Simple Stories

Here Comes Summer!

The I {Heart} Summer line is so fabulous that I could not wait for the official start of summer to start using it! Fortunately for me, living in the southwest means summer weather comes early and my kids were in the pool over Easter weekend this year!

Do you ADORE all the new fun embellishments that the Simple Stories lines include? Like fun flair and brads...

If you don't have an electronic die cut machine, the die cut pages are fabulous to add the same type of look without the cost. The chipboard stickers add just enough dimension...Super cute stacked or Layered stickers offer even more dimension:

And all the fun usual suspects including alphas, element stickers, tape looking stickers and more. After including all those fun goodies, I ran out of room to journal so I did it along the edge of the scalloped sticker!

Isn't I {Heart} Summer such a fun line? Ican't wait to use this line for even more summer fun and activities!

Supplies Used:

I {Heart} Summer Collection--

12 x 12 Collection Kit #3200

Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers #3202

Expressions Cardstock Stickers #3203

Chipboard Stickers #3227

Decorative Brads #3226

Layered Stickers #3228

Flair Icons #3229

12 x 12 Simple Basics Kit #3224

SN@P Pages #3222

 

Simple Stories & Petaloo Blog Hop - Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of the Simple Stories & Petaloo - Blog Hop!  We’re so excited to team up with Petaloo to share some inspiring projects with you this week.

We’ll be giving away a great Simple Stories prize package at the end of the week, so be sure to play along and check back on Sunday to see if you’re the lucky winner!

Here are the different ways you can play along –

1. Like Simple Stories on Facebook
2. Share this blog post on your Facebook wall and tell us you did on our Facebook wall
3. Follow Simple Stories on Pinterest
4. Comment here on our blog or on Facebook

Petaloo is also posting projects and giving away prizes, so be sure to check out their blog and Facebook  page, too!

The project I did for today was a cute little watering can and cupcakes for Mothers day.   I loved working with the flowers and ribbon from Petaloo.  The colors are awesome and the quality is great!  I used Vintage Bliss for the cupcake liners and embellishments on the watering can.  The watering can was made out of  The Take a Hike paper line.  I cut the cupcake liners and watering can out with my cutting machine.  I ran the cupcake liners through my paper crimper.  Then I took two new white socks and rolled them to get the swirled look and pinned them together.  I then pinned the flower on top.  I glued the cute little ribbon around the top of the cupcake liners. I decorated the watering can with a bouquet of flowers and the adorable embellishments from the Vintage Bliss collection.

 

Now go create something fun with Simple Stories and Petaloo!  Enjoy the rest of the Blog hop.

Head on over to the Petaloo blog and check out what their Design Team has created using their embellishments and our Simple Stories products! They’re also hosting giveaways as well, so what
are you waiting for – head on over! 

Check in again with us tomorrow for more inspiring projects from Simple Stories & Petaloo! 

Simple Stories Products used:

Vintage Bliss: Decorative Brads #3026

Layered Stickers #3028

Teal Chevron #3018

Yellow Grid #3019

Pink Floral #3020

Take a Hike: Brown Wood #2516

Petaloo Supplies:

Frosted Roses- Blue/Greens

Dahlias- Teal/Aqua

Fancy Trims Shades of Teal

Mini Daisies Red/Fuchsias

Do Something Amazing Everyday Mini Album

Whenever I received the new CHA collections, I fell in love instantly. I cannot pick one over the other because they are all fabulous. There is something about each collection that really draws me in. 24/7 is no exception, it's amazing! I love the vivid colors, all of the quotes & sayings, just everything about this collection is simply perfect! 

I decided to create a mini album out of paper lunch bags for my blog post. I often just show a few shots of the cover and a couple detail photos of my albums, but for this one, I wanted to show the whole thing. All of the pages feature a little quote, saying, or element from the sticker sheet. I'm thrilled with how this album turned out! 

