pretty paper. true stories. {and scrapbooking classes with cupcakes.}

lovely to meet you Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube

Take a Scrapbooking Class

online scrapbooking classes

Shop Shimelle Products

scrapbook.com simon says stamp shimelle scrapbooking products @ amazon.com shimelle scrapbooking products @ amazon.co.uk

Reading Material

travel

american crafts Category

Making one big choice: A new scrapbooking video series

choosing patterned papers for scrapbook pages // scrapbook process video by Shimelle Laine

Sometimes we need to shake things up a little bit. Not a lot. Just a little shift in the routine makes things feel new, right? I’ve needed that when scrapbooking and making videos lately, but I think I’ve found a simple little premise to set me up for some happy creating for at least a few weeks: making one big choice.

Starting with this video, I’ll be sharing some simple pages that come from one big decision, like how this layout all came from the decision between two different raindrop-printed patterned papers. This way I can show you both options, you can decide if you would make the same decision on your own desk, and if we want, we can try to figure out why. (If we don’t want, we can just make layouts we like without worrying about all the why and that’s always a good thing too.)

choosing patterned papers for scrapbook pages // scrapbook process video by Shimelle Laine

Supplies include papers and die-cuts from my Starshine collection and Amy’s On a Whim collection, plus stickers from True Stories, red Fitzgerald Thickers, and a Studio Calico stamp set.

If this type of design process video helps you but you’d like to break things down further, take a look at Design Decisions, a class now available in a self-paced format that is entirely based on the choices we make on each new page.

I’d love to hear if you think you’d choose the same patterned paper or a different option for a page like this – or if you’ve used either of the raindrop papers on pages of your own, please share what you’ve made!

Folding Circle Punches :: Two Looks on Scrapbook Pages

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

Contributing Designer Sheena Rowlands created this beautifully layered and folded page over the winter, and as much as I’m ready for spring to arrive, her winter crafting has me inspired! Today we’re each sharing a page we’ve made with the same technique: folding circles punched from double-sided patterned paper. We hope it inspires you too!

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

I wanted to make a page focusing on some of life’s little pleasures from this time of year and give it a warm and cosy feel. I could create a quilted look to the background of my page so I cut lots of 2 inch circles using a die, but a punch would work just as well, from off cuts and scraps in tones of red, green and brown.

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

I cut a square from scrap card which fitted within the circles, then whilst holding it in place I folded over all four sides. Don’t worry if the papers you chose aren’t double sided just cut a few patterned paper squares using the template as a size guide to pop inside your folded circles.

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

I then had fun moving them around trying to find a design I liked and I cut a few of them in half after I settled on a heart design. Starting in the centre I stick them down butting them up against each other.

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

I used the title to kick start my journalling, welcoming winter coats, takeaway drinks and watching TV from under a snuggly blanket as some of my favourite things about this season.

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

The patterned papers and embellishments used are all from ranges by Shimelle from the past year and I loved how well they sit together with the copper highlights from the Go Now Go collection.

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Shimelle Laine

I love Sheena’s design, but wanted to use the folded circle idea as a much, much smaller detail, so I punched just a few circles and lined them up behind the title on this page.

Folding Circle Punches // scrapbook page by Shimelle Laine

The rest of the design includes papers from Go Now Go and True Stories, with plenty of big dot patterns to play off the colourful balls in the photo. I love adding stars to designs that have plenty of circles, since the shape has such a contrast with all its points and angles next to the calm of circular curves.

As an aside, this page documents a day we went to play with a project from a family in our neighbourhood: they have designed a set of multicultural dolls for small children. They are currently fundraising and spreading the word about the toys, and you can find a video and more information at One Dear World, should it be relevant for you!

We’d love to see what you’re making with circles, so don’t be shy to show your own projects in the comments. Have a happy and creative Friday, won’t you?

A little old, a little new, and a bit of Harry Potter for good measure

Harry Potter scrapbook page with process video // by Shimelle Laine

I should have planned this post for World Book Day last week if I’d thought ahead, but of course I didn’t. There’s never a bad day for Harry Potter scrapbooking, is there? I have an entire album of layouts from one day at the studio tour, so I better make a start on the photos from our trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

I will admit upfront that we visited Universal Studios entirely for the Harry Potter element. Universal doesn’t cater for the super young in the same way that Disney does. Their target audience is older and even the Dr Seuss and Minion rides have height requirements. We managed the Dr Seuss carousel, but the rides here are more fabulous if you love the twists and turns of serious roller coasters, and well… that is not my jam. But I wanted to see all the details of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, brought to life in a way you could just be fully immersed. And it is pretty amazing.

But the youngest member of the party was most excited by the train. Of course.

