Clear Scraps You & Me Birch Wood Frame

Hello! Today on the Clear Scraps blog I  have one of the new Birch Wood Frames that were debuted at Creativation last month! I'm always amazed on the ideas Susan has and these Wood Frames don't disappoint!  I  used the You & Me Birch Wood Frame which holds a horizontal 4x6 photo.  

I    started by painting the frame in dark grey but it looked too flat to me. So, I    decided to try a technique Susan had taught me at the show! After my grey paint was dry, I    used an old candle to rub wax onto the surface of the frame. I    then applied white chalk paint in sections using a spatula to  scrape off the paint before it dries. Your end result is a distressed look with the grey showing through the white.  I    did go in and add a little more white chalk paint to cover some of my scrape marks. Its definitely a learning curve! 

I    covered the frame portion with a black plaid print and adhere with my Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive.  Taking different patterns, I  cut these rolled flowers by Paige Evans found in the Silhouette shop! I    adhered buttons from my stash to some of the centers as well as added chipboard leaves.

I  finished by using my hot glue gun to adhere ribbon to the top of the frame as well as added a bow!  I  love how it turned out!  

Thanks for looking! Check out the new Clear Scraps products by clicking HERE!

Have a great day!

Dream Big

Happy Thursday!  It's almost the weekend!  Today was my last official day at work...I  have mixed feeling about it and may or may not have cried after I  left. Anyway, I  won't get into that. Instead, I    want to share one of my favorite layouts I  created for Clear Scraps.

The Dream Catcher Chipboard Embellishment is the focal point of my page and I'm going to show you how I  added my color!  

I    first painted the Dream Catcher with white acrylic paint....a couple coats is usually sufficient. 

Next, I  applied my embossing ink to the front of the chipboard.  I  then layered three glittered embossing powders across the dream catcher. I   didn't create definite borders and allowed my colors to intermix. 

And here is the end result! I  love how it turned out...I    wanted to match the ombre effect of the chipboard on my title and the feel of the collection I    used. 

I  used "Pie Chart Heart" by Paige Evans (#219822) for my background and inserted different patterns from the Bohemian Dreams collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studios.  

Thanks for stopping by! Check out all of the variety of Chipboard Embellishments by Clear Scraps by clicking HERE! Have a great day!

Simple Stories: Faith

Hello...hope everyone had a good Easter (if you celebrate). We had family over to our house and I was grateful it was a beautiful day.  

Today I am sharing layouts I created with Simple Stories' Faith collection.  I absolutely love the colors of this line!  Who am I kidding, there isn't a Simple Stories line I don't love!  

For my first layout, "Child of God",  I used a beautiful photo of my niece on the day of her first communion. She is so photogenic and I love scrapping photos of her.  I began with the fun grey wood grain background and added the navy print at the bottom of my page. Of course, I had to add some stitching with my sewing machine!  

I layered my photo and 4x6 Journaling Elements along with the "I Am A Child of God" 3x4 Journaling Card for my title.  I then used a circular floral cut file with white cardstock and adhered in the center of my page. 

I added small embellishments such a chipboard, die cuts, enamel dots,  and decorative brads to accent the circle.

I am in love with the roller stamps that Simple Stories released last year!  I stamped some hearts along side the date on the side of my photo.

For my next layout, "He Knows", I used kraft cardstock as my background.  I love the feather print included in the Faith collection and wanted to use it with one of my favorite cut files (I Heart Plaid from The Cut Shoppe).  

I used the die cut and sticker feathers to accent as well as sentiment stickers to accent my photo.  I usually layer a lot but with this page, I felt like less is more. I wanted the focus to be the picture...its one of my absolute favorites from one of our trips to Haiti.

I used the "He Knows.." Cloud and Stars die cut as my title; I wanted to add some dimension so I "popped" it up with foam tape.

I typed out my journaling on white cardstock using my electric typewriter and cut into separate strips.

Thank you for stopping by!  Check out the Faith collection in its entirety by clicking HERE ! 

Simple Stories: Sunshine and Happiness

Well, I've been neglecting my blog again :(  The upside is that I had I had Kristine Davidson do a blog make over for me and I love what she has done!  So, if you are looking for a fun change, I HIGHLY recommend her!
Anyway, I haven't been feeling all that great and anything above the basic is not getting done.  I just want to sit on the couch and binge watch Netflix but then again, its frustrating to not be able to do the things I want to do.
Enough of that...its summertime here so I'm sharing layouts I created for Simple Stories using their new Sunshine and Happiness collection. 

For my first layout, I wanted to capture the essence of summer plus I just  plain love this photo of my niece and nephew!  So stinking cute!  Sunshine and Happiness has such bright, fun colors and patterns that are perfect summer projects! 

I used a bright yellow striped print for my title along with a Simple Stories cut file that can be found in the Silhouette shop (Hello Summer #76407).  I added coordinating stickers around my title as well as stitched different patterns at the bottom of the page.  I'm all about layering (as I've said a gazillion times) so its fun to mix up the papers! 

