Fall Fire

So many people love Fall for the colours and the flavours.  Me, I hate pumpkin, the taste, the smell, all of it, ew.  And all the pumpkin, cinnamon scented Bath & Body works stuff makes me gag when I walk in the the store.

Simple Stories got it just right, however with their Pumpkin Spice Collection.  I have loved the layouts I've been creating with it.

This was our first (and last) fire of the season after getting mom & dad's hand-me-down outdoor wood stove.  Sitting outside on the deck in our re-done backyard was so lovely.  We were all wrapped up in blankets, and I had my cold weather favourite in hand Bailey's on ice, yum!

Flair buttons from {aflairforbuttons}

The ephemera package is stuffed with so many wonderful little bits and pieces.  These little packages of goodness are my new favourite scrappy product, so many uses.

Hop over to the Paper Issues blog to see all the wonderful other projects some of ur DT whipped up to inspire you for this Simple Stories - Pumpkin Spice spotlight.

Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

Story of Three Friends

Have you been playing along with our Paper Issues online crop?

This weekend we shared over 20 challenges to get your mojo going.  On Saturday night I challenged our members to use 3D adhesive.

I like to use pop up adhesive to add dimension to my layouts.  It comes in especially handy when you are working with collections that do not have a a lot of embellishments to them.

Here I've used it to pop up several of the die cuts from the BasicGrey B-Side ephemera package.

And here I've used them under the die cut I created using the new Maggie Holmes Shine flower die.

Layers, layers, and more layers, another opportunity to use 3D adhesives.  This photo my daughter snapped of her friends at the lake is stunning, perfectly timed with the gorgeous sunset.

If you're looking for some serious inspiration to get your mojo going, you should hop over to the Paper Issues Friends & Fans Facebook page and join the party.  You have until November 14 to link up your projects to the crop album.  Winners will be announced on the blog on November 16.

Thanks for stopping by today, and happy scrapping friends! Pin It

A Splendid Moment

There is this old abandoned barn just off the highway on the way to my in-laws that I have wanted to stop and take photos at for the longest time, like for the past 3 or 4 years now. This past Thanksgiving weekend we finally did it.  We dressed for the occasion, brought along the tripod and finally did it.  I am so glad we did too, we got a couple of real gems to scrap and hang on our wall.

Since neither of us really enjoys being in front of the camera, there aren't many photos in my scrapbooks of just us sans kids, but I think it's so important to our family albums.  I would hate for my kids to look back and wonder why their parents are missing from the pages.  I think it speaks of love when kids can see their parents together in photos.  The memories will fade, but the photos will live on, as a reminder that we genuinely loved one another, and cared for the eachother's company.

That great cork bow is from the latest Dear Lizzy Collection

The beautiful weather, the beautiful backdrop and our beautiful girls looking on as we posed for a couple of photos.  The moment truly was a splendid one.  I have no doubt more photos from that little shoot will soon appear here also.

These layers make so happy, the colours are just so fresh and new for Fall.  I even managed to use up those Maya Road star pins that I have been hoarding for years.

I used the gorgeous new Cedar Lane collection by Pink Paislee to document this moment. You can still get your hands on most of it in the Paper Issues store.  Be sure to use my code to save 20% off.

How have you been scrapping your Fall photos, and using the new Fall themed collections? There are plenty of opportunities to show us in several challenges in our Friends and Fans Facebook group, and right here on the blog in our latest Fan-atics issue.  We look forward to seeing your work.

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Fan-atics

For me, the only good thing about Summer coming to an end is the start up of hockey season.  Cheering on our Winnipeg Jets is a favourite pastime of mine and Darwin's. Whether it's here, on tv at home or downtown at the arena it's the highlight of our day.  I love that it's something we love doing together.

The latest issue at Paper Issues Fan-atics encouraged me to pull out one of our photos from the last Playoff game and get scrapping.

How awesome are those puffy letters?  They are from a Dear Lizzy collection, but they go so perfectly with this bright bold Amy Tangerine collection. 

I just had to pair that fun Jillibean Soup File card with the design, plus the colours matches so nicely. 

I used American Crafts This to That 3D adhesive pieces to pop my photo off the page.

My design is based off of the October Sketch.

You can link up your take on the sketch here, and you link up to the current issue right here on the Paper Issues Blog.