Some of the supplies on this page are far, far too old to be in stores (like that 2009 paper!) but you can find the newer stuff, I promise. Red camera paper and white foam Thickers by Amy Tangerine, train stamp from Go Now Go, stickers and patterned paper from Little by Little, star vellum from Christmas Magic, die cuts by Pink Paislee, enamel dots by Doodlebug, and Typecast journaling paper by WeR Memory Keepers. And seriously, someone needs to make those star-shaped rhinestones like Jenni Bowlin did back in the day. They are so lovely! The woodgrain Thickers were a Studio Calico exclusive about five years ago. I may have rationed them.

Harry Potter scrapbook page with process video // by Shimelle Laine

If anyone sees steam train washi tape, please let me know. For today I went with this grey Amy Tangerine tape from her first collection for its colour and cuteness. But I have a lot of steam train photos and I don’t see this obsession ending any time soon. So steam train washi: it needs to happen.

Harry Potter scrapbook page with process video // by Shimelle Laine

Thanks for taking a look! And not rolling your eyes too much at the sheer number of Harry Potter scrapbook pages I have made over the years.

Getting started with Little by Little

Getting started with Little by Little // scrapbook page by Kirsty Smith

I’m delighted to share a scrapbook page from Kirsty Smith to kick off a look at what other designers are making with Little by Little. I’d love to see what you’re making too! If you’re posting pictures on social media, add the hashtag #AClittlebylittle. And now over to Kirsty for a quick dive into the new collection!

It was such a wonderful treat to be able to work with Shimelle’s beautiful new collection, Little by Little. I was really struck by the versatility of this collection: the colours are wonderful and I was able to select a whole range of complimentary hues from a wide palette of options. To stay in keeping with my photo, I chose shades of blue, purple, pink and green; the range of shades and designs was just made for layering!

I used patterned paper to frame my photo in layers, opting for one of the boxes from the cut-apart sheet for my journaling. I love the paper with the large chevron as it has such a lovely textural mix of colours and patterns. I used the chevron to point towards the central design.

Getting started with Little by Little // scrapbook page by Kirsty Smith

I love the floral motif that moves through Little by Little, as it’s subtly present in lots of different elements of the collection, creating a delicate, whimsical feel. To complement my page I introduced the floral die cut word ‘happy’ (from the die-cut pack) and matched it with the scripted word ‘adventure’. I adore anything that involves a hand-written look and so I love this page of foam Thickers in a brush-lettered style.

There are so many lovely elements in this collection to add the final embellishment for a scrapbook layout. I punched hearts out of patterned paper to scatter over the page, and layered stickers in little clusters. I am a big fan of including cameras on pretty much every page I make, as I feel it’s so relevant to scrapbooking, and one of my favourite parts of the collection are the puffy camera stickers. They’re so cute and petite, but add a brilliant splash of detail. I love the enamel dots too!

Getting started with Little by Little // scrapbook page by Kirsty Smith

Overall this is such a beautiful collection to work with, and it has the potential to work for layouts of so many different themes. I hope you will enjoy using Little by Little as much as I am!

A Little by Little B-Side Paper

Scrapbooking with B-Sides // Scrapbook Page by Shimelle Laine

B-side papers are something I think about throughout a collection but they are actually the very last thing we finalise. Sometimes we have everything laid out, ready to go, and it can only then become obvious that there isn’t enough of this colour or a smaller version of that motif. But some of my favourites are the b-sides designed to be a super quick way to a beautiful layout.

Little by Little patterned paper by Shimelle for American Crafts

Okay, I love the multicoloured feathers but I admit it is perhaps not the most universal patterned paper ever designed in the history of the world. That’s okay. But the b-side to this paper (called Delightful Journey) is one of those pages made with speed and ease in mind. The pastel shades of the colour palette are included in a geometric pattern that all revolves around one quarter of the page. I love working with thirds and quarters on the 12×12 page because it works so beautifully no matter what you add to the composition. Just start on that line and build. It will work!

Scrapbooking with B-Sides // Scrapbook Page by Shimelle Laine

You can turn this paper in any direction and start adding somewhere on that line that separates the colourful section from the solid aqua background. I love a layered stack of papers, stickers, and die-cuts to surround the photo on that quarter line. And in this case, I used that old favourite – the loose diagonal line of embellishment – but included my journaling and title as part of the diagonal line. Completed page in such a short amount of time!

All the supplies here are from Little by Little, including both sets of Thickers, the sticker book, the 6×12 sticker sheet, 6×6 paper pad, wood buttons, embossed die-cuts, and puffy stickers. But of course the patterned paper works with the embellishments you love and have to hand as well.

I hope you enjoy using this paper too and would love to see what it inspires you to make!

