Simple Stories

Introducing Simple Inspiration eBooks

Howdy!  Layle here with you again today with some fun news. 

We're super excited to introduce Simple Inspiration eBooks - free, downloadable idea books.  Beginning with our most recent releases, you can now look forward to an eBook with each of our new collections!   

Simple Inspiration eBooks include beautiful photography, project ideas, design tips and inspiration on how you can create with our fabulous Simple Stories collections!  The new Simple Inspiration eBooks include a little something for everyone - layouts, SN@P! Binders, pocket page spreads, home decor items and cards.

Today brings you the first of our new eBooks - the Homespun Simple Inspiration eBook - 16 pages of amazing inspiration; simply click on the link below to download & enjoy!

Homespun Simple Inspiration eBook Download

(note - if you were having trouble downloading the eBook earlier, the link has been fixed!)

We hope you enjoy it!

On Pinterest?  To view/pin some of the projects included in the Homespun eBook, as well as other inspirational Homespun projects, check out our Homespun Pinterest board -

 

New Simple Stories Silhouette Designs Available!

Howdy!  Layle here today to share some great news - we have 30 brand new cut file designs, now available for the Silhouette!

Here are just a few of our favorites -

Love Love Love

Check This Out

So Sweet Together

Visit Simple Stories at the Silhouette Online Store here to see these designs and others in our design portfolio.  You can also search for 'Simple Stories' directly on their site. 

Design team member Kristine Davidson used our Capture This Moment cut file & our Love cut file on a layout along with products from our new A Charmed Life collection -

We have great designs currently available, with MANY more to come :)  You can find these and our other designs here at the Silhouette Online Store.

If you create anything with our Silhouette cut files, we'd love to see them!

 

Visit Simple Stories at the Silhouette Online Store here to see these designs and others in our design portfolio.  You can also search for 'Simple Stories' directly on their site.  - See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2014/01/new-simple-stories-silhouette-designs-available.html#sthash.t8d1EyPt.dpuf

Visit Simple Stories at the Silhouette Online Store here to see these designs and others in our design portfolio.  You can also search for 'Simple Stories' directly on their site.  - See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2014/01/new-simple-stories-silhouette-designs-available.html#sthash.t8d1EyPt.dpuf

Visit Simple Stories at the Silhouette Online Store here to see these designs and others in our design portfolio.  You can also search for 'Simple Stories' directly on their site.  - See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2014/01/new-simple-stories-silhouette-designs-available.html#sthash.t8d1EyPt.dpuf

Life Documented with SN@P! Summer

Life Documented with Sn@p!

Hi everyone! Teri here today, and I'm here with another Life Documented project. I'm excited to share with you a few pages I made with the SN@P! Summer set.

I went to California last month and extended my trip by a couple days so I could go to Disneyland. What can I say? I'm a big kid, and I love going to the park. Lucky for me that one of my friends extended her trip as well so we were able to enjoy a couple days at the amusement park together. 

Sure, the adventure was in January. But I thought the happy colors of the SN@P! Summer set made it perfect for documenting the fun time we had. I mean, we are talking Disneyland! Hello, bright and happy colors!

One of my favorite things on the left page is "This is Awesome" cut-out. That's a cut file from Simple Stories that's available in the Silhouette Online Store. I simply cut it from cardstock and then adhered it to a 3x4 SN@P! card. To give it some extra pop, I used my trusty sewing machine to stitch a line over the "awesome" word.

The card next to it had a summer saying on it. That wasn't going to work for my page so I covered it up with a kraft rectangle from Simple Stories' DIY collection and added a new title to it.

I really love that you can change up the SN@P! cards and make them your own. I added a tape sticker (yep, from the SN@P! Summer set) to the top of orange card at the bottom of the page.

I went to town with customizing the cards on the right page, too. I covered up some words on the bottom card with a strip of cardstock and added some stickers to it so it would say "the good times."

The polka dot SN@P! card on this page was so fun to customize! I added the picture and then embellished it with a overlay, a couple stickers and another phrase cut with Simple Stories' Check This Out cut file, also available in the Silhouette Online Store.

I'm using a 12x12 SN@P! faux leather album in red to document my activities in 2014. I love that the album's ring binding allows me to scrapbook out of order. Sometimes, I wait to record memories until months after they've happened. And sometimes I like to scrapbook them right away. I like the freedom it gives me as a memory keeper.

I used the SN@P! 12x12 Pocket Pages Design 3 for these pages. I like that these pages have a little extra room so you can embellish the cards that go into the pockets. It's nice to be able to add lots of layers if you want to.

Sn@p! Summer Products Used:

• SN@P! Stickers
• 4x6 SN@P! Cards
• 3x4 SN@P! Cards

Other Simple Stories Products Used:

• DIY Card Foundations - Kraft
• DIY Journaling Layers - Office
• DIY Journaling Layers - Kraft
• DIY Burlap Stickers - Banners
• SN@P! Stamps - Snapshots

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll be back again soon!

