Newbie Notes: A Lighthearted Look at Early Scrapbooking Adventures

Ah, the “newbie” phase of scrapbooking—where enthusiasm meets a wild lack of know-how! Reflecting back, I remember those early days when a blending brush seemed like a magic wand I hadn’t quite mastered, and Design Space® felt like deciphering an ancient script. Then there were the attempts at making photo clusters, which, let’s just say, were more “abstract art” than artistic. We all have those early pages—crafted with heart but perhaps a bit puzzling to our more experienced selves. Let’s dive into one of those charmingly ambitious projects, shall we?

Hello Friends!

Today, I’m excited to share a heartwarming autumn scrapbook layout titled “Carving Memories,” inspired by a fun pumpkin carving day with my little man. From choosing the biggest pumpkin to capturing candid moments, this layout is all about the cozy vibes and sweet memories of fall.

Materials Used:

• CTMH ‘Cozy Up’ Collection: Perfect for capturing the essence of autumn with its warm colors like Honey Butter, Pumpkin, Sage, and Mocha.

• Mix In Paper Pack: Complements the Cozy Up collection with additional patterns.

• CTMH Black & French Vanilla Cardstock: Used for double matting the photos.

• Pumpkin Ink and Blending Brush: Adds a thematic touch to the embellishments.

• Foam Tape: For adding dimension to the title and some of the leaves.

• Glue & Adhesive Runner: Ensures everything stays perfectly in place.

• Cricut® Machine: For precise cuts of the papers and title.

• CTMH Stamp: Setting the Scene D2182.

Crafting the Layout:

1. Designing the Layout: Navigating Design Space®️ was supposed to be my guiding star, but it turned into a bit of a comical constellation! Despite the precise measurements and guides it offered, my initial foray felt more like I was plotting a course through a maze blindfolded. Let’s just say that my first layout was a ‘creative interpretation’ of the instructions. The patchwork pumpkin might not have been perfectly aligned, but it ended up with its own quirky charm, proving that even in crafting, it’s the journey, not just the destination, that counts!

2. Photo Arrangement: The photos are double matted on black cardstock, enhancing the vivid colors of our pumpkin carving day. Despite the playful mishap of a half-cropped photo taken by my son, it adds a personal touch that tells a unique story.

3. Adding Color and Texture: Determined to add an extra layer of detail to my layout, I used the “Setting the Scene” stamp to create a subtle yet intricate background. The stamp’s design, which features a mix of delicate lines and abstract forms, was perfect for giving depth to the scene without overpowering the main elements. It was a trial by fire, where I learned to balance ink application and pressure to achieve just the right touch of ambiance.

4. Assembly: The patchwork pumpkin was assembled with an adhesive runner, while the leaves were glued down to add layers and texture to the layout.

Reflection:

This scrapbook page didn’t turn out exactly as planned, but it ended up being a delightful representation of our day. It’s a reminder that sometimes imperfections add character and charm to our memories.

Share Your Creations

Don’t forget to share your creations in our members’ gallery to inspire and motivate others in our crafting community. Together, we can spark new ideas and bring more beauty into the world, one project at a time.

Note: The products from Close To My Heart (CTMH) featured in this blog are no longer available as CTMH has closed its doors. However, don’t worry! You can recreate these beautiful layouts using similar products from Stampin’ Up! Visit my Stampin’ Up! page to explore versatile alternatives that can help you achieve the same creative results.

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https://thischicklovespaper.stampinup.net/

April - This Chick Loves Paper

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