I love this little chipboard bird found on the 6x12 Sheet...I layer more paper and stickers as well as splattered some coordinating enamel dots and Bradz to complete the look.  

I also love adding in the 3x4 Journaling card elements...they are perfect to accent your photos or add some journaling!  I stitched a piece of one of the border stickers at the bottom (sort of like washi tape) and added a cute Bradz.   Underneath my journaling card, I used another Simple Stories cut file with the green striped print also found in the Silhouette Shop (Stars Card #56652)!

Here is a close up of the card...you can see I added a "relax" tab sticker at the top, as well as more coordinating stickers from the Fundamentals and 4x6 Sticker Sheets. 

Thanks for stopping by!  I will try to update more as I have lots of projects to share!  Be sure to check out this collection as well as Bloom and Grow by clicking HERE! 

Have a wonderful day!

The Cut Shoppe: Boys Rule

Today on The Cut Shoppe blog, I have a layout using the new Boys Rule cut file set! This is one of my favorites so far! I love the fun shapes and titles..how cute are the arrows?   I always appreciate a fun boy collection and the stars pair well with Shimelle's new Starshine collection.

Using white cardstock for my outline, I used the "Boys Rule" title from the set.  I filled in the letters with an orange/white chevron print from Starshine.   

I used the star/circle shapes as well as the nested stars in different sizes and prints to layer under my title and photo.  I accented with chipboard accents from Starshine as well as epoxy shapes from Evalicious.  

Here, I used die cuts and stickers from Starshine as well as a cute Metal Clip.  

Thank you for stopping by! Check out the Etsy shop for this cut file set plus much more!
Have a great day!

Simple Stories: Carpe Diem Layouts

Today, I am sharing layout I created for the Simple Stories Design Team using the new Carpe Diem Scrapbooking collection! Since its February, I used love as my theme for both pages! 

One my first page, titled "You Are So Loved" I used a cute photo of my niece.  Starting with white cardstock, I layered a 6x12 piece of Make It Happen.  I then layered a strip of the B side of Make It Happen as well as Brand New Day. I always using my sewing machine so I stitched through one of the strips.  

For my title, I used the pink letter stickers from the Expressions Cardstock Sticker sheet. I then used the "LOVED" Simple Stories cut file (#92340) from the Silhouette shop and the Pink Dot/Black Dot sheet.  

I layered  stickers from the Fundamentals and Expressions Cardstock Sticker sheet along with Chipboard accents and a cute floral Bradz.  I love to layer my little embellishments into clusters at the corner of my photo. 

How cute are these clips?  I added the pink heart clip to the top of my photo and secured with a staple. 

I wanted to use a heart background cut file but couldn't quite find what I was looking for, so I created my own using a repeating pattern of hearts.  I added random prints of the B side of Don't Mind Me into a few hearts. 

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For my second layout, "LOVE",  I used an old photo of my grandparent when they were dating.  One of the many things I love about Simple Stories is that the papers can be used for just about any theme! 

Using the "LOVE"  cut file (#80540), I cut directly into my white cardstock background.  I then backed it with the B Side of Fist Bump and Pink/White prints.  

One of my favorite embellishments are the Chipboard Frames! You receive a variety of prints and sizes in each pack! I adhered one of the frames to a 3x4 Journaling Card to jot down a few sentences about my photo.  

Showing more of the great embellishments of Carpe Diem!  I used another cute photo Clip, Bradz, and Stickers. You can also spy some coordinating Enamel Dots as well! 

Thank you for stopping by!  Check out all of the great Simple Stories products by clicking HERE!
Have a great night! 

The Cut Shoppe: Feel The Love Blog Hop

Welcome to The Cut Shoppe's Feel The Love Blog Hop!  If you are following the blog roll, you've come from Allie's blog!  Be sure to comment on each DT member's blog to be entered to win 14 FREE cut files from the shop!  I will be giving away a cut file as well...winners will be announced February 16th!  

The Cut Shoppe - http://thecutshoppe.blogspot.com/

Katrina Hunt - http://paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/

Aimee Maddern - http://aimeesarmoire.typepad.com/

Allie Stewart - http://www.magicalmesses.com/

Jennifer Haggerty - http://livethemoment-jen.blogspot.com/

Missy Whidden - http://littlenuggetcreations.blogspot.com/

Michelle Wedertz - http://michellewedertz.blogspot.com/

Laura Mooney - http://happinessequalscreation.blogspot.com/

Madeline Fox - http://bayoubytes.blogspot.com/

I cut the "love is always a good idea" sentiment from my wood grain pattern and backed with a lighter pattern. I love the way it turned out! 

Showing some of the stickers from the Bloom collection that I layered at the top of my page. 

More of the ephemera from the collection!  

Thank you for hopping with us! I hope this inspires you to do some creating with a cut file or two from The Cut Shoppe!  Now through the end of the hop use code LOVEYOU30 for a 30% discount on your purchase!

Leave me a comment and I'll be giving away the "Love Letters" cut file to a lucky participant!  

Thanks and good luck!!  Next, on the list is is the very talented Missy!