Simple Stories: Simple Inspiration

She Is Awesome

Hello Simple Stories friends! Emily Pitts here today with a layout I made about my daughter. You might think, a layout about a girl, oh I'll pull out my Fabulous collection from Simple Stories! While I do pull that collection out a lot, I knew it wouldn't work for the topic of my layout.

But Awesome, with its guitars, car tracks, and wings, well that was what I was looking for! See, I'd had this conversation with my 17 year old daughter, all stemming for a typical thing teenage girls do in the car, sing along to the lyrics. Especially the lyrics by cute boy bands! But Annie hasn't really gotten into these bands, she has a few of their songs, but she's more into acapella and jazz. So this conversation happened, I loved her take on things so much, I tweeted it, and this layout is the result. I love that I could use Awesome on a girl page!

I think the guitar and wings are perfect to represent the boy band theme. And the car track? My own cheeky humor showing up to represent the moving on in her statement. I love that the stripe of blue in the alphabet matches her shirt so well. Then there were the Scrabble type letters B-O-Y, perfect for my title. It's fun to break the "rules" sometimes!

Have a great weekend and rememeber, it's OK to switch things up, to not go with the flow all the time.

Products used:

Awesome 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers (#2202)
Awesome 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers (#2203)
Awesome: Extreme (2206)
Awesome: Blue Dot/Mini Ledger (#2217)

Comments (4)

Keeping things "Simple"

Hi everyone! It's Natasja here who almost forgot about todays blogpost..woops!! I must says life is a bit hectic with a 3 weeks old baby and I am trying hard to get some structure back in the daily routines. Next to almost forgetting about this I also have a birthday in the family for which I haven't bought a pressent jet. Sounds familaire that sometimes things like this are hard to keep track with?! Can you also believe I felt the stress rising when I realised all this?! But then it hit me!! I am on the SIMPLE Stories design team! So no stress, keep things simple!

So what did I do...I combined this blogpost with creating a giftcard for my niece!

I used the brand new "Summer Fresh" collection here. I cut the big yellow label on two sides about 1/2" smaller. Than I cut a piece of 12" x 8" from patterned paper and fold that in half, adding tape on 3 sides with washi tape and punched out half a square at the top side which I left open.

I punched 6 flowers out of patterned paper, wrickled them a little and than created 2 flowers with 3 layers. Put a staple in the middle and covered it with a button. Embellished the cover of the "envelop" with stickers and the flowers.

To finish things off I put some text on the yellow label and added a pocket. You can use the pocket to put in money, a voucher, maybe tickets to the movies or... In the upper left corner there is some space for a nice personal note.

And done!

No stress, keep thing simple :)

products used:

* #2416 Denim/Grid
* #2413 4x4 Quote & 6x8 Photo Mat Elements
* #2405 Countrey Garden
* #2408 Easy Breezy
* #2402 Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
* # 2403 Expressions Cardstock Stickers
* # 2016 Odds & Ends Memorabillia Pockets

Comments (5)

From Ok to Awesome!

Hi everyone! It's Gail here today to share how I took a layout from simply ok to awesome using the (you guessed it) Awesome range from Simple Stories!

I took a photo of my basic layout. It's ok. It's using papers and letter stickers from the Awesome range as well as a pocket for some journaling and a couple of accents to add dimension.

And here's the layout after I've added more Awesome!

Cute huh?

I've added more character and layers using my favourite thing - elements cut from the 6x6 paper pad as well as a couple of cardstock stickers raised on pop dots.

And the layout is finished off nicely with a simple row of stitching and some white mist splatters.

Confession time: it's probably one of half a dozen boy-style layouts I've created and I LOVE IT! The collections make is so easy to create interesting, perfectly coordinating layouts!

I hope I've inspired you to add a bit more Simple Stories to your next layout!

Products used from the Awesome range:

#2201 6x6 paper pad
# 2209 Awesome flash cards designer cardstock
#2204 So random designer cardstock
#2217 Blue mini dot/Ledger simple basics designer cardstock
#2202 Fundamentals cardstock stickers
#2203 Expressions cardstock stickers

Comments (7)

a simple challenge

Good morning Simple Stories fans, Yuki here! Have you submitted your project using signature elements to ” a simple challenge” ? I wanted to create something for this challenge because awesome projects of Design Team’s members had really inspired me!

I used the newest collection "Summer Fresh" for this page. I got it a couple days ago! I really love bright sunshiny yellows, ripe reds, garden greens and country fresh blues to crisp denim, rustic burlap and country-chic white, Summer Fresh is perfect for your happy, bright summer memories!

Used signature elements for my title work,

for the hidden journal card,

for the background.

