Tutorial: Using the Scout Documenter Kit with CristinaC

Hi there! It's Cristina here to share with you some tips about how I put together a Documenter spread using the Scout kit. But first, let me share my excitement for the square corners – yes! Starting with this kit, the journaling cards in the Documenter kit have square corners!

Tip #1: add stamping, embellishments and typed words to the cards
I like to add a few simple touches to personalize the journaling cards that come in the kit.

I ran these cards through my typewriter to add some journaling. Then, I stamped one of the script phrases from the lovely stamp set by One Little Bird that is included in the Scout Documenter kit with Color Theory Orange County dye ink. I also added one of the transparent circles to embellish my date card.

Tip #2: cut out stamped images and use them to embellish your photos
Another way I like to add little details to my spread is by adding some stamped images and stickers directly on my photos.

I stamped the images on white cardstock, and then fussy cut them using scissors. I stapled them directly to the photos. I also added some embellishments – the alpha stickers and chipboard star.

Tip #3: use collages to include multiple photos
Another tip I resort to often in my spreads is to include multiple photos in a collage. I always have too many pictures I want to fit in my spread – often of food – and this is a great way for me to include many photos without adding too much bulk to my album.

I made these collages in Photoshop, but you can use other programs too, including Picmonkey.
Again, I added the embellishments directly on the photos – more stamped images and chipboard stars, and washi strips.

Tip #4: find inspiration in the card designs to make your own cards

One of the cards in the kit comes with a design that features speech bubbles. Since the kit also comes with a pretty set of sticky notes shaped as speech bubbles, you can use them to recreate this design.

Repeating the same design on different cards throughout your spread will make it more cohesive.

Tip #5: make the cards work for you

I'm sure this has happened to you – no matter how awesome a kit is, sometimes one particular card just won't work. This happened to me with this card with the wishbone – I just didn't have a use for it as it was.

But rather than setting it aside, I pulled out this awesome roll of washi tape and used it to cover up the image. Then, I used the alpha stickers to spell out “birthday” – to go with the “wishes” that was printed on the card.

So next time you come across a card you think you cannot use, try to come up with a way to repurpose it!

And here are the two pages of the spread I made with these cards and photos.

I hope you've enjoyed these simple tips. The Scout Documenter kit is definitely a favorite of mine – not just because of the square corners on the cards, but also because I love the color scheme so much. I hope you'll have as much fun creating with it as I have!