Paper Issues: September Pinspire Me

Hi Lovelies!

Welcome back for another edition of Paper Issues' mood board challenge; 

Pinspire Me

This month's pinspiration board is really cute n fun!

Here's what we're drawing from....

Back to School Cool!!! (& all the colours of the rainbow too!)

Love it!

Here's my take on it....

"ABC Happy Adventure"

Isn't this super fun?!!

I've been stashbusting my Crate Paper Maggie Holmes' collections: Chasing Dreams & Gather to create this scrapbook layout. 

The bunting-like alphabet letters are fussy cut from pattern paper Happy Place, and then stitched into position. I just love how this looks! Combined with my sweet 1st day of school photo, it really brings  that 'back to school' feel to life! The globe and book stickers add to the education vibe perfectly.

So very sweet!!!

I've also been really inspired by the colours, and in particular the yellow, aqua, pink and blue. La la love that mixed media background - it's made from a few of my new favorite Shimmerz Paints products! SO awesome!

Let's take a closer look.....

Nawww! These two are so cute together!

Happy adventure, indeed! 

That pretty pink frame is actually a chipboard sticker from Cocoa Vanilla Studio: Love Always collection - doesn't it coordinate beautifully?!! 

Speaking of chipboard stickers, how sweet are the yellow hearts, sentiment & blooms?! Like sunshine, so happy and bright!!!

And oh, that Shimmerz background......

And there you have it!

My interpretation of this month's Pinspire Me challenge!

Hope I have given you a few ideas for playing along this month.

See more from our inspiring team here

Need scrapbook supplies before you start?

Visit the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll also receive 20% off your total spend!

Need Shimmerz Paints?

Visit the Retail Store here

& use my code AMANDA in the comments section of the order 

& they'll send you a little extra somethin'. ( Not valid with any other discounts)

So totally got you covered for all your crafty needs ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: June Try It Tuesday!

Hi Creatives Friends & Fans!

Welcome back for the June edition of Paper Issues new mixed media challenge, 

This month we're trying something a little less challenging, 

but involving tons of texture and fun! 

This month's task is to add fabric to your creations! 

Textiles are a fabulous medium to use in our projects, and can include items such as, 

lace, ribbon, pom poms, tulle, fabric squares, cotton/thread, sewing, weaving, buttons and bows to name a few!

Be as creative as you like! 

Here's what I've created for this month's Try It Tuesday....

"Living the Life..."

Isn't this the sweetest?!! Soooooooo pretty!

You'll spy milliner's lace, bakers twine, pom pom trim, buttons and a ribbon for my fabric elements, as well as the gorgeous Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams collection. 

Here's a closer look for you.....

Loving the accents of gold foil chipboard stickers & the fabric touches really add dimension and texture to my sweet page!

How awesome is that milliner's lace (hat tulle)?!!

I love the look of this so much!

Ribbon and baker's twine are easy to add to any creation! 

I hope you liked my project, and will give this fun challenge a go!

There are so many fun ways to try using fabric in your creating!

Did you know Paper Issues even has a ribbon, twine & trim section in the store? 

Check it out here

& 

REMEMBER to use my code AMANDA to save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

I can't wait to see what you come up with! 

Be sure to upload your new creations to the 

Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group - June challenge album here.

Follow & tag us on instagram too! 

We love to share your creating too! ;) 

Need more inspiration? Visit the Paper Issues blog here

Thanks so much for stopping by today, 

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: *NEW CHALLENGE* Try It Tuesday

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends! 

Welcome to another brand new, super fun Paper Issues challenge:

TRY IT OUT TUESDAY

( & it's hosted by yours truly!)
 Yep, I'm upping my efforts, and hosting 2 challenges now on the Paper Issues blog!
 Please support me & play along!
I promise they're super easy and tons of fun
PLUS every time you enter, you go in the draw to win a Paper Issues gift card - YAY!!!

This challenge is all about giving something new or different, a good old fashioned go!

This month we're going to try.....

Just Add Water

Simply use water soluble or washable markers, paints, gelatos or even stamp pads & inks and apply water to them. Watch how they react!!! Tilt ur page and watch the colours run!

Super fun and a cool result too!

