Shades-Paper Issues Spring Crop

Every summer my sisters and I take one day from our week at the beach to shop/window shop and go to lunch...just us. No kids, adult or otherwise! We always end up at the same stores, and eat at the same restaurant, taking a sisters' photo in front of "the frogs" at George's. Somehow we ended up taking a photo elsewhere this year, in sunglasses!

This layout is for the Bohemian Rhapsody challenge during Paper Issues' Spring Crop. The challenge is to create a page full of color and pattern by using 5 or more patterned papers and 3 or more die-cuts. Done and done!

The background paper is a cool worn wood from Heidi Swapp's Art Walk collection.

Other papers, stickers, tags, etc. are from Vicki Boutin's Let's Wander collection.

They look so pretty together!
And we look so much better with our shades. ;)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Check out the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group for all of the crop challenges. They are a lot of fun and you have all week to work on them! Post your pages for a chance to win prizes.

When you shop, use my code for 20% off the Paper Issues Store!

B Is For Beach

Today I'm sharing a very different type of scrapbook page...one without patterned paper! Yes, I know, this is VERY unusual for me. I'm a patterned paper fanatic, and it's typically "the more, the merrier" when it comes to mixing and layering papers on my layouts. But not this time...

I began with a big "B" painted on white cardstock. Then, I further defined the letter with all sorts of goodies from Jillibean Soup's Bowl of Dreams collection, a mainstay of the May Main kit from My Creative Scrapbooks.  

As you can see, I made up for the lack of patterned paper with an overabundance of little embellishments...chipboard, buttons, die cuts, and stickers. Fun stuff!

Check back all this week for more pages created with the Main kit from My Creative Scrapbooks. 

Vacation Memories

Tommy's mom loved going on vacation with our family. She never ventured into the water, or even down to the beach, but she enjoyed her time away nonetheless. Here's a great photo from several years ago:

The colors and designs of Simple Stories' Summer Fresh (a collection from 2013) were perfect for my photo! The flowers, clothesline and picnic plaid paper screamed summer:

Here are a couple of closeups:

We'll miss having MawMaw with us this year. Chickenfoot and Upwords just won't be the same.

Get Crafty

I pulled out all the pretty, girly papers and die-cuts for this one about what may be a new beach tradition...craft night! There is so much layering going on here:

While the guys, young and old, played poker in one of the condos, the gals gathered to paint and decorate picture frames. We've been on a mission to collect a variety of beer bottlecaps. As you can see, no one minded contributing to the cause!

It's not often that I get to splatter a page with pink and/or flowers, so this was especially fun! That's a little "beach house" silhouetted at the bottom of the page. The "sun" is actually a record die-cut from some Maggie Holmes collection or another. Many of the die-cuts are from the Jillibean Soup Chit Chat Chowder collection.

I should start scouring Pinterest soon, as we will need another project for this summer's beach night craft! Ideas anyone?!

Hello Destin

Since I had already cut into the patterned papers from Simple Stories' You Are Here collection for the scrapbook page shared on the blog yesterday, it was a snap to create a second, coordinating page. The scraps were fit and layered to completely cover my cardstock background, their size and shape dictating the basic look of the page.

I particularly like the "hello" letters from the You Are Here sticker sheet. Cool that they have the same pretty landscape print from the card above them. This IS our happy place!

Several bits and pieces from my stash, including some (very) old S.E.I. alphabet stickers, were used to accent the page. I rooted through my box of "summer" scrapbook stuff for similarly colored pieces. I spy a postcard from an older Simple Stories collection, flags from Fancy Pants, and a checkered brad from who-knows-where.

As you can see, the brad was missing from this first pass in front of the camera, proving that if a page sits long enough on my easel, I'll surely find something else to add! Nothing's safe. ;)

Sunshine & Happiness

Scrapping summer never gets old. Even though we travel but a few states over...and visit the same vacation spot year after year, I enjoy documenting it every single time. Here are several from our crew, enjoying the beach and each other's company:

I love all the color that comes with every beach and travel collection. The papers on this layout are from the tropically-inspired You Are Here collection by Simple Stories.

After sprinkling and smooshing mist on the white cardstock background, the softly colored papers were layered to frame my photo. I then made good use of the hibiscus flowers and flamingo accents off the sticker sheet, clustering them in two opposite corners of my page. The tag cut from one of the patterned papers serves to anchor several of the embellishments.

Such sweet summer memories!

Lunch at George's

Well, I finally photographed this layout. It's been hanging out on my scrapbook page easel for a while, a bittersweet reminder of my years of working with the beautifully coordinated Scraptastic kits. They still put out fabulous kits for those who do Project Life type scrapbooking and planners. But, as I do neither, I said my goodbyes with their last traditional scrapbooking kit.

