Documenting the Hard Stories with Guest Jordan Carroll

Today is the final day that our February guest, Jordan Carroll is with us! We loved the happy and colorful pocket page project that she shared with us on week one, and an insanely FUN traveler’s notebook spread that she shared on week two! Today, she’s sharing a beautiful page with less colorful emotions behind it, and she is reminding us that even the hard stories need to be told in our albums. Let’s take a look at what she created:

Hello! It’s Jordan, and I’m back today with my final installment using all of the February 2020 kit and add-on goodness! It sure has been a fast month, and I have loved every minute of being a guest here at Elles’s Studio.  

For my last project, I chose to document a difficult moment for our family.  Life is not always rainbows and happiness; there’s a lot of rain clouds and tears, too. It’s not easy to tell the hard, emotional stories, but they are as much a part of life as the wonderful ones, so it’s important to me to document them. One day when we look back, I want us to see the whole of our lives, not just the bits and pieces I chose.  

I debated whether to document this in a documenter spread as part of my 2020 pocket pages, or with a travelers notebook spread.  I ultimately chose a travelers notebook spread for a few reasons: One, I wanted to give this story a space of it’s own. It’s such a huge part of our lives, and who we are as a family, so I didn’t want it to get lost amongst all the other weeks. I use my pocket page album for a broad overview of our weeks, whereas my travelers notebooks are used for more specific stories I want to highlight.

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, February 2020 Print and Cut Labels, True Love Printables, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Be Happy Stickers, Hazel Alphabet Stickers — White, Puffy Star Stickers, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Acrylic Raindrop Confetti, Acrylic Clouds, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp

I also had several images that I wanted to document here and I wanted to be able to include more journaling than what I could fit onto a journaling card.  I wanted to tell the whole story and get my thoughts and feelings down too.  

When my kit first arrived, I immediately wanted to incorporate these gorgeous Acrylic Clouds and Acrylic Raindrop Confetti, and life handed me the perfect occasion to do so. I added those onto the title page opposite my large photo. To fit all of my images and journaling, I created a foldout. I printed my photos to just under 2″ x 2″ and added them in a grid format. I only had 6 photos, which left me a little space for creative embellishments.  I cut out two of the February 2020 Print and Cut Labels and added some embellishments on top of those. To the right, I resized a journaling tag from the True Love Printables and added my journaling there. I stamped a sentiment from the Sunshine & Laughter Stamp and that was that. My large photo needed a little something to tie it all together, so I added a printable tag, a sticker from the Be Happy Stickers, a Puffy Star Sticker, and stitched it all down.  

I hope this inspires you to document a story that you’ve been putting off  because maybe it just doesn’t bring you happy memories, or because you don’t feel it quite fits with the rest of life’s colorful moments. Our lives are woven with threads of all colors and kinds, each one making up the fabric of our individual stories.  

I hope to see you around on Instagram from time to time.  Stop by and say hello!  Until then, be well, my crafty friends!

Hello crafty friends! I’m Jordan, wife to a soldier and mama to 3 awesome littles. I made my first scrapbook 15 years ago when my husband was deployed to Iraq. I used all of the photos he sent back to me and gave it to him as gift when he returned. He still has it. It was 5 years later that I began scrapbooking again when our oldest was 2, and a friend introduced me to digital scrapbooking. I’ve since gone back to paper and glue, but have been making time to document our life ever since. If I’m not making a mess documenting, you can probably find me with a cup of coffee in hand, nose buried in a book. As a family we love to travel, go for long walks, and hike. In the last 15 years we’ve lived in 3 countries and 8 states! It’s been a blessing to show our kids the world and fulfill my need for adventure, and of course, to have plenty of memories to document!

Thank you so much for inspiring us with your beautiful projects and stories, Jordan! Be sure to follow Jordan’s Instagram feed for more traveler’s notebook and pocket page inspiration!

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February Design Team Inspiration: Volume Three

We hope you have enjoyed the past two weeks of inspiration here on the blog using our new February 2020 kit and add-ons! Today we have even more design team projects to share with you, using our latest and greatest products in layouts, pocket pages and traveler’s notebooks! Let’s take a look!

