Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand & Sea - Kypseli

Lynn here today with a new Papermaze DT layout using The Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection. Previously I created two layouts using the gentler colours from this collection, so here is a layout with the stronger blue and red colours.

This layout has a more nautical theme, a photo of my husband and me onboard the yacht 'Kypseli', our home for two weeks flotilla sailing in the Greek Ionian Islands last year. 

I used a sheet of Avalanche Bazzill cardstock, and with a scrap of polythene, I applied watered down Distress Oxide Ink (Uncharted Mariner) to the card. 

I cut pieces from the several papers from the collection:
1.75" x 10" Stay Salty (red & White stripe), 7" x 5" Shore is Fun (Blue & White spot) & 5.5" x 6" Great Escape (wooden board area). The edges were inked and arranged as seen in the image.

My photo was mounted onto white card, and place at the centre of the page. I added the date under the photo with Doodlebug Designs Teensy Type - Blue Jean alphabet stickers. The Yacht name title was made with Doodlebug Designs My Type Alphabet Stickers - Lily White. 

For embellishments I added:
A tag top selected from the Tag Elements paper, with a large white brad. stickers including 'Let's 'Sail Away' and the seagull from the Cardstock Sticker Icons sheet.
The seagull label and a red & white dot label from the Journal Bits pack.
I chose a section from the 3x4 / 4x6 Elements paper, and cut out the yacht and the phrase. 
With the 49 and Market - Summer Porch collection - Laser Cut Elements, I selected the net and the blue knotted rope. 
A few acrylic anchors from my stash. 

The net was placed to the left side of the layout, with the blue rope over the top. I cut a slot in the seagull label and threaded it through the rope. The rope was arranged over the net with the label to the top left of the layout. 

The yacht was placed to the bottom left and stuck down with 3D pads. The phrase 'set sale on new adventures' was placed to the right of the wood paper. the red and white dot label has journalling written on it and it was tucked into the top of the photo. It can be removed to read the details. 

That's all for today, I'll be back with another layout from this collection soon. 
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Pinkfresh Studio - Fresh Start - It's a Good Day

Hello, Karen here again with another layout using the Fresh Start collection from Pinkfresh Studio.

I love a grid style layout and so when I saw the 'You Got This' paper in the 12x12 Paper Pack I knew I had to use it.

First, I trimmed the 'Next Chapter' paper slightly and layered it onto dark blue cardstock to create a narrow border. 

Since I had a grid layout in mind, I lightly drew a 3x4 grid on the page to frame the rectangles I planned to cut from the 'You Got This' paper. Then came the labour of love! I stitched along each line with a chain stitch using three strands of white embroidery thread. It took a bit of time, but I like  the finished look.

In ten of the spaces in the grid I placed pieces cut from the  'You Got This' paper leaving the two remaining spaces for my photos.

The rectangles were embellished with puffy stickers from the puffy sticker sheet....

... and die cuts from the Ephemera Pack.

One of the die cuts serves as my title.

I also added some tiny stars, hearts and dots from the puffy sticker sheet.

To finish the layout, I added my journaling to a notebook die-cut in the bottom left corner.

Thank you so much for stopping by to look at my layout today! Hopefully, it inspires you to create a grid design of your own. If you love this gorgeous Pinkfresh Studio collection, you can find it in the shop now - but hurry, because it’s selling fast!

Simple Stories - Simply Vintage Sand & Sea - Shetland

Lynn here today with another layout using The Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection. I have had great fun using the gentler colours from this collection, but I'll be back with layouts using the stronger colours next time!

This layout shows photos from my recent adventures in Shetland. While we were there, filming was taking place for the BBC TV Series 'Shetland', and here are photos of the home of Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez, known as The Lodberrie. 

I selected the sheet of Journal Elements paper, with the sand and sea side up (This sheet was gutted, to give me a 1" deep frame). Then I trimmed Smooth White Bazzill to 11" x 11", and inked the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink. Then I splattered watered-down Distress Oxide Ink (Tea Dye and Uncharted Mariner), vertically through the centre of the cardstock. Once dry the card was mounted over the frame.

I trimmed the photos and placed them to the right of a 11" x 4" piece of Tides and Treasures paper. Before sticking this to the page, I trimmed the long sides with strips torn from the Enjoy the View paper.