Exploding Heart Scrapbook Pages with Little by Little

Exploding Heart Page Design :: Scrapbook Page by Shimelle Laine

We love a little heart explosion across a scrapbook page around here, and there’s literally a patterned paper made with that look in mind within the Little by Little collection. It’s called Evolving Love and has a pink background with dozens of colourfully patterned hearts ready and waiting to be cut out and scattered across your next scrapbook page.

Exploding Heart Page Design :: Scrapbook Page by Shimelle Laine

I used it with this collection’s bold floral, Cultivate Joy, framing the photos with some of the yellow b-side patterns for a bit of contrast against all those multi-coloured patterns. But of course, your heart explosion will look unique when you choose a different coloured or pattern for your background as well as which of the hearts you choose to scatter!

For more on that five-point palm exploding heart technique in a scrapbook sense, check out these two posts from the archives:
Exploding Heart Page Design :: Scrapbook Page by Zinia Amoiridou
Exploding Heart Page Design :: Scrapbook Page by Heather Leopard

And please share if you use Little by Little to create your own heart explosion or another heart-filled look! Leave a link in the comments any time or share on social media with the hashtag #AClittlebylittle.

CHA 2017: On the show floor with Little by Little

CHA Creativation 2017: Little by Little by Shimelle for American Crafts

Here we are at my little corner of the American Crafts booth, with Little by Little ready to welcome the buyers who attend the CHA Creativation 2017 Trade Show.

CHA Creativation 2017: Little by Little by Shimelle for American Crafts

We’ve wrapped books in patterned paper and framed some of the motifs from the collection, and there’s a big wreath backdrop behind me ready for plenty of selfie fun throughout the show.

CHA Creativation 2017: Little by Little by Shimelle for American Crafts

When we’re not chatting or taking said selfies (shame), I usually scrapbook right there so I can show how the products come together to create a range of looks. This time I’m also painting a few little animals for store special events, so look for a chance to win something like this little bear from your favourite scrapbook shop, perhaps!

CHA Creativation 2017: Little by Little by Shimelle for American Crafts

So much of Little by Little is filled with tiny nods to children’s literature, so I stole that chance to make a Peter Pan page while I was here!

CHA Creativation 2017: Little by Little by Shimelle for American Crafts

But this was probably my favourite way to display the samples: that butterfly frame. Of course, when in America, one must do a Target run just to see what last-minute items are absolutely required for the booth. I think this one was required, and it’s from the Dollar Spot, so always a win!

CHA Creativation 2017: Little by Little by Shimelle for American Crafts

And of course Amy has a camera drone! So here’s the AC designer crew at the end of the show from the sky!

Thanks for taking a look: up next, scrapbook pages with Little by Little!

Counting Down to CHA 2017: and then we whispered 'Go Now...Go!'

 use a random embellishment // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

Go Now Go came out at the end of last summer, so it still feels quite new to me on my desk even if we were designing it at almost this time last year. Inspired by our big backpacking adventure (which I cannot believe was six years ago now) as well as autumn in the beautiful park at my doorstep, I originally imagined this collection with the name ‘Round the World’. When we scheduled our trip, that’s what travel agents and the like call the sort of plane tickets we booked: RTW. You pick a direction and just keep flying in that direction until you return to your home airport again, choosing the cities and countries you visit along the way. It’s a thing that is always at the back of my mind, just waiting for the right opportunity, because there is such potential to never have a remotely similar adventure twice! But once we had all the designs in front of us, RTW didn’t just seem right. It fit the few overtly travel-themed items but left the rest feeling like outcasts, and I don’t want to have lonely overlooked papers getting sad in the corner. With a bit more thought, I was drawn to something I’d heard whispered many, many times. Go now go is the whisper that starts the very beginning of a TV show I watched over and over and over again through my teens and twenties. It became a lovely little voice I would hear in my head when I was lacking the confidence I needed for whatever life was presenting. It linked to travel. It linked to running in the crunchy autumn leaves. It was all about the moment and not about the rehashing the past or trying to control the future. Whatever it is you need to do, just go. Now. Go. Once it hit me, it was that through and through and I would accept no substitute.

Anyway, enough of me rambling about collection names. It’s nearly time for CHA, and I’m delighted to share a Go Now Go page created by contributing designer Sheena Rowlands with you today!

 use a random embellishment // scrapbook page by Sheena Rowlands

Over the past few years I’ve noticed some new paper collections have some more unusual shapes in their die cut packs and sticker sheets, usually they just gather at the bottom of my die cut box but this photo had me digging them back out to use. Cacti on an English autumnal layout?! why not, their colour & shape fit perfectly with my outdoor theme and the Go Now Go patterned papers I used. I’ll certainly be more open to random embellishments in the future.
- Sheena

I’d love to see what you’ve been making with Go Now Go! Share a link in the comments or add the hashtag #ACgonowgo to your posts on Instagram so we can all see.

My bag is packed – next time I write, it will be from Phoenix! See you soon, Creativation!