Making the Most of Your Collection Kits with Aly D!

Good morning!  Before we get to today's post, Becky and I want to give you a heartfelt thank you for all your wonderful comments yesterday on our new special edition "CardMaps Today".   Thank you so much for being as excited as we are! 

Today Aly Dosdall is joining us for her monthly fabulous post (this is another great one!) and at noon today we will release the March Project 12 sketch!  Take it away Aly...

"If you’re anything like me, you’ve been ooh-ing and ah-ing over previews of all the spring collections being released, and you can’t wait to get your hands on them.  But when you finally get your collection kit, and actually pull out those fun bold patterned papers you couldn’t wait to buy, how are you going to use them on your scrapbook page?  What about all those cardstock stickers?  Will you use one or two from the sheet and then set the rest aside to collect dust in your stash?

Most likely I’m not the only scrapbooker who is guilty of buying a whole collection kit only to use one sheet of patterned paper and a couple of cardstock stickers.  Often, if we just think outside the box we can find a way to use all of those lovely papers and fun stickers in the package.  (Well, at least most of them!)

 

Supplies: patterned paper (Nikki Sivils), cardstock stickers (Nikki Sivils), buttons (Basic Grey, Creative Café), adhesive  pearls (Kaisercraft), craft knife and precision scissors (Making Memories), Zapdots (Helmar), photoshop action (The Pioneer Woman)

I created this layout using the adorable new We Are Family collection from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker.  I used five out of the six papers from the collection, and some cardstock stickers as well.  I’d like to share a few tips with you on making the most of your collection kits:

Take advantage of border strips:

 

Take advantage of border strips by cutting them out and layering them in fun ways.  I created an anchor strip across the bottom third of my page by cutting out two of the border strips, weaving them over and under the photo, and then matting them with a thicker strip cut from the same paper, but flipped over to show the red polka on the back. 

“Fussy Cut” the larger patterns

 

Look for creative ways you can cut out patterns and use them as backgrounds or photo mats.  Using my craft knife, I “fussy cut” the diamond shapes from the Kites paper to use as a mat for my photo.  That adds a little more interest than cutting a simple square shape from the paper with a paper trimmer.  (Note: be sure to use a sharp craft knife, and a good clean cutting mat underneath for the best results.)

Use cut outs as custom embellishments:

 

I cut out several elements to create custom embellishments on my page.  The easiest way to do this is to rough cut the element first, so you aren’t bothered with the whole 12x12 sheet while trying to precision cut.  Once you’ve got the rough cut out, then go ahead and precision trim your element.  Be sure to use sharp small precision scissors for best results.  Add buttons, brads, bling, or pearls to your cut outs to dress them up on your page.

Get creative with cardstock stickers

 

Try finding creative ways to use your cardstock stickers as custom embellishments on your project.  I used the die cut stickers from my collection kit in a couple of different ways.  First, I used my Shape Studio Tool from Epiphany Crafts to create custom epoxy embellishments using the three small tree stickers on the bottom center of the sheet.  Then I created a custom flower embellishment by using a journaling die cut sticker as the flower base, and a heart sticker layered on top with a Zapdot as the center.

I hope these ideas will help you to make the most out of the collection kits you have, or those you’ll be purchasing in the near future.  Here’s to guilt-free buying and scrapbooking!

~ Aly Dosdall

Comments

[Tabitha]

Thanks for all of the ideas. I am so guilty of this. Loving all of the tips and tricks to make the most out of the collections I purchase. ;0)

[Sarah R]

Awesome ideas. I WANT one of those Shape Studio tools - so cool!

[Maryann]

Thanks sooo much for some really great tips here. I think, we can all be much better to get more out of our kits, we buy, so these are more than welcome.
Have a great week ahead folks.

[Lindy]

Love the tips and tricks here. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Sandra ltb]

thanks - great tips!
Sandra ltb

[Julia Muscari]

LOVE the argyle idea! And that new tool is so cool! Really like this collection from Niki Sivils--probably her best!

[Nancy L.]

great tips, thanks!

[Kelly Sas]

I can't thank you enough for these very helpful tips. I don't do LO's but I can adapt these tips for my card making and altered items. I love kits, but often think a lot of it will go to waste. Now I can buy them and not feel guilty! Thank you so much!!!

[Lesa]

Such good tips for using all or most of the kits!! Love how you cut out the argyle and used the border paper Thank you for sharing!!

[Nikki Sivils]

Awe... that's my paper!! Thanks for using it for your tutorial!! Great layout too!!

[Cynthia B.]

Thanks for the great tips! I'm one of the guilty ones...love the multipacks of paper!

[jill]

Perfect timing. I was just sorting myself and defeinetly am GUILTY! Most often it's because they are just so pretty I don't want to waste them. Now I know how to use them I can.

[Joan Tipping]

Love the layout and the great tips are just what I am looking for. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Linda Beeson]

I love what you did with that adorable collection! There are so many fun parts to the papers and die cuts and you used them so neatly