Simple Stories

{Simply} Fun!

Hi all! Kay here with a really simple layout. I am IN LOVE with Summer Fresh. The colors just scream fun! I thought these pictures of Jenna playing frisbee with her dad and I would be perfect with this line. I wanted the photos to stand out though. So I gave them "breathing room," leaving a little space between each. I used the 6x6 paper pad for the papers at the top of the photos. I wanted the smaller pattern so as not to compete with the photos, and because there is less waste. I love paper pads for that reason!

I cut the title out of another piece of paper to even make this layout faster.

Supplies used:

Summer Fresh Yellow Lace Simple Basics Designer Cardstock

Summer Fresh 6x6 Paper Pad

Summer Fresh Bits of Summer Designer Cardstock (Title)

Summer Fresh Fundamental Cardstock Stickers

Summer Fresh 12 x 12 Expression Cardstock Stickers

 

{Simple} Summer Greetings

Hi there!  Donna here today to share with you 5 quick and easy cards using, you guessed it, Summer Fresh!  With summer in full gear I know that a lot of you, myself included, are missing our usual crafting time.  Between trips to the beach or pool, summer vacation, and just enjoying the beautiful late summer evenings, there is just not as much time to get scrapbooking done.  Or am I the only one!?  I know that it helps me though, to keep that creative fire burning, to do something crafty every day.  Even if that something is as simple as making a card or tag.  

After making the last layout that I shared with you here on the blog, I couldn't help myself...  I cut a miniature version of the sunburst and clouds for a card!

Summer seems to be birthday season in our family.  My sister's is coming up soon, and so I made this simple card for her. 

Add dimension to your cards by cutting two shapes of the same type, but one slightly smaller than the other and then layer them with dimensional adhesive.  This card is very simple in its design, but that one, small detail brings it to life. 

Again, in my last blog post, I mentioned how much I love the sticker sheet from Summer Fresh.  I couldn't resist this adorable hot air balloon and I just had to use it!

I used pop dots to add dimension to an otherwise very simple card.

As Ally said yesterday, die-cutting is a huge trend right now.  This flower was cut using my Silhouette.  It is so pretty on its own that I didn't feel the need to make the rest of the card overly complicated. 

Before putting the petals together I just lightly crumpled the paper.  Not too much - I didn't want to create a distressed look - just enough so that the flower was not flat.

Finally, as I said above, summer is the birthday season in our family, and so I made one last super-easy birthday card.

I hope I've inspired you to carve out a out a few minutes of crafting time for yourself this summer.  You don't need a lot of time to make something beautiful.  Just a few minutes, a couple of simple techniques, and one gorgeous collection from Simple Stories!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your summer!

 

Products Used:

Summer Fresh

Collection Kit #2400

6x6 Paper Pad #2401

12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2402

Red Flower/Honeycomb Ledger #2417

Yellow Lace/Stitched Lattice #2418

Sky Blue Daisy/Notebook #2419

Burlap/Dictionary #2420

Simple Style - You and Your Die Cutter

Here at Simple Stories we love to get you thinking about how to combine the great, easy to use designs of the Simple Stories lines with the latest and greatest trends of the industry. I'm really not sure that there is any greater trend right now than electronic die cutting. I finally jumped on the bandwagon myself, and I'm no longer sure how I ever scrapped without one! Couple my machine with some Pinterest fun, and I end up with a quick layout to showcase one of my daughter's favorite moments of 2012. Speaking of my daughter, it would be inappropriate of me to not share that all the photos on the following layout were taken by her... and yes, I am a very proud momma. 

My layout started like this:

I had seen this adorable fall leaf garland on Pinterest via fellow DT member Emily Pitts and pinned from Elsie Flannigan's blog. While it was adorable in felt, I immediately thought that I could make it with fun patterned papers. I've been dying to play with the Summer Fresh line all spring, and I especially wanted to use it with some of my kiddo's cowboy photos. The 6x6 pad from Summer Fresh was perfect for setting up a design to cut multiple shapes of different patterns. 

 Once I had all my shapes cut, I simply stitched them together using some dark colored jute. You can also see here how I painted some journaling lines for my layout. This is a great way to deal with dark colored backgrounds on which you want to write directly. 

I've also been dying to use the Simple Stories memorabilia pockets. I used another die cut image (a gift from my friend Gillian Nelson) and just tucked it inside the pocket, embellished and placed on my layout.

I also die cut my main title. I wanted to bring in more of the yellow pattern from the line, and I wanted my title to be bold to really focus on the importance of who this man is. For my daughter, meeting him was a dream come true. If you don't know who he is, I highly recommend renting his movie (also titled Buck, like my layout :) )! 

