Pocket page: A look back at 2020 | with Elle's Studio

Hello friends! I wrote this blog post for the Elle's Studio blog and wanted to share it here as well. This new pocket page was created with their December kit and some extras (affiliate). I will also show you how I have played with their Good Cheer Printables.

Supplies: December 2020 Kit, Good Cheer Printables, Comfort and Joy Stickers, Joyful Chipboard Stickers, Stitched Stars Wood Veneer, Happiness & Cheer Stamp, My Star Stamp, Jane Alphabet Stamp

This page, which will be the last one in my family album, is a look back at this year inspired by two 2020 cards from the kit. I love how cards with journaling prompts can help you tell your story so I sat down with them and took a moment to reflect.

Next, I considered the black bold 2020 in those cards, the colors in my photos and decided to create a monochromatic page. I got the idea of switching some of the Good Cheer Printables to black and white. It was very easy using only Microsoft Word (note that you will not get the same effect if you just print your color tags to black and white).

First import the cards you have chosen into a Word document. Then, click on each one, go to the "Picture Format" tab on top, open the drop down menu of the "Color" icon and select the black and white one. That's it! And I love the result!

And what goes well with black? Stamping, of course! I combined the two new stamp sets, Happiness & Cheer Stamp and My Star Stamp, on my title tag, even stamping on selected chipboard letters from the Joyful Chipboard Sticker pack.

I don't consider myself a hybrid scrapbooker but playing with the Printables like this was fun and I love my layout so I'll probably do it again! I hope you will try this technique too.

Happy Holidays! Remember to always look on the bright side of life :)

Express your gratitude with a Happy Mail folio | Step by step tutorial

 Hello crafty friends, I'm back today to share with you how I created an accordion folio to send my gratitude and a few goodies to a dear friend. The Avenue collection by Pebbles Inc was my inspiration for this project. It has the cutest icons, lovely florals and, ready made tags and sentiments making it perfect for any type of happy mail.

Supplies: Cardstock, twine, brads: Doodlebug Design; Patterned paper, letter stickers, shape stickers, die-cut shapes: Pebbles Inc.; Vellum: Darice; Punches: WRMK, Recollections, Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

From a hidden note to small envelopes and pockets filled with surprises, it is a lot more exciting than receiving a plain card. It is also a lot of fun to make!

Once you have made your base, you can really let your imagination or the products you have on hand guide you to create something special for each panel of the booklet.

It would also be fun to include photos of you and you friend in the tag pull-out or in the slanted pocket! 

Finally, I love making little shaker pockets and wanted to share with you how simple they can be with an upcycled clear bag (the type small embellishments come in).

You can finish with a letter (in the bigger envelope), then fold the folio up, tie it with twine, add stickers in the front and it is ready to go.

Thank you for stopping by today. I am grateful for you, longtime readers or one-time visitors.

Birthday Wish List mini books for kids (Doodlebug Design)

I am a bit sad for the kids celebrating birthdays during these social distancing days but today I have a cute craft to do with them (or for them) that might help. I think they will enjoy filling out these cute wish list mini books even if the party/presents only come later. I used the brand new Hey Cupcake and Party Time collections from Doodlebug Design to create a girl and a boy version.

You will find a video tutorial below on how to build the base of the mini books. The younger kids can then draw while the older ones can handwrite their wishes on the blank pages. The rest can be decorated with patterned papers, diecuts and stickers.

You can create a book with just a 12x12 sheet of paper, white cardstock (or even copy paper) and glue. Here is the video:

Now fill out the book using colorful pens or markers!

Finally here is a super quick video showing the inside pages of each mini book:

I hope you have fun with this cute project, whether you are 7 or 77! Happy crafting!

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED:

Hey Cupcake and Party Time collections

Cardstock

Teensy type stickers in various colors

Making Lists in March | Tutorial: Create your own epoxy embellishments (Elle's Studio)

Hello, I am here today to share a new pocket page and an easy tutorial on how to make the epoxy embellishments I created for it.

