Leanne Allinson Archives - Page 3 of 14

Do Not Fear Journaling Challenge

Aug

Hello Pebbles Friends! It’s Leanne here today, sharing a layout that encompasses documenting your story alongside that cute photo. I absolutely adore including journaling on my pages and I’m about to issue you all a challenge to try the same. My “Do Not Fear” journaling challenge will hopefully encourage many of you to start filling in the blanks, as you scrap your pages. The step by step process will also share how, while in the planning stages, journaling can become a feature in its own right.

Do Not Fear Journaling..

It can be too easy to be distracted by all the pretty paper available. Sometimes, you just want to create and get something stuck down on a page. And both those options are perfectly fine! But I have personally found, that when I revisit my completed scrapbook layouts, the pages I value the most, are the ones that have little stories attached. Time is too short. My children, while still young, are no longer little and right now, I have a daughter on the verge of adulthood. I want to cherish as many memories as I can, especially while my kids are still living at home.

Journaling the stories can be completed with simplicity. It doesn’t need to be profound or enlightening. All that is required are the basics. Document the who, what, where, why, how and when. The stories that accompany the photos, will quickly follow. However, knowing a few tricks is always a big step in the right direction. One of these is planning ahead for journaling placement.

Layout Process..

Having an area on your page, dedicated specifically for journaling, will make the process feel less last minute. As you create your page, you already start to automatically have in mind what you want to document. The creativity of playing with pretty papers, builds up around this concept. To recreate my layout, I have used the gorgeous My Bright Life.

step 1. Trim the background cardstock to size. Select several pieces of patterned paper from the My Bright Life collection. Trim the patterned paper into 2.25″ squares. Stitch around the outside of the cardstock edge for extra dimension.

step 2. Add small flicks of black paint to the cardstock base. Allow to dry.

step 3. Using the My Bright Life, Little Thoughts patterned paper, trim out the sentiments which relate to your story and won’t clash with the bold patterns of the larger squares that have just been cut. Layer these smaller cut out squares onto the larger ones and add machine stitching for interest.

Fussy cut flowers from My Bright Life, Fresh Picked patterned paper and position onto the layout.

step 4. When arranging placement of embellishments and layers, position photo/s and squares closer to the top of the page. The lower third of the layout will balance the current top heavy look, with the pre-planned journaling.

Title Work..

step 5. On this page, the title is somewhat of a parody to what I’ve been sharing today. The short, sharp words, slip into place between the patterned paper and embellishment layers.

It draws the eye down the page and directs the viewer to my journaling.

Journaling strips..

The easiest way for me to complete this layout with my intended journaling, was to add it in the form of journaling strips. I could have hand written what I wanted to share directly onto the cardstock. However, I am not a fan of my hand writing and that might very well be a challenge for another day!!

step 6. I pre-typed the story a wanted to document on the off cut from the cardstock background. Between each typed line of text, I generally hit return 3-4 times before typing again. Using my paper trimmer, I then cut between each line of text. Once all of the text has been cut out, position it in strip order before adhering it to your page.

Hopefully once the idea of planning a space for your journaling at the beginning of your creative process is put into practise, more of your stories will be start to be shared.

Thanks for visiting the blog today..x

supplies:

Little Thoughts My Bright Life patterned paper 733780

Flower Market My Bright Life patterned paper 733871

Fresh Picked My Bright Life patterned paper 733875

Flower Rows My Bright Life patterned paper 733862

Jen Hadfield My Bright Life Dimensional Stickers 733883

Jen Hadfield My Bright Life Ephemera 733884

My Bright Life 3×4 Motivational Mini Album..

Jul

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Hello Pebbles Friends! Leanne here with a little 3×4 motivational mini album. I absolutely adore creating all types of mini albums, but especially those that have cute and inspirational sayings included in the mix. What better way than to put together a mini from Jen Hadfield’s brand new collection, My Bright Life, starring the gorgeous 3×4 cut apart sheet of the same name.

The My Bright Life 3×4 cut apart sheet of patterned paper is the base inspiration for this entire mini album. Even the title page and front cover uses an expression to help motivate anyone who might be gifted with this project. The rest of the mini album basically falls into place once the 3×4 cards have been trimmed.

Mini Album base..

step 1. Trim the My Bright Life 3×4 cut apart sheet and select your favourite cards. Complement the mini album base with coordinating patterned paper from the same collection. You can choose to add as many or as few pieces of 3×4 patterned paper to make up the foundation pages for the mini album.

step 2. Using a Cinch tool, punch holes in the top of each patterned paper. Be aware of where the top edge of each paper is, when arranging the 3×4 cards into place for the album. Some patterned papers can appear upside down as the pages flip through the book. A good idea is to flip each page over in the mini album, checking for this occurrence, before punching any holes.

step 3. Before binding the book together, use a metal die to create windows through some of the pages. These windows work best if they display a fun quote from the My Bright Life collection.

step 4. Continue to create the mini album with the Cinch and the wire spiral binding.

Embellishing..