I'll be using the 12x12 Sn@p! leather album in teal as the year goes on for many of my Life Documented projects! I love the color of the album, and that it has a ring binding system! Since I employ a free spirit philosophy when it comes to these pages, I dig that I can easily work on my pages for it out of order. - See more at: http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2013/06/life-documented-with-snp.html#sthash.3QLkzgNj.dpuf

Fan Focus Friday

Hi there!  Layle here with you today :)

Today I'm back with another Fan Focus Friday! 

We have so many great Simple Stories fans out there that we thought it would be fun to showcase some of the work shared with us. 

So, here goes! Kayla MacAulay

This month, let me introduce you to Kayla MacAulay -

I am a twenty three year old new Mum from Tasmania, Australia. I began scrapbooking back in 2004 when I was just a teenager. I was never really a crafty person up until then but found love in the fact that I could tell a story through this craft. I dabbled in many mediums of scrapbooking over the years and was lucky enough to work on several design teams and up until most recently owned my own online scrapbooking kit club which I have since changed hands to focus on my new little family with the addition of our first child Elijah Mason who is just 2 weeks old. I love finding new products, techniques and ideas to focus on and this year I am excited to be combining my usual 12x12 style with some Pocket Page themed pages.

Kayla created this wonderful 6x8 Teal SN@P! Binder album in the early stages of her pregnancy with her first child -

According to Kayla -

I was so excited and nervous about being a new Mum and the scrapbooker in me just knew that I had to document it. I loved that with the SN@P! Binders you can set it up and work on little bits here and there.  Throughout the pregnancy I just completed cards as I thought of them and slipped them in the pockets.

I used the chipboard dividers that came with the album to section off the binder into three parts, one for each of the trimesters of pregnancy.

I used some of the 6x8 inserts to document some of the bigger things and placed some of the ultrasound photos on these.

I loved that Simple Stories SN@P! Binders have such a large variety of different sized inserts to accommodate different sizes.

I used a mixture of 3x4, 4x6 and 4x4 sized pockets. It’s great for keeping things interesting throughout the album as not every layout is the same!

I have shared pictures here of the first two sections of my album as the third section I was waiting on baby photos from the much awaited arrival of our son who is just two weeks old now. I can’t wait to share the completed album on my blog very soon! 

Isn't that an amazing keepsake Kayla created documenting her pregnancy?!  I'm sure her son Elijah will treasure this album in the years to come.

Congratulations Kayla on the birth of your son and thank you so much for sharing your amazing project with us this month!

 

 

 

Die Cutting with 3x4 Sn@p! Sets

Hello! Nichol here today with some tips and tricks on utilizing 3x4 (or 4x6) Sn@p! Sets cards for die cutting.

Whether you use a digital die cutting machine like the Silhouette Cameo or a manual die cutting machine, I've got some ideas on making the most of your Sn@p! products in non-traditional ways!

Digital die cutting completely changed the way I scrapbook and I can't imagine being without my Silhouette Cameo! And the icing on the cake? Why, the fact that Simple Stories now offers cut files in the Silhouette Store, of course!

I used the following cut files for my first project share today, a layout utilizing eight different designs!

I used some of the cut files "as is" and some files I altered to fit my layout needs. I'll show you how in the accompanying video.

 

Video How To:

I used the polaroid die cuts to "frame up" my page, with a title and journaling in the center of my layout. By layering the die cut polaroids with Sn@p! 3x4 Cards, I was able to create a cohesive page with simple layers and lots of color. 

Once the base of the layout is together, layering on stickers, additional die cuts and dimensional embellishments make the page pop!

The polaroid frames were cut using a variety of 3x4 Sn@p! cards. Most of the cards are from the awesome Office Card Foundations. I implemented many of the Wedding Sn@p! Squares and Pieces, Love Sn@p! 3x4 Cards and Homespun Squares & Pieces into the frames. Don't be afraid to mix and match your Simple Stories Collections!

For my card, I used a metal balloon die in a manual die cutting machine (the Sizzix Big Shot) to die cut balloon shapes from the Birthday 3x4 Sn@p! cards. I also trimmed the greeting from one of the Birthday 3x4 Sn@p! cards.

Adding detail to the die cuts with Glossy Accents, a glitter marker and string make these die cuts a cut above the rest! ;)

 

The balloons didn't take much paper from the Birthday 3x4 Sn@p! cards so I filed the scraps away to use on more die cutting projects!

