Guest Designer | Claire Murphy

 Hey everyone! My name is Claire Murphy! I’m from the UK and was super excited to be asked to be a guest designer using Paige's cut files on some scrappy projects. I’m excited to bring a series to my YouTube channel where I am focusing on using Paige's cut files and products and the series starts today!

I found it so hard to choose the cut files that I wanted to work with as they are all so amazing but I did narrow it down to a few favourites and my first project I created was a scrapbook layout using the Floral Ampersand cut file.

I knew I wanted to use Bloom Street with this cut file and used the gorgeous hexagon Paper 23 as my background. I placed the cut file down onto the paper and added white acrylic paint splatters around it using a Posca paint pen. I wanted to back the cut file with different textures and so I added some vellum behind the leaves and then backed the flowers with another patterned paper that complemented the background, Paper 02. Once the paint was dry on the background I added the cut file to the patterned paper with foam squares to help give dimension and shadows behind it. This is one of my favourite techniques when using cut files.

There was a natural space for a 3x4 inch landscape photo to nestle into the top right of the cut file and so I gave it layers behind with patterned paper and more vellum. I then focused on adding 3 clusters of flowers. The floral ephemera is always one of my favourite parts of any collection and I think finishes any scrapbook layout perfectly. So I placed a cluster in a triangle to create points for your eyes to naturally look around the page and to be able to focus on each section of detail. I added gold thread behind each cluster and I found bees that I had fussy cut from another paper and these went really well with the flowers so added three of these onto the layout also. I then added in a sentiment to each cluster which I had fussy cut out from Paper 13.

Finally, I added my title around the curve of the top of the ampersand and finished it all off with extra splashes of white acrylic paint to help bring it all together.

I love to create mini albums. I can spend hours designing and constructing the mini album and that’s before I’ve added any photos or embellishments. Using Paige's Envelope Mini Album cut file, it made the process of making a mini album so easy!

I cut the main body of the album on thick white cardstock as I wanted a nice, strong base and then cut all of the inside mats using 6x6 papers from Paige’s Take Me Away collection. I stitched around each of these mats before adhering them down into the album. I then constructed the envelope to go into the middle but didn’t stick this down straight away as the closure needed adding in first. I printed my photos in a small format (generally they were 2.25 x 4 inches or 2.25 x 3 inches) and included a white border around each to help them pop from the patterned papers behind. I tucked photos into the pocket on the left and added in a spot where I could add journalling. I placed my photos at odd angles to add interest and used embellishments and even branding strips from Take Me Away to decorate the album as I added the photos. I then used Paper 24 and fussy cut 3 of the 3x4 elements and adhered photos onto the back of each of them. I used one of the 6x6 papers (with the little embroidery hoops) and punched the sentiments out using a 1 inch punch and added clear epoxy domes over them which make them look just like flair! I added these onto each of the photos and popped them inside the envelope along with a tag to be able to add more journalling. I cut 2 half inch strips and adhere them back-to-back and slotted that through the 2 slits to create the closure. I then added glue to the back of the envelope and adhered this inside the album. I tucked all the flaps in and worked on the front of the album.

I lined up the strips of patterned paper and added a velcro dot closure to help contain it all. The cut file also comes with a bow and I carefully stitched around this before constructing it and adhering it onto the closure. I grabbed a charm from the Oh My Heart collection and tied this onto the centre of the bow using gold thread. I used the tiny navy Mini Foam Thickers from the Pick-Me-Up collection to add my title to the outside of the album and I finished it all off with splashes of gold Heidi Swapp color shine.

I love anything with butterflies and so the Flower and Butterfly Wreath cut file was a definite cut file for me!

I cut the Flower and Butterfly Wreath cut file twice, once from white cardstock to use the positive (the main wreath) and once again from a patterned paper (pink paper from the Turn the Page 12x12 Paper Pad) which I used the negatives for as I wanted to inlay the butterflies back into the cut file using a different colour. This also means I have another wreath cut file in the pink that I can use for another layout!

