My Valentine Scrapbook Stash Inspired This Mini Album Project!

February 7, 2023July 31, 2023Leave a comment

To be honest, I only create two Valentine themed projects every year – a layout about my daughter’s birthday and recalling the day that I went into labor (you guessed it…it was on Valentine’s Day). So, as a result, my small stash of Valentine scrapbooking goodies remains largely unused throughout the year.

However, I recently pulled out my Valentine stash and was immediately inspired to create a mini album featuring the people and things that I love! It has been a long time since I’ve created a mini album (outside of my standard 6×8 pocket album…think December Daily). I missed the creative process of making custom pages, chipboard covers, and a binding mechanism.

If you have been following me for sometime, then you know that I love to use my stash! So, for this project, I am challenging myself to use my Valentine scrapbook goodies to create a cute little mini album. And…I’m taking you along for the ride!

This project will be featured during my Wednesday YouTube Livestream over the next few weeks. During the livestream sessions, you will get to see the construction of this project, the products I’m using, and a look at my design process. To see last week’s livestream, Making A Valentine Mini Using My Scrapbook Stash Part I, click HERE!

Also, if you are a member of the Victoria Marie Patreon Community, you will have access to exclusive videos that feature a behind the scenes look at this project and my design process. The first video is now available on the Victoria Marie Patreon site so be sure to check it out. If you are not a Patreon member, no worries! Click HERE to learn more and to join.

For this project, I’m creating a 7.5 inch by 4.5 inch album using products from the Simple Stories Heart Eyes Collection (and other items from my stash) along with leftover chipboard material that will be used as the base for the album pages and covers. For the binding mechanism, I’m using two 1.5 inch rings that I purchased from the Dollar Tree. I want the ability to add more pages to this project if needed and using a ring binding system makes it possible to do so without much fuss.

I started this project by making a template using chipboard material. Taking the time to create a template is a great way to test measurements and to figure out the overall design of a project. Also, a template can be used for later reference in order to recreate a project.

I also took the time to sketch my project details and to make a list of the materials and techniques I want to use for this album. TIP: A little bit of pre-planning helps to reduce creative overwhelm and serves as a great brain dumping exercise.

At this point in the project, I am only focusing on the construction of the album. In the weeks to come, I will begin to collect stories and photos about the people and the things that I love.

Overall, I am super excited to dive further into the construction of this mini album! It has been a long time since I’ve made an album like this…I always enjoy the creative process. And most of all, I love that I’m using my stash…a win-win!

Products:

To see the products I used for the preliminary set up of this project, click on the links below. And stay tuned as I share the progress and a complete walk-through of this album in the coming weeks!

Chipboard Sheets – Amazon

Simple Stories – Heart Eyes Collection

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Disclaimer: Affiliate links are provided in this post and are free for you to use. Victoria Marie Designs receives a small commission anytime these links are used for purchase. Thanks for your continued support!

NEW! Sharing My One Little Word Project: Prep and Album Setup

January 13, 2023Leave a comment

The 2023 One Little Word project is in full swing and today on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel, I’m sharing my OLW prep process and album setup! I have been participating in OLW since 2019 and it has become one of my favorite scrapbooking projects every year.

OLW as a concept has been around for many years. However, scrapbook industry expert, Ali Edwards, introduced OLW to the storytelling community over 12 years ago. The idea is to select a word that you can live through and reflect on throughout the year.

This year, I have selected the word SLOW to guide my life and my intentions in 2023. This word is timely and very much needed as I tend to go at warp speed and often underestimate the importance of slowing down. Throughout the year, I plan to share my OLW journey with you. To be honest, I’m a little scared but also very excited for this word. It is very difficult for me to slow down. I have a strong feeling that SLOW will teach me a thing or two – a lot life lessons are ahead of me and I am thankful for that!

So far, SLOW as taught me to be still, to embrace being quiet, to take a break, to read, to study, to think, and to relax. I am opening my heart and my mind to intentionally practicing the art of going slow. In some ways this is very easy, in others ways it is extremely hard. Going fast has greatly impacted my personal and professional life. I have learned that I need to pump the breaks a bit and enjoy my life…one day, one moment at a time.

Be sure to head to the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel to see my OLW prep process and album setup. Click on the video below to check it out!

Products Used: This year, I am using a combination of current and older OLW products. Click HERE to view available products. To learn more about One Little Word by Ali Edwards, click HERE!

