Memory keeping in 2023

 Hello friends, I have made some changes in my memory keeping for 2023 and wanted to write a bit more about my plans here. I shared a hint on my Instagram account back in October.

After 6+ years of pocket pages, I needed to shake things up and decided to work in a Quarter A5 Journal from Everyday Explorers (and to take a break from my Elle's Studio DT).

Supplies: Journal, alphabet stickers and stamps from Everyday Explorers Co., 

labels from Elle's Studio, stickers from Daiso, Ali Express and Paper Treats Shop

I had several goals for this change and after a few weeks of documenting this way, I already see them happening:

- simply reduce the space taken by my memory keeping: journals are way smaller than ring albums

- less importance on dates and more emphasis on journaling

- more freedom (by getting out of the pockets)

- a less formulaic approach to renew my creativity

- play with different products (I have a new obsession for stickers, especially japanese and taiwanese)

- find new inspiration

Supplies: Journal, alphabet stickers and stamps from Everyday Explorers Co., 

label from Elle's Studio, stickers from Daiso and Ali Express, patterned paper from Heidi Swapp

I am loving it so far!

You will still see pocket pages from time to time (since I've got so much to finish in those past albums!) and other projects will show up (like all my Mini Book Makers Club kits) but this journal will be my everyday memory keeping for whatever happens in 2023. I hope you will continue to follow me on this journey. 

Are you shaking things up as well this year? Are you changing format? Let me know in the comment!

💕

* links are affiliate links

Cards mixing the Sincere Sentiments Collections | Elle's Studio

Hello! I am back today happy to give you a break from all the Holiday prep. I am sharing two new greeting cards created by mixing several Sincere Sentiments stamps and metal dies from Elle's Studio. I really like how they turned out!

Supplies: Sincere Sentiments Congrats Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Wonderful You Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Best of Friends Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Best of Friends Add-on Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Wonderful You Metal Die, Sincere Sentiments Best of Friends Metal Die, Sincere Sentiments Best of Friends Add-on Metal Die, Labels, Ledgers, and Tabs Die Cuts, Warm Solids 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Magical Memories 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack

My first card started with a negative cut of the word You backed by a contrasting black paper from the Magical Memories stack. I completed the sentiment with stamps from the Best of Friends and the Wonderful You stamp sets.

I stamped and die-cut three large flowers with the Best of Friends Add-on Metal Die to match the striped paper in the background.

I kept using the same paper stack for this second card and played more with the idea of matching pastels  with black and white sentiments.

I paired the cursive Hello stamp from the Best of Friends set with a typewritten phrase from the Congrats stamp, embossed on black cardstock. 

I die-cut the flowers from plain cardstock with the Best of Friends Add-on Metal Die and I really like the clean look.

My ideas for you are:

- mix and match fonts/stamp sets when creating your card sentiments 

- make your sentiment pop by using contrast

- create depth with foam dots (a must on all my cards)

- use metal dies on their own (without their matching stamps) for more options!

Thank you for stopping by today! 

New shaker cards | Elle's Studio Sincere Sentiments collection

 Following the new Sincere Sentiments release from Elle's Studio, I was inspired to create shaker cards using the stamps and metal dies.

Supplies: Sincere Sentiments Best of Friends Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Best of Friends Metal Die, The Best 6x8.5 Paper Stack, Warm Solids and Cool Solids 6x8.5 Paper Stacks

For this first card, I used the large flower die-cut and put it through the machine three times eyeing the distance between them (like I did previously here). I backed each with solid cardstock from the Warm and Cool Solids Paper Stacks and filled each pockets with matching sequins.

For the sentiment, I combined two stamps from the Best of Friends set (then handcutting the S from the Friends die-cut). I could not resist using the miniature "for you" tag which I stamped on green cardstock and adorned with a string bow. I love it!

To embellish the card, I added black stamping directly on the background but also stamped flowers in colors matching the background of each pocket.

My second card has a simpler and cleaner design with a classic central round shaker featuring the sentiment inside the pocket.

Again, I used papers from both the Warm and Cool Solids Paper Stacks (truly must-haves for any cardmakers) and stamps from the Best of Friends set for the sentiment. The variety of fonts in this set makes for awesome combinations!

Have you made shaker cards before? They are really fun!

Thank you for stopping by, always 💝

Indian Summer Pocket Page with "use your scraps" tips | Elle's Studio

Hello, I am back to share a new project and also show you how I "stretched my August Elle's Studio kit". After creating a full pocket page, two cards and a mini reading journal, I still had enough in my August kit to create this 12x12 page celebrating the end of Summer at the beach.

