Simple Stories - Game Night - Family Tradition

Hello Karen here! I'm back on the blog today to share a new layout featuring the fun Game Night Collection from Simple Stories. This collection is packed with images of dice, playing cards, game pieces, and classic board games and is perfect for scrapbooking your memories of game nights. I love that this collection uses the classic primary colour scheme with bold reds, blues, yellows, and greens. The collection also has a vintage, nostalgic vibe and was exactly what I wanted for my layout.

I started by layering vertical strips of "It's Your Turn", "No Cheating" and the B-side of the "2x2/4x4 Elements" paper. I also mixed in a woodgrain strip from Echo Park's Wood Grains collection for a bit of contrast and to echo the woodgrain background in my photos.

For texture I tore the edges of the paper strips and arranged them onto 12x12 sheet of yellow cardstock, leaving a narrow border.  I machine-stitched a white straight stitch around the entire perimeter to add more texture.

 

Two 6x4 photos were matted with more yellow cardstock and placed on the layout. Two die cuts from the Bits & Pieces pack were used to embelish.

Using my Silhouette, I welded two words in different fonts together to create a custom large-scale title. I then cut this from yellow and black cardstock and attached it to the layout.

To the left of the title I layered more die cuts. I was careful how I glued only the outer edges of the die cuts so that they created a pocket into which I was able to place my journalling tags.

I cut the journaling tags from the "Tag Elements" paper and printed my journalling on the computer. To finish the tags off, I strung them together with some black and white baker's twine before tucking them into the pocket.

I hope you like this layout and will try scrapbooking your games themed memories. 

Thank you for dropping by today.

I'll be back soon.

Karen x x

January Papermaze Kit

Lynn here today, sharing the DT layouts I have made with the January Papermaze kit. The lovely colours in this kit lend themselves beautifully to winter and Christmas layouts. 

Before looking at how these layouts were made, here is what you will find in the kit:

Patterned Papers:
49 and Market - Vicki Boutin - Curiosities in Willow Grove - Starters Paper 7
49 and Market - Vicki Boutin - Mistletoe & Memories - Staples Paper 5
Mintay Papers - Cottage Heart - #04 & #06
Echo Park - Snow Day - Cozy Plaid
Graphic 45 - Deck the Halls - Calm and Bright 

The photo below shows both sides of the patterned papers:

Embellishments: 
Pink Paislee - 5th & Monaco - Puffy Words
Craft Consortium - Enamel Dots
Rosie's Studio - Full of Wonder - Snowflake
Nellies Choice - Snowflake Stamps
Buttons Galore Sparklets - Starry Sky
Prima - The Home Baker - Ephemera
Super Ribbons - Blue Ribbon 

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Touch of Pink, Evening Surf (included in kit), Jade, Aqua, Twill and Coconut Swirl.

Happy Moments - A moment in time captured by my daughter, of her daughter playing . 

I started by creating my plaid border, to do this I gutted the EP Cozy Plaid paper. I saved the centre piece for use later on. Then I trimmed the Mintay #06 paper, to measure 11" x 11", and distressed the edges. 

Using a large heart template I made for the purpose, I drew the shape onto the scrips side of the #06 paper with pencil. Then with a pack of 49 and Market Vintage Artistry - Serenity Rub-ons and the Rub-ons Transfer sets; I rubbed some blots and phrases onto the paper. I chose a larger phrase for the title. 

I printed my photos with white borders, and arranged these diagonally across the page. From the remains of the Cozy Plaid paper, I cut two pieces 2" x 5" and distressed the edges. With these pieces blue side up, I placed one, tucked behind the top and bottom two photos. The paper and photos were stuck into place.

I raided my stash and found gems and pearls in shades of gold, brown, blue and white. I stuck these close together along the pencil lines. 

Tree Shopping Together - A family tradition, to go Christmas tree shopping on 1st December.

The background for this layout is the Starters Paper 7 paper, I chose the side with the trees printed down the right of the sheet.

Using my Cricut I cut a Peartree Cutfile (Winter Branches Wreath), in two sizes, both from the Jade Bazzill from the kit. I also cut a large star using the kit's Aqua Bazzill. To create the effect of a dusting of snow, rather than a complete covering, I dabbed the wreaths and star with an Emboss It Clear Dabber. I sprinkled and heat embossed Stampendous Frantage Shabby White Embossing Enamel.

