments ever inspired your layout?  This whole page came together because of those circles.  I just arranged them like I wanted and the rest of the page just happened :)  Be sure to check out my process video here:

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

Mom Life / Paige Evans DT

Happy Tuesday, friends!  I have a new layout up today for the Paige Evans Design Team.  I mixed and matched bits and pieces from all five of Paige’s collections (Fancy Free, Take Me Away, Oh My Heart, Turn the Page, Pick-Me-Up) for this layout! I wanted to create some sort of rainbow on my layout, so I cut several of Paige’s Scalloped Border Background cut file from white cardstock using a Silhouette Cameo. I sorted through all the papers from all collections and pulled out lots of colors. Most of the papers came from the Fancy Free 12x12 Paper Pad, the Oh My Heart 12x12 Paper Pad and 6x6 Paper Pad, the Turn the Page 6x6 Paper Pad, Take Me Away 6x6 Paper Pad, and the Pick-Me-Up 6x6 Paper Pad. I cut scalloped pieces from the patterned papers and glued them on top of the scallops.

I added lots of ink sprays to the white cardstock background and then arranged the scalloped borders in rainbow order in layers above and below the photos. I machine stitched through each border using coordinating thread colors. I wanted the scallops to be imperfect and kind of wonky, so I was okay with them being a little crooked. I fussy cut some butterflies from the Turn the Page 6x6 Paper Pad and tucked them in coordinating rows. I also used lots of stickers from the 30-page Paige Evans #StickerBook.

I mixed and matched the title, which I adhered right on top of the photos. I used “mom life” from the 30-page #StickerBook. I combined the Pick-Me-Up Mini Thickers and Chipboard Thickers to complete the title.

I layered in several pieces on both sides of the photos including tangled thread along with more stickers and fussy cut butterflies. I added foam adhesive behind my photos to make them more dimensional.

I love using black & white photos when I'm planning on using lots of color on the layout.  It just makes the photos pop and it makes the colors pop.  If the background is really colorful like this, sometimes multi-colored photos can get lost and it becomes overly busy.  This is a great way to keep the focus on the photos amidst all the color chaos :)

It was fun sorting through all the collections to find all the red tones and so on with all the colors.  I can't believe I had thread in all the matching colors!

Here's one more close-up just because the scallops turned out so bright and pretty :)

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to mix and match collections. It was fun to pick and choose all these fun colors to work with!  Be sure to check out my process video here if you'd like to see how this all came together :)

Thanks for stopping in and have a great week!

Chillin' / Using Older Supplies ft. MakePaperArt

Hey, friends!  I'm back today to share a new layout I created featuring a fun cut file from MakePaperArt.  This is a fun Etsy store owned by the sweet Amanda, and she sent me a few cut files to play with.  Thanks, Amanda!  This one is Lots of Dots cut file, and I arranged the circles in different sizes.  I pulled out the Pink Paislee Summer Lights collection from last year and made a fun Summer layout.

I cut all the circles first and then coated the cardstock with clear gesso.  I backed all the circles with papers from the 6x6 Paper Pad and then began adding color to the background.  I used mostly Distress Oxides in a few shades of blue, pink and yellow.  I also added in some Shimmerz Inklingz in Plum Crazy for some purple hints.  Once that all dried, I machine stitched through the circles using matching threads.

I used lots of Summer Lights embellishments including this adorable chipboard mermaid.  I layered her under and over the photo.  I also fussy cut a few pieces from a 6x6 paper.  That orange color is so pretty!

I layered a die cut frame under the photo as well as some tissue paper and adhesive foam.  I enhanced the purple here by adding in some tangled thread.  I love how all the colors are showing through all the fun circles.

I wanted a bit of color coming out from behind the photo, so I used my ink foam blending tool with the Distress Oxides to smudge the color down.  Then I used a brush and a bit of water to smudge and blend it around.

I fussy cut these hearts from patterned paper.

I created the title using some of the Summer Lights die cuts and wrote my journaling under it.  I created a little cluster down at the bottom using some stickers and a chipboard piece.  I added some purple by adding some tangled thread.

I love all these soft colors with the hot pink mixed in!  So pretty.  My cardstock did warp slightly, but not enough to make a big difference.

Here's the last close-up.  I love these pinks up against the blue ink on the background.

I hope this inspires you to check out Amanda's awesome cut files!  This was lots of fun to make.  I do have a process video here, so check it out if you have time :)

Thanks for stopping in, and I'll see you soon!  Have a nice day :)

Love Miss Kayla / Hip Kit Club

Hey friends!  Happy Tuesday :)  I have a fun layout to share for Hip Kit Club today featuring the 2018 April Hip Kits.  I was inspired by DT member Audrey’s Lace Background cut file, which is  for subscribers this month.  I saw flower shapes in it, so I cut several of them using lots of patterned papers from the Main Kit.  I mixed and matched them and even hand-stitched around the centers of the bigger ones.  I wanted to make them look a little more dimensional, so I messily smudged some white gesso and Distress Oxides over them.  I used the two colors from the Color Kit along with a few others from past kits.  I used the Turquoise Mist cardstock from the Cardstock Kit as my background.

Here you can see how the mixed media really makes the papers look more colorful and textured.  I layered them randomly around the page and added some tangled thread along with some of the black & white Pinkfresh Studio chipboard leaves.

I tucked in a few of the gold metallic Thickers from the Embellishment Kit around the page and added some of the enamel dots to the centers of the flowers.

If you want more dimension on your layout, only glue down the center of the flower.  This way you can curl up the edges to stand off the page.  Since I had pops of gold from the Thickers, I had to add some Gold Color Shine splatters.