Supplies: August Kit, Fuchsia Jane Alphabet Cardstock Stickers, Jane Tile Alphabet Cardstock Stickers - Coral, Summer Cardstock Stickers, Cool Puffy Heart and Stars Stickers, Good Times 6x8.5 inch Paper Stack

Here are some of my tips to make the most of your kit leftovers:

1. Adapt the cards you have left by covering parts of them if the wording (or colors) doesn't match what you are documenting. Example: I used a label and diecut on the card below to cover a teal "best friends" wording.

2. Use patterned papers to create your own cards or background. Also, don't be afraid to cut up your leftover cards to add touches of colors or wording. What was a book spine on a card became a border in this pocket.

3. Layer your leftover diecuts and labels to add focal points around your page.

4. Dig in your stash of past kits and stickers. With Elle's Studio products you are guaranteed to find color matches!

5. Finally, use lots of photos so you need less tags :)

Feel free to share your own tips in the comments!

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.

I

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!

Sinceres Sentiments Shaker cards

 Hello friends! I wrote this article for the Elle's Studio blog but also wanted to share these new cards with you here. I used a mix of their original Wonderful You and their newest Congrats Sincere Sentiments stamps and matching dies along with other card-making supplies from the shop.

Supplies: Sincere Sentiments Congrats Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Congrats Metal Die, Sincere Sentiments Wonderful You Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Wonderful You Metal Die, Banners Metal Dies, My Star Metal Die, Love You 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Cool Solids 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Magical Memories Puffy Heart and Star Stickers

It is while looking at my dies that I got the idea to make shaker cards. This first card started with the My Star Metal Die set.

I discarded the cut star and kept the negative part to create a window. I love the stitched detail from the die! Underneath, I layered cardstock and papers from the Love You and the Cool Solids Paper Stacks.

For the sentiment, I used my favorite stamp from the Congrats set and paired it with stamps from the Wonderful You set. I even embossed the congrats outline so it would pop even more against the bold Friend! in teal.

The puffy stickers in black from the Magical Memories collection add a different texture, contrast and details around the card. 

My second card was a bit trickier since I had the idea to use the same die (from the Wonderful You Metal Die set) three times, lining the cuts vertically and horizontally, and three shades of the same color as background for my shaker pockets.

I am very happy with the color gradient obtained with the Cool Solids Paper Stack.

Finally for the sentiment, I white embossed a stamp from the Congrats set and easily centered it into a banner with one of the Banners Metal Dies.

I hope to have inspired you to make cards with your stamps and your metal dies! The shaker pockets add an interactive element that is fun for anyone!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Magical Mail with Elle's Studio

 Hello friends! After sharing two cards created with Elle's Studio new Magical Memories collection in my previous post, I am back with more happy mail! I used the same collection along with some extras to make this "Magical" mini folder filled with little surprises.

Elle's Studio Supplies: June 2022 Kit, Outlined Stars Metal Die, Pocket Tabbed Metal Dies, Title Builder Vol. 6 Simply Magic Simply Magic Stamp, Title Builder Vol. 6 Simply Magic Metal Die, Magical Memories Die Cuts, Magical Memories 3 x 4 inch Journaling Tags, Magical Memories Vellum Die Cut Shapes, Magical Memories Cardstock Stickers, Magical Memories Heart and Star Puffy Stickers, Magical Memories Puffy Stickers, Magical Memories Puffy Circle Stickers, Magical Memories 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack

I was inspired by Septeria18 on You Tube for the body of the folder and here is the link to her video: 6X8 Paper Mini Folder

For the cover, I created a cluster of die-cuts from the Magical Memories Die Cut Pack and added foam adhesive here and there. It is glued on top of the ribbon that closes the folder.

This is what you find when you open the folder :)

I have decorated a couple of tags as well as star embellishments. I also used some of the word stamps and metal dies from the collection and tuck some words into the small side pocket. My favorites are the paper clips created with the Magical Memories puffy stickers and regular paper clips from my stash. They turned out so cute!

On the right side of the folder, I slid tickets and words strips in the small front pocket and cut a smaller folder with the new Pocket Tabbed Metal Dies.

Thank you for stopping by today! I will be sending this little happy mail to one randomly chosen followers on Instagram very soon so don't forget to follow me there ;)

Finally, here is an affiliate link to the Elle's Studio shop if you are interested: Elle's Studio Magical Memories

Greeting cards with the new Elle's Studio Magical Memories collection

Hello, we are celebrating a Week of Magic over on the Elle's Studio blog and I created a couple of greeting cards with the brand new Magical Memories collection to celebrate. With all its patterned papers, die-cuts, puffy stickers and more, I have found it perfect to make fun cards for any occasion!

