Contributor Center Stage - Paige Evans

How long have you been scrapbooking?

It seems that your go-to technique is using layers, paper scraps, and die-cutting to make detailed layouts. Would you mind sharing some photos of how one such project came together and describing the stages? One layout that comes to mind as a good example is called "I LOVE THIS GIRL." To make this layout, and basically any of my layouts, I start with an idea or source of inspiration. The idea for this layout came from one of the stitching templates in the Stitched collection by Amy Tangerine – specifically the heart cross stitch, only instead of using thread I used pieces of paper! I trimmed 1-centimeter strips from all of the patterned papers in the Cirque main Scrapbooking kit, even the tearaway strips. Then I trimmed the strips into 1.5” pieces. Starting at the bottom of a light blue cardstock base, I found the center at 6” and placed two paper strips in an “x”. The next row had 3 “x”s, then 5, then 7, then two rows of 9, then two sets of 4, and two sets of 2 – I simply followed the heart stitching template. Next I used my sewing machine and stitched vertically and horizontally down and across each row. A couple of photos layered with embellishments from the Cirque main Scrapbooking kit, a bit of journaling, and the date stamped (I organize my layouts chronologically so I always like to stamp the date somewhere) and this layout is complete!

How do you stay organized? I store everything in boxes

What is the crafting tool you can’t live without? There are two tools that I can’t live without – my sewing machine and my Silhouette Cameo! Sewing is such a great alternative to adhesive and I love the “homespun” look and added texture it gives. And my Cameo is an infinite source of inspiration – the shapes and possibilities are endless!

Where do you go to get ideas? Pinterest, the #scrapbooking hashtag collection on Instagram, Scrapbook & Cards Today and JOT magazines, and the Studio Calico Member and Design Team galleries of course!