Simple Stories

I {Heart} Summer Tags

Recently, I received a box full of I {Heart} Summer goodies and could not wait to dive in! I'm so excited to be posting this project today! Being Memorial Day weekend, it also marks the "unofficial" kickoff to Summer. That makes me incredibly happy! That means LOTS of fun colorful photos to come to pair up with this beautiful paper collection! 

I decided to make some tags for my project today. I love tags, but I never know what to do with them. Sure, you can attach them to a gift, but I think sometimes they are too fancy to attach to a gift and should be used as a stand out gift themselves. With the Sn@p! Pockets, I was able to make this happen! I turned my tags into little card/gift card holders! 

I added some fun trims & summer stickers to make these tags really stand out. 

Wouldn't you love to receive one of these this summer with a fun gift card attached? I think they are perfect little gift ideas to have on hand for sure! 

Products Used:
I {Heart} Summer
#3202 Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
#3203 Expressions Cardstock Stickers
#3204 Sunshine & Laughter
#3209 Hello Summer
#3221 Bingo Cards/Summer Stripe 
#3223 Sn@p Pockets! 

Sn@ppy Spring Pages and Vintage Tags

Now that February is coming to an end, it's time to make plans for a festive spring.  Easter will be here before you know it and that anticipated egg hunt is on the horizon.  The Sn@p Life collection is such a great palette for everyday events AND special occasions like Easter.  I love how the bright colors enhanced this fun photo of my daughter collecting Easter eggs.

I used the Sn@p 6x6 paper pad to cut all of these little banners and then added the days of the week stickers with some foam tape to make them pop.  It's such a fun design element and compliments the single 5 x 7 photo.

I LOVE this sentiment!  Perfect for the expression on my daughter's face and really ties all of the little banners together with the title Hello Happy.

Added some twine, clear cut shapes and chipboard to finish off the look.

 

AND...check out the new Spring Issue of Scrapbooking and Beyond Magazine for more fun spring layouts.  It hits the newsstand on February 24th.

These tags were made from the NEW Vintage Bliss collection.  I love the weathered wood patterned paper as the background and chose elements to compliment the look.

 

Hope you have a crafty weekend!

 

Make Christmas Tags - Check!

It's that time again.  Time to make that Christmas to-do list and start checking things off. Now I know that it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I try to get as much planned out and accomplished early so that I can enjoy the Christmas celebrations without last minute stress! 

Before I jump into my project, I want to give you a glimplse into my Christmas decorations. 

I know this photo is more focused on my daughter and I, but I think you can get a feel for what our homestyle Christmas looks like.  Rustic, homemade ornaments with a warm, homespun feel to them.  This carries over into our presents also.  Everything is wrapped to match with basic kraft paper, twine and homemade tags.  The Christmas lines from Simple Stories fit the bill perfectly. Last year, I used the 25 Days of Christmas for my gift tags.  This year I was able to cross off "create Christmas tags" with the help from the fabulous Handmade Holiday Collection!

I create over 40 tags and I do it in an assembly line fashion.  Simple Stories makes this so easy....with everything coordinating perfectly!  This year I added in some paint and a star stencil and had them all completed within a couple of hours!

I used my Cricut to cut out the first initial of everyone on my gift list and then added some distressing ink to help coordinate them with the papers. Each one contains a holiday word sticker from the cardstock sticker sheet.

So one thing off my to-do list!  It feels great to have these all created and ready to go! Now, all I have to do is get all the presents!  That is going to be the hard part!

A Sn@p! Happy Monday!

Sn@ppy Tags and a Layout!

 

Happy Monday morning all...Guiseppa here to share with you a couple of projects I made with Sn@p!  I recently got these fabulous Sn@p goodies delivered to my doorstep and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  This collection is even better in person.  I know the collection should be available in stores rally soon and I can guarantee it's gonna change the scrappy world...FOREVER!  So, run...not walk and pick Sn@p up right away cause it will fly off the shelves.

 

I wanted to show a little  bit of the diversity  that Sn@p has to offer.  It is great for speed scrapping, but you can create anything you want with it.  First off, I made this fun little tags, perfect to add to a little gift for a friend, loved one or family member.

These came together so easily and that is what Sn@p is intended to do...make your projects come together quickly.  Lastly, here is a layout too.  Look how awesome Sn@p works in creating 12x12 layouts!

