A group or community that helped you feel like you belong
Let the journaling be simple. Let the story be honest.
🎙 This week’s podcast dives deeper into inclusive love and chosen family. 📸 Follow along on Instagram for daily storytelling prompts. 💛 Inside the VIP group, we’re sharing layouts about connection this week.
We often think of scrapbooking as a way to capture birthdays, vacations, and major milestones. But some of the most powerful pages we’ll ever create are about the quiet, ordinary moments that carried us through—the ones where we felt seen, supported, or simply still breathing.
Today, let’s talk about how scrapbooking can become a healing ritual and a powerful act of storytelling when you’ve walked through trauma, illness, or grief.
💬 Why These Moments Matter:
When you’re recovering from something heavy—PTSD, cancer, chronic illness, loss—the smallest moments of light become sacred. A smile from a stranger. A morning with less pain. A handwritten note. A cup of tea. 📷 These are your milestones. These are pages worth preserving.
🖼️ How to Scrapbook These Memories:
Use soft colors like ivory, blush, pale blue, or gold to evoke gentleness.
Pair journaling with photos of objects or places that hold meaning (your favorite mug, sunrise, your dog curled up at your feet).
Layer textures—a torn edge, a vellum overlay, hand-stamped details—to represent healing and depth.
Include a short reflection: What did this moment teach you? How did it make you feel seen?
✨ Bonus Prompt:
Create a spread titled “What Carried Me” and list 3-5 moments from the past year that helped you keep going.
You don’t need a “perfect” life to scrapbook. You just need a heartbeat and a story. By capturing the beauty in your survival, your pages become both art and evidence—you were here, you felt deeply, you kept going.
Let your scrapbook become a celebration of light in the in-between.
Ready to start documenting your healing journey? 🧡 Join my 6×8 Weekly Sketch Club for templates, journaling prompts, and monthly healing themes. You’ll get instant access to a printable layout guide to start your first “What Carried Me” page. Click here to subscribe!
There’s something magical about opening your mailbox and finding a card you didn’t expect. But the healing doesn’t just happen for the person who receives it—it starts with the one who creates it.
Happy mail is more than paper and postage—it’s an act of love, a creative ritual, and a gentle way to stay connected even when life feels heavy. For those of us healing from trauma, grief, or chronic stress, it’s a simple but profound form of joy.
💌 Why it helps:
Invites connection without pressure
Encourages creative expression for a purpose
Transforms solitude into outreach
Boosts serotonin and oxytocin (yes—studies show that giving lifts mood!)
Makes us feel useful, generous, and grounded in love
🎨 How to create Happy Mail with heart:
Choose colors that bring joy (try Daffodil Delight, Fresh Freesia, or Flirty Flamingo)
Keep it simple: 1 stamped image, 1 kind word, 1 envelope
Use calming techniques like repetitive stamping or soft ink blending
Add a quote, affirmation, or line of encouragement: “You are not alone.” “You’ve been on my heart.” “You matter.”
📬 The healing moment is in the giving. Even if the person doesn’t reply. Even if they never say thank you. You sent light into the world—and in doing so, you gave it to yourself, too.
“I recently made three cards using the Thoughtful Wishes bundle. I wrote short notes to three women in my support group. One replied. The others didn’t. But I felt more connected just having sent them—and I tucked a photo of those cards into my own journal as a reminder that I am someone who loves out loud.”
Don’t wait for a reason. Your heart is the reason. Create something simple, something meaningful, and send it with love.
Flowers aren’t just pretty. They’re powerful. They hold meaning, memory, and metaphor—just like our stories do. When we use florals in our layouts, cards, and journaling, we’re doing more than decorating—we’re expressing emotions that words might struggle to hold.
Whether you’re crafting through grief, reclaiming joy, or celebrating growth, flowers can help tell your story in a gentle, beautiful way.
🌸 Why florals are such powerful symbols:
Universally understood across cultures
Associated with emotions, milestones, and transitions
Visually versatile: soft, bold, wild, restrained
Naturally suited to memory keeping and healing work
Mix bold & soft florals to represent inner conflict and peace
“This week I made a 6×8 page called ‘Soft Strength.’ I used Crushed Curry and Bubble Bath cardstock, layered with a vellum sunflower and stitched borders. The journaling tucked behind it honors a moment of courage I had during a panic attack.”
