Hip Kit Club: Stamping Snowflakes!

I live in Utah where one of our taglines is ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth” … yet, until January 6th, 2024, we hadn’t really seen many fluffy, white snowflakes this season. Sure, we have had a few skiffs here-and-there, but it just so happens that the day I was stamping the snowflakes for this layout we had a big storm. Yay! (Hmmmm. Maybe my scrapbooking has more mystical powers than I’m aware of? LOL!)

Click on the image below to watch the Scrapbooking Process Video for my first layout using the December 2023 Hip Kits.

WINTER ADVENTURES

Growing up in Utah I learned how to ski the local slopes, but these days I would rather scrapbook the snowy days away and stay nice & warm & cozy inside. My kids are past the age of sledding and building snowmen, but my son and husband still send me a few snapshots of their days snowboarding at the local ski resorts.

The December 2023 Hip Kits are perfect for scrapbooking your winter memories. Today I’m sharing my first layout using these amazing kits. Check it out!

Of course I added lots of snowflakes to this page, but let’s first talk about this cutie-patootie notebook die-cut. I couldn’t resist threading it with some string to look like a miniature wire coil. Cute, right?! I embellished it with a few pearl stickers, puffy stickers, and ‘boyish’ mini staples.

I had SO MUCH FUN building the center column on this layout … filling it fussy-cut kaleidoscope flowers, stamped snowflakes, and pine branches from the Floral Die-cuts. The snowflake stamp is a 2×2 snowflake that was included in the Main Kit this month. I used the Ombre stamp pad from the December Color Kit to get the ombre ink effect. So FUN!

This ‘Winter Adventures’ die-cut made the perfect title. I was so happy with the way the curve along the bottom of the die-cut framed out the curve of the mountain in the photo below it. I fussy-cut a tag from a Pocket Life card to use as a ‘base’ for my title, then added accented the title with more snowflakes, puffy stickers, and the cutest little bird die-cut in all the land!

I dressed up the stamped snowflakes and fussy-cut flowers further with tiny chipboard circle stickers and pearl stickers from the Embellishment Kit.

At the bottom of my photos, I added a few phrase stickers … a printed foam sticker and a cardstock sticker (both from the Main Kit).

I LOVE the colors of the Cozy Adventures collection in the December 2023 Hip Kits. If you are looking for a fun color scheme and a variety of winter icons and phrases for your winter photos, this kit is for you!

Thanks for checking out my work today! Wishing you a cozy, scrappy day!

DECEMBER 2023 HIP KITS USED IN THIS PROJECT:

• December Main Kit (Patterned Paper, Sticker Book, Cardstock Die-cuts, Printed Foam Stickers, Snowflake Stamp)
• December Cardstock Kit (Sled Red)
• December Embellishment Kit (Chipboard, Puffy Stickers, Floral Die-cuts, Pearls)
• December Pocket Life Kit (6×8 Paper, Tag fussy-cut from Pocket Life Card)
• December Color Kit (Ombre Ink Pad)

Scrapbook & Cards Today: Lake Life

I mostly create single-page scrapbook layouts, but double-page layouts are my go-to when documenting a vacation! Today I am sharing a 2-page layout that I created for the Winter 2023 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine using the adorable Bella Blvd. Lake Life collection.

LAKE LIFE

The assignment was for a column where we were sharing our favorite memory of 2023. Being in the mountains with my family is heavenly, so I chose to create a layout about a getaway my family took to McCall, Idaho, on the shores of Payette Lake.

Bella Blvd. collections are always so happy and bright. I love working with them and have the most fun choosing all of the die-cuts to decorate my project.

There are always so many cute critters … my favorite! And the Bella Pops with their glossy, epoxy details and layered look are the perfect way to king things up a notch!

The die-cut packs are HUGE! I love using the elements to create little scenes around my layout.

There are so many title options in the Ephemera-Words pack … and they are generously proportioned making them perfect for scrapbooking!

I also really love that the collection kits include TWO of each paper … perfect for those who LOVE creating double-page layouts or those who love to collect patterned paper. *raising my hand high*

The mountains are my favorite place to be … I will definitely be using this collection over and over. LOVE it!

Where is your favorite place to spend time with your family?

Thanks for stopping by today. See you again soon!

SUPPLIES USED IN THIS PROJECT:

Hip Kit Club: Creating a Double Pocket Page for Christmas

Earlier this month I told you about how I was avoiding our Covid Christmas photos from 2020 because they just didn’t seem to have the same excitement as a ‘normal’ Christmas. My solution was to create pocket pages and it has worked out great! The ADORABLE products in the November 2023 Hip Kits help to connect my random photos together and add that seasonal sparkle.

Today I’m sharing the next spread in this series … a double-pocket page. To see the process, watch the video below! Or scroll down to view the photos.

CHRISTMAS TIME

The first thing I do when I am creating a double-pocket page is to decide where my photos are going to go and what size I will be printing them. I tend to print them smaller, as opposed to placing a full-photo in a pocket, because I like to place patterned paper behind the photos. The colors and patterns of the papers are what makes my creative heart HAPPY!

I make sure to leave lots of empty spaces between the photos so that I have room for journaling and embellishing. Next, I decide what cards will go in each pocket, making sure to balance the colors and patterns throughout the double-page spread.

Embellishing is my FAVORITE! (I’m sure you have figured that out already. Ha!) I always have fun with the Hip Kit Club embellishments because there are so many textures and finishes to mix together which make it so interesting to look at.

I tend to think in ‘layers’. Stamping in different colors of ink directly on the card or layering paper are the ‘flat’ layers. Next, I add dimension with chipboard and cardstock die-cuts that are popped up with thin foam dots. The ‘top’ layers are things that are sparkly or have more dimension to them, like puffy stickers, gems, enamel dots, buttons, or trim.

