Simple Stories

Life Documented with Say Cheese

Hi everyone! Allison Davis here with a new Life Documented project using Say Cheese. That means another sketch combining traditional scrapbooking with the Pocket Pages!

With this sketch I took a Pocket Page and changed up a few things to include more pictures. I see the Pocket Pages and [email protected]! Cards much like I see a sketch. I don't necessary look at the Pocket Pages and think that I have to follow that design 100%. Especially with so many options in sizes and designs with the [email protected]! Cards. I can easily adapt those Pocket Pages with the help of the Cards to create a unique layout that fits the pictures and elements I want to use while still fitting within the Pocket Page design.

You can download the full sketch with measurements and placements here: Life Documented Sketch #3

The left side of the sketch follows more of a traditional route of scrapbooking while the right side uses the 12x12 [email protected]! Pocket Pages, Design #8 

Here's a look at my layout based on the sketch above.

I was over the moon excited when I first saw the Say Cheese collection. I have a little boy who adores "Mr. Mouse" and has for as long as I can remember. Plus, I love how versatile the collection is and how easy it is to use with many, many magical moments from the everyday to the big events!

I had originally planned on using the [email protected]! Pocket Page, Design #8 as it was. What I mean is that I thought I would just use 4x6 photos in each 4x6 pocket. I ran into a bit of a problem though. I had the hardest time narrowing down my pictures. I seem to run into this problem a lot! I had a ton of pictures that I wanted to include so I wanted to find a way to do that but still use the same Pocket Page. I wanted to mix in more of the cards too.

For three of the pockets I cut a 4x6 piece of white cardstock. On one side I adhered a card and on the other I adhered one of my pictures, cropped to fit the 3x4 space. Doing this I was able to include six pictures in the four photo pockets.

Here's a closer look at the details:

On the 6x8 photo mat card I added two pictures, some strips of paper, and hand stitched some "ears" as a frame around my son's hand holding his favorite pal.

In the top 4x6 pocket I used the "you & me" card and added a small red heart.

For the middle 4x6 pocket I cut around the circle so I could tuck my picture underneath it a little. I also added a few circles to the top of the "smiles" circle on the card to create "ears" to match the theme of my layout. I finished it with an arrow and heart sticker.

In the bottom 4x6 pocket I used a bingo card as the background for a smaller picture. I also added the arrow, heart, and "hello" sticker to the bottom of the picture.

By using a combination of 3x4 photos and cards I was able to include a few more smaller photos which made narrowing down the selection of photos a little easier!

On the left page my layout follows the sketch as it is. There are several options if you want to play around with different photo sizes to fit your needs. For example, you could use two 4x3 photos in place of the three photos on the bottom or one long 8x3 photo would look great there too.

Here's a closer look at the details on the left page:

I used a few "ears" in place of the hearts on the sketch and accented them with a word sticker, a heart sticker, and a brad.

I added "My Pal" stickers to the title/journaling card.

I will be using the 12x12 [email protected]! Leather Album in black for my Life Documented pages. I love the quality of these albums!

I used the 12x12 [email protected]! Pocket Pages, Design 8 from the Variety Pack. I love the large variety of pocket layout and sizes in the Variety Pack!

Other Say Cheese products I used were:

• Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers

• Expression Cardstock Stickers

• Brads

• Magic Patterned Paper

• Seeing Stars Patterned Paper

• Best Day Ever Patterned Paper

• 3x4 Journaling Card Elements

• 4x6 Vertical Journaling Card Elements

• 4x4 Quote & 6x8 Photo Mat Elements

• Bingo Cards/Stars

• Kraft Dots/Stripes

• Red Dots/Stripes

• Yellow Dots/Stripes

• Blue Dots/Stripes

• Black Dots/Stripes

 

I hope you enjoy using the sketch!

You can download the full sketch with measurements and placements here: - See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/simple-sketches/#sthash.UmWRiecD.dpu

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

Hi hopefuls!  Layle here.  If you haven't noticed in the past few months, we love to share the love!  Lots of giveaways here on the blog and on our Facebook page.  LOTS! 

Time to post the winners from our July Guest Designer post, CHA Sneak Peek Week AND the Fuji Instax camera!

Drumroll please.....

I Heart Summer minibook kit Lucky Winner -

Oh my, Love Julie's work. I stalk her blog all the time, her little mini albums are soooo cute! Nothing planned for this summer. My daughter just got married in May, so we are taking the summer just to relax.

Posted by: Kim M | July 10, 2013 at 08:29 PM

Say Cheese Lucky Winner -

Simple Stories and Disney colors, a match made in my heaven!! I am so excited. My favorite scrapbook brand and my favorite place to visit in one! Can't wait to have it ALL!