Supplies: Magical Memories Die Cuts, Magical Memories Label Stickers, Magical Memories Heart and Star Puffy Stickers, Magical Memories Puffy Stickers, Magical Memories Puffy Circle Stickers, Magical Memories 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack, Title Builder Vol. 6 Puffy Word Stickers, Make A Wish Stamp, Nesting Tags Metal Die, Banners Metal Die

Always a good source for sketches, both of my cards are based on sketches found in the Spring 2022 issue of Scrapbook and Card Today magazine. 

For this first one, I combined several patterned papers from the Magical Memories 6 x 8.5 inch Paper Stack and used a couple of my go-to cardmaking dies, the Nesting Tags Metal Die and Banners Metal Die (also from Elle's Studio). 

Embellishing the tag, focus of my card, was my favorite! I combined circles from the Magical Memories Puffy Circle Stickers with a bow from the Magical Memories Puffy Stickers for the cutest effect. The sentiment is from the Magical Memories Die Cut pack. The use of foam squares under the different layers adds dimension and the twine bow adds texture. 

For this second card, it all started with a square frame from the Magical Memories Die Cuts and I cut matching squares from the paper stack. A festive bouquet of balloons pops out of the frame bringing the focus on the sentiment.

For the sentiment, I found just the right word in the Title Builder Vol. 6 Puffy Word Stickers and paired it with a sentence from the Make A Wish Stamp set (an oldie currently on sale).

With their happy colors and theme, these cards are bound to put a smile on their recipients's face, don't you think?

Shaker and tunnel cards with Elle's Studio new metal dies

 Hello friends, I am here to share with you two cards I created for Elle's Studio with their new Photograph metal dies. As soon as I saw these new dies, I was inspired to create a shaker card and a tunnel card.

Supplies: May 2022 Kit, The Best 6x8.5 Paper Stack, Love You 6x8.5 Paper Stack, Warm Solids 6x8.5 Paper Stack, Warm Puffy Heart and Star Stickers, Photograph Stamp, Photograph Metal Die, Layered Card Metal Die, Banners Metal Dies

For the shaker pocket card, I used one of the Photograph dies to create the frame and stamped on it using the matching Photograph stamp set. 

I raised it with foam adhesive over the trimmed "Love you mom!" filler card from the May kit. The window is made of a page protector cut to the size of the frame.

For the finishing touches, I just added a puffy heart outline from the Warm Puffy Heart and Star Sticker pack and little banners perfectly cut thanks to my Banners Metal Dies.

I recently discovered tunnel cards (Thank you Sharon!) and the fact that the Photograph Metal Dies include three sizes of the same shape make it perfect to create one. I adapted a tutorial found on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAxaNSwlsvs) using white cardstock and papers from three different Elle's Studio paper stacks: Warm Solids, Love You and The Best.

For the sentiment in the middle, I used diecuts from the May kit along with the "flash" diecut from the Photograph set, stamped with a tiny heart from the stamp set of the same name.

I absolutely love the 3D effect and the fact that you can just fold it flat to fit into an envelope.

I hope to have inspired you to try these fun types of cards, whether you have this specific dies or another set with multiple sizes.

Congratulations cards | Elle's Studio

Hello, I am back today to share greeting cards I created with the brand new Sincere Sentiments: Congrats! collection from Elle's Studio along with some just released April add-ons.

Supplies:  Sincere Sentiments Congrats Stamp, Sincere Sentiments Congrats Metal Die, Layered Card Metal Die, Flower Die Cuts, Warm Puffy Heart and Star Stickers, The Best Paper Stack

I loved combining the bold sentiments of the Congrats stamps with the bright papers of The Best Paper Stack and the floral elements of the Flower Die Cuts pack.

I stamped the large Congrats on patterned paper from the Best paper stack and placed it at an angle and on foam dots for the greatest effect. I used the scalloped frame die from the Layered Card Metal Die set to create the yellow border. 

With the same supplies I went on making a second card. The Congrats stamp set offers so many options that you can really make a large variety of cards.

Just like for the first card, I stamped part of my sentiment on patterned paper from The Best stack. It looks great, especially here with the outlined Congrats stamp, combined with a solid black stamp. Once again foam dots, plus layering, add dimension to the card.

The best part of the new Sincere Sentiments Congrats stamp and dies is the big variety of fonts included. It's easy to create great looking projects by mixing them.

Thank you for stopping by today! I appreciate it!