Florals give us a quiet, symbolic language to express what’s blooming, what’s wilting, and what we’re holding close. The next time you reach for a flower sticker or punch, pause and ask: What feeling am I planting here?
➡️ Want support turning your emotions into art?
Try the free Bloom Tracker to notice what’s showing up emotionally in your creative practice
Share your floral-themed project with #FloralsAndFeelings and tag @gemspaperscissors so I can admire your symbolic blooms 🌼
When we think about memory keeping, we often default to the big stuff—birthdays, vacations, graduations. But what about the little things? The quiet victories? The days you chose to rest. The moment you showed up for yourself with scissors and cardstock, even when your energy was low.
Those are the wins that truly matter. Especially when you’re healing. Especially when you’re growing. This post is your gentle reminder: your small wins are worth documenting.
🎯 Why small wins are worth capturing:
They build momentum
They validate your progress
They keep joy and gratitude in focus
They remind you: you’re doing better than you think
💗 What counts as a small win?
You made something just for fun
You cleaned your craft table
You printed out three photos
You showed up and made one journaling card
You rested instead of pushing through
📸 Creative ways to document them:
A 6×8 layout titled “Today I Did This”
A row of 2×2 photos with captions like “Tiny Triumphs”
A “One Sentence Journal” using Stampin’ Up! journaling stamps
A flipbook or tag ring of “Moments I’m Proud Of”
Add an “I’m proud of…” tag to any scrapbook page
“Last Tuesday, I finally organized my cardstock scraps by color. I used the new In Color folders and labeled them with mini tags. I added a small photo of the drawer to a 3×4 card that says ‘Order is a kindness.’ It felt SO good.”
Conclusion & Call to Action:
Your small wins matter. They’re not filler. They’re proof of life, movement, and self-compassion. So don’t wait for the big stuff—scrap what matters today.
➡️ Need a space to honor your everyday wins?
Subscribe to the 6×8 Sketch Club for layouts that support progress over perfection
Download the Bloom Tracker and use it to log tiny wins
Share your layout or journaling card using #DocumentYourWins
Have you ever sat down to craft and felt overwhelmed by where to start? Whether you’re healing from trauma, navigating chronic illness, or simply trying to reclaim a little joy, start small. Starting small can be powerful. Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be about perfect albums or big projects. It can be a daily practice in presence, softness, and growth.
If you’re struggling to get started, you’re not alone. That first page, that empty card, can hold so much pressure. But what if we reframed it? What if we saw every creative moment as a gentle, grounding step on our healing path?
Here are a few easy ways to start:
🌱 Use one photo that brings a smile—or simply feels safe. It is your garden, a cozy corner, your pet, or even your craft table. 📝 Journal just one sentence. Write a feeling, a thought, a hope, or even a question. “Today I am showing up.” 🎨 Pick a color that calms or energizes you. Try Stampin’ Up!’s Petal Pink for peace, Misty Moonlight for calm, or Daffodil Delight for hope. 📏 Make a mini layout—just 3″x 4″ or 6″x 8″. Start a page you can add to slowly over the week. 💬 Affirmation idea:“Small steps still move me forward.”
“This week I created a simple 3 x 4 card. I used Moody Mauve cardstock. I also used one photo of my feet in the dirt. Additionally, I included a line that said ‘Here I grow again.’ It took 10 minutes and helped me feel grounded all day.
You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to do it right. You just have to begin—with love, intention, and gentleness.
➡️ Let’s take the first step together:
Need a little help getting started? Grab your free printable Bloom Trackerhere and commit to just 5 minutes a day.
Check out my latest video tutorial on YouTube where I walk you through an easy layout from start to finish.
Spring is in the air, and with it comes a sense of renewal and fresh possibilities. Whether you’re celebrating a new season, a life milestone, or a personal transformation, capturing these new beginnings through scrapbooking can be both meaningful and therapeutic.
In today’s post, I’m sharing five creative ways to symbolize fresh starts in your scrapbook layouts using techniques that highlight growth, change, and the beauty of blooming into something new.
🌱 1. Use Symbolic Colors to Reflect Growth
Color is a powerful way to evoke emotion and meaning in your layouts. For new beginnings, try using:
Soft greens for renewal and growth.
