Crate Paper

How-to: Stacking 3 or More Photos on a Layout

Hi! Andrea here with a fun, multi-photo layout I made using a combination of Bloom by Maggie Holmes and Little You! My layout is called "Tea for Two" and I made it to document a happy little moment from a recent trip to Disneyland with my hubby, Ryan, where we decided to have some tea at Minnie's house. 

Generally, I prefer to use only one photo on 8.5 x 11 layouts. I like the look of just one photo as the focus. I like to have one photo be the center of attention and build around it, but these pictures were soooo cute that I couldn't pick just one. The story was best told with this set of photos. I had to figure out how to share them while maintaining the kind of central visual impact that comes from having just one pic.

I ended up laying the three photos out in a straight line creating a kind of "film strip" that helps draw the eye to the pictures. I wanted to frame the photos as well. To frame them, I used some white on pink polka dot patterned paper from Little you, plus some gold vellum. I sewed on some pink on white polka dot crepe paper to create a ruffle. 

For the background paper, I chose a pattern that was sweet but that wouldn't pull focus from the pictures. I chose the "hello" paper I watercolored some of the "hellos" in soft pink and blue. To adorn my layout, I clustered some Bloom and Little You embellishments in the lower left corner. 

I made a custom fringe heart to look like the others from Bloom, but in my blue and pink color scheme. The finishing touches were a few enamel dots from Little You, a roller date stamped at the top, and finally, the title, "tea for two" which I wrote and watercolored to mimic the "hellos" on the background paper.

I really love how it all came out and I hope I have inspired you to create some multi-photo layouts!

Maggie Holmes Bloom Hello, Hello paper (680426), Maggie Holmes Bloom Moments paper (680405) , Maggie Holmes Bloom Chipboard Stickers (680433), Maggie Holmes Bloom Delights Standout stickers (680441), Little You Little Nose paper (LYPPR-80381), Little You Girl Mixed Enamel Dots (LY680397), Little You Gold Vellum (LY680402)

 

Simple Beauty Layout

Hello there, Karen here today to share with you a traditional 12x12 scrapbooking layout again using the Maggie Holmes ‘Bloom’ collection, I say again because I simply can’t get enough of this collection. Its simply beautiful.

I started with a 12x12-patterned paper; I love simple backgrounds & this pretty pale pink worked well with my photo. Now let's talk about that photo, it was a 6x8 size originally and I cut it down to 6x6, then again into four 3x3’s, why? Because I love doing that, I love creating something else with my photos, to show that they can be arranged another way & still be effective.

To begin I cut 3 ½ x 3 ½ squares from another patterned 12x12 paper from the collection & mounted these on the pale pink paper to the very left side. Next I added the photos on top of those squares. The next step was literally emptying the ephemera pieces from the collection on my desk & then arranging them up the side of the photo. I’ve created a few layouts using this design technique, I like to call it ‘Put all the pretty pieces on the layout’, truly a favourite, the more the merrier I say. Then I just quickly sewed up the middle of these gorgeous embellishments with my sewing machine, I try not to close my eyes when doing this.

Next I added the alpha thickers to the layout. Easy. To finish up I splattered the layout with some black gouache paint mixed with water. I love the effect this has on scrapbook layouts.

Hope this inspires you to create something yourself.

Bloom products ‘Simple Beauty’ Layout: Maggie Holmes Bloom Fresh (680404), Maggie Holmes Bloom Ephemera Pieces (680434), Maggie Holmes Bloom Petals Thickers (680430)

Adding More Than One Photo to a Layout

Sometimes, when a take a series of picture I like, I can not choose only one to capture on the layout. Today I will present a layout with 3 photos without overloading the page. I love the light! This is also why I always prefer to begin with a white background.

 

 

To start, I searched the papers that would fit well with my 3 photos. I glued tissue paper in the center and I covered with different papers from the BLOOM collection Maggie Holmes. I then chose where to put my 3 photos. The 2 below have the same format and the last I wanted it smaller so we can see the background papers.

 

 

I slipped a tag under the small picture and I added a few lines of journaling.

