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

March Papermaze Kit - Part 1

Hello, Lynn here today with two layouts created using the March Papermaze Kit. Full of pretty floral and rustic papers, colour matched cardstock and embellishments. For my first two layouts I have picked the farmyard style papers from 49 and Market's Whispering Way collection.

Before looking at how the layouts were made, here is what you will find in the kit:

Patterned Papers:
49 and Market - Whispering Way collection - Farm Fresh & Sunshine Days
Carta Bella - Pressed Floral collection - 3 x 4 Journalling Cards
Carta Bella - Feels Like Home collection - Floral Frame & Cottage Floral
Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Junk Drawer collection - Willow

The photo below shows both sides of the papers

Embellishments: Mintay Chippies Titles - 1 line, 3 Prima Cherry Sweet flowers, 6 Uniquely Creative Bohemian Escape Vellum, 2 Kaisercraft Frames, Kaisercraft Rhinestone Flower, Bo Bunny - Beautiful Things - Candy Dots, Hero Arts Clay Hearts, 12" Lace.

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Twig, Rosewood (included in kit), Classic Smooth White, Quartz, Guacamole and  Yukon Gold.

Cobtree Museum - When the children were on their school summer holiday, we spent a Day at The Cobtree Museum of Kent Life, Maidstone. They enjoyed playing in 'The Darling Buds of May' set. Here is my daughter on Pop Larkin's Truck.

I chose the Farm Fresh paper for this layout, I has some rustic farm yard images centred around a big circular egg farm symbol. You will see from the photo below how I gutted this paper, so that I could use the brick work print from the 'B' side as a mount for my photo. I was careful to trim around the 'Fresh Farm Eggs' sign and milk churn. I cut the cut-out piece into smaller pieces and 'built' a brick wall around my photo. Then tucked the photo under the sign and churn. As with all cut edges on this layout, I inked the edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

Using a BIGZ XL alphabet die (Wonderland) and some greyboard from my stash, I cut the letters for the title. The letters were painted with two different coloured coats of Distress Paint (Ground Espresso and Brushed Corduroy). Once dry I added a layer of Cracking Medium, allowing this to dry naturally and cause the top layer of paint to crack, giving a weathered wood effect. I protected the letters with a thin layer of Glossy Accents.

The letters were arranged following the line of the circular design printed on the paper. 

I made a subtitle using Sizzix Thinlits Alphanumeric Label die set to cut letters from the Yukon Gold Bazzill in the kit. I arranged the letters inside the larger title. 

I cut more letters and numbers for the date, these were arranged of two small tags cut using the Sizzix Framelits Tag Collection Die set. Using another small tag, I added some journalling. Fine jute twine was looped through the holes in the tags. 

I purchased a pack of 49 and Market Laser Cut Elements from the Whispering Way collection, I selected a few images, and along with the tags, applied them to the layout using 3D foam pads. Small pieces of raffia were tucked under some of the pieces. 

Badsell Farm Park - A day out for the Children with Twin's Club friends, after winning tickets for the Badsell Farm Park, Paddock Wood. Andrew loved all the farm machinery he was able to climb onto and pretend to drive.  

This time I chose the Sunshine Days paper, from the Whispering Way collection. I added more chicken wire to this page using Aged Mahogany Distress Paint mixed with Texture Paste, and worked through a stencil (TCW259S). This was set aside to dry. 

The title letters were cut using another Sizzix BIGZ XL die (Block Tall Capital) and more Greyboard. I treated these with a coat of Aged Mahogany Distress paint. Brushed Corduroy Distress paint was blended with Texture Paste and this was plastered over the painted letters, leaving a rough finish, and allowing the Aged Mahogany to show through. 

Once dried, the letters were arranged around the top of the circular image on the paper. 

I selected images from two packs of 49 and Market Laser Cut elements (Krafty Garden and Whispering Way). 