Posted by: Lori Payne | July 15, 2013 at 10:56 AM

Simple Stories and Disney colors, a match made in my heaven!! I am so excited. My favorite scrapbook brand and my favorite place to visit in one! Can't wait to have it ALL!

Posted by: Lori Payne | July 15, 2013 at 10:56 AM

- See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2013/07/cha-summer-sneak-peek-1-say-cheese/comments/page/3/#comments

 

Smarty Pants Lucky Winner -

I've created "starter" kits for my granddaughers using SNAP so this will be perfect for their school day pics. I really love the composition paper, which I might just use myself in my PL binders.

Posted by: Sue Alg | July 16, 2013 at 03:32 AM

December Documented Lucky Winner -

I loved the countdown to Christmas as a child so all the parts of this collection with numbers has got me thinking of clever ways to countdown to the holidays!! Thank you for yet another GREAT collection to add to my TO BUY list!!

Posted by: Taunya Butler | July 17, 2013 at 06:58 AM

I loved the countdown to Christmas as a child so all the parts of this collection with numbers has got me thinking of clever ways to countdown to the holidays!! Thank you for yet another GREAT collection to add to my TO BUY list!!

Posted by: Taunya Butler | July 17, 2013 at 06:58 AM

- See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2013/07/cha-summer-sneak-peek-3-december-documented.html#sthash.VTNYxm0C.dpuf

[email protected]! Sets Part 1 Lucky Winner

I just started using the snap line. I LOVE the 6x8 albums -- they're the perfect size to showcase a single event or short period of time!
Love the new designs here!! Eeep! So excited for them to hit stores.

Posted by: Elaine U. | July 18, 2013 at 12:03 PM

 

[email protected]! Sets Part 2 Lucky Winner

These are all great, I can see using the boy one for my twin boys, but the family one has to be my all time favorite!! Thanks so much for all the inspiration - go get 'em at CHA!

Posted by: Jennifer E | July 19, 2013 at 08:26 AM

and the LUCKY winner of the Fuji Instax camera from our CHA Day 1 post is...

Insta Pix is definitely on my want list for Christmas, along with Simple Stories :) good luck to all

♥ Michelle

Posted by: Michelle | July 24, 2013 at 11:50 AM

 

CONGRATS winners!  Keep your eyes peeled for an email from me with more information about your prize.  Thanks everyone for playing!!

 

Introducing Pick a Card, Any Card

Hi Simple Stories fans, Layle here :)

Today I'm excited to introduce a new blog feature called Pick a Card, Any Card!

Every month, 5 of our design team members and I will each be picking one of our favorite Simple Stories or [email protected]! 3x4 or 4x6 cards and sharing them with you - in more ways than one!  We've introduced so many GREAT cards over the last few years that I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite cards each month, tell you why they're our favorites and then give you a chance to win not only the specific cards that we picked, but the other cards they're paired up with as part of the collection (more on that fun giveaway at the end of this post)!

To kick off this month's version of Pick a Card, Any Card, here's my current favorite -

This card is a 4x6 card from our new Everyday [email protected]! Set that we just introduced as part of our CHA Summer release.  It's a bit of a tease at this point because you won't be able to get your hot little hands on the new [email protected]! Sets until late September, but forgive me - I couldn't help myself!  I love the contrast of the white letters against the black background combined with the pop of color with those fun hearts.  The saying 'hello life' is perfect for documenting the everyday and can be paired with so many topics and different photos. 

Next up is Alissa Fast with this witty holiday card :)

This is a 3x4 card from our new Christmas [email protected]! Set that we just introduced as part of our CHA Summer release.  When I asked Alissa to tell me her favorite card, she said

"It has to be the Tinsel Fixes Everything card - because it really does!  I think that just might be my motto this Christmas. LOL!  It just makes me smile".

He he; it just makes me smile, too.  Wouldn't you agree?!

Allison Landy chose this as her current favorite -

This one is a 3x4 card from our Snappy Thoughts [email protected]! cards.  When I asked Allison why she chose this card, she said -

"This card combines all of my current obsessions: journaling cards, speech bubbles, grid backgrounds, and Facebook. I love that it includes the term, "status update" adding an element of pop culture and currency.  Add to that the blue background and you have a perfect combination".

I see this card used for so many things, don't you?

Next up is Allison Davis -

This is a 4x6 card from our I Heart Summer [email protected]! Cards. 

"I love this card because of the of the colorful arrows and "Summer" across the top and the fact that I can use this card to hold a few small pictures or as a place for my journaling".

I think that's a great idea, Allison - adding a few small photos! 

