Paper Suite » Crafting Lifestyle Blog by Ashley Cannon Newell

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Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Hey there friends! Happy Saturday and National Scrapbooking Day. I hope you’ve carved out some extra time to create today because I have a few posts and projects that just may spark your creativity. First up, Studio Calico has loads of fun challenges to participate in. Whether you are a card maker, scrapbooker or project lifer, the challenges are for everyone. So, I challenge you to use FIVE different patterned papers on one card (or layout or PL spread). Here’s my card.

I knew this was going to be a serious challenge, especially if I wanted to make a clean and graphic card. First, I pulled out a few patterned papers from May’s North Star card add-on kits. I made sure to select patterns that flowed well together with patterns and colors. Next, I trimmed them to about 1/2″ wide and stared at them again! After the strips were pushed to an angle, I realized I’ll add them to the card front like that, then add a sentiment and embellish.

So simple, yet easy to do, and a striking design. At least I think so! And all those patterns combined together on such a small canvas isn’t too overwhelming. I hope you participate in today’s challenges, especially this one. Thanks for stopping by!

Stitch Fix Haul

Happy Wednesday!

I have a non-crafty post to share today. It’s all about fashion, which is what inspires a lot of my crafting, so it’s sort of related! Anyway, a couple of years ago, my husband discovered a mail-order fashion service for men. I thought it was the coolest concept. I forget the name of it now, but he wasn’t interested, but I was! I wish there was something like it for women. Well, time went on and I forgot about it until I stumbled across Stitch Fix!

What is Stitch Fix?

I like to sum it as “fashion in a box!”

  • You complete a fashion survey on their website with all your likes and dislikes, sizing information, and even social media links that show off your favorite fashion styles. A stylist will select items based off your survey and ship it to you.
  • You receive a box, check out your fashion finds, keep what you want and mail back anything you do not want within 3 days.
  • Each item comes with a tag. On the tag, there are photos of suggested outfits and styling if you need more assistance!
  • Shipping is via USPS Priority and is free both ways and only available to US shoppers (sorry)!
  • Styling costs $20, but the fee is deducted from whatever you decide to keep!
  • If you keep everything, you get a discount of about 25% I think!
  • Costs? It depends on what you select in your survey. My items ranged about $20 – $88 and I did not select the lowest priced option.
  • You can alter your survey responses at any time. I altered mine after receiving my first box to see the changes in price. I’ll let you know what happens!

I was excited about Stitch Fix, but I had no idea that my level of excitement would be through the roof until after I received my box. I was thrilled with the selections. It’s a personal shopping experience without the headache of spending your time doing it. I kept everything except one dress, which you can see below. I took these photos using my iPhone in low-lighting, so my apologies for the poor photos.

This dress is so me! I love the peach color and the platinum belt, which of course is interchangeable!

This item was my most pricey fashion fix!

This top is so comfortable. It’s a bit baggy, but the quality was amazing. I usually wouldn’t pay this much for a shirt like this, but decided to keep it. I tried it on with a pair of boyfriend jeans from my closet.

I’m wearing this today! It’s a chevron top. The colors are a Papertrey Ink blueberry sky and off-white. I also received the peach statement necklace. This was a great choice for me as I’m always looking for tops!

My last fix was a fail for me for a few reasons. First, the first was poor. It was too large under the arms. I also was not a fan of the floral impressionism art style print. It doesn’t look too bad in a photo, but was not “me,” so I shipped it back.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my Stitch Fix finds make sure to follow me on Instagram where I post a Stitch Fix fashion show! My next box arrives in a few short weeks!

Even if you’re not into fashion, at least you know what’s going on in a part of the fashion world now!

Jennifer KMay 2, 2013 - 8:32 am

Wow, I had no idea something like that even existed. Very cool concept. And that peach dress looks amazing on you! Definite keeper! :)

Leigh PennerMay 2, 2013 - 10:38 am

What a neat idea! I love ordering clothes online… seeing as we don’t have a lot of stores nearby.
I have a dress similar in style to your first one… it’s an ivory coloured Jones New York that my brother and is girlfriend gave me for my birthday last summer. It’s a little big, and I need to look into having it taken in. It came with a cloth belt you tie, but I love that you added a belt like that!

janelleMay 2, 2013 - 6:51 pm

I’m intrigued… Thanks for sharing!