I cut the tickets from one of the Elements pages and just separated them to be used individually. Some stickers added for fun, and voila, the layout is finished. So, if you've been thinking about getting more use from your Summer Fresh line, why not create some die cuts (electronic or otherwise) or punches ready for use on a later layout? I hope you'll join in the fun! 

Simple Shaped Edge and Mixed Collections

It is very easy to create a fun shaped edge using Simple Stories border stickers.

Simply apply the border sticker to the edge of one side of a layout (have the tips of the chevron meet the edge of the paper:

Then cut the cardstock along the border sticker's edge. Finally add a mix of Simple Stories Awesome and Summer Fresh,

 for a bright but definitely boy centered page:

Supplies Used:

Awesome Flash Cards #2209

Summer Fresh 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2402

Summer Fresh 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers #2403

Summer Fresh Sunshine and Happines #2406

Summer Fresh Easy Breezy #2408

Summer Fresh Bingo Cards/Stripes #2421

 

 

 

{Simply Creative} Lets Get Organized!

Hi all, it's Kellie here bringing you another altered project.  I love summer time and one of the nice things about working for a school is I get my summers off too!  One of my goals for this summer is to get organized before summer is over (which is going by crazy fast).   I love batch cooking meals so when school starts my freezer is packed with meals that I can pull out of the freezer and cook.  So we were in need of a "menu".  I wanted one that was functional for our meal system and looked good to of course. 

Here are the main items that I used for my Menu:

Simple Stories Papers (Summer Fresh and Documented)

Picture Frame (just the frame, no glass or backing)

Rustoleum Magnetic Primer

Darice Magnetic Canvas

Darice Magnetic Strips

Valspar Wall Paint

Wood Letters(M E N U)

Avery Labels

Chipboard banner

Clothespins

I started by taping off the size of the picture frame and painted it with the Rustoleum Magnetic Primer.  I rolled on 3 coats of Primer.  I then rolled on 2 coats of wall paint.  Next I added the frame and put the letters above the frame.

Here are the pieces to my Menu.  I cut seven squares of assorted Simple Stories Papers at 3.5 x4.5 inches, and I also cut seven pieces of the Magnetic Canvas the same size.  I cut 1 x 12 inch strips of paper to cover (2)Magnetic strips 26" long. I covered the Magnetic Canvas and strips with the papers I cut.  I also covered 4 chipboard banners with Simple Stories documented and I added 3 clothespins.  I put magnetic strips on the backs of the chipboard banners.  Also on one of the banners I added a couple of elements from the Summer Fresh collection. 

I cut the days of the week out with my Eclips machine.  I printed several labels with different meals that my family likes to eat.  I also printed some labels with "Out to Eat" or "Camping" hoping I won't have to cook everyday!  I put the labels on the freezer and my hope is that by the end of the Summer our freezer will be full and my "Menu" system will work.

 

My plans for the clothespins is to have them hold notes, such as grocery lists and such. 

I placed the labels on the freezer, when that meal is no longer in the freezer I will take it off until the next batch cooking day, and then it will go back up. I used a 6x8 Memorabilia pocket to make a recipe holder.

With the leftover scraps of Magnetic Canvas I made mini magnets with Year o graphy Cardstock Stickers and Happy Day Cardstock Stickers.  Perfect for a fridge calendar I had.

 

 

Well, I hope you liked my altered project for today.  It amazes me how many different ways you can use Simple Stories papers,  and it doesn't matter which collection you use the papers will go perfectly together.  My projects usually are not your traditional scrapbook page but I hope they show how versatile Simple Stories papers are. 

 

{Simply} Summerific

Good Monday morning all!  Guiseppa here and I am so excited to share with you today...an altered project!  Yep...I know I said I am pretty much a layout and card girl, but this Summer Fresh Collection has me wanting to create some fun summery projects.

So, I had this watering can in my closet...collecting dust.  I kept because I knew I would want to use it for something...someday.  Well, that someday has arrived and finally I am going to put it to good use!

I made this fun pinwheels and glued a kabob stick to the back of them.  The water can has foam in the bottom of it, so it was so easy to stick the pinwheels right in.  

I also made this little penndant banner and attached it using baker's twine, to all the pinwheels just for an added touch.  Finally, I added some sun flowers, greenery  and white paper filler to fill the watering can. 

I love how this project just rings SUMMER!  I can use this as a center piece for a BBQ, picnic or just as home decor.  Have you tried making a fun summer project with Summer Fresh...if you haven't, it is the perfect colletion just for that!  Thanks for stopping by an have Summerific Summer!

