Simple Stories Make It Merry Layouts Part 2

It's Carolyn back today with some more Christmas inspiration using the Simple Stories "Make It Merry" Collection. 

For this layout I used the October sketch from the Creative Scrapbooker Magazine Sketchy Facebook Group made by Kerry Engel. 

I was really drawn to the big title because there are so many amazing title foam stickers to choose from. It was really easy to make. I backed the photos with solid colours and added some of the paper with the stripes to the center photo. I used a variety of ephemera, puffy stickers and cardstock stickers. I also used a pen to extend the string on the ornaments and some Liquid Pearls to add dimension to the tree. 

My second layout was inspired by the wrapping paper in the pictures. I tried to use strips of paper and ribbon to mimic a floor covered in wrapping. I used my sewing machine to add some texture. I layered ephemera in clusters and added some Liquid Pearls again. 

I hope we all get to have some in person Christmases this year! Make sure to pick-up this collection to scrap all those wonderful pictures. 

Simple Stories Make It Merry Layouts Part 1

 Hello everyone! It's been awhile - so much so I last posted summer layouts and now it's Christmas! This month I got to work with the Simple Stories "Make It Merry" Collection. It is so awesome. I love the colours and the good mix of background, embellishment and patterned papers. 

Let's start with my favourite layout. I used the November sketch in the Creative Scrapbooker Magazine Facebook Sketchy Group. 

I like how the boxes are tilted and not a perfect 3x3 grid that I would normally use. I had a screenshot of our Christmas morning which was printed on a 4x6 photo. When I cut each family picture apart they fit well in individual boxes. I used a white pen to doodle around the picture to add more interest and contrast. The embellishments are a variety of ephemera, cardstock, puffy and foam stickers. 

I was also able to cut out the letters I needed from one of the papers and use them on the foam stickers to make the title I wanted. 

For this layout I didn't cut the pictures apart so I could show how we were actually all online. I found a font I liked and used my Silhouette to cut out the numbers. I used the offset tool to make the outline for the numbers. The rest of the layout uses embellishments as listed above but also quite a few from the Simple Pages Page Pieces. It's a set of embellishments that could all be used to make a couple pages. I used them to build 2 visual triangles on the page. I made three clusters of similar size embellishments for each triangle. 

Thanks for stopping by! Happy scrapping!

Welcome Winter

Time to document your winter memories! Have you had a chance to play with the October Scrapbook Kit? The kit features the Carta Bella, Welcome Winter collection and it’s a beauty! So many blue tones, snowflakes and plaid touches - perfect for winter. 

Snowflakes and Circles

For my first layout I played with circles! I started with this great striped pattern from the collection and using an empty paper towel roll and some blue/grey crackle texture paste from my stash created some messy circles down the centre of the page. 

Then I used a circle punch and the 2x2 cut apart pattern paper in the kit to make a bunch of circles featuring different snowflakes from the collection. I grabbed any of the circle embellish (die cuts, chipboard and stickers) and created a cascade of circles with my photo in the middle. 

A few black splatters, a few more splatters in the same crackle texture paste with some water added, a few punched hearts from pattern paper and a small rip and some staples on the left and right of the page finished it all off. 

Embrace the ‘Country’ Look 

For my next layout I wanted to showcase this awesome selfie of my parents! I love that it was taken at Christmas and you can see the heaps of white snow in the front yard behind them as we are all inside, cozy and warm. Perfect winter memory. 

I started with this simple plaid pattern from the kit. Then pulled a 12x12 chicken wire stencil from my stash (love the ‘country’ look for this farm house photo) and added it to the page using a crackle texture paste in blue/grey from my stash. I used that same texture paste with some water to create splatters, and added a few in white acrylic paint too. Using some Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide in Weather Wood I also added some snowflakes using the collection stamps.

Then I used a bunch of patterns to anchor my photo and just had fun layering a whole bunch of chipboard, sticker and die cut titles to the right of the photo. I was excited to tuck one of the plastic snowflakes from the kit in there too. A couple of punched hearts in the amazing silver glitter paper in the kit stapled to the top left of the photo finished it off! 

