Simple Stories & Page Maps

All through the first week of April, the Simple Stories DT have been in collaboration with Page Maps to create with the awesome new April sketches.

I was lucky enough to create two layouts. I have rotated the sketch 90 degrees anticlockwise.

I have used the totally gorgeous new Simple Stories 'Happy' Sn@p Pack. These new packs contain 131 pieces - 4x6, 3x4, 4x4, 3x3 and 2x2 cards as well as Bits & Pieces!

I've chosen a selection of the cards which feature a plain colour on the B side and arranged them in a kind've ombré effect.

Over the top I have layered more of the smaller cards and rounded the corners of one of the 3x4 cards to look like a polaroid.

For the garland, I have used my sewing machine to stitch together some of the Bit & Pieces that come in the pack, including a die cut word for a bit of fun.

Bits & Pieces raised on foam tape give a printed card some dimension.

My next page was created using the following sketch

For this one, I have used the 'I AM' collection, perfect to express the relief of a safe delivery and the love I felt for my newborn Miss E.

Using three shades of the I AM basics, I used my Silhouette to cut out the large 'E' out of a strip of 'Unique' then backed this with some 'Strong'. Over the top I have heaped a load of Glossy Accents, being careful to stay within the cut area. I love the deep gloss it gives the letter!

Over the larger image I have used a photo overlay, some stickers and a wood veneer from the Enchanted collection.

For the tag in the sketch, I have used one of the new 'I AM' interactive elements. This pack is full of surprises! And for someone like me (who loves to hide my handwriting) they are perfect!

The tag slides out to reveal journalling. I have altered it by adding some stickers.

I thought a nice way to keep my tag tab from flopping around, would be to adhere an 'I AM' decorative clip to the page and tuck the tab inside.

The page is finished off with some stitching, enamel dots, brads.

Thank you so much for popping in. I hope you will give the sketches a go!

Best Day Ever - Kraft Plus Challenges

The very groovy Kraft Plus Challenges 'Retro Recipe' challenge for April is up on the blog, along with loads of inspiring pages from the DT as well as the sponsor designers! Remember to base your projects on a kraft background and then add the following 'ingredients' along with colour from the image

• a dash of washi tape

• one cup of polka dots

• a twist of cotton

• 3 tags (may be shipping)

• a sprinkling of silver

• one teaspoon of stamping

It might seem like a lot of elements, but once you have gathered all the bits you need, you'll have a blast.

This is my recipe page

I have spruced up a large plain shipping tag with some number stamping, which I have stamped with Versamark and then heat set with clear embossing powder. This created a resist effect when I misted my tag with Georgia Peach Color Shine.

I love how the original tag colour shows through

 

It's hard to see, but the grey strip has also been repeatedly stamped with the word 'birthday' and then machine stitched to the kraft base.

For the silver sprinkling, I have used some foam alphas to create the word 'blow' and cut a piece of birthday cake using my Silhouette Cameo and some glitter cardstock.

A teensy bit of twine in my tags as well as wrapped around a 3x4 Sn@p card to create the idea of a gift.

 

I hope you will join us. Thanks so much for stopping by!