Simple Stories Products Used for the layout:

• DIY Boutique Outside the Box 12x12 Paper
• DIY Boutique 6x6 Paper Pad
• Love 3x4 Sn@p! Cards
• Wedding 3x4 Sn@p! Cards
• DIY Card Foundations Office
• Wedding Sn@p! Squares & Pieces
• Homespun Insta-squares
• Love Sn@p! Stickers
• Everyday Sn@p! Stickers
• DIY Stickers Typeset
• DIY Stickers Labels
• DIY Stickers Icons
• DIY Stickers Boutique
• DIY Words Stickers
• DIY Boutique Stickers Boutique
• Sn@p! Stickers Icons
• DIY Burlap Stickers Arrows
• DIY Teal, Red & Yellow Enamel Dots
• DIY Pink, Green & Orange Enamel Dots
• Simple Stories So Sweet Together Banner
• Simple Stories You & Me Heart
• Simple Stories Newsflash Polaroids
• Simple Stories Month Polaroids Jan-April
• Simple Stories Fabulous Polaroids
• Simple Stories Hello, Heart This, Smile & Today Polaroids
• Simple Stories Sn@p! Plane, Star, Heart

Simple Stories Products Used for the birthday card:

• Birthday Sn@p! Squares & Pieces
• Birthday 3x4 Sn@p! Cards
• DIY Boutique 6x6 Paper Pad

I hope that these ideas have inspired you to try using your 3x4 Sn@p! Cards in your die cutting machine(s)d. Thanks for hanging out with me today!

 

Life Documented with Homespun

Hi everyone, Marie here today to share a Life Documented project using the Homespun line!

I love using scrapbooking products in new and versatile ways.  When I first saw the Homespun collection I naturally thought of all things home such as cooking, sewing and gardening.  But after looking through the papers, they also reminded me of a trip we took to a bavarian village in the mountains.

Something about the potted flowers, weathered wood, and lace accents gave everything an old world feel which went perfectly with our travel destination.

I used one of the typewriter charms on my journaling card, and a chipboard bicycle on another.

An alpine layout wouldn't be complete without a man playing an Alphorn, right?

I hope this helps to inspire you to look at your scrapbooking supplies in a new way.   I had a lot of fun taking a collection made for "home" and using it on travel pages instead.

I am using the 12x12 Faux Leather Album in teal for all of my Life Documented projects.

On this spread I used these Pocket Pages:

I also used the following products from the Homespun collection:

• Fundamental Cardstock Stickers | #3802
• Expression Cardstock Stickers | #3803
• Bits and Pieces | #3829
• Chipboard | #3828
• Brads | #3827
• 4x6 Horizontal Journaling Cards Elements | #3811
• Grey Wood | #3816
• Sn@p! Cards | #3823

 Thanks for stopping by today!

 

A Charmed Life Anniversary Mini

 

 

Hi everyone! Emily here today with another fun project that I created with the NEW "A Charmed Lfe" collection. I know I've said this before, but i LOVE this collection! Everything about it is simply perfect, the colors, sentiments, elements, etc. Just fabulous! 

My husband and I got anniversary photos taken last year for our 3rd anniversay. I use any opportunity that I can to have a photo session. We always have so much fun and get great photos out of it to last a lifetime. 

 

I decided to create a mini album to display on my desk. I had this little Maya Road acrylic album laying here and decided that it was time to put it in use! 

 

Here are some of the inside pages. I wanted to keep the bottoms for photos and when you flip each page, you see a sentiment at the top. I used some of the Sn@p cards from this collection for the sentiments.

Another one of my favorites from this collection are the chipboard stickers. I always love to add a little dimension to my projects and these are perfect to do so. 

Here's a little peek at the side of this album. This album may be a mini, but it packs a big punch! Perfect to store a couple of photos that you want to keep on display!

 

Products Used:

Simple Stories:
A Charmed Life 
6x6 Paper Pad #3722
Bits & Pieces #3729
Chipboard #3728
Brads #3727
Insta Squares #3730
Sn@p Cards #3723

Maya Road- Acrylic Album
May Arts- Ribbon

A Charmed Life Home Decor

Hey, y'all!  Shellye here to share with you today :)  I had so much fun crafting these projects...and believe it or not, they were really quick and easy to put together.

First up I have just the sweetest little hanger using "A Charmed Life" and a few goods from my stash:

I started with a heavyweight chipboard semi circle that I covered with Happy Times Paper.  Next, I matted the cute Insta Square with a swatch of the Happy Times (Side B) Paper and then attached it to the center of the semi-circle with foam adhesive.  I embellished the top of the Insta Square with one of the small chipboard flowers and a yellow brad for the center.

To the bottom, I added some felt flowers from my stash and die-cut a few leaves from the Happy.Go.Lucky Paper.  Using some fabric glue, I inserted the two navy brads into the middle of the yellow felt flowers.  A couple of punched holes were made and some pretty turquoise ribbon strung through for hanging.