I make sure to add a title card to each spread and incorporate a good balance of words and images. Cutting images using metal die-cuts adds a ‘custom’ feel to your projects. For example, the pine sprigs on this layout add so much true-to-life texture. LOVE it!

I like to treat each card as it’s own little layout. I try to make sure I include different textures on a single card.

Every photo on your pocket page spread doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, that is the beauty of pocket pages. They are a good place to add the more casual snapshots that we take on our phones that probably wouldn’t warrant a full scrapbook page, but still help to capture daily stories.

For example, my daughter’s eyes in the photo below look droopy, but it was still fun to capture my girls love for ice cream to comfort their souls during this strange and different covid Christmas, so I included it anyway.

Don’t be afraid to just have fun decorating cards to fill the spots. On this page, I decorated three of the 3×4 cards with large die-cuts and stickers. They make your spread more decorative and give a place for the viewer’s eye to rest.

I get asked a lot how I print on my journal cards. There are many people who run their cards directly through their printers by attaching them to type paper. I don’t do that. It stressed me out to much! *giggle* I simply print my journaling on thin vellum, then adhere the vellum directly to the card. Once the card is inside the pocket page, you barely notice the additional layer of vellum. It blends right in!

Journal pocket cards don’t have to be just for journaling. I used a 3×4 card here to anchor my fireplace sticker. (it almost looks like the floor and trim to the room, don’t you think?) I also used a 4×6 ‘week-at-a-glance’ journal card as the background for a photo. Check it out below!

Another way to add texture to a layout or pocket card, is by using paperclips or staples. Here you can see I used mini staples in several spots to accent different areas. The silver color of the staples ties in with the silver foil puffy stickers.

The Pocket Life kit includes a variety of card sizes; 3×4, 4×6, 3×6, and 3×8. I cut some of the longer cards down to the 3×4 size. I also created my own cards with the 6×8 papers from the Pocket Life Kit, or the 12×12 papers from the Cardstock Kit and Main Kit.

Here is one more look at each page of my double-page spread. I LOVE the way it turned out!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my take on pocket page layouts this month! Pick up the ADORABLE November 2023 Hip Kits at the links listed below.

Thanks for coming by!

NOVEMBER 2023 HIP KITS USED IN THIS PROJECT:

• November Pocket Life Kit (6×8 Paper, Pocket Cards, Stamps, Die-Cuts)
• November Main Kit (Patterned Paper, Cardstock Die-Cuts, Layered Dimensional Embellishments, Puffy Phrases)
• November Cardstock Kit (Holly Bush, Evergreen, Craft, Sparkle Blue)
• November Embellishment Kit (Sticker Book, Chipboard Die-Cuts, Chipboard Button Stickers – Stars, Puffy Shape Stickers)
• November Color Kit (Skylight Ink Pad, Do-Si-Do Ink Pad)
• November Die – Spruce & Holly Die Set

Hip Kit Club: Creating with the November Cut Files

Hello! Cut files are a great way to get your creative juices flowing. There are so many types and styles of cut files, there truly is something for everyone! I tend to lean towards titles and simple cut files that allow me the freedom to add my own spin to them, including spaces for lots of embellishing (my favorite part of the creative process!).

Today I am using the simple Pine Wreath cut file and Make It Merry Title cut file from Hip Kit Club along with the November Hip Kits. If you are a subscriber to the Hip Kit Club, all of the cut files released each month are FREE! But they are also available to purchase separately, if you’d like. Check out my page below!

MAKE IT MERRY

I began by cutting the Pine Wreath cut file from white textured cardstock from my stash. (I didn’t want to chance messing up any of my FAVORITE Hip Kit Club cardstocks, if the cut file went awry! LOL!)

I sprinkled the white cardstock wreath with the Ruby Spritz (November Color Kit) then used a blending brush to add Skylight Ink (November Color Kit) to the edges. I adhered the completed wreath to the center of the Craft Texture cardstock (November Cardstock Kit).

I also cut the Make It Merry Title cut file from the same white textured cardstock and used whatever Skylight ink that was left on my brush to add soft shading to the edges. I followed that up with some Dark Grey inking to define the edges a little more.

I backed each of the letters using the solid colors printed on a 3″ x 8″ color blocked journal card from the November Pocket Life Kit. I also added in some blue patterned paper from the November Main Kit.

I added the title to the page using thin foam dots, then decorated it with ornament and floral stickers from the Sticker Book (November Embellishment Kit).

My photos are matted with the Candy Cane Red cardstock (November Cardstock Kit) and placed below the title at the bottom of the pine wreath cut file. I accented the bottom-right corner of the second photo using a Layered Dimensional Sticker from the Main Kit. The date was stamped using the Date Stamp from the January Pocket Life Kit.

Finally, I decorated the wreath cut file with the mint, green, red, and blue Chipboard Button Stickers from the Embellishment Kit. I pierced holes in each of the buttons and added thin crochet twine to each one. Aren’t they festive?!

This page was so much fun to make and will coordinate perfectly with the Pocket Pages I have made with the November Kits this month. In fact, I’ll be back next week to share a double-page pocket layout using the November Hip Kits. I hope to see you then!

NOVEMBER 2023 HIP KITS USED IN THIS PROJECT:

• November Main Kit (Patterned Paper, Layered Dimensional Sticker)
• November Cardstock Kit (Craft Texture, Candy Cane Red)
• November Embellishment Kit (Sticker Book, Chipboard Button Stickers)
• November Pocket Life Kit (Pocket Cards)
• November Color Kit (Skylight Ink Pad, Ruby Spritz Spray Ink)
• November Cut Files (Pine Wreath, Make It Merry)
• January Pocket Life Kit (Date Stamp)