It's crazy to see something so beautiful made with a couple of ordaniary lunch bags, with the new Simple Stories collections, you can turn anything into a fabulous piece of art! 

Products Used:

#3100 24/Seven 12x12 Collection Kit

Take a Hike: One with Nature

Hello All!  Wendy here to share up an altered project for you today!  

I always love the vintage and eclectic and this printer's tray from 7 Gypsies just spoke to me along with the Simple Stories Take a Hike collection. I love the tone of the distressed tray along with the color palette in this collection.  My soul screamed...a perfect pairing.  Truth.

Take a Hike is a previous release from Simple Stories and just about perfection for all things outdoor-sy, masculine, and "simply" capturing the beauty of nature.  

You can still grab it up at your fav online spots for scrapbook product and/or local scrapbook store.

My inspiration behind this project....

My boyfriend absolutely loves the outdoors...fishing, even spear fishing, yep. I promised to take him deep sea fishing next month since I live along the beautiful coast along the Gulf of Alabama in Orange Beach.  I feel more outdoor-sy pics to come....

So, in this project I wanted to capture his love for the outdoors, skiing, hiking, the beautiful mountains of Salzburg, Austria, bringing in the rustic, all along with the beautiful scenes of nature in his part of the world.  

I went with black & white photos for uniformity and to keep the photos as a key piece to the project.   I wanted to keep many of the cubby holes in the tray just the natural wood and only used about 2-3 colors of pattern paper and/or patterns not so 'busy' to keep the tray from being 'overwhelmed'.  Also, in using the 6x6 paper pad from the Take a Hike collection, the patterns are smaller in scale than the 12x12 size and I love this for working with mini projects and altered projects.  If you didn't know that...daily food for thought. Ha!

Without further ado..."One with Nature"

I played on the scenes you find in nature...the mini fawn was found in the children's toys section of a store. The fishing embellishments are actually dollhouse miniatures.  The trees are from train track landscape scenery. These simple touches added just the punch to my project that I was looking to capture.  

Randomly thinking "out-of-the-box" brought a lot of interest, texture, movement, and just the random to my project, "One with Nature".

The hanging latern is attached with a screw inside the cubby hole.  A little "elbow grease"/sweat is needed here. :)

I love to cover multiple sections with one photo cut to size of the tray pockets.  This adds a neat and unexpected interest to the project.

I love the mixing of different tones of wood and metal - i.e. wood veneer shapes, metal vintage finds, metal quote plaques, and mini wood letters.

Also, this would make an excellent birthday gift for hubby, boyfriend, male friend or a great Father's Day gift that can be displayed!

Hope you enjoyed my project!

Supply List:

Simple Stories

Take a Hike Collection:

6x6 Paper Pad

Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers #2602

Expressions Cardstock Stickers #2503

Other

Letterblock Printer's Tray - 7 Gypsies, Trees - Woodland Classics - Woodland Scenics Forever Green #TR3565 N, HO, O Scale, Fishing Accessories & Rabbit - Mayberry Street Miniatures, Wood Veneer Shapes - Studio Calico (birds, letters, bicycle), Fawn - Safari Ltd, Metal Phrase Plaque & Hanging Screw - Advantus - Tim Holtz, Metal Dome Studs - 7 Gypsies, zGlossy Accents - Ranger, Glue Dots - Glue Arts - Extreme Tac Adhesive Squares, Mod Podge - Matte, Metal Wheel - Local Vintage Store.

Simply Creative: No Strings Attached

It seems pretty obvious lately that Simple Stories lines can go beyond their use with divided page protectors. I'd been spending a lot of my scrappy time of late playing with the divided page protectors, it was time to return to some of my well-loved, traditional scrapping. A couple of years ago, my son and I took our four dogs out hiking in northern Arizona. I realized I had several photos I hadn't yet scrapped. Couple that with the Take a Hike line sitting on my table, and I considered it kismet!

