were you challenged!?

hello friends!

just popping in today to share a layout I created with this week's weekly challenge in mind---using loads of punches. everything on this layout comes from the July kit--if you haven't already, you'll want to grab one before they're gone!


this is one of those layouts where the punches might not be easy to pick out....
1. Fiskars Upper Crest Border Punch was used on the coral cardstock (under the white with red stripe paper)
2. Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch was used on the coral cardstock (very bottom edge of layout)
3. 3/4" circle punch was used to layer behind the large gemstone brads.
4. Fiskars 1/8" Handheld Single Hole Punch was used on the 3/4" circle to make a hole to insert brads.
5. EK Success Corner Rounder was used on the kraft cardstock with my journaling & the blue/green patterned paper.

and because The Story Matters, here's a closeup of the journaling. you can click the image to make it larger. :)


how'd you do with the "use you punches" challenge!? play along and put your images in our gallery, then link me up here. i'd LOVE to see (& comment) them!

i'm off to find a sweet treat to eat........it is my birthday afterall! :)

sneakin in...

...with a few more sneaks of the August kit from...
Michelle...

Stay tuned for more!

"i'm bored" cube!

Hi everyone! I'm Andrea and I've been looking forward to my blog hosting week...so exciting!!!

For this week's challenge I'd love to see you use your punches on a project, layout, or card! Use as many different punches as you like...the more the merrier ;)

As August hits I'm starting to hear a little bit of "I'm bored" or "I need something to do" so I thought I'd turn it into a game! I made a paper cube out of a 12 X 12 sheet of paper and some fun embellishments from the July The Story Matters kit. Each portion of the cube contains a fun activity for the little ones to do when they are bored :)

Paper Cube Tutorial

Supplies:

12 x 12 sheet of patterned paper
trimmer with scoring blade or stylus
scissors
double stick tape
embellishments, photos, punches, etc.

1. Using the ruler on your trimmer, measure in 2 3/4 of an inch from the left hand side of your paper and make a cut stopping 3 1/4" from the bottom.

2. Turn card stock 90° and insert paper into trimmer to measure 3 1/4". Measure 2 3/4 of an inch from the top, insert your trimmer blade and cut until you reach the bottom of your paper and you are left with an "L" shape.

3. Starting with the side of your paper that is 2 3/4 of an inch wide (place paper in trimmer like a backwards "L"), score at 1/2", 3 1/4", 6", 8 3/4", and 11 1/2".

4. Turn card stock to score that other side at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", 8 1/4", and 11".

5. Hold your paper to form an "L" shape and trim 1/2" off of the right hand side.

6. Trim the corners and tabs as shown.

7. Decorate as desired. I drew an "X" on the square that will be covered up just so I remember not to decorate it :)

8. Add sticky back tape to the tabs, form your cube and you are done!

OK so maybe the "clean out your closet" isn't such a fun activity for your children but they will be amazed at all the fun stuff that is lurking in the depth :)

Leave any questions in the comment section and I'll answer them as best as I can!

Hope your summer continues to be happy!
Blessings,
Andrea

Numbers Inspo

I headed to our design team for some number inspiration.  Combing through their blogs was quite inspiring, to say the least. 

First up is Andrea.  I obviously couldn't pick just one, and she had so many projects with numbers!! I settled on the vacation count down project, and this gorgeous anniversary layout.

On Bree's blog, I found this gem.  I love how she used the number paper, and the "4" sticker for her journaling. 

I got this one over at Candi's blog.  I love how she used her running number.  Very cool!

I found this gorgeous LO at Kim's blog.  Love the clock paper, and that she used the minutes for the title.

This one comes from Lain, and she showcased the number five with the stamp from the July kit.  I love how it makes it stand out.

Look how Megan rocked the numbers here.  I love the 13 card, and the number line is fabulous!

Michelle created a layout based on her sweet boy's to fifteen tunes.  I love this!!

This fabulous room sign comes from Shelley.  I love the little row of numbers underneath the name.  Very, very cool!

