Simple Stories

Simple Sightings - Destinations

We hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend.  Here in Utah it snowed, rained, and hailed off and on (but mostly on) all day long.  Today; of course, it is sunny and a nice 75 degrees . . .and we are back in the office!

Over the past couple of weeks we have received some awesome inspitaion from our retail stores.  Today I wanted to highlight 2 kits, from 2 different websites that were sent to me using our Destinations collection.

The first kit comes from Scrapbook Central in Alberta, Canada.  We met Charlene Byrd of Scrapbook Central at the CHA winter show, and we remember her very well; she absolutely made our day at the show!  I was thrilled when she sent us these images of a kit they are offering on their website!

Our 2nd kit comes from Julie Creek of Creek Bank Creations.  Julie created this cute suitcase chipboard mini book using our Destinations collection as well.

Thanks for stopping by today and letting me share our customers creativity with all of you.  If you have a store or website and want to share your projects with us and our readers, please email us at sales@simple-stories.com.

Have a great Tuesday!

 

Simple Style: RUFFLES!

 

 

I love spending a few minutes every day searching Pinterest for unique design ideas. Lately, I've noticed a trend: ruffles! I've found them adorning shirts, aprons, pillows, and curtains, and I love the look! I have added folded ruffles to my layouts, but they don't look quite like fabric due to the fact they are made out of, well paper. However after seeing all the fun possibilities lately, I decided to try if I could make my paper ruffles look more like the fabric ruffles I'm seeing all over the place.

Enter water. Today's project is something you can easily add to a layout, a card, or an altered item. It's a straight forward technique using water and your sewing machine. Do not be afraid, water and paper do mix in this case.

1. Cut some 1.25" strips of paper, then run one under water for a few seconds. The strip should be wet, but not sopping.

2. Use a scrap strip of paper as backing, then ruffle fold the wet strip and start sewing it to the scrap. Stitch for a few stitches, stop, scrunch again, repeat until you have the length of ruffle you'd like. I made mine 8.5" long to frame my photo. I ended up using two and a half strips to make this size of ruffle. Because the paper is wet, it can tear easily. Be gentle as you are working with it. If it tears, it's not the end of the world, just start ruffling over the torn spot, it's very forgiving.

3. Let the strip dry, this takes a few hours. While still wet, you can play with the look of the ruffle, making it stick up on the edges, after it dries, it retains the wet shape really nicely.

That's it. Very easy to add a trendy look to your next project. I used the 100 Days of Summer line, but this technique would work with any of the papers from Simple Stories.

Supply list:

Simple Stories:

100 Days of Summer Line (Sweet Memories and Simple Pleasures patterned papers, 12x12 Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers, 12x12 Expressions Cardstock Stickers )

Simply Creative Vacation Wishes

Hello Simple Stories Fans! It's Ally, back with some cards today. As you all well know, the Simple Stories system is all about quick and easy, but absolutely beautiful, albums. The papers have so many pre-made and pre-measured designs that give you the perfect canvas for adding your photos and just slipping into various sized page protectors. But I'm a card maker at heart, and I'm here to tell you that the system is a great way to pump out some beautiful cards for any occasion. 

My daughter is leaving for Montana for the WHOLE SUMMER in less than a week. :(... So, traveling and wishes for safe adventures are on my mind. What better way to wish her off than with some cute little cards from the Destinations line? One of my favorite pieces in each collection includes the sheet with the 3x4" flash cards. I love making cards in a 4"x5.25" or 4"x6" size and the flash cards are sized just right. 

They are perfect left as is as I did with this card here:

Just pop up with some foam adhesive, add a strip of patterned paper and some border sticker behind the flash card and voila'. 

 

 

Or, you can choose to use the little flash card as a canvas of sorts and dress it up and then mat onto your card base (and how perfect is it that the back of the flash card is a simple pattern so I don't feel bad about "wasting" the card on the back. I hate having to make those kinds of choices, don't you?

 

The house is sure going to feel empty next week without my daughter around. Which card should I send her off with to let her know how much I love her? Maybe, both...

 

 

 

 

Simple Sightings - Elementary

Here in the states, school is almost out for the summer!  So, I thought it would be a perfect time to share some great ideas with you using our Elementary collection. Grab your notebook and your pencil, and let's get started!

I really wanted to share this layout with you because so many people want to cut it apart this paper or they don't know what to do with it.  When we created Simple Stories, we wanted to be able to make it easy to share your story, hence the journal page.  So fun and so SIMPLE to do! 