Think Left and Right 

 

 

For this layout I featured 4 photos. Instead of a horizontal layout (my go to) I decided to try the photos down the left of the page. 

I started with a Bazzill Basics Cardstock, Raven (black) from the shop as my base and added some bricks using a Peartree Cutfiles Stencil from my stash and Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide in Weather Wood for some pattern. A few splatters in the Distress Oxide and white acrylic paint finished off the mixed media design.  

Then I created a cascade of photos on the left, backing each photo with a couple of the pattern papers from the kit. To balance the page and create a title, I added a bunch of embellishments to the right. 

In a couple of spots I also added the flag die cuts in the collection - a great way to feature some of the twine included in the kit with a few simple staples.

All the Plaids 

Inspired by the little tree embellishments in the collection and in love with all the plaid pattern paper, I reached for this Christmas Tree cutfile from Peartree Cutfiles. I used a different plaid pattern paper from the collection for each tree and the glitter paper in the kit for the stars. 

I popped up the cutfile on the wood grain pattern, after adding some background splatters in white and black, then had some fun adding my photos, a title from the chipboard set and stars from the kit and my stash. The little feature at the top and bottom of the page are the edges cut off one of the die cuts in the collection. I thought it was a neat touch! 

If you are not a kit member or just looking to add more of this collection to your scrappy stash, lots of goodies left in the shop. Check out Carta Bella, Welcome Winter.

 

 

Documenting Autumn Memories

If you working on scrapping your fall memories before the winter and Christmas memories start rolling in, reach for your September Scrapbooking Kit. This kit is all about the ‘Welcome Autumn’ collection by Carta Bella. All the oranges and pumpkins and fantastic fall sentiments make this collection really fun to play with. 

Torn Edges

For my first layout with the kit I reached my my three most favourite patterns from the collection. I ripped the edge of each a little more than the last to create a design where all three patterns could do the work. The white of the ripped eyes breaks up the patterns nicely. I generally would not pair so many busy patterns together but this kit is so well designed it’s easy to mix all the things. 

I printed a 4x6 photo in black and white, popped it up on some foam adhesive and more pattern paper (yup!) then just tucked and layered all the embellishments that made me happy. 

Circles

For my second layout, I was all about circles! First, I used a circle punch to cut out circles of all the fall things from the 2x2 cut apart pattern paper. Then I grabbed up all the circles embellishments from the chipboard and stickers and just stated creating a cascade of fall circle fun. Some black and white splatters in acrylic paint behind the circles brought a bit of the grunge I love. 

I picked a 4x6 photo of me and a couple of my sisters and backed it in a number of the kit pattern paper and some foam tape. A couple of phrase stickers from the kit and a few embellishments finished off this layout. 

Make it Three 

I had a lot of fun with this third layout! I found 3 patterns that were fun together from the kit. Then cut each at an angle to make up the full 12x12 layout like a puzzle. The pieces a little smaller than needed so I could leave a small slice of white space to break up the patterns a bit. 

My next move was to create the ‘Fall’ title on the bottom right. I really wanted to use those sticker alphas and the red truck. Together they made a cute little cluster. I found these sweet little photos of our pup and picked some matching embellishments for the centre of the page and voila! 

White Space 

For my final layout I went minimalist. I used a piece of Bazzill Basics Cardstock in Avalanche (white) from the shop and a bit of stencil to create an anchor for my photos. Then it was all about tucking embellishments and some fussy cut leaves from one of the patterns. Some splatters and the enamel dots from the kit finished it off. 

I have had a lot of fun with this kit and still have so much to play with. If you have a September kit - dig in! If you are not a kit member but looking for some fall goodies, there are still some Carta Bella, Welcome Autumn in the shop. 

 

Family Fun

Does your family play a lot a games and do a lot of puzzles? Mine sure does! 

Anytime we are together - no matter if we are in the dining room or a table at the pub - there is some sort of game and most definitely a selfie of us playing. We do this so much, I have a whole bunch of photos waiting to be scrapped. 

