Simple Stories

Come Fly With Me!

Hello Everyone!  Donna here, your host for the blog today.  Wasn't yesterday's blog hop fun?!  I certainly enjoyed going from blog to blog seeing all the great ideas shared by my fellow teammates.  I hope you did too!

I'm going to keep today's post short and sweet.  I want to share a layout I made recently using Simple Stories' newest collection, Summer Fresh. 

It seems that the whole team is in love with this collection, and I am no exception!  A couple of months ago when I first saw the sneak peeks for this collection I knew it was going to become an instant favorite.  I love the primary color palette, and the designs of the patterned papers.  Denim!  Burlap!  Text!!  Simple Stories truly makes scrapbooking easy, all of the patterns just works so well together.

I made these clouds and the sun with my Silhouette.  Text clouds... they make me happy!

And I love the sticker sheet from Summer Fresh:

The word stickers, the decorative tape strips, the little flowers and strawberries - all these pieces make it so simple to add a little something extra special to your layouts. 

I know I'm going to have fun scrapbooking this summer's memories with this collection.  How about you?  What are you scrapbooking with Summer Fresh?

Before I go, Scrapbook Trends is sponsoring a giveaway here on the Simple Stories blog.  Comment today, and everyday from June 5th-9th for your chance to win a free copy of Scrapbook Trends' June issue featuring our fun Fabulous collection!  Winners will be announced on the blog next Tuesday.

Products Used:

Summer Fresh

12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2402

12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers #2403

Country Garden #2405

Summer Quilt #2407

Easy Breezy #2408

Denim/Grid #2416

Yellow Lace/Stitched Lattice #2418

Sky Blue Daisy/Notebook #2419

Burlap/Dictionary #2420

Bingo Cards/Stripes #2421

 

My Guy - Quick and Simple!

Hi everyone! Hope you're enjoying your week so far, now that Monday is over!

Today I have a really quick and easy page for you using Awesome Elements. I started with the 6x12 Page Elements sheet and cut out the cute mat with the patterned tape on top and bottom. Then, I added my 4x6 photo on top (also matted) and then used a few other elements like the Bingo card and a portion of a 4x6 journaling card to build around it.

I added in a few stars backed with dimensional adhesive and built my own embellishment with a large star die cut, a die cut circle, and the backside of a patterned, wooden button.

There's not a whole lot of extra embellishments on this page because the elements I chose to use are large and pack a big punch on their own. I just filled in some of the space with bits of the Awesome cardstock stickers and there you have it- a simple page you can create in less than 30 minutes!

Supplies Used:

Awesome 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2202
Awesome 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers #2203
Awesome Totally Cool #2208
Awesome Journaling Card Elements #2  #2211
Awesome 6x12 Page Elements #2215
Awesome Simple Basics Blue Mini Dot/Ledger #2217
Awesome Simple Basics Orange Star/Map #2218
Awesome Simple Basics Green Stripe/Tickets #2219
Awesome Simple Basics Bingo Cards/Chevron #2221

 

Celebrating New Life

Hello Everyone!  Donna here, your host for the blog today.  With Mother's Day just around the corner I thought it would be fun to share a layout documenting the birth of our third son, Samuel.  Obviously, as the mama to three boys I love the Awesome collection, but I wanted to show you how versatile all of the collections are by sharing a layout I made using Fabulous.

One of the things that I love about Simple Stories is their inclusion of the Simple Basics Designer Cardstock papers with each collection.  These are double-sided patterned papers that coordinate to each collection, but also come with a neutral side that feature patterns like ledger prints or text.  The patterns of the Simple Basics papers are also more subdued, making them perfect for a variety of topics.

So even though Fabulous may have been designed with girls in mind, it was the perfect fit for this layout featuring photos of me and my sweet baby Sam.

As a bonus today, here are three cards I made recently -  also using Fabulous.

Though it may be a bit early, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

 

Products Used:

Fabulous

6x6 Paper Pad #2101

12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2102

100% Girl #2105

Pink Flower/Ledger #2116

Teal Dot/Notebook #2117

Orange Mini Dot/Doily #2118

Brown Damask/Antique #2119

Kraft Grid/Typewriter #2120

A Simple Page

Hey all! It's Kay, with my first post with Simple Stories. I consider myself to be a simple scrapper (otherwise known as time-impaired), but with Simple Stories I find that my layouts come together so quickly I have time to add a few handmade elements.