Fun right?  I have got to put a plug in for my dear friends at Adornit.  They make these really cute wood embellishments you see on my layout.  They worked perfectly on this project and look so cute with Sn@p!

Thanks for stopping by and we can't wait to see what you create using Sn@p.  You can share your projects with us on Simple Stories Facebook Page :)

 

Simple Stories Supplies Used:

Sn@p Green/Elementary Notebook #2819

Sn@p Calendar #2808

Sn@p Yellow Cheveron /Mini Dot #2824

Sn@p Color Vibe 6x6 Paper Pad #2824

Sn@p Polaroids #2805

Sn@p Sticker Labels #4019

Sn@p Fundamental Cardstock Sticker #2802

Sn@p Sticker Icons #4018

Sn@p Just the Basics 6x6 Paper Pad

Sn@p 3x4 Cards- Snappy Days #4008

Sn@p Stickers Typeset #4021

Sn@p 3x4 Cards Snappy Thoughts #4007

Sn@p 3x4 Cards Snappy Sayings #4006

 

 

 

{Simple} Fall Greetings

Hello there! Donna here, your host for the blog today sharing a few cards and tags I made using Harvest Lane.  Living in Southern California we don't get a drastic change in weather this time of year.  The change of the season is much more gradual.

Regardless, fall is my favorite season, and I like to take some time at the beginning each new season to make a few cards for whatever occasions might arise.

Can I tell you how happy I was when I found out that Simple Stories had created a fall collection?  I knew it would be perfection, and I was right.

I had so much fun creating these cards... the patterns and colors, everything about Harvest Lane just makes me happy.

Sometimes when I'm making a set of cards or tags, I like to make one and then create something else that is just a slight variation on that same design.  As you can see in one of the tags below.

Perhaps now is a good time to mention how much I love metallic embossing powder?  And doilies.  And butterflies.

I wanted to keep the design of the tags simple and delicate.

That teal dot paper, one of my favorites.  But really, I don't think I could choose... I adore this whole collection, and I'm looking forward to using it to record our fall memories.  What I've shared with you today is just the start!

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and wherever you are, Happy Fall!

Products used from Harvest Lane:

Collection Kit #2600

Simple Basics Kit #2624

6 x 6 Paper Pad #2601

12 x 12 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #2624

Vertical Journal Cards Elements #2612

Teal Dot/ Ledger #2617

Yellow Quilt/ Notebook #2619

Green Stitches/ Grid #2620

Bingo Cards/ Yellow Floral #2621

 

Uncle Sam Gets Summer Fresh!

Happy Monday, Simple Stories fans!  Shellye here today with two projects that I had such a fun time making with {Summer Fresh}. 

First up is Uncle-Sam-Gets-A-Summer-Makeover! I love decorating my home in an Americana theme during the Summer...yep, it's all decked out in red,white and blue...from the front door to the back door and several spots in between.  I wanted something  patriotic to grace the end table in our living room; this decoration is perfect!

I found this adorable SVG file for Uncle Sam's hat at www.svgcuts.com.  When I spotted it, I knew that {Summer Fresh} would look so good on it!  It may look complicated, but it was actually very simple to put together.

I wanted to include a nice vertical element, so I added the three scalloped circles embellished with {Summer Fresh} patterned papers, cardstock stickers and adhesive pearls from my stash.  I used bamboo skewers and attached them to the back of the hat with a quick dry glue (or a glue gun would work nicely).

Supplies:

{Summer Fresh}

#2402 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers

#2403 Expression Cardstock Stickers

#2408 Easy Breezy Patterned Paper

#2416 Denim/Grid Basics Paper

#2417 Red Flower/Honeycomb Ledger Basics Paper

My daughter is having a Swimming Party this month and of course when you're a papercrafter, people expect a handmade invitation... {Summer Fresh} was ideal for this!

I've used one of the medium-sized Memorabilia Pockets for this sample, but having all of the invitations look different in size and design would be a nice change-up.  A bubble mailer comes in very handy when you get ready to mail these too!

I cut a sheet of {Summer Fresh} patterned paper just a little bit larger than the pocket.  On the front, I embellished the wagon with Prima flowers and adhesive pearls. 

 Supplies:

{Summer Fresh}

#2402 Fundamental Cardstock Stickers

#2403 Expression Cardstock Stickers

#2016 Memorabilia Pockets

#2405 Country Garden Patterned Paper

#2408 Easy Breezy Patterned Paper

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Glad you've stopped by to visit Simple Stories today!