Here I am with my sisters after a day exploring the shops in beach towns along 30A, and having "Lunch at George's":

I have to say, this was one of my favorite kits! It had so much color, fun embellishments, and little exclusives found no where else. That background paper is to-die-for:

It's been fun Scraptastic! I miss the camaraderie, inspiration, challenges, etc. And now...after the new year...I'm hoping to find another good fit design team. Crossing fingers!

"MY" Kevin

My niece's oldest boy is so cute! As there is no one close to his age in our extended family, he goes hunting for the next best thing when it's time to find a playmate. Of course he looks up to the teens in the family, and Kevin is one of his favorites. In fact, he's become quite possessive, referring to him as "MY" Kevin, in other words, my friend. :)

Here they are playing in the sand at the beach:

I can't even begin to say where all the "stuff" on this page came from. I just pulled out bits and pieces from here and there and joined them all together. It was great fun.

The mint and pink papers are echoed by a scattering of enamel dots, and the woodgrain-look Thickers match up with the wood veneer nautical pieces. Speaking of which, those boats and anchors must be multiplying. I've certainly used them on several pages over the past few years...and yet, I still have more. Sailing anyone?

Chill Out

Don't you LOVE this blue plaid patterned paper from We R Memory Keepers?! It just may be the reason that I picked up a few pieces from their new High Five collection, and scrapped a favorite picture from our beach vacation:

Another favorite paper from the bunch gave me the following cluster of icons. One was hand cut, another punched and a third mounted onto a chipboard round:

After adding two cards from the High Five collection, one for journaling, another for the sentiment, I raided my stash for a few bits and pieces: a chipboard pineapple, flair, brad, stamp, and buttons.

It's always inspiring to have a new set of papers, but it's also quite satisfying when I'm able add a few "vintage" pieces to the mix. ;)

That was SO cool!

These two!

Cousins.

For hours on end.

They would kick out past the surf and wait, 

and wait, 

and wait, 

and wait,

patiently waiting for that perfect wave.

And then this.

The surf was relatively calm all week during our time at the beach this year, but they found a few waves to carry them in on their boogie boards. 

I remember this one time, many years ago, when they were just learning how to ride their boards, that these two caught the "perfect" wave. Uncle Chris was out past the surf, helping them get situated, telling them when to go for it. And they did. Eventually they rode a nice one all the way into the beach, the two of them, at the same time! All smiles, Jake turns to Kevin as if to say, "That was SO cool!"

It was also pretty cool that I happened to have my camera ready that day. Here's the layout that I created with two photos from their epic ride:

Beach Days

A few weeks ago I used Scraptastic Club's Wipeout kit to create two bold layouts for the "Scraplift a Subscriber" challenge. These pages used patterned papers in primary colors: orange, blue, red, yellow, and green. Now I'm shifting gears, and have created a page that focuses on the softer colors in the kit. 

Beach Days sticks to a sun and sea color palette of orange, yellow, aqua and white:

After layering patterned papers on a plain white background, I used a die-cut frame to highlight my photo. More die-cuts and fun stickers line up vertically on the edges of the frame. 

I love the vellum hibiscus die-cut! It's quite beachy isn't it? 

Check back tomorrow, when I'll be sharing another page from the Wipeout kit, along with a cut file from The Cut Shoppe.

Catching Waves & Rays

It's Throwback Thursday! The photo on the layout below was taken several summers ago, and I can't believe how much those three have changed. The two on the right passed me up in height quite a while ago. The one on the left is getting ready to head off to college! But on this day, the three cousins were getting ready for a day on the water, "Catching Waves & Rays".

Patterned papers are from October Afternoon's Summertime collection.

I'd love to have the three cousins recreate this photo one day. In fact, I'm going to put it on my to-do list for next time we all go to the beach!

Go Catch A Wave

I love the action photo I captured on the page below! The three cousins were going out to ride their boards on the first day of our beach vacation, jumping up over the swells as they head out in search of even bigger waves.

The beautifully vivid patterned papers are solely from the Carta Bella Beach Day collection.

Banners are still a favorite embellishment, and on the layout below I created an oversized one, cutting out flags, phrases, sunglasses and a swimsuit from Beach Day papers.

The large acrylic word, GO, is an exclusive from a Scraptastic kit. I completed the title with colorfully printed Thickers chipboard letters.

They caught many a wave that day, the day after, and the day after that. What fun it was!

Beautiful Day with Cake By The Ocean

A leisurely drive from the Florida beaches to home had my husband and I stopping along the Mobile Bay for a walk and an attempted selfie. Of course the photo came out wonky, but instead of trying to square it and position it right side up, I angled the picture on this layout that I created solely with the Cake By The Ocean main kit from Scraptastic Club.