Let’s Get Together! January 2023 Victoria Marie Designs Online Virtual Crop

January 10, 2023July 31, 20232 Comments

Registration is now open for the January 2023 Victoria Marie Designs Online Virtual Scrapbooking Crop! The theme for this month’s crop is: MAKE THE CUT!

Make the Cut: Grab your punches, die cutting tools, electronic die cutting machines, metal dies, anything that cuts! All of the challenges for this crop will focus on using cutting tools to make stunning layout designs.

Event Date: January 20-22, 2023

The January 2023 online virtual crop includes:

Fun Scrapbook Challenges based on using cutting tools from your stash!
Super Cool Prizes!
Awesome Giveaways!
5 Live Zoom Scrap and Chat Sessions
One 45-minute Mini Workshop: Make the Cut – Creative Inspiration!
The crop is hosted in a private Facebook Group!
Only $12.99 USD!

And the best part? You will have 3 WEEKS to finish the challenges in order to be eligible for prizes! So there is NO RUSH for you to finish the challenges during the crop weekend!

Register Today! For full details and to register for this crop event, click HERE!

Crop Schedule of Events: To view the Schedule of Events for this crop, click HERE! Crop challenge descriptions are available upon registration.

Deadline: The deadline to register for this event is January 19th at 11:30 pm CST.

Come join us for an awesome weekend of scrapbooking and relaxing! I hope to see you there!

My 2023 New Year’s Scrapbook Layout!

January 5, 2023January 5, 20233 Comments

At the beginning of each year, I make an annual New Year’s scrapbook layout. I started this tradition several years ago and consider it to be an important part of my scrapbooking journey. This project serves as a jumping off point for my storytelling adventures and a declaration of what I hope for in the coming year.

This year, I used the Document 365 January Digital Kit by The Cut Shoppe along with the December 2022 Hip Kit Club Kit to create this 12×12 inch scrapbook layout.

I started this project by taking a selfie! I have found that if I don’t take photos of myself, no one else will (unless I ask)! The photos for this project were resized to 3×4 inches.

Next, I looked for New Year’s themed products in my stash…of which I had NONE! So, I grabbed a digital kit from The Cut Shoppe and paired that with pattern papers and embellishments from the December 2022 Hip Kit Club main kit and embellishment kit. The color story in both collections coordinate perfectly to create a cohesive spread!

I kept the journaling for this project super simple. In the past, I have documented self-improvement resolutions on my New Year’s layouts. However, I have recently found that I prefer to make a list of realistic intensions based on enjoying my life versus self-improvement. For this project, I used a 3×4 pocket card from the Document 365 Collection to journal my plans and thoughts for 2023.

Want to See This Layout Come Together? Be sure to check out my latest livestream on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel to see how I created this layout.

I hope you are inspired to create your own layout that features your hopes and dreams for the New Year!

YouTube Live Replay – Nothing But Stash…Holiday Edition!

December 16, 2022December 16, 2022Leave a comment

Did you miss this week’s livestream on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel? No worries! Be sure to check out the replay to see me create this 12×12 inch scrapbook layout using products from my holiday stash!

To be honest, I need more holiday scrapbooking supplies like I need a hole in my head! In fact, this year I decided to use my holiday scrappy stash for my Christmas projects, both single page layouts and my December Daily album, instead of buying new holiday supplies. For this project, I used a lot of goodies from the Simple Stories Make It Merry Collection along with a few items from older collections by American Crafts. I love to challenge myself to use some of my older products for my current projects.

For this project, I documented a past trip to the Gaylord Texan with my daughter to see their lovely Christmas displays. This is a special holiday activity we enjoy almost every year. I focused on creating layered clusters with tons of dimension, along with a bit of distressing via torn edges on three sides of the layout. I truly believe that tearing edges of pattern paper will never go out of style!

During the livestream, I struggled to find a spot for my title and journaling. So, I decided to use the “Good Cheer” foam stickers for my title, positioned under my 3×4 inch photos. And I created a hidden journaling pocket on the back of my layout for my journaling. There is a solution for most problems!

I LOVE creating holiday scrapbook layouts and this project was so much fun to make! To see this layout come together, be sure to catch this week’s livestream replay, now available on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel! I will be back on December 28th with more awesome projects LIVE on my channel!

Products: Most of the products used for this project may not be available. However, Simple Stories has a stunning new holiday collection that you will want to check out! Click HERE to learn more!*

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*An affiliate link is provided in this post – which is free for you to use. Victoria Marie Designs receives a small commission anytime affiliate links are used for purchase. Thanks for your support!

October Daily-Ish Album…It’s Perpetual and I’m Loving It!

