Hey there and good morning. I'm on the Paper Issues Blog today with my project for the Grid Lock challenge.  I really like using a grid design with my photos on my pages and do so often. Today I wanted to do something different. I mean why not. It's a challenge after all right? So, I created a grid as the base for my embellishments.

I started by cutting the Pretty Little Studio Frozen Sky paper using the December Tags cut file. I altered one of the tags that had an ornament in it, then repeated the design to created a grid. I layered the ornament paper over the Crate Paper Snowcapped paper. Yep. I purposely placed those snowflakes right in the center.

After giving it some thought, I realized I could make it look like a shaker card if I used pop tape. So that's what did.  I sprinkled some of the Pink Paislee Mixed Embellishments  in a few of the spaces, adding a few Crate Paper stickers. I drew a thin line around the grid using Nuvo Drops add a bit more color.

It really was that simple.

I love to bake and used the excuse of the holidays to over do it again this year. I find it so relaxing, The house smells so good, and they taste good too. I should bake more often. 

Thank so much for stopping by my creative view and for spending the last year with me here. I plan on continuing into next year. I hope you'll follow along with me here and also on Instagram @thebeachygal. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. 

Thankful

Hey there! I'm on the Paper Issues Blog today sharing this project using our incredible FREE cut files. Yep. It's a Free File Free for All!

I used two cut files today. The first is the Leaves and Laurels for the leaves under my photo. I cut them out of 3 different papers from the Paper Issues kits, then layered them. It kinda looks like the photo is sitting in a basket of leaves. I love it! I cut the title, Thankful out of the Gorgeous Ovals .

I've been pretty obsessed with the Paper Issues kits. Here's what I love most about them: 1) They are a great value. There is so much in each kit! 2) They blend well from one month to the next! and 3) The vary in each kit is amazing!  Anyway, can you guess what I used on this page? Yep. I  mixed the October and November kits. I layered several papers behind the photo and added a bunch of the stickers and Nuvo Vintage drops.

Between the cut files and the kits, this was east and fun to put together!

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. When I'm not here, you can find me on Instagram @thebeachygal. Can't wait to show you what's next. 

Good Things

Hey there! It's Scraplift Sunday at Paper Issues and I'm sharing my lift of Cassie W's page on the Paper Issues Blog today!   You can check out her layout below.

I am totally in love with the Paper Issues Monthly kits.  I couldn't wait to tear or umm, cut into it. They are pure heaven. Have you noticed that each month kind of mixes well with the previous month?!?! Genius!  

Anyway, I love that Cassie's LO is on an angle but I was not feeling that. Nope. I straightened out the design. Other than that. I pretty much lifted the entire thing. Well. ok, I made some changes because that's what I do! I moved the title to the bottom and journaled between the photos on one of the Pink Paislee Again & Again ephemera. I added some sequins from the November Swag Bag , and also lots of Again & Again stickers. Did you know pieces of the monthly kits are usually stocked individually in the shop? Well you do now!  Lastly, Nuvo drops. Always Nuvo drops.

I have a thing about cherries. I think it stems from a  poem my Grandma used to read to me. At one time I could recite it from memory. Since moving here, all I've ever wanted to do was go cherry picking. This year we finally did. The day was awesome from start to finish. We met up with one of my Paper Issues friends, picked many pounds of cherries, ate blueberry donuts, took some amazing photos, then went out for Mexican food for lunch. I can't wait to go back again next summer. 

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today.  You can also find me on Instagram @thebeachygal more often than not. Cant wait for you to come back here again soon. Check out the Paper Issues Monthly kitsand so much more in the Paper Issues shop. Use DEVRA at checkout for 20% off your purchase. You'll be glad you did. 

Fall Wreath

Hey there! I'm on the Paper Issues blog today with a project inspired by the Aspiration challenge. I made something totally different than usual for me. I made a paper wreath.

Now, I probably should tell how how I got from a cake to a wreath right? Well, here goes. It's not really that big of a leap. I was inspired bu the circles, the stacked layers, and the navy blue accents. 

The fabulous Thankful 30 Kit had just arrived and I couldn't wait to dig in to it. It is filled with the best mix of fall papers!!! I was already working on my Thankful 30 project, and just in the grateful mood. I had seen a paper wreath last fall at a local craft store and decided to make my own. 

I grabbed all of the Simple Stories Fall Farmhouse  papers from the kit, cut all the strips, about 60 of them, then glued them into loops and layered them around a chipboard circle. My favorite part of this is the giant bow I made from the Polka Dot Heart & Bow cut file.  See! Circles, layers and navy blue. 

It's good to change things up a bit!  Sometimes getting our of my box sparks a little extra creativity. Now I cant wait to go make more things!

