:: mix it up monday ::

It's one of my favorite Mondays of the month -- Mix It Up Monday!  I've got two inspiration pieces for you today, and two free files. Are you ready to get a little messy with us? Here we go!

For this layout I used Fancy Free by Pink Paislee. I started with an idea in my head, made a cut file (here it is for you, free), started scrapping -- then completely changed gears! Does that ever happen to you?

What I ended up with was a bunch of splattered paint as my background, with a little bit of painting with gelatos and a water brush behind the photo. The lesson for me was, sometimes less is more. 

I added some machine stitching around the layout and through the leaves. I would like to challenge you to add some stitching to your project and share it with us. It can be machine stitching, like I did here, or you can hand stitch, or you can even faux stitch (make some lines with a pen)! 

If you are interested I made a process video -- which includes how I started and then changed my mind!

Like last month, fellow DT member Rachel Kleinman is contributing to the inspiration this month. Here's her take on the stitching challenge:

Don't you love her stitched arrow?  And that background is to die for. I also love the staples that look like stitching in the corners! Clever! Guess what? That arrow is also a free file in the Paper Issues Store -- you can grab it here!

So now it's your turn to get a little messy with us! Share your projects with us by June 6th in the Paper Issues {Friends and Fans} May Challenge Album for a chance to win a gift card to the Paper Issues Store! And you never know, you just might be featured on our FB page, blog or IG feed!

Grab some Fancy Free in the Paper Issues Store -- or just about any other paper need -- and use the code 'orangegearle' for 20% off your entire purchase!