I cut a tag from the Tag Elements paper, and punched a hole in the top. With a length of white seam binding ribbon, and some more watered down inks (colours as above), I dip dyed the ribbon and set it aside to dry. Then the ribbon was looped through the tag and tied in a bow. I added a date using the Tim Holtz Sizzix Alphanumeric die set - Label and scraps of papers already used. I tucked the tag into the top right of the photo band.

Next, I made the title - I used sand paper with a heavy grit, and a Sizzix Bigz xl alphabet die. Once the letters were glued to the layout, I perched a seagull on the letters from the 49 and Market Summer Porch Laser Cut Elements pack. 

From the pack of Journal Bits - I selected a journalling spot, which I placed to the left of the photos, and added my details. I then fussy cut the camera from the and rowing boat from the Summer Porch collection.

From the sheet of Combo Elements paper, I cut the phrases 'high tides + good vibes' and  'sand + sea', placing one above the tag and the other below the row boat. 

That's all for today, I'll be back with more from this collection soon.
Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Simple Stories - Open Road - Lets Go!

Hello!

Claire here today, and I couldnt help but share one more layout with the Open Road collection from Simple Stories.

This time, I'm focusing on the gorgeous floral, and documenting a recent trip to a country fair in Dorset.

The layout design was inspired by a sketch I saw on Pinterest, but unfortunately, I don't know who created it.

I started with some paper strips running vertically down the page to anchor the design. For extra grounding, I also added a dottled outline with a black pen. I complemented the paper strips with two edges from the Cardstock Sticker Icon Sheet.  

I chose two photos, printed one smaller than the other and then mounted these in the You Are Here paper. I offset them on top of the paper straps and then began all the fun embellishing!

Using the Floral Bits & Pieces, I created clusters around my photos, extending the design. They're such pretty colours and designs I love how it brightens the layout.

I also cut a tag from the Tag Elements paper, and added a few extra florals and stickers to draw it into the design.

Next, i created a smaller cluster, again cutting a smaller tag and adding a few florals and butterflies, and a few extra phrases from the Cardstock Sticker Icons sheet.

For my title, I used the Lets Go Sticker, splitting this across both photos to draw your eye down the page.

I added two pieces of coloured twine to each tag, and with that, the page was done!

Ive really lived this collection - you can probably tell!! I hope you're having fun documenting your summer activities too.

I'll be back next month with some more creative fun.

Until then, happy scrapping!

Claire x

@scrappysoulmate 

Documemting Trips & Days Out

Hi It's Lisa here.

It's my favourite time of year for memory keeping.

Lots of fun adventures and little trips.

So I thought I'd share some of my favourites ways to tell my stories today with you.  

I finished my Germany Travel Journal recently.

I love tags. They are so easy to use.

I had so much fun with these tags from Simple Stories.

They are from a Disney collection but they are still so versatile.

 My journal has nothing to do with Disney, but I can still use them.

Look how pretty they are.

And they are all a plainer design on the back so I've added photos and a spot of journaling.

Have you ever had a piece of patterned paper that you want to use over and over again?  LOL

This is mine. I've ordered this a few times. 

The yellow hearts from Pretty Little Studios. 

I just LOVE it! 

I have 2 tips for you here.

I love buying a pack of cards on my trips to use in my journals.

This pack was of South Germany. There were some great photos on the backs.

And I really enjoy using thin washi to use as journal lines.

Let's face it, we all have a good collection of washi, so let's use it : )

Here's another tip for you.

Remember to pick up the free maps and leaflets on your travels.

I turned this one into an envelope.

Just simple by taking an older envelope apart and using as a template to draw around and cut out.

It's a great way to add receipts etc..  

I also enjoy adding tab tops.

I have a great punch and use it on my paper scraps.

It's a great way to add colour and extra texture .

I love this spotty paper which you can find here.

And finally, remember to buy postcards when you are having a day out.

They are a great addition to for your story telling and evening though you may be taking photos yourself, a postcard will often have a view from an angle you physical can't get. 

I've added mine here with some tape on the side to create a flip.

I hope these ideas have inspired you today.