I cut a smaller star with some rose gold glitter card from my stash. I flicked some white acrylic paint over both stars. I tied some ivory organza ribbon around the star, creating a bow at the front. I added a die cut snowflake from a previous Papermaze kit, and a gold wire and bead holly bough from an old Christmas card.

I mounted my photo onto white card and trimmed to make a narrow border. From last month's kit, I  selected  a tag from Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Believe collection - Tag Elements sheet. I inked the edges with Forest Moss Distress Ink, punched a hole in the top and threaded some jute twine through, then tied it in a bow.

I used the tag for my title, made with 49 and Market Evergreen Season - Chipboard words. From this collection I also selected the snowflakes.

At this point I glued everything in place. Further embellishments were made with white pearls, added to the larger wreath and three wooden trees.

For the date, I used more of the Jade Bazzill and Sizzix Thinlits Alphanumerics 'Label' die set.

That's all for today, back with more from this kit soon.
Thank you for looking.
Lynn x

Merry Days | Santa's Christmas Delivery | Echo Park | Rebecca Bee

Hello Scrappy Friends! Rebecca Bee here! It may be mid-January but I am still clinging onto the last ounces of joy from Christmas so have a third layout using Echo Park's Santa's Christmas Delivery collection to share!

For this layout, I have created a frame from the Holiday Ornaments patterned paper. Using a small amount of busy patterned papers in this way this means I still get to use pretty papers, but they aren't too overpowering to the eye on the layout. 

I wanted to create an effect of Christmas lights twinkling from behind this patterned paper frame, so I added a tiny amount of Distress Oxide splatters that would just barely peek out from behind the edge of the patterned frame. 

I added a small amount of twine and some of the Christmas Ornaments stickers from the elements stickers sheet to create a cluster that hangs down from the top of the frame

Onto the frame I have added a sprinkling of sequins and some tiny droplets of glossy accents glue to act as shiny decorations twinkling on the frame.

I have added clusters of stickers around the page and a perspex title from my stash.

Happy Scrapping everyone!

XOXO

These are the Days - Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Junk Drawer Collection

Hi everyone, it’s Rebecca with you today.

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have started the new year filled with scrappy plans and lots of inspiration. I really enjoyed having some time off over Christmas and was able to sit at my desk and create a few layouts, which was just lovely — such a great way to start the year!

To kick off 2026, I’m working with the beautiful Simple Vintage Junk Drawer collection by Simple Stories. You can find the full collection in the shop here.

I began by selecting one of the papers from the Simple Basics Collection Kit for my background. I loved the subtle design — it adds interest without overpowering the page. In the centre of the sheet, I started building layers using a variety of patterned papers. I mixed cut-apart elements with torn patterns to create texture and visual interest. I also selected a couple of papers to use with my metal dies. From one paper, I cut a viewfinder, and from another, a filmstrip — two of my favourite elements to add to a layout!

Once the layers were in place, I added my photos on top. I printed the same photo three times and stacked them with white borders. I really love the effect this creates and have been using this technique a lot in my recent layouts. To ensure my photo remained the main focal point, I added a layer of foam behind it to give it some height and dimension. Behind the photos, I tucked in a couple of tags from the Tag Elements patterned paper. I punched holes in both tags and added metal eyelets using my Crop-A-Dile tool.

To embellish, I added some florals from the Floral Bits & Pieces, along with the viewfinder and filmstrip pieces I’d cut earlier. I also couldn’t resist adding a few butterflies, which I fussy cut from the Beauty in the Details paper.

To add more detail to the background, I reached for my stamps and Stazon Ink Pad in the shade 'Jet Black' . I used a mix of stamps and applied them around the edges of the design. I didn’t use a stamping block, as I wanted to avoid a ‘blocky’ look. Instead, I stamped freehand, slightly folding the edges of the stamps to soften any harsh lines.

Next, I trimmed my background paper down to 10 x 10 inches and distressed all the edges before adhering it to a sheet of Premium White Cardstock. I love the distressed effect this creates and feel it really helps frame the page nicely.

I finished the layout with my title, using a fishtail banner from the Journal Bits & Pieces. I positioned it just under the photo so it stood out while remaining central to the design.

