The One with Lovin' On My Girl

This girl. Goodness gracious she is definitely at a challenging age right now! She is SO ready for preschool in a couple months and to play play play! Oh, but first, we need to x-nay the pacifier and potty train her... Parent fail. I'm definitely not perfect in the "mom" department, I will openly admit that.

We spend a lot of q-time together every week day - 5 whole hours to ourselves! What are we to do but take blurry selfies?!

Probably one of my favorite pictures of us. Her genuine smile is so sweet. And yes I know I need to dye my roots. It happens.

Working on being more "present".

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The One with the Date to Nuremberg

Last Friday night we went on a super fun date. It all started because I'm looking for another one of these frames for our adventure magnets and a friend suggested a thrift store in Nuremberg.

I picked up the babysitter as soon as Chris got home from work and we were off! It takes about an hour to get to Nuremberg and we found the store without a hitch. They didn't have the frames we were looking for, but the guy was super nice and suggested a Russian store closer to the center of town. And, Chris found a book (in English no less!) from his favorite author so he was a happy camper. Love this book corner!

So we drove to that Russian store but the frames they had weren't like the ones I want. However, as we were walking around town we passed a few closed antique stores so I peeked inside the windows and found some promising frames! Note to self: get to Nuremberg a little earlier in the day and check out these antique stores!
Our next goal was to check out the lovely Weissgerbergasse street. I've seen it all over Pinterest and travel feeds so I needed to visit it myself! Lo and behold it was just as beautiful in person as it was in photos! And yet, here is a photo of it, ha! (This is not a pipe.) It was so close to all the happening parts of the city center, not sure how I've missed it the few times I've been to Nuremberg! PS - I love my kids, like more than life itself. But man it is SO EASY to get around without pushing a stroller and worry about kids jumping in fountains and knocking things over! We love site-seeing date nights!

We walked around Nuremberg in search of a burger place that was recommended to us. We couldn't find it, but that's ok because we were loving the beautiful, nay, PERFECT weather, and all the things we missed seeing our first time here together (key word, together - I've been here a couple more times with girlies to flea markets).

Instead we enjoyed legit mini Nürnberger brats, mustard in a cute jar I wanted to steal but practiced some self restraint, tasty potato salad, sprite with ONE cube of ice lol (but hey, that's one more than we usually get so I'll take it!) and delicious apple strudel. So totally Deutsch!

We had 15 minutes left on our date and I'm so glad we walked up to the castle instead of going back to the car to drive an hour home and watch Brooklyn 99. We still watched an episode anyway, but we almost missed out on this view and memory that will forever be in our hearts. What's that saying, YOLO? We YOLO'ed it up :)

It's been a long time since we've been on a long date like this (usually we go get Thai food and then see a movie on base) and it was refreshing and FUN! Just what our marriage needed!

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The One with the American Crafts DIE CUTS Layout

DISCLOSURE: Links in my posts usually mean that I've received free product and/or compensation from those brands or will receive a small percentage of sales of those links. Thank you so much for your support!

Here today to share my latest American Crafts Design Team layout featuring die cuts!

FAVORITES @ 30 by Paige Evans

Description: I pulled out all the die cuts I had from the Dear Lizzy Fine & Dandy collection and placed them on the floor. I noticed a lot of them are things that I love so that's when the idea for this layout came to mind: a photo of me in the center extending out to things I love at 30 years old! PS - there is not a single piece of patterned paper on this layout! GASP!! Although I sort of created my own with watercolors :)

Journaling says: Favorites @ 30: chasing dreams, sweets & candy, animals, rain or shine, flowers, healthy food, traveling, taking photos.

How to: Find the center of a white cardstock layout (6" across, 6" down). Use a pencil and a ruler to mark at 4" and 8" around each of the 4 edges. Connect each edge mark to the center mark with the ruler and pencil to create the "sunbursts". Paint each wedge a different color - I pulled colors from the Fine & Dandy collection. Glue the die cuts in place then hand stitch thread from the center to each die cut (I changed colors of thread for each line to match the color of the paint in that section). Adhere the photo in the center and create the title with more die cuts. Using the Traveling Typewriter font, print out short captions for each die cut and adhere them in place.

Supplies: Cardstock, die cuts, adhesive: American Crafts; Watercolors: Loew Cornell; Thread: DMC; Font: Traveling Typewriter

I had fun creating my own background patterned paper for this one! What do you think of using watercolors on layouts? Yay or nay?

