My 2022 Mini Reading Journal | Elle's Studio

 Hello crafty friends! I'm a little late sharing this fun little project I made with the August kit and add-ons from Elle's Studio. I was very inspired by the book themed goodies, cards, stickers and stamps found in this month's release and created a mini reading journal.

Supplies: August Kit, 4 x 6 inch Basic Grid Journaling Tags, Fuchsia Jane Alphabet Cardstock Stickers, Lost in a Good Book Cardstock Stickers, This Rated stickers, Warm Puffy Heart and Star Stickers, A Good Book Stamp

The base of the mini book is one 12x12 sheet of cardstock cut in half, each half folded accordion style then glued end to end. It makes 13 3x4 pages (+ a cover). Despite all my best efforts, I know that it will be sufficient for my yearly reading. If you read more, you can add more pages.

I followed a similar design for each book read with a photo of the book and a This Rated sticker on one side and a short review on the other side using cards either from the kit or from the Basic Grid Journaling Tags.

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I decorated each spread with a mix of Lost in A Good Book stickers and A Good Book stamps. They make  fun but also give additional information about the book. 

Whether you're a big reader or not, I hope you will be inspired to document the books you have been reading so far. It is always fun to look back on your reviews and remembering your favorites.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Christmas Planner | with Elle's Studio

 Hey there friends! The Holiday season has now officially started and I decided to create a Christmas Planner with my Elle's Studio November kit and several add-ons. It is so cute, I hope that will motivate me to stay organized!

Supplies: November 2021 Kit, November Labels, Puffy Heart and Star Stickers, Monthly Numbers Stamp, Wonder Paper Stack, Autumn Tab Stamp, Calendar Templates Journaling Tags, Pocket Envelope Metal Die

For the base, made out of white cardstock, I was inspired by this tutorial on YouTube (by Scrimpingmommy)

I adapted it so it would be of more practical use. In the back pockets I included a card list and shopping list, both made out of paper from the Wonder Paper Stack. I have also included a Calendar template to keep track of events and deadlines.

In the pocket on the left, I hid wish lists in an envelope created with the great Pocket Envelope Metal Die and menu + baking plans are in the right pocket.

Here's a look of my little organizer closed:

It can also be a cute gift for the 1st day of Advent! Here is my affiliate link to the Elle's Studio shop if you are interested in checking out my supplies: Elle's Studio latest release. Thank you!

How do you keep organized during this busy time of year?

Grateful for this moment | Elle's Studio

 I am back with another page in my Yosemite book. It is the last one, all I have left to do is the title page, and it was created with the October kit and extras from Elle's Studio.

Supplies: October 2021 kit, Grid journaling tags, Home Sweet Home cardstock stickers, Moss green cardstock label stickers, Autumn heart & star acetate stickers, Cool Solids Paper Stack, Sincere Sentiments Wonderful You Stamp

I was inspired by the Moss green label stickers and decided to type my journaling on several on them, placing them on the edge of the page. I also added some stamped with the Wonderful You stamp set. I just love the font of these stamps plus I am currently obsessed with green and black color combinations.

Since I wanted to include the park brochure/map in my album, I found a glassine bag in my stash, placed it on a sheet of solid cardstock from the Cool Solids Paper Stack and just added a bit of embellishments.

I always leave the title page for last because I find it to be the hardest. I have an idea of what I want to do but it will have to wait for another post!

If you would like to check out the October release from Elle's Studio, here is an affiliate link: Elle's Studio New items.

Thank you for stopping by today! 

Nice spot for a picnic (with Elle's Studio)

 Hello crafty friends, this post was written for the Elle's Studio blog but I wanted to share my project (and inspiration for it) here as well. It is a new spread in my ongoing Yosemite adventure notebook. 

I always find great ideas while looking back at design team projects and one in particular recently caught my eye, this fantastic layout created by Melissa Mann in September 2020:

I love its design, which was perfect for the two vertical photos I had, and I could imagine it adapted to a smaller scale to fit onto my notebook page. 

