Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am from the Philippines and currently reside with my family in Hail, Saudi Arabia. I’ve been married to my childhood sweetheart for 20 years. We have one daughter.

Do you have a favorite recent layout or project?

This is not that recent, but this layout represents my love for both digital and traditional scrapbooking, if I may say.

What is something new you’re excited to do, use, or try?

I’ve wanted to learn how to sew or crochet.

What would you say to a non-scrapbooker about why you love this hobby?

I love this hobby because it gives me peace when my mind is a jumbled mess. There were times it helped me get through a rough patch and somehow helped calm me down.

When did you start scrapbooking and what precipitated it?

I started scrapbooking around the early 2000s. I am a crafter by heart, and when I saw an ad (I think it was Creating Keepsakes) about a layout, I thought to myself, “I want to do this too.” I wanted to make my wedding album, but that took a back seat when my first niece was born. My first layouts were about her; I was so crazy over her! 

What sizes or formats do you typically create in? Why do they work for you?

Always 12×12, but I also dabbled with art journals.

What projects or activities are you focused on this year?

 Mostly digital scrapbooking. I wanted to start creating paper layouts again, though.

How would you describe your style in three words?

Layered and girly.

What are some of the products, tools, and/or techniques you use most often in your scrapbooking?

For paper and digital layouts, there should always be flowers/florals, a lot of things to layer, and to cluster. For digital layouts, I always tweak the shadows a bit, but most of the time I just use my fave drop shadow style.

Is there a trend you are loving right now?

I am not into trying out all the trends. But I do love everything Paige Taylor Evans. Is that a trend? 🤣

Is there something in scrapbooking — a supply, technique, size, or format — that you’ve decided is just not for you?

Maybe the 8×11-sized layouts and hardcore mixed media.

Where and when do you typically scrapbook? Has this changed over time?

I have a long table where my computer, printer, and photo papers are. I usually scrapbook at night when everything has settled down. This hasn’t changed except for the table and the printer.

Is there an organization strategy for photos, supplies, and/or tools that has worked well for you?

I organize my photos into folders: year and month. And I create folders according to the occasion or whatever the photos are about.

Where would you like your scrapbooking to be in 10 years?

Well, first and foremost, I hope I am still healthy enough to use my hands and eyes for scrapbooking. And I hope within these 10 years I have replaced my old digital cutting machine. 😆

What has being a scrapbooker taught you?

Eye for detail, balance, and color. That no matter how you try to “copy” other people’s style, yours will always come shining out. Creating can help with your inner peace. That I can just be myself.

Where can our readers follow you?

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Thanks Donna for sharing a peek into your hobby!

The post Interview: My Way with Donna Espiritu appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Our Simple Scrapper creative team has been creating layouts for SPARK, our member magazine, since 2014. We’ve gathered a selection of double-page layout examples from our vast archive of team, guest, and member inspiration.

Why Scrapbookers Use a Double-Page Layout

Many scrapbookers learned to create double-page layouts as the default. This was especially true when post-bound and strap-hinge albums were the primary option, bringing the left and right pages very close to together in the album. It made sense to unify the spread with a double-page layout.

The most popular scrapbook albums today are 3-ring albums with page protectors that offer much more ease and versatility, especially in terms of rearranging single-page or double-page scrapbook layouts. Today there’s no need to scrapbook in order unless you want to.

That flexibility, however, has not dampened the scrapbook community’s love of double-page layouts.

When to Use a Double-Page Scrapbook Layout

The prime benefit of a double-page scrapbook layout is space. There’s room over a two page spread for more photos, more journaling, and more fun scrapbook supplies. Sometimes it’s even easier to design the page because there’s more space for larger 4×6 photos.

A single page scrapbook layout is more common today than it was in the past, but with so many double-page layout ideas there’s always a reason to create in that full double-page style.

As your explore these double-page layout ideas and save some for the future, consider reviewing the options with a goal of selecting one idea to use right away. Let the inspiration move you to action!