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The One with the MINC "Kids" Layout

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of paigeandchris.com. I do receive products from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.
I was in the very beginning stages of creating this layout when I found out the tragic news about Heidi Swapp's son. I am terrible with words; I express my feelings and thoughts through art, especially scrapbooking. I have admired Heidi for years and years in the scrapbooking industry although I've never met her in person - I have seen her from a distance at CHAs past, but back then I was much too shy to introduce myself. I have gotten to know her better this year teaching a class for her over here in Germany and requesting product for future classes. She is so sweet, so generous, so talented, so creative, so personable, and my heart simply breaks for her and her family. I can't even imagine. So I dedicate this post to her and her family and will continue to #foilallthethings and #makeprettythings to hopefully show I care and am thinking of her.
The theme for July is "KIDS" and I used these pretty pinwheels - very appropriate for kids.

I foiled the patterned squares first. NOTE: don't do what I did and ruin two carrier sheets! Make sure to put foil on BOTH SIDES of the squares right from the get go!!

Assemble the pinwheels using the brads that come in the packaging.

Create your layout. More specific how-to below.

KIDS WILL BE KIDS by Paige Evans
DESCRIPTION: What says "kids" more than pinwheels?! This was the perfect shape for this assignment. 
JOURNALING SAYS: Sometimes they drive me totally crazy and I want to hide, but it's important to remember that: kids will be kids. And at the end of the day I love them with more love than I can even express. I'll try to do better!
HOW TO: Foil eight pinwheels using a Heidi Swapp MINC machine and eight different and lovely colors of foil. Assemble the pinwheels and attach them to a patterned paper layout background. Adhere a photo on the bottom right and sprinkle a few wood veneer shapes and flair badges around. Journal on the top and bottom center edges. Create the title with gold glitter stickers and typed caption.
SUPPLIES: Foiling machine, toner printed pinwheels: Heidi Swapp MINC; Patterned paper, wood veneer, flair badges, gold glitter letter stickers: Heidi Swapp; Pen, adhesive: American Crafts

The MINC machine and accessories are available at Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann, local stores, and online shops such as Studio Calico. I've seen people try out other machines to foil projects, but the MINC is the simplest, most consistent, and has the best results, honest to goodness :)

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The One with the Ali Edwards GO Layout

Today I'm sharing an Ali Edwards Digital Creative Team layout using the digital stamp set from the GO Story Kit!

GO by Paige Evans

Description: Whelp, I love big titles, backing die cut letters/shapes, using lots of patterned papers, and traveling, so this layout is a culmination of all of those things!

Journaling says: Traveling is simultaneously the most fun and also the worst thing ever. While in the act we want to rip each other's heads off, but always after the fact we're glad we went. So we keep going, making more memories. 

How to: I traced all of the same looking phrases from the GO Story Kit digital stamps and then resized them all to be the same font size. Then I die cut them using my Silhouette Cameo from ombre blue striped patterned paper (from the Atlas collection by Pink Paislee). Then I trimmed about (200) 3/4" square papers from the 6x6 and 12x12 patterned papers from the Atlas collection. I covered the bottom row with white cardstock (yes, I covered a few backed words, but I had to fit photos somewhere! OR I was thinking about putting this in a frame as art??) Trim three 1" square photos and adhere them to the bottom center along with a globe die cut on the left. Journal on the sides.

Supplies: Digital elements: GO Story Kit digital stamps by Ali Edwards; Cardstock, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Patterned paper, globe die cut: Pink Paislee; Die cut machine: Silhouette Cameo

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The One with the Craftsy Instructors Blog Hop

Welcome to a special blog hop hosted by a few of the instructors at Craftsy - an online classroom platform that includes classes on scrapbooking, card making, paper crafting, and much more! Spend a little time getting to know each instructor in this hop and the classes they teach through Craftsy. You'll discover that some of your favorite teachers are now offering classes through this incredible platform. AND look for special giveaways from the instructors! Then join us on Craftsy for inspiring new ways to craft and learn!

I currently have two classes at Craftsy: PATTERNED PAPER PLAY and SILHOUETTE SAVVY.