Supplies Used:

-Summer Fresh #2405 Country garden Patterned Paper

-Summer Fresh #2406 Sunshine & Happiness Patterned Paper

-Summer Fresh #2407 Summer Quilt Patterned Paper

-Summer Fresh #2408 Easy Breezy Patterned Paper

-Summer Fresh #2412 4x6 Vertical Journaling Card Elements

-Summer Fresh #2413 4x4 Quote & 6x8 photo Mat Elements

-Summer Fresh #2416 Denim/Grid

-Summer Fresh #2420 Burlap

-Summer Fresh 6x6 Paper Pad

-Summer Fresh 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers

-Summer Fresh 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers

Thank you so much for joining me at the Simple Stories blog today. I hope you enjoyed my project – and hopefully you’ll be motivated to try some of the ideas yourself! I can't wait to see what you do! Have a nice weekend!!

Comments (5)

Hello Summer!

This past week I was paid a visit by one of my favorite people, yes, that's right, the UPS man! He brought me a lovely packege full of our newest line, "Summer Fresh!" With this beautiful new line and Summer right around the corner, how could I not be inspired?

I recently discovered how fun it is to make a simple little banner to spruce up any boring old wall. It started with a few canvas squares and some mist and I was instantly hooked!

Add pretty paper & embellishments to the mix and you're in business! Flower rosettes are so popular right now and they add nice dimension to any wall hanging or banner!

I can't get over how pretty this collection is! It takes me back to when I was a little girl going to pick strawberries in the patch with my grandmother. Make sure you go pick up some Summer Fresh! It is the perfect collection to have for all of your summer craft projects!

Products Used:
Summer Fesh
#2402Fundamental Cardstock Stickers
#2403 Expression Cardstock Stickers
#2405 Country Garden
#2406 Sunshine & Happiness
#2408 Easy Breezy

Comments (5)

Create a Creative Card

{Simple Inspiration}

Good morning Simple Stories fans, Guiseppa here! Today I want to share with you a card a made using my Silhouette and the Fabulous collection.

I don't know about you, but I love to make cards that are a little different. I love receiving and giving cards that have a uniqueness about them. This one is a sliding matchbook card.

Oh looky here...this one opens. I added a little brad so that opening the box is made a little easier. Take a look at that flower too...another Silhouette cut using paper from the Fabulous Collection.

Look what's inside! I was also thinking that you could add a little treat inside this as well.

When this card is opened up all the way...it's full of surprises! I love the idea of an accordion style card. This makes it easy to display too!

I used some of the flash cards from the 6x6 Paper Pad to embellish the pages of this card.

I also added the Expression Cardstock Stickers to help me created sentiments in the card.

There you have it! I hope this Simply Inspires you to make a creative card and it doesn't hurt to use Simple Stories products because they are Simply Fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

Fabulous Sassy #2107

Fabulous Pink Flower/Ledger #2216

Fabulous 6x6 Paper Pad #2101

Fabulous Teal Dot/Notebook #2117

Fabulous Expressions Cardstock Stickers #2103

Comments (6)

A Fabulously Documented Yearly Event

Hello Simple Stories friends! Welcome to my home. Every spring our family gets to take part in a little miracle. I have a flower bucket that I've been hanging on our front door for the last 6 years that we've lived here in Colorado. A little bird decided that bucket would make a great home for her nest of eggs. She happily builds the nest, lays her eggs, waits for them to hatch, feeds the babies, then watches them leave, all from her perch on our door.

And since the peep hole in our door happens to be exactly at nest level, we can check in on her yearly process. Numerous time a day, you'll find one of us peeping through the door to see what's up. The only problem with our little guest is she scares the pants off any human visitors to our home, waiting until they've rung the doorbell to suddenly fly away, she's made a few of them duck! We warn our regular visitors, but there's always the random guest who has a terrified look on their face when we open the door. It's only for a couple of months, and we enjoy it so much, we deal with it. I took a picture (not a very good one, but it's our view...) this year through the peep hole and decided it was time to document it.

I love the Documented line for two reasons: its dark colors ground a design quite well, and you can add any color you feel like adding and they don't compete. I love Fabulous because it has all the rich colors I want to add to my scrapping.

Here's a few details from my layout that you can employ in your own scrapbooking. I used the bird on a branch sticker from the Documented line as a mask because the text on the sticker made it a little too busy for my design. I gently adhered it, misted over the whole page, then carefully removed the sticker for later use. Because the stickers are coated, you can easily wipe off any mist and have little to no change in the color of the sticker. Double duty at its best!

Another alteration I made was the the mini alphabet stickers. They come in solid and outlined letters. I didn't have enough of the solid letters so I decided to color in the outlined letters with a paint pen. I think it gives a more coherent look in my title.

So if you stop by my house in the next few weeks, consider yourself warned. Make lots of noise and go left, the bird flies out to the right usually.

Supplies used:

Documented 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers (#2302)
Documented 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers (#2303)
Ever After (2305)
Fabulous 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers (#2103)
100% Girl (#2105)
Sweet (#2106)

Comments (11)

Simple Gratitude

Hi everyone! It's Gail here and I'm so excited to be on the blog today! I'm going to share with you how Simple Stories products inspired a year long project!