See y'all soon

Countdown to Christmas w/ Simple Stories & Maya Road

 

 

Hiya Simple Stories fan!!  Wendy back with my FINALE take on my December Daily using Simple Stories & Maya Road!!

Seriously, I can't believe I did it!  Always had the ultimate intention to complete it out but would start, get frustrated, get behind, and with my recent printer issues FINALLY made it happen for this December Daily. So, I'm super pleased to complete it out (with the exception of a few days left - 22 - 25 - to round out the 25 days) but all in all, DONE-zo! :)  I still have my bits & pieces of journaling to do on the pages but the pictures will help with all that & I have my notes jotted down too to go back & add it in.

So, I have a TON of pics of it all to share up so kick back, grab a cup of cocoa, and enjoy lots of eye candy & details because I don't wanna' skip a beat in showing you all the fun-ness (not sure if that word is legit) but hope you enjoy it.  Also, pleasure share with us in the comments to this post a link to your December Daily so we can check it out! ;-)

Oh, on a side note, since I had printer issues with my initial post here.  I'll re-share up those pages FIRST and so all flows down to the current to date.  I'll pop in a bit here & there in the post to share up some tidbits with ya.  Alrightee? ;-)  Also, be sure to check out the supply list at the end of this post with LOTS of Simple Stories & the specific pieces I used from these collections; as well as all the fab fab Maya Road stash too. 

Here we gooooo....

Check out the transparency filmstrip! FUN stuff, eh?  That would be some Maya Road love! I layered some stamping under the transparency along with the perfet ticket stub stickers from 25 Days of Christmas.  

I LOVE these mini alpha stickers from Year.o.graphy. 3 colors choices come on the sticker sheet.LOTS of options!

Here I clipped random bits & pieces from Year.o.graphy as well as layering some Maya Road ribbon, and bling paper.

 

I think this is my favorite page so far in the Daily.  I buckle in the knees over these resin flowers from Maya Road. to.die.for....just sayin'.  I accented further with punched out circles from scraps of 25 Days of Christmas. 

Sweet birthday card I made for the lovely Stephanie Hunt.

I simply love my 2 favorite lotions from Victoria's Secret - Sheer Love & Lost in Fantasy - they smell heavenlyyyyyy.

LOVE my creative chaos?  I create on a messy desk that inspires me with lots of my favorites but the daily life is super organized, weird, eh?  

Here I baked Milky Way Deep Dish Cookies found over at Pinterest for my sister and Brown Sugar Pound Cake for my mom.  Easily devoured! (I'm thinking that's a good sign) :)

LOVE these chipboard silhouettes from Maya Road.  They were raw chipboard & I painted them with acrylic paint.

I'm all about a fun chipboard alpha and these are from Maya Road too and I painted with acryic paint.

There are so many fun elements to Year.o.graphy - checklists, etc.  FUN!

Here I took a restaurant menu from the take out counter and wanted to add it into my album.  I covered one of the Maya Road chipboard album pages with the restaurant menu as my background paper.  I even cut out the header above the pics from the front page of the paper menu.  

In dedication to my dad on passed away from cancer 6 years ago, Dec 20, 2005.  

I'm kinda' addicted to the wildberry smoothies from McDonald's. :)

And a splash of 25 Days of Christmas on the 24th & 25th - love this collection too!

Check back later today/tomorrow & I will update this post with the FULL supply list of my December Daily album including the Simple Stories collections & all the fab fab Maya Road stash too.

This Daily has been so fun & keeping me accountable in documenting in pics the bits & pieces into my daily grind.  Also, fun selfies (aka self portraits) were lots of fun too.  

Hope you enjoyed a peep into my world! :)

Hope you ALL have a super WONDERFUL & SAFE holiday with family & friends!!

 So, tell me, are you almost at the finish line with your Daily albums? 