                                     by Sandy Zent

                                         by Sandy Zent

                                     by Sandy Zent

                                 by Wendy Morris

                                     By Mary Konow

                                     by Amber Crowell

                                     by Amber Crowell

                                     by Amber Crowell

                                     by Amber Crowell

                                     by Amber Crowell

                                     by Amber Crowell

Are you feeling overloaded yet with ideas???  Do you need some ideas for teachers gifts?  Take a look at these fun notebooks by Mary Konow, I think the bookmark is a nice added touch, don't you?

The Elementary kit makes it super fun and easy to create teacher gifts as well as an entire album of your child's school year. 

Don't forget to share your creations on our Facebook page; we love hearing from you and love seeing your creativity!

 

 

Simple Basics - Stitching

 

Hello and Happy Friday to everyone!  Today I want to share with you some basic tips for one of my all-time favorite things to do in scrapbooking --- stitching on paper!  I love the finished look that adding stitching can give to a layout or card, but I know that there are some frustrating moments that can happen while trying to learn how to stitch on paper.  Hopefully, some of my tips will help you shorten that learning curve! 

The first thing to know is that all you need is a basic sewing machine -- with very basic stitches.  The machine I currently use is a cheap Kenmore model that cost under $75 four years ago.  It only has the basic straight and zigzag stitches, but that is all I need!  I also have a very expensive machine that I keep for real sewing, however, this is the one that I keep handy for all my scrapbooking projects.  This machine sits on a little shelf just to the left of my scrap desk.  it is always plugged in and ready to go.  Believe me, this is important!  If you have to get the machine out and set up everytime you want to use it --- well, you will more often than not change your mind and skip the stitching! 

 
 
All, I have to do is lift it up and place it on my desk and I am ready to sew!  I keep basic colors of thread available and it only takes a few seconds to change out the thread color.  As far as the bobbin thread goes, I sew with whatever color was already on the machine when the bobbin ran out.  The bobbin thread color does not matter.

The next thing to remember is not to use adhesive where you plan to stitch.  This is a commom mistake and can cause quite a nightmare with broken thread and a sticky needle.  I apply a very small amount of adhesive to the center of the paper that I plan to stitch.  All you need is just enought to hold it in place while you sew. If you happen to forget this -- you can remove the glue from your needle with rubbing alcohol, goof off, or any other adhesive remover you have on hand.

My next trick is how to tie off the thread after you stitch.  I turn my page or project over and then I give a gentle tug on the bobbin thread.  This will produce a loop of the top thread.  I use my pokey tool and pull the top thread through to the backside of my project.  Cut the thread at about 2 inches and place a piece of tape there to hold the thread tight. 

 
 
I like to alternate my stitching type and size to add interest to my work.  Sometimes it's straight stitches, sometime zigzag and sometime both right on top of each other.  There is no right or wrong way to sew.  Perfection is not required either!  In fact, sometimes I pull the bobbin thread to the right side of my project and just leave them hanging there for an added distressed look.  Perfect to go with our Simple Stories papers!

One thing to remember with stitching on paper is to keep your stitch length long enough so that the holes will not cause your paper to rip.  If you place your stitches too close together, you will create a perforated effect that will cause ripping.  Of course, if you mean to do this....fabulous!

Here are some closeups of some stitching that I did on my latest Simple Stories layout:

 

You can see that I used a longer straight stitch to tack down the photo, a even zig zag stitch to place the paper down and then added some dimension to the sun by stitching a basic design on it!

  

I used straight stitching with out any adhesive to create the pocket effect on the bottom of my layout.  I tucked the photo, the tags, and the tickets in at various levels to add dimension and interest.

Here is the completed layout:

 

*****

One thing to remember when stitching on cards is to be sure that the back of your stitching will not show in the final product.  You want to be able to give your card as a gift without the thread & tape showing on the backside!  The easiest way to accomplish this is to do all your work on a background piece of paper.  I work with a piece about 1/4 inch smaller all around than my card base will be.  After creating my card on the background paper, I can hide all the stitching my adhereing it to the card base. 

Here is what the back of my card looks like after stitching:

 

And the finished product after I adhered it to my white card base:

 

All products used on these two projects come from our 100 Days of Summer line!

Leave me a comment if you have any questions about stitching on your projects and I will be sure to answer them for you! 