As a mat for the photo I used one of the 6x8 mats cut out from the 4x4 quotes and 6x8 mats paper. Looks like I pieced it together by hand. Bonus! I then added a few strips of paper, a few stickers, a journaling piece, and the chipboard number.

It came together so quickly, I thought it would be fun to add something with a little dimension. I used my Silhouette to cut out these cute pinwheels, inked and curled the edges, and added the sticks and brads to complete the look.

I hope you are inspired to add a little something you made to your pages. If you're like me, it's a new concept. LOL!

Supplies used:

• Fabulous Fundamental Cardstock Stickers
• Fabulous Expression Cardstock Stickers
• 4x4 Quote & 6x8 Photo Mat Elements Paper
• Fabulous Simple Basics Designer Cardstock in Pink Flower/Ledger
• Fabulous Simple Basics Designer Cardstock in Orange Mini Dot/Doily

Fabulous Mix & Match!

March 5, 2012

My daughter recently traveled to Victoria, BC with a couple girlfriends. They had a fabulous time and with my daughter's wedding right around the corner, I knew that this could be a once in a lifetime trip for the three of them. I wanted to do something for her to document the trip. My first thought was to just create an album for them, from start to finish. But, then I realized that if I was to try to document a trip that I hadn't been on, the results would be cold and impersonal. That's when I realized that what the girls needed was a quick & easy way to add their own thoughts, photos, and memorabilia from the trip - to make it their own.

They are all working students with little time to create - so I came up with the perfect solution. The Simple Stories Mix & Match album! I created their own personalized travel album with plenty of room for their own words, pictures and memories! In addition to the original contents of the album kit, I added the Fabulous This & That pages, the 6 x 8 Memorabilia pockets, and the Fabulous Collection Kit.

The girls are excited to get together and work on this journal together... perfect that it is a binder where pages and pockets can be removed and worked on individually but all together! I can't wait to see what the finished album looks like! I will definitely share it here after they add all their love and personal touches to it. In the meantime, here is what they will start with:

The inside pages are a mixture of page protectors with element cards, This & That pages, and pockets. Adding the pockets to the journal was easy... I just punched a couple holes with my hole punch and added them in! For larger items like maps and such, all the girls will need to do is add holes to those too. The ring binder system makes it a snap!

The Collection Kit comes with these two wonderful sticker sheets - which the girls can use to add even more fun to their journal!

Simple Basics--An Envelope Tutorial

Our Simple Basics feature makes the fun and hot trends you find in scrapbooking easily accessible through step by step tutorials. Today I'm going to show you how to make your own envelopes for cards or hidden journaling on your layouts. Sure you can buy fancy envelopes, but do they match the Simple Stories lines? I don't think so. But now you'll know how to make your own, our sample is 3.5" x 6". You can make them smaller or a bit bigger using one 12" x 12" sheet. I'm using the new Year•o•graphy line for this tutorial.

 

1. Cut an 8" x 9" rectangle and mark out the following measurements:

2. Cut out the corners:

 

3. Trim just a bit off the edges, note how the greyed rectangle in the above image is just a bit larger on the edge? Trim the one edge a bit more, as shown below, this will make the folding much easier.

 4. Score and fold.

 

5. Fold the two sides in, draw a slight curve on the top side of the envelope and cut it out.

6.  Do the same for the top and bottom flaps. You can use a corner rounder for this step as well.

7. Glue the center and bottom flap.

 

8. Let dry. 

9. Punch 2 circles, I used a 3/4" punch. Add a brad to the center of each circle, apply a pop dot to the back of each circle.

10. Attach the circles to the flap and the back of the envelope. Wrap with a bit of twine to hold closed.

11. Decorate as desired, and you are finished. Now you have a custom made envelope to match the line you are working with. Pretty cool, huh?

Supplies:

Year•o•graphy Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #1902

Year•o•graphy Expression Cardstock Stickers #1903

Year•o•graphy Green/Notebook #1918

Year•o•graphy Red/Mini Calendar #1919

OTHER: The Twinery twine in Cappuccino, Brads, Scotch Quick Dry Liquid Adhesive

 

Simple Basics // A Little Bit of ATC Lovin'

 

Hello all!  Wendy here with a twist for ya' for today's "Simple Basics" post.  I'm really on a ATC kick lately and was inspired to create up a couple to share up with you in a quick tutorial using Happy Day collection.  I love the challenge to create a mini version work of art.  The 6x6 paper pads available now by Simple Stories are the PERFECT size for mini versions of art!  These pads are packed to the max with 36 sheets of fab papers!