Shawn WenrichMay 2, 2013 - 10:17 pm

Super fun post, thanks for sharing your find with us!

PauletteMay 3, 2013 - 7:11 pm

I think you are probably gorgeous in what ever you wear. This is such a neat idea! LOL I labor so much over what to choose. I need the, What Not to Wear people,to come empty my closet. =D

Tiffany JohnsonMay 21, 2013 - 11:55 pm

oooh, I love that first dress!!! You look amazing in all the items, but totally get something just not being “you”!

Studio Calico May Card Kit Projects

Hey there! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. I’ve been busy creating a few things to share with you all on Saturday which is National Scrapbook Day, so I hope you have planned to have an open day to create because there will be lots of stuff to do! I’ll be photographing a wedding, but my blog will be filled with a few projects.

*Main Card Kit Only*

Send this nautical themed card to someone special in your life just to say hello. I layered a few pennant strips behind the focal sentiment. Bright, colorful, and a bit neutral!

And here is Ahoy Matey a bit up close and personal. I love the two-tone gray striped patterned paper. I trimmed it to remove the sentiments to fit it on the card front!

*Main Card Kit Only*

For this lovey dovey card, I trimmed a sentiment printed on patterned paper and layered it over a stamped circle punch. I stamped the XOXO sentiment and added a left margin border.

Remember that sentiment I trimmed from the Ahoy Matey card? Well, I saved it and put it on this card!

*Main Card Kit Only*

I’ve made a miss you card filled with lots of patterned layers. Using some dies, I cut some sunshine ray strips and adhered it to some patterned paper. After adding a decorative border and a sentiment, I trimmed around the card front’s top border to make a shaped card.

The angular die cuts are from Hello Sunshine by Papertrey Ink.

*Main Card Kit Only*

This card is for stampers! Using that awesome stamp set in the card kit, I stamped a polka dot pattern at the top portion of the card and an anchor pattern on the lower portion. I separated the two patterns using the hemp cord and stamped a sentiment onto a label die cut (from Papertrey Ink).

I had so much fun stamping this clean and simple card. I can’t believe you can do it all with the Main Card Kit! The label die cut shape is Happy Day from Papertrey Ink.

*Halley’s Comet Project Life Add-on + North Star Card Add-on*

Who says those cute Project Life products are just for PL? I love them for cards, so I’ve used a PL journaling card as a sentiment. I love the script embossed font, so I trimmed that out to make that my focal point. I layered a few strips of patterned paper, lace trim, and added a border. A few sequins finishes the design.

Just when you thought wood veneer couldn’t get any better, check out that circular anchor one! WOW! And then those sequins! That’s a woodgrain pattern sequin! They are awesome!

*North Star Card Add-on + Halley’s Comet PL Add-on*

Using a PL journaling card, I heat embossed the star graphic. I created my baby-themed sentiment with the Amy Tan Thickers and layered it on some patterned papers.

Not sure why I thought this looked like a baby card, but it did to me, so I added the “sweet baby” sentiment.

*Halley’s Comet PL Add-on + North Star Card Add-on*

I created the background pattern by stamping it in lots of colors. Love that polka dot scribble effect! Next, I added a PL journaling card and stamped another sentiment on the bottom center. Last, I die cut some streamers (Papertrey Ink dies) and embellished with some candy dots and stars! So much fun!

The streamer dies are from Birthday Style by Papetrey Ink.

*North Star Card Add-on + Halley’s Comet PL Add-on*

Using a PL large journaling card as my card front, I punched semi-circles on the left and right sides and added the hemp cord. Next, I trimmed a bit off of a PL journaling card, stamped the sentiment, and inserted it into the mini envelope. Last, I layered the wood embellished onto a starburst die cut (papertery ink) and adhered it to the envelope. Glitter star stickers finished off the design.

The pinking circle die is from the Back Pocket Basics by Papertrey Ink.

DebraKApril 30, 2013 - 9:21 pm

Wow! I love all these card, but the one that takes the cake is the one with the unusual top on it in turquoise with rays and stars. I L-O-V-E it! So excited to see more on Saturday! You as always produce gorgeous work! Thanks for sharing Ashley.