I did jazz up the cardstock background by using white gesso, the Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide and some of the Vicki Boutin Iridescent Glitter Glaze from last month’s Color Kit.  I used a palette knife to scrap it all on and just add some shine and darker shades of teal to the paper.  I also used some of the Dylusions Polished Jade Shimmer Spray from the Color Kit.  It’s so pretty!

I used a few patterned papers as layers behind my photo strip and added a Pinkfresh Studio puffy sticker above it.

Finally, I mixed and matched my title by combining one of the gold Thickers with some of the Shimelle Box of Crayons alphas and the exclusive ombre puffy alphas.  So gorgeous!  Here you can also see where I did a bit of stencil work with the Distress Oxides.  The stencil is in the Color Kit.

I hope this inspires you to think outside the box when it comes to cut files.  There are multiple ways to use them, so get creative!   This is a great way to use lots of your patterned papers.  I have a process video here if you’d like to check it out.

Thanks for stopping in, and have a great day!

My Faves Mini Album / Paige Evans DT

Hey, friends!  Happy Friday...yeah!  I have something different to share for a change...haha!  I cretaed a mini album for the Paige Evans Design Team.  I have been wanting to try something out of my comfort zone lately and mini albums fall into that category. I used Paige’s 1 Piece of Paper Mini Album cut file for my project today!

I cut the mini album base from a single piece of white cardstock using my Silhouette Cameo and then added gesso and lots of ink sprays to each panel. I used several stencils and modeling paste on some of the panels to add some fun texture. I used a sunburst stencil on the cover along with some pink ink spray. I titled this “My Faves” to document several photos of me and my girls. I used a piece of foiled patterned paper from the Pick-Me-Up 6x6 Paper Pad to create a small spine for the album and I tucked in a bit of Pick-Me-Up Washi Tape before machine stitching it down. To close the album, I glued two buttons on top of a tiny piece of foam and wound some dark blue floss around them. I tied one of the Oh My Heart Heart Charms on the end for added cuteness.

Some of my stitching overlapped some of the Pick-Me-Up Rub-Ons here, but I don’t mind, I think it makes it look even more homemade. I also used some Pick-Me-Up Stickers here as well as the 2x2 Paper Pads and Ephemera Die Cuts. The way the cut file folds allows for several little pockets for tucking in tags, which I topped with some Turn the Page Ribbon.

Here I wrote a bit of journaling and added some fussy cut butterflies from the Pick-Me-Up Washi Tape as well as another Rub-On.

I also cut several of Paige’s cut files to add some of the pages. This one is the Heart Group cut file which I topped with more Pick-Me-Up Stickers.

This is the Circles Doily cut file and I added a cute pink bow from the Pick-Me-Up Ephemera Die Cuts.

This is the Heart Word Happy cut file and I used some Pick-Me-Up Puffy Stickers and Rub-Ons here.

I tucked in a flower here from the Flower Cluster cut file. More Pick-Me-Up Puffy Stickers and Rub-Ons on the right side.

I did some fussy cutting here from the Pick-Me-Up 6x6 Paper Pad and added more Rub-Ons, Washi Tape, Stickers, and a piece of an Ephemera Die Cut. I also used the “happy” positive piece from the Heart Word Happy cut file.

I love how this page turned out. I used a flower stencil to create some texture and then added the Heart Love cut file over it. I topped it with some tiny Pick-Me-Up Puffy Stickers.

This was an easy way to create a clasp to keep the album closed. I’m terrible at tying bows so all I have to do here is wind the floss around the button on the back.

Here you can see the spine and how it’s stitched onto the front and back. I love that pop of dark blue.

Even though I struggle with mini albums, this was a lot of fun to put together. It’s fun to change things up and try something different. And my favorite thing about this is that it’s made from only one sheet of paper!

You can watch how I put this whole thing together here in my process video:

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!

Hey Kitty / Bramble Fox Guest Designer

Hello again, friends!  I'm back today with my second layout as the April Guest Designer for Bramble Fox.  The sweet gals over there were kind enough to send me several packages of their awesome acrylic shapes and phrases to play with.  I incorporated three pieces on this page.  I pulled out some older Dear Lizzy Neopolitan papers and stickers to create this, and I used Paige Evans' Back This Font cut file.

I used a floral patterned paper from the collection for my background.  To fade out a lot of the pattern, I covered a lot of the paper with white gesso.  This gave me some white space to play with and it makes everything stand out and not get lost in the background.  I used some Shimmerz Creameez on the background...Piggy Pink, Just Peachie & Good Ol' Summer Time.  I also used some Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Butter.  I added some Shimmeringz in Concrete at the end to pull out some of the grey tones.

I enlarged the letters to make a big title and backed all the letters with bits of patterned paper.  I love the colors in this collection...so soft and pretty!  I also added some adhesive foam under them to raise them off the page.  I used the light pink open border piece here at the bottom.  I think it looks really cute under the title.  I added a few stickers on top of it and wrote my journaling under it.

This piece was perfect in the spot between the title words.  These acrylic pieces are very versatile because you can color them if you want.  You could color them with a Sharpie or add some gesso and then paint them.

This spot was perfect for this cute little cloud.  I added some patterned papers behind my photo and then tucked in a few flower stickers and fussy cut leaves.

This is why I like to add foam behind things...it creates a fun shadow effect and just makes the whole layout seem a bit more 3D.

I fussy cut this flower cluster to add in over here.  I like the pop of color in this area.

I also fussy cut this flower cluster and used a few more flower stickers under it.  I also added some grey thread around the photo.

Here's one more close-up just because :)

I hope this inspires you in some way!  Be sure to check out Bramble Fox for some really adorable scrapbooking and crafting goodies!  One more thing...here's my process video if you'd like to watch how this page came together.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you soon!