Boy, You Shine by Amanda-jayne Baldwin – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, February 2020 Cut Files, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Acrylic Raindrop Confetti, Acrylic Clouds, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack

Move It pocket page spread by Jess Forster – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Cork Stars, Noted Vol. 2 Stamp

Shine Bright by Jennifer McMurtrey – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, February 2020 Cut Files, Cork Stars, Yellow Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp

Shenanigans traveler’s notebook spread by Patricia Roebuck – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Acrylic Clouds, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Mini Dated Stamp

Look Who’s 2 by Stacie Watson – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Large Jane Alphabet Stamp — Outline

You & Me by Kristina Proffitt – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, You & Me Wood Veneer, Dated Stamp

First Underwear traveler’s notebook spread by Nathalie Leonelli – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Large Jane Alphabet Stamp — Outline

Look for the Rainbow by Suzanna Lee – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Polka Dot Journaling Tags, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Jane Alphabet Stamp

Be sure to stop back every day this week to see the special projects and blog posts that our guest, Jordan Layne will share with us! Also, be sure to join our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group, where you can share and post what you’re creating with the February 2020 kit and extras with other Elle’s Studio fans!

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Beautiful Moments at the End of the Rainbow with Jen McMurtrey

Hey Elle’s Studio friends! It’s Jen today with a pocket page layout to share using the bright and fun February Kit and add-ons. This month’s rainbows are one of my favorites and I have been using a rainbow theme on almost every project, including today’s.

February has had several big events happening at our house and our oldest daughter has been home more than usual. These extra visits have allowed me to capture some truly beautiful photos of my kids, especially the girls. The bond they share warms my heart, and I feel so blessed knowing they have such a loving relationship with one another.

This year I am doing monthly layouts in a travelers notebook type binder album. I gave up trying to do weekly spreads a long time ago, but have vowed to see this monthly project through.

Here’s a look at the left side of the layout:

The rainbow and clouds from the February 2020 Cut Files were destined to make an appearance on one of this month’s projects. Using the woodgrain patterned paper from the Love Is Paper Stack as the base, I cut the different colors of the rainbow using the same paper stack and the purple Polka Dot Journaling Tag. Next, I cut the clouds using the black and white floral paper to tie in my photo. I stitched the rainbow in place and then stitched around the borders of the clouds before adhering them to the page with adhesive and foam squares.

Because there is no title on this page, I added various Be Happy Stickers to the clouds that convey my feelings about my photo.

I took advantage of the Love Is Printables and used tag #05 for my journaling. To get a crisp and clean print, I used photo paper rather than cardstock. Above that, I used the February 2020 Calendar tag with the Months of the Year Stamp to record the date.

Let’s turn the page!

On the reverse side of the pocket page, I added a smaller photo and another of the Love Is Printable tags, #06. Keeping with the rainbow theme, I added Puffy Autumn Heart Stickers down the left side of the photo and continued them on the next journaling tag.

When I first received this month’s kit, I pulled the 3” x 4” rainbow journaling tag from the February 2020 Kit out almost immediately and hand-stitched the corresponding colors of the rainbow onto it. After fussy cutting the rainbow, I set it aside, not knowing where I would eventually use it. As you can see, it landed on the printable with Puffy Autumn Heart Stickers continuing from above.

This photo is beautiful and says so much without saying anything at all. To keep the picture the focal point, I printed it in a large format and used the You & Me Wood Veneer with a Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banner for the title. For a finishing touch, I added more of the Puffy Autumn Heart Stickers down one side. I love how they tie everything together.

Thank you so much for joining me today and I hope I have inspired you to create! Remember to use the #EllesStudio tag on social media so we are able to see the lovely projects you make this month!

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, 2020 Calendars, February 2020 Cut Files, Love Is Printables, Polka Dot Journaling Tags, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Autumn Heart Stickers, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, You & Me Wood Veneer, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Months of the Year Stamp

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Patterned Paper Love with Melissa Mann

By the end of the month, you may have less of our February kit and add-ons than what landed on your doorstep earlier, but today, design team member Melissa Mann is showing us that you can still create amazing things with your leftover bits and pieces, and a bit of creativity! Let’s take a look at what she created:

Hello and good morning! This is Melissa with you today, and I’m sharing a new project that I created with the leftover pieces of my February 2020 kit and add-ons. I hope this layout just proves how amazing the last bits and pieces from your monthly kit and add-ons can be to create with!