Traditional Double-Page Scrapbook Layout Ideas

Many scrapbookers have a comfort zone in the style of layouts they make, including a preference for single or double pages. You’ll notice in these examples of traditional double-page layouts that long-time creative team member Jennifer Larson has a particular love for two-page layouts.

No matter which camp you’re in, you’ll definitely find one of these double-page layout ideas that is a perfect fit for your scrapbook style.

Digital Double-Page Scrapbook Layout Ideas

Many digital scrapbookers enjoy creating double-page layouts too, especially those who print their pages as a photo book. This selection of digital double-page layout ideas from our creative team features a range of styles, from very traditional “could be paper” pages to modern, minimalist designs.

One thing to notice from these double-page ideas is the ability to include much longer journaling blocks. Traditional scrapbookers can also utilize this space-saving technique with ‘hybrid’ scrapbook layouts, meaning typed journaling with paper scrapbook supplies.

Want More Double-Page Scrapbook Layout Ideas?

Love these double-page layout ideas? There’s more than 100 double-page sketches (plus digital template versions) inside of the Simple Scrapper membership library. Our community supports you in scrapbooking your way, whatever that looks like!

The post 101 Incredible Double-Page Layout Ideas for Your Scrapbooks appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

But are we using them? From lack of digital prowess to fear of messing up when it comes to inks, stamping on scrapbook pages can feel intimidating. In this post you’ll learn simple ideas to help reduce your stamp-related fear.

Stamping Ideas for Scrapbook Pages

Our creative team was inspired by Amy Alphin’s love of stamps to create their own pages and use a variety of techniques.

1. Emboss Your Embellishments

For this layout, Alexa Gill stamped starbursts in different colors, then embossed numbers in white on top. Layered with her typed list of favorites, these five embellishments help communicate her story in a simple way.

2. Hybrid Stamped Embellishments

Using digital stamps as part of your hybrid page design doesn’t mean letting go of dimension. Anandi Raman Creath added enamel dots on top of the starbursts that she printed on the background of her pages. This effect could also be achieved with a physical stamped impression.

3. Add Texture with Stamping

While our natural inclination is to make our stamps show up, sometimes what we really want is for them to blend into the background. Audrey Medd stamped a variety of patterned in light pink on a very light color of textured card stock. This adds texture without bulk to her page.

4. Stamp Multiple Times

Stamping, by nature, is an imperfect artform. When you stamp multiple times, layering each impression, you can create an artistic look on your background. On this page Cathy Caines used two different stamp sets to layered over a mixed media background.

5. Brand Loyalty with Stamps

Ettiene Rickles loves to combine stamps from multiple sets by a single designer or manufacturer. Brands will often have a consistent design aesthetic or use the same font faces in their products, making it easier to pair products together.

6. Adding Dimension to Stamping on Scrapbook Pages

Stamping doesn’t have to be flat On this layout Helen DeRam first stamped leaf designs on her background in multiple colors, layering different shapes and sizes. Then she stamped one of the designs separately, cut it out, and adhered it to the page with pop dots for a dimensional look.

7. Digital Stamp Blending

Jan Sowder loves to create blended looks by clipping patterned papers to her digital stamps. Blend modes and transparency can also be adjusted to get the look just right for your layout. This is a great reminder not to assume any product only has one use!

8. Digital Mixed Media

In this layout Jen Johnson used the design of her background paper to select coordinating digital stamps to place behind her photo. You might thing these mixed media style designs belonged to the same kit, but nope. Jen colored them to match her paper.

9. Multicolor Stamping on Scrapbook Pages

Jennifer Larson use multiple ink colors to make her cluster of stamped phrases stand out on her page. She also uses a technique to outline shapes with pen that have an imperfect stamped impression. There’s always a way to make it work!

10. Stamping Inside of Shapes

Many stamp sets come with grids, blocks, or other shapes that can become homes for collections of smaller stamps. Lisa Hausmann used these grid blocks on her layout to add creative interest with a number of sentiments and designs.