Life has really changed a lot for me around here, as is evident by my blog.  It's not that I've had less to share, it's that there's been less time and energy to get it onto paper.  My days are full, and usually stressful, and leave me feeling pretty exhausted by the time I finally have some me time in the evening.  I have much to be thankful for, don't get me wrong, it's just a different season for me, and one that I am still trying to find my way in.
It's been so long since I've scrapped, that this felt really good to get on paper.  I have a couple more layouts that I managed to put together this past week.  I will share those soon, I promise.

There is always a lot going on over at the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook page. Multiple challenges a month, pre-sale codes to shop at a discounted rate, and prizes up for grabs throughout the month.  If you haven't done so yet, I encourage you to hop over and become a member today.

As always if you're more in the mood for shopping than scrapping then don't forget to use code: SHERRI at the Paper Issues store checkout to save yourself 20% off everything in your cart.

I sure appreciate you popping in, and thank you for sticking with me through this new chapter. Pin It

Feeling Like Fall

We are beginning to really feel the crisp Fall air here on the prairies.  Sweaters and boots have started to make their way into my work wardrobe, and the air is cooler and cooler in the evenings around the pool/hot tub.

I know Fall is the most popular season, and the favourite of many.  For me, however, as much as I enjoy watching the canvas of the Heavens as the leaves, and landscape around me begin to change.  I have a hard time accepting the fact Winter is just around the corner.  Nine long months of sub zero temperatures, grey, wind, and snow.  Yuck!

But...before that comes, we get crunchy leaves.  Those make me happy, and provide fun photos to document the season.  I used the Pink Paislee Atlas Collection to create a layout documenting this little photo session we had with the girls a couple of years ago.  We would love to go back to this spot again next month and capture a whole new set of photos.

This month at Paper Issues is the first of our new month long format.  This month it's "How 'Bout them Apples".  With a focus on Fall, Fall colours, red and green, apples, pretty much anything Fall themed goes.  We even have a FREE printable for you to use in the Paper Issues store.

The flair button can be found in the {a flair for buttons} Etsy shop here.

I just love the cork words from the Atlas Collection, they even have tiny flecks of gold in them.

Hop over to the Paper Issues blog to see more inspirational takes on the Issue and link up your own take.  Remember you can always link up via Instagram and even Flickr or Pinterest.  And there is even more fun to be had over on the Facebook Friends & Fans page, where there are always additional challenges and prizes to be had.

Of course if you'd rather just shop for Fall themed supplies you're more than welcome to do that.  You can find the gorgeous new Pink Paislee Cedar Lane collection right here. Use code: SHERRI and save 20% off everything in your cart at checkout.

Thank you for stopping by, and happy scrapping friends!

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The Art of Clustering

I have so much love for this crew of mine.  We managed to get all the cousins (minus 1 who had to work), in one place, at one time, and it isn't even Christmas.

The Making Waves Collection by Fancy Pants Designs is all about water.  Perfect for pictures by the pool, and especially great to use when you have both genders in the photos.

I have always been a fan of clustering.  I love the way it frames photos and embellishments just perfectly.

The art of clustering lies in grouping together various sizes of the same shape.  It can also be done using different shapes but the shapes must compliment one another, and keep the eye moving.  You can see here the anchor is the largest piece, but the chain keeps your eye moving upward and the placement of each enamel dot also keeps the eye moving in the direction of my photo, the focal point of my layout.

See above, 3 layered pieces, different colours, different shapes, all facing the same direction, and surrounded by a second cluster of coordinating colours and sizes.  They all work together perfectly.

One last cluster, this one, linking the foam thicker title to the typed journaling along the bottom of the page.  Clusters work best when they are close to other elements of your layout, and not just floating out in empty space on your page.

I just love the Dear Lizzy Snapshots Thickers.  The puffy black font is perfect for adding pop to your page.

Looking to finish up some water themed photos from Summer?  Check out the Making Waves button mix, insta pack, and other element from the collection right here in the Paper Issues store.  Use my code and save yourself 20% off everything in your cart at checkout.

If you're more interested in the brand new goodies, they can be found right here on the shop's homepage. 

Happy crafting!

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Good Times September Sketch

We are showcasing layout created with the September sketch over on the Paper Issues blog today.  This is my take on it.

I used Amy Tangerine's Rise and Shine collection.  It's bright and fun just like the photo of these two monkeys.

Here is the original sketch based off a layout by the talented Lisa Dickinson for Elle's Studio.
Hop over to the blog for more inspiration using this sketch.  And link here up for your chance to win.

Thanks for popping in friends!

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