October 7, 2022October 7, 20222 Comments

In 2021, I started an October Daily album. After being inspired by other scrapbook designers who create the most stunning October Daily albums, I wanted to dive in and give it a try. October Daily is like December Daily (by Ali Edwards), however, the idea is to document stories about your everyday life during the fall and Halloween season. I’ve always created traditional 12×12 inch layouts to document my fall memories. But, after many years of scrapbooking, I welcome the opportunity to scrapbook my autumn stories in a different format.

So, with good intentions, I started an October Daily album last fall. I documented a total of four stories, then I abandoned the project! As it turns out, my plate was filled to the brim with projects and deadlines, so my October Daily album got pushed to the side.

However, this year I decided to continue this project but with a different mindset…my October Daily project will be a perpetual album! I am giving myself the freedom to add to this project whenever I want throughout the fall season over multiple years.

Once an album is filled, I’ll just start a new one. This approach offers a ton of flexibility and allows me to focus on the spirit of the project versus worrying about an arbitrary self-imposed deadline to “finish” this album.

Today on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel, I’m continuing my October Daily project by creating two new spreads (story #5 and #6) along with a quick look at the layouts I completed before I stopped working on this project in 2021. Be sure to click on the following video to see these pages come together! Also, photos of today’s projects are posted below.

Companies Mentioned In the Video: Ali Edwards, Elle’s Studio, Citrus Twist, and The Paper Person Shop

Citrus Twist Life Crafted Album: To learn more about the album featured in today’s video, click HERE.

For this project, I’m working in a travelers notebook style format (4.25 x 8.25 inches). I find this size to be perfect for everyday and theme-based mini albums.

My goal for this project is to keep my pages simple and clean, with a focus on documenting my everyday stories throughout the month of October.

I love that there are so many options and variations of the October Daily project! Some people create mini albums, while others opt for notebook style projects, even planner spreads! You can truly make this project your own.

I’m so excited to share more of layouts from my October Daily album in the coming weeks! So far, I am having a blast documenting my fall adventures and using a good amount of my fall themed scrapbooking goodies!

Stay tuned for more to come!

Now Available – Sketch Like a Boss eBook!

September 30, 2022September 29, 20222 Comments

I’m so excited to launch the revised Sketched Like a Boss eBook©, by Victoria Marie Designs! This ebook was originally offered in my Sketch Like a Boss Online Course over three years ago. Since then, many of you have asked if I would offer the sketch book separate from the course.

Well, guess what? It’s now available for INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD after purchase!

The Sketch Like a Boss eBook features 50 scrapbook sketches to include 8.5 x11 inch and 12×12 inch single and double page sketches. All of the sketches are easy to use and flexible based on your scrapbooking style! This full color digital ebook also includes tips and recommendations for using scrapbook sketches and Bonus Project Inspiration layouts using some of the sketches in this ebook.

Special Note: If you are currently enrolled in the Sketch Like a Boss Online Class, you do not need to purchase this ebook as it is available in your course materials!

This ebook is available as a digital PDF digital download – you will be able to instantly access the ebook upon purchase! You are welcome to use the ebook on your smart device, desktop, or print the ebook for your reference. NOTE: Print permission is provided if you opt to print the Sketch Like a Boss eBook at you preferred print shop.

PURCHASE THE SKETCH LIKE A BOSS eBOOK FOR ONLY $12.99 USD!

The Sketch Like a Boss eBook is now available for $12.99 USD. Upon purchasing the ebook, you will get access to a zip file that contains the ebook. Just open the zip file to access the Sketch Like a Boss eBook file. You are granted 2 downloads of the ebook file, so be sure to save a copy of the ebook for future reference.

Shop Today! To purchase the Sketch Like a Boss eBook, click HERE or click eBook and Tools at the top of the screen.

PREVIEW THE SKETCH LIKE A BOSS eBOOK! Below is a quick preview of the Sketch Like a Boss eBook. Click on the photo to expand image.

This eBook contains:

8.5×11 and 12×12 inch Single Page Scrapbook Sketches (general design, no measurements)
8.5×11 and 12×12 inch Two-Page Scrapbook Sketches (general design, no measurements)
A total of 50 scrapbook sketches!
Easy to use tips and recommendations for using scrapbook sketches!
Bonus Scrapbook Project Inspiration using some of the sketches from the eBook!
Available as an INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD after purchase! (Not a physical product.)

Shop Today! To purchase the Sketch Like a Boss eBook, click HERE or click eBook and Tools at the top of the screen.