What I love about the Happy Day collection is that it's so full of color, cheer & celebration!  You can use it for just about anything celebratory, not just for birthdays.  

Let's get started!

 

Step 1:  Grab up the 6x6 paper pad of Happy Day collection

 Step 2:  Select your preference of ATCs.  I used the ATC size sticky back canvas and attached to a sturdy ATC mixed media & collage board.  The can usually be found at your local hobby/craft store/online.

Step 3:   I selected the calendar paper from the pad.  I cut out the July calendar (the month of my birth :-))  LOVE these mini calendars!

Step 4:  On the canvas, spritz your favorite mist.  

Step 5:  Stamp in the upper right corner of the canvas.  I used a technique of stamping once and repeated stamping without re-inking the stamp for the faded effect you see below.  LOVE the Unity Stamps co-brand Simple Stories.  Excellent quality & just stamping perfection!

Step 6:  Here I used another stamp from Unity Stamps co-brand Simple Stories and stamped directly on the mini calendar cut out in Step 3.

Step 7:  Here is the finished ATC!

 anddddd as a BONUS....here is another ATC I created up to share with you!  Also, used the Happy Day collection and  Unity Stamps co-brand Simple Stories.

Simple Stories -

• Happy Day collection
• Unity Stamps co-brand Simple Stories
  

Other - 

• Sticky Back Canvas ATC - Ranger, Mixed Media & Collage ATC - Crescent, Adirondack Color Wash - Ranger, Ink - Ranger, Tape - Advantus - Tim Holtz, Bling Cherries - Advantus, Pearls & Bling - Kaisercraft, Want2Scrap.

Special Techniques - 

• Machine Stitching.

Simple Basics - Banner Love!

 

Happy Friday!  It's that time again - time to chat about the latest trends in the scrapbook industry and show you how to use your Simple Stories Collections to join in on the fun!  Banners are hot, hot, hot right now and I am loving incorporating them into all my designs.  Simple Stories has made it super easy to create banners in many different ways with their products. 

First off, just take a look at these wonderful stamps made by Unity Stamps for Simple Stories which coordinate with the Life Documented Collection:

I used these stamps along with my papers from the Elementary Collection to create this card:

 

To create this card all you have to do is stamp your images in various ink colors on different pieces of patterned paper, cut them out, stitch them together and adhere to your card:

  
 

Another way that Simple Stories has made creating banners super easy is with their Fundamental Cardstock Stickers.  The sheet from the Happy Day Collection has 2 different options for quick & easy banners. I created this birthday card in under 10 minutes with these fun stickers and pop dots!

 
 
 
 
  
Of course banners are trendy right now on layouts too!  In addition to the stamps and stickers, you can always create your own banners by cutting the flags directly from the amazing prints in the Simple Stories Collections.  That is what I did here on my layout.  Using my scraps from the Elementary line, I cut out my triangle flags and then added some twine and buttons for a fun easy banner:

 

 
 However you choose to create your banners, Simple Stories has the perfect supplies just for you!

Supplies Used:

 Elementary Collection:

• #1202 - Elementary Fundamental Cardstock Stickers
• #1203 - Elementary Expression Cardstock Stickers
• #1204 - Report Card
• #1205 - Smarty Pants
• #1206 - Teacher's Pet
• #1208 - Bookworm
• #1209 - Flash Cards
• #1211 - Journaling Card Elements #2
• #1215 - 6 x 12 Page Elements

 
Happy Day Collection:

• #1502 - Fundamental Cardstock Stickers
• #1503 - Expression Cardstock Stickers

 

 

 
  

 

Simple Basics // "All in the Family" Altered Shadow Box (Part 2 of 2)

 

Hello Allllll!  Wendy here & welcome back to Part 2 of my earlier blog post special technique share with 3 cool techniques.

This post is a continuation of some great trendy techniques + still using the fabulous Simple Stories Generations collection.  I'll share up 2 more techniques in this post for ya'.

So, let's roll with it...oh the FULL supply list was posted up in the Part 1 of 2 but I'll post it up again at the end of this post.

 

 

 

Here's the full project again...

