challenge: No ordinary paper

From specialty stamping paper to glitter, corrugated to extra heavy mixed media to tissue – special papers abound! Tim Holtz has some great sets that I’ve been playing with and I just love that special papers can add so much more than just a starting point for a project. This week we challenge you to use something other than regular patterned paper or cardstock on your page – and inspire us with the world of papers available!

Emma chose to use vellum and glitter paper.

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I love the sparkle and shimmer of glitter paper and the delicate floaty appearance of vellum but for some reason, I very rarely use either of them in my projects…until now, and today was the day I decided to change all that when I used Deco Sheets to die cut my Eiffel Tower and Wallflower Vellum, which worked so well for my punched butterflies. I added these elements to a background of paint and ink to create my Parisian inspired journal pages!

Meihsia used some corrugated cardboard and sparkling sheets on her project this week.

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The base of this wall décor was the cardboard from the package of Tim Holtz Minis Burlap Panels. Tim Holtz Textured Surfaces were layered on the background and I die cut some embellishments with Tim Holtz 2015 Deco Sheets to decorate it. To soften the color scheme of this wall decor, I applied Gesso randomly as the final touch.

Maura was inspired to make a birthday tag.

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I save tissue paper whenever I get a gift and often reuse it with a pretty bag. The tissue is perfect to use on my tag to create a colorful background. Time to use my Simon Says Stamp It’s Your Birthday! set (which was my birthday gift). What says celebrate better than a Tim Holtz cupcake? Now, I have a lovely tag ready to attach to a gift bag.

Ashli was inspired to scrap an intro page for a new album…

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Using some specialty stamping paper, I created my four little stamped birdies, along with my doodled nest. After stitching down some tissue paper, my birdies got all nestled in, along with some floral embellishments. Four little birdies on a page to introduce an album all about my four little girlies!

Andrea made a coin purse out of some “plasticized paper.”

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I often dream of making my own sturdy sew-able paper. The jury’s still out on how this turned out for me, but this challenge seemed like the perfect time to give it a whirl. I started my coin purse by decorating a vintage book page with stamps such as Simon Says Stamp’s One With Nature set and stencils like Dina Wakley’s Organic Shapes.

Barbara loves all of the alternatives to regular cardstock now available.

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I love Tim Holtz Core’dinations Kraft Core Metallic and Ranger textured surfaces. For me it was natural to choose these two products to cut the wonderful Tim Holtz globe die and the letters and words of my card. The brightness of these Cardstock and versatility of Textured surfaces give a special touch to each project. Have not you tried yet? Do it, you’ll love it!

Corrugated cardstock was Sandra’s inspiration for this card.

I usually never use bright colors along with corrugated cardstock, but I wanted to try something different and the new Distress Colors Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon and Fossilized Amber were perfect for a colorful background. With the Botanical Remnant Rubs and White Sharpie Pen I created some contrast.

Anna-Karin used a mix of surfaces to create this textured card.

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It is no secret that I love watercolour paper which was used for this tag, together with my fun new Brushos. The leaves from the lovely Simon Says Stamp One With Nature set were stamped on cork and the butterfly was die cut from wood veneer paper. For even more texture I used burlap and a piece of Linen Ribbon.

Michelle used Corrugated Paper to create a Book Cover.

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I adore Corrugated Paper! It is study and has a great texture for visual interest. I used it to make book covers for a pocket size journal that I can keep in my handbag. The sweet Prima Stamp is just the right size to fit on the cover. I love that stamp!

This subject suited Nicole just fine, as she’s always up to a good paper challenge.

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Anyone who knows my craft style knows I don’t have a lot of  designer paper.  I love creating my own paper to suit what I’m creating.  My Ranger Watercolor Paper is always my go to paper.  I love to ink it, drag and add some Wendy Vecchi Texture Paste.

Cheiron used Metallic paper to create the leaves on her tag.

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I love the Tim Holtz Metallic Kraft Core Paper it really adds the perfect hint of subtle bling to my neutral tag. I used the paper to cut out some leaves with the Spring Greenery die to frame the Photobooth photo .

Suzz ordered the Simon Says Happy Pack of Papers for the challenge this week.

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I couldn’t resist ordering the Happy Pack of papers because of the wood veneer sheets of paper. I love playing with the wood grain. I stained the different pieces with distress stain, paint, and for this layout the Distress Stain Spray – Vintage Photo. My two daughters were goofing around during graduation photos and I wanted to show the bond between sisters the wood grain went beautifully with the lovely trees in the background. I mixed in flowers, acorns, branches and bird nests. I spent some time splattering some different sprays and paint including the Heidi Swapp Color Shine – Patina.

I (May) love watercolor paper like no other!

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These days I feel like I should buy it by the case! Here on my project I used manila cardstock (a favorite!) with great heavy watercolor paper and had a blast! What I love about both of these papers is that they allow a lot more water use and play in general. They are tough – which makes them favorites in my book!

For more inspiration click on our design team’s blog links so you can see more photos (and full supply lists) for their projects. Leave them a little comment love while you’re there so they know how they’ve inspired you too, if you’re so inclined.

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As always, Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $50 gift voucher that will go to a random entry chosen by random generator. To qualify all you need to do is create a new project that ties in (in any way!) with our theme and post it, along with a link back to this challenge, and add a link here. This challenge will end at 11:59pm on Sunday August 3 Eastern time. We will also be choosing some of our entries to put in the spotlight – a special honor where we talk about why we loved that entry in particular and award a special badge too! For the full rules, read the “challenge rules” posted in the side-bar here on our blog.

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  1. What a thoroughly nice way to start the week. I love all the different surfaces used and all the different styles. You’ve inspired me to play along this week. Thank you. :)

  2. What a fabulous theme this time around!!! Love getting out my specialty papers!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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