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, February 2020 Cut Files, February 2020 Print and Cut Labels, Be Happy Stickers, Cork Stars, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack

I really wanted to create my own piece of patterned paper using the Sunshine & Laughter Stamp. I decided to use a piece of kraft cardstock that I stamped repeatedly using the rainbow stamp and Versamark ink, then added various colors of embossing powders. I really loved how this turned out and it was a fun twist to use this handmade patterned paper along with the patterned papers from the Love Is Paper Stack.

Once I created this custom pattern paper, the rest of the layout came together quite easily with two other patterned papers that I stitched down using my sewing machine. I distressed the edges of all the patterned papers and then layered my photos vertically down the layout. I typed my journaling on one of the 3″ x 4″ tags from the February 2020 Kit. 

To complete my project, I used more die-cuts from the February 2020 Kit, the February Print and Cut Labels, the Be Happy Stickers, and the Cork Stars. I cut my title “YOU & ME” from the February Cut Files on black card stock to really make it pop on top of the colorful patterned papers.

We would love to see how you are using your February kit and add-ons! Make sure to share your projects with us in our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group or by using the hashtag #EllesStudio on Instagram!

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Puffy Rainbow Sticker Love with Kristina Proffitt

Do you have a favorite new product released this month? If you asked most of our design team, they would say the Puffy Rainbow Stickers, and DT member Kristina Proffitt is completely smitten with them! Let’s take a look at how she is using hers, and encouraging us not stash ours away, but put them on our projects!

Is anyone else totally obsessed with the Puffy Rainbow Stickers? I’m raising my hand REALLY high because friends—they are the cutest! There are so many amazing ideas and ways to utilize those awesome stickers in this month’s creative team gallery, but I thought I’d share a couple of other great ideas for you as to how you can use the Puffy Rainbow Stickers in your projects. Let’s take a look at what I created:

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack

I whipped out my traveler’s notebook—I had the itch to create in it, and decided to use the Puffy Rainbow Stickers to cover most of the first page of my travelers notebook spread. I love how many great tags are in the monthly kits and also how many great embellishments extras there are every month and so added them, too. 

I used some of the tags from the February Kit, the Puffy Rainbow Stickers (of course!) and also cut up a couple of the 3″ x 4″ journaling tags, too. It was fun to place the embellishments on the page sporadically and then fill them all in with other little stamped and sticker embellishments.

The Puffy Rainbow Stickers and other embellishments not only look really cool visually, but, like I mentioned above, you can totally use the embellishments you use to hold other little bits of goodies like the date, stickers from the Be Happy Stickers and you can even stamp like I did on the journaling tag that I cut using the Sunshine & Laughter Stamp. I think it all looks so whimsical and fun and it’s a great way to use up that product you’ve been hoarding!

On the second page of my travelers notebook spread, I used the Puffy Rainbow Stickers upside down to create a colorful, fun and whimsical scallop at the top of my page. You can use that kind of scallop so many different ways, but I love how it makes the top of the page pop and it’s just so happy and fun—what my spread what all about. I trimmed a couple of the rainbow stickers to keep them all even, but it was a super easy way to use the stickers! I then added two photographs of my silly, happy son during school, the “be happy” sticker, the Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banner and handwritten journaling. 

Lastly, I took some patterned paper from the Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, cut it down so that it was about an inch or so high and adhered it to the bottom of the page. I cut out one of the labels from a journaling tag in the February Kit, adhered it to the middle of the patterned paper and then took another journaling tag and cut out the phrase “a happy little moment” and placed that across the label that I had cut out. I love the layered look! So fun! You could even continue the rainbow puffy sticker scallop on the bottom of the page! 

I know the Puffy Rainbow Stickers are SO cute, but friends, let’s use them when we buy them so first, buy all that you want (you’re going to want multiple of these: get them before they sell out!), but be sure you’re using them on your projects! As you can see, there are so many different and fun ways to incorporate them in your documenting! Puffy Rainbow Stickers for the win! Happy creating!

Show us how you are adding our Puffy Rainbow Stickers to your projects! Use the hashtag #EllesStudio when posting your project to Instagram, or post to our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group! We want to be inspired by YOU!

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Creating a Stamped Background with Large Jane and Stacie Watson

Our Large Jane Alphabet Stamps can be used for so many different things—creating a large sentiment on a card, a bold title on a layout, and as Stacie Watson is showing us today, a fun, custom background on a layout to fit your story’s theme! Let’s take a look at what she created to share with us today!

