CREATE | For the Love of Pretty Paper Sketch | Simple Stories Crafty Things

 

June FTLOPP Sketch Challenge!

Here’s my take on this month’s For the Love of Pretty Paper Sketch — and I had so much fun playing with that open space in the middle!

I stuck fairly close to the original design but switched things up with portrait photos instead of landscape. I also added a big striped paper layer behind them, with rolled edges for some extra texture. And I’m loving the separate title cluster—such a fun change from my usual photo/title combos!

I used the Simple Stories Crafty Things collection, which was perfect for these photos of my daughter wearing a dress she made herself! 🧵💖

Have you joined the challenge yet? What do you think of the sketch?

Happy scrapping

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates 

So Many Beautiful Reasons to Smile | Simple Vintage Flower Shoppe Collection | Simple Stories

 

Hey everyone!

I'm excited to share a new layout for Simple Stories, featuring the stunning Simple Vintage Flower Shoppe collection. This collection is absolutely beautiful, packed full of pretty florals and charming vintage cameras — it's truly a dream to work with!

For my background, I used a large piece of blue plaid paper paired with a strip of soft lavender paper. I created my title using one of the gorgeous large tags from the Big Bits pack. I also added lots of the beautiful rub-ons — they’re so detailed and intricate, and such a joy to use — along with plenty of Bits & Pieces, Floral Bits, and a few Decorative Brads for extra dimension.

I absolutely love how it all came together!

Happy scrapping!

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

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So Much Fun! | Simple Stories | Sunny Days Collection

 

Hey everyone! Here’s another fun layout using the vibrant Sunny Days collection from Simple Stories! This time, I couldn't resist cutting into that fabulous starburst paper—it's such a standout design!

To add depth and texture, I trimmed down the starburst paper, carefully cut apart each segment, distressed the edges, and then reassembled them on the page. I love how this technique brings a tactile dimension to the layout, making the bursts truly pop!

For the focal point, I selected a small photo and positioned it along the yellow line. I mounted it on patterned paper and layered it with a coordinating tag, several Floral Bits, and the cheerful foam sticker title, "So Much Fun!"

To enhance the playful vibe, I scattered various Bits & Pieces and added some adorable foam hearts from the Foam Stickers pack. These little accents sprinkle pops of colour throughout the page, adding to its charm!

I also incorporated some Decorative Brads and phrase stickers from the Cardstock Stickers sheet to tie everything together. As always, I finished off the layout with my handwritten journaling and a few splatters of white paint over the embellishment clusters for that final finishing touch!

This collection was an absolute joy to work with, and I loved bringing my summer memories to life with it!

Happy scrapping!

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

Good Vibes | Simple Stories | Sunny Days Collection

 

Hey everyone!

I'm excited to share a brand-new layout featuring the gorgeous Sunny Days collection from Simple Stories!  I absolutely love how bright, fun, and fresh this collection is — a perfect blend of modern and vintage icons that’s just made for summer scrapbooking!

For this layout, I focused on that amazing diagonal striped paper, cutting a large piece for the top corner and a smaller one for the opposite corner to create a balanced design. I used a single photo, mounted on green patterned paper, and placed it right along the diagonal line. Behind the photo, I tucked in two tags from the Tags Elements paper and added a few fussy-cut clouds for extra whimsy.

For my title, I used the "Good Vibes" foam sticker — I’m obsessed with the multi-coloured letters! They’re such a fun, easy way to add instant title inspiration.

I embellished the layout with Floral Bits, lots of Bits & Pieces, Cardstock Stickers, and my all-time favourite... Decorative Brads! I also sprinkled in a few Enamel Dots for a finishing touch.

To finish off, I added my handwritten journaling and a few splatters of white paint!

I hope you love this layout…I love how it turned out!

Happy scrapping!

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

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Life Documented | GoGo Getaway Cybercrop Challenge | Simple Stories For the Record

 

Hey everyone, here is my layout made for the GoGo Getaway May Cybercrop. My challenge was a 5,4,3,2,1 challenge. I’ve used 5 journaling cards, 4 photos, 3 tags, a 2 word title and 1 large piece of patterned paper, what a great recipe!