 

 

 



Simple Inspiration for Summer

 

 

 

How about a little simple inspiration today for your summer projects?  I am a huge fan of easy cardmaking.  No frills and fuss, just a fun card to send off immediately.  My signature for cardmaking is a 6 x 6 inch square.  I don't like a lot of waste, so I am happy to slice my 12 x 12 cardstock in half. I use invitation sized envelopes, which I found online cheap.

Something I really love about the Simple Stories collections (especially the 100 Days of Summer) are all of the 4 x 6 elements.  They are PERFECT for my 6 x 6 cards and what's more, is the sentiments are already done for me like on the card above.  I love how this card could be used for the host of a summer barbeque or with a delicious food basket for someone special.  I just added some patterned paper and ribbon to make the 4 x 6 element pop off the card.  Plus the distressing makes the card feel even more homemade.

Along with the easy to use 4 x 6 elements, I also adore the cardstock stickers that come with every Simple Stories collection.  I thought this card could be used to say thank you or thinking of you for someone you visited on a trip this summer.  Again, I added some simple ribbon, a button and some bling for good measure.  That little bicycle is about the cutest thing ever!

Like the title above, it's time to relax into summer and create some really fun projects that are both beautiful and simple.  This page was created to showcase the gorgeous Sweet Memories patterned background paper, so just a few die cut elements, journal cards and embellishments were needed to make it complete.

To create these fun accordion flowers, I used some of the smaller 2 x 12 border strip elements in the 100 Days of Summer collection and cardstock stickers for the centers.  Then I hand-cut the leaves out of one of the patterned papers.

For the title, I used a combination of the 100 Days of Summer Fundamental and Expression cardstock stickers.  Love how well all of the colors and sizes go together perfectly.

Products for these projects:

• 100 Days of Summer 12 x 12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #1402
• 100 Days of Summer 12 x 12 Fundamental Cardstock Sticker #1403
• 100 Days of Summer Sweet Memories #1404
• 100 Days of Summer Endless Summer #1406
• 100 Days of Summer Simple Pleasures #1407
• 100 Days of Summer Flashcards #1409

100 Days of Summer Signature Elements

• 4x6 Journaling Card Elements #1 - #1410
• 2 x 12 Border and 4 x 12 Title Strip Elements - #1414

Hope these ideas get your summer off to a good start of simple projects that are easy to manage and get done in a hurry so there is more time to soak up the sun.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Simple Sightings from Our Customers!

At the Winter CHA show this past January we had the pleasure of meeting Debra Jennis from Pinecone Press.  Not only do they have some great idea books, but they also offer some great kits! 

We were thrilled when Debra asked us to use the Destinations collection for her next Options kit. These kits are available through Pinecone Press, and they also sell them wholesale to retail stores!

Pinecone Press also has this fun suitcase album available as well:

  

If you are interested in the kits please contact Pinecone Press by clicking here.

Remember we are always looking for your ideas!  If you have a great project you have created and want to share it with our readers, please email me at sales@simple-stories.com.  We love to show off your creations that are made with our products!

Make sure to stop by tomorrow to see what Liz has been up to . . . she has some fun projects she will be sharing tomorrow; especially if you want some fun ideas using our cut apart elements.

 

Simple Album Inspirations

Have you made your summer plans?  Do your summers plans include a trip to visit the mouse in California or Florida?  Maybe this was your summer plans 2 years ago and your pictures are still sitting in the same place mine are . . . the computer!  Either way, check out this fun album that Wendy Morris created using our Destinations collection.

Thanks for stopping by and letting us share this Disney album with you today!  Make sure to stop by tomorrow for a peek at a project from Pinecone Press that will be available in your LSS!

Have a great week!

 

Simply Creative with Emily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello! I'm Emily Pitts, and I so happy to be a part of Simple Stories. I also met Amber at this past CHA and was drawn to the rich bold colors she used in the lines, as well as the great basic designs on many of the papers. The multiple alphabets on one sheet also caught my attention, I love a good alphabet any day, so give me four and I'm a happy typophile (yes, I made that word up, I think)! 

 

Today I bring you Simply Creative, or how to use the Simple Stories products as stand-alone elements. I was looking through the different lines and had the following brainstorm: It's the end of the school year here in Colorado. My son Ethan has his beloved orchestra and show choir teacher retiring, so we bought her some flowers. I thought it would be fun to use the Elementary line for an end of the year card, instead of the typical documenting-the-year ways we would normally use a school line. Then I thought a pick in the flowers would be a delightful accompaniment to the bouquet. It was so easy to put together, I hope it will inspire you to do the same.

