hello beautiful

Hello! Today I am sharing a new to me idea on a scrappy page. I generally don't use strips of patterned paper on my layouts, but I do love the look of them, so when I sat down to create this layout for today, I decided to step out of my comfort zone a bit.

Since these photos of our two youngest daughters were in black and white, I decided that the gorgeous Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studios would be perfect to add some soft details, as well as some pretty {bold} colors. 

The strips of patterned paper were layered to create cohesion, but also an opposite effect to balance the layout. 

I also decided to try adding some partial detail border work, and I think this helps draw the eyes to the photos. 

Some chipboard, a few wooden hearts and some stickers provided the perfect finishing details to keep this layout pretty simple. 

Everything but the button twine is the Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studios. You can find it here in the Paper Issues Store. 

Don't forget to use the code Rae20 to save 20% off your entire purchase! There are new items rolling in so be sure to check them out! 

2

The March 26th challenge at The Studio Challenges blog is all about Numbers- Use numbers on your layouts whether it is in your title, in your journaling, or as a design element. The more the better! 

I started with a giant "2" in celebration of my granddaughters second birthday that I cut and then backed it with numbered patterned paper. To keep up with the theme of two, I used two photos, two pennants two, flair, two enamal dots by each of two flowers, as well as the number 2 on a photo. 

supplies-

pp, stickers, die cuts: Dear Lizzy Lovely Day collection

flair: A Flair for Buttons

spray mist, twine, DMC floss, enamel dots

Come share your number themed layout with us on The Studio Challenges blog!

we mermaid for each other

Today is New Issues Monday at Paper Issues and this month it's Anything Goes. I played along using the wonderful Mermaid For Each Other free cut file as the focal point which was perfect with the photo of Skylar and Ashlyn.

I added some hand stitching around the anchor, and some die cuts and stickers from Bella Blvd. Secrets of the Sea Girl collection added the finishing touches around it. 

Head on over to the Paper Issues Blog to see the beautiful work from several of the design team members. 

Don't forget, if you pick anything up in the store you can use the code below to save on your entire purchase! 

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the New Issue Monday challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

bloom & grow

Hi! It's time for another Product Spotlight at Paper Issues and today we are spotlighting the stunning Wild at Heart collection from Cocoa Vanilla.

I absolutely love this collection! The colors, the prints, the frames, the wood embellishments- all of it and it was well worth the additional expense.

  I had to add some fringe. It's such a great way to bring texture to a page!

You can find the gorgeous Wild at Heart collection here, and the Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors here. 

Don't forget to use the code Rae20 to save 20% off your entire purchase in the Paper Issues Store! 

i love today

It's the March 15th challenge reveal at Stuck?! Sketches! 

My layout came together so quickly and while I kept it pretty simple, the bold vibrant colors make a huge impact. 

This layout is a sister page for the page I shared yesterday. I wanted to incorporate all the photos from this moment and creating two separate layouts using the same collection worked perfectly. 

Make sure you check out what the design team did with this awesome sketch as well as to check out the wonderful sponsors. 

all the feels

I played along with the March Roll the Dice challenge at Paper Issues. This month the dice rolled a 2- use two photos, and 3- use at least 3 different washi tapes on your layout. 

I used the free Scallop Background cut file. I cut the strips and added the washi behind several of the strips. 

The bright and colorful Amy Tangerine On a Whim collection was perfect for this page. Use the code Rae20 to receive 20% your entire purchase of this collection and more in the Paper Issues Store.

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March Roll the Dice challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

chalk joy

The March 12th challenge is up at The Studio Challenges and this time we were challenged with the fun idea of using only half patterned paper - that's right, today we want you to use patterned paper on only half your layout, the rest is up to you!

I immediately had the idea to create some texture and create a lot of contrast by creating the bottom section of my layout with some fun fringe strips. While I love the look of white space, I struggle with it, so this helped me to fill up my page with color and "stuff". 

I used the lovely February kit from Felicity Jane to create this layout. I added some button twine and mist from my stash. 

hello darling

Today I am playing along with Cut It Up March: Inspired by the March Pinspire Me board. Starry background and title words- Count Your Lucky Stars. Use any part of this on a layout or project! 

I used the Starry Background free cut file and the super cute Shimelle Little by Little collection which can be found here in the Paper Issues store.

Use the code Rae20 to receive 20% your entire purchase of this collection and more in the Paper Issues Store.

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March Cut it Up challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

sweet

Hello! I had this ready, early last week for the PI March Sketchy Saturday reveal, but things got away from me so I am sharing it now. ;)

Here is a link to the awesome sketch and my take on it:

I used the Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams collection which you can find in the PI store here. Don't forget to use the code Rae20 to save on your purchase. 

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March  Sketchy Saturday challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

hello love

Hi! I'm playing along with Take 5 Tuesday at Paper Issues! This is always such a fun challenge and the one Canoe two Hazelwood collection was perfect for this month's list.  

Here is the list of the items to select from: 

I used:

1. mint green,  4. cardstock, 5. twine, 6. stickers, 7. 2+ photos, 10. patterned paper, 

11. leaves or flowers, and 14. circles.

You can find the beautiful Hazelwood collection here. Don't forget to 

use the code Rae20 to receive 20% your entire purchase in the Paper Issues Store.

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March Take 5  challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

little memories

I stepped out of my comfort zone a bit and played along with the March Quotable from Paper Issues. 

While I elected not to use the quote, I did play on the theme of being young, or in my case, little. 

I did use the colors in the quote as my inspiration for the background though. 

supplies:

pp: Amy Tangerine On A Whim which can be found here in the Paper Issues store

Heidi Swapp mists

cut file from JustNick

Use the code Rae20 to receive 20% your entire purchase in the Paper Issues Store.

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March Quotable challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

no rest for the rad

Hello! Today I have a layout to share that was created for the March Pinspire Me challenge at Paper Issues.

I struggle with scrapping green and this was a great challenge to get me to dig into green. 

Here is the board:

My layout was mostly inspired by the upper right photo and so I used the awesome Going in Circles free cut file from the PI store as the base for this. I also pulled a few colors from the top left and bottom right corner to take away from some of the green. 

I used the Pink Paislee Oh My Heart collection which can be found here in the PI store. 

Use the code Rae20 to receive 20% your entire purchase in the Paper Issues Store.

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March Pinspire Me challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

new 'do

The March Working Title challenge is up at Paper Issues and this month it's all about the BLING! Work your title and have it glitter, sparkle, shimmer or shine!

I used American Crafts Thickers which all have gold glitter or gold shine on them. 

I used the oh-so-cute and sweet Shimelle Little by Little collection which can be found here in the Paper Issues store

Use the code Rae20 to receive 20% your entire purchase of this collection and more in the Paper Issues Store.

To play along with this challenge, and for your chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Paper Issues store. , link your finished project to the March Working Title challenge album in the Paper Issues {Friends & Fans} Facebook group. Challenges are due April 2nd, Winners announced April 3rd.

jumping on the bed

It's the March 1 challenge reveal at Stuck?! Sketches! 

I had a lot of fun with this sketch and incorporated two of the circles to my design. 

I had a lot of fun with this sketch and incorporated two of the background circles to my design.

Check out the team takes, the awesome and generous sponsors, and enter your layout here!