Supplies: September 2021 kit, September 2021 labels, Autumn Die Cuts, Halloween Cardstock Stickers, Jane Tile Alphabet Cardstock Stickers - Black, White Typewriter alphabet cardstock stickers, Autumn Puffy Hearts, Thankful paper stack, Home Sewn Stitches stamp

I recreated Melissa's central panel and mirrored strips of patterned papers on each side using the new Thankful paper stack.

I naturally placed my title where she placed hers and used leaf die-cuts from the Autumn pack on the diagonal where she had wood veneer hearts.
I was not going to skip the stitching details from my inspiration piece and that's when my brand new Home Sewn Stitches stamps came in handy! They are perfect when stitching is a bit trickier, like in a notebook, or when you are short on time. 

Admiring the many layers of Melissa's layout, I added several elements, journaling tag, label, die-cut and paper clip on the top portion of my page. 

Finally, I purposefully left the opposite page simple, light and clean. I love the resulting contrast between the two sides of this spread.

Thank you for stopping by!

Taft Point | with Elle's Studio

Hello friends, I am back with another spread in my Yosemite notebook. This one was created with the September release from Elle's Studio and features a page and a half.

Supply list: September 2021 kit, Autumn Die Cuts, Autumn Puffy Hearts, Thankful paper stack, Home Sewn Stitches stamp, Mini Dated Stamp

This was my first time folding a page over in half to create a flap. I like the little surprise when you go through the book. It was also a perfect spot for a bigger, longer photo. 

The opposite page is a more traditional grid, similar to ones used previously. My favorites in this release are the Autumn die-cuts, which are layered in three clusters around the spread, and that blue background paper from the Thankful paper stack (no surprise, the paper stacks are always must-haves for me!). 

Lastly, I used one of the new Home Sewn Stitches stamp to accent my journaling strips. 

As I am close to finishing this album about our trip to Yosemite last year, I am saddened by the news of the current wild fires ranging in nearby Sequoia National Park. These California parks (and giant sequoias) are treasures that I wish everyone the chance to visit at least once in their life! 

If you interested in shopping in the Elle's Studio shop, here is my affiliate link to the latest release:

Elle's Studio New arrivals. Thank you!🙏

Mini Brag Book | Elle's Studio

Hello friends! I am back here today to share a fun project I created with some new products from Elle's Studio. Their new Proud of You die-cuts and Pocket Envelope metal die sparked the idea to create a mini brag book for a friend.

Supplies: August kit, Proud of You Die cuts, Adventure 6x8.5 Paper Stack, Pocket Envelope Metal Die, Doodlebug Design twine and cardstock

The base of this mini book is an envelope cut with the Pocket Envelope metal die in which I added a folded "accordion" from the same sheet of cardstock. I then added photos on some of the folds and patterned papers from the Adventure Paper Stack on the others.

The rather short supply list of this project is a testament to the awesomeness of the Proud of You Die Cuts. Except for one piece from the August kit, all the others you see are from that pack! My favorites were the "mini" (roughly 2x3in) cards that made the designing process easy and fun. I printed my photos to match their size for a uniform look.

To finish up, I wrapped the closed envelope with twine on which I hung a couple more die-cuts. It makes such a cute present!

Thank you for stopping by today! If you have any questions about this project or the supplies I used, let me know in the comments. Bye!

El Capitan | with Elle'sStudio

This is my second project with the July kit and add-ons from Elle's Studio and yes, it is another spread in my Yosemite notebook. I am still having a lot of fun with this format and will have to figure out what I am going to do once it is finished!

Elle's Studio supplies:  July 2021 Kit, Cardstock Die Cut Tags, Adventure Chipboard Stickers, Navy Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Adventure 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Summertime Tabs Stamp

Other: Heidi Swaps Storyline Chapter Notebook

I really wanted to feature this perfect quote from Ansel Adams as it conveys very nicely the feeling you get in Yosemite Nat. Park. I also kept a light and monochromatic palette across the pages to leave the focus on my photos.

As I already shared in my previous post, the Adventure Chipboard stickers were my favorite this month. They add just the right touches of color and dimension while keeping your project "flat" (important in a notebook).

