Simple Stories

Guest Designer Spotlight - Donna Jannuzzi

I am so excited to be guest designing for Simple Stories!  Their paper collections are so well-designed and thought out, they make scrapbooking not only fun, but easy too.  In addition to the projects that I made for today, I plan on using the Baby Steps collection as part of Samuel's first year album.  The cut-apart element pieces are going to make doing that fast and easy, and with a newborn in the house I will need easy! 

I live in Southern California with my husband, and our two sons Gabriel and Nathan.  We are expecting our third son, Samuel, in just a few short weeks.  I first started scrapbooking after the birth of my oldest son, and quickly fell in love with this hobby.

I would describe my style as simple with layers.  I begin every layout with a sketch, and I am the author of Stretch Your Sketches, the first reader-submitted eBook by Ella Publishing.  In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, and of course, scrapbooking.  I am proud to be a member of the inspiration collective at Write.Click.Scrapbook., and I am a contributing artist at Scrapbook.com.

 You can find me at my blog, ecclesia domestica where I detail the stories of my family’s life as well as share my love for this hobby.

I made two layouts, the first one, "Watching You Grow," features three ultrasound photos of Samuel.  I was monitored closely during this pregnancy, and I feel blessed to have had a healthy pregnancy.  These images are proof that our little one is doing well!

The second layout is one that I have made ahead for his first year album, and it is titled, "Welcome Baby."  One of the cardstock papers in the collection features several journaling spots on the back.  For this layout I cut out the spot designated for recording those important newborn statistics - journaling made easy and it includes a title too!  When we get home all I will need to do is have a 5x7 printed, place it on the photo mat, and I'll be done.

I also used the Baby Steps collection to make a set of cards, a thank you card, a welcome card, and one that I left blank.  The fundamentals cardstock sticker sheet that is included in the collection is so cute and is filled with lots of great designs as well as borders and title pieces.  I really enjoyed creating these cards, my favorite one includes that little trio of owls!

I had a lot of fun making these projects, and I want to thank Simple Stories for having me as their guest designer and for allowing me to share my creations with you!

Donna Jannuzzi

 

{...a little Mix & Match 6x8 Album inspiration!}

Our boxes, bags and crates are packed...we're headed to CHA! We're so excited to show off our new products to the scrapbook industry.  Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to our new collections - we're thrilled to have our customers and fans so excited about our new products!

While we're gone we wanted to leave you a little 6x8 album inspiration showing how our Simple Stories collections - which feature our signature elements and coordinates - work perfectly with our Mix & Match 6x8 Album and coordinating Mix & Match Divided Page Protectors, This & That Album Pages and Odds & Ends Memorabilia Pockets.  Our visuals include product from our popular Year.o.graphy collection, but you can use any of our collections (especially our new Fabulous, Awesome and Documented collection that feature the This & That Album Pages) to create your own unique keepsake in a quick, easy and creative way!

All this week we showcased the new album pages for our new collections...but we also wanted to show you the album pages for our Year.o.graphy collection.  This is a definate must have for you year-in-review projects and albums!

 

{Year.o.graphy Journal/Scrapbook Album Pages}

 

{Simple Stories Products + NEW 6x8 Album = a quick and easy customized album that's all your own!}   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our staff has been busy busy creating album samples for our booth...and they are seriously in LOVE with these little albums, page protectors, pockets and pages!  Once you have a chance to try it out you'll be hooked too! 

CHA Reveal #4: Documented Collection

{a classic collection to document life's special occasions}

Sophistication meets simplicity with our all new DOCUMENTED collection. A spin off from our lovely Documented 6x8 album, journal/scrapbook album pages and pockets, we created a complete paper collection to match! The Documented paper collection features beautiful patterns and designs mixed with classic tonal colors to bring out the very best of any special occasion or everyday moment. Add a pop of color here or a classic black-and-white or sepia photo there -  and it all blends together to create gorgeous memories!