 

 

Then to the right of the photo, I did a little sewing and I cut a small label "F like Friend" in the paper TOGETHER. I added 2 embellishments wood collection LITTLE YOU and a piece of washi tape with the word "WEEKEND".

 

 

I finished my page by pasting strips of paper (and added stitching), 2 stickers and a few drops of black liquid ink.

 

 

I hope this gives you some ideas for pages with multiple photographs. See you soon.

 

 

SUPPLIES: GARDEN PARTY paper (680406), WONDERFUL paper (680416), EMILY paper (680411), BLOSSOM paper (680413), TOGETHER paper (480422), GOLD FLORAL vellum (680427), Accent stickers (480435), Washi booklet (680440), Embellishments girl (680397), Gold basics (680331)

 

Mini Album by Jessy

I absolutely love small photos. They are not only cute but they are perfect size for mini albums too. My little girl loves to flip the minis. We will talk about the each photos and memories. It brings back a lot of memories for us. This time round, I chose to create a mini with the things she loves at her current age. 

This mini is very simple to create. I used products from Maggie Holmes Bloom + Little You collections. On each page you will see chipboard, ephemera, stickers & lots of fun patterned papers. I used them repeatedly on each page to create a cohesive look. The various size of papers, photos and embellishments of this album is what I love most. This mini is absolutely perfect if you have scraps lying around. You can always use those scraps on each of your pages.

I wanted to keep the first page simple and more of a cover page. To give a little flavor to my cover page, I added a tassel from Maggie Holmes Shine collection + a white lace. And of course, you will see lots of gold too! You can never have too much gold wink

I always make sure to write notes in my mini album so that when my daughter is old enough to read, she will know a little more about herself :)

I just couldn't help myself by adding this little cute card. And yes, I absolutely love my little girl very much! The best thing about a ring-bound book is that you can continue to add pages as you go along!

Using tag as your base is as fun! There are no hard rules when it comes to creativity. Explore as you create :)

I had so much fun making these pages. I hope you will have fun making yours too! 

Supplies: 

Maggie Holmes Bloom 6x6 Paper Pad (680428), Maggie Holmes Bloom Ephemera Die-Cuts (680434), Maggie Holmes Bloom Thickers Happy (680432), Maggie Holmes Bloom Stickers (680435), Maggie Holmes Bloom Foiled Clean Stickers (680443), Little You Thickers Puffy Pink (LY680387), Little You Acrylic & Cardstock Ephemera Boy (LY680390), Little You Acrylic & Cardstock Ephemera Girl (LY680391), Little You Foiled Stickers Boy (LY680392), Little You Foiled Stickers Girl (LY680393), Little You Mixed Embellishments Girl (LY680397, Maggie Holmes Shine Tassels (680325)

Little You Mini Album

Hi everyone! Ashley here today to bring you some mini album inspiration! There are so many ways to create a mini album, but my personal preference is creating my own base pages. If you’re not into that, there are a lot of pre-made albums out there that would work great with the Crate Paper products you already have on hand!

I couldn’t resist using the adorable Little You Girl collection for the mini album I’m sharing today. I have plenty of baby photos, of all three kids, taken over the past 10 years! This album could definitely be adapted for a little boy using the Little You boy collection or you could create an everyday mini album, using any of the other Crate Paper collections.

My first step for this album, was deciding on a shape. I decided to cut a star shape from 10 of the patterned papers included in the Little You 6x6 paper pad. This was really easy to do with my Silhouette Cameo. If you don’t own a die cut machine, you could print out or draw your own template to trace onto patterned paper to create your album base pages. My stars are sized just a bit smaller than 6x6 inches, to fit on the 6x6 patterned papers. Once all of the stars were finished cutting, I adhered two of them together back to back, with a touch of adhesive. Then I stitched around the outside edge of each of the page sets to create visual interest and texture.

Usually the hardest part of a mini album for me is embellishing. But I didn’t have that problem with this mini album, because there are so many adorable embellishments in the Little You collection. I created my cover for the album first, using part of the vellum sheet, chipboard, clip and Thickers for our daughter’s initials.