A Charmed Life Products:

-Chipboard #3728
-Brads #3727
-Happy.Go.Lucky Paper #3707
-Happy Times Paper #3709
-Insta-Squares #3730

 Next is an easy, easy, EASY card :)

I think we could classify this as a "5-minute-or less" card!  I cut the base paper 1/2" smaller than the card, which gives a nice border of the card peeking through.  The heart-motif Insta Square was added with foam adhesive and then embellished with one of the Bits & Pieces' tags and a brad.

A Charmed Life Products:

-Happy.Go.Lucky Paper #3707
-Insta Squares #3730
-Bits & Pieces #3729
-Expression Cardstock Stickers #3703

 And lastly, a cool frame that I collaged into a fun piece of home decor! 

I started by removing the glass from the frame and reserving just the back piece.  To it, I adhere a thin sheet of corkboard (you can find sheets or rolls at your local craft store). 

I took a couple of the SN@P! cards and trimmed them down so that they would create an even grid of four.  For extra interest, I machine stitched around the edge of each card before attaching to the corkboard. 

Each rectangle was adorned with different pieces from all around the "A Charmed Life" Collection!  Bits & Pieces, Chipboard shapes, brads and stickers were added.

In finishing, I glued on a whimsical bow from some May Arts ribbon.  If you're interested in creating a perpetual collage, use push pins or removable adhesive so that the cards can be changed out with each season!

A Charmed Life Products:

>-SN@P! Cards #3723
-Bits & Pieces #3729
-Brads #3727
-Chipboard #3728
-Fundamentals Cardstock Sticker #3702

I appreciate you joining us today at Simple Stories!

Love in a SN@P!

Happy day after Valentine's Day :) 

Hello friends, Layle back here with you today.  With love still in the air, I thought it would be fun to share a fun LOVE themed album created by designer Sue Kendall using our Love SN@P! Set and 6x8 Faux Leather Album.

I love how Sue added a little embellishment to the bottom right corner of the front of the album - they're beautiful albums 'as is'; adding just a little something to the cover makes them really pop!

To add a bit of variety, Sue added the inserts from the red SN@P! Binder (chipboard divider pages, additional 6x8 Pocket Pages & Journal Page inserts) in addition to the Pocket Pages included in the 6x8 Faux Leather Album for lots of fun pages!

She used one of the 4x6 Pockets from the Love SN@P! Set in this pocket page - what a great idea to insert it sideways in the pocket!

 

Here she simply punched holes in a 4x6 Love card and inserted it in the album as it's own page!

How about this clever idea for using 3x4 cards - create a cascading 'waterfall' effect by scoring & adhering the tops of 3 cards, as Sue did on this page -

Sue was able to put this mini album together in a jiffy using the 3x4 & 4x6 cards and the Pockets & stickers from the Love SN@P! Set -

Now all she needs to do is add photos and a bit of journaling and she has a fun keepsake of her loved ones :)

Simple Stories & Petaloo Design Team-Up Day 5

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

We’ll be giving away two great Petaloo prize packages at the end of the week, so be sure to play along and check back on Sunday the 16^th 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. Follow Simple Stories on Instagram at simplestories_
5. Comment hereon 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!

Hi, Alissa here with you today! I've got another Life Documented spread using the Homespun line from Simple Stories and several awesome products from Petaloo. I love how the Petaloo products add pretty layers to my Pocket Page spreads on the outside of the pockets. So fun!

I also included a 6x8 Pocket Page insert and I used the new 2x2 Insta Pocket Pages. I was even able to make a little confetti pocket with some of the Petaloo flowers. No sewing machine? Staples work great to close up the opening.

I layered the Petaloo flowers on the tops of my Pocket Pages. The larger ones I adhered with pop dots and the smaller one has a staple holding it one.

The chipboard piece from the Homespun collection is on the top of the Pocket Page, too. I prefer having my pockets lay flat and add the thicker embellishments on the top of the pockets.

And the insert page. I really LOVE these new smaller pockets in the 6x8 Pocket Pages!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

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!  J

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

Supplies Used:

Simple Stories Homespun Collection

• 12x12 Collection Kit
• Fundamental Cardstock Stickers
• Expression Cardstock Stickers
• Bits & Pieces
• Chipboard
• Insta-Squares
• SN@P! Cards

Simple Stories DIY Collection

• Enamel Dots - Teal, Red & Yellow

Petaloo Products

• Fancy Trims (shades of beige)
• Bontanica Collection Faux Dried Blooms (red)
• Botanica Collection Faux Dried Blooms (cranberry/amber/green)
• Textured Elements Mini Blossoms (amber)
• Textured Elements Mini Blossoms (ivory)
• The Penny Lane Garden Collection Forget Me Nots ( robin egg blue)