Ashley Stephens chose this 3x4 and/or 4x6 card from our Urban Traveler [email protected]! Cards -

I referenced this one as a 3x4 and/or 4x6 card.  Know why?  This is what Ashley told me -

"I chose a card from my very favorite Simple Stories line, Urban Traveler. First, this 4x6 card can pull double duty, having two 3x4 cards that can be cut apart, or it can be used just the way it is! Second, you can even fussy cut the labels to use on their own. My personal favorite thing about this card though, is the "This Made Me Laugh" journaling section. With a three year old in tow during most of our travels, we end up with some really funny quotes and stories. I love that this was designed exactly for that purpose, and gives me a place to jot down some of those hilarious things my son says"!

This card was designed to be cut to make two 3x4 cards.  Thanks for the tip Ashley, I never would have thought about using this card as a single 4x6 card - brilliant!

Finally, we wrap it up with Cari Locken's current favorite card -

This is a 4x6 card from our Vintage Bliss [email protected]! Cards.  This is Cari's current favorite because

"First of all, the color is very soothing yet inviting.  The quote on the card couldn't be said any better than that.  It is so true that when you see someone who is happy, enjoying life and pleasant to be with that makes you want to be the same way.  Happiness is contagious and it's such a great feeling"!

So what do you think, how 'bout those picks?! 

OK, ok.  I know some of you out there.  You're looking at these cards and thinking they're really fun, but since you're really not into the Pocket Page style of scrapbooking, you're not sure how you'd use these cards.  I know, I know.  I've been there, too.  But I can help you with that!

How you ask?  Sign up to receive more information about an exciting online, 'virtual' scrapbooking event I've been invited to participate in this fall, along with an AMAZING list of 14 other talented instructors, called True Scrap 5, on October 11-12, 2013. 

What in the world does True Scrap 5 have to do with using 3x4 and 4x6 cards you ask?  Great question!  Let's just say my class for this online event just might have something to do with using 3x4 and 4x6 cards in your traditional scrapbooking....  wink, wink ;) 

Click this link and enter your email address to receive more details about this amazing, one of a kind online scrapbooking event!  Even better, by entering your email address, you'll receive access to a free class from last year's True Scrap 4 event.  I've watched it.  Trust me when I say you'll love it!!

OK, now to more good stuff.  At the beginning of this post I mentioned something about a giveaway!  Leave a comment on this post by end of day Monday August 5th telling me which of our 5 cards is your favorite and why.  On Tuesday the 6th I'll draw one random lucky winner to win ALL of these cards - 

Everyday [email protected]! Set
Christmas [email protected]! Set
Snappy Thoughts [email protected]! Cards
I Heart Summer [email protected]! Cards
Urban Traveler [email protected]! Cards
Vintage Bliss [email protected]! Cards

WOW!  That's a lot of card goodness if I do say so myself.  Good luck!

Summer Lovin' with I {Heart} Summer

Hi everyone! Tonya here today to share with you a new layout made using I {Heart} Summer. I have to say that this collection remains my favorite of Simple Stories. The colors and designs are just perfect for my style!

We had a summer birthay party last week and I snapped these photos of my daughter and hubby.

For the clustering in the center I started with one of the [email protected]! cuts as the background and then used flair icons, layered stickers, chipboard stickers, fundamental cardstock stickers and decorative brads. 

Products:

Chalkboard/White Boardwalk Paper #3216

Yellow Boardwalk/Newsprint Paper #3219

Smooth Sailing Paper #3207

Sunshine & Laughter Paper #3204

Feel the Breeze Paper #3205

Flair Icons #3229

Layered Stickers #3228

Decorative Brads #3226

Chipboard Stickers #3227

Expression Cardstock Stickers #3203

Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #3202

I also thought that I would share with you my projects from CHA made using the new collections.

Using Smarty Pants...

and Say Cheese...

and lastly using December Documented...

Have you all just fallen head over heels in love with the new collections? I have and those new [email protected]! sets are to die for. I think they are going to be so verstatile...think life documented, layouts, and cards! Perfect for everything!!!

 

 

Life Documented with I Heart Summer

Hello, Simple Stories fans! Melissa here today to share a Life Documented project with you using our I Heart Summer line!

 

I can't tell you how much I love this collection- the colors are so vibrant and the designs are just perfect for documenting summer adventures whether at home or on travel. This particular week in my album covered Memorial Day week, filled with warm weather, a 5K race, and everyday happenings around my little casa. 

 

I love how Simple Stories' collections have colors that mix well across lines. I used a few pieces of [email protected] when putting together this layout, and it was great to be able to pull out tab stickers, polka dot paper, and journaling cards from an older collection and have everything match.