I printed five photos, sized to 2x2 inches, to place inside the album. I had a total of 10 pages for the album, but wanted some of them to be decorative, rather than include a photo. I added two of the photos to the first two inside pages, with embellishments from the Little You collection. Then I alternated the rest of the album with photo pages and decorative pages.

Once I completed all of the pages for the album, I used a Crop-A-Dile punch to make a small hole on the left point of each of my star pages. I placed each of the pages in order on a metal ring that can be found at local craft stores. But I wasn’t done there! I wanted something a little more decorative than the ring just by itself, so I tied two of the Maggie Holmes Bloom tassels around the ring. The pink tassels were perfect with the pink in the Little You collection.

Mini albums come in all shapes and sizes, and themes! I hope you’ve found some ideas today that will come in handy when you are creating your next…or first…mini album!

Little You Products Used: Crate Paper Little You 6x6 Paper Pad (680403), Crate Paper Little You Gold Foil on Vellum (680402), Crate Paper Little You Ephemera Pack (680391), Crate Paper Little You Embellishments (680397), Crate Paper Little You Starlight Thickers (680387), Crate Paper Little You Accent Stickers (680393), Crate Paper Little You Chipboard Stickers (680389), Crate Paper Little You Clips (680400)

Bloom Products Used: Maggie Holmes Bloom Tassels (680437)

Create Custom Tags

Hello, It's Andrea, and today I want to share with you some tags I made using the Bloom collection by Maggie Holmes. I absolutely love Bloom and I've had so much fun making things with it. But because I love it so much, I have to be honest and say that there are a few things in it that I've been hoarding. You know when there are goodies that are just so cute to you, like patterned paper or an embellishment that you just can't bring yourself to use? 

I finally told myself that it was time. I needed to stop hoarding and start making! Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet...lol! So I decided to make some tags. This way I could use my favorite things to make something that I can collect in a different way. I made a tag with my die-cut swan that says “laugh and cheer” and has a cute little rose paperclip on it.

I made a tag with some of the fussy-cut butterflies from the patterned paper, all sewn in a row down the middle to look like they are fluttering. I made a “love” tag with the bird paper, using scalloped paper from the collection to cut and layer up at the bottom of the tag for a cool effect. On that one I also stamped a bow, colored it in with a gold pen and then fussy cut it out and sewed it down to a punched out heart. I really love the details on that tag!

And for my last hoarded item, my adorable doe...a deer...a female deer...I just added her on top of a gold glitter heart transparency (which coincidentally I'd been hoarding from Shine by Maggie Holmes). :-)

I really love the way my tags came out! I might hang them up on a banner or put them in my planner or I could write little notes on the back for my hubby (but then make him give them back to me for safekeeping...hehehe.

Whatever I decide to do with them it will be great! They make me so happy and now I can continue to save, stare at and collect my favorite things from Bloom...but I also used them to make something...so it's a win, win!

Supplies:

Maggie Holmes Bloom Ephemera Pack (680434), Maggie Holmes Bloom Flutter paper (680412), Maggie Holmes Bloom Spring paper (680419), Maggie Holmes Bloom Blissful paper (680424), Maggie Holmes Bloom Peony paper (680423), Maggie Holmes Bloom Little Bird paper (680425), Maggie Holmes Bloom Washi Booklet (680440), Maggie Holmes Bloom stamp set Hello (680449), Maggie Holmes Bloom paper flowers (680446) Maggie Holmes Shine Gold glitter Happy heart transparency (680312), Kiss Kiss pink & gold glitter thickers (683615)

 

 

Paper Pocket Envelopes

For "Cards & Stationery" week,I wanted to create small pockets for little presents or other fun surprises. When I prepare a gift, I like to take time to create nice packaging. It's a great way to make the package look nice and neat. In these mini pockets, I imagine putting a gift card or something fun.  

 

To start, I made pockets in different papers and sizes. For example, the first cover is in vellum, very easy to work and it remains very solid. I also used a classic paper, so it wouldn't be too thick. 

 

I have enclosed the second pouch with my linen thread to which I added 2 tags and a pink tassel. I then added a butterfly stickers and stickers to decorate the black tag. This tag is from the HELLO LOVE collection, one of my favorites.