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you’ve enjoyed this layout and that it gives you some inspiration to kickstart your 2026 scrappy journey.

Take care, 
Rebecca xx

@preciouspagespapercraft

Carta Bella - Christmas in the City - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hi!

Claire here with my first post of the New Year and I'm loving scrapping all my festive photos from last month. I'm using the Carta Bella Christmas in the City collection which you can find in the shop here.

I'm using paper strips for my layout today to build a base for the design. This is such a quick and easy technique and so adaptable to any theme or collection. 

I've chosen the following papers

• Christmas Tree Cab
• Merry Snowflake Sky
• Peace on Earth Pines
• Yellow Cardstock from the Coordinating Cardstock Pack

I staggered each layer and overlapped the horizontal and vertical lines to create a shelf for my photos to sit on. 

I backed the pictures with the same papers (using both the A and B sides) and raised these on foam before adhering to the page.

Next I pulled out the Element Stickers sheet. I cut one of the house stickers in half, sticking it to either side of my photo cluster. This helps the sticker look longer than it really is.

For an extra pop of colour, I added a bold floral to the top of the photos and echoed this by adding a long floral wreath and some smaller floral stickers around the bottom on the photos. 

I used two of the longer phrase stickers for my title and finished with a scattering of smaller snowflake stickers and some gold ink splatters. 

Thank you for joining me on the blog today. I hope you're enjoying documenting your memories from the Christmas holidays.

You can check out the Christmas in the City collection here, but don't wait too long - it's proving popular! 

See you soon! 

Claire x

@scrappysoulmate

Simple Stories ~ Take Note 🖊️ #1

Happy New Year everyone! It’s great to see you here again in 2026! 

This month I’m working with Simple Stories - Take Note, which you can find in the shop here. 

I always find this style of collection great for reflecting on the past year and I like to create a ‘review the year’ style page to go at the end of my yearly scrapbook album. 

To create this layout I started with the b side of ‘Happy Days Ahead’ as my base. 

I had downloaded a cutfile titled ‘2025 documented’ with 12 Polaroid frames, so I cut this out on white bazzill cardstock. 

I created collage pictures on my phone, with 4 pictures from each month of 2025 and printed them out to fit inside each of the frames.

I backed ‘2025’ with sections from the b side of ‘Focus on the Day’ and adhered the cutfile and the photos to my page. 

I had some old month stickers from Simple Stories which I used to place on each of the frames. 

Finally, I finished my layout by adding some floral bits and pieces as well as some stickers from the element stickers. 

I tucked some of the florals around the frames and created clusters on opposite sides of the page. 

Thanks so much for looking! See you later in the month with another layout using this collection! 

Anna 

@acraftylifewithanna

Photoplay - Christmas Junque - Oh Christmas Tree

Hello, Karen here. Today is the eve of Epiphany, which means the Christmas decorations are coming down tomorrow! 🎄 To say a proper goodbye to the season, I’m sharing a new layout featuring my Christmas tree. I used the gorgeous Christmas Junque collection by Photoplay, which I think was the perfect match for the photo.

I started with a sheet of  Mrs. Claus Bakery paper. While I originally saved this for a festive food-themed layout, I realised that by layering embelishments to hide the 'Bakery' reference, I could use the entire sheet for this tree layout instead.

After printing my photo slightly smaller than A4, I double-matted it using Christmas Time paper and gold mirror card. I then stuck it to the right-hand side of my layout.

From the Collage Cut Out Sheets I fussy cut several images, matted them with gold card and used them to embellish the photo. Stars from more gold card were also included.

A fussy cut arrow was used to pinpoint a favourite ornament in the photo.

To cover the 'Mrs. Claus’ Bakery' text, I used a cut-out piece as a pocket. I secured it to the layout using gold brads, which added a touch more gold to the layout and also hid the original paper's theme.

I printed my journalling onto a tag, created a red tag top, threaded it with some red and white twine and tucked it into the pocket.

Tucking a few additional cut-outs into the pocket created a layered, cluster effect that gave more interest to the layout.

At the top of the layout I added a die cut title and finished it off with a scattering of gold sequins and punched cardstock stars which carry the gold theme across the whole layout.

Thank you for dropping by today. I will be back again soon with another project.

Take Care, Karen x x