I love tags! In fact, I use tags a lot on my scrapbook layouts for embellishing, as a layering element, to anchor photos, or to use as a spot of journaling. For today’s project, I turned my 3×4 inch photos into photo tags using a 6×6 inch patterned paper pad, a corner punch from We R Makers, and a simple office hole punch.
This particular design can be easily created using tools that you have in your stash! To create your own photo tags, you can…
Use tag metal dies or tag punches.
Cut tags using an electronic cutting machine.
Cut tags by hand using your scissors.
Use a tag punch board or similar tool to create a tag.
There is no need to purchase new tools to create this look. In fact, I challenge you to look at your tools and available materials (and your sharp creative mind), and see how you can create a similar design.
Here are the products from my stash that were used to create today’s layout!
And here is the project – a 12×12 inch scrapbook layout titled Spill The Tea!
I had so much fun making these photo tags and creating the appearance that they are hanging from the top of the layout!
I used patterned paper as the base of the photo tags along with a angle corner punch to notch the top corners. Black and white twine was added to the tags and adhered in place using washi tape on the back of the layout.
Once the tags were in place, I added layered embellishment clusters, a title, and journaling. I love how the look of product from different designers and manufacturers work so well together!
Be sure to check out the process video for this project, now available on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel. I hope you are inspired to use your stash to create a similar design!
PRODUCTS: All of the materials used for this layout are from my stash and may not be currently available. I encourage you use items from your stash, however, I know that some of you might be interested in the products used for this project – a list is provided below (no links).
Be sure to check your favorite craft and hobby retailer for available products.
Park Lane Floral Space 12×12 inch Paper Pad
Simple Stories My Story 12×12 Sticker Sheet
Jillibean Soup Coordinating Label Stickers
Kelly Purkey Mon Ami 6×6 Paper Pad
Pink Paislee Hello Sunshine 6×6 Paper Pad
Pinkfresh Studio Chipboard Frames – The Best Day Collection
Citrus Twist Puffy Alpha Stickers
Thickers Poolside Alpha Stickers
Pinkfresh Studio Ephemera – Days of Splendor Collection
At the start of a new year, I like to make a scrapbook layout to document my hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. This layout serves as a starting point for documenting my life – the good, the bad, all of my challenges, and everything in between.
I always start the year filled with so much hope and optimism. I love the idea of starting fresh and considering all of the wonder possibilities that await. The act of creating this layout every year fills my heart with so much joy. I’m setting the pace for the year ahead…documented with words and pictures.
This layout was created during my YouTube Livestream, the first livestream I’ve hosted in six months. I had a blast creating this layout just for fun versus creating on demand! I found a Hip Kit Club scrapbooking and embellishment kit (which I totally forgot that I had), and thought it would be perfect to for this layout. The kit features colorful fall themed elements, nothing related to New Year’s, but it works! This is the beauty of stretching your supplies and using them outside of their intended purpose.
In addition to the kit, I used letter stickers from my stash that work perfectly with the color scheme. When possible, I love to pair some of my older stash items with new and unused products – this is truly the best of both worlds!
And true to form, this layout features multiple photos, journaling, layers of die cuts, chipboard, and other elements – all of my favorite things! I feel that I am starting to find my creative flow again…and it’s amazing!
Recorded Replay: To see this layout come together, be sure to watch the recorded replay of my New Year’s 2024 YouTube Livestream. During the livestream, I share a brief life update as well as information about my Year of the Freeze Challenge and my upcoming online class, Project DONE: A 12-Week Intensive Scrapbooking Journey! The construction of the layout begins at timestamp 40:30…just in case you want to skip the chatty part of the stream…enjoy!
Over the past year, I have been inspired to reduce my crafty spending and to challenge myself to use more of my stash to create layouts, mini albums, cards, and other papercrafting projects. To be honest, I overspent on cardmaking supplies in 2022 and I still have a lot of scrapbooking products that I purchased along with product that was sent to me for various freelance projects and classes.
While amassing a sizable crafting stash is fun (really fun), like many of you, I have become overwhelmed with product. It seems like new products are released on a monthly basis from some of our favorite crafting companies. Don’t get me wrong…I love a good product release, but I also know that I need to be more conscience of my crafty spending habits. There were months when I spent $200-$300 on craft supplies alone!
That is a lot of money!
And sadly, a lot of what I purchased was never used. For example, I spent over $1500 (yes, I did the math) on stamping and cardmaking products in 2022.
Do you know what I could have done with that money?
Makes my head hurt…as well as my bank account!
Did I use all of the products that I purchased?
HECKNO!
In fact, I purchased new storage bins to organize all of the extra product that I could not fit into my normal crafty storage. INSANE!