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. Catch more of my stuff on Instagram @thebeachygal. Join the fun in our Facebook group where you can find all of the November Challenges. You can get the Thankful 30 kit, Simple Stories and so much more in the Paper Issues shop. Use DEVRA at checkout for 20% off your purchase.

Special Moments

Hey there! I'm on the Paper Issues blog today sharing my project for the Keep It Sketchy challenge. This is such a fun sketch with so many possibilities! Let me tell you, when I first looked at it, I most definitely did not see Halloween for my page. I had all kinds of ideas. 

I had a few outdoorsy photos of my son and I.  Vicki Boutin Wildflower and Honey was sitting on my desk. I love the large flowers and natural pieces in the ephemera! I kinda thought they were made for each other. But what was I going to use for the shaped part??? Ohhh, I thought I remembered there was a wood grain or tree something or other cut file in the shop. Yup. There are actually a couple! I used the Rings of Life  FREE cut file, trimming the edge off after I glued it down.  I've been playing around with sequins and Nuvo drops lately. I think they pair nicely. I like that there are so many colors to play with.  So there you have it. A super fun sketch that can be used in a bunch of different ways! How will you use it?

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. Catch me on Instagram @thebeachygal to see more of my stuff. Grab Vicki Boutin Wildflower and Honey and so much more in the Paper Issues Shop. It's 20% off when you use DEVRA at checkout. Join the fun in our Facebook Group where you can find this and all our  October Challenges. See you again soon!

Pure Honey

Hey there! I'm on the Paper Issues blog today sharing my layout for the Take 5 challenge. I was really looking forward to this challenge. So many choices! So many ideas!

Well, Let me start with my 5, well, 6 items from the list: Patterned Paper, Orange, Stickers, Stencils, Layers and Leaves. There. Now let me tell you how it came together. Vicki Boutin WildFlower & Honey has been staring at me since it first arrived in my hands. If you don't have this, I don't know what you are waiting for! Get it now while there is still some left!

Anyway, I kind of knew exactly what I wanted to do. That's not always the case!   First I used the stencils with some gelatos and art crayons to create the background. Next I cut the Bud Wreath cut file.  Then is was a matter of deciding which combination of flowers to use, ephemera or stickers, or well, both! I really can't decide if this collection fit the challenge or the other way around. A lot of the Take 5 items are in this collection. I guess it doesn't matter. I love the end result.

I finally had the chance to spend some time with my newest cousin. She was mush more interested in my sister than in me. That's ok. She's as cute as can be and I was happy to see her.

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. Head over to our Facebook Group to find this and all of the  October Challenges. The Paper Issues shop is fully stocked with your favorite Fall and Halloween goodies. Shop using DEVRA at checkout for 20% off your purchase. 

We like Cake!

Hey there! I've got the last post of the month on the Paper Issues blog today. My project is for the Rolling with the Punches challenge.

You know what's funny. I get ideas for using my punches all the time. But when it came to using them for this challenge, I hit a wall. No ideas whatsoever.  So I stopped overthinking and just started creating. I figured they'd find a way on to the page somehow.

First, I grabbed the September Kit. There's got to be some ideas in there right? Yup. I mixed in some Amy Tangerine Slice of Life Thickers in there as well. I was just putting papers and stickers together but it wasn't coming together. Well, thank you border punches. I used the bunting border punch with the blue watercolor paper from the kit. I punched 3 different lengths, glued them in 3 places and now the whole things feels finished. I didn't reinvent the wheel with my punches, but it definitely made a difference.

I spent a few days with my sister over the summer celebrating her birthday. It was a special one, and deserved a special cake. We love cake! Being the cooking show nerds that we are, I ordered her a cake from Christina Tosi's bakery, Milk Bar. OMG, I'm so glad I did. 

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today.  It may be the last day of September, but all that means is a whole new month of challenges begins tomorrow. Better stock up for the amazing challenges coming your way! Use Devra at checkout in the Paper Issues shop for 20% off your purchase. Head over to the Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group for the last week to enter your projects in the September album. 

Chill Out

Hey there! I'm sharing this project on The Cut Shoppe blog today. It features the Chill Out cut file. This is such a fun cut file and it can be used in so many ways. I could have used it for a page about my son reading, or my other son making a mess with his toys. Nope, not this time. Today I used it for a page about ice cream. Get it? Chill out!

The hard part for me was deciding how big to make the file. The bigger the file, the smaller the photos. I also didn't want to cover it up, I wanted it to stand out.  Cutting it out of dark paper, backing it with light paper helped do just that.  I was able to trim the photos before tucking them underneath. I love using large cut files like these. I don't have to add a lot of embellishments. Just some stickers, and a few pieces of A Flair for Buttons flair and it's done!

Going out for ice cream is a given in the middle of summer when it's super hot out. It's extra special though to go out to Basking Robbins with Papa and Grammy. It reminds me of going out with my grandparents when I was young. 

