Here today with another 1 to 3 Challenge to share with you.

Our 1 to 3 Challenge is a scrapbook kit review we do here at Scrapstorian. A member of the Scrapstorian design team samples a scrapbook kit and applies it to three different sketch challenges in a month. We then document our experience for you – providing our thoughts on the kit company, the kit contents and how versatile it was for different challenges. We also talk about the sketch challenges themselves.

I have put a bit of a twist on this kit’s 1 to 3 Challenge in honour of the company I am reviewing, Paper Issues. Instead of using 3 sketches to showcase the versatility of the kit, I have decided to use all 4 of Paper Issues’ Scraplift Sunday challenges. This way I get to showcase the kit over 4 layouts and play along with one of my favourite challenges!

The kit I will be using for this 1 to 3 Challenge (or 1 to 4 Challenge) is Paper Issues, August 2018 Kit, Blue Ain’t Your Color. This is a fabulous kit. All bright colours and you can tell supplies were brought together to create a totally fun vibe. You can find a complete list of ALL the goodies (and there are many and from so many different lines and companies) at the link above.

I tried to resist this kit because I have so many supplies in my scrapbook room right now but,  as I noted on Instagram, “resistance is futile”. This kit is so ‘me’. I had to have it especially after seeing the awesome creations the Paper Issues’ Design Team showcased online. (This is a photo from the Paper Issues Shop, I was so excited I forgot to take my own photo before diving into creating!)

Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday 1/4 – Beautiful Moments 

The first layout I created using the kit was the Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday, October 7-2018 by Angie Pond. Wow! Angie uses a load of mixed media here to create such an awesome background for her page and focus all the attention on a single photo.

I also used a single photo but went with something much larger (8×8) and selected a background paper from the kt that would do some of the pattern work for me. I love creating backgrounds but it is not my superpower – so I like to cheat a little and start with a bit of pattern.

I used the Peacock Feathers Distress Crayon from Ranger Ink that comes with the kit to create a watercolor look on the background by scribbling with it on a piece of plastic packaging, giving it a few spritz of water and dabbing the packaging directly on the page.

Here is a look at my take on Angie’s layout:

All items on this layout are from the kit, complimented with just a few bits from my scrapbook stash: Bazzill Basics Cardstock – Raven; Heidi Swapp, Color Shine – Black Velvet; Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; and some string from my sewing box.

Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday 2/4 – Queen of the Court 

The second layout I created using the kit is a lift on Stacie Ebnet Dietz’ layout that was featured as the October 14, 2018 Paper Issues Scraplift Sunday Challenge. This is another mixed media infused layout that is all about creating a background to really centre the eye on the picture.

I stayed true to the single photo design concept and inspired by the mixed media Stacie used in her layout decided to spend my morning watching some Missy Whidden and Happy_Arty_Days on YouTube for some “how to” inspiration. Well I got the get messy and make it colorful bug after just a few videos!

Here is my take on Stacie’s layout:

This layout was so much fun to create and all the mixed media turned out just as I had hoped it would – the stencils, the splatters, the scribbles with the Distress Crayon and the packaging technique for the pink watercolor were so much fun to play with.

The layout is pretty much all kit supplies except a few bits: Heidi Swapp, Color Shine – Black Velvet & Mustard; Dylusions, Ink Spray – Cherry Pie; Bazzil Basics Cardstock – Avalanche & Raven; and string from my sewing box.

Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday 3/4 – Heart This Day

The third layout I created with the kit is based on the Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday, October 21-2018 challenge showcasing an awesome layout by Lisa Swift.

This layout is also a single photo but instead of dabbling in mixed media, Lisa shows us a great way to showcase a whole bunch of embellishments all while still drawing the eye to the photo. I elected to go embellishment crazy as well but instead of framing an embellishment in the frame, I added two 2×2 small photos.

Here is my take on Lisa’s layout:

This layout is all things from the kit with a few exceptions. But before I mention what I pulled in from my stash, I wanted to specifically mention that the background paper is from Alexandra Renke and is called Blots. All the paint blobs and little wooden stars are part of the pattern. The only thing I added was the sequins, buttons, wood veneers and a few rubbed circles of Tim Holtz, Distress Crayon – Peacock Feathers to bring in the teal of the Vicki Boutin ephemera pieces. I have never heard of Alexandra Renke before but wowzer I will be paying attention now – gorgeous paper, and the quality is fantastic. Thanks so much Paper Issues for the introduction!

The bits I added from my stash are the Close to My Heart, Waxy Flax – Black (retired); Bazzil Basics Cardstock – Raven and Avalanche; and Becky Higgins, Project Life, Currently – Die Cut Frames.

Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday 4/4 – The Simple Things 

For my fourth and final layout trialing the August 2018 Kit from Paper Issues, I played with the Paper Issues, Scraplift Sunday, October 28-2018 a lift of Olivia Larsen. Now this one is a mixed media, dimensional dream of a scrapbook layout – nothing like raising the bar on us Scraplift Sunday lifters Olivia!

I just love the beautiful mess behind the photo and wanted to find something where I only had one good picture and I needed a mess to tell the story – voila telling my story of the most humorous laundromat in Spain ever!

Here is my take on Olivia’s fabulous layout:

My sister gave me these little wire hanger embellishments years ago and I love that they found a great home on a scrapbook page. Who knew I would scrapbook about the simple things like laundry that still has to get done even on vacation!?

I switched the orientation of the row of labels Olivia used to the other side of the layout where I had some dead space on the photo that could use a little colour. The Vicki Boutin ephemera and chipboard letters was such much fun to tile.

I had a lot of fun creating the background with the Tim Holtz, Distress Crayon – Peacock Feathers and some Heidi Swapp, Color Shine – Black using the plastic package technique, some matching splatters and some stamping from my new The Ink Road – Full Circle and Stampin Up’, Project Life – Point and Click stamps. I rarely stamp on scrapbook layouts but I am trying to make it my new thing. So far a bit nerve racking but I am loving it!

The items I used from the stash to compliment the kit supplies on this layout are The Ink Road – Full Circle stamp set (HEART this set!); Stampin Up’, Project Life – Point and Click stamp set; Bazzil Basics Cardstock – Raven and Avalanche; Heidi Swapp, Color Shine – Black Velvet; Staz On Ink – Jet Black; Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; and some string from my sewing box.

So what did I think of the kit? I absolutely loved the Paper Issues, August 2018 Kit, Blue Ain’t Your Color. The amount you receive for the $36 USD price tag seems like a steal. I had more than enough product to choose from for these 4 12×12 layouts and I still have loads of embellishments left and one full 12×12 cut file (the awesome Starburst Die Cut from Kaiser Craft, Stargazer collection) to create with. The delivery was quick, the packaging fabulous and overall quality and value of the kit beyond top notch!

I am not sold on the yellow pompom tassels that the kit came with but some of the layouts I have seen on Instagram and the Paper Issues Facebook have really rocked them. I am not really a pompom gal but am inspired to try to find them a home somewhere in a future project. Besides isn’t a kit supposed to intro you to new things (i.e. Alexandra Renke Pattern Paper) and challenge your norm a little (hello pompoms)?

I will definitely be looking with interest at Paper Issues’ future kits for one that strikes my eye .. and I cannot resist, again!

Brande