This beautiful classic collection is all about documenting the special moments in your life.  Since the beginning of Simple Stories we get asked time and again when we're coming out with a wedding/anniversary collection.  After all it's one of the biggest moments in our life and there's always lots of photos of this special occasion....so it's a perfect fit for Simple Stories products! 

Documented is a completely versatile collection that is not only perfect for wedding and anniversary photos, but also for couples, family, love, vintage, heritage or everyday moments!  We LOVE providing products to help you document your memories in a quick, easy, beautiful and creative way...and this collection is definately no exception...paired with the coordinating Documented album series you can create truly stunning projects!

{PS - We especially LOVE the different spin on the Simple Basics patterns for this line - we went with very neautral, classic and BEAUTIFUL background prints and a few accent papers that can be used for any project - and they coordinate with the 6x8 album pages and pockets perfectly!}    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{It's your life: Document it!}  What moments would you like to document? Leave a comment and let us know (and of course don't forget to tell us what you love about our new Documented collection!) We'll choose one reader to win the entire new collection - contest ends Friday, February 3 (Winner will be announced Monday, February 7!)

 

CHA Reveal #3: Awesome Collection

{a totally awesome collection that's all boy}

It takes some serious talent to be this awesome! Take a walk on the wild side with our new Awesome collection - all boy all of the time! From toddler to teen and beyond we're talking super cool colors and ultra hip designs with all of the simplicity you've come to expect from Simple Stories. AWESOME is going to rock your world!

Our Awesome collection includes our designer cardstock paper and our signature elements for quick and creative scrapbooking.  We also have our popular 3x4 Flash Cards, Fundamentals Cardstock stickers, and Expressions Cardstock stickers - as well as a complete collection of new Simple Basics selections that feature our rich, bold color with subtle tonal designs mixed with our nuetral tonal background prints in cool boyish prints like dictionary, ticket stubs, ledger and more!  We love the cool hip stamps we're bring out with Unity Stamp...and of course our new Awesome Journaling/Scapbooking Album Pages that coordinate perfectly with our new Mix & Match 6x8 Album and Page Protectors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{We think it's totally awesome!}  If our Awesome collection rocks your world...leave a comment and let us know what you think. We'll choose one reader to win the entire new collection - contest ends Friday, February 3 (Winner will be announced Monday, February 7!)

 

CHA Reveal #2: Fabulous Collection

{a simply fabulous collection that's all girl}

Be Fabulous. Be Amazing. Be You! Our newest collection, FABULOUS, brings you all of this and more! Girly, frilly, hip, modern and totally adorable...naturally it's all about YOU/HER! From toddlers to tweens and teens...this collection is absolutely perfect for "All About Me" albums or projects capturing that fun, fabulous girl in your life! Sweet and sassy colors + bold and bright designs = easy, breezy projects. So go ahead and be just who you are!

Our new Fabulous collection includes our beautiful designer cardstock paper and our signature elements that you simply trim down to size - 4x6, 4x4, 6x8, 6x12, and more - for quick and creative scrapbooking.  We also have our popular 3x4 Flash Cards, Fundamentals Cardstock stickers, and Expressions Cardstock stickers - as well as a complete collection of new Simple Basics selections that feature our bold color with subtle tonal designs mixed with our office background prints including notebook, text, ledger and beautiful doilies!  We're also partnering with Unity Stamp Co. with super cute Fabulous stamps!

We're also introducing a set of Fabulous Journaling/Scapbooking Album Pages that coordinate perfectly with our new Mix & Match 6x8 Album and Page Protectors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Simply Fabulous...right?}  Leave a comment and let us know what you think!  We'll choose one reader to win the entire new collection - contest ends Friday, February 3 (Winner will be announced Monday, February 7!) 

 

CHA Reveal #1 - Documented: Mix & Match 6x8 Album and Page Protectors; This & That Album Pages and Odds & Ends Memorabilia Pockets!

 

 

{Welcome to Simple Stories CHA Reveal Week}

Thank you for joining us!  Are you ready for us to reveal ALL our new collections and products that we'll be showcasing at the CHA Winter 2012 show next week?  Beginning today, Monday, January 23 through Thursday, January 26 we have a new collection we'll be revealing each day and we can't wait to show you all that we've been working on!