 
 

1.  Technique #4 - Spritzing & distressing with acrylics, Smooch Spritz, Smooch Paint, and Zutter Corrugated Book Board  - Here I used some Zutter Corrugated Cardboard.  LOVE this cardboard because it's not your normal "throw in the dumpster cardboard box".  It's specially made for the "artista" to peel away the layers and expose all that nice texture and hold paints, textures, and all the mixed media mediums you can put to it.  So, here you see I pulled away some layers and went ahead to measure the size needed for my cubby hole in the shadow box.

2. Next, I added a 1 drop of Distress Ink Re-Inker into white acrylic paint to give the paint a bit of sepia tone to blend well with the tone of papers.  I also added in some other shades of acrylic paint too, just blending & working the colors all in together.  Also, worked in some Smooch Paint too.  It's like "fingernail polish" for artists :)  

3.  Here I distressed the edges of the board with one of the MUST HAVE tools on the market - Zutter Distrezz-It-All.  Forget the sandpaper, this machine (electric powered) is my ultimate go-to for distressing!

4.  Love me some rubons!  So, added these in along the edge of the board too.  

5.  I added in some Ranger Distress Stickes and rubbed in the Stickles a bit with my finger.

6.  Also, some layers of a vintage brown Smooch Spritz (a great mist with a touch of sparkle).  Now the board is ready to put into the shadow box.

7.  I layered in lots of embellishments from the vintage finds, pearls in a mini bottle, metal number tab, mini silhouette in frame, buttons, and mini bow (found for 10 cents on clearance aisle at local craft store). The mini thread spools made as shown above using a strip cut from the Generations  paper wrapped around the mini spool.  Embellishments glued down with glue dots and/or Ranger Glossy Accents.

8.   Technique #5 - Distressing with Pearl Ex - The last technique I'll share is using Pearl Ex to distress your favorite embellishments.  Pearl Ex is an amazing powder than can be used on glass, metal, etc.  Here I used it on the Tim Holtz mini bulbs that were with a clear bulb (dead bulbs, not still active) but I wanted to make them more aged & vintage.  So, I rolled the glass bulb along the Ranger Perfect Medium ink pad then brushed with Pearl Ex.  Allow to dry (NOTE:  You can quick heat set with heat tool but be VERY VERY careful NOT TO OVERHEAT and use tweezers as they will be HOT!)  This keeps the Pearl Ex from being so smudgy.  I adhered with glue dots in a couple of different cubby holes in the shadow box.

9.   I also brushed some Pearl Ex along the edges of the tapes on the shadow box for aging & hint of sparkle.  A quick heat set with heal tool.

Ok, that's the main techniques I wanted to share up & here are a few more close up pics of the completed shadow box...

Hope you enjoyed my special technique share!  

Here's the FULL supply list again for your reference of recommended items!

Simple Stories - Generations - 

• 12x12 Designer Cardstock - Always & Forever #1808, 6x6 Generations assorted pack

Other - 

• Configurations Box - Panorama - 5.75”x10.75” - Tim Holtz #TH92882 (any size will work but this is the size I used in the project)
• Papers - Crafty Chronicle - Donna Salazar Designs
• Canvas Fabric - Prima - Donna Downey
• Alcohol Inks - Ranger - Adirondack (recommended colors:  Raisin, Latte, Meadow)
• Alcohol Blending Solution - Ranger
• Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool - Ranger
• Clear Fragments - Ranger
• Corrugated Board - Zutter - Donna Salazar Designs
• Acrylic Paint - White (recommended brand:  Liquitex)
• Distress Stickles - Ranger (recommended color:  Fired Brick)
• Smooch Paint - Clearsnap (recommended colors:  Lettuce)
• Smooch Spritz - Clearsnap (recommended colors:  Mossy Mist)
• Fairy Dust Glitter - Clearsnap - Donna Salazar Designs (recommended colors:  Pralines & Cream)
• Tissue Tape - Tim Holtz
• Glue Foil - Aluminum (any type of embossing foil will work that is compatible for use with Sizzix Big Shot  or embossing machine, i.e. Ranger also has foil embossing sheets)
• Glossy Accents - Ranger
• Glue Gloss - Clearsnap
• Glue Dots - Glue Dots International (recommended:  Memory Book)
• Glue N’ Seal Multi Medium - Ranger - MATTE Finish (not glossy, this multi-medium will yield a smooth finish - a little goes a long way with this product and not “buckle” your papers or you can use Mod Podge MATTE if you have this in your stash)
• Perfect Pearl Pigments - Ranger (recommended color:  Heirloom Gold)
• Perfect Medium Ink Pad - Ranger (the multi-pack of the Perfect Pearls includes a small medium ink pad as noted here but also Versamark will work as well)
• Small paintbrush (will use with the Perfect Pearls Pigments - the multi-pack of the Perfect Pearls normally includes a couple of brushes noted here)
• Sizzix Big Shot (or compatible machine - i.e. Cuttlebug, etc) that can be used with embossing folders)
• Embossing Folders (recommended brand:  Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Texture Fades - Regal Flourishes)
• Color Catcher - Clearsnap (we will use this for our misting or you can use an old cardboard box)