Gather your supplies. At this point in the process, the mini album is rather flat. Dimension is created using foam tape, more patterned paper, twine and any other bits and pieces you’d like to include.

Cardstock die cut ephemera and cut apart tags from the Tag You’re It patterned paper help support the motivational messages in the album. Each page follows a similar layout, keeping the entire process of putting this mini album together simple and doable!

Here’s a look at some of the pages inside the mini album.

Some of these pages have patterned paper frames adhered to them. The frames were created using the We R Memory Keepers Frame Punchboard and patterned paper from My Bright Life. As mentioned previously, foam tape has been used to include dimension within the pages of the album. Hand cut banners from various patterned papers have also been layered and left to hang over the edges of the pages.

Also included to further promote motivational messages throughout the mini album, are the cut apart sentiments from Little Thoughts patterned paper.

Stickers from Jen Hadfield’s collections also coordinate beautifully with the My Bright Life collection.

Adding hidden pockets..

Part of the fun with this mini album is the bonus sneaky flip page – complete with Llama drama!

The additional flip page was created using these simple steps.

step 1. Trim the Llama “Hello Friend” 3×4 card to size and score a fold line 1/4″ from the top. Allow the sentiment to remain visible. Trim 0.5cm off the bottom edge so it will fit inside the book.

step 2. Adhere carefully to the top edge of the page it will hide. See image below.

step 3. The fold out page can now include information not necessarily visible at first glance.

This idea will work best if you have placed it opposite a mini album page with a pre-cut window. As you flip the page, the window now frames the Llama’s smiling face!

I’ve keep the rest of the pages in the mini album reasonably simple. Sometimes the messages from the 3×4 cards are all that is needed. Space has also been made available to add any photos..

.. or notes relevant to the gift recipient.

To complete the mini album, add a few extra embellishments to the spiral book binding. A homemade embroidery floss tassel and a cardstock diecut ephemera piece on a jump ring, is all that is needed to add a little interest and polish to the motivational 3×4 mini album flip book.

supplies:

My Bright Life My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733858

Cardstock diecuts My Bright Life 733884

Tag You’re It My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733861

Little Thoughts My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733870

Stitched Flowers My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733859

Daisy Quilt My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733863

My Tweets My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733864

Flower Market My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733871

Lovely Llamas My Bright Life Patterned Paper 733874

6×6 Paper Pad My Bright Life 733892

We R Memory Keepers Frame Punchboard

15 minute “Land That I Love” Birthday Banner Project!

Jul

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Hello Pebbles Friends! It’s Leanne here today sharing an easy birthday banner project that you can adapt for any celebration! And even better, this super cute, 15 minute project will make any birthday boy or girl smile at the effort you’ve gone to.

Let’s get started by gathering your supplies.

I’ve chosen to use the Land That I Love collection. With its bold and bright primary colours, it is a perfect choice to help celebrate my youngest child’s 9th birthday today. Choose your favourite patterned papers and the mini alphabet punch board by We R Memory Keepers.

step 1. Trim the patterned paper to size – 5.5″x3″. Cut enough pieces to be able to display each letter in your sentiment – “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”.

step 2. Score a fold line at the top of the paper piece, 1.5″ down or at 4″ from the bottom.

step 3. Mark the center at the top of the paper piece with a pencil and trim an angle from this point to the fold line. Repeat on the other side.

step 4. Trim a small notch from the bottom of each paper piece and fold over the top.

Once you have all the birthday banner paper pieces, lay them out and arrange next to each other to prevent any pattern clashes or doubles.

We R Memory Keepers Mini Alphabet Punch Board..

step 5. To create the sentiment for your 15 minute birthday banner, trim off-cut pieces of patterned paper to size – 1.5″x2.5″. Coordinate each piece with one of the banner parts.

step 6. Following the instructions from the punchboard manual, create the alphas for the birthday banner.

step 7. Adhere the alphas to the banner paper pieces and measure a length of twine or string to sit under the fold. Once you are happy with the placement, add a small amount of adhesive to the point of the fold over and secure.

step 8. For simple embellishment, add two puffy dot stickers to the top of each corner to complete your birthday banner.

All that is left to do now, is to hang the banner and celebrate your loved one’s special day! Happy crafting..x

Supplies:

Red, White & Blue Dots Puffy Stickers 733802

Land That I Love Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733784

Patriotic Blossoms Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733785

Oh My Stars Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733786

Boom Sparkle Pop Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733787

Stars and Stripes Forever Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733788

Patriotic Blooms Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733789

Sparkler Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733790

Happy 4th Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733791

United We Stand Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733793

America Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733794

Fireworks Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733795

We R Memory Keepers Mini Alphabet Punch 663004

Out of the box layout idea using Land That I Love

Jun

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Hello Pebbles Friends! What do you do when you have a fabulous collection in front of you, but you don’t have a story to share that’s relatable to the product theme? The gorgeous Land That I Love collection is perfect for so many patriotic projects but don’t be put off by it if you don’t celebrate the Fourth of July. This collection is so versatile, that when you look a little closer, out of the box layout ideas will produce fun loving pages away from the scope of the original theme. Today I am sharing a layout using Land That I Love to help document my son’s “skyrocketing” growth.