11. Choosing Ink Colors for Stamping on Scrapbook Pages

On this layout, Amy Melniczenko recolored her digital stamps to match the patterned papers she chose and bring cohesion to the layout. With paper, this would like choosing 2-3 ink colors to match the most colorful or busy patterned.

12. Stamps as Photo Overlays

Shannan Manton overlayed multiple digital stamps in this page to create her title and embellishments. By adjusting both the color and transparency she was able to make sure each word or phrase was both visible and legible.

13. Stamps and Paper Piecing

In this layout Sara Case not only stamped on her background patterned paper, but use these house-shaped stamps on patterned paper. She then pieced them together to form a scene of stamped images on her scrapbook page.

If you have a stash of stamps not getting a lot of use, maybe one of these ideas will be the trigger to try something new.

Tips for Stamping on Scrapbook Pages

As you include more stamping on your scrapbook pages, it will become more of a habit. But you don’t have to dive in to some of the more advanced techniques our team has shared. Here are four starting points and one extra-important reminder to jumpstart your journey of stamping on scrapbook pages.

• Start There – Pull out your stamps as part of building your page’s background.
• Make a Border – Word phrases look great when stamped along side a photo or paper.
• Try Monochrome – Create a subtle effect by stamping in a color close to the background.
• Stamp the Title – Larger stamped images can serve as a title with no letter stickers needed.
• Go with the Flow – Embrace the imperfection of a stamped look on your scrapbook pages.

For additional tips, check out SYW016 – Don’t Be Scared of Stamping and SYW111 – An Epic Plan to Organize Stamps. And make sure to save this post so you have it for reference later!

The post 13 Easy Ideas for Stamping on Scrapbook Pages appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in Liverpool, UK with my fiancé. I live near my family – my parents, siblings and I have two young nieces and a nephew. I’m close to my family and include them a lot in my stories and albums. I work at a university in administration working part of the week from home and part of the week in the office which is a good balance and less commuting time means more scrapbooking time!

What is one thing that is new or exciting to you right now? 

I am a big fan of travel scrapbooking, so I’m currently enjoying Ali Edwards’ Start to Finish Travel Class and also the Explore story kit. I’m working on a couple of travel albums right now including finishing off one about a trip to Madeira last September, and another documenting a recent adventure this summer to Greece so all the travel-related inspiration is perfectly timed for me.

What is one story on your memory keeping bucket list?

I’d like to document more stories from my childhood. I am very fortunate in that my parents took family photos regularly when I was growing up, and I treasure those, but I am conscious that I have done lots of documenting of my adult life and very little of my childhood and so it’s a priority for me to get some of those stories into albums too.

Right now at Simple Scrapper we’re talking about storytelling. What is the role of story in your creative process?

For me, all scrapbooking and memorykeeping is storytelling. I tend to start with photos, and I try to tell stories with my photos, but the words are very important to me too and my aim is always to craft a well-rounded story with any project that I create.

How did you start scrapbooking? How has your hobby changed?

When I was growing up I used to enjoy keeping a diary, writing about everyday things I had done and places I had been. I also loved keeping various pieces of ephemera such as tickets, flyers and other paper bits as a way to preserve my memories in a tangible form. I found those things precious as they had a special connection to moments in the past and I loved looking through them and holding them in my hands. As I got older, I got my first camera and became interested in photography as another way to capture and preserve memories and moments. I went on a year abroad as part of my foreign languages degree which ignited a passion for travelling and I wanted to find a way to bring my words, photos and ephemera together to tell the stories of my adventures. I remember doing some research online and finding Amy Tangerine and Kelly Purkey. I was super inspired to document my trips in travel journals and scrapbooks and it all took off from there! I found Ali Edwards a bit later and developed an interest in everyday documenting and telling stories around a theme. I started Project Life in 2017 and some of Ali’s projects like Week in the Life and December Daily around that time too. In terms of what has changed, I now really value documenting a broad range of stories from my everyday life in addition to travel documenting.