Hello awesome crafters! It’s Stacie and I’m excited to be back sharing my next project. The February kit and add-ons are full of color and rainbows—it screams happiness and is just what we need to brighten up these gloomy winter days. What goes great with color? A great alphabet stamp of course. I’ve never met a stamp set that I didn’t like and the Large Jane Alphabet Stamps are no exception!

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Puffy Star Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Large Jane Alphabet Stamp — Outline

For me, when starting a project, I’ve either got a photo in mind that I want to use, or a certain product that I want to work with. In this case I knew that I wanted to work with the outline Large Jane Alphabet Stamp. I also knew that I wanted  the stamp set to stand out. Using white cardstock and a gold ink, I created the background for my layout. To do this I simply placed each of the letters on my Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, the way I wanted them to look on the page and inked away. 

After the background was stamped, the rest of the layout came together quickly. Starting with the red striped paper from the Love Is Paper Stack, I trimmed it to size, tearing one side of it. I then chose a 4″ x 6″ and 3″ x 4″ tag from the February Kit, layering the three together along with my photo on top. On the bottom right corner, I created a little cluster of embellishments using a Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banner, die cut pieces from the February Kit, a Puffy Rainbow Sticker, some Cork Stars and my title below, using the Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers. I couldn’t just stop there—I had to add some of the colorful Puffy Star Stickers around the page along with a few of the Be Happy Stickers. 


Stepping back and looking at the layout, it just didn’t seem finished. I finally decided that the white cardstock was too white of a background. Picking out a bright turquoise paper, I added some white acrylic paint swipes to it. Before adding my original layout on top, I cut it down so it would fit on the 12″ x 12″ turquoise frame. I loved how the Large Jane Alphabet Stamp seemed to really pop even more against the turquoise paper frame!


I hope my page and process has inspired you to pull out your Large Jane Alphabet Stamps on your next project! Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I can’t wait to see what you create!  

Pull our your Large Jane Stamps and show us what you’re creating with them! Post your project on Instagram using the hashtag #EllesStudio, or stare with friendly, supportive friends in our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group!

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Big Fun with Guest Designer Jordan Carroll

No matter what type of project you create, a single product can be a jumping-off point to inspire the entire page, spread or card design. Today, guest Jordan Carroll is here to share what products she loved the most this month, and which one started off the entire traveler’s notebook spread that she’s sharing with us today!

I am so happy to be back today for my second installment as the Elle’s Studio guest this month, working with the February kit and add-ons.  For this project I decided to switch it up and work in my travellers notebook:

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, February Labels, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Puffy Star Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Noted Vol. 2 Stamp

One of my very favorite products I received this month was that gorgeous Teal Acetate Alphabet. Green is my favorite color, and this one is such a gorgeous bright, saturated hue, so I knew right away it would make an appearance. It’s definitely an attention grabber, and perfect for a bold, FUN, title. The first thing I did here was to adhere the title, and worked from there.

My other favorite products this month were the puffy stickers, so I decided to use as many of them on this layout as I could. Working first on my title page, I added a die cut from the February 2020 Kit and a Puffy Rainbow Sticker to the top. Those Puffy Rainbow Stickers are just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and made the perfect embellishment for the center of that circle die. Below my title, I stamped a scalloped border and the journaling lines using the Noted Vol. 2 Stamp.  I decided to stamp the journaling lines onto white cardstock and cut it out so the grid paper didn’t compete with them. I added my journaling and a little cluster of embellishments below, featuring stickers from the Be Happy Stickers and a Puffy Star Sticker. After adding a few staples, I called that page good.

Next I tackled the side with my photo.  I decided to layer it with a journaling tag from the February Kit to give it a little oomph. The story is about my boys’ first swim meet and how they both won one of their events, so that “so happy for you” Wonderful Wood Veneer Banner was perfect. I really love to use labels in my projects, so I chose one of the February Labels and added where the event took place using the the Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers for a pop of color. I finished it with a few more Puffy Star Stickers, die cuts from the February Kit, and repeated stamping at the bottom using the Noted Vol. 2 Stamp.

I love the way all of the colorful little bits from the February kit and add-ons came together here! This spread is making me ready for some warm sunshine! I’ll be back for one more post this month to inspire you! Until then, be well, and stay warm friends! 