We're starting our first reveal with something BIG...the new chapter for Simple Stories! It's been something we have been working on behind the scenes for quite awhile and have always wanted to do since the launch of Simple Stories!  And the time has finally came when we can share these new memory-keeping tools with our wonderful customers...we hope you're as excited about it as we are!

Introducing Documented, an all-inclusive mini-album system that allows you to share your story your way, including:

• {MIX & MATCH 6x8 ALBUM} This 6x8 Kraft chipboard D-ring album is absolutely beautiful...and super strong and sturdy so you can load your memories inside! It features a wonderful linen spine with decorative book plate label on the spine, and ultra thick chipboard with a Kraft cardstock covering (no naked grey chipboard here), so you can leave as is for quick and easy crafting or decorate to your hearts desire!  It also inlcudes tons of goodies inside so you can create a one-of-a-kind keepsake, including album pages, chipboard dividers and a variety of 6x8 divided page protectors!      
• {MIX & MATCH DIVIDED PAGE PROTECTORS} These little divided page protectors come in a variety of styles and formats so that you can mix and match your memories to tell a story that's all your own. These 6x8 page protectors are divided into mini pockets that work PERFECTLY with your photos and our signature elements, including the 6x8 photo mats, 4x4 cards, 3x4 flash cards, 4x6 journaling cards and 2x12 strips (these can be trimmed to 2x8 to easily slip in the 2x8 / 4x4 page protector option!) You will LOVE these page protectors - super clear, thick and heavy, and archival safe! Plus you can add to your full-size 12x12 3-ring albums for a fun, playful look!
• {THIS & THAT ALBUM PAGES} We've also included journal/scrapbook album pages that you can "smash" on your photos. memories and mementos and  insert into your album  any way you'd like - and we're giving you lots of options with 4 different sets to match our newest collections, including our popular Year.o.grapy line (you'll see all of these sets in detail over the next week!)  These album pages are AMAZING - printed on heavy-weight cardstock and double-sided - they match our elements perfectly so you can easily mix and match with the divided page protectors too!  
• {ODDS & ENDS MEMORABILIA POCKETS} We're also introducing a collection of memorabilia pockets for all of your little bits and pieces and odds and ends!  These pockets come in a variety of sizes, including full size for your 12x12 albums and page protectors, and smaller sizes like 6x8, 4x6 and 3x4, which are designed to fit perfectly into divided page protector pockets!  You can decorate your pockets to match your project, and insert into page pockets, add to your pages and layouts or even hole-punch to insert into albums for pocket pages..the possibilites are endless!

 {Ship Date: March 2012}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{So...what do you think?}  Let us know, make a comment to this post, and you could be entered to win an album prize package that includes a variety of these fun goodies. See you tomorrow as we reveal our newest paper collection...it's simply FABUOUS...you won't want to miss it!

 

 

 

2012 Design Team Call, Facebook Fan Blog Hop...and a new chapter for Simple Stories!

 

To so many of you Simple Stories has come to mean quick, easy and beautiful scrapbooking and after a very successful first year in the wholesale scrapbook industry we’re ready to take it to a whole new level! We have BIG plans for 2012 and this post is loaded with exciting news and a cool little sneak of what we have in store...

 

Welcome to the fresh new face of Simple Stories!

We're thrilled to finally be able to unveil our brand new logo and fresh look for Simple Stories! Our new logo is simple and fun just like our scrapbook products - hopefully you love it as much as we do! It's been something we've been working on behind the scene for a while and it's so great to finally be able to unveil our new look! This is just the beginning...soon you'll see our new logo on our product packaging, advertising, social media, etc. and we're excited to announce that we're also working on our brand new website that will launch this spring!  In the meantime we've made over our current website to reflect our fresh new face (please excuse our dust while we're still putting the final touches on our blog makeover)...and we can't wait to unveil our new look at the upcoming 2012 Winter CHA show!