What sizes or formats do you typically create in? Why?

I primarily work in pocket pages because I like the look of them and enjoy their versatility. I do Project Life on a monthly basis in 12×12 pocket pages. I create story albums and travel albums typically in 6×8 size, but I have also recently been trying out Ali Edwards’ new 10×8 album size which is an interesting change and provides more space which is useful for my travel pages as I take a lot of photos! I make mini books using Everyday Explorers Mini Book Makers Club kits which I find really fun and very manageable as they’re a small size. In addition to scrapbooking I am also interested in journaling and Japanese stationery and I journal in both a traveler’s notebook and Hobonichi techo.

Whose products are you completely obsessed with?

Ali Edwards (a very popular answer I know!) I love the Story kits and Stories by the Month. Everyday Explorers is another favourite especially for stamps. I also love Kelly Purkey / Paper Person and used to subscribe to her kits but sadly they’re no longer available for shipping to the UK. I am also a huge fan of Traveler’s Company, the Japanese brand that created the original traveler’s notebook. I went to Japan a few years ago and visited the Traveler’s Factory stores in Tokyo and have been obsessed with their products ever since.

What is something you use or do on most of your pages?

Stamping is my favourite technique and I stamp on most of my pages and projects.

When do you typically find the time/energy for scrapbooking?

Weekends mainly and I love when I have a whole day or afternoon to work on projects. I also find pockets of time in the evenings where possible to print some photos or work on some pages and that helps me to stay on top of my Project Life.

Do you have any strategies that you use to stay motivated?

I like to stay quite up-to-date with my Project Life album and find that receiving my Ali Edwards Stories by the Month kits in the mail and also watching the Inspiration by the Month class motivates me as I think about my recent photos and stories and how I want to document them in my album. I also enjoy looking at other people’s projects on Instagram and YouTube as a way to get inspired and motivated to create.

What is something in scrapbooking — a supply, technique, size, or format — that you’ve decided is just not for you?

I’m not really into making traditional 12×12 layouts. I have made some in the past including some that I do really like, but I find the size too overwhelming and I have quite a simple style which I think lends itself better to pocket pages and smaller formats.

What are one or two of your favorite organizing tips or solutions? They could be related to supplies, photos, ideas, or just something in your home.

I journal regularly in my traveler’s notebook and keep notes of things I have done and details that I want to document. When I want to go back and work on a project I find that referring to my journal as I am looking through my photos really helps as a starting place for my stories. In terms of photo organisation, as I take a lot of photos, I find it helpful to look through the photos on my phone regularly and mark my favourites so that I already know which ones I want to use for documenting. When I travel I always take a couple of zipper pouches (I have a stash of old ones from Studio Calico’s documenter kits) and I use these to store all the ephemera I collect as I go, ready for when I get home and put together my album.

Where would you like your scrapbooking to be in 10 years?

I would like to have completed a good percentage of the unfinished projects I currently have, and I would hope to have remained consistent with documenting and to still enjoy it.

What has being a scrapbooker taught you?

It has taught me to pay attention, to focus on the small things, and to practice gratitude. Scrapbooking has also shown me how much I enjoy and value being able to look through my stories and memories.

Where can our readers follow you?

• Instagram

Do you have anything new coming up soon?

I plan to share photos and flip-throughs of the travel albums I am currently working on over there soon.

The post Interview: My Way with Samantha Jones appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Because this is just one of the benefits of being a member, it doesn’t get talked about as much as our events and our overall mission of helping you scrapbook consistently. Our sketches and templates are just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s time to give them the spotlight.