Simple Stories, Family Fun collection I picked up from the Scrap Shotz shop to the rescue. This collection has everything you need to scrap games and puzzle nights. From board game pieces to video game sticker or arcade and bowling and mini golf die cuts and more. So much fun! 

Sorry, not Sorry

For my first layout I grabbed this awesome teal pattern paper called Your Turn from the collection as my background. I used some Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Chipped Sapphire with a Peartree Cutfiles Stencil to give the layout a touch of mixed media. I liked that the stencil looks a little like the Connect 4 Game. Remember that game? 

From there I created a top and bottom of the page cluster - focusing on layering all the things behind a 4x6 photo of us playing Settlers of Catan (such a great game!) on the bottom of the page and then a couple of smaller photos of the game on the table at the top of the page. I tied it together with an arrow and the title in the empty space between. 

This collection is full of game board related stickers, die cuts and clipboards - so easy to create fun, themed clusters! 

All the Words 

For my second layout I wanted to try two techniques. Using the word and phrase stickers from the Collection Kit sticker sheet and sticker book, and I wanted to try the paper rolling touch I have noticed on Instagram lately. Done! 

I started with the pattern paper called Good Times. I cut along the lines of the number rows from bottom to about halfway up the page. Then using the end of a skinny paintbrush rolled each of the strips up - making sure the rolls were at different heights on the page. I used a little tape to keep them in place. 

Then I secured that on white cardstock and then created a grid of word and phrase stickers on the bottom half. Making sure the design started right below the rolls of paper and not worrying about covering the whole white space. Where the stickers didn’t quite line up, I added a chipboard, sticker or die cut star to hide the oops. 

From there all of my focus was on the paper rolls. I added my photo and just tucked and clustered a bunch of die cuts, stickers, and chipboard to create a nice little mess of fun! I love using a large photo to draw the eye and then a bunch of small photos to add more details. 

Triangles for the Win

For my final layout I was inspired by a throw back Let’s Get Sketchy sketch - 4 triangles on each edge of the page to draw the eye to the centre where the photo sits. I thought the border of triangles would be a great anchor for loads of goodies! Sure was! 

To start, I grabbed some white cardstock and used that same Peartree Cutfiles stencil and my most favourite mixed media paste, Picket Fence Paper Glaze in Black Pansy, to add a little black texture to the background here and there. 

Then I created 4 triangles using 3 layers of the pattern paper each. I adhered these on the middle edge of each side of the page creating a focus point in the centre - where I placed my photos! From there it was all about adding in all the mini-golf related die cuts, chipboard and stickers. So many to choose from! 

I really cannot believe how much fun it was creating these layouts - the collection is so easy to play with and it was great to relive these awesome family moments. 

If you play Quirkle or Uno, master the 1000+ pieces puzzles or have fun at arcades or go-carts or mini-golf … you just might need the Simple Stories, Family Fun collection. Lots of goodies still in the shop ;) 

Simple Stories Simple Vintage Coastal Layouts

Who went to the beach this summer? I sure did. This collection is perfect for scrapping those ocean, beachy, boating pictures. I got to play with the Simple Stories Simple Vintage Coastal collection. Below you will see examples of the bits and pieces die cut pack, chipboard stickers, brads and the foam stickers (my favourite!).

For the first layout, I used the July sketch from the Creative Scrapbooker Magazine Facebook Group. 

I like how the sketch pushed me to move my pictures to the outside of the page. I never would've done that myself. I just backed the photos with cardstock and added some stickers and embellishments. Oh Simple Stories, you make everything so simple!

My second layout looks like mixed media but Simple Stories did all the hard work for me. The background paper does all the heavy lifting. I just cut some of the palm tree branches out of the paper so I could layer my picture underneath. 

Then I layered stickers and embellishments and journaled at the top. The picture isn't matted but has the manufacturing strips down the sides.

My third layout has a few bits of torn paper but I have so many awesome goodies to play with, I just went to town layering them once again.

My final layout uses all the same techniques as the others but this time I used a stencil with texture paste on the background. I also splattered some sparkly paint.

