Tag: GemsPaperScissors

creating

Boho Hello – Gathering Gratitude Through Color

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

As we near the end of October, I’m finding joy in the ways color can connect us.
Each shade tells part of our story — warmth, change, hope, and reflection.
This week’s Boho Hello Card blends Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Mossy Meadow, Pool Party, and Petal Pink — a palette that feels like both sunlight and shadow, capturing the balance of fall perfectly.

When I started this project, I wanted to express gratitude through color — the way each tone complements the next without overpowering it.
Daffodil Delight adds warmth and optimism, Cajun Craze brings grounding energy, Mossy Meadow centers it, and Pool Party lifts it all into light again.

Each color has its own role, but together, they create harmony — much like a creative community built on individual strengths.

“Boho” to me means freedom — the permission to mix structure with spontaneity.
This card is layered, imperfect, and full of heart.
I added touches of Basic Black and Petal Pink for balance — contrast and calm, like gratitude and growth side by side.

Color has emotion.
It tells stories when words feel too heavy — stories of comfort, change, and courage.
So today, as you create, pause to notice what colors you’re drawn to.
They might be saying what your heart already knows.

💬 What colors describe your gratitude right now?

As we blend colors and stories this week, remember that creativity connects us.
Every hue, every handmade hello, every shared story adds to the tapestry of gratitude we’re creating together.

The Power of Hello – Small Gestures, Big Connection
creating

The Power of Hello – Small Gestures, Big Connection

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

Sometimes, it’s not the grand gestures that make the biggest impact — it’s the quiet, heartfelt moments.
This week, my Hello Card reminds me that gratitude doesn’t always need a speech; sometimes, it’s as simple as reaching out to say hi.

There’s something grounding about crafting cards with simple sentiments.
The word “hello” is universal — it’s both a beginning and a continuation, an invitation to reconnect.

When I designed this card, I chose soft golds, warm neutrals, and a touch of texture to mirror that feeling.
It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence.

In a digital world of instant messages and scrolls, a handmade card still carries unmatched magic.
It’s tangible — something you can hold, display, and feel.
And behind every handmade “hello” is time, intention, and love — the most human elements of connection.

As the month closes, I’m grateful for all the little connections — the comments, messages, and creative shares that bring this community to life.

💬 Reflection Prompt:
Who in your world could use a small hello today?
Maybe a friend, a neighbor, or someone who once supported you when you needed it most.

Send them something — even a quick text or handmade note — just to say you’re thinking of them.

This week, let your creativity become a bridge.
A simple hello can change someone’s day — and it costs nothing but your presence. 💛

My May: What I Created and How I Grew
creating · creative wellness

My May: What I Created and How I Grew

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

This month, our theme was “Bloom Where You Are.” And I did just that—in ways I didn’t expect. Some days I created beautiful spreads. Other days I sat in stillness with scissors in hand, unsure what to say but still showing up.

May wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence. About making space for creativity, connection, and self-compassion in the in-between moments.

So here’s a little look at what I created—and how I grew.

🌱 What I created:

  • 6 full 6×8 layouts using gentle colors like Wild Wheat, Bubble Bath, and Lost Lagoon
  • 12 journaling cards with single sentences that helped me process emotions
  • 5 handmade cards I sent to friends as part of our Happy Mail challenge
  • A “Roots & Wings” layout using the Thoughtful Journey DSP to honor my mother
  • A creative ritual I’ve now added every Sunday: light a candle, shuffle some scraps, and make just one thing—no pressure

💬 What surprised me:

  • How calming repetitive stamping can be when I don’t overthink it
  • That I actually loved using florals—especially sunflowers and daisies
  • How connected I felt sharing my journey inside the VIP group
  • That documenting the small wins made me feel big joy

Reflection from my journal:
“Creativity didn’t save me this month—but it made space for me. It reminded me that I am still growing, even when I feel stuck.”

🌸 What I’m proud of:

  • Showing up, even on days when my energy was low
  • Giving just as much to myself as I gave to others
  • Using my art to process my feelings instead of bottling them
  • Helping others tell their stories by sharing mine

You don’t need a gallery of perfect projects to call yourself creative. If you made one thing with your heart this month—you bloomed.

➡️ Now it’s your turn:

  • Take 5 minutes today to reflect on your May. What did you make? What did you feel? What are you proud of?
  • Post a photo of your favorite May project using #MyCreativeMay and tag @gemspaperscissors
  • Want to keep your momentum going into June? Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for gentle inspiration all month long
  • Grab the Bloom Tracker and color in the petals you’ve filled with intention, creativity, and care
Make One, Give One: A Creative Kindness Challenge
creating · creative challenges · giving through crafts

Make One, Give One: A Creative Kindness Challenge

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

There’s something sacred about giving from your own hands—especially when you’re healing. But what if you gave something to yourself at the same time?

This week’s creative challenge is simple, but powerful: Make one thing for yourself, and one to give away. Whether it’s a card, tag, journaling card, or layout, this practice builds compassion, connection, and creative balance.