And look at this gorgeousness from Tania!!!  I just love it so much!

This is from Penny, and I love how her date is part of the design.  Perfection!

I hope you are feeling inspired by numbers.  Don't forget to put your work in our fabulous gallery so we can be inspired, too!  Have a great Thursday!

Author's Choice

OK, I have searched the gallery, and found a layout that I just love, of course it had to have something to do with numbers.  I chose the talented Christine Noble,  I loved her layout titled "Cooper Cousins":

Look at all the great detals, and how she used the No. 5.  LOVE, and what a great picture!

Thank you, Christine, for posting your gorgeous work in our gallery.  Do you want to be featured here on our blog?  Then get to uploading!!

Stay tuned for more sneaks, and some number inspo.

Here come the clues...

You're going to love our August guest designer & I can't wait to see what she creates with our kit!

A few clues for ya...

* She's from the "sunshine" state...

* You could say her favorite time of year may be October in the Afternoon.

* And she creates these adorable little bracelets for her etsy shop.

Got any ideas as to who it is?

{Be sure and check out the post below to see some great sneaks from Amy & Shelley!}

August sneaks...

Alright, it's sneak time!  I am telling you, this August kit is amazing!  I have enjoyed working with it so much.  Here are some sneaks from me...notice the felt?  JOY!

Nothing makes me happier than this kit.  Here are some sneaks from the lovely, and oh so talented Shelley Haganman:

Notice the cool buttons???  I still have not brought myself to actually use mine, but Shelley did and look how amazing they are!

Come back tomorrow for the Author's Choice for the week.  How do you get picked??  Simply upload some goodness to our online gallery, and your work just might get selected.  Have a great Tuesday!

All about numbers

Hey everyone, it's Amy and I'm thrilled to be hosting the blog this week.  I'll be sharing lots of cool stuff this week, so make sure you check it out!

I wanted to start with a challenge for the week.  Because the July kit had that fabulous number paper from The Girls' Paperie in it, this week's challenge is all about numbers.  I had planned to do a progressive number challenge...one piece of cardstock, two photos, three pieces of patterned paper, etc, but when creating my layout, it totally took a different route.  So the challenge is this:

Create a layout/project/card that is inspired by numbers.

Yep, you pretty much have free reign with this challenge.  Just incorporate numbers somehow and you're all set!

Here is the layout I created.  It's about being a mom for the past 11 years.  I used, of course, the amazing July kit.  That means I've created 5 layouts and 2 cards with the kit and I still have stuff left.  That's a LOT of stuff for $24!!

I totally channeled my inner Michelle Alynn Clement for this layout.  Her work is just the most amazing ever.  Scroll down a few posts to see what she created with July's kit, I promise you won't be disappointed.  Here's a closeup:

I can't wait to see what you create!  Put your creation into our gallery and link us up here.

I'll be back with sneaks from the gorgeous August kit.  I promise you will NOT be disappointed with this kit.  And the buttons...oh the buttons.  I am totally hoarding mine. :)

Happy Monday!!

Did you take the challenge?

If you didn't get a chance to take the sketch challenge with us this week, be sure to store it for later and add your layout to our gallery when you get to it!

We love to see your work!

Check out this super fun layout by {agutshall}...

More sketch inspiration...

How are the sketch layouts coming?

Check out this amazing layout by {author} Shelley Haganman.

LOVE how she used the negatives on the banner stickers!

Upload your layout to our gallery!

Just place it in the {challenge} folder so we can all check it out!

altoid tin...a mini album

When I think of mini albums, design team member Shelley Haganman is the first to come to mind. She does amazing work & the altered altoid tin she created using the july kit proves just that. Check out the details...

What have you been creating with the July kit?

Just a peek...

Check out these sneaks of the oh so yummy

August kit!

You're not gonna want to miss out on this kit!

Be HERE on reveal day...august 5th!

Keep checkin back often for more inspiration from our fantastic design team!