I tucked in a few 49 and Market Vintage Bits Essential Tickets - Sunbeam.  

Finally, I used some old rub-ons for the date. 

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

January Papermaze Kit

Lynn here today, sharing the DT layouts I have made with the January Papermaze kit. The lovely colours in this kit lend themselves beautifully to winter and Christmas layouts. 

Before looking at how these layouts were made, here is what you will find in the kit:

Patterned Papers:
49 and Market - Vicki Boutin - Curiosities in Willow Grove - Starters Paper 7
49 and Market - Vicki Boutin - Mistletoe & Memories - Staples Paper 5
Mintay Papers - Cottage Heart - #04 & #06
Echo Park - Snow Day - Cozy Plaid
Graphic 45 - Deck the Halls - Calm and Bright 

The photo below shows both sides of the patterned papers:

Embellishments: 
Pink Paislee - 5th & Monaco - Puffy Words
Craft Consortium - Enamel Dots
Rosie's Studio - Full of Wonder - Snowflake
Nellies Choice - Snowflake Stamps
Buttons Galore Sparklets - Starry Sky
Prima - The Home Baker - Ephemera
Super Ribbons - Blue Ribbon 

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Touch of Pink, Evening Surf (included in kit), Jade, Aqua, Twill and Coconut Swirl.

Happy Moments - A moment in time captured by my daughter, of her daughter playing . 

I started by creating my plaid border, to do this I gutted the EP Cozy Plaid paper. I saved the centre piece for use later on. Then I trimmed the Mintay #06 paper, to measure 11" x 11", and distressed the edges. 

Using a large heart template I made for the purpose, I drew the shape onto the scrips side of the #06 paper with pencil. Then with a pack of 49 and Market Vintage Artistry - Serenity Rub-ons and the Rub-ons Transfer sets; I rubbed some blots and phrases onto the paper. I chose a larger phrase for the title. 

I printed my photos with white borders, and arranged these diagonally across the page. From the remains of the Cozy Plaid paper, I cut two pieces 2" x 5" and distressed the edges. With these pieces blue side up, I placed one, tucked behind the top and bottom two photos. The paper and photos were stuck into place.

I raided my stash and found gems and pearls in shades of gold, brown, blue and white. I stuck these close together along the pencil lines. 

Tree Shopping Together - A family tradition, to go Christmas tree shopping on 1st December.

The background for this layout is the Starters Paper 7 paper, I chose the side with the trees printed down the right of the sheet.

Using my Cricut I cut a Peartree Cutfile (Winter Branches Wreath), in two sizes, both from the Jade Bazzill from the kit. I also cut a large star using the kit's Aqua Bazzill. To create the effect of a dusting of snow, rather than a complete covering, I dabbed the wreaths and star with an Emboss It Clear Dabber. I sprinkled and heat embossed Stampendous Frantage Shabby White Embossing Enamel.

I cut a smaller star with some rose gold glitter card from my stash. I flicked some white acrylic paint over both stars. I tied some ivory organza ribbon around the star, creating a bow at the front. I added a die cut snowflake from a previous Papermaze kit, and a gold wire and bead holly bough from an old Christmas card.

I mounted my photo onto white card and trimmed to make a narrow border. From last month's kit, I  selected  a tag from Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Believe collection - Tag Elements sheet. I inked the edges with Forest Moss Distress Ink, punched a hole in the top and threaded some jute twine through, then tied it in a bow.

I used the tag for my title, made with 49 and Market Evergreen Season - Chipboard words. From this collection I also selected the snowflakes.

At this point I glued everything in place. Further embellishments were made with white pearls, added to the larger wreath and three wooden trees.

For the date, I used more of the Jade Bazzill and Sizzix Thinlits Alphanumerics 'Label' die set.