Your Free Scrapbook Sketch

Download the Free Scrapbook Sketch Files

There’s no opt-in required to grab these freebies, though we do hope you’ll check out what we offer inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

• Download the sketch (.jpg)
• Download the PSD template (.zip)

Paper scrapbookers will want to save the sketch using the .jpg file below or by taking a screenshot of the last frame on my Instagram reel. Hybrid and digital scrapbookers will want to save the .zip package that includes the .jpg preview and the layered PSD template.

The post Layout: Scrapbooking a Snapshot of Daily Life appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Because this is just one of the benefits of being a member, it doesn’t get talked about as much as our events and our overall mission of helping you scrapbook consistently. Our sketches and templates are just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s time to give them the spotlight.

This Week’s Free Scrapbook Sketch

Download the Free Scrapbook Sketch Files

There’s no opt-in required to grab these freebies, though we do hope you’ll check out what we offer inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

• Download the sketch (.jpg)
• Download the PSD template (.zip)

Paper scrapbookers will want to save the sketch using the .jpg file below or by taking a screenshot of the last frame on my Instagram reel. Hybrid and digital scrapbookers will want to save the .zip package that includes the .jpg preview and the layered PSD template.

The post Layout: Documenting Your Worthiness appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Because this is just one of the benefits of being a member, it doesn’t get talked about as much as our events and our overall mission of helping you scrapbook consistently. Our sketches and templates are just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s time to give them the spotlight.

Your Free Scrapbook Sketch

Download the Free Scrapbook Sketch Files

There’s no opt-in required to grab these freebies, though we do hope you’ll check out what we offer inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

• Download the sketch (.jpg)
• Download the PSD template (.zip)

Paper scrapbookers will want to save the sketch using the .jpg file below or by taking a screenshot of the last frame on my Instagram reel. Hybrid and digital scrapbookers will want to save the .zip package that includes the .jpg preview and the layered PSD template.

The post Layout: Using Lots of Paper Die Cuts appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Because this is just one of the benefits of being a member, it doesn’t get talked about as much as our events and our overall mission of helping you scrapbook consistently. Our sketches and templates are just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s time to give them the spotlight.

Your Free Scrapbook Sketch

Download the Free Scrapbook Sketch Files

There’s no opt-in required to grab these freebies, though we do hope you’ll check out what we offer inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

• Download the sketch (.jpg)
• Download the PSD template (.zip)

Paper scrapbookers will want to save the sketch using the .jpg file below or by taking a screenshot of the last frame on my Instagram reel. Hybrid and digital scrapbookers will want to save the .zip package that includes the .jpg preview and the layered PSD template.

The post Layout: Simple Grid Design for Travel appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Because this is just one of the benefits of being a member, it doesn’t get talked about as much as our events and our overall mission of helping you scrapbook consistently. Our sketches and templates are just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s time to give them the spotlight.

Your Free Scrapbook Sketch

Download the Free Scrapbook Sketch Files

There’s no opt-in required to grab these freebies, though we do hope you’ll check out what we offer inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

• Download the sketch (.jpg)
• Download the PSD template (.zip)

Paper scrapbookers will want to save the sketch using the .jpg file below or by taking a screenshot of the last frame on my Instagram reel. Hybrid and digital scrapbookers will want to save the .zip package that includes the .jpg preview and the layered PSD template.

The post Layout: Using Word and Phrase Embellishments appeared first on Simple Scrapper.

Because this is just one of the benefits of being a member, it doesn’t get talked about as much as our events and our overall mission of helping you scrapbook consistently. Our sketches and templates are just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s time to give them the spotlight.

Your Free Scrapbook Sketch

Download the Free Scrapbook Sketch Files

There’s no opt-in required to grab these freebies, though we do hope you’ll check out what we offer inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

• Download the sketch (.jpg)
• Download the PSD template (.zip)

Paper scrapbookers will want to save the sketch using the .jpg file below or by taking a screenshot of the last frame on my Instagram reel. Hybrid and digital scrapbookers will want to save the .zip package that includes the .jpg preview and the layered PSD template.

The post Layout: Dimensional Paper-Pieced Background appeared first on Simple Scrapper.