Supplies: March 2020 Kit, Pastel Labeled Journaling Tags, Labeled Journaling Tags,
March Labels, Go See Do Acetate Die Cuts, Black Typewriter Cardstock Alphabet Stickers, Jane Alphabet Stickers - Black, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Black Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Notebook Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Teal Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Flourish 6 x 8.5 paper stack, Word Circle Stamp, Title Builder Vol. 4 Stamp

The inspiration for these DIY epoxy buttons came directly from Elle's Studio Word Circle stamp set and I love how they add a shiny texture and depth to my page.

These are the supplies you will need for this tutorial:

Other than the stamp set, you will need a circle punch (or metal die) measuring 5/8 in., ink pads and 5/8 in. clear epoxy dome stickers (here is a link to the ones I bought on Ebay: 20 Epoxy dome stickers).

Aren't they fun? You can customize them, words and colors, according to your project!

If you are wondering about my page content, I joined the March #30daysoflist class and I am selecting some of the prompts to journal in pockets throughout the month. It's my first time participating and I am really enjoying it (even if I write several lists at once rather than daily). I love the original journaling that I get to record that way.
Finally, I am giving away a few of those clear epoxy stickers on my Instagram account so if you're interested in making some yourself, follow me at www.instagram.com/anounceofcreativity/

Happy scrapping!

I Heart Travel Happy Mail with a miniature pocket letter tutorial (Doodlebug Design)

Hello I am back today to share another example of happy mail that could brighten someone's day. I grabbed the awesome I ♥ Travel collection from Doodlebug Design (affiliate link) because I wanted to place all my goodies into a suitcase and develop my inserts on that theme.

I first created the suitcase itself by following this tutorial on You Tube, with a few variations (like the buckles that I hand cut). But the most fun was making the goodies that I was sending in it including the smallest pocket letter ever!

I started with a little booklet in which I put the cut apart postcards from the 12x12 Wish You Were Here paper. I also hand cut and strung several mini banners placing them into a small package I made for them. Finally, my favorite, I created a miniature pocket letter that fits perfectly into the suitcase.

It barely measures 3x4 inches and I will show you how you can create one too.

You will need a pocket page protector with a 3x4 pocket that you can cut. I had a leftover piece that worked perfectly. You can then cut little "cards" measuring 3/4"x1 1/8"to place in it. The next step is to design your pocket letter, first on top on the pocket, so you will know what will go inside and what will be adhered on top.

I used a mix of Mini Icons stickers, Doodle pop, Sprinkles, paper, twine and sequins. You first have to start with the bottom row which you will seal with a fuse tool. If you do not have one, you can also use a sewing machine.

The next step is to fuse the vertical lines before doing the last horizontal one. Spread things evenly before sealing and be careful not to shift things too much as you do.

To finish, decorate the top of the tiny pockets. You can add a little twine tassel if you'd like.

Isn't this the tiniest pocket letter you have ever seen?

Here is a short "unboxing" video:

INSTAGRAM | BLOG

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS  USED:

I Heart Travel Collection

Sequins Rainbow assortment

Twine in Beetle black and Limeade

Gingham-Linen and Swiss Dots Petite Prints 6x6 paper pads

Tiny Hearts Shape Sprinkles

Ladybug Boutique Buttons

OTHER PRODUCTS USED:

Page protector

Fuse tool

Halloween treats with Elle's Studio (and a quick tutorial)

I love all the fun Halloween elements in the Elle's Studio October release and they inspired me to create small treat packets to give to some of my favorite crafty friends. I will explain how you can easily make these yourself, whether to hand out, for a party, or to mail to your favorite niece or nephew...

Supplies (with affiliate links): October Kit, Candy Corn Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Halloween Puffy Stickers, Thankful Stickers, Halloween Acrylic Treats, Halloween Journaling Tags, Typewriter Keys puffy alphabet stickers

You will also need: cardstock, twine, a stapler and candy!