I placed the wreath down onto another sheet of white cardstock and added ink splatters by watering down Distress Oxides inks (Peacock Feathers, Spun Sugar, Festive Berries and Squeezed Lemonade) and then removed the cut file and allowed my background to dry. I added foam squares to the back of the wreath and once the background was dry I placed the wreath on top. I then started working with the butterflies from the other cut file and I stitched through a couple of these using my sewing machine. The others were too small to add machine stitching so I grabbed gold thread and wrapped it around the centres to add something extra to some of the butterflies. I then added the butterflies back inside the negative part of the cut file using foam squares to lift the wings up to create dimension. I fussy cut the butterflies from Paper 04 (I actually used the paper from the 12x12 Paper Pad as it has gold foil accents) and I started adding these on top of the wreath. I then used some chipboard pieces and puffy stickers from the Turn the Page collection and nestled these throughout the wreath, making sure I balanced the larger pieces. I added a title using Thickers from my stash and layered this over the photo which I had placed in the bottom left corner of the wreath. This was all finished off with a splash of gold Heidi Swapp color shine around the wreath and on top of some of the butterflies.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to follow me, Claire Murphy, on instagram and YouTube!

SUPPLIES: BLOOM STREET; TURN THE PAGE; OH MY HEART; TAKE ME AWAY; Mini Foam Thickers from Pick-Me-Up; Distress Oxides; vellum; white acrylic paint; white cardstock; Cut files: Floral Ampersand, Flower and Butterfly Wreath, and Envelope Mini Album by Paige Evans

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The Perfect Day Layout by Missy Whidden

 Hey friends! Missy Whidden here with a new almost monochromatic layout featuring Paige’s Wonders collection along with her The Perfect Day cut file. I used all pink with a touch orange for the color scheme. I love large title cut files because not only does it automatically give you the title, but it also serves as the main design element. Since it takes up so much space on the page, it helps determine where to place photos and embellishments. I love how that can help make a page come together quickly. I used a soft pink textured cardstock for the background and I cut the title using textured white cardstock on my Silhouette Cameo. I coated a lot of the paper with white gesso to prep the paper for ink sprays as well as giving the pink a bit of a hazy and cloudy effect. I traced each letter from the title on several Wonders patterned papers and a few from the 6x8 Paper Pad and cut them out. I chose my ink sprays in various pinks and oranges to match.

To create the background, I sprayed a few pink and orange Shimmerz onto the cardstock and used a brush and a bit of water to move the colors around. I wanted a large color wash area with various shades of the colors. I also splattered in gold paint to give it some shine. Once that dried, I glued down the cut file and then replaced the letters with adhesive foam underneath to pop them up off the page. I tucked a larger photo on top of the big title and two smaller photos under it. I overlapped the letters on top of the large photo and then fussy cut a few mandala shapes from the 6x8 Paper Pad to tuck in around them. I also used a few stickers from the 8-Page Sticker Book along with matching colors of tangled thread.

I love the dimension that this technique creates - it’s another option instead of backing the cut file. I ran the letters through my edge distressing tool and gave them a bit of texture. I wrote my journaling using a black fine tip Sharpie.

I couldn’t resist adding a few of the beautiful gold foiled butterflies from the 6x8 Paper Pad. Look how they shine in the light! I cut a pink and orange one for the top of the page. I also layered a few pink flowers from the 8-Page Sticker Book on top of a few of the photos.

I hope this has inspired you in some way today! I love the challenge of only using one or two colors on a layout - it helps narrow down what you can use and makes your options less overwhelming. I love how this turned out and I encourage you to give it a try if you haven’t!  Thanks for stopping by!

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, embellishments: WONDERS; gesso; white cardstock; gold paint; Die cut machine: Silhouette Cameo; Cut file: The Perfect Day by Paige Evans

Blog: littlenuggetcreations.blogspot.com // Instagram: @missywhidden // Pinterest: @missywhidden
Facebook: missy.whidden // YouTube: Missy Whidden

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Wonders MemoryDex Cards

Keeping up with my MemoryDex, here are 3 made with Wonders!

I got this cute mint tray from Etsy to document my scrapbook collections with American Crafts. I filled up the one I made with my 9 Pink Paislee collections and you can see all 27 cards HERE.

For this first MemoryDex card I cut a "wonderful" cut file from white cardstock 3 times to make it ultra thick and sturdy. I cut all of the inner letters from various Wonders patterned papers. I embellished a little bit with Puffy Stickers, a bee Chipboard Sticker, Tassel Paper Clip, dots from the Epoxy Phrase Stickers, and a Banner Sticker.