 

 

 

Are you the next member of our 2012 Design Team?

We told you we had exciting news...right! We're thrilled to announce our first-ever open design team call and we're searching for new team members to add to our 2012 Design Team - could it be YOU?

Do you love to scrapbook? Are you excited about new products, new releases and a whole new way to document your memories? Are you passionate about Simple Stories products and love inspiring others to share their story? Are you enthusiastic, creative, positive, friendly and love working on a team?

Whether you're an undiscovered talent wanting to show off your creativity to the scrapbook world or an experienced fan favorite with your own unique style - Simple Stories wants to hear from you! If you are interested in joining us for an exciting, fast paced and rewarding year of scrapbooking, designing and  inspiration please download the design team application below. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!  Deadline for design team submissions is February 24, 2012 and we'll announce the new design team members March 2, 2012! 

Good Luck - we can't wait to see your submission!

 

Simple Stories 2012 Design Team Application

 

 

 Facebook Fan Blog Hop - Friday, January 20

Everyday we see some amazing projects that are posted to our Simple Stories Facebook fan page.  We LOVE seeing creations from our fans and customers and are inspiried on a daily basis from what you create with our products. Our wonderful design team member, Liz Qualman, came up with the fun idea of having a Facebook Fan Blog Hop to give some recognition to our fans ideas that they share with us everyday!  At the first of January we made the announcement on our Facebook fan page and the first 7 fans to reply to our comment were invited to participate in today's blog hop!! We are excited to have you come along with us and visit our design team blogs, as well as a few of our Facebook fans blogs.  Make sure to leave a comment on every blog you visit, including our Simple Stories blog,  for a chance to win your favorite Simple Stories Collection kit! We think this is such a fun idea that you will most likely see us do this again....a HUGE thank you to our Facebook fans and design team members who are participating in today's blog hop!

 

The first stop on our blog hop is to our Facebook fan:

Martha Saenz - welcometomarthaworld.blogspot.com

Be sure to hop to Martha's blog to see her creations and don't forget to visit all of the participants blogs for your chance to win!

 

 

 CHA Reveal Week: January 23 - January 26

You’re just dying to know aren’t you?? And we're so excited to share our newest collections and amazing new ideas with you! Join us here on our blog January 23 - January 26 for a full reveal of our new Winter/Spring 2012 collections! Be sure to check back each day of the week for a new peek at one of our  releases...and we couldn't leave you without a fun teaser that gives a you a little taste of what's to come next week!  We can't wait to introduce a whole new chapter to documenting your memories....

 

 

An Oldie but Goodie: Destinations.

 

Hi All! Wendy here to share up sneak peeks of a class I'm teaching this coming weekend & just to chat with ya for a bit as we sit out & try to distract your brain of CHA sneak peeks that are coming next week.  Oh, if you love scouting out cool & fab scrapbook stores when traveling (which I do when I'm on the road traveling for work, I "reward" myself with a nice little splurge to a scrap store, if one is nearby) then you MUST check out Gigi's Scrapbookin' located in Foley, AL.  It's just minutes from Gulf Shores, AL and Orange Beach, AL and DEFINITELY worth a stop even more because she carries a nice selection of Simple Stories.  I was just in last weekend and she had a nice selection of Year.o.graphy that had just arrived.  Plus, I love paying respect & supporting the local scrapbook store(s) because honestly, so many are closing and such, sad sad ....and then we are left with the chain stores which can get quite boring with selection (in my opinion, "been there done that or have that", know what I mean?).  Well, she's been in biz for yearsssss and I pretty much told her I would ransom her arm or both if she ever closes, although that wouldn't do me much good because she & I are not the same color & I would look pretty weird-o all multi-colored. HA!  (ok, had to make you laugh a bit on that one) :)