I also love how Simple Stories' Pocket Page pockets are true to size, and their 3x4 [email protected] pockets will even slip right into them, allowing me to include a bit of hidden journaling on my page.

 

For supplies, I used a 12x12 [email protected] Leather Album in Teal, Design 3 Pocket Pages, and the paper and embellishments listed below.

 

I Heart Summer Products Used:

• 12x12 Collection Kit
• Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
• Expressions Cardstock Stickers
• 6x6 Paper Pad
• Decorative Brads
• Layered Stickers
• Flair Icons
• [email protected] Pockets
• [email protected] Cuts
• [email protected] Cards

[email protected] Products Used:

• [email protected] Stickers - Labels
• [email protected] Color Vibe 6x6 Pad
• [email protected] Flash Cards Paper 

Have a great week, everyone, and have fun documenting your life!

CHA - Day 3

Hello friends!  A sheepish Layle here with you this afternoon.  I had the best of intentions of posting our CHA - Day 3 antics on Friday.  And then yesterday.  And here it is today :)  WOW!  Amazing how incredibly fun the show always is.  At the same time, incredibly draining at the same time!

Want to feel like you were there at the show with us in person?  Check out these short videos, courtesy of our friends at Scrapbook.com, where we walk you through each of our new collections and [email protected]! Sets!

Say Cheese video
Smarty Pants video
December Documented video
[email protected]! Sets video

Day 3 proved to be just as fun as Day 1 and 2!  As promised, here's a bit more December Documented in person -

And some amazing projects from our talented design team, which they'll be showcasing next month on the blog -

We had so many questions about where to get these letters - here you go!  http://www.woodcreationsutah.com/

Our new [email protected]! Sets (here and here) were SO WELL received, we couldn't have been more pleased.  Along with the [email protected]! Sets, we introduced a new program for retailers that I think you just *might* be a bit excited about - Retailer Project/Class Kits!

We introduced 2 kits - Everyday, using the Everyday [email protected]! Set and the [email protected]! Binder, designed by Kelly Goree

and Christmas, using the Christmas [email protected]! Set and [email protected]! Binder, designed by Vicki Boutin -

Boy were these ever popular!!!  The [email protected]! Sets as well as these 2 Retailer Project/Class Kits begin shipping late September, so watch for them at your favorite retailer and make sure to get signed up to take one or both of these amazing classes!

The 3rd/last day of the show is always a bit hectic as retailers are bringing their orders to the booth and wrapping up last minute conversations.  As soon as the show floor closes, manufacturers begin the process of tearing down the booths.  Of course there's only so much that can be done until your crates are delivered.

It's always a waiting game when it comes to waiting patiently (or NOT so patiently) for the union workers to deliver your crates.  I've been in situations in past shows where it's taken 4 or 5 HOURS!  We were so incredibly STOKED when we saw this a mere 35 minutes after the show floor closed -

Yeeha!  Then the work really begins.  Felt like we had everything packed up in record time.  It was just under 2 hours from this

to this

Yay!!!! 

And now the fun begins.  Back to the office tomorrow to get all of the orders from the show entered into the system as well as the orders placed from those retailers not able to attend the show. 

Our Say Cheese, Smarty Pants and December Documented collections begin shipping on August 5th!  It'll be here before we know it and you'll have the brand new deliciousness in your hands a bit after that!

Thanks for joining in with us as we shared live - or almost live :) - from the show!

Simply Document Back to School with Smarty Pants

I simply adore the new Simple Stories line Smarty Pants. And with school gearing up for us in another week this collection came at just the right time! I had so much fun taking photos of my kids last year with chalkboards and their grades and only hope they will cooperate yet again!

Of course the patterned papers are fabulous, but I adore the goodies from the Smarty Pants collection - chipboard, stickers and brads OH MY!

And dont forget about the [email protected] embellishments! Many of them can be worked right into the new collections just like this chipboard speech bubble.

The Smarty Pants collection is going to be perfect for thank you cards and teachers gifts too!

Supplies Used from the Smarty Pants Collection:

Fundamental Cardstock Stickers #3402

Chipboard #3428

Brads #3427

Take Note #3406

Orange COmposition #3420

4x4 Quote #3413

Life Documented with 24/7 and Smarty Pants

Hola, Simple Stories Fans! Allison (aka Ally) L. back with another Life Documented layout for your viewing pleasure! Once again, I've found that the Simple Stories lines coordinate together so well, I combined the 24/7 line with our brand spankin' new Smarty Pants line. I've been playing catch up this summer and with the Simple Stories' Pocket Pages, I've been able to complete SIX weeks of layouts in a matter of just a couple of days. Talk about simple! Today I'm sharing my Week 18 Life Documented spread with you.

