Crafty Pick & Mix: Memories with Echo Park’s Our Story Matters
This layout was part of my Crafty Pick & Mix series, where I challenge myself to create with a fun selection of supplies! If you’d like to see more from this series, check out the full YouTube playlist here.
For this project, I worked with Echo Park’s Our Story Matters collection (available here), blending soft florals, stitched details, and a bold title to bring my design together.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Creating the Framed Background
I started with the gorgeous floral paper from Our Story Matters as my main background. To frame it, I layered it onto a blue stripe paper, which adds a contrast and helps define the edges. For extra texture and a handmade feel, I distressed the edges and stitched around the entire page using my sewing machine.
2. Painting the Title
The large "Memories" title comes from an older Dear Lizzy collection. To customize it and match my color scheme, I painted it using Shimmerz Paint in Anchors Away, giving it a soft, watercolor effect that stands out against the floral background.
3. Building a Grid Design
To create a balanced and structured design, I opted for a simple grid layout using:
- Two 3x4” landscape photos, layered onto white cardstock for a clean border.
- Two cut-apart cards—one with a phrase and one as a journaling spot.
To tie these elements together, I layered all four pieces on two coordinating papers—yellow and pink from Our Story Matters. Then, I stitched around each of them to match the background stitching and add extra detail.
4. Assembling & Adding Dimension
Once all my elements were prepared, I adhered them in a grid formation, using foam adhesive for the photos to make them pop.
I tucked in fussy-cut florals around the photos for a soft, organic touch.
To embellish further:
- I added a Charm Creations heart to the journaling spot in the bottom left.
- For extra texture, I finished with two mini puffy hearts from Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Happy Days collection.
Final Thoughts
I love how this layout turned out—it's simple, structured, and full of texture! The combination of stitching, fussy-cut florals, and mixed embellishments adds a touch of personality while keeping the focus on the memories.
Have you ever tried a grid-style scrapbook layout? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear how you add your own creative spin!