I used the For the Record collection by Simple Stories to document my big kids having a go on the high ropes, they loved it!

Happy scrapping
Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates 

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Great Friends | Cocoa Vanilla Studio | Bloom & Grow Collection

 

Here is a new layout for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the beautiful Bloom & Grow collection. I printed ten small photos and one slightly large photo from a day out and made them into a grid design – who doesn’t love a grid design?!

I had lots of small pieces of patterned paper to use up, so I used these to mount my photos. This gave the layout lots of pops of colour around the photos. I added Floral Ephemera and regular Ephemera around some of the photos to create clusters, albeit small ones! I also tucked in some of the pretty gold flowers from the Specialty Sheet.

I used one of the raw chipboard titles ‘friends’ for my title. I gave it two coats of gold acrylic paint to make it shimmer and extended the title with ‘friends’ which I made up from the mini Puffy Alphabet Stickers.

I love how it turned out!

Happy scrapping

Niki xx

@nikiclaircreates

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Beautiful | For the Love of Pretty Paper Sketch | Simple Stories Simple Vintage Flower Shoppe

 

Here’s my take on this month’s For the Love of Pretty Paper sketch, and I had so much fun layering all those beautiful squares!

I stayed pretty close to the original sketch but decided to flip it for a little twist. I used papers from a 6x8 paper pad for the squares and I added lots of pretty florals and butterflies. I also added several words from the Sentiment Bits pack, I think they look gorgeous layered over all those patterns!

I used the @SimpleStories Simple Vintage Flower Shoppe collection, which is so pretty!

Happy scrapping!
Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

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Play! GoGo Getaway NSD Cylinder Shape Challenge | Simple Stories Family Fun

 

It’s National Scrapbooking Day, and we’re celebrating over at GoGo Getaway with a series of Shape-Tastic Challenges to get the creativity flowing!

My challenge was to use a cylinder shape — so of course, I thought of rolled paper strips right away. I used them to create a square frame on my layout, inspired by the colours and sections of the classic Monopoly board.

This page documents my son's recent adventure taking part in the Monopoly Run around London with his Scout Troop. Along with 14,000 other Scouts, his group walked 15 miles in a day, finding all the Monopoly landmarks!

I used the Family Fun collection by Simple Stories for this layout — an older favourite of mine that fit the theme perfectly. I even added the word "GO!" in the corner for a little Monopoly magic!

Hope you’re having a fantastic NSD — happy scrapping!

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

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Crafty Memories | Simple Stories NSD Instagram Hop | Crafty Babe Collection

 

Hey everyone! Here is the annual Simple Stories NSD Instagram Hop! Head over to the Simple Stories Instagram page to find out all the details and take part in the hop! 

For my layout, I couldn’t resist using the fabulous new Crafty Babe collection — it’s absolutely perfect for capturing crafty adventures and memories! I designed a playful concentric circle layout, tucked in a few tags, and sprinkled lots of crafty icons around the circles. I’m so happy with how it turned out!

Happy scrapping

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates

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Life in Full Bloom | Simple Stories | Tea Garden

 

Hey everyone!  I had such a lovely time creating this layout using the Tea Garden collection by Simple Stories! This collection is full of gorgeous pastel tones, paired with pops of really bright colours, delicate florals, and charming tea-time elements—perfect for capturing those sweet spring moments.

For this layout, I really wanted to highlight the Enjoy Life patterned paper with all the adorable square designs. To give it a fun, textured look, I cut each square apart, distressed the edges, and then stuck them back down—of course!  I curled over a few corners for extra dimension.

 I replaced several squares with my photos and one with my title, then, I had so much fun layering in Floral Bits, Foam Stickers, Cardstock Stickers, and Decorative Brads—because you can never have too many embellishments, right?

I absolutely adore the soft, pretty tones in this collection with those pops of bright colours, and all the beautiful icons—it’s such a joy to create with! If you’re looking for a collection that’s fun and playful, Tea Garden is a must-have.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Happy scrapping!

Niki xx

@nikiclairecreates 

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