cool kid

Paper Issues - Scraplift Sunday

11:00

Hi everyone! Today is Scraplift Sunday over at Paper Issues and we're lifting a layout by talented UK scrapper, Christina Howard. 
Here is Christinas original page...



And here's my take on it...



This was a really fun layout to lift! I used mainly Crate Paper Cool Kid, with some Simple Stories and Amy Tan papers. Do join in with Scraplift Sunday, and pop over to the facebook page to share your layouts!

chasing dreams

Paper Issues - Spring Crop Weekend

11:00

Hi everyone! 
I hope you managed to join us over on Paper Issues over the weekend for our Spring Crop! There was 23 different challenges altogether, so it kept me busy! I was also at a scrap Retreat this weekend so I had plenty to do! 
I've popped pics below of the layouts I managed to participate in.

Let's Get Fussy: Pull out those scissors and show us your fussy cutting skills. Make a big impact with a hand cut out design for this challenge.


Stick It to Me: Use stickers of all types on your project. Let's see how many stickers you can pile on your page!


Live Out Loud: Create a project using no cardstock or solid colour paper. All paper must be patterned.


 Somewhere Over The Rainbow: In a primary rainbow the colours are in the order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Use at least 5 of these colours in a project for this challenge.


 Selfie Saturday: Design a page about you. Pull out your best selfie and show us who you are.


 Stitched Up: Get out that thread, ribbon and twine. Design a project using stitching of any kind - machine, hand or faux.


 Spaced Out: Two thirds of your layout needs to be negative/white space. Show us something light and airy.


Firstie Friday: Share a project documenting something you have done for the first time, the first thing you do in a morning, or even include numbers in the title.


Are You Feeling Lucky?: Use the word luck or lucky in your title or use the colour green in your layout.


Sketchy Sketch: Let's see your take on the following sketch.



All the Pretty Flowers: Design a project using a floral background.


Cut The Crop: Use one of our free cut files to create a project.


Freaky Friday: Let's switch it up! Use holiday papers on non-holiday photos, or vice versa. You could also use masculine colours with a feminine phot or vice versa.


If you've joined in any challenges don't forget to enter them in the album on the facebook group.

dear lizzy

Paper Issues - Issues Round 2

10:00

Hi guys! We're on Round 2 of Issues today on the Paper Issues blog. 
This month's theme is - anything goes! 

Suggested ideas are:
- Create a paper project of your choosing - any theme at all.
- Share a project about something that goes, like a car, bicycle, boat, etc.
- Make something about St. Patrick's Day.

I used the Dear Lizzy Lovely Day collection to scrap this cute photo of my stepson with his Headteachers Award that he was so proud of! He had the cheesiest (and most gappy!) grin in Presentation Assembly when he was awarded it! 
He worked so hard to earn it and we were so proud of him.

I'm really into fussy cutting at the moment and that beautiful floral paper was just begging to be cut out. 
I wanted to make a real feature of the flowers so I cut a mason jar shape with my Cameo and stitched it onto my cardstock.
I then arranged the flowers so it looked like they were in the mason jar and spilling down the side. 

Dimensional 3D clear gel glue is my best friend!

I added the title and the little bird from a Maggie Holmes sticker sheet.


Please do have a go at this months Issues, and pop your project in our challenge album on the Paper Issues facebook group for a chance to win a Paper Issues gift voucher!

1canoe2

Scrapbook Expo blog - Designer Spotlight

09:30

Hey scrappy friends! 

I'm absolutely delighted to finally be able to tell you that I'm featuring as the Designer Spotlight on Paige Taylor Evans' Stamp & Scrapbook Expo blog!
I've been so excited since Paige contacted me way back before Christmas, this is a dream come true. I'm grateful to Paige for the wonderful opportunity, and to all the lovely sweet scrapbookers who follow and support me daily.
I created this layout for the feature, and I've added the link so you can visit the blog, see some of my favourite layouts, and find out a bit more about me.
Designer Spotlight with Paige Taylor Evans







If you're interested in learning how to use your Silhouette Cameo to hand stitch on layouts, I have an easy tutorial on how to do so on the Paper Issues blog.


1canoe2

Paper Issues - Roll the Dice

11:00

Hey guys! There's a new Roll the Dice challenge up on the Paper Issues blog today. 
This months challenge is to use 2 photos, and 3 washi tapes. 

I decided to use the gorgeous washi tape from the 1canoe2 Hazelwood collection, and my starting point was laying these diagonally across my page.

I was then initially a little bit stumped as to where to place photos, wherever I put them just didn't look right. Then I tried them where they are now and it seemed to give the page a nice symmetry so there they stayed.  
I matted them onto some Hazelwood paper to make them stand out from the background, then turned my attention to the title. Usually the title is the last thing I think about, but this time it was one of my starting points due to its placement in the centre of the page.

I then used a real mish mash of embellishments and ephemera from different collections!