🎁 Why this challenge matters:

  • Reminds you that your needs are just as important as others’
  • Helps break cycles of people-pleasing by pairing giving with receiving
  • Encourages self-worth through intentional creative time
  • Strengthens community with heartfelt, handmade acts

🧷 Make One Ideas:

  • A 3×4 journaling card with an affirmation for your album
  • A layout honoring a quiet success
  • A tag that says, “I am proud of myself for…”
  • A mini card to tuck into your planner or altar

💌 Give One Ideas:

  • A handmade card mailed to a friend who’s struggling
  • A journaling card swap in your Facebook group
  • A “thinking of you” tag attached to a care package or bouquet
  • A small layout to include in a shared art journal

“I created two matching 3×4 cards using the Cheerful Daisies bundle—one says ‘I see your strength’ and was sent to my sister. The other says ‘I honor mine,’ and it now lives in my journal as a reminder.”

You are worthy of what you give to others. Craft something with love, and share that same love with yourself. Let this week be a celebration of creative kindness—inside and out.

➡️ Ready to join the challenge?

Group Scrapbooking: Crafting Connection
Community Inspiration · creating

Group Scrapbooking: Crafting Connection

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

Healing doesn’t always happen in silence. Sometimes, it happens in the soft hum of scissors, the clink of embellishment trays, or the laughter that bubbles up over shared memories. Group scrapbooking offers more than creative inspiration—it’s a beautiful way to rebuild trust, share stories, and remind ourselves we’re not alone.

Whether you gather in-person or online, scrapbooking with others can nurture emotional connection and creative courage in truly powerful ways.

🤝 Why group scrapbooking matters:

  • Reduces isolation (especially during healing seasons)
  • Encourages shared creativity and idea exchange
  • Creates gentle accountability to show up
  • Builds confidence through validation and encouragement
  • Helps create joyful memories while documenting them

🧵 Ways to group scrap creatively:

  • Host a virtual scrap night:
    Use Zoom or Facebook Live, keep it casual, and give everyone a sketch or prompt to work from.
  • Mini swaps:
    Trade handmade journaling cards, embellishments, or 3×4 affirmations with group members.
  • Theme challenges:
    Like “Joy in the Everyday” or “Rewriting the Narrative” — invite participants to interpret it their own way.
  • Collab albums:
    Everyone contributes a page or layout about a shared theme (grief, growth, gratitude, etc.).

🧡 Emotional safety tip:
If you’re a trauma survivor, choose your group carefully. Look for communities that honor emotional pacing, welcome imperfection, and center compassion. A kind creative space can become a huge part of your healing journey.


“I joined a weekly Facebook Live scrap session, and for the first time in months, I felt connected without having to explain myself. We didn’t talk about our pain—but we all understood. The stickers and stories became our language.”

Creativity is connection. And when we make together—across miles or across the table—we heal in ways that solitary crafting can’t always offer.

➡️ Want to scrapbook with others in a safe, joyful space?

  • Visit the VIP Facebook Group for upcoming group scrap nights and challenges
  • Share a layout made during a group session using #CraftingConnection
  • Not ready to join in real-time? Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly prompts you can explore on your own time
Florals & Feelings: Using Symbolism in Your Layouts
creative expression · scrapbook · visual storytelling

Florals & Feelings: Using Symbolism in Your Layouts

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

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

💐 Examples of florals as feelings in layouts:

  • Roses → Strength in sorrow or enduring love
  • Wildflowers → Freedom, rediscovery, chosen family
  • Cherry blossoms → Fleeting beauty, embracing impermanence
  • Sunflowers → Hope, joy, facing the light
  • Lavender → Calm, protection, spiritual connection
  • Daisies → Innocence, new beginnings

🧷 Ways to include them in your layouts:

  • Die cuts or fussy-cut florals layered in threes
  • Floral background paper to set an emotional tone
  • Pressed flowers in pocket pages (sealed)
  • Stamped florals in repeat as a grounding ritual
  • Hidden journaling behind floral flaps or tags
  • 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 🌼
  • Not sure which floral Stampin’ Up! set to try? Visit my favorites list here
Documenting the Small Wins That Matter Most
creative wellness · Everyday Joy · Healing through art · scrapbook

Documenting the Small Wins That Matter Most

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

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
  • Follow me on Instagram for more ideas on capturing daily victories
Why Comparison is a Creative Block
creating · Mindset & Motivation

Why Comparison is a Creative Block

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

Have you ever opened Instagram, seen a perfectly styled layout, and instantly questioned your own creativity? We all have. Comparison is sneaky. It shows up as admiration, but often leaves behind doubt. For those of us who’ve survived trauma, battled chronic illness, or are healing from burnout, comparison can be especially painful—it chips away at the safe space we’re trying to build.

But creativity isn’t a competition. It’s a path. A practice. A deeply personal journey.

🌿 Why we compare:
We compare to feel connected. To orient ourselves. But in a creative space, that habit can become harmful. Instead of inspiring, it can paralyze us. Especially if we’re already feeling vulnerable or uncertain.