(and yes, I actually read the comments & LOVE hearing what you have going on). :)

Simple Stories + Maya Road Supplies - 

(you can click on the images below to link direct to shop)

InLinkz.com

Other Supplies -

Paper - My Minds Eye, Jenni Bowlin, Echo Park

Glitter Cardstock - Recollections, The Paper Studio

Chipboard/Cardstock Stickers - Studio Calico, American Crafts, The Dusty Attic

Adhesive Glitter Foam Sheet - Local Craft Store
Index Card - 7 Gypsies

Letter & Number Stickers - American Crafts - Thickers

Glitter Alphabet - Recollections

Car & Suitcase Embellishment - Martha Stewart

Wood Banner - My Minds Eye

Mini Cookie Cutters - Source Unknown

Rubons - Basic Grey

Tapes - K&Co - Smash, Advantus - Tim Holtz

Paper Tabs - K&Co - Smash

Stickers - October Afternoon, Fontwerks

Mister Huey Mist - Studio Calico - Calico White

Glimmer Mist - Tattered Angels

Color Wash - Ranger - Adirondack - Red Pepper

Ink - Ranger - Archival Ink - Jet Black, Stampin Up! - Real Red, Ranger - Jenni Bowlin, Tsukineko - Staz On

Mix’d Media Inx - Clearsnap - Donna Salazar Designs

Acrylic Paint - Liquitex

Stamps - Technique Tuesday, Prima, Stampington, Stampers Anonymous, Little Daisy Bucket, Collage Press, Stampin’ Up!, Creative Imaginations, Sausan Designs

ATC Mixed Media Cards - Crescent

Tiny Attacher & Staples - Advantus - Tim Holtz

Punches - Fiskars

Page Protectors - Baseball Card Holders - Local Craft Store

Adhesives - Ranger - Glue N’ Seal - Matte

Pen - Faber Castell - Pitt Pen

Pop Dots

A Very Simple Christmas

We have had so much fun sharing our fun holiday inspired ideas from our home to yours this week, and hope you have enjoyed seeing them.  Take a peek below for some of the fun ideas that are included in our jam packed holiday idea guide for this Christmas season, or simply Click here or the above image to download your own copy.  Don't forget to leave a comment on our blog posts this week for your chance to win a 25 Days of Christmas collection kit.  Comments will close Saturday at midnight and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.Don't forget to leave us a comment for your chance to win one of our 25 Days of Christmas collection kits.  All comments will close Saturday at midnight, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend friends!

Simply Creative with Emily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello! I'm Emily Pitts, and I so happy to be a part of Simple Stories. I also met Amber at this past CHA and was drawn to the rich bold colors she used in the lines, as well as the great basic designs on many of the papers. The multiple alphabets on one sheet also caught my attention, I love a good alphabet any day, so give me four and I'm a happy typophile (yes, I made that word up, I think)! 

 

Today I bring you Simply Creative, or how to use the Simple Stories products as stand-alone elements. I was looking through the different lines and had the following brainstorm: It's the end of the school year here in Colorado. My son Ethan has his beloved orchestra and show choir teacher retiring, so we bought her some flowers. I thought it would be fun to use the Elementary line for an end of the year card, instead of the typical documenting-the-year ways we would normally use a school line. Then I thought a pick in the flowers would be a delightful accompaniment to the bouquet. It was so easy to put together, I hope it will inspire you to do the same.

 

For the pick, I used one of the flashcards from the Elementary Flash Cards paper and covered the tree with the circle of dates from the Report Card paper. There's already an apple on that circle of dates, but I cut out another bigger one from the Elementary Flash Cards and popped it up to make it a stronger element. Tie it with a bit of bakers' twine, add some stars and a ruler from the Report Card paper, and you've got a cute pick. Imagine this same pick as the front of a card, it would easily transform if you wanted to use it that way instead.

 

For the card, I used one of the 4x6 Vertical Journaling Card Elements as the base of my card, then added some stickers and a strip from the Report Card paper, cut so each day was its own bit. I like to break things up like this, you don't have to use a strip if it doesn't fit, you can cut it up like this. Add some stars and another apple from one of the flashcards and you have a cute card. I felt like the A+ got lost on the yellow graph paper, so I simply traced around the letter with a black pen to help it stand out. 

Supply List - 

Simple Stories:

Elementary Line (Report Card, Flashcards, and 4x6 Vertical Journaling Elements papers and 12x12 Fundamentals sticker sheet)

Life Documented alphabets

Other:

Maya Road, Divine Twine, Tim Holtz, Fiskars

 

I love how this teacher appreciation gift uses the Elementary line in a slightly different way, but still holds true to the school purpose. I hope you'll be able to find new uses for your other Simple Stories products as well! Please leave a comment sharing any fun teacher appreciation ideas you've had in the past.

Until next time,