PATTERNED PAPER PLAY includes 7 HD video lessons (with 20+ minutes of content in each lesson!) with anytime, anywhere access. Here's the official class description: Learn stash-busting secrets for playful patterned pages that amaze, all with guidance from designer and renowned instructor Paige Evans. Discover techniques for artfully tearing and layering paper strips for richly textured pages, create custom, intricate cutouts using your electronic cutting machine and learn both hand- and machine-stitching methods for one-of-a-kind results. Then, explore beautiful backgrounds as you master a variety of cutting techniques, layer your paper for a stylish ombré effect, and even roll out paper strips to mat or frame favorite photos. Plus, use watercolors to create the paper you've always dreamed of and play with tone-on-tone backgrounds using spray mist and a doily for imaginative, eye-catching results! Check out PATTERNED PAPER PLAY today!

In SILHOUETTE SAVVY I ask - is your Silhouette still sitting in the box? Or are you looking for some new techniques and ways to use your beloved Cameo? From beginning functions to sophisticated techniques, I'll be there every step of the way showing you exactly how to create amazing layouts in 7 HD lessons, over 20 minutes each! Seven (7!) cut files I designed so you can create these layouts are included! Join me in SILHOUETTE SAVVY and learn virtually everything there is to know about your Silhouette!

ONE lucky winner will get a FREE spot in BOTH of my classes (PATTERNED PAPER PLAY and SILHOUETTE SAVVY)!!! Just leave a comment on this post and tell me your all-time favorite scrapbook collection, because I'm curious :) I'll randomly pick and announce the winner on Friday July 17th 2015!

BLOG HOP LIST
Wilna Furstenberg
Jen Gallacher
Nichol Magouirk
Aly Dosdall
***Paige Evans***
Danielle Flanders

UPDATED WITH THE WINNER: Congrats Lisa's Creative Niche!

Please email me (paigetaylorevans at gmail dot com) with your email address and I'll get you set up in both of my Craftsy classes! Thank you so much everyone for stopping by! And remember, Craftsy has sales all the time ;)

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The One with 2 Years in Germany!

Two years ago today we moved halfway across the world to beautiful Germany. (PS - reading that post gives me nightmares!) We love it here so much we've requested to extend our stay! However, as with most things in life, there are pros and cons. For example: it's HARD being away from family, especially during the holidays when everyone gets together and we see photos of everyone having fun. I'm sorry, but video chatting just doesn't cut it! We feel so cut off from everyday goings-on and what's happening in the news. Live TV? What's that? It's hard not being close to Target and Costco and stores that are open 24 hours. It's hard not having life be easy - things just seem so unnecessarily overly-complicated and inconvenient here sometimes... BUT!!! We can put Paris, Prague, Venice, Amsterdam, and more into our GPS and be there in a matter of hours. We love walking on old cobbled streets with more history than I can comprehend. I love the rolling hills, castles on every corner, and how every street and scene looks like a postcard. This is definitely an adventure living here, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! 

2 years down, hopefully 2 to go! 

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The One with Big Picture Classes - Paige's Pages 03

Paige's Pages 03 at Big Picture Classes is here!
(And if you missed it, be sure to check out Paige's Pages 01, Paige's Pages 02, and my Spring Decor class too!)

Here is a description of this scrapbooking series: Paige Evans' layouts often have us wondering - how did she DO that? In Paige's Pages, Paige will be sharing the inspiration and techniques she uses each time she starts a layout, and challenging you to look at your supplies in a whole new way."

Big Picture Classes (or BPC) is an online learning platform for all things crafty, offering classes that cover all the crucial topics about crafting, creating, and documenting memories that you'll need to excel, and then some! Get access to as many classes as you want for only $9.95 a month - that's an AWESOME deal! Each class brings you a variety of topics and ideas, not to mention videos, PDFs, prompts, and so much more! Check out the Big Picture Classes website to find out more about how you can learn everything you need to know to document your memories beautifully every time!

In Paige's Pages 03 (AND Paige's Pages 01 and 02!) there are four start-to-finish videos, free cut files and downloads, and I'm available here or there for any questions you may have! I love teaching, I love making scrapbook videos, and I'd LOVE to see you in the Paige's Pages 03 classroom over at Big Picture Classes!

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The One with the Pink Paislee Book Giveaway

Over on my instagram (@paigetaylorevans) I'm giving away another handmade book!

 For this book I painted the 4x6" wooden covers a light PINK :) I love that both covers have a knot/hole in it. Just gives it a bit more character don't ya think?!

 For the pages I used the Citrus Bliss collection by Pink Paislee along with matching cardstock and printer paper so this book would work for pretty much anything - journal, smashbook, sign-in book, diary, etc.

 I used green thread to bind the book together and the pink/green color combo reminds me of watermelon - perfect for summer!

 When I was sewing the book together I added buttons, chipboard, jewels, charms, wood veneer, pearls, and more to the loops.