I decided to document a simple gratitude list for each month this year. I was undecided on which format to use ie mini album, 12 x 12 layouts and then I discovered the Simple Stories 6x12" Page Elements and a lightbulb went off - 6" x 12" Layouts would be perfect!

Using the page elements as a base, it took no time at all to create my 'mini' layouts. I love all the different coordinating items for each range and of course I couldn't go past the Fabulous range when including photos of my daughter!

I've pop-dotted some of the stickers to add dimension and of course any layout of mine wouldn't be complete without some stitching, misting and distressing!

And you'll see in the photo below, I've tucked one of the 3x4" memorabilia pockets behind my photos so I can easily slip in handwritten journaling notes.

My gratitude layout from February was a little different. I used a patterned paper from the Awesome collection as my base.

I think I can count three collections on this project, including elements from the Yearography 6x6' paper pad.

I highlighted one of the sayings on the patterned paper by adding a chipboard bracket.

My journaling is on a piece of white cardstock tucked behind a patterned paper block. I've added a little pull tab with a 'tape' sticker from the Fabulous Cardstock Sticker sheet.

If you want to read more about my gratitude project, head on over to my blog.

Thanks for looking today!

Supplies Used:

February layout

Awesome Simple Basics Designer Cardstock Blue Mini Dot #2217

Fabulous Collection Kit #2100

Yearography 6x6 Paper Pad #1916

March layout

Fabulous Collection Kit #2100

Fabulous Simple Basics Designer Cardstock Stripes #2121

3x4 Memorabilia Pockets #2007

Yearography 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers #1903

Comments (13)

Fabulous page

Hi All! This is Yuki and I am so excited to share my very first blog post with you today! For today's post , I wanted to create a 12 x 12 page using Fabulous collection kit.

To make this layout I used this cute 12x12 piece of patterned paper for my background.

I simply cut and added the adorable overlay on the picture. The 4x6 transparency photo overlays are exclusive to the Fabulous 12x12 collection kit !

I love card stickers! Those stickers are what it takes to make a fast and fabulous page.

I made the banners from some patterned papers as a title space.

I made an original border strip using a flower punch .

I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies Used:

Fabulous 12x12 Collection Kit # 2100

Fabulous 6x6 Paper Pad #2101

Fabulous 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2102

Fabulous 12x12 Expression Cardstock Stickers #2103

Comments (7)

Simply Inspired

{This is ME}

Hello everyone! It's Cari Locken here I'm thrilled to be sharing my 1st post with you today. If you're just crawling out of bed on this lazy Saturday morning then grab your cup of coffee and join me as I share a fun little project with you.

I love creating layouts and find that is my favorite type of project that I enjoy most. However, I love creating cards and mini albums also. And when I came across the Awesome collection I was completely inspired to create a mini for one of my sons. (I'm sure I'll do another one for my other son as well because I don't want him to feel left out! :))

What inspired me most about this AWESOME collection were the 4x6 Journaling Card Elements. As soon I looked at them I knew that I wanted to make an album.

I cut up the 4x6 pieces and ended up with 6 pages. I used the "This is Me" card for my album cover, embellishing it with a photo of my youngest and some of the 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock stickers from the same collection.

I love dimension so I added pop/foam dots under the star for visual interest.

As I created this album I was also inspired to add some pockets for some hidden journaling, etc. So I used the 3x4 Memborabilia pocket between page 1 & 2 of my album.

I embellished the pocket with some stickers from the 12x12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers ...

... and on the other side of the pocket I adhered some striped patterned paper and filled the pocket with some smaller patterned paper pieces that I cut from the 6x6 Awesome collection.

Between the pocket and page 2 I incorporated a 4x6 transparency page . I simply added a sticker in the center of the transparency and matched the size with another sticker on the other side of the transparency. The small patterned paper piece with the 'list' is from the 6x6 Awesome collection.

As you can see my son had his hand in adding his own personal touch to the album as well by writing down a few of his favorite things.

Pages 3 & 4 were quick to put together by just adding a photo and some additional stickers. As you can see I didn't add a thing to the left side because I thought it was just perfect the way it was! (that's what makes it so easy to make an album like this!)

Pages 5 & 6 were easy & quick to put together as well. I just added some photos and a few stickers along with a bit of handwritten journaling.

Here's a close-up to show you how adding a pop/foam dot to the stickers really adds interest and your page isn't so 'flat' looking.

Pages 7 & 8, once again, ... easy & simple. I loved the words on the right page "Are you looking for trouble?" because that is exactly how my little guy is so this fit him to a T!!

Overlapping papers and stickers can add so much interest to your pages as well. On this page I used a variety of Cardstock Stickers from the 12x12 sheet and also cut up a small patterned piece (brown) from the 6x6 Awesome pad.