My Lovely mom {Paper Issues MOM Turned Upside Down Spells WOW Challenge}

Yesterday I was up on the Paper Issues blog. Here's my post:

It's May, so it's the perfect month to celebrate our Moms with our "MOM turned upside down spells WOW" challenge!

I used the gorgeous Happiness collection Cocoa Vanilla and the beautiful Flowers for You free cut file, which begs to be backed with patterned paper. I used some Happiness papers and some other papers from my scraps stash.

The die cuts in the Happiness collection have so many pretty images, from flowers to butterflies to tassels. I dug out an old border punch for an extra layer, and some pearls and puffy hearts, and my layout was done!

Now it's your turn to grab a favorite photo of your mom and join our challenge. You'll delight your mom and you may just win a gift certificate to the Paper Issues shop! Be sure to add your layout to our Facebook group. You can pick up the beautiful cut file I used for free or one of the many hundreds of other awesome free cut files, and while you're at the Paper Issues shop, check out all the fantastic products. Please use my code, Debbi (no e on the end), and you'll save 20% off your entire order.

You Are a Super Hero {Bramble Fox DT work + Paper Issues Free File Free-for-All Challenge}

I'm up on the Bramble Fox blog today. I also played along in the Paper Issues Free File Free-for-All Challenge.

Here's my post:

Hey, Bramble Fox Friends! I'm back with a boy-themed layout I created for one of my fourth grade students using three pieces from the May Fox Box plus a piece from the Fancy Hearts.

I have this Imagine collection by Echo Park with that fun superhero sticker, so that was my starting point. I love using lots of patterns but not in a way to overwhelm the photo, so I like using them with cut files. I used Paper Issues awesome free cut file called Circle Burst. Next, I set out to choose my Perspextives. I knew I was going to use some of the words from the May Fox Box because the colors went well with this collection, and then it dawned on me that I could use the word "here" and just cover the line in the "e" with part of the paper airplane and make the word "here" into "hero."

I love the words in the May Fox Box. They're so versatile, and by adding some additional words, either with letter stickers as I did in the title at the bottom or on a cloud, like I did at the top, you can make just the right title or message. So many possibilities...

Social Kitty {CSI Case File No. 282 + Paper Issues Free File Free-for-All Challenge}

I always love the inspiration I can get from challenges, and of course CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration is my favorite challenge since it's my brainchild, and Paper Issues always has tons of fun challenges that are easy to combine with my CSI pages. And this month CSI is pairing up with another challenge, Tell Us Story, a Russian sketch blog, so I had lots of inspiration for this page:

Here is the Case File that inspired my page:

Image by Sara Pulver

The circle in the sketch made me think of the many free cut files Paper Issues has that are circular, and I used the circle from the Magical cut file:

Here are the traditional CSI clues for this Case File, which I almost always use because I came up with the clues, and it's really the way I look at Case File images. Clues I used: Scheme - I basically used all the colors; Evidence: textured paper, stripes, diamond shapes, calendars, cats, architectural elements, something fuzzy, potted plant, brads,

Here are some details from my page. I got the idea to use patterned paper for that vertical element from Lisa Moen's awesome page, which you can see in the CSI reveal. That flair badge is from A Flair for Buttons. The calendar elements are cut from really old Creative Cafe papers. The wood speech bubble is by Studio Calico. I used paper scraps from that are pretty old.

That fabric brad is by BasicGrey, I believe. The potted plants were fussy cut from a patterned paper from my stash--I don't know the brand. The phrase stickers are old 7Gypsies.

The story, which I wrote around the outside of the circle tells a part of the story of my social kitty, Maisy, who thinks she's a dog. She follows me around the house and waits by the door when we come home. She always wants to be with us, and it drives us crazy, but she always jumps up on the island when I'm cooking and walks back and forth as I travel through the kitchen, following me.

I found this little house that almost matched the palette and served as an architectural element for one of the clues--it was cut out of an old Love, Elsie fabric paper. The fuzzy brad was another clue.

I hope you'll come play with us at CSI and Paper Issues. We've got seven sponsors at CSI and gift certificates to be won at Paper Issues. Just post your creations in the CSI Facebook group and the Paper Issues Facebook group.



There are TONS of awesome free cut files at the Paper Issues shop if you want to play in the Free File Free-for-All challenge. While you're browsing the free files, make sure you stop by the store to see all the cool new products. Please use my code, Debbi (no e on the end), and you'll get 20% off your entire purchase!