This MemoryDex card was particularly fun to make :) I grabbed some of the Floral Die Cuts and leaves and embroidered them with matching colored thread. It took about 8 hours to do the stitching and I used all of my favorite stitches: chain stitch, backstitch, and French knots. I created the card base with the Floral Transparency adhered onto white cardstock and machine stitched around the edges then simply adhered all the stitched flowers on top.

For the last MemoryDex card I die cut an envelope, machine stitched around all the edges, and then filled the pocket with all kinds of cards and journaling spots from the Ephemera Die Cuts on which I added photos about this collection and the description of it, as well as the release date which was January 2021. I embellished the envelope with Chipboard Stickers, Cardstock Stickers, Puffy Stickers, Lollies, and more!

I added them into the tray and it sits on my shelf to admire :)

The next collection debuts this summer so I'll be adding to this then!

I hope you are inspired to pick up my Wonders collection and create some cute MemoryDex cards!

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, die cuts, paperclip, embellishments: WONDERS

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Wonderful Wales Layout by Adam Westwood

Hi! Welcome back to Paige Evans' blog! ScrappyAdam back to share my first layout using Paige's new collection, Wonders. I must say, I absolutely love this collection! The colours are phenomenal and so bold, and the embellishment range is stunning. I've also used the Mandala cut file for this page as this collection has lots of mandala style patterns which I was really drawn to.

I started with Paper 23 which I used to cut the Mandala as I wanted the cut file to really pop. I didn't back the cut file on this one - I don't do this very often at all but I really wanted the cut file to shine on its own and pop off the background. I chose Paper 6 for my background - this is one of my favourite papers; it is stunningly beautiful and the colour is incredible! I wanted to bring in another colour so I decided to mat the whole page on a gutted sheet of Paper 21 which has the same ombre, bold colour effect as the blue but in pinks. You really need to check out the colour on these papers. I chose my photos and double matted them on an angle on two papers from the 6x8 Paper Pad - one of which is that awesome pink and gold foil grid. I adhered the cut file and popped my photos centrally but to the right slightly and added a blue mandala from the cut apart Paper 24. I also fussy cut the whole sheet of Paper 19 and used a selection of colours to make part of my title - "Wonderful" - and added "Wales" with the Thickers from this collection which have a gold foil and are amazing!

It was then a case of embellishing - which I love to do! I used lots of the embellishments from this collection - I like them all. I used the Chipboard Stickers, 6x12 Cardstock Stickers, Ephemera Die Cuts, Floral Die Cuts, Puffy Stickers, Lollies, Banner Stickers, and Puffy Phrase Stickers. I also fussy cut some butterflies from Paper 8.

That was the layout done! I hope you like the finished page which was quite simple and quick for me but I love the result all the same. Thank you for taking the time to have a read and do check out all the other awesome posts here on Paige's blog! You can find this cut file in Paige's Etsy shop and if you're in the UK or EU then you can get this cut file pre-cut and sent to you via The Cut Hut UK from June so do take a look over there. I'll see you back here very soon with more inspiration and in the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram should you wish!

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, Thickers, stickers, embellishments: WONDERS; white cardstock; Die cutting machine: Silhouette Cameo; Cut file: Mandala by Paige Evans

Location: Manchester, England / Instagram: @scrappyadam / Facebook: Adam Westwood / Pinterest: Scrappy Adam

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Mermaid Layout by Heidi K. Lewis

Hey there scrappy friends,  Heidi K. Lewis here to share a Mermaid and Wildflowers layout made with the new Wonders collection. This layout was largely inspired by Paper 6; the half circles on side A reminded me of mermaid scales, while the deep blue color of side B inspired the color story for the layout.

To create this layout, I used my Cricut to cut the Mermaid cut file from white cardstock. Then I used Lindy’s Gang Magicals to paint the mermaid. The hair is painted with Queen of Hearts Red, the tail is painted in Blazing Black, and the skin is painted with Clam Bake Beige. Next I wanted to create an underwater scene around the mermaid. I selected the Wildflowers cut file to represent seaweed and cut the image out twice from white cardstock. Again, I used Lindy’s Gang Magicals to paint the cut file. The Blazing Black color that I used to paint the seaweed actually has a deep blue undertone similar to the color of side B of Paper 6.