Pinks and purples for transformation and blossoming.
Blues for calm and peace during change.
Tip: Incorporate Stampin’ Up!’s Subtles Collection to create scrapbook layouts that reflect the emotional journey of embracing change.
🌸 2. Incorporate Butterfly and Floral Motifs
Butterflies symbolize transformation, while flowers represent blooming and new life. Adding these elements to your layouts can visually narrate your journey of renewal.
✅ Try using the Hues of Happiness Suite for vibrant floral patterns. ✅ Die-cut butterfly embellishments add texture and symbolism to meaningful scrapbook layouts.
📚 3. Create a “Journey Spread” to Reflect Progress
Document the path from where you’ve been to where you are now.
Use arrows to symbolize forward movement.
Add pockets with journaling cards to capture thoughts along the way.
Idea: Incorporate hidden journaling for a more personal and meaningful storytelling experience.
💖 4. Layer Meaningful Quotes and Sentiments
Words can deepen the emotional connection to your layouts. Choose quotes, affirmations, or favorite phrases that capture the essence of the new chapter you’re embracing.
🎨 5. Create a “Bloom Board” as a Vision for Your Future
A “Bloom Board” is like a vision board but focused on celebrating where you’re blooming. Include:
Photos that represent goals and dreams.
Inspirational quotes and affirmations.
Visual symbols of growth.
Capturing new beginnings in your scrapbook layouts adds layers of meaning to your creative journey. Whether you’re starting fresh after a challenging season or celebrating the beauty of growth, these ideas will help you tell your story with intention.
🌷 What’s one new beginning you’d love to document in your next layout? Share in the comments or tag me in your creations using #GemsPaperScissors!
Gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to shift your mindset and find joy in everyday life. Combining gratitude with scrapbooking allows you to create tangible reminders of the good in your life. In this post, we’ll dive into how gratitude scrapbooking can transform your outlook.
Why Scrapbooking is a Powerful Gratitude Tool
When you scrapbook gratitude, you’re focusing on positive memories and experiences. This practice helps you appreciate the beauty of life, even in challenging times. Plus, the creative process itself is therapeutic and uplifting.
Tips for Gratitude Scrapbooking
Themes to Explore:
“Simple Joys of Daily Life.”
“People Who Bring Me Happiness.”
“Favorite Memories from the Past Year.”
Journaling Prompts:
“What made me smile today?”
“Who am I grateful for and why?”
“What moment from this week am I thankful for?”
Incorporate Visuals: Use bright, cheerful colors and add embellishments that symbolize gratitude, like hearts or sunshine icons.
Gratitude Scrapbooking Ideas
Create a “Gratitude Jar” scrapbook, adding a page for each day or week’s thankful moments.
Design a mini-album dedicated to the people who have impacted your life.
Craft seasonal gratitude pages highlighting the things you love about each time of year.
Gratitude scrapbooking is more than just preserving memories; it’s about shifting your perspective to appreciate the beauty of life. Start your gratitude scrapbook today and discover how it can bring positivity and light into your everyday routine.
Affirmations are powerful statements that remind us of our worth and potential. Combining them with a creative activity like scrapbooking amplifies their impact. In this post, we’ll guide you through creating a self-love affirmation scrapbook page that uplifts and inspires.
Step 1: Choose Your Theme and Materials
Start by identifying the focus of your page. Is it about resilience, confidence, or joy? Gather materials like pastel cardstock, inspiring photos, and embellishments such as heart-shaped die-cuts or floral stickers.
Step 2: Create Your Page
Photo Selection: Choose a photo where you feel confident or joyful.
Design the Layout: Arrange your photo as the centerpiece, surrounded by space for journaling and affirmations.
Write Your Affirmations: Examples include:
“I am enough.”
“I am resilient.”
“I deserve love and joy.”
Decorate: Add embellishments, stamped designs, or hand-drawn accents to make the page uniquely yours.
Step 3: Reflect
As you create, reflect on the affirmations you’re including. Allow the process to reinforce positive feelings and self-belief.
Your self-love affirmation scrapbook page isn’t just a craft project—it’s a reminder of your strength and worth. Display it where you can see it daily, and let it serve as a source of empowerment. Start crafting today and celebrate the amazing person you are.
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