Gathering supplies..

When wanting to create a non-themed projected from a specific collection, it helps to look closer at all the little details. The Die-Cut Ephemera skyrockets inspired me to use these pieces to represent something other than fireworks. The bright and playful colours are also indicative of boyish youth. Perfect for documenting my son’s towering growth from the age of thirteen.

step 1. Trim a piece of white cardstock to size (8.5″x11″) along with a patterned paper strip measuring 8.5″x3″. Adhere the patterned paper to the top of the cardstock.

step 2. Fussy cut some flowers from the Patriotic Blooms paper and layer over the join between the cardstock and the patterned paper. Roughly position the photo to determine how many fussy cut blooms you will need. Start adding extra ephemera to the flower cluster, to build up the layers and position the die-cut skyrockets.

step 3. Once the basic patterned paper cluster has been established, add textural detail such as enamel dots and silver foil star thickers.

step 4. To highlight your title, include a contrasting patterned paper strip at the bottom of the page. Use the paper strip as a guide for your title.

step 5. For further detail near the patterned paper cluster, hand stitching skyrocket trails can fill the white space without overwhelming the overall layout. Using a pencil, simply draw a line directly onto the cardstock and then pre-pierce the cardstock. Back stitch through the pierced holes with coordinating coloured thread.

Title work…

step 6. To help ground the title at the bottom of the page, create a secondary patterned paper cluster in the corner.

step 7. Foam dots will create height and definition, highlighting important features on the layout.

To complete the layout, add a few splashes of black paint in the white space between the paper clusters. Thanks for visiting the blog today. Happy crafting!

supplies:

Land That I Love Patterned Paper 733784

Patriotic Blossoms Patterned Paper 733785

Boom Sparkle Pop Patterned Paper 733787

Happy 4th Patterned Paper 733791

America Patterned Paper 733794

Fireworks Patterned Paper 733795

Icons and Accents Land That I Love 733796

Land That I Love Die-cut Ephemera 733797

Thickers Phrases Land That I Love 733799

Red, White & Blue Dots 733802

Create a Best Friends layout with a timeline twist!

Jun

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Hello Pebbles Friends! It’s Leanne here today sharing a Best Friends layout with a timeline twist! What’s that? I hear you ask, well think of it as a layout with a hidden photo journey element. And just like a Best Friend, this layout is full of fun surprises!

Gather your supplies..

To recreate this page, gather supplies that have a similar colour tone palette. I am using the gorgeous Jen Hadfield Heart of Home collection. The idea to use this type of colour scheme is to allow and build intricate layers to provide a patterned paper story to compliment the photos. This layout will require the use of two photos. To recreate a timeline, print an early photo of your subject along with a later one. The photos I have used are of my two eldest children. The photo that is visible is one of them at ages three & five. The hidden photo was taken when they were thirteen & fifteen.

step 1. This patterned paper collection has been brought together and grounded with a simple white cardstock background. Trim the cardstock to size and select any die cut ephemera you wish to include.

step 2. Take note of the photo measurement and create a banner flag, slightly larger than the photo, with patterned paper. Machine stitch the banner directly to the cardstock for some textural dimension. Leave the ends of the thread slightly long.

Layering patterned paper..

step 3. A paper strip has been added to the top of the Best Friends layout page. Continue adding patterned paper and die cut elements overlapping the banner. I’ve also included Heart of Home Gold Foil accent label stickers for extra interest.

step 4. Place the first photo, the one that will be hidden from immediate view, onto the built up patterned paper layers. Machine stitch another row of white thread across the top to help secure it in place.

step 5. Next, I have taken inspiration from the Heart of Home Love at Home patterned paper and trimmed the 2″x2″ squares from the sheet.

step 6. These squares, especially the “brother”/”sister” paper pieces were layered between the existing patterned papers already on the cardstock.

Title work and journaling..

step 7. Add a title using coordinating Printed Foil Letter Stickers. Place the alphas to create a visual triangle across the page. Using words such as Best Friends or Forever, can clearly help relay the story message.

step 8. Before adding journaling strips, splash some Heidi Swapp color shine in coordinating colours directly to the layout and allow to dry. More splashes at the bottom of the page helps balance the white space within the layout format.

step 9. Type your journaling, cut into strips and adhere at the bottom of the layout.

Timeline twist..

If you wanted to, your Best Friends layout would be perfectly fine if you made the last step your final one. However, for a more interactive and sensational layout, securing another photo to the top of first one, creates a special surprise!

step 10. Choose a black and white photo, the same size as the original photo. The black and white photo will help blend in with the existing patterned papers.

step 11. Trim a piece of patterned paper, the same as the banner flag created at the beginning of this tutorial, to the same width as the photo. Allow the length of the patterned paper to extend slightly past the top of the image. Adhere the patterned paper to the photo.

step 12. Score a fold line along the top edge of the photo and patterned paper to create a tab. Using double sided adhesive, secure to the top of the photo already on the layout.