Share Your Projects! Also, if you use any of the sketches from the Sketch Like a Boss eBook, be sure to tag Victoria Marie Designs on Instagram @victoriamariescraps! I can’t wait to see what you create! Thanks for your support and enjoy the Sketch Like a Boss eBook!

Enabling Time! September 2022 Scrapbook Unboxing!

September 30, 2022September 29, 2022Leave a comment

Today on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel, I’m enabling…err, I mean…sharing my recent scrapbook unboxing! I recently bought products from Ali Edwards, Elle’s Studio, Hip Kit Club, and Scrapbook.com and I’m sharing all of my goodies with you. To see this unboxing, click on the video below. I’ve also included links to the featured products in this video, just scroll down to take a peek (and shop)!

Featured Products

Ali Edwards – Stories By The Month Kit: This is a monthly subscription kit that includes 3×4 inch and 4×6 inch pocket cards, a 3×4 inch acrylic stamp, chipboard stickers, and label stickers.

Link: https://aliedwards.com/subscribe/stories-by-the-month

Elle’s Studio Month Kit + Add-Ons: Elle’s Studio offers scrapbooking monthly kits along with a variety of fun crafting products to include metal dies, stamps, pattern paper, and more!

Link: https://shrsl.com/3q26k

Hip Kit Club September 2022 Scrapbook Kit and Embellishment Kit: These kits are jammed packed with tons of goodies that can be used to create a variety of papercrafting projects! There are several kit options available to include scrapbooking kits, mixed media kits, pocket card kits, and more!

Link: https://www.hipkitclub.net/september-2022

Scrapbook.com: I love shopping at Scrapbook.com and was excited to try their Pocket Card Storage system. So far, I’m a fan and cannot wait to use this storage solution to organize all of my pocket cards!

Link: https://ldli.co/e/lmopjnp

Thanks so much for stopping by! If you are enabled…umm, inspired to purchase these fun goodies, be sure to share what you buy with the Victoria Marie Facebook Group Community!

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Disclaimer: Affiliate links are provided in this post and are FREE for you to use. Victoria Marie Designs occasionally receives a small commission anytime these links are used for purchases. Thanks for your support!

Layering Tutorial Series! Scrapbook Design Concepts for High Impact Layered Embellishment Clusters!

September 27, 2022September 27, 2022Leave a comment

This week, I’m continuing my Layering Series on the Victoria Marie YouTube Channel with a look at design concepts and product recommendations for creating high impact layered embellishment clusters. If you love the look of layered clusters on a scrapbook layout but are not sure what type of products to use, no worries, I’ve got you covered!

High impact layered embellishment clusters contain elements that have a variety of textures, colors, and sizes. Most scrapbookers use cardstock die cuts to create embellishments clusters (and there is nothing wrong with that). However, to take your layered embellishment clusters to the next level, consider using a variety of elements such as wood veneer, acrylic, cork, enamel dots, or puffy elements when creating layered clusters.

In today’s video, I share a few design concepts that can be used to create high impact layered embellishments clusters. These concepts include:

Texture
Shape
Color
Size
Scale

Together, these design concepts can help inform the products you select for your scrapbook projects and the overall design of your layered composition. To learn more, click on the video below!

Here’s an example of these concepts at play!

This 12×12 inch layout features a variety of elements of different sizes, shapes, textures, and scale. The top cluster houses a large title which is flanked by mid-size and smaller elements. This concept is repeated for the other layered clusters. To add interest to the layered clusters, I used chipboard elements, cardstock die cuts, enamel dots, tags, labels, and stickers. Together, all of these elements help to create high impact layered embellishment clusters.

Here are a few more layouts where I used these design concepts to create layered embellishments clusters!

This layout features cardstock frames, chipboard floral elements, a puffy sticker banner, chipboard hearts, and enamel dots.

This grid design layout features lots of wood veneer, cardstock die cuts, and chipboard elements to create small layered clusters throughout the composition. All of the elements range in size, shape, scale, and texture.

And lastly, this layout features fabric pockets that are layered with cardstock die cuts, chipboard elements, fabric butterflies, and wood veneer heart buttons. The varied size, texture, and scale of these elements creates a stunning layered scrapbook page!

The next time you create layered embellishment clusters on a scrapbook project, be sure to consider these design concepts and product recommendations. If you are inspired to test out these concepts, feel free share what you make with the Victoria Marie Facebook Group Community!

P.S. If you missed the first video in this series, Layout Study – Why This Works, click HERE!