Just Add H2O

Hi Simple Stories fans and welcome back to the blog today! Chantalle with you, and I’d love to share some layouts, which both make use of some machine stitching to secure embellishments, as well as add a decorative touch.

JUST ADD H2O

This page, capturing my kiddos in the pool at one of our fave holiday destinations, was created using the Summer Days collection. The bright colours, fun prints and mini swimming costume shapes were perfect for bringing this memory to life on paper!

The inspiration for the title of this page came in the form of a phrase from a sheet of Summer Days ‘4x4 Elements’.

I set up the text in Silhouette Studio and then went about using my Silhouette Machine to cut the lettering out of a 12x12 sheet of Summer Days ‘Lazy Days’.

Initially I thought I would leave the top section as is, or just cut it neatly into a strip about 4x12 inches across. Thinking of all the splashing that was going on in that pool at the time (not to mention two cheeky little monkeys!) I thought it would look better if I tore the paper, to give it more of a sense of movement.

Another fun touch is this scalloped stitching! The sewing machine I used is new to the market and allows the user to sew with thicker mediums like Baker’s Twine! I’ve done the scalloped stitching across the teal cardstock and photos, to echo a wave pattern.

For an extra bit of fun, I've added some water and splash marks to the page. Glossy accents made for some awesome water droplets and Versamark can be used to create a stained effect.

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WE’RE NOT LOST, WE’RE JUST EXPLORING

Getting out and about to explore the beautiful area in which we live is a firm favourite in our family. We are so lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world, with opportunities for adventure right on our doorstep. Cabin Fever is perfect for capturing those big and not-so-big trips out!

I’ve turned things on the diagonal with this page, choosing to pick up some of the thicker lines and bring them out by machine stitching with embroidery floss from edge to edge. Inside these lines, I have added my text and photos at an angle to mix things up.

The heading was hand cut from a sheet of 4x6 Horizontal Elements. I snipped it in to pieces so I could run them within the stitched lines. Below these strips, I began with some border stickers from the sheet of Cabin Fever Combo Cardstock Stickers. I’ve also popped some strips of Summertime Sweetness Washi Tape as well as some pattern stickers from the 4x6 Sticker Sheet pack.

Another little touch I added was a mini circular garland which I created by punching some 1 inch circles from a leftover piece of ‘Off the Grid’. I then sewed these together using a straight stitch.

I’ve popped a few up on foam tape to add a touch of height.

For the rest of my embellishments, I’ve used some Cabin Fever Bits & Pieces, Chipboard Stickers as well as stickers. Finished off with a bit of journalling which I have also divided in to strips to match the diagonal theme.