The word "beautiful" in my title was made more dimensional by placing pop dots between the background sheet and die-cut word, from The Cut Shoppe's Girl Stuff cut file set. Enamel dots further highlight a few of the letters.

Yes, we were by the ocean, but no, we did not have cake. ;) We did however enjoy the beautiful day, combing the beach for shells, lounging in our chairs under the umbrella, and then driving home "the long way".

A favorite aspect of the Cake By The Ocean kit is the transparency of many of the die-cut embellishments. I had fun dressing up my layout, layering several of the die cuts at the top of the page and tucking others behind the photo. 

Wander, Happy, Love...just a few more words that describe the beautiful day we spent together. :)

Enjoy your day!

Gathering Storm

I guess I'll just continue with last year's beach photos! I have scrapped several, but more are waiting for some new summery/beachy papers. For the photo below, I used Scraptastic's Drops of Jupiter kit and add-on. The cloud shapes and overall color scheme were perfect for my photo of the impending rainstorm:

The patterned paper and die-cut clouds were a natural, as were the stars, both paper and acrylic, adding to the nighttime mood of the photo.

Those were some crazy dense clouds, turning day to night. We all gathered on the porches and decks, waiting for the show...because who doesn't love a thunderstorm at the beach?!

Wishing for Waves

Last week's Pinterest Monday at Scraptastic Club included projects influenced by the following pin:

This pin translated easily to my scrapbook page by using the Drops of Jupiter cut file:

The triangles, pointing up and down, were filled with the various patterned papers of the Drops of Jupiter kit and add-on. A small cluster of arrows, enamel dots, and flair points to my photo:

The waves were a bit puny during our week at the beach last summer. The boys were hoping to surf! That didn't happen. The swells were barely big enough for boogie boarding, but the kids still had fun. :)

Boys Rule

Yes, I love cut files...and what could be more fun than taking one and making it GIGANTIC?! On the page below, oversized lettering was filled with bright and colorful patterned papers from American Crafts' #Summer collection, with the large "O" reserved for my photo:

The phrase/title is one of the many designs in The Cut Shoppe's Boys Rule cut file set:

The closeup shows how the "0" not only frames the photo, but holds a bit of journaling-in-the-round. Uncle Chris was supposed to be helping to hold up the board, but couldn't resist photo-bombing the two kids. ;) 

Most of the supplies (patterned papers, stickers, flair, transparency pieces, and wood veneer) are from the #Summer collection by American Crafts. 

Come on summer! I'm ready!

The Cut Shoppe Feel The Love Blog Hop

Welcome to The Cut Shoppe Feel The Love Blog Hop!

Can you imagine? I scrapped a beach vacation photo with a Valentine's themed cut file and shades of pink! But hey, why not!? I LOVE going to the beach, and I LOVE the people that go with me. I think that makes it totally appropriate. ;)

The X To The O cut file from The Cut Shoppe was perfect backdrop for my page:

There are so many ways to use this cut file. I chose to cut it out of white cardstock and layer over a pale mint paper with silver polka dots. Then I backed only the X's, using various patterns in pink. The journal cards and a couple of the papers are from Dear Lizzy. Puffy stickers are from the Pinkfresh Studio Christmas Wishes collection...whatever goes!

Now, what's a blog hop without a prize?! Comment below by Feb. 15th for a chance to win the X To The O file that I used to create my layout. Here's the scoop on what else you can win:

GIVEAWAY #1:  Each Designer participating in the Hop, is giving away one Cut File.  Make sure you visit each Blog and leave a comment for the chance to win.  Winners will be announced on the Designer's Blog on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th, so make sure you check back on their Blogs to see if you're a Winner!  

GIVEAWAY #2:  You can win 14 of your favorite cut files, just by commenting throughout the Hop.  Leave a comment on each Blog, starting with The Cut Shoppe Blog, for the chance to win.  One Winner will be chosen from all of the Blog comments, and announced on The Cut Shoppe Blog on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16th.  The Winner will be able to choose 14 cut file sets from The Cut Shoppe Etsy store! 

If you haven't already, check out the free file download and discount code on The Cut Shoppe blog where everybody wins! 

Comment on the blogs below to be entered into drawings for additional Valentine-themed cut files from The Cut Shoppe. Here's the hop list, top to bottom:

The Cut Shoppe 

Katrina Hunt  

Aimee Maddern  

Allie Stewart  

Jennifer Haggerty  

Missy Whidden 

Michelle Wedertz 

Laura Mooney  

Madeline Fox---You Are HERE!

Thanks for visiting. All winners will be announced February 16th.