 

For the pick, I used one of the flashcards from the Elementary Flash Cards paper and covered the tree with the circle of dates from the Report Card paper. There's already an apple on that circle of dates, but I cut out another bigger one from the Elementary Flash Cards and popped it up to make it a stronger element. Tie it with a bit of bakers' twine, add some stars and a ruler from the Report Card paper, and you've got a cute pick. Imagine this same pick as the front of a card, it would easily transform if you wanted to use it that way instead.

 

For the card, I used one of the 4x6 Vertical Journaling Card Elements as the base of my card, then added some stickers and a strip from the Report Card paper, cut so each day was its own bit. I like to break things up like this, you don't have to use a strip if it doesn't fit, you can cut it up like this. Add some stars and another apple from one of the flashcards and you have a cute card. I felt like the A+ got lost on the yellow graph paper, so I simply traced around the letter with a black pen to help it stand out. 

Supply List - 

Simple Stories:

Elementary Line (Report Card, Flashcards, and 4x6 Vertical Journaling Elements papers and 12x12 Fundamentals sticker sheet)

Life Documented alphabets

Other:

Maya Road, Divine Twine, Tim Holtz, Fiskars

 

I love how this teacher appreciation gift uses the Elementary line in a slightly different way, but still holds true to the school purpose. I hope you'll be able to find new uses for your other Simple Stories products as well! Please leave a comment sharing any fun teacher appreciation ideas you've had in the past.

Until next time,

 

Simple Sightings - Robbie, Stacy, Linda and Brenda!

I am absolutely THRILLED to introduce one of our NEW blog segments from the Simple Stories home office – Simple Sightings!  This is so exciting for me as I will be sharing some creative and inspiring ideas from YOU – our blog readers, customers and fans.  I can not tell you how exciting it is when we see what you have done with our products – whether on blogs, websites, google searches, our Faceobook page… or even when you email us your creations.  As a new company in the industry it still makes me so giddy when I see customers actually using OUR Simple Stories products in your projects…it’s an amazing feeling .  Even better is when we hear how much you LOVE the design, love the products and how Simple Stories is helping you create beautiful albums, pages and projects…SIMPLY!

So for my first Simple Sightings post I wanted to share with you some of the inspiring projects “spotted” using our Life Documented collection.

Simple Sighting - Robin Herring

 

 

 

 

These layouts were created by Robbie Herring, who emailed us letting us know how excited she was about our products and how they are a perfect fit for her scrapbook style.  I have to agree – she has created darling designs and I love her style!  I love all of the details she put into both layouts from the stitching and the banners, the the layering and embellishments…DARLING!!

 Simple Sighting - Stacy Rogers

 

 

Next is a very simple, yet beautiful card from Stacy Rogers. I did a google search one day…just curious to see what came up with searching Life Documented and this caught my eye immediately.  I LOVE how simple this card it, yet so beautiful.  It confirms everything I love about Simple Stories – beautiful, simplified design! I like how Stacy added a touch of glamour with the glittered die-cut heart...and the darling stamp.  Who wouldn't love to get this card?

Simple Sighting - Linda Auclair

 
Here's a darling layout the Linda Auclair posted to our Simple Stories Facebook fan page. I love how Linda made the focal photo of her layout really stand out with the cute little scalloped border sitcker (included in our Life Documented Fundamental stickers.) I also loved how she placed the florish under the photo and layered with other Life Documented elements...and of course I'm sucker for anything with banners!

 

Simple Sighting - Brenda Rose

 

 

 

I also saw this fun card from Brenda Rose.  I love how she incorporated stamps and used our predesigned elements in a creative way….again, so simple yet beautiful!  She decorated the card with a handmade banner and decorative border punch!  ...and I love the sentiment "...sending you a little happy!"  This card definately makes me happy!

Thank you Robbie, Stacy, Linda and Brenda for your creativity and inspiration.  Now YOU go out and create something amazing....and let us see it!  We're going to be scouring message boards, blogs, social media networks, etc. for more Simple Sightings.  You can tweet, blog, and even upload your projects to our Simple Stories Facebook page.  You can email us (sales@simple-storie.com), anyway you can share your creations with us...let us know! I'll be back next Thursday with more amazing projects from our viewers, customers and fans...who knows...it could be YOU!