Interestingly, I have learned that I am not alone in feeling overwhelmed by crafty products. Recently, I spent hours pouring through posts on scrapbook and cardmaking forums, Facebook groups, and the like, reading comments from other crafters who feel the same way. Some crafters felt frustrated with their buying habits and feel that they need to use more of their crafty stash.
Additionally, other themes emerged:
A lot of crafters commented that they would like to see FEWER product releases and more of an emphasis on learning how to use the products they purchase before new products are introduced. There seems to be a shorter period of time between new releases, which limits the time for crafters to use the products they purchase before new goodies come to the market.
Crafters would like to see content creators (such as myself) use their stash and focus more on scrapbooking and cardmaking techniques versus showcasing new products in each video.
Some crafters commented on being LESS excited about the new products that are coming to the market because most of it seems “one-note” – the same color schemes, repetitive designs, lack of diversity among product designers (companies using the same designers all of the time), lack of interesting and diverse icons, etc. This has led some crafters to rely on using older products in their stash that appeal more to their style.
So, armed with this information, I decided to create a year-long challenge that focuses on spending less and using MORE of our crafty stash and exploring a variety of papercrafting techniques.
The 2024 Year of the Freeze Challenge
Here are the deets! For this challenge, I am going to freeze spending on scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies in 2024. Instead, I will focus on using products from my stash. I recently purged my stash and have narrowed my selection of products to the items that I absolutely love.
However, there are a few exceptions – it’s important to be flexible.
Spending On Consumables: I will continue to purchase consumables such as adhesives, solid cardstock, pens/markers, stamping ink and refills, etc.
Spending on Replacement Tools: If a tool breaks, I will replace it as needed.
Spending on Must Have Items: If there is an item that I must have, I will give myself permission to purchase it. But, it has to be something that I will use right away.
NO Pressure! I can start, stop, and resume at anytime!
Change My Approach: I can change my approach to this challenge at anytime and make adjustments as needed throughout the year…guilt free!
Throughout the year, I will use a variety of items from my stash. If I do not have a particular item, I will need to figure out how to create what I need using the products and tools that I have available to me. Recently, after going through my stash, I noticed that I have a lot of beautiful products and fun tools just waiting to be used in a creative way! NOW is the time to put them to good use!
Also, all of the videos that I post on my YouTube Channel and Patreon community this year will feature projects using my stash. I want to practice what I preach!
NOTE: If you are inspired by the products that I’m using, I urge you to find or create similar items using materials from your stash before purchasing new products!
Want To Play Along? Let’s Go!!!
If you are interested in participating in the Year of the Freeze Challenge, here are a few things to keep in mind:
How Long Will Your Freeze Be? You DO NOT have to do a year-long freeze! In fact, you can challenge yourself to do a 30-day, 60-day, 90-day or half a year freeze. Maybe try a bi-monthly freeze or a seasonal freeze…it’s completely up to YOU!
Decide What Products to Freeze: Make a decision about the products you want to freeze. For example, you may suspend purchasing only scrapbooking supplies, or perhaps only patterned paper and stamps. Maybe you need to freeze purchasing online classes and focus on starting and finishing the classes you already purchased. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Start, Stop, Resume at Anytime: Feel free to start, stop, and resume your freeze at anytime – it’s okay to be flexible with this challenge.
Prepare: Take some time to prepare for your freeze by purchasing your most needed items, organizing your space, and letting go any products you no longer enjoy. I also recommend creating kits using items from your stash to help streamline the creative process.
It’s Okay To Shop – Guilt Free! If you come across a product that you must have…buy it, guilt FREE! Focus majority of your efforts on using products from your stash, but give yourself permission to indulge occasionally if there is something you really, really, really want! NOTE: It’s okay to purchase consumables (i.e. adhesives, solid cardstock) during your freeze.
Make Projects: Once you are ready, start making your projects! Challenge yourself to exclusively use items from your stash. Don’t forget to use your tools (i.e., punches, dies, cutting machine) and crafty resources (i.e., magazines, books, blogs, social media, videos, classes) as you make your projects. There are is a ton of creative inspiration to explore!
Focus On Learning: Use this time to practice papercrafting techniques or teach yourself how to use a specific tool or product.
Most of All…Have Fun! This challenge should not be stressful! Have fun and enjoy making beautiful projects from your crafty stash!
Let’s Go!
Now that you have all the details, it’s time to start the 2024 Year of the Freeze! Be sure to join me LIVE on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel today at 2:00 pm CST as I talk more about this challenge and watch me make a 12×12 inch layout using items from my stash.
victoriamarieblog.com 