Thanks for taking a peak! Have a great day!

When Life Gives You Lemons

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When Scrap Shotz sends you the Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Lemon Twist, you make layouts!

I have absolutely loved playing with this collection. At first I honestly was not sure I would have memories to match the style … but I was so wrong. This collection is all about fun, bright, cheery designs and colours; and I have loads of those kinda memories to document! 

Florals for the Win! 

For my first layout, I was all about showing off the amazing floral die cuts in this collection.  Flowers, butterflies and bees and all beautifully coloured and detailed. 

First I stamped the background Paper (Bazzill Cardstock, Raven) with Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide in Hickory Smoke using an older botanical Vicki Boutin stamp from my stash. Adds a few splatters too. Then I simply layered a whole bunch of die cuts up from the bottom of the page and down from the top - a layered jumble! 

The top layer serves as the anchor for my photos (which I backed in just white cardstock) and my title. The bottom layer was a good spot to feature a few phrase embellishments, stickers and a couple of bees too from the collection.  

Hexagons are my Favourite! 

For my second layout, I played on the hexagon/bee inspired elements of the collection. I cut a bunch of different pattern paper hexagons on my die cutting machine. The patterns are so pretty - wanted to show them all off! 

Before adhering any of the hexagons, I added some mixed media to the background. The black small hexagons are another Vicki Boutin stamp from my stash applied with Staz On in Jet Black. Then some packaging technique with Tim Holtz, Distress Ink in Mustard Seed, and finally splatters in more Mustard Seed and some Evergreen Bough. I finished it off with black splatters using slightly watered down Black Nouvo. 

From there I just played with the pattern paper hexagons to create a nice anchor for the photos, and then layered a bunch of title elements down the right hand side of my photos. A little lemon tucked here and there, and a couple bee embellishments and voila! I love how bright it all turned out.

All the Hearts! 

There are so many super cute hearts in this collection - sticker, cardstock and foam hearts… blue, yellow, black and pattern hearts …so many hearts. So I focused on a design that would give me an excuse to use way, way too many! 

First, I covered the bottom half of the page with the black/white plaid pattern. This is my favourite pattern in the collection so I really wanted to show it off. Then I cut a few different circles from some of the other patterns. The circles become the anchor for my photo and created a neat transition from the bottom pattern and the white cardstock (Bazzill Cardstock, Avalanche) on top. 

From there, I backed my photo in a few more pattern papers, and used the stickers sheet to create some fun tabs on the left. I also added a few splatters in Tim Holtz, Distress Ink in Mustard Seed, Evergreen Bough, and Black Soot behind the photos. 

Then it was all about the hearts! I wanted it to look like they are floating up from the love my nephew has for our dog! So focused on scattering them from the photo upwards and widening the scatter as it got close to the edge of the page. I finished it all off with a two alpha title and a little rip and extra heart at the bottom of the page. This one came together real quick - so fun! 

Strips and Stitches! 

For my final layout, I wanted to use all the pattern paper branding strips, scraps of paper and washi tape of the collection. 

First, to add a little more black to the background pattern, I used a honeycomb stencil and rubbed some Tim Holtz, Distress Oxide in Black Soot on it followed by a few sprints of water and then pressed the wet side down to the paper. This gives you a more faint and less perfect negative impression of the stencil which matched the style of the collection quite nicely. You can see it there on the top left side and near the bottom right. 

From there, I cut a bunch of strips of paper, tore each end so there were different lengths and then layered them down the left side of the page. I added a few strips of washi tape in there too for a little touch of shine. After the strips were all in place, I stitched a few with black thread on my sewing machine. I left the stitched ends loose and a little long so it looked nice and messy. 

To finish it off, I added my photo with lots of fun layered embellishments and patterns and this really long title. This collection is in the Scrap Shotz Scrapbooking Kit and included cardstock and Doodlebug alphas - these are those cute black alphas! 

Are you playing with this kit or collection - we would love to see! Tag us on social media or join the Scrap Shotz Paper Crafting Facebook Group and post up your projects!