Enjoy your Summery days out and keeping all those precious memories.

Have a lovely weekend.

Lisa xx

Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand & Sea - Dunwich

Something a little different from me for August, because Papermaze is taking a break from the usual monthly kit.  I have chosen to create my design team layouts with products from The Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Sand and Sea collection. 

On Wednesday 29^th July 2026, we spent a leisurely morning on the beach at Dunwich on the east coast. Little did we know that the surrounding heathland would catch fire later the same day.

A statement by the National Trust:
“On 29 July, a wildfire started, which later spread onto Dunwich Heath and the entire landscape was engulfed in flames. A place loved for its sweeping purple heather and rare wildlife has been left scarred almost beyond recognition.

The devastation is heart breaking.

Precious habitat is damaged and vulnerable; an area estimated to be the size of 210 football pitches has been affected. As one of the UK's most important coastal heathland landscapes, it is home to nightjars, Dartford warblers, adders, common lizards and rare heathland insects.”

I started by cutting the barcode strip from the Beach Life paper. Then I laid a 2" band of burlap across the middle of the layout.

From the Tag Elements paper, I selected four tags and cut them out. I chose tags in natural colours to complement the background paper. The tags were inked with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. I punched a hole in the top of each tag, applied an eyelet and arranged them across the layout, with the plain sides up. I attached the tags with 3D Foam pads. I threaded some thick Jute twine through the tags, catching it down with some wet glue in placed between the tags.

I trimmed three small photos and placed them evenly and ventrally across the tags, leaving a gap at each end. The gap on the right was filled with journalling. On the right I added an element from the Cardstock Sticker - Icons sheet.

I trimmed the phrase 'Salty Kisses + sandy Toes' from another tag on the Tag Elements sheet. These were inked and attached with more 3D pads to the bottom right of the layout. I attached a seahorse charm under the last word. 

I cut a title and a shadow using the Cricut, I used Seaside Smiles paper for the top layer, and Great Escape paper for the shadow layer.

The 'Enjoy the moment' sentiment across the top of the photos is from the Journal Bits pack.

That's all for today, I'll be back with more from this collection soon, 
Thanks for looking
Lynn x

Pinkfresh Studio - Fresh Start - You Brighten the World

Hello, Karen here again. Today I am sharing my first project using Pinkfresh Studio's Fresh Start collection. This collection is described by Pinkfresh as being 'filled with soft pastels, happy florals, whimsical butterflies, cosy coffee cups, books, cameras, globes, office supplies, and inspiring phrases and is perfect for documenting new chapters, everyday life, school memories, travel, creative hobbies, friendships, and all the small moments in between.' It really is a lovely collection and I'm thrilled to be working with the 12x12 Paper Pack, Ephemera Packs and Puffy Sticker Sheet.

For this layout I started with the Chasing Dreams paper and, as I often do, I trimmed it down slightly and layered onto a sheet of pale green cardstock to create a narrow border around the edge.

I added some texture to the background by machine stitching around the edge of the paper using white thread.

Next, I used my Silhouette to cut a large divided circle out of white cardstock, sizing it to perfectly match the printed colour wheel on the patterned paper. To create some shadow and add some more dimension, I layered the cardstock cut file directly over the patterned paper using 3D foam tape.

On top of the circle I placed three vertical photo booth style photos.

I used die cuts from the Floral Ephemera Pack to create three clusters around the edge of the circle.

I chose pieces in pink. blue and yellow and arranged them beside the corresponding sections of the circle. I placed 3D foam underneath some of the die cuts.

I dug into my stash and found some older Pinkfresh Chipboard Flair with the perfect sentiments and matching colours. That’s the great thing about Pinkfresh Studio - so many of their collections share a similar colour palette, making it so easy to mix and match your older stash with brand new releases. If you don't have these specific chipboard pieces, any round embellishments like buttons or metal flair would work with this layout.

One of the phrases from the Ephemera Pack was used as a title and was nestled in amongst the floral die cuts.

I used some small multi-coloured puffy alpha stickers at the bottom of the page to add my journaling.

Finally I dotted some of the tiny embelishments from the puffy sticker sheet around the layout.

Thank you for dropping by today.

Until next time, take care.

Karen x x