Simple Stories Supplies Used:

Summer Fresh Easy Breezy #2408

Summer Fresh County Garden #2405

Summer Fresh Sunshine and Happieness #2406

Summer Fresh 6x6 Paper Pad #2401

{Simply AWESOME}

When I saw this photo of my oldest son I felt that I absolutely had to use the Awesome line for it. Not only is it the perfect line for a teenage boy layout, but it represents what an awesome time I have had with this kid this last week.

I started with some strips of paper going in a diagonal across the page and varied the length and direction a bit for some visual interest.

Cut the word 'GO' out with my Cameo, using vellum as my base. Then I topped the word off with some star stickers.

I kept the clustering of embellishments light on this part so that it wasn't competing with busy top half of the page.

Products Used:

Awesome 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2202

Awesome 100% Boy #2207

Awesome Totally Cool #2208

Awesome Flash Cards #2209

Awesome $x6 Vertical Journaling Cards #2212

Awesome Grey Wood/Dictionary #2216

Awesome Blue Mini Dot /Ledger #2217

Awesome Orange Star/Map #2218

Awesome Green Stripe/Tickets #2219

Awesome Red Dot/Grid #2220

Awesome Bingo Cards/Chevron #2221

 

25 Days of Christmas: Let's Get Festive in June

Hi All! Wendy here to bring a little "jingle jingle" vibe to the summer & sunshine-y days.  

The hot days are in full swing (especially in the South) but hey, it's mid-year and time for some festive flair to inspire you for the holiday season that will hit in a few months!

Ok ok ok....maybe a bit too early to think upon, but hey, if you get those cards started early, you'll have no excuses for waiting until the last minute, right?!  So, I'm here to inspire you a "lil' bit". 

The PERFECT collection for you from Simple Stories, "25 Days of Christmas" will make your holiday projects rock!  Remember that amazingly beautiful collection from last year? Yep, pretty much coolness with a capital "C".

So, the 6x6 paper pad in this collection really inspired  my projects revealed up below.  If you haven't tried the 6x6 paper pads, you are missing out on the greatest thing since 12x12 (ok, that was obvious for the reduced size, ha!) but basically the scale of the 12x12 is reduced a bit into the 6x6 version.  Your cards and mini projects will love you!  Many times I turn to the 6x6 pads for most of my projects.

I created a series of "mini" cards perfect for early giving or adding a bit of festive love to your holiday packages. 

For this series of mini cards, I cut my cardstock 3" x 4 1/2".  Then, scored down the center for the fold.  I chose to go with basic white and kraft cardstock as my base for the cards.  These could also be adapted into ATCs, if you choose.

Mini Card #1 - "Santa"

In this card, I used the 25 Days of Christmas coordinating stamp set co-brand from Unity Stamp Company found here.  LOVE this mini bingo card.  I stamped the bingo card in black and simply embellished with wood bingo numbers and wood stars.  One of the stars I inked with red fluid chalk ink for a bit of pop from the plain wood stars.  I kept the card clean & basic with a bit of dimension.

Mini Card #2 - "A Merry Little Christmas"

In this card, I stamped a Santa stamp in red ink.  I love the basic red & white simplicity but also added a few sprinkles of mini pearls and bling.  

Now you say, "where's the Simple Stories?"

Look inside....

Voila!  Yep, pattern paper flipped to the inside.  Who says you always have to use the patter on the outside of a card, eh?!  Inside reads "I'll be home for Christmas".  I also added in some scraps of 25 Days of Christmas paper cut to mini banner/flag size along with a coordinating circle punched from the paper in the paper pad from the collection. The process of thinking "outside-of-the-box", you know?!

Mini Card #3 - "December 25"

This text paper from the 6x6 pad is possibly my favorite paper in the pad.  I cut out a calendar from one of the papers, added some chipboard foil number stickers, and also for some theme & ultra dimension, mini light bulbs. Fun, eh?!

Mini Card #4 - "Sweet Shoppe"

What's the holidays without some happy baking?  On this mini card, I used a large banner cut out from the 6x6 paper pad.  I had some mini bottle cap letters and I flipped them over for yep, mini muffin/cupcake pans! Ha!!  Re-invent & re-purpose!  Yes, please. The metal spatula brings in the theme a bit more and call it done.  Such a fun card to attach to a fun treat of baked goods to give at the holidays/any time, for that matter.

I hope I inspired you with some festive Friday love!  

So, are you wanting to get into the holiday mood in June?  