Well, getting to the point, she puts on this A.MA.ZINGGGGG beach retreat each January at the Perdido Beach Resort and invited me to come & teach a class (or two).  Well, I agreed to one class due to my schedule.  I designed "Go. See. Do. A True Story", a mini album, that will be slammed full of Simple Stories "Destinations" (an "oldie" but goodie past collection & one of my FAVS of all time) and other amazing product (including some Unity Stamps - co-brand Simple Stories) + many special touches of my techniques & details!  My class is pretty much full (with any kits left for purchase without the actual class) + I love teaching, so this is gonna be a super sweet treat!  So, I'm sharing up some sneaks of my class project with you because quite frankly you really should take the class to love it all up! :) and also because I no longer have this project (in hand) because I received word this week that it's gonna be published in Scrapbook Trends - June 2012 Create: Mini Albums issue.  So, you an see it in almost full deal at that time in June. :)

Anyhoo, there are still a few spots left for the beach retreat but let me tell ya - LOTS are coming - as in SOLD OUT at 160+ peeps...yeah...flying in from far & driving in from near...HUGE!  You can find out more details here to plan ahead & catch it next year. So, it's this weekend, so if you can hop on a plan, walk a few miles, ride a bike with a crop bag, etc....then come crop, chat, chillax, and just mojo vibe it out with us.  Oh, and I've seen those goodie boxes and there are incredible!  Good times on the horizon. 

PLUS

Check out this resort where it will be hosted - Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL (only minutes away from where I live) - yes, oh.so.nice., eh?!!  Ok, I know advertising might hype it up a bit with the "picture perfect picture", but it seriously is an INCREDIBLE spot for a nice get-a-way AND in January.  Seriously.  We are still having low 70s temps here most days + LOTS of sunshine, so that's even better. :)

Here are some sneaks of my class project and living it up with LOTS of Simple Stories "Destinations" collection - 

Project design & Images © Wendy Morris (ScrapNspire)

Project design & Images © Wendy Morris (ScrapNspire)

Project design & Images © Wendy Morris (ScrapNspire)

Project design & Images © Wendy Morris (ScrapNspire)

Project design & Images © Wendy Morris (ScrapNspire)

Project design & Images © Wendy Morris (ScrapNspire)

 You can check out the full Simple Stories "Destinations" collection here.

So, tell me, what is your favorite Simple Stories collection?

Where is Simple Stories CHA Sneak Peek???

It may seem like things have been pretty quiet over here in the Simple Stories office; but the truth is we are working on something BIG! We are bustling with activity getting ready to announce fun new changes and reveal our great new product collections - including a fabulous new line that will change the way you document your memories!

Do you want to see what we have been up to???  Here is a little sneak into our warehouse with boxes and boxes of new product being delivered daily:

We will be taking the shrink wrap off and opening up the boxes for a full reveal coming soon . . . 

Check back this Friday, January 20 for some fun new announcements and a little teaser - with our full product reveal next week, January 23-27.  Can't wait to share what all the excitement is about!

One Little Word?

Hello!  I hope everyone has settled in to the New Year and things are moving along in a positive direction for everyone!  One thing that keeps me on track through the year is choosing my "One Little Word".  Now, I truly understand the concept, but this year I had to bend the rules just a bit.  This year I have 2 little words.  Two words that go hand in hand.  Two words that mean the same to me, faith & optimism.  Now, it took me almost 2 weeks to choose my words this year, two weeks of thinking, reflecting and praying for just the right one(s).  Then it came to me....if I have faith, I can walk through everyday with joy and optimism because I can let go of all the stress and worry. 

Now, the Life Documented Collection was the perfect choice to scrap my words.  The concept is exactly what I was looking for to document this life decision.

 

In addition to the papers from this collection, I added some stamps from Unity Stamps created to work hand in hand with the Life Documented Collection. 

 

Supplies Used:

Unity Stamps - 100% Real Life & Smarty Pants

Misc - Stitching

Fiskars - Heart punch

Life Documented

• #1102 - 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers
• #1103 - 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers
• #1104 - For the Record
• #1106 - Life is Good
• #1108 - Colorful Life
• #1113 - 4x4 Quote & 6x8 Photo Mat Elements
• #1114 - 2x12 & 4x12 Title Strip Elements