🧠 Comparison tells us lies like:

  • “Your work isn’t good enough.”
  • “You’re behind.”
  • “Why even bother?”
  • “Look how much better she’s doing.”

✨ The truth is:

  • Your story is unlike anyone else’s.
  • You are allowed to create slowly.
  • You don’t have to share your work to validate it.
  • The messiest page can still hold the most meaning.

Last month, I spent hours on a layout that didn’t come together. I almost gave up—until I reminded myself it’s okay if it’s just for me. That shift in mindset helped me finish it and actually love the result.

💗 Reframing your mindset:

  • Instead of “better,” try asking: What’s different?
  • Instead of “behind,” try: What do I want to feel?
  • Instead of “they’re better than me,” try: I admire their style. I’m finding my own.

Comparison is a thief of joy—and creativity. The next time it sneaks in, pause and ask: What is true for me today? Then create from that space.

➡️ Need a judgment-free space to reconnect with your creativity?

  • Download my free Bloom Tracker to focus on consistency, not comparison
  • Subscribe to the newsletter for gentle encouragement each week
  • Share a photo of your real, in-process work using #CreatingWithoutComparison and tag me @gemspaperscissors—I’ll cheer you on every time 🌸
Creative Rituals Roundup: Voices from Our Community
Community Inspiration · creating · Creative Rituals

Creative Rituals Roundup: Voices from Our Community

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

Sometimes, the most powerful part of creativity isn’t what we make—it’s how we make it. The routines, the rituals, the moments of quiet before our hands touch paper. Earlier this week, I invited members of the VIP group to share their personal creative rituals, and the responses were so heartfelt and inspiring, I had to gather them here for all of us to enjoy.

Whether you’re crafting to heal, connect, or ground yourself, these rituals remind us that creativity is sacred and deeply personal.

🕯 Why rituals matter:
Creative rituals offer comfort, consistency, and grounding—especially important if you’re navigating trauma, grief, or chronic illness. They create a rhythm that helps you feel safe and present in your creative space.

Here are some beautiful rituals shared by members of the community:

💬

“I light incense before every layout and play calming music.” —@soulfulscrapper
“My Sunday morning routine is a cup of tea and a simple card project.” —@paperpathway
“I write a gratitude list before each journaling page.” —@craftingthroughchaos
“I stamp one heart image on every layout—it’s a reminder that this page holds love.” —@heartsandlayers
“I always tidy up before I create. That small ritual tells my nervous system it’s safe to begin.” —@gentlepaperjoy

✨ You don’t need a long list or fancy tools. Your ritual can be as simple as:

  • Choosing a song that helps you breathe deeply
  • Holding your cardstock and setting an intention
  • Sipping tea and sorting through photos mindfully
  • Pulling a card from your affirmation deck

You are not alone in how you create. We’re all crafting beside each other, bound by a desire for expression, healing, and joy. Whether your ritual is spiritual, sensory, or simply practical—it matters.

➡️ Want to explore your own creative ritual?

  • Download the free Bloom Tracker and use the notes section to record what grounds you.
  • Share your ritual on Instagram or Facebook using #MyCreativeRitual
  • Join the conversation in the VIP group where more voices and inspiration are blooming daily
How I Use My Scrap Space for Self-Care
creating · creative wellness · self-care

How I Use My Scrap Space for Self-Care

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

When you think of self-care, what comes to mind? Bubble baths? Spa days? For me, it’s my craft space. It’s not perfect, it’s not always tidy, but it’s mine—a quiet place where I can reconnect with myself through color, texture, and creative flow. Especially during seasons of healing, having a sanctuary like this has been essential.

🪴 Your craft space doesn’t have to be big or fancy—just intentional. Here’s how I’ve created a space that nurtures my creativity and well-being:

✨ 1. I start with light.

Natural light by day, soft lamp glow by night. I even use string lights for an extra touch of cozy magic.

💜 2. I keep comfort items close.

A cozy lap quilt my mom made, a cup of tea, my favorite essential oil blend. Sometimes I add a crystal or affirmation card to remind me: I am safe here.

🧹 3. I clear just enough.

Not everything is Pinterest-pretty. But I keep my favorite cardstock colors, a journaling stamp, and adhesives in reach—so I can sit down and create without searching.

🧘‍♀️ 4. I use rituals to transition into creating.

Before I begin, I take a deep breath and ask: What do I need today? Maybe it’s quiet. Maybe it’s play. Maybe it’s messy healing.


On hard days, I grab a 3×4 journaling card, misty cardstock, and write down one kind thought. That tiny action—paired with music and tea—grounds me like nothing else.

Your scrap space can be more than a workspace—it can be a refuge. You deserve a space that supports your healing, your joy, and your creative spirit. 🌿

➡️ Ready to reclaim your space as self-care?

  • Download my free Bloom Tracker and make your space part of your daily wellness routine.
  • Follow me on Instagram @gemspaperscissors for a behind-the-scenes look at my cozy creative setup.
  • Share your space with the hashtag #MyCreativeSanctuary and inspire others to nurture their own!