I fussy cut the flowers and butterflies from the Hazelwood collection, the swan, rose, deer and small words stickers all come from 2 different Maggie Holmes collections, the birdhouse is from a Pebbles collection, and the 2 acetate pieces are from Shimelle's Go Now Go collection.


Please pop over to the Paper Issues facebook group and have a go at March's new Roll the Dice challenge!

dear lizzy

Paper Issues - Mix It Up Monday

11:00

Hey guys! Over on the Paper Issues blog today it's time for a brand new Mix It Up Monday!

This months challenge is to create texture on your project by using some sort of wet media. Options might be: texture paste, acrylic paint, gesso, or gel medium. Use stencils, fabric, stamps, cloth, or even wood veneer to create a texture type pattern on the project.

I'm not a massive fan of wet media because I'm too lazy to prime my cardstock so it always warps! So I decided to use Tim Holtz Distress Ink sponged through a stencil, with white texture mousse applied through the same stencil on top of areas of the distress ink.

This turned out really well and the mousse is light enough not to warp the card. I added some more interest by ripping 3 areas and backing them with a coordinating paper.

I then used Shimelle's Little by Little collection to matt my photo and embellish my page, and Dear Lizzy thickers for my title. 

I enjoyed the challenge of using wet media for once, I think I may use it more often!


Head over to the Paper Issues facebook group to join in with this months challenge!

cuts2luv

Paper Issues - Scraplift Sunday 12th March

09:00

Hi guys! It's Scraplift Sunday over at Paper Issues and today we're lifting this gorgeous layout by the talented Cat Martin.


I absolutely love Cat's fun and funky page, so I wanted to stick fairly closely to her design in terms of the elements and the dark background. 

I used Dear Lizzy Lovely Day and Shimelle Little by Little, with flair from Cuts2luv.

This adorable photo of my youngest son with his Minecraft toy at Christmas makes me laugh so much, and of course I had to use this Minecraft label I had been hoarding for this very occasion! 


Do pop over to the Paper Issues facebook group and join in with Scraplift Sunday!


cut file

Paper Issues - Cut it Up

11:00

Hi there! Over on the Paper Issues blog it's time for a new Cut It Up challenge! This month is a wonderful free star background cut file designed by the talented Stacie.

I've used Shimelle's gorgeous Little by Little collection and a photo of my 17 year old son. 
I'll admit, when I first saw the Little by Little collection I wasn't that impressed, it seemed too cutesy for me. However, the more I used it, the more I loved it, and I've even ordered more now I've used up the first lot! 

I'm a massive fan of bold stripes on scrapbook papers, and this one seemed to go beautifully with the star cut file.

I tried not to go too cutesy on this page, I don't think my son would have appreciated it, but I couldn't resist adding those gorgeous bears!

I love the thickers too, they're so bright and colourful, they cheer up any page. 


Do pop over to the Paper Issues facebook group and share your new cut file layouts. We love to see them and you could be in with a chance of winning a Paper Issues gift voucher.

cut file

Paper Issues - Pawsitively Pets

11:00

Hi friends! Up today on the Paper Issues blog is the new Pawsitively Pets challenge for March!
This months challenge is to use this really cute cut file...


As we don't have any pets, I chose to use this photo of my youngest sons favourite cuddly - Pablo. Jake has slept with Pablo every night since he was a baby, and before that, Pablo was his older sisters night time cuddly! 
She donated him to Jake when he was born and she had grown out of him. (Although I don't think you ever grow out of a cuddly!) 
So Pablo is well loved and very much a part of the family. He's been through the washing machine a fair few times and every time, I cross my fingers and pray he won't fall apart this time!

I decided to use the Dear Lizzy Lovely Day collection as it features some very cute animals! 
I love that gorgeous fox paper, and the rabbit stickers are just adorable. 


We'd love to see your new Pawsitively Pets layouts on the Paper Issues facebook group, and you could be in with a chance of winning a gift voucher!

1canoe2

Paper Issues - Take 5 Tuesday

11:00

Hey! I have a layout on the Paper Issues blog today as part of Take 5 Tuesday. I love the Take 5 challenge, I really enjoy trying to incorporate the prompts and often end up with an item or embellishment on my layout that I wouldn't normally have put on.
This months prompts are...


I ended up using more than 5 prompts this time, with:
1. mint green,
2. blue,
3. peach,
4. cardstock,
6. stickers,
10. patterned paper, 
11. leaves or flowers,
14. circles,
15. a title with 3 or more words.

One day I'll try for a full house!

I used the Hazelwood collection by 1canoe2, and a cut file from the Silhouette Store. I absolutely adore this collection because I love fussy cutting the butterflies and the flowers out. Hazelwood also features both masculine and feminine elements, so it works wonderfully with any photos.


Thanks so much for stopping by today, please pop over to the Paper Issues facebook group and enter the challenge to be in with a chance of winning a gift voucher!

crate paper

Paper Issues - Notable Quotable

11:00

Hi there! 
Today on the Paper Issues blog its time for a new Notable Quotable challenge for March!
Here is our prompt...