 

Supply List - 

Mini Card #1 - "Santa"

Mini Bingo Card Stamp: Unity Stamp Co (co-brand Simple Stories)

Other - Wood Stars: Studio Calico, Wood Bingo Numbers - Advantus - Tim Holtz, Ink - Ranger - Archival Ink - Jet Black, Fluid Chalk Ink - Clearsnap - Red Lipstick, White Cardstock - Source Unknown

 

Mini Card #2 -  "A Merry Little Christmas"

Papers: 25 Days of Christmas - 6x6 Paper Pad

Other - Punch: Fiskars, Stamp - Rubber Stampede (Santa Collage 3408F), Ink - Stampin' Up - Real Red, Tiny Attacher - Advantus - Tim Holtz, Wood Star: Studio Calico

 

Mini Card #3 - "December 25"

Papers: 25 Days of Christmas - 6x6 Paper Pad

Other - Red Foil Chipboard Numbers: American Crafts Thickers, Light Bulbs - Advantus - Tim Holtz,  Wood Star: Studio Calico

 

Mini Card #4 - "Sweet Shoppe"

Papers: 25 Days of Christmas - 6x6 Paper Pad

Other - Metal Spatula: TPC, Mini Bottlecaps: The Paper Studio, Mini Paper Clip: Advantus - Tim Holtz, Kraft Cardstock: Source Unknown

{simple} seasons...

I'm a Year.o.graphy lover and can't get enough of the wonderful things available with this collection.  Today I've created seasonal recipe pockets mixing in paper from other collections and adding them to the Year.o.graphy products I love.  The base of these pockets are the 4x6 Memorabilia Pockets which are just the right size for a recipe card.  

The Year-o-graphy Bingo Cards/Chevron Flash Cards are the perfect addition to the front of these pockets and provide focal point for the sweet embellishments that come next.  This February recipe pocket would be so fun to include with a plate full of homemade heart-shaped sugar cookies.

I mixed in Totally Cool paper from the Awesome collection and Sassy paper from the Fabulous collection.  I love the mix of aqua and turquoise together and the sweet image from the Year.o.graphy  6x6 paper pad is perfect for a pocket sharing a summer recipe.

Once again I mixed in paper from the Awesome collection, this time using the Awesome Flash Cards paper.  One of my favorite things about Simple Stories is how easily collections can be mixed, which is something I love to do as I create.

Really, truly, who can resist the sweet Year.o.graphy images.  I love their cozy, homespun feel...and all of that stitching too!

Lastly, just an example of a recipe pocket with a homemade jar of Apricot Jam I made today....would be fun to present with a freshly baked loaf of bread during the cooler fall months.  This pocket uses the Red/Mini Calendar paper.  The mini calendars are once again the perfect addition to help emphasize the time of year  and create a wonderful foundation to build upon.

Celebrate the beauty of each season and the recipes we love that remind us of them.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Simple Stories Supplies Used: 

4x6 Memorabilia Pockets #2008

Year.o.graphy Bingo Cards/Chevron Flash Cards #1922

Year.o.graphy 6x6 Paper Pad #1916

Year.o.graphy Red/Mini Calendar Paper #1919

Awesome Totally Cool Paper #2208

Awesome Flash cards Paper #2209

 

Simplifying Summer

Hello, Emily on deck today with a quick sketch and a card to help you simplify your summer. It's been a busy one for me so far, a week with my parents while my kids were at a youth conference in Utah, then a week home, and as you are reading this, I'm either preparing to or flying home from a 13 day vacation in Wales with my family and parents. Wales is where my mom's heritage originates and we decided it was time to get her over there to see all the places she's been researching as she does our family history. 

All this is to tell you, early in the month of June I had a lot of prepping to do. I needed a simple way to get it all done. On my list was get some cards made for the girls I teach at church. Best way for me to make a bunch of cards without stressing is to simplify the process. I made a sketch based on a layout I created that was based on a card my friend Alexandra created (to see the originals, check out my blog). I lifted a lift. Once I had the basic sketch done, it was very easy to make this card, and a few more. I played around the the different elements, every card is a designed slightly differently, but you can see most of the same elements on every one. 

Check.

One more thing off the list!

Check again!

I love how Simple Stories products make it so easy to simplify. I used stickers, alphabets, a bingo card, and one of the journaling cards from the new Summer Fresh line, and in no time, I had a really cute card that I could send off to one of my girls. Doesn't get any easier than that!

I'm sharing the sketch, in case you'd like to simplify as well. :) Sketches are great jumping off points, you can see none of my cards look exactly like the sketch, I played around with the elements and made them work for me. Don't get tied to the fact that there is a flower in a particular place, if a square works better there, go for it!

Here's to a simple summer filled with Simple Stories!

Supplies used:

• Summer Fresh 12x12 Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers (2402)
• Summer Fresh 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers (2403)
• Summer Fresh 4x6 Journaling Card Elements #1 (2410)
• Summer Fresh Simple Basics Bingo Cards/Strips (2421)
• other: flower, frame, ticket