That's all for today, back with more from this kit soon.
Thank you for looking.
Lynn x

May Papermaze Kit - Part 1

Lynn here, with the new Papermaze Kit for May. The kit is full of bold and bright coloured papers and Bazzill Cardstock. Great for fun filled summer, kids and holiday layouts. My first two layouts record my children's activities, when they were much younger.



In the kit you will find the following items:

Patterned Papers:
Echo Park - Born to Travel - See the Sights Plaid & Postcard
Echo Park - Little Things Mean a Lot - Bright Butterflies
Graphic 45 - Spring is in the Air - Choose Happy
Photo Play - Lucky Cat - Cherry Blossoms
Simple Stories - For the Record - Just the Details

The photo above shows both sides of each paper.

Embellishments:
2 Woodware junk Label Stamps, purple & pink Studio Light pearls, 10 Dress It Up red hearts, 2 doilies, P13 frames, Rosie's Studio Bayfair dragonfly, 12 Rosie's Studio Bayfair Sentiments Ephemera & 12" Doodlebug washi tape Airmail.

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Bazzill White, Admiral (included in kit), Wildberry Pie, Mexican Poppy, Grenadine & Hillary (Extra Pack).

Emily as Jessie - Emily loved Toy Story and her favourite character was Jessie, so when the school had a Disney themed Christmas fair, She wanted to dress up as Jessie. So, with the hat from the Disney Store, I made her the rest of the costume.

I started this layout by trimming a sheet of Smooth White Bazzill cardstock to measure 11" x 11". Then I used a large sunburst cutfile to stencil Squeezed Lemonade and Mustard Seed Distress Inks to create a background. Then I flicked Mustard Seed, Candied Apple and Blueprint Sketch. Once dry I applied it centrally over a sheet of Bright Butterflies paper, which I had gutted to make a 1" frame.

I cut a 10.5" x 1.5" piece of  Choose Happy paper and placed this across the horizontally bottom of the cardstock. I stuck a length of filmstrip washi tape along the top of this paper. With some heavy jute twine, I created a double rope loop to place to the left side of the layout. I finished this off with a knot to the bottom left and glued the tails down in smaller loops.

I placed a couple of 3D stickers (cowboy boots and horseshoe from my stash), near to the knot.

I trimmed three images of Emily from the photos and arranged them inside the lasso. Using the Cricut, I cut lettering for the title, with the Admiral Bazzill and the remains of the Bright Butterflies paper. The title was placed above the photos.

I cut some stars from Grenadine, Mexican Poppy Bazzill. These were placed around the lasso, raised up on 3D foam pads.

With two pieces from the selection of Rosie's Studio Bayfair Sentiments Ephemera in the kit, I added a journalling tag, with the addition of some Baker's twine, and a label for the date. The date was spelt out with Doodlebug Designs Alphabet Soup in Blue Jeans. Finally, I scattered some puffy star stickers over the page.

Crazy Coupe - My children were given a Little Tikes - Cozy Coupe for their 3rd birthday. Andrew especially loved his first car! This layout was inspired by a page made by Niki Rowland for Simple Stories.

With the Bazzill White cardstock from the kit as the background for this layout, I started by creating the starburst rays, by cutting pieces from several papers in the kit. I used both sides of
Cherry Blossoms, Just the Details, Bright Butterflies and See the Sights Plaid. I also used the blue side of Choose Happy. These were held in place with a line of navy-blue machine stitching. the sun was made with a circle of Mexican Poppy Bazzill, and a scrap of white cardstock.

I placed the photos to the left of the layout, then I created two rosettes made with the Tim Holtz, Sizzix Rosettes die set, and more of the papers and Bazzill from the kit.

I used more of the Bazzill from the kit and the Cricut to cut a title, large numbers and stars. These were scattered over the layout, some being layered up with 3D foam pads. 

I fussy cut some phrases from the Just the Details paper and added these randomly onto the page.

My journalling was written along the side of the rays onto the cardstock.

That's all for today, I will be back with two more layouts from the May kit soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x