I started with the main photo, the subtle yellow chevron paper, a solid slate background paper, and the alpha/word sticker sheet.

I also wanted the map imagery (a Simple Stories/Unity Stamp cobrand item) on my layout somewhere so I stamped it onto the journaling block before writing up my thoughts. I stamped the image in a circle shape by punching a circle shape into some printer paper (you want a really thin paper as a mask) and then stamped within the circle.

Then I played around with the two secondary photos...

I put the title on one side with those GORGEOUS woodgrain alphas. And the orange type alphas are the perfect size for augmenting a title or creating a subtitle. 

On the other side, I put the date and a sticker from the icon sheet... and ironically enough, my son featured in the photos is actually wilderness certified. 

I topped the layout off with a border of coordinating patterns, some map paper, and a few scraps. 

 

I'm thrilled with the masculine feel of the layout, and I'm excited to have another set of our outdoor adventure photos scrapped. I still have plenty more, so thank goodness the Take a Hike line offers me so many options for scrapping them. So, what are you waiting for? Get off the couch, enjoy an adventure, then grab some Simple Stories and scrap it. 

Supplies:

• Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers  #2502 
• Expressions Cardstock Stickers #2503 
• Flash Cards #2509  
• Brown Wood/Map #2516 
• Yellow Chevron/Grid #2519 
• Navy/Icons #2520 
• 6x6 Paper Pad #2501

 

 

For Added Dimension, Simply Handcut!

Hello! It's almost the weekend!

I have a layout to share with you today using the new Vintage Bliss line. When I created this, I didn't have access to all the new embellishments that were just released this Winter CHA, but I did have my trusty little scissors, so I did a lot of hand cutting to make this layout dimensional. I like dimension. So I took the lovely floral paper Smile Big and started cutting it up into small bit of flowers and leaves.

I arranged them until they felt right and then added some dimensional adhesive behind a few of them and wrapped some twine throughout the design.

With just a little extra time to hand cut, you can add so much dimension using just paper. And with all the awesome papers that Simple Stories has, there's plenty of fun embellishments just waiting to happen. 

This is a photo of my grandmother at at two. Her grandpa was from Rochester, NY and was a big fan of Kodak. This meant there were lots of photos of my Nana and her mom, my My (why we called her that, I'm not sure) as a child too. What a dream come true for a scrapbooker, yes?

Supplies:

Vintage Bliss 

• Smile Big (#3004)
• Wood Butterflies (#3017)
• Teal Chevron/Lined Notebook (#3018)
• Yellow Grid/Dictionary (#3019)
• Pink Floral/Notebook (#3020)
• Green Dots/Grid (#3121)
• Expressions Cardstock Stickers (#3003)
• Fundatmentals Cardstock Stickers (#3002)

SN@P! Core Collection

• Letter Stickers (#4020)

Vintage Bliss Mini Album

Whenever I tell people that I make things out of recycled toilet paper rolls, they don't believe me. Then I show them what I make and they STILL don't believe that it's made from toilet paper rolls! I love to recycle household goods and get creative with them. 

One of my favorite "recycle" projects to make are mini albums out of toilet paper rolls. They are so easy and inespensive to make! All it takes are a few empty tp rolls, some paint, and pretty paper & embellishments! 

One of the reasons that I love to make these types of albums is for the simple fact that I can make little tags for hidden photos and journaling. The tp roll "pockets" are perfect for this! 

Just to prove that this mini album is made from tprolls, here's a little peek at the side where the tags slide in. 

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope I've inspired you to create some recycled crafts of your own!

Products Used:
Vintage Bliss-
#3002 Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
#3003 Expressions Cardstock Stickers 
#3005 12x12 paper Laugh Lots
#3007 12x12 paper Be Happy
#3008 12x12 paper Live Simply
#3009 Give Love 

Urban Traveler: Just Go

Hi all, Wendy here & hello to the Friday!