If you're interested, you can check out the entire July release through this affiliate link: Elle's Studio Shop. 

Thank you for stopping by! Happy Bastille Day to my fellow French citizens!

Elle's Studio July Reveal | Go See Do

 Hello friends! Another month, another reveal you say, but wait, this one is so darn fantastic that you might want to scroll down to the bottom to see the offerings! ;) This July kit and several add-ons from Elle's Studio were perfect for the Yosemite notebook I have been happily working on. Here is the first of three projects:

Supplies: July 2021 Kit, Cardstock Die Cut Tags, July Labels, Adventure Chipboard Stickers, Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers - Neutrals, Adventure 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Nesting Tags Metal Die

If you have been to Yosemite National Park, I am sure you will agree that Half Dome is worth a full double page photo :) I layered my big 7.5x11inch print on top of two sheets of woodgrain paper from the new Adventure Paper Stack. Next, I created three focal points across the page using some cards and die-cuts from the kit, tags and chipboards from the Adventure pack.

All my favorite July add-ons are right here in this close-up. My top 3 must-haves this month are the Adventure Chipboard Stickers, the Adventure Paper Stack and finally the fabulous Nesting Tags Metal Die. I have been wanting a die of that little white thingy on the top of the tag FOREVER!

Let's take a quick look at the entire new release:

And here is an affiliate link to the shop: Elle's Studio latest release as well as a link to the blog where you'll see more creations by my fellow Design Team members: Elle's Studio blog

It's been a pleasure sharing this project and my favorites with you. Come back soon!

Yosemite Valley View | Elle's Studio

Hello friends! Today I would like to share with you a new project for my Heidi Swapp notebook created with the new June kit and add-ons from Elle's Studio. This one started with a 7.5x9in. layout featuring the famous Valley View in Yosemite National Park.

Supplies: June 2021 Kit, June Labels, Cork Labels, Patriotic Acrylic Stars, Celebrate Summer Stamp, Weekend Stamp, Good Times Paper Stack, Parker Alphabet Metal Die, My Star Metal Die, white Bazzill cardstock

It felt surprisingly good to create on a blank page in a more traditional layout style (but keeping it manageable with a smaller format).

Since I had a couple more photos I wanted to include from this location I decided to create another layout for the opposite page. I intentionally kept it simple as to not take away from my main photo. I went with a classic grid design and black and white prints.

I made sure that they were well coordinated and even created visual triangles across both pages: the acrylic stars, the grey patterned paper, the touches of green...

They are both on textured white cardstock, insuring cohesion, and I will glue them in my notebook afterward. That also allowed me to add machine stitching without worrying about the back side, something tricky when working in a notebook.

I hope you'll have some scrappy time this week! If you are interested in checking out this summery kit and add-ons, here is a link (affiliate) to the Elle's Studio shop: Latest release at Elle's Studio

Thank you for stopping by today!

Kill your kit | with Elle's Studio

Hello crafty friends!  I am back today to share how I have used some of my Elle's Studio May kit leftovers and a few extras to create a new spread in my Heidi Swapp notebook. 

Elle's Studio supplies: May 2021 Kit, May 2021 Labels, Jane Tile Alphabet Cardstock Stickers - Black, Black Typewriter Cardstock Alphabet Stickers, Puffy Banners and Border Stickers, Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers - Warm Tones

Other supplies: Black and white cardstock

Since my goal was to give you ideas on how to kill your Elle's Studio kit, I decided to rely almost exclusively on my leftover 3x4 cards for this project. They didn't really work as-is for my design so instead I cut them up. Can you guess how many cards I used up?

I cut up six cards! These are the different ways I used them:

- color block accents next to my photos

- layers under my photos

- photo corner

- mat for photo

- photo captions

- date strip and

- title embellishment

To bring in texture and more details, I added a few matching puffy stickers (from the Puffy Banners and Border Stickers and the Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers) along with a couple of die-cuts from the kit.