 Hello crafty friends! I’m Jordan, wife to a soldier and mama to 3 awesome littles. I made my first scrapbook 15 years ago when my husband was deployed to Iraq. I used all of the photos he sent back to me and gave it to him as gift when he returned. He still has it. It was 5 years later that I began scrapbooking again when our oldest was 2, and a friend introduced me to digital scrapbooking. I’ve since gone back to paper and glue, but have been making time to document our life ever since. If I’m not making a mess documenting, you can probably find me with a cup of coffee in hand, nose buried in a book. As a family we love to travel, go for long walks, and hike. In the last 15 years we’ve lived in 3 countries and 8 states! It’s been a blessing to show our kids the world and fulfill my need for adventure, and of course, to have plenty of memories to document!

Find more of Jordan’s pocket pages and traveler’s notebook spreads at her Instagram feed, until she returns next week to inspire us with another project using the February 2020 kit and extras!

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February Design Team Inspiration: Volume Two

Whether your box has arrived on your doorstep, or is still in route to your crafty desk, we know that you will love round two of the amazing design team inspiration projects that we have to share with you today using the February 2020 kit and extras! Let’s take a look!

Choose Happy by Marsha Farris – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Cork Stars, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Mini Dated Stamp

You & Me by Steph Grimes – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, February Labels, Be Happy Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, You & Me Wood Veneer, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Mini Dated Stamp

Happy greeting cards by Meghann Andrew – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp

January pocket page spread by Melissa Mann – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers

10 Years of You & Me by Tracey Fox – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Cork Stars, You & Me Wood Veneer, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack

Spring pocket page by Amy Jo Vanden Brink – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, Be Happy Stickers, Teal Acetate Alphabet, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Fuchsia Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Acrylic Clouds, Acrylic Raindrop Confetti

Beach by Daniela – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, February Labels, Be Happy Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Noted Vol. 2 Stamp, Mini Dated Extras Stamp

Out in Every Weather by Katarina Prevendarova – supplies used | February 2020 Kit, February 2020 Cut Files, Be Happy Stickers, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Acrylic Raindrop Confetti, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Large Jane Alphabet Stamp — Outline, Large Jane Alphabet Stamp — Solid, Large Jane Alphabet Metal Die

Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for daily inspiration using our newest products, and share your excitement when your kit arrives in our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group! We can’t wait to hear what your favorite product is this month!

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Sending Sunshine with Candace Perkins

This month’s February 2020 kit and add-ons include so many products to create the perfect card! From sentiments on wood veneer and a new stamp, happy rainbows or pretty colored tags, you’ll find all that you need to create the perfect greeting. Today Candace Perkins is sharing how she did just that, and she has a special challenge for you, too! Let’s take a look:

Hello friends! It’s Candace, and today I am excited to share with you a collection of everyday cards I created with the February kit and extras.  Do you want to know a secret? The February is always my favorite kit!  I ADORE the rainbows and clouds that come out every year! So cute!  

For today’s post I created three, fun, everyday cards! I could have kept creating! The kit and extras this month have so many inspirational items that lead you to create and perfect sentiments to put on your cards or projects! Here is a look at the collection of cards I created:

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, Puffy Rainbow Stickers, Cork Stars, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Acrylic Clouds, Acrylic Raindrop Confetti, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp

Card #1: You Make me Proud 

Is there someone in your life that you need to let them know you are proud of them? I love little cards that I can create and stick in my son’s lunches. The combination of the Cork Star & the “you make me proud” Wonderful Wood Veneer Banner paired with the bold blue stripe made the perfect note.  

Card #2: So Happy for You 

I love the bright & colorful rainbows this month! The Puffy Rainbow Stickers alone would bring a smile to a friend’s face, but paired with the pretty pattern found on a 4″ x 6″ tag in the February 2020 Kit and theWonderful Wood Veneer Banner sentiment, you have a perfect card! 

Card #3: Believe in Yourself, brighter days ahead! 

Everyone gets discouraged once in a while. We all feel like the rain is falling just on us sometimes. What better way to send encouragement and brighten someone’s day than by sending a beautiful card with Acrylic Raindrop Confetti! The acrylic embellishments paired with the wood veneer and stamped sentiment from the Sunshine & Laughter Stamp created the perfect encouragement card. 

With all these options and inspiration this month what cards will you create? My challenge for you is to not only create a card, but to actually SEND the card. Brighten someone’s day, send needed love or encouragement, or give the gift of friendship! If you do create a card using the goodies this month, don’t forget to tag #EllesStudio on Instagram or post in our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group so that we can see your beautiful creation.  