I love the bright colors of these lines. The yellows and reds have such a fun energy that they play really well with the goofy photos of my daughter and her new dog. 

I created the title card by simply adding the alpha and number stickers to the 3x4 card and the simple chalkboard sticker was popped up with a foam adhesive. 

The weekday stickers from the 24-7 line are so versatile, and here I used them to emphasize that I spent the entire week writing an important paper for school. Using the notebook paper print added to the academic element of the spread. 

For this card, I capitalized on one of the preprinted 3x4 cards. I simply added my photo, a sticker and a note. Voila. 

I'm hoping in my next post I'll be able to share my cover of my volume II album for weeks 27-52. I'm completed through Week 23. How about you? 

Products used:

My Life Documented Album is a 6x8 [email protected] Binder

Pocket Pages Used:

• 3x4 Pocket Pages #2004
• 3x4/4x6 Pocket Pages #2005

24/7 Products Used

• Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
• Expressions Cardstock Stickers
• Layered stickers
• 3x4 Journaling Card Elements
• [email protected] Cards 4x6

Remaining products from Smarty Pants line

CHA - Day 2

Viva Las Vegas!!

Day 2 of CHAS 2013 is now in the books!  We couldn't be more thrilled with the responses to our new collections and [email protected]! Sets.  We were so incredibly busy again yesterday, it was crazy! 

Today is the last day of the show and we expect things to slow down quite a bit as many of the stores headed home yesterday or early this morning. 

So here I am, in the quiet last few minutes before the show floor opens when you can hear the distant hum of vacuum cleaners in the background and deep sighs as manufacturers are gearing up for Day 3. 

When I say 'here I am', blogging live from the show, I really am, see -

If you missed yesterday's post, make sure to check it out for your chance to win one of these FUN Intsax cameras!

Lots more picture taking with excited shoppers yesterday -

We've heard from quite a few of you that you want to see some close ups of product and the amazing projects our design team created for the show, so I've got a few pictures to show you now.  We'll also be showcasing projects over the next few weeks on the blog, starting next week, so be sure to check back in as well :)

Say Cheese has definitely been a top seller for us this show.  Ladies, hear me now - when you see this, buy it.  DO NOT WAIT!  Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't :)

Many of you may remember an I Heart Summer mini book that Julie Johnson created for us a bit ago.  Check out this AMAZING book she created with Say Cheese!  We'll be sure to showcase this project in more detail later this month, you'll love it!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - one of the things I love the most about Say Cheese is the versatility in the line for creating layouts, projects and cards for something other than photos with 'The Big Cheese".  Check out how design team member Rebecca Koeppel used it in this layout!

Retailers are loving Smarty Pants because it's a school line that works super well for young elementary age kids, but also works great for highschool and even college kids as well.  It's tough to find a school themed collection that's so versatile, and Smarty Pants is it!

Check out this amazing layout created by design team member Tanya Dirk!  Don't you just love those chevrons she made?!

And how about this fun [email protected]! Binder Sue Kendall created with Smarty Pants - I'd say she certainly deserves a gold star for her creativity, eh?

That does it for today - retailers await!  Check back with me again tomorrow where I'll share some close ups and projects with December Documented and our [email protected]! Sets!  

CHA - Day 1

Howdy! 

Layle here reporting LIVE from CHA in Las Vegas for Day 1 of the show!

One word describes yesterday - C.R.A.Z.Y. 

Seriously!  Yesterday literally flew by at the speed of light.  We were so stinkin' busy.  All.  Day.  Long.  It was fantastic!  So great to finally share our new collections and products in person.  Almost like Kate & William introducing the new prince of Cambridge to the world...  ;)

Lots of meeting with customers, order taking and fun!

And then there were the photos -

A good portion of the back wall of our booth is magnetic and covered with large icons from our new [email protected]! Sets.  Customers would pull them off the wall and pose for pictures that we took using these little babies -

Fuji Instax cameras.  Have you seen these?  Love them!  Takes me back to my younger days - and yes, I was around back then - of Polaroid cameras and instant gratification.  You point and shoot and the camera spits out a photo that processes within minutes :)

So, we bought a few of these to bring to the show and we thought it would be fun to share a little bit of the excitement and love from the show with you guys!  We're giving away one of these fun Instax cameras and a package of film to one of our lucky readers!  Just leave a comment on this post by Saturday the 27th at midnight and we'll draw and announce the lucky winner here on Sunday.

Good luck!  And stay tuned tomorrow for Day 2 :)