home sweet home [Growing in Unity week].

Hi Unity friends!

Today my 8.5 x 11 layout features one stamp that really steals the show. I love this sofa stamp that's in the November 2010 Kit of the Month. It is old, but still available on the Unity web site. There are a lot of fun sentiments in this kit as well.

I inked my sofa stamp was with VersaFine Tuxedo Black and then fussy cut it. I considered paper piecing the pillows with patterned papers, but didn't this time. Fussy cutting is a great way to really make your stamped image pop on your page.

Thanks for looking!

supplies
stamp: Unity Stamp Co (Nov 2010 Kit of the Month: Picture Perfect)
patterned paper, stickers: Carta Bella (Welcome Home)

the best way to pay for a lovely moment [Growing in Unity week]...

Welcome back, friends!

Today I'm sharing something a little different. This is an 8x8 page for our wedding album. 

In hindsight, I should have just done a 12x12 album for our wedding. I'm finding the 8x8 size hard to work with because there are so many beautiful products I want to use for these photos. Our regular 2018 album is jammed full because I'm also creating 12x12 wedding pages as well.

In any event, here's one of the pages for my album. I really love this sentiment and I've used it many times on pages throughout the years.  It's from the June 2010 Kit of the Month, but it is still available on the Unity website.

a moment in time to capture [Growing in Unity week].

Hi Unity friends!

Today I'm sharing a 12x12 layout featuring my husband's grandfather on his 85th birthday! I pulled lots of blues from the More than Words collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio and knew I wanted to make a shaker with a balloon cut file I found at Paper Issues.

To sort of 'ground' my page I used this awesome distressed star background stamp that can be found in the December 2014 SMAK kit. This is one of my favorite kits EVER and I love these distressed stars. I think they stamped beautifully with the distress oxide ink.

My sentiment/journaling came from the Love in Return kit. I stamped this right onto a patterned paper layer that I added onto the page. I stamped it crooked so I just angled all my layering pages and you can't even tell! I love that this is an older stamp set, but it's so relatable and easily used.

Thanks for looking!

supplies
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (Tweaky Teal; Blue Bonkers) 
stamps: Unity Stamp Co (Dec 2014 SMAK Kit Moments like These) and Love in Return
patterned paper, stickers: Cocoa Vanilla Studio (More than Words)
cut file: Paper Issues
ink: Tim Holtz distress oxide (Broken China); Memento (Tuxedo Black)
chipboard stickers: Maggie Holmes (Shine)

yes, please! [Growing in Unity week]

Hi Unity friends! Today starts my Growing in Unity week and I'm super excited to share these five projects with you this week! My first one is a layout.

One of my tips for stamping directly on your layout is to stamp your image onto scrap paper first. Yes, stamp your image onto scrap paper and then fussy cut it. Then you can place it on your page where you think you want to stamp it. Move it around. Change your mind. This gives you an idea of what the stamped image will look like and how much space it will take up.

Stamping directly on your page is intimidating and I am definitely not an expert. I talked about this before, during my GiU week last year. It's a super helpful tip, especially with red rubber stamps. 

My second tip is to use an ink color similar to your background paper. I know this isn't always easy to do, but if you can plan ahead you can use an ink color that won't stand out as much as says, black ink. That way if you mess up, it's less noticeable.

You can also give heat embossing a try. This is a fun way to add some texture and dimension to your page. Of course, if stamping directly onto your page just isn't your thing, you can always fussy cut your stamped images and add them onto your page as embellishments. That's what I did with this "ticket." What are some ways you incorporate stamping into your pages?

supplies
patterned paper: Bella Blvd (Star Student)
stamps: Unity Stamp Co SMAK kit (Feb 2013 Going Places)
embossing powder: WOW! (Silver Stratosphere); Sparkle N Sprinkle (EP171 black detail)
ink: Tim Holtz distess oxide (Broken China)

happy [SMS + Clique Kits blog hop].

Spiegelmom Scraps is doing a blog hop with Clique Kits today, using their January kit, Heart Eyes. I made shaker frames out of one of the patterned paper, using the exclusive sequin mix.

 I fussy cut some of the clouds from the patterned paper and layered them for some dimension.

Everything on my page is from the January Clique Kit, but be sure to peek at my Instagram page and join the blog hop for a chance to win prizes!

winter.

Hi sparkly friends!

Today I'm sharing a layout for Spiegelmom Scraps using one of the NEW January sequin mixes - Winter's Mist. This is such a fun winter mix!

My jumping point for this page was this free cut file from The Cut Shoppe. I thought it would look beautiful filled with these Winter's Mist sequins - and I was right! I also added in an older sequin mix, Oh Christmas Tree. It's still available in the SMS shop!