For each little treat packet, cut a piece of cardstock to 3x7.5 inches and score it at 3.25", 3.5" and 7" as seen below:

Next, fold the bottom flap inward and staple it with your candy bag into the fold:

All you have to do now is decorate the front, and the bottom flaps to hide the staple. I used a selection of tags, from the Halloween Journaling tags pack and the October kit, which I cut to 2 7/8 square. I embellished them with my favorite Halloween puffy stickers, some acrylic candy and Candy Corn Puffy Alphabet Stickers.

A little matching twine finishes the look. I love how they are each unique and fun!

Thank you for stopping by!

My Lil' Farm Magnetic Game (with Doodlebug Design) and tutorial

I could not wait to share this new project with you! I went out of the box and created a magnetic game with the Down on the Farm collection from Doodlebug Design. I am so happy with how it turned out! 

(Links in this post are affiliate, you don't pay extra by using them but I get a small commission on your sale, thank you!)

It even comes with its own little box to store all the magnets: 

Here is the list of what you need to make your own plus a quick tutorial:

- Down on the Farm Odds & Ends die-cuts: my inspiration and the most important supply!

- Patterned papers: I used "Counting Sheep" and "Horsin'Around" 

- Cardstock in blue and green

- A small cookie sheet: bought mine at Dollar Tree

- Adhesive magnetic sheets: found at Walmart

- Laminating sheets: bought mine at Daiso but I also saw some at Walmart

1/ Laminate* how ever many die-cuts you want from the Odds&Ends pack and fussy cut each of them afterwards. That is the longest part of this quick project.

2/ Once they are cut, place an adhesive piece of magnet behind each of them.

3/ Cut and glue the patterned papers and cardstock to the cookie sheet to create a scenery. That's it!

I found a small metal box in my stash that I decorated so that all the magnets could be stored in it but you can use any container.

I can not wait to offer it to my friend's daughter! I think she will have tons of fun with it! What do you think?

* Don't have a laminating machine? Use an iron like I did! Look for "laminating with an iron" on YouTube ;)

My Big Picture Class is live!

"POCKET PROMPTS 32", my very first class at Big Picture Classes is now live. I am so excited! There's even a process video! (another first for me) along with new photo and journaling prompts for your pocket pages. Go check it out with this direct link: https://www.bigpictureclasses.com/classes/pocket-prompts-32

If you are not a member at BPC, sign up for the FREE two-week trial (that gives you plenty of time to take my class and others ;)

I hope to see you in class!

Make a pocket page in 30 minutes

I first published this blog post on the Gossamer Blue blog yesterday and wanted to share it with you here as well.

I’ll start by saying that if you are looking for a way to document your memories quickly, pocket pages are the way to go, especially with the Life Pages kits! I will explain here my process for making this spread in 30 minutes and give you tips along the way. If I can do it, so can you!

During the first 10/15 minutes:

1/ I open my April Life Pages kit (kit = speed since you don’t have to go through supplies),

2/ print my photos: for the sake of time, horizontal photos are printed in 4x6, vertical photos are printed 3x4 and square photos in 2.5x2.5 (if your photos are already printed, you’ll save even more time!)

3/ while I'm printing, I “sketch” photo placement in a notebook (nothing glamorous as you can see!) and quickly go through my calendar, my emails and my planner to jot down notes of what happened that week.

For the next 10 minutes, I place my photos pretty much according to my “sketch” and select cards from the kit, trying out different combinations. When you have a variety of photos with different colors or photos that are pretty busy, my tip is to go with a monochromatic look (like I did here) with some black and white for contrast. It makes the process faster and easier and it will always look good! Then, I pull all the embellishments in the kit from the one color I chose and place them on my page:

 The part I always do last is the journaling. I usually do it on the computer or the typewriter but you will save even more time by handwriting it.

Stamp the dates, add a little bit of stapling here and there,  and it’s done!

Just like that Week 6 is done! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments and have a great week!