Good morning Simple Stories fans!  Nicole Nowosad with you today for my first projects as part of the Simple Stories team. I am super excited to be sharing my love of paper with you and today's projects hopefully reflect that love!

I just love the Domestic Bliss collection and drew a lot of inspiration from the different patterned papers in the collection to create this page. Quite often, the ones behind the camera are often missing in our scrapbooks, so I do try to make a point of turning that camera around and scrapping some photos of me from time to time. Plus, it gives me an excuse to use some of the more floral patterned papers that I adore right now.

I wanted to use a lot of patterned paper, but not in a “wow” that is a lot of paper way. I chose to cut thin strips of the paper and create a simple stitched frame around my photo, adding more patterned paper in the form of diecut flowere that anchor both sides of the page.

I also diecut some flowers on my digital die cut machine from different patterned paper and layered them together with Decorative Brads, Diecuts pieces and enamel dots.

Best part is, I only used one of the 6x8 paper pads for this page and although it appears I used a lot of paper, really, it is very little. The little strip border is fun and a great way to use those paper pads in a simple way.

I finished this page off with an easy title using stickers mixed with more Bits & Pieces.

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This next layout was a little labor of love and was truly simple to make.  I used the concept of using simple strips of paper on this page again, but in a more quilted look.

I started with 4 square blocks of scrap paper and then cut several strips of paper in many patterns from the Faith collection 6x8 paper pad. I filled each scrap paper square with those papers, alternating the pattern and color until all four pieces were covered. I thought about stitching the papers on my sewing machine, but didn’t as I thought it would look too busy.

I added some mint green paint to the background of simple white cardstock and then layered my quilted squares to the background. I left a small gap around the edges to give the busy patterns a resting point on the page.

All that was left to do was add a few embellishments! I added a pretty floral diecut from white cardstock on my digital die cut machine and a simple title using some Chipboard and stickers. Really, the paper did most of the work on this page, time to keep those embellishments simple!

Thanks so much for joining me on the blog today! I hope you are inspired to make the most of your paper stash!

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