I decorated the cover with more embellishments from Citrus Bliss.

The official "giveaway" photo:

 Be sure to check out my instagram (@paigetaylorevans) for the giveaway rules and for a chance to win!

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The One with 4th of July 2015

Happy 4th of July!

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The One with Maria's Book

Confession: I made a book to giveaway about 3 or 4 months ago and selected a winner. But I loved the book soooo much I just couldn't mail it to Maria! Instead I made her a brand new book and it actually turned out better. And don't worry, she'll get the better one :)

 Here's Maria's book! 

 You know the drill: it's 4x6" with wood covers that I painted blue then sanded for the "distressed" look, sewn together Coptic style with pink thread, and I added a bunch of Maggie Holme's bits & baubles along with pearls and jewels into the binding while sewing it together. All of the papers are from all of the Maggie Holmes/Crate Paper collections.

 I made this book yesterday while waiting to hear back from the doctor about how Joey's surgery went. That's another post for another day. Making this book was the only thing to distract me and keep me from going crazy. We basically told the doctor not to wake Joey up if his surgery was unsuccessful. But, spoiler alert, he's alive. YAAAAY!

 Maria's book is getting mailed to her in SPAIN today! Wish I was going with it - I love Spain!

I'm making another book with PINK covers today and will be giving it away on my instagram (@paigetaylorevans) so stay tuned!

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The One with Studio Calico FAIRGROUND Layouts!

July 2015 Studio Calico kits called FAIRGROUND are now available for subscribers at Studio Calico! It was so fun to be back for a month :)

ALSACE by Paige Evans

DESCRIPTION: I knew I wanted to use a lot of patterned paper (naturally!) and browsed through my box of punches to find the perfect shape. Instead of just one, I chose four circles and went to town punching. Then when I was trying to pick a background, this paper in the FAIRGROUND kit immediately jumped out at me - there are circle sunbursts all over it and magically I had punched just enough circles to go on top! It was meant to be :)

JOURNALING SAYS: Rain or shine, and let's be honest, it's usually rain, we have places to go and things to see so we've learned to pack for rain!

HOW TO: Punch concentric circles from all the papers in the FAIRGROUND main scrapbook kit - one of the papers has 16 different patterns on it so make sure to punch lots of circles from that paper. Adhere them over the sunburst circles printed on one of the papers in the main scrapbook kit. Punch a photo into a circle and add it to the mix. Place letter stickers around the photo for a title. Journal on one of the white circles (or in this case, half circle). Embellish here and there with bits and pieces from the main scrapbook kit. Done!

SUPPLIES: Scrapbook kit: FAIRGROUND by Studio Calico; Cardstock, adhesive: American Crafts; Circle punches: Fiskars

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YUM by Paige Evans

DESCRIPTION: Every month for the past year and a half or so I've had the super fun opportunity to design cut files for Studio Calico! This month I had a background as well as these candy jars and I thought it'd be fun to put them to good use :)

JOURNALING SAYS: Easter morning the bunny had visited and hidden candy-filled eggs all over the living room. You eagerly opened them all up at once and went to town, but of course you only picked out the chocolate!

HOW TO: Use a Silhouette Cameo to cut the candy jars from the multi-patterned Poolside/Crate Paper paper then adhere them on the right side of a kraft layout background. I used a glue dot here and there to attach them so they'd lift off the page a bit to create shadows and dimension. I adhered some of the inner-pieces inside the jars and then filled them all with "candy" - wood buttons, wood veneer lightbulb, asteriscs and dots from a Thickers pack, punched paper circles, and enamel dots - ALL found in the FAIRGROUND scrapbook add-on - perfect right?! Layer papers down the left side and bend up the edges. If you turn over the gold transparency, it's pink(!!) so I cut a strip and then adhered it along with a photo and pink doily. Journal on the white paper and you're done!

SUPPLIES: Scrapbook kit: FAIRGROUND by Studio Calico; Cardstock, adhesive, pen: American Crafts; Die cut machine: Silhouette Cameo; Candy jar cut files: Paige Evans for Studio Calico

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Hope I get to work with another Studio Calico kit soon!!

Studio Calico offers four types of monthly kits - Scrapbook, Card, Planner & Project Life® - as well as add on kits and shop items to complement them. A new kit is revealed on the 27th of each month (at noon EST if you're a subscriber, at midnight EST if you aren't). For more information or to start your own subscription visit StudioCalico.com!

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