Have a beautiful day & look for those rainbows! 

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Sketch Day with Tracey Fox

If time is not on your side, but you still want to create, why not start with a sketch? Even the talented members of our design team find starting with a sketch the perfect way to get creative, yet still make something new and special! Let’s take a look at the awesome layout that design team member Tracey Fox created with this week’s sketch!

Happy Valentine’s Day, and welcome to the first Elle’s Studio sketch day of February! I’m so excited to share this project I made, inspired by the super cool February sketch. Check out the sketch, which features a large layered focal point photo, a journaling tag, and some great horizontal stripes extending out from these elements across the page:

The horizontal lines on the sketch provide a great opportunity for creativity! When I see something like that on a sketch, I immediately start brainstorming about all of the ways I could interpret them—with patterned paper, mixed media, washi tape, digital die cuts, etc. For this layout, though, I immediately thought of the awesome rainbow stamps in the Sunshine & Laughter stamp set and decided to stamp rows of rainbows across my page. 

Supplies | February 2020 Kit, February 2020 Cut Files, Polka Dot Journaling Tags, Be Happy Stickers, Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers, Cork Stars, Acrylic Clouds, Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, Love Is 6 x 8.5 Paper Stack, Sunshine & Laughter Stamp, Dated Stamp

To stamp my rows of rainbows, I used a ruler to draw some light pencil lines across my page two inches apart to create a guide for my stamping. Each rainbow in the Sunshine & Laughter Stamp comes in all one piece, which is very helpful if you are stamping them in a single color, but I used scissors to cut the stamp apart so I could stamp in multiple colors. Don’t be afraid to cut apart your stamps to achieve the look you want! I do this all the time to separate words and phrases or just to make stamps work for my needs, and it only makes them more versatile without affecting their performance in any way. I chose three ink colors (a deep pink, bright orange, and a bright blue) and stamped the rainbows across the layout, one color at a time. 

Once the rainbows were on my background, I was ready to build the rest of the sketch on top of them. The sketch is absolutely perfect for an enlarged photo, but since I usually prefer to make multi-photo layouts, I chose to create a grid of four 3″ x 4″ photos instead, and that resulted in a 6″ x 8″ collage for my layout’s focal point. I grabbed the Love Is Paper Stack and chose some of the fun papers to layer underneath the photos. I just love how the sketch provides some great guidelines for where to place your layers, because it helps make layering so accessible for scrapbookers who might not use this type of technique very often. 

While the “You & Me” title on the sketch could represent any title you want to use, both the You & Me Wood Veneer and the You & Me digital die cut in the February 2020 Cut Files offer great options. I chose to use the cut file, and I cut it out of one of the fun new Polka Dot Journaling Tags. I decided to make the title say “Muppets & You & Me,” because the word “Muppets” made from the new Coral Puffy Alphabet Stickers fit perfectly onto the “this is a story about” tag from the February Kit. 

I had more to say than would fit on the journaling tag, so I decided to let the tag house my title and the date. I typed up some journaling strips that I adhered to the top and bottom of the layout. Feel free to make a sketch work for you and the story you are trying to tell. If something doesn’t fit where the sketch shows, just move it somewhere else! 

The finishing touches on this page were the embellishments. I let the sketch guide me a bit by placing some die cuts from the February Kit, a couple of the Simply Wonderful Wood Veneer Banners, and a sticker from the Be Happy Stickers. Next, I added some more embellishments around the page, like three of the Cork Stars, some more stickers and die cuts, and the Acrylic Clouds. 

In the end, I’m so thrilled with how the elements on this page worked together to help me tell a story about an awesome day visiting a Jim Henson exhibit with my husband. The rainbow and cloud motifs work together perfectly to symbolize the Muppets (thanks to the “Rainbow Connection” connection), and I love how the stamped rainbows added a bold, graphic element to go with my bold and colorful photos. I love it when a sketch can serve as the jumping off point for a one of a kind layout!  Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today and checking out my take on the sketch. I’d love to see your interpretation!

Show us how you interpret the sketch in your project! Whether you create a layout, card, or traveler’s notebook spread, we want to see it! Post on Instagram using the #EllesStudio hashtag, or in our Elle’s Studio Facebook Group!

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