I love cutting my cards to use them outside pockets and as you can imagine, the possibilities are endless when you think of them as paper scraps.
I will conclude with one last tip: for the sake of uniformity select two or three colors for your project and cut only those portions from all your leftover cards.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope to have inspired you to try finishing up one of your kits! It's sure to bring you satisfaction :)

Vernal Fall | Elle's Studio

 Hello friends! For this second project with Elle's Studio's May release, I created a new spread in my Heidi Swapp Storyline Chapters notebook where I am documenting a trip to Yosemite last Spring.

Supplies: May 2021 Kit, Jane Tile Alphabet Cardstock Stickers - White, Yellow Parker Acetate Alphabet Stickers, Puffy Banners and Border Stickers, Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers - Warm Tones, Cork Words, Good Times Paper Stack

I am still loving this format and paired a pocket page style grid with an extra large photo. I was happy to use all my favorite extras on this spread!

Combining cork, acetate and puffy stickers to add texture and three focal points...

...but still flat enough for a notebook.

I can't wait to go back to Yosemite National Park but since there was not much water when we went (in May some falls were totally dry), I'd like to go earlier in the Spring next time. Have you ever visited?

And if you would like to check out the Elle's Studio release, here is an affiliate link to the shop:

Elle's Studio latest release

Thank you!

Colors are... | Elle's Studio Stamp Week

Hello friends! Today, I am sharing a project showcasing some of the Title Builders stamp sets from Elle's Studio along with their April kit. It is "Stamp Week" over on their blog and I wrote this post for them.

Supplies: April 2021 Kit, April Labels, Smile Cardstock Die Cuts, Springtime Stickers, Navy Acetate Alphabet, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Celebrate Paper Stack, Title Builder Vol. 2 Stamp, Title Builder Vol. 4 Stamp

I am documenting our first visit to Yosemite National Park in a Heidi Swapp Storyline Chapters notebook and I am really enjoying this new-to-me format. This spread started with the idea to pair my dusk photo with a lovely quote I had found.

All the Title Builder Stamp sets are great. You get lots of words in different fonts and sizes that you can mix and match. I was happy to find several words and accent stamps in Volumes 2 and 4 which worked perfectly for my quote. I paired them with the Navy Acetate Alphabet and Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers. 

I colored the "Colors" stamp from Volume 4 with three pencils to replicate the ombré in the photo and it is one of my favorite things on this spread! 

I used the same two stamp sets, Title Builder Vol. 2 and 4, to add accents on the opposite page. I "built" another sentence on an April label and found the perfect sun stamp to go with it.

I hope to have inspired you to play with your stamps on your next project. Once I commit to using them more, I always love the result!

Thank you for stopping by today 💙

Elle's Studio October Reveal | Week In The Life Day 1

 Hello friends! It's reveal day over in the Elle's Studio shop and I am excited to share this first project with you. I finally started my Week in The Life album from a week back in May. This spread covers Monday and is completely designed with the items releasing today:

Supplies: October 2020 Kit, Neutral Die Cut Labels, Thankful Chipboard Labels, Autumn Tiny Shapes and Dots Puffy Stickers, Acetate Stars, Jewel Polka Dot 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Documented Stamp, Medium Jane Alphabet Stamp - Solid, Medium Jane Alphabet Stamp - Outline, Mini Dated stamp

As you can see I decided to use a traveler's notebook insert and added a flap to make more room. On the outside, I stamped the day with the new Medium Jane alphabet stamp set and wrote a description, almost hourly, of our day.

For the inside of the spread, I split the morning and afternoon photos, making the first half on the white background and the second half on a black paper from the Jewel Polka Dot 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack.

On the inside part of the flap, I wrote a short gratitude list for the day and added a list of what we ate using two cards from the kit.

I really enjoyed playing with the stamps this month and, mixed with the green embellishments of the kit and add-ons, I created a black, white and green color combination which is always a favorite of mine.

If you would like to check out this new release up close, here is a direct affiliate link to all the goodies I used for this project: Elle's Studio October 2020 Release

Thank you for stopping by my little blog today! 💚