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. Head over to The Cut Shoppe to get this and so many incredible cut files! See you again soon.

Sunshine On My Mind

Hey there! I'm excited to share my first September project on the Paper Issues Blog today. I created this layout for the Pinspire Me challenge.

I know, I know. you are looking at this, looking back at the board and wondering where in the world did she come up with this? Well, let me tell you. See that top right square? I was inspired by the layers of dots.

I started but cutting a stencil out of the Spraying Water cut file. I used gelatos and art crayons to color through the stencil. Then the layers began! I used lots and lots of Nuvo drops, then threw on some sequins that were in my swag bags to create the layers on the dots.  I used the Paper Issues Kits for the rest of the page. I love the versatility of these kits!

One of my favorite things to do at my Dad's house it to lay on the blue raft in the pool. Just me, the sun and the water. Pure relaxation.

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. Come back again soon, I have more to share. Catch me on Instagram too @thebeachygal

She Believed

Hey there! It's been a while since I shared a page on the A Flair for Buttons blog.  Well, Here you go! I have so many projects in my head, I can't get them made fast enough.   This is one of them. I've been trying to get this done since June!

This layout is about my last day at work, and 10 days before I started my new job. I'd been wanting a change for a while. It took some work and perseverance, but I stuck it out and it paid off. 

I started with the She-Ra FREE cut file from Paper Issues. It's really the whole story right there. I thought the Crate Paper All Heart,  and some inspirational flair would bring the rest my story to life. It did. I didn't have to do much after that. I tucked and layered stickers and ephemera around my photo. I finished it off with flair from 3 different sets: Lovely Words 8, Lovely Words 3 and Girl Boss Gold. 

Thanks for stopping by my creative view today. I have a lot to share so come back again soon. You can also find me on Instagram @thebeachygal. 

Lovely Words 8

Lovely Words 3

Girl Boss Gold

Pool Side

Hey there and Happy September! I'm starting the month sharing this layout on The Cut Shoppe blog today. I used the Pool Side cut file that was featured in the July 25 newsletter. 

I loved this cut file when I saw it, but had to wait to use it! Our vacation was at the end of the summer. I was writing down ideas the whole time and the day after we got home I made this layout. 

I decided to slightly tilt the cut file so I could put the photos on an angle as well. Setting the photo on lighter, brighter colors than the dark navy of the cut file created balance throughout the page.

Thanks so much for stopping by my creative view today. Come back again soon to see what else I have going on. You can also catch more of my projects on Instagram @thebeachygal

The Cut Shoppe newsletter comes out twice a month. Cut files included in the newsletter are only available in the newsletter. Subscribe now so you don't miss out on the next one!

Never Act Your Age

Hey there! I'm sharing this project on The Cut Shoppe blog today, It features the On A Roll cut file.  I've wanted to use this cut file for a while now, but just coudn't pin down an idea for it. Until now. 

I wanted something fun and whimsical for some Disneyland photos. This cut file is perfect. I did a few things to it though. First I cut out the pieces. Then I went back in to design mode and moved the pieces away from each other in order to create more space. Then I used the offset tool to cut the stitch lines. As a bonus, with all the patterned papers I used, the extra space works in my favor. Next, I want to make a pizza with this cut file!

Sometimes you need to go do something fun, where you can be silly, laugh and just do what you want. This is my sister and I doing just celebrating her birthday at Disneyland.

Thanks so much for stopping my my creative view today. Come back again soon, I have more to share. 

Picture Perfect

Hey there! I'm on the Paper Issues blog today with my project for the Let's Get Fussy Challenge. Let's talk fussy cutting for moment shall we? I've found you either love it or hate it. I'm on the I love to fussy cut team. I sure do enjoy a little time with my scissors and a piece of pretty patterned paper!

So, I was stalking my mailbox waiting for the August Paper Issues Kit. I had to cut apart the Love Always paper in the new Amy Tangerine collection, Slice of Life.   Oh those hearts!  Well, look at that. It's exactly what I did. After I cut them all out, I used both sides of the paper to create my design. I love the pop of yellow and the little bit of pattern it brings. Some are even raised with pop tape! I faced them towards each other, sandwiching the photos in between. So easy.

The hearts are everything on this page. It didn't need much embellishing. I just used the Truly Grateful ephemera and Phrase Thickers that are in the kit! Perfection.

These two are my world. But even though they are close in age, they are worlds apart. Walking in to find them like this made me cry. Bubba rarely goes in Big Bro's room. Climbing up on the bed is something I've never seen him do before. It's something I hope I see again. 

Thank for stopping by my creative view today. If you missed out on this months kit, never fear, Some of the pieces are available individually in the Paper Issues shop. Use DEVRA at checkout for 20% off your purchase. We always want to see what you create. Share your projects in the August Challenges album in our   Facebook Group .  See you next time!