Recommended Embellishments:

• Framed Silhouette - Jolee’s Boutique - EK Success #50-20465
• Stamps - Technique Tuesday (recommended:  your choice of quotes/greetings/one-line phrases)
• Ink - Ranger (recommended:  Archival Ink - Jet Black)
• Pearl Strands - Prima
• Ornate Metal Label Holder - Tim Holtz
• Mini Alphabet Glitter Chipboard Letter Stickers
• Flowers (several Prima styles available on www.scrapbook.com)
• Resin Flowers (recommended brand:  Prima)
• Metal Clock & Watch Hands - Tim Holtz
• Sprocket Gears - Tim Holtz
• Metal Number Tab - 7 Gypsies
• Game Spinners - TIm Holtz
• Corked Vials (recommended items:  Tim Holtz or 7 Gypsies)
• Pearls & Bling Baubles - Tim Holtz, Kaisercraft
• Trinket Pins - Jenni Bowlin
• Light Bulbs - Tim Holtz
• Mini Thread Spools (recommended brand:  Maya Road/Jenni Bowlin, you can also find these at your local vintage/thrift)
• Game Pieces (recommended brand:  Tim Holtz/Maya Road; you can also find these possibly at your local vintage/thrift)
• Buttons (or local vintage/thrift)
• Old Lace (local vintage/thrift)
• Sewing Thread 

• Shop your stash! Don't let the supply list overwhelm you :) Think of creative adaptations, especially for the trinkets to decorate the inside of your shadow boxes.  Try scouting out neat objects at your local thrift/vintage shop(s).  Substitution is encouraged! Adapt this supply list to make use of what you already have on hand.

• Support your local scrapbook store! If you need to go shopping, take this printed list with you (after you’ve crossed off or marked everything you already have at home, of course).

• If you prefer the convenience of shopping online, check out www.scrapbook.com.

 

Simple Basics - 30 Days of Photos

Hi Everyone! Time to talk trends again with our Simple Basics topic. That means I'm here today to share some ways the awesome Simple Stories lines fit in with all the latest trends. With fall almost officially upon us and summer days waning, most of you are probably all about back to school. But since both my kids are grown and currently (though we all know it's never permanent when they leave, right?) living in other cities, I am not focused on all those cute back to school photos. In fact, as a mom of grown kids, it's sometimes hard to keep taking photos. But I love photography and I love scrapbooking. So, I'm digging all the sites and people lately who provide photo inspiration. I recently came across a 30 day photo challenge list with 30 days worth of prompts. What a great idea for me I thought! 

The Simple Stories Life Documented line was the first thing that came to mind and I ended up with this cute little album:

Now, as far as mini albums go, this one went together really fast. Why? Well, you know why - because Simple Stories makes EVERYthing easier! 

I started with a basic album

I gathered a few fun printed elements from the Life Documented line and cut them so that they easily pieced together. I played around a bit until I landed on this design.

Before gluing it all down though, I wanted to add a stamped image for a little texture. The camera stamp from Unity/Simple Stories Destinations line was perfect.

I then glued all the pieces onto the cover, added some stickers for the title - and PUNCHED THE HOLES. You want to punch the holes at this point BEFORE you flip to do the inside of the cover. Otherwise, it's harder to figure out where the holes are to be punched. 

 

I then wanted a large journaling area for the inside of the cover. I can't say often enough how much I love all the pre-printed designs. All I had to do here was create a 1" strip for the binding edge and then cut a corner of one of the papers to size. Adhere, punch the holes, and then add my journaling prompts.

 

For the inside pages, I wanted to keep them REALLY simple. Because I don't know yet what photos I'm going to use, I just wanted a basic placement for later use. Once I add photos, I might embellish more. But we'll see... Here are how some of the pages are coming along...

 

Now all I have to do is remember to take the photos and I'll be set! I'm looking forward to completing this album... eventually :)