 Thanks so much for looking!

supplies
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (Oh Christmas Tree; Winter's Mist)
paper: Pink Fresh Studio (December Days from 2017)
die cuts, acrylic stars, journal cards, stickers: Elle's Studio

let's go.

I've used this cut file before, but this page is in another album and I made it into a shaker this time. I used Oh Christmas Tree + Funky New Year sequins from Spiegelmom Scraps. I love the Funky New Year sequins - they're a new January release. I added in the other sequin mix for some contrast against the black, but they go so well together.

This page is a re-scrap that I originally did about 15 years ago. I used quite a mix of stuff on this page. That patterned paper for my background is so old, I'm not even sure who made it.

 Thanks for looking!

supplies
stickers: Elle's Studio (Noteworthy); Thickers (High Five)
cork: Crate Paper (Good Vibes)
cut file: Paper Issues

sun & fun [IG TV for Spiegelmom Scraps!]

This page is featured on IG TV for Spiegelmom Scraps today! I'm sharing how I make my shaker elements on my pages. Go check it out!

Thanks for watching!
supplies
cut file: Paper Issues
patterned paper, die cuts: Elle's Studio
die cuts: My Prima Planner (Good Vibes ephemera)

January Scrap Our Stash Pick Your Sketch Side Challenge!

This year at Scrap our Stash we're doing an pick your side of the sketch challenge. So you can choose the left or right side of the sketch and make a page based on it. Here's the challenge for January:

I chose the right side for my page and it was easy to add flowers using this Midnight collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

So I have photos of flowers, embellishments and patterned paper with flowers, and this 2014 flower print vellum from Studio Calico.

Thanks for looking!

May the Joys of Winter... [Sum More Fun Stamps guest designing]

Hello again! Today I'm sharing a second card I've made for my guest design month at Sum More Fun Stamps. I'm using the Winter Heart and Sole clear photopolymer stamp set. There are some punny sentiments in this set so I wanted to use one of those.

I used a blending tool with some distress ink to create my background and then just splattered some water on it to create an oxidized look. Then I added some black ink splatters just for contrast.

I stamped the snow shows with VersaMark and heat embossed them. After I fussy cut them, I added them to my card base with foam adhesive. My sentiment was heat embossed with the same fine detail black embossing powder.

Thanks for looking!

I have a coupon code to share with you! Use code ONEFORYOU for 10% off your order!

supplies
ink: Tim Holtz distress oxide (worn lipstick)
mist: Heidi Swapp Color Shine (black velvet) 
embossing powder: Sparkle N Sprinkle (EP171 black detail)

love.

Just playing around with my new Elle's Studio goodies today. I worked on an 8.5x11 page for our family album.

The background paper is from Paige Evan's Pick Me Up, but everything else is from Elle's Studio January release. Thanks for looking!

supplies
patterned paper, die cuts: Elle's Studio (All My Heart)
flair: Scrappin Happy Studio
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (Earthy Treasure; Dragon Tales)

chill.

Our infertility journey is not something I have scrapped to this point. But I figure which ever way it turns out, it's part of our story, and it should be documented.

This page was inspired by the fussy cutting challenge at Paper Issues this month+ the one little word challenge at Challenge YOUrself this month.

I'm not a fussy cutter - I don't find it relaxing and I'm terrible at it. But I cut out some of these half circles from this patterned paper and layered them under my photo. Also, I don't generally do 'one little word,' but we're currently living with my mom because our house sold in eight days and we've yet to find another one AND we're on this infertility journal so my word is CHILL.

Everything here is from the January Clique kit, Heart Eyes.

The cut file is free at Paper Issues and I used one of the new January sequin mixes from Spiegelmom Scraps, Peaches & Cream. Use code ASHLEY15 for 15% off at the shop!

dream big.

I'm sharing my second design team page for Spiegelmom Scraps today! This is another 8.5x11 page for my brother's album. This was a gift I gave him and his fiancee for Christmas this year and they loved it.

These photos are from an Alaskan cruise he and his girlfriend took a couple years ago. I found this mountain cut file at Paper Issues and I thought it was perfect for these photos. I added some "snow" sequins to the peaks using Earthy Treasure sequin mix from Spiegelmom Scraps.

This background pattern paper reminded me of mountains with the triangle print, but it was a little too bold so I smeared some white acrylic paint on the background to tone it down.

Thanks for looking!

supplies
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (Earthy Treasure)
patterned paper: Pink Paislee (Pick Me Up)
stickers: Crate Paper (Maggie Holmes); American Crafts Thickers (High Five)

hugs & kisses.

The new January Elle's Studio kit + extra goodies I ordered arrived today and I literally could NOT wait to play with it.

I sat down and re-worked this page from 2003. I love the January Elle's Studio releases every year - they're always pink and love themed and so, so good.

My page was a inspired by a sketch challenge at Paper Issues this month.