You're a Star {Paper Issues Keep It Sketchy Challenge}

I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today! Here's my post:

Happy Saturday, everyone! This month we've got an awesome sketch featuring three photos. I'm making layouts to give to each of my students, so I only had one picture. I solved that problem by printing out three of the same picture.

Here's the sketch that inspired my layout:

I used the awesome free Star Background cut file backed with papers from Crate Paper's Cool Kid collection.

I outlined the solid stars with a fine pen to give them a little more oomph.

I hope you'll come play with us--and share your creation in our Facebook group--for a chance to win a gift certificate to the Paper Issues store.  If you love that cut file, there are tons more free cut files over at the shop, and while you're there, be sure to check out all the cool new stuff in the store. Please use my code, Debbi (no e on the end), and you'll get 20% off your entire order!

Bloom {Bramble Fox}

I recently made this layout using the beautiful bloom piece from the March Bramble Fox Fox Box.

Here are some details. Isn't that Perspextive so pretty? I used the Fab-YOU-lous Florals free cut file from Paper Issues. I decided to lift everything off the page with pop dots for a light and airy touch of magic.

The flowers, houses, and butterflies are all fussy cut from Simple Stories Dream Big collection. I added some gems to the butterfly wings for extra magic and sparkle.

How sweet is that little fairy. This is such a perfect collection for little girls. 

Exploring Times Square

I'm up on the Paper Issues blog today. Here's my post:

Hey, Paper Issues Friends! I'm here with a page I created for this month's Ad-spiration challenge.

Here's the ad that inspired my page. I drew inspiration from the circles, the colors, the topic, and the whole design.

I knew Paper Issues would have just the perfect cut file for my page. I found the free cut file called Bubble Blast, with all these cool circles. All the papers I used to back the cut file were from my paper scrap drawers.

That cute little taxi is from Bella Blvd's Let's Go collection. I added a puffy heart to the window because I'm adding a heart to all of the pages for this little girl so she can look for the hearts on the pages.

There are so many possibilities with this ad--the colors, the circles, the topic. You could use the same design but different shapes--maybe hearts for Valentine's Day pictures. I can't wait to see how this ad will inspire you! Add your creation to the Paper Issues Facebook group by March 3 for a chance to win a gift certificate to the store!

While you're over at Paper Issues looking for the perfect free cut file, be sure to check out all the new stuff in the store. Use my code, Debbi (no e on the end), for 20% off your entire order.

Side Street Dining Adventure {Paper Issues What's Brewing Challenge}

It's my turn on the Paper Issues blog. Here's my post:

Hi, Paper Issues Friends! When the What's Brewin' challenge came up, I jumped at the assignment because my husband and I are total foodies and go on dining adventures every Sunday after church! The challenge is to share something about your favorite drink, coffee shop or place to get a bite to eat.

I searched for a cut file in the Paper Issues store and found the perfect one! The Wonky Chevron free cut file reminded me of going up and down the side streets of Frederick. And I the "Adventure" in my title came from the Dragon Tails & Adventures free cut file.

              

I love the way Rachel Lowe used half of the cut file and covered up the rest of the paper. I lifted that idea, but flipped the page around. I used Fancy Pants Golden Days papers. Although it's an autumn collection, the colors are nice and neutral and went well with my photos.

Whatever page you can imagine, you can find a free cut file in the Paper Issues Store! Go check them out, and while you're there, check out all the cool new stuff in the store. Use my code Debbi (no e on the end) for 20% off your entire purchase.

I hope you'll play along with this or one of the many other fun challenges for a chance to win a gift card to the Paper Issues store!

Sweet Hot Cocoa Face {Paper Issues You've Got to Be Kittin' Me Challenge}

I had a snow day on Thursday and got to make another scrapbook layout, this one for Paper Issues' You've Got to Be Kittin' Me challenge:

I'm making pages for my friend featuring her sweet daughter. I'm taking the pictures, and in this case, the captions, from her Facebook page. 

Did you know that in addition to all the fabulous new scrappy products, Paper Issues also sells kits? I created this page with the November Kit called Family Traditions. Here's a peek at this kit. As you can see, it's just chock-full of beautiful product! You can read about all of the kit contents here.

Here are some details. How awesome is that coffee cup? It's from a free Paper Issues cut file called Pumpkin Spice.

I added a little stitching here and there on my page for some extra texture.

The "hot cocoa" in the title is also a free cut file called Winter Sweater Weather Words.

You take a look at the kits still in stock and all the awesome new stuff. Use my code, Debbi (no e on the end), and receive 20% off your ENTIRE purchase!