Once my both of the cut files were painted and dried, it was time to assemble and embellish the layout. I used plain white cardstock as my background and centered the mermaid on the background. Then I created a couple of seaweed clusters on either side of the mermaid. I layered Floral Die Cuts into the seaweed and around my photo, which is an overcast picture of the Oregon Coast. Using the Puffy Stickers, I added some scales to the mermaid tail, mandala bubbles to the background, and hearts to the photo. The “dream” title was selected from the Ephemera Die Cuts. The Tassel Paper Clips reminded me of seaweed and made the perfect finishing touch to this moody underwater layout.

Hope you enjoyed learning how this layout came together. Until next time! 

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, die cuts, paperclips, embellishments: WONDERS; white cardstock; Die cut machine: Cricut; Cut files: Mermaid and Wildflowers by Paige Evans

Location: Idaho, USA / Instagram: @heidi.k.lewis / Facebook: Heidi K. Lewis / Pinterest: klipheid09

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BeYouTiful Layout by Jennifer Rambert

Hi paper lovers! Jennifer Rambert here with a bright, masculine layout featuring Paige's Wonders collection and the "beYOUtiful" cut file. This collection is aptly named, I think! The papers are beautiful and go so well together! I opted for Paper 6 and a paper with golden mandalas from the 6x8 Paper Pad. I wanted to make a page with a photo of my son and these papers were just perfect!

To begin with, I cut out all the mandalas from the gold printed paper. Then I coated white cardstock with transparent gesso to prepare it for the watercolors. I applied blue Shimmerz ink to the background of my page in the center, top to bottom diagonally, and in the top left corner. I glued Paper 6to the right of my page and a thin piece to the left.

All that remains is to decorate! I inserted the mandalas around my photo, diagonally to follow the paper. I added my photo. For the title I decided to use the "beYOUtiful" cut file that I dressed with an orange tag from Paper 12. The rest of the tag I inserted near the photo on the right.

I added several orange Chipboard Stickers and 8-Page Sticker Book stickers to create this blue/orange/gold color combo that go so well together for a masculine page! I finished with white acrylic paint splashes for more luminosity and gold ink for more shine.

I had a lot of fun creating this page with the Wonders collection and I hope it gives you some ideas for your next project! Thanks for stopping by!

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, die cuts, embellishments: WONDERS; white cardstock; white acrylic paint; Die cut machine: Silhouette Cameo; Cut file: beYOUtiful by Paige Evans

Location: France / Instagram: @secretsandcreations / Blog: Secrets & Creations / Facebook: Secrets & Creations / Pinterest: secretsandcreations

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Oh Happy Day Layout by Paige Evans

 Hey friends! I have a new layout and process video to share with you today, made with my Wonders collection for National Scrapbook Day at scrapbookcom!

Here is the process video so you can see how this layout was made from beginning to end:

I started by designing a new Dainty Leaves cut file. I filled up a new Silhouette Studio with 6 clusters of leaves and trimmed 18 Wonders patterned papers to 4x6". I was able to cut 6 clusters of Dainty Leaves at a time and peeled them gently off the sticky mat.

Once I had all of the Dainty Leaves cut from the 18 Wonders patterned papers, I grabbed a piece of solid pink paper and traced a small round plate off-center with a pencil. Then I came in with watered down white acrylic paint and used a toothbrush to create a fine mist and then a paintbrush to splash larger droplets, centering around the traced circle and then tapering out towards the edges.

Once the paint dried I glued the leaves in a wreath design around the drawn circle. I found two recent 3x4" photos of Jane posing with flowers just for me, printed them and trimmed them out leaving a white border for contrast, and overlapped them slightly inside the bottom left of the wreath. I used the multicolored "OH HAPPY DAY" Puffy Phrase Stickers around the inner curve of the wreath to create the title.

For embellishing, I added in a blue bird and pink/orange bee Chipboard Sticker, "daydreamer" 6x12 Cardstock Sticker, "so cute" Banner Sticker, and a blue Floral Die Cut. I wrote journaling with a blue pen on a journaling spot from the Ephemera Die Cuts and stamped the date below to finish.

