The One with the BasicGrey January Guest Designer!

I've been a fan of BasicGrey for... YEARS! I remember hoarding their collections waaaaay back in 2003. Yeah. Long time ago. Well over a decade. And they're still just as hot and awesome as ever. I was super ecstatic to do a little guest design spot for them using the beautiful J'adore line. 

SWING AWAY by Paige Evans

Description: I'm often inspired by quilts for my layouts because the fabric pieces translate so perfectly to patterned papers!

Journaling says: You sure do have a lot of fun with your Uncle Jay - that's why we call him "Fun"cle Jay! I'm glad Jaylie came on this vacation :)

How to: Die cut three concentric rings from kraft cardstock using a Silhouette CAMEO then cover each ring with patterned paper pieces. Layer the rings on a kraft cardstock background and zigzag stitch here and there a little to add to the quilt look. Adhere a photo to the center and embellish with photo corner stickers and a chipboard heart. Journal with a black pen on one of the patterned paper bits. Place alphabet stickers and chipboard letters around the curves to make the title. Stamp the date with black ink next to the title. Decorate the page with brads, die cuts, chipboard pieces, and more.

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, brads, die cuts: BasicGrey; Cardstock, pen, adhesive, roller date stamp: American Crafts; Ink: StazOn; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; Die cut machine: Silhouette CAMEO

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THE SWEETEST THING by Paige Evans

Description: Since the J'adore collection is all about love I wanted to play up that theme and use a whole bunch of hearts on my layout.

Journaling says: Watching you two grow and play together and get along and pick then blow dandelions is the sweetest thing. 

How to: Die cut the heart background by Alaa' K (design ID #15615) using a Silhouette CAMEO from cream cardstock. Punch 1" squares from patterned papers (I punched from all the papers except the super dark ones for a lighter and airier layout) then adhere them across a scrap cardstock background. Machine stitch diagonally across the squares then adhere the heart die cut page on top using pop dots. Cluster embellishments such as a vellum envelope, gold foil heart, chipboard flowers, badge, die cuts, and more, along with a photo, off-center and journal with a black pen on a tag sticker. Stamp the date with black ink below the photo. Drop a few different colors of spray mist above and below the photo.

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, brads, die cuts, badge, vellum envelope: BasicGrey; Cardstock, pen, adhesive, roller date stamp, square punch: American Crafts; Ink: StazOn; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; Die cut machine: Silhouette CAMEO; Cut file: Hearts Background by Alaa' K (design ID #15615)

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PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA by Paige Evans

Description: My Grandma just sent me a pillow with this quote by Audrey Hepburn screenprinted on it. That title fits perfectly with these photos of Fox and Jane in Paris.

Journaling says: Ain't none.

How to: Hand cut a title from patterned papers then stitch the letters across a dark blue patterned paper background (gasp! I used patterned paper instead of cardstock for the background!) leaving room for a pair of photos. Lightly adhere the photos in the empty space and embellish with stickers, a crocheted heart, die cuts, and more. Embellish a few of the letters with brads and chipboard arrows. Drop white paint around the photos and write the date with a black pen on a tab die cut.

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, brads, die cuts, crocheted heart: BasicGrey; Pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; Paint: Americana

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CUTIE @ CAFE RIO by Paige Evans

Description: This layout features a big paper strip heart on the background topped with lots of embellies and of course a photo - of cute Fox at 2.5 years old.

Journaling says: Darn, I forgot to write journaling again! But this was taken at Cafe Rio in Utah right after Jay and Haylie's wedding.

How to: Trim patterned paper strips and lightly adhere them down a robin's egg blue cardstock layout base in the shape of a heart. Stitch a couple times around the heart to keep everything in place and define the shape. Layer a photo, card, crocheted heart, doily die cut, heart jewel, stickers, and more, on the right side of the heart. Place mini alphabet stickers next to the photo for a title. Embellish the page with chipboard, stickers, die cuts, etc, as shown. Drop India ink over the top left and bottom right corners.

Supplies: Patterned paper, stickers, chipboard, brads, die cuts, heart jewels, crocheted heart: BasicGrey; Cardstock, adhesive: American Crafts; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; India ink: ProArt

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LUV U CARD by Paige Evans

Description: Last but not least, a simple card using patterned paper chevrons!

How to: Punch 1" square from patterned papers, trim the squares in half, then adhere the triangles in a chevron pattern across a white cardstock card base. Sew using black thread over the chevrons. Drop black spray mist over the card. Add "luv u" mini alphabet stickers to finish.

Supplies: Patterned paper, mini alphabet stickers: BasicGrey; Cardstock: American Crafts; Spray mist: Studio Calico; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark

Thanks for letting me share this little slice of happy :)