So, how about those CHA Winter 2013 reveals?!!! I kinda' thought you might drool (a bit) after the "powers-that-be" revealed up the motherload!  Seriously, I told them if they thought they were slammed before with orders at past CHAs, then get ready to be stampeded at this show.  I'm quite sure all the finishing touches are making it/done with the Simple Stories booth and the HUGE show kicks off this weekend!  

One project I have revealing up in the Simple Stories booth, is my 6x8 Mix & Match album using the new collection, "Urban Traveler".  I kinda' screamed a little when they revealed it early to us on the design team. I instantly started sketching ideas of layouts, titles and such in my go-to notebook and all my travel pics floated around in my head for which to use in the book.  I used LOTS and which is why this project turned kinda' bigger than planned (clearing my throat).  So, if you're hitting up the show you can touch & see the album real life, Simple Stories booth #569.  

Now on to my project...

(warning: lots of pics, you have been warned), but lots of details and well, this collection is just rather rad). :)

Oh, I'll share up the supply list later because after cleaning up my art studio from CHA projects, well the list is a bit MIA, but will be found & posted back to this post. :)

LOTS of pictures but quite crucial to show the papers & details (in action) from  "Urban Traveler".  

I seriously believe I used ALL the papers & tidbits from this collection with the exception of a few scrap pieces left over.  I even grabbed and used a couple of papers from the "24/Seven" collection.

Hope you enjoyed ALL!

Supply List:

Simple Stories:

Album & Page Protectors:  Mix & Match 6x8 Album

Diecut Album Insert Pages:  Sn@p Urban Traveler Collection

Patterned paper:  Urban Traveler Collection, 24/Seven Collection, Urban Traveler 4x4 & 6x8 Photo Mat Elements

Journaling cards:  Urban Traveler 3x4 Journaling Card Elements, 4x6 Horizontal & Vertical Journaling Card Elements

Patterned paper 6x8 album insert pages:  Urban Traveler Collection

Stickers:  Urban Traveler Expressions Cardstock Stickers, Urban Traveler Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers, Sn@p mini letters, Urban Traveler Expressions Cardstock Stickers, Urban Traveler Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers

Stamps:  Sn@p (true story, calendar)

Other:

Cardstock:  American Crafts 

Staples:  Advantus - Tim Holtz

Compass: Explorer by Traditions

Clock & Watch Pieces:  Advantus - Tim Holtz

Number Plaque:  Advantus - Tim Holtz

Red Glitter Foam Star Stickers:  Darice

Baker’s Twine:  Maya Road

Chipboard: 7 Gypsies (text print letters), Studio Calico (fabric arrow shapes), American Crafts (red foil letters, gold foil letters, black & white letters, red & white varsity letter), Jenni Bowlin (heart shape used as a mask with mist)

Resin:  Martha Stewart (globe, camera, airmail arrow, car, suitcase, stamp)

Sequins:  Tree House Studio (red & silver)

Large Clock Face:  Tree House Studio - The Clock Shoppe

Pearls:  Kaisercraft

Jewels:  Kaisercraft

Wood Veneer Shapes:  Studio Calico (airplanes, arrows, stars, cameras, bicycle, sailboat, mini letters, banner flags)

Flair Badges:  Hello Forever (click), American Crafts (stripes), Evalicious (you rock), October Afternoon (airplane)

Wax Seal:  Basic Grey

Rub ons:  Michael’s 

Stickers:  7 Gypsies (black letters)

Decorative tape: Advantus - Tim Holtz (NYC theme tape, script tape)

Page pebbles:  The Robin’s Nest (clear)

Stamps:  Kelly Purkey (I Am Here), Stampers Anonymous (it’s all perspective), Hampton Art (passport stamps, classified), Studio Calico (hit the road, little bit of random, thousand miles, kinda a big deal, documented, hooray, coffee stain, good stuff, next to you, you can go), Red Lead (and she carried..., dreaming bright blue skies), Technique Tuesday (celebrating daily life, keep calm and think vacation, life time details, life right now), Hero Arts (Italia stamp), LifeLovePaper (insta moment), Source Unknown (you are here), Knock Knock (I’m Not Here Right Now)