I hope this layout inspires you to pick up my Wonders collection and create a rainbow wreath using my Dainty Leaves cut file! Have a happy scrappy day!

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, die cuts, embellishments: WONDERS; white acrylic paint; Cut file: Dainty Leaves by Paige Evans

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Mother's Day Cards by Valerie Bisson

Hi there, Valerie Bisson here, I am super excited to be creating with Paige’s new Wonders collection today! I have three Mother’s Day cards to share that I made using the 6x8 Paper Pad which has gold foil detail along with three pretty floral cut files.

Are you a card maker? Paige's cut files are an easy way to make a statement on a card without having to get too complicated because the cut file does all the work to make the card look awesome. Since I decided to go with making Mother’s Day cards, I thought flowers seemed appropriate. So I chose three different cut files, one for each card. With white cardstock I cut each of the cut files, the Flower Bouquet, Daisies Bouquet, and the Watering Can at 4.5” wide. This size was perfect to fit within my card size of 5” x 7”. Since the cut files were cut quite small, make sure to remove them from your mat carefully so they don’t rip. They cut beautifully at this size without any problem.

I also had my Cricut cut out all the backing pieces from papers in the 6x8 Paper Pad. I find it easier and much quicker having my machine cut the pieces when there is a lot of detail in the cut file. I have a tutorial on how I do this on my IGTV on Instagram if you are a Cricut user, and Paige has a tutorial on her YouTube channel for Silhouette users.

After the cut files were all adhered with their backing pieces, I made the front panels for the cards in white cardstock at 4.75” x 6.75”. I stencilled each piece with Paige’s Flowers Stencil using Distress Oxides: fossilized amber distress ink for the daisies card, peacock feathers distress ink for the watering can, and milled lavender oxide ink for the flower bouquet. I used more of the 6x8 Paper Pad to mat the stencilled cardstock and adhered them to the card fronts.

Next, I added dimensional adhesive to the cut files and adhered them to the front of the cards. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment Happy Mother’s Day in black ink on white cardstock, cut it out, and matted it with some of the same papers I had already used within the card design. Then added it to each of the cards with dimensional adhesive.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you are inspired to try a cut file on the next card you make!

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, die cuts, embellishments: WONDERS; white cardstock; Distress Oxides; Flowers Stencil; Die cut machine: Cricut Explore Air 2; Cut files: Flower Bouquet, Daisies Bouquet, and Watering Can by Paige Evans

Location: Manitoba, Canada / Instagram: @valeriearts2 / Pinterest: valeriearts2 / Facebook: Valerie Bisson

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Love a Horse Layout by Ashley Neu

Hi scrappy friends! Ashley Neu back for the Paige Evans + Silhouette Design Team! For today’s layout, I have used the Go the Scenic Route collection and Paige’s Unicorn cut file! I scrapbooked a photo of my girls taking care of their Grandma’s horse, Cowboy.

After cutting the Unicorn cut file, I altered the unicorn by removing the horn so that it resembled a horse instead! I backed the cut file with random patterned papers from the 12x12 Paper Pad, adding foam adhesive strips behind the head to give it dimension. I then added hand stitching to the cut file with embroidery floss to complement the patterned papers.

Next, I added watercolors to the white cardstock where I planned to position the horse and my photo. I used more foam adhesive strips to attach the horse as well as my photo. From Paper 24, I fussy cut the beautiful flowers to add around the horse and photo. I just love the look of fussy cut flowers on a layout!

Lastly, I used the Foam Thickers and the Mini Foam Thickers from the Pick-Me-Up collection to create my title. I finished off the layout by embellishing with the Cardstock Stickers and the cute puffy dots from the Puffy Phrase Stickers.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by Paige’s blog! I hope you have a wonderful day! 

SUPPLIES: Patterned papers, stickers, die cuts, embellishments: GO THE SCENIC ROUTE; white cardstock; watercolors; Die cut machine: Silhouette Cameo; Cut file: Unicorn by Paige Evans

Location: Minnesota, USA /  Instagram: @ashleyneudesign / YouTube: Ashley Neu / Pinterest: Ashley Neu Design / Facebook: Ashley Neu Design

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