Here's a quick 'how to' if you're not sure what I am meaning....



Draw, scribble, make marks with your NON waterproof pens. You'll see that I used my 4 year old son's Crayola Washables for mine - they work really well for this technique!



Apply water!
I wanted to maintain my shape, so I added lots of water and used brushstrokes for mine. I didn't tilt my page, but I did use the water puddles to wet my brush and splatter with.
If you're more adventurous, try a misting spray bottle, and hold your cardstock upright and watch for the colour runs!!! Awesome!
*If paper warping bothers you, be sure to use a heavier gsm cardstock, or apply a layer of gesso first.
For the record, I used the regular American Crafts 80gsm cardstock for this layout, the warping was minimal*

I hope you'll join us this month, and try this fun technique out!

Here's my completed layout,

"Lovely"

Isn't the result spectacular?! Who would've thought toddler markers could be so effective! 

I've teamed mine up with Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams collection, and a sweet Bitty Bow from Cocoa Vanilla Studio! Divine! 

Here's a closer look......

Blooms, butterflies and hearts! *sigh* All the pretty things!!!

I always intended to use this collection, so when I made my 'marks' I tried to mimic the flight path of the butterfly. Kinda adding a little whimsical feel to it all! 

So soft and pretty! 

Who needs watercolour paint when you have markers?! 

Wanna see some more inspiring layouts from our incredibly talented team? 

Visit the Paper Issues blog here  - our design team never fail to inspire! 

I can't wait to see what you'll TRY for this edition of Try It Tuesday!

Upload your creations HERE in the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook Group - May Challenge album & go in the draw to win a Paper Issues gift card!!!

Need supplies? Visit the Paper Issues store here 

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total spend! Yay!

Thanks so much for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: *new challenge* Scrap Soup

Hi Happy Arty Days Friends!

There's a few new challenges starting this month at Paper Issues, 

the first of which is

- Scrap Soup -

You'll get an 'ingredients' list every month from Paper Issues, 

but you do all the concocting ;) 

Oh, and you must use all items on the list too!

Here's this month's list

Note: The 2 long rectangles have no width requirements, so you can make them as thick or thin, as you like!

Here's my take,
"Dream"

Isn't this the prettiest?! Love this photograph of my two together!

I've stashbusted my Hazelwood 1Canoe2 collection leftovers to create this super sweet layout! 

You'll notice that my 11" rectangle is quite thin as I used the bottom of a pattern paper, product label strip for this rectangle. Great way to use up those strips!

Here's a few close ups....

That divine yellow button is from the Maggie Holmes Chasing Dreams collection. 

Butterflies, blooms & mason jars! Can it get any sweeter?! 

Love it!

Hope you liked my take on this fabulous new challenge, and will play along!

Need supplies before you start?

Grab them here in the Paper Issues store

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA & you'll save 20% off your total order - Yayyy!

As always, our talented Design Team have more inspirational layouts on the blog post here

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo 

Paper Issues: May Pinspire Me

Hi Creative Friends!

Welcome back for more Paper Issues fun with the May edition of 

 - Pinspire Me - 

Here's the  fabulous mood board that we're being inspired by....

Isn't this gorgeous?! All those blues and greens!

 The colours drew me in instantly! 

Here's what I created, 

"Together"

You are my happy , indeed!!!

Love this photo of them both together! 

All dressed up for a special event; they both look so grown up! I really wish I could hit the pause button! Love them so!

I used the super pretty Maggie Holmes: Chasing Dreams collection, as well as a few accessory stickers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. 

I wanted to create an 8.5" x 11" layout look, but still in the 12 x 12" album size for this layout.

That blue pinstripe pattern paper is so pretty!!!

Here's a few close ups.....

How fabulous are those Thickers?!! Love the gold foil accent on them!

The tiny chipboard tags are a sweet embellishment too!

Fussy cut roses are a lovely addition to this layout!

So very pretty!

I hope my layout inspired you &  has you wanting to play along!

Need supplies before you play?

Shop in the Paper Issues store here

& REMEMBER: Use my code AMANDA to save 20% off too!

Looking for more inspiration?

See what the rest of our amazing team created has created here

Thankyou for visiting!

til next time, 

Happy Arty Days, 

Amanda xo