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Welcoming October with Creativity

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

🍂 Cozy Connections: A Warm Welcome to October

By Tina | Gems Paper Scissors | October 1, 2025

Week one projects

Welcoming October with Creativity

There’s something magical about October. The air turns crisp, mornings are softer, and we find ourselves craving warmth—whether that’s through a cozy blanket, a candlelit evening, or the comfort of creative time at our desk.

This month at Gems Paper Scissors, our theme is Cozy Connections. All month long, we’ll be exploring the ways creativity helps us slow down, reflect, and connect—with ourselves, with our loved ones, and with the stories that matter most.

Week One: Warm Welcomes

To begin, our first sub-theme is Warm Welcomes with the affirmation:

“I welcome comfort and connection into my life with open arms.”

Warm welcomes don’t have to be big, elaborate gestures. Sometimes they’re as simple as a handmade card tucked into the mailbox, a thoughtful journaling note in your scrapbook, or a smile at just the right time.

This week, I’ll be sharing projects that reflect this feeling of welcome—starting with my Thanks Rainbow Card. Rainbows always remind me of inclusivity, hope, and belonging, and what better way to say “you’re welcome here” than with a handmade thank-you?

Reflection Prompt

Take a moment to reflect:

  • Who in your life could use a warm welcome right now?
  • What small gesture could you create this week to remind them they matter?

Write it down, journal about it, or even better—craft it into a card or layout.

Join My Team in October

Warm welcomes are also about community, and I’d love to extend a warm welcome to YOU.

Stampin’ Up! is offering the best Starter Kit special ever this October. You can choose from two incredible offers to begin your creative journey, and beyond the products, you’ll be joining a circle of crafters who uplift, support, and inspire one another.

When you join my team, you’re not just getting supplies—you’re entering a safe, joyful, and empowering space where your creativity can thrive.

Coming Up This Week

Here’s a little peek at what’s ahead:

  • Oct 2: Hello Sunshine Card 🌞
  • Oct 3: 6×8 Cozy Layout 📖
  • Oct 5: Cozy Week One Recap Blog 🍁

Stay tuned for more inspiration, tips, and stories as we move through October together.

✨ Until then, remember: You are welcome here. Your story matters. And your creativity is a gift to yourself and others.

📌 Next Steps

  • Watch today’s Thanks Rainbow Card video on Facebook.
  • Subscribe to the Gems Paper Scissors Podcast to catch Episode 32: Cozy Connections – Warm Welcomes.
  • Join my VIP Facebook Group for daily inspiration and cozy check-ins.

5 ways to capture new beginnings Ways to Capture New Beginnings in Your Scrapbooking Practice
scrapbook

Ways to Capture New Beginnings in Your Scrapbooking Practice

Tina Biornstad-SzafranskiLeave a comment

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.
Subtles Collection

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.

happiness

📚 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.

✅ Use Stampin’ Up!’s sentiment stamps to add powerful words to your pages and enhance creative storytelling.

🎨 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!