 

 

The final cover is less wide and was made with the paper Delighted. I decorated with several tags Crate Paper collections. There are very nice to each collection, whether in the ephemera pack or in sheets of stickers. I love them. I simply closed with a small clothespin.

 

 

It makes me want to continue and prepare surprises to offer to friends. Or I can start preparing for upcoming birthdays!

 

 

SUPPLIES : Gold Floral vellum (680427), DELIGHTED paper (680408), BLOSSOM paper (680413), Ephemera (680434), Tassels (680437), Stickers (680435), Hello Love Tags, Glittered clothespins (683663)

A Little Something Box Tutorial

Hi everyone Karen here with you today to share something quite different that I created with scrapbooking paper.

Using the gorgeous ‘Little You’ product line from Crate Paper, I created a stationery box to store keepsakes. I know I’m not the only mother out there with plenty of little pieces of memorabilia that need to be stored away for safekeeping. This little box is perfect. Very versatile as well, it could be a gift box for someone who is having a birthday too.

Firstly I searched the ever faithful Pinterest for a gift box DIY. I found a great template and then started ruling up and cutting away.

I created two boxes the second one being a little bigger for the top. They were really simple to create & don’t worry there’s plenty of tutorials on creating these on the Internet.

Next I punched out some circles from the patterned paper from the ‘Little You’ collection & using my sewing machine I made a garland by stitching the circles together, I then used this to tie around the box. A lovely little addition I think.

Finishing off with some of the ephemera die cuts from the same collection tied together with some twine I had in my studio.

I’m totally in love with the ‘Little You’ collection and how this keepsake turned out. I hope I’ve inspired you to try something different with you patterned paper next time you’re creating.

Happy paper crafting, Karen.

Little You products ‘A Little Something’ Box: Little You Counting Sheep Patterned Paper (LYPPR-80378), Little You Precious Patterned Paper (LYPPR-80378), Little You Adhesive Chipboard (LY680389), Little You Acrylic & Cardstock Ephemera (LY680391), Little You Decorative Clips (LY680400), Little You Paper Pad 6x6 (LY680403)

DIY Mother's Day Plant Gift

Hello everyone, it's Gina here today to share with you how to create DIY Mother's Day Plant gifts. Who doesn't love receiving a handmade gift, especially if it is something that you can put to good use?

I love to give practical gifts to my two Mom's (Mother and Mother in-law) each holiday. I decided that this year, I would create my own DIY planters using a common herb that we all use (sage) and embellishments and pieces from the Maggie Holmes Bloom collection.

I started off by using recycled soup cans. I soaked them until the labels easily came off, then packed them with soil and sage plants.

Next, I cut two pieces of burlap fabric and adhered them to the outside of each potted plant using a clear liquid adhesive. Once the glue had dried, I cut off a small length of crochet ribbon and fabric for each potted plant and then tied them around. I placed a chalkboard sign post (available from American Crafts) in each potted plant and then embellished them both with a sticker.

Next, I created embellished tags using old book paper, doilies, ephemera, and stickers. Once the tags were finished I used mini clothespins to attach each tag to each plant.

These handmade gifts are sure to please all of the Moms in your life! Thank you for stopping by the Crate Paper blog today, I hope that you feel inspired to create your own handmade Mother's Day gifts.

Supplies: Maggie Holmes Bloom (680431) - Puffy Phrase and Accent Stickers, Maggie Holmes Bloom (680443) - Clear Stickers with Foil, Maggie Holmes Bloom (680435) - Cardstock Stickers Accents, Maggie Holmes Bloom (680446) - Molded Paper Flowers, Maggie Holmes Bloom (680434) - Ephemera with Glitter, Maggie Holmes Bllom (680446) – Tiny Paper Flowers Light & Dark Pink

 

Free Mother's Day Printable

Happy Thursday, Crate fans! We have something special for you today! If you're in need of a Mother's Day gift, we have a great idea. Pop this pretty printable in a frame for mom! There's a lovely white version as well. Download both printables here.