April Simply Crate w/ Michelle Lanning

Hi there! Michelle Lanning with you to share a simple and quick layout using the gorgeous Neighborhood collection. Simple isn't usually my style, but definitely one I still love. So, this turned out to be a fun challenge for me! In moving along, I'll walk you through the basic steps taken to create this super cute, easily doable layout.

I first started with a photo that was not all that great, but it was a story I wanted to ensure had been documented. So, I played with it a bit in Photoshop and when I was happy with the result, I printed it on an 8" x 11" piece of photo paper. The three photos were printed as one {there of the same image - look closely!}. Since I had only the one photo, I thought that this kind of set-up would add a bit of whimsy and a unique touch.

I decided on Chores patterned paper as the base for the layout.

Next, I cut a 6" piece of Block Party patterned paper and placed it on center with the background. I then cut a cute, multi-color scallop strip from Crate's Picnic paper and adhered along the left edge of the patterned paper.

I decided that the layout needed something to unify the two additions; pink ruffled ribbon! The easiest way to attach ribbon to a layout is with staples - skip the glue!

I knew going in that I wanted to use the house from Crate's Home patterned paper. The house was a bit too tall though, so I trimmed it a smidge to make it fit on the layout.

I set the house aside and adhered my photo collage so that it sat on both patterned papers. I then hand-trimmed three clouds from the same Home paper. These will sit at the top of the layout.

I required an extra something that would help to ground the layout, so I chose a fabric piece from a Maya Road Mini Album. I folded the piece under and stapled it so that it'd stay in position. I dressed the fabric up with a helping of cute yellow twine.

On top the fabric is where I opted to place the "special" made house. I used 3-dimensional adhesive for a bit of pop! I decided to use the empty space just above the house for the title. Start at the top of the roof in placing your letters and then work your way down as I have done. If you're like me though, and suddenly change your mind as to the title's location, feel free to move the title just beneath the roof instead. It stands out more clearly in this location.

I finished the title off with both a petite butterfly chipboard accent and a pretty button.

In creating the journaling piece, I trimmed an Accent Cut to size as it was a bit too big to fit tuck beneath the layers of paper already in position.

As I was finishing the layout, I realized that yellow could be found on various parts of my layout except in the area that sits above my photos. To further assist in leading the eye around the entire layout, I cut the sun from Crate's Home patterned paper and positioned it with a matching button on top the combination of my two clouds. The pretty button works wonderfully here - add twine to finish the look!

And oh, I added the banner at the very last minute. I couldn't help it! I love them banners!!

And here's the final layout - it's super simple and quick to create and is perfectly sweet! I do hope you love it ~ Thank-You for joining me in another round of Simply Crate!