My Paper Posies Challenge...

I really enjoyed the opportunity to be guest designer for Paper Posies this month. They asked me to create a challenge, too. That was easy...

With so many great patterns in the kit, it was hard to decide which side of each paper to use on a layout. Then it was hard to narrow down which patterns to include on a single page.

So, my challenge was to make it easy and to try to use at least 5 patterns on a single layout.
I used SEVEN different patterns on my layout "Hey Cupcake(s)."

My circle punch came in handy.

In other news, I loved the trim in the kit.

And the buttons.

And flowers.

And who can forget the GREAT set of black and white alphas.

It was a great kit to work with. Thanks again for the opportunity Paper Posies!

Paper Posies' August Sketch Challenge...

This month as guest designer for Paper Posies, I was asked to do the August challenge. DT member Mary Ann Metcalf decided to give us a sketch challenge. We used a sketch by Liz Chidester - Sketch #127 (here).

For my layout, I selected a photo from my NYC trip in December. I flipped the sketch, extended my title & journaling, stitched my circle, added buttons and made a few adjustments with the patterned paper strips. In the end, I have a layout that makes me smile and documents a story I don't want to forget (even if I'm still surprised I spent $7 for ONE strawberry!).

I loved the alphas in this kit - so many options! And that stripe paper...I think I used it on EVERY project I made with the kit!

Thanks for looking!

Paper Posies August Guest Designer...

Last year when I tried out for the design at Paper Posies, I was a little disappointed when I didn't make it. I just kept reminding myself that they only added a couple new members. (My friend Melanie was one of them!) A couple weeks ago Paper Posies' owner contacted me to ask if I'd be interested in guest designing for them for August. My answer, of course, was YES! The next week, I had a full kit in front of me waiting to be used.

The kit contains Basic Grey's new paper line "Out of Print." At first glance, this line didn't seem to be my style, but then I realized that I LOVED most of the "b-sides" from the line. And, there was a wonderful STRIPE pattern that seemed to tie everything together perfectly. I think I used that stripe on every single project I completed this month!

Plus, the kit included a set of American Craft fabric Thickers and a 12x12 sheet of Basic Grey alphas with both black and white letters. Three alphas gave me so many possibilities.

I also love that Paper Posies kits come with two sheets of each color of cardstock. I fell in love with the Bazzill Atlantic (blue) cardstock. I used it to create a 2-page layout for Blake's album with photos from a recent photo shoot. One photo of Blake allowed me to continue my title directly on the photo.

Plus, I added some of the October Afternoon rub-ons to the page, too. I made a card, too!The week I received the kit, I had caught the old Vanilla Ice hit from 1991 on the radio and introduced my boys to "Ice, Ice Baby." So...when I saw a photo of them ICING cookies, I instantly had a title in mind!It's a simple page that used scrap strips. I outlined the white alphas with a black pen to make them pop off the page a bit.

I also worked in an Easter layout. Another simple page using only patterned paper, alphas, and rub-ons. It's rare for me to do such a "flat" page, but I really like it.

I have a couple additional projects that I completed with the kit, but since they are both for challenges, I'll share them later.

The kit went live today. Check it out!

Here's a sneak for you...

Check out the blog post over at Paper Posies here... I can't wait to share my other guest designer projects with you. I really enjoyed their August kit and was able to complete 5 layouts and a card with it.

Stay tuned...