And here's my layout! This page was so much fun to make! 
I started with a Silhouette Store quote that I cut and backed with paper from Paige Taylor Evan's new collection for Pink Paislee, Oh My Heart. 

I then poked holes around the words, chose a matching embroidery thread, and hand stitched around the cut out quote. I absolutely love stitching on my layouts, I find it so relaxing in the evenings - especially when I don't know whether to watch a film or scrap, I can do both! I love the texture it gives on a page too.

I chose papers and ephemera from Oh My Heart, and also added some fussy cut flowers from one of the papers in the Crate Paper Heart Day collection. The sweary flair is from Cuts2luv and I have blurred it out because I'm a very polite person.

My aim was to show that although I love my life, the 'mom life', it isn't all a fairytale and sometimes you just want to throw the towel in and go do something for yourself!



Please do pop over to the Paper Issues Facebook group and join in with this months Notable Quotable challenge for a chance to win a Paper Issues voucher.


amanda jayne baldwin

Paper Issues - Scraplift Sunday 5th March

09:30

Hey everyone! It's time for Scraplift Sunday again at Paper Issues, and this week we're lifting a layout by the very talented Amanda.


I absolutely love those background hearts and splatters all over her page, it makes the page so soft and dreamy. 
I wanted to keep the splatters but I also wanted to use this free Paper Issues cut file, so I decided to combine the two.
I used Calypso Teal Dylusions Ink, a Maggie Holmes roller stamp, and the new collection from Dear Lizzy, Lovely Day. 
My layout ended up looking nothing like it did in my head, but that's the beauty of scrapping! 


If you do have a go at Scraplift Sunday, please show us on the Paper Issues facebook group, for a chance to win a gift voucher.


annelie

Paper Issues - Sketchy Saturday

11:00

Hiiiiiiii scrappy friends! It's Sketchy Saturday on the Paper Issues blog today, with a cool sketch by Annelie.


I don't often use multiple photos on a layout so I was scratching my head, until I remembered these photo strips I had printed a little while ago. Perfect! 

I rotated the sketch 90 degrees clockwise to fit my photo strip in, and I used one of the new Crate Paper collections, Oasis. 
This went perfectly with my photos - I have very fair skin and burn just looking at the sun usually, but I always end up with a flip-flop tan on my feet just from doing the school runs in the summer! 

The beautiful tropical floral swag die cut is a free Paper Issues cut file designed by Stacie. 
Stacie is so clever and designs tons of cut files to match up with current paper collections, and they're all free on the Paper Issues website!


Thanks for visiting my blog, and don't forget, if you'd like to join in with the sketch challenge, make sure to show us your layout on the Paper Issues facebook group to be in with a chance to win a gift voucher.


cut file

Paper Issues - Pinspire Me Mood Board

11:00

Hi everyone! Today on the Paper Issues blog it's time for a new Pinspire Me challenge! 
Here is the gorgeous mood board...


And here is the layout I made! 
I was inspired by those gorgeous colours in the bottom right hand corner, and the beautiful green circular glass window on the top right. 
As soon as I saw the mood board I knew that this free Paper Issues cut file designed by Stacie would be perfect. 
I wanted it to stand out so I chose this beautiful bright stripy woodgrain background from Shimelle's new Little by Little collection to mat it on. I absolutely love this paper so I wanted the colours to still be very visible.
I chose this photo of my cute little guy at the water park as the colours matched perfectly, and finally I embellished my page with Little by Little ephemera and stickers.


Please pop over to the Paper Issues facebook page and join in with this months challenges to be in with a chance of winning a Paper Issues gift voucher.


dear lizzy

Paper Issues - Working Title

11:00

Hey there lovelies! Today I have a layout on the Paper Issues blog for Marches Working Title challenge. 
This month is all about BLING! Your title can glitter, sparkle, shimmer or shine!

I decided to use the new Dear Lizzy collection, Lovely Day, because the thickers are perfect for this challenge. They have accents of rose gold and although you can't see very well on my photo they shine beautifully.

I absolutely adore the background paper I've used, it was so difficult for me to use it, I just wanted to keep it to look at! 

Firstly I chose this photo of my son and step-son enjoying themselves poking crabs and starfish in the 'touch and feel' tank at the Sea Life Centre. 

I was then hit with the idea to use the background paper as a beach type layout. I ripped strips of the speciality foiled paper to mimic waves, and sadly had to cover up the pink at the bottom of the background.

I then matted my photo on a few different papers and tucked a tag and a ticket behind. I raided my stash and came up with some seashore and nautical flair, a wooden anchor and the word 'surf'. 

I had the gorgeous white Prima seashore resin pieces in my stash for years, and finally this was the perfect time to use them!

I used the new Thickers Alignment Guide for my title, to mimic the waves, and finally I added some cloud and star stickers from the Shimelle Little by Little collection.


If you'd like to buy Shimelle or Dear Lizzy, you can use code: Pol in the Paper Issues store for 20% off your entire basket. And don't forget to pop over to the Paper Issues facebook group and share your new Working Title layouts with us for a chance to win a gift voucher.