Thanks for looking!

holiday gathering.

Hey guys! I'm still doing Christmas pages over here :)

This was page inspired by the 'Put it on an Angle" challenge at Paper Issues this month. I kept my layers and embellishments on a 90 degree angle. This photo is from this past Christmas and it's my mom, my brother, and me.

I have all my Christmas goodies in a huge zip lock baggie so this is a variety of stuff. I added some of the January sequins from Spiegelmom Scraps called Funky New Year and some flair from Scrappin Happy Studio. Thanks for looking!

grateful.

A wedding page!

I haven't played with my Cocoa Vanilla Studio Midnight collection in weeks and I was going through withdrawal.  I found a wedding photo I haven't scrapped yet and used this cut file from Elle's Studio. I filled it with one of the January sequin releases from Spiegelmom Scraps, I Love You More. This sequin mix is SO so cute with all those little hearts.

This page was inspired by the January Let's Get Sketchy sketch.

Thanks for looking!

supplies
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (I Love You More)
patterned paper, die cuts: Cocoa Vanilla Studio (Midnight)
cut file: Elle's Studio
flair: Scrappin Happy Studio
foam Thickers: Hannah

family.

I have a Christmas layout today, using the Pinspire Me January challenge at Paper Issues. I really liked the text print and the pops of red - without it being an Christmas theme.

Here's my page:

 So I used that text inspiration piece as the main patterned paper on my page and then accented with various red embellishments.

 The cut file I used for my title is free at Paper Issues and I used some of the gorgeous January sequin releases from Spiegelmom Scraps to make it a shaker.

I also added some of those gold sequins to my tree - I thought they looked like ornaments! Thanks for looking!

supplies
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (Hex a Glam; Funky New Year)
patterned paper: Elle's Studio (Merry & Bright); Fancy Pants (Cottage Christmas)
journal cards, die cuts, wood veneer: Elle's Studio
flair: Scrappin Happy Studio

Even in the coldest weather... [Sum More Fun stamps guest design]

Hi friends! I'm guest designing this month at Sum More Fun stamps! They sent me the Winter Heart and Sole photopolymer stamp set to play with.

To make my card base, I started with watercolor paper and used a distress oxide ink to paint my background. I used my embossing heat gun to dry it (because I'm impatient) and then flicked some water on it to create that oxidized look.

Next, I used a puffy white embossing powder to heat emboss my tree. I really love this tree stamp and I wanted it to look like snow covered. The sentiment was added with a fine detail gold embossing powder. For my finishing touch, I added some white twine from my stash.

Thanks for looking! I have a coupon code to share with you! Use code ONEFORYOU for 10% off your order!

supplies
stamp: Raisin Boat (Winter Heart and Sole)
ink: Tim Holtz distress oxide (Seedless Preserves)
embossing powder: Wow! (white puff); Simon Says Stamp! (ultra fine gold)

moment.

Sometimes when I'm not really feeling inspired, I go back to older layouts I've done and I re-do them. I don't do it very often because it's counterproductive, but it helps sometimes to get my mojo flowing.

So this page I originally did back in 2002 and I felt like it needed a revamp. This was inspired by the this or that challenge this month at Paper Issues. Here's what I used: blue, one photo, large title, layers, stickers, fussy cutting (the little trees), staples, enamel dots, and then I combined glitter and paint (because I don't really have either one) and used gold mist.

Thanks for looking!

supplies
patterned paper: Elle's Studio; Pink Fresh Studio (December Days)
enamel dots: Richard Garay Amazing Dots
stickers: Elle's Studio
mist: Heidi Swapp Color Shine (Gold)

January Scrap Our Stash Saturday Cartoons Challenge.

Hey everyone! I'm excited to be staying on another term at Scrap Our Stash. This year our first monthly challenge is a fun one! I chose the bold, fun color scheme from the cartoons and altered the sketch a little bit because my page is 8.5x11. So I used one photo + one journal card, both trimmed down. Here's my page:

I added Spiegelmom Scraps rustic stars to complete the challenge. Thanks for looking!

live the life you love.

Hi friends! Today I'm super excited to share my first design team project for Spiegelmom Scraps!

I was looking for a fun cut file that I could use my Pick Your Plum sequins and make a shaker. I found this mermaid (or I guess it could be a whale?) and thought it was perfect!

This photo is of my brother and his fiancee in Florida right before Christmas. This page was in their 8.5x11 album I gave them for Christmas. 

I love this Cocoa Vanilla Studio collection so much + even better is that this sequin mix is MADE for this collection!

Thanks for looking!


supplies
sequins: Spiegelmom Scraps (Pick Your Plum)
patterned paper, die cuts, stickers: Cocoa Vanilla Studio (Midnight)
cut file: Paper Issues