Ink:  Ranger - Archival Ink (Jet Black), Clearsnap - Fluid Chalk Ink (Blue Lagoon, Lipstick Red), Pigment Brush Ink (Moss Green, Mango Tango, Cranberry)

Spray mist:  Ranger - Adirondack Color Wash (Red Pepper), Maya Road (Charcoal), Studio Calico (taxi)

Pens: Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen (superfine)

Stapler:  Advantus - Tim Holtz (Tiny Attacher)

Die cut machine:  Silhouette Cameo

Sewing machine:  Janome

Thread:  Gutterman

Typewriter:  Smith Corona

Adhesive:  American Crafts (tape runner, dimensional dots), Glue Dots (glue dots), Ranger Glossy Accents, Mod Podge (Matte)

iPhone Apps:  Instagram

 andddd.....don't forget....

Give.a.way still happening for this collection! 

CLICK HERE TO COMMENT  to win up & details ! :)

{Simple} Decorations with Handmade Holiday

Hello there, it's Kellie here today with a very simple project!  I have loved working with Handmade Holiday, it is such an adorable paper line.  The colors are awesome and the details are so darn cute.

 

   In fact I have loved the collection so much all I had left of it was scraps.   Well, I still needed to make one more project for my blog post today!  So here is what I came up with....

     These little trees are so easy to make, I was a little embarrassed to post it as my project!  I can say I have truly used up every bit of my Handmade Holiday Collection.   To make a tree gather your scraps, a small pot, white paint,  a dowel, a piece of styrofoam, burlap, and some moss (or filler for the pot).

     I started by painting the pot and the dowel white, the pot is on the smaller size about 3 inches tall.  When I started the project I was using a much larger pot (6 inches) and it just didn't look right.  The smaller ones are the way to go.  Stick a piece of Styrofoam down in the pot, it doesn't have to be perfect just shove it down inside the pot.  Place the dowel down in the styrofoam, my dowel is about 12 inches long.  Put your moss around the top of the pot.  I had a piece of burlap that I cut into strips, nothing perfect about 4 inches long by 1/4 wide.  Remember this project is super Simple!  The strips of burlap are your spacers in-between the scraps of paper.  You could also use ribbon or fabric if you don't have burlap.  I tied about three strips of burlap on the base of the dowel.  Then I took 3 pieces of my biggest scraps about 3 x 5 (remember it doesn't have to be perfect) punched a hole in the center  and slid it over the dowel.   Then I tied some more burlap strips on the dowel and then more paper scraps.  I used smaller pieces of scraps as I moved up the tree. 

     So there it is my very Simple project!  I hope you enjoyed it,  I sure had fun making it.  I officially have to get some more Handmade Holiday!  Have a wonderful day!

 

 

 

Homegrown with Harvest Lane!

Who all had a garden this year? I'm pretty sure for the most part, you all are done picking from your garden, correct? This week, I was able to pick fresh jalepeno peppers and tomatoes striaght from my garden.  For living in Ohio towards the end of October, that's odd. I decided to make the best of it! I was able to can 10 jars of salsa this week! Gotta love homegrown goods! 

We have a party to go to this weekend for my mother in-law's birthday, so I wanted to take a little something to munch on. Salsa sounded good since I have an abundant amount... but I wanted to dress it up a little before I give it away! 

I used Harvest Lane because this collection seemed like the best choice for this time of year. Plus, I am really drawn to the beautiful colors. I cut out a few scalloped circles to attach to the lids. Since i didn't have any fabric on hand, I decided to give it a try with paper. I tied a couple f bows and attached some tags and now these jars of salsa are ready to go to the party! 

 

Products Used:

#2601 Harvest Lane 6x6 Paper Pad