Hello creatives! Leah here with you today with a super fun tutorial on how to upcycle a Carpe Diem Planner packaging box into decorative and functional storage for your craft or planner supplies. How many of you have kept the pretty packaging your Carpe Diem planners and traveler’s notebooks came in? I have quite a few and I never throw them away because they are so cute and functional. I love to use them just as they are for little storage trays for my supplies when I am working on a project. I have been wanting to dress one up for a while and since I’m working on setting up my new craft space, this felt like the perfect time to give it a whirl. Of course, I turned the camera on so I could share the process with you.

I’m not sure how much the packaging boxes differ in size with each size planner, but for this tutorial, I am using the box for an A5 planner.

Editing this footage was a challenge because there was so much to share, and some trial and error. Even after whittling it down quite a bit, the video still ended up being nearly 20 minutes long. You may want to go grab a beverage and get cozy before hitting play on this one. ;)

Insert video

I love that this box is not only providing storage now, but it’s also displaying the products right in front of me on my desk, which entices me to use them.

As you saw in the video, the pockets attached to the back of the box are really easy to make and switch out, so I definitely plan to do this again with whatever collection I work with next!

Here are some closer photos of the finished project and the different pieces.

You can rearrange the two separate pockets in any way you want to within or around the box, but the best part about these is how you can tuck them into your planner to take some of your supplies with you on-the-go.

Displaying some of my favorite products around me is something I have always done to motivate and inspire me to create whenever I’m in a creative rut. Now I can do that with this box and get the duel functionality of some added storage as well. The display box can easily lay down and looks just as cute as a tray. Because all of the pieces I made are flat, I can also throw some other supplies in there too if I want to move around to another part of the room or in the house.

I’m curious, what other ways have you all been using the packaging boxes that your Carpe Diem Planners came in? Tag me over on Instagram @sunny.leah to show me, and let me know if you give this tutorial a try! Until next time friends, happy creating!

Hello Friends,

It's Kristine with you today to share a layout using the Kissing Booth Collection! I cannot get enough of this collection with it's super cute patterns and lovely die cuts. I created another layout using my cousins wedding picture. It's perfect for this collection isn't it?

My layout is called KISS ME.

It measures about 9x12 but I added it to a piece of white cardstock to make it 12x12. I used a black cardstock to mat the layout and create a contrast with the pink/red colors.

I used a quote from one of the 4x6 element cards for my journaling. I didn't want to add my own journaling for this personal layout so I thought that using the quote would be perfect to add some words to the page. Those elements cards are perfect to cut apart!

I printed a picture that measures 5x5" square and I really love this size. I added dimensional adhesive to the photo, the journal strips, and the chipboard pieces.

Adding a few enamel dots, paint splats and some of those tiny puffy hearts created a great little details for me.

Such a great collection to play with - for weddings, valentine's day and many of those special moments. I hope you have a chance to create with this KISSING BOOTH collection and please share your creations with us on social media! You can find me @KristineDavidson and @SimpleStories_

Hello, I’m Cara and I am addicted to travelling! I love a clean hotel room with a puffy white bed and it’s cute little tea and coffee bar. I love to visit new things and learn about new cultures. And I love getting away from the everyday to experience something new. I’m not home a week from one trip and I’m dreaming up the next. 

A Traveler’s Notebook is the perfect place to plan and document your travels, that’s what it was originally for! It’s in the name after all ;) Simple Stories' new Simple Vintage Traveler is a perfect pair to set up a Traveler’s Notebook just for travel. In it you could plan out your travels before you leave, house all your documents while you are away and even document all the fabulous sights you see.

I chose the Cream Dot TN and added some Black Speckle Washi and paper to make the pastel colours from the collection pop. 

I started with the pockets because it’s my favourite thing to decorate. I wrapped some washi on a card and added stickers, chipboard and die cuts in various sizes and shapes, sprinkled a few enamel dots (the new Spring Farmhouse dots match perfectly) and I love how it turned out.

I tucked that black speckle paper into the long back pocket, along with the Take Detours paper, added some ribbon trim and a tab and the pockets look fab!

I covered 3 TN inserts in papers from the collection and decorated those as well. I decided to keep the back 2 relatively flat with stickers, washi and die cuts only.

For the front insert, I also added some chipboard and enamel dots as I don't mind these bumpy items in the front.

I think my favourite bit is the dry-erase packing list that I made with one of the Layered Frames. I used a permanent waterproof pen to write the list and I can check it off with a dry erase marker. 

To make my TN the star of the show when I travel, I added lots of clips and tabs to the tops and sides, with extra hot glue so they’ll hold up in my carry on.

I also hot glued a chipboard hot air balloon and some ribbon to make a TN swag for the front cover.

If you’d like to see my process video, click here:

Travel TN Setup

Happy planning and happy travels! 

Even though I’m looking forward to spring it’s still snowing!!!! It’s a good time to pull out your snow pictures and get caught up on Scrapbooking!!! This adorable line Freezin’ Season has all the papers, stickers and embellishments you need to scrap up a darling page!!!!

Hello friends it’s Kylie back with you today on the blog and I have been busy documenting my month with help from the February printables. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the printables yet, you will find them HERE There are 3 different sizes you can print to suit- A5, Personal or Traveler’s Notebook.

One of my New Year resolutions was to focus more on self care and positive thinking.So I have been planning, documenting and memory keeping in my Typewriter Floral Traveler’s Notebook, using one of the Grid Notebook inserts.

I like to use a thicker quality paper (around 160 g/m2 )for printing, as I like them to be nice and sturdy but regular printer paper is fine too if you prefer.Once they are printed you can enjoy fussy cutting them out.

There’s a great variety for February! These cards are some of my favourites…..

Another of my favourites is the ‘Currently Loving’ page. It’s something you can add to each month and reflect back on. It would be fun to see and compare how that changes from month to month.

I used my typewriter to fill mine in, then all I had to do was cut and adhere into my Traveler’s Notebook. I’ve used a corner punch to round my corners a little.

I’ve added some outlining to my ‘Love this Life’ feature page to help it really stand out in my notebook. There are also some of the smaller printables,  as well as a few stickers from the ‘Good Vibes’ collection used.

Using the ‘Mug Life’ stamps, I added them to the small printed banners. I thought these would be great as a title, an overlay or page tag.

I wanted to record several happy memories for the month and I have used some of the 3 x 4 printable cards to enhance my pages as well as the ‘Plan It’ and ‘Good Vibes’ stamps.

I found some inspiration from Pinterest for ‘Self Care’ to which I have typed out and added into my pages.I love the coffee cup and the best part is I can print more than one!

With help from the ‘Make a List’ stamp set I will be using this page for goals and special notes for the month.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my Traveler’s Notebook today and it inspires you a little with your own.

Until next time,

Kylie

Hello everyone!!  Jackie G here on the blog today to share a meowgical boxed card set with you using the Dream Big collection!!  I decided to challenge myself to only use scraps for this project, and that is exactly what I did!! I did have to get super creative and piece a couple of smaller scraps together to create larger panels, but it worked!! 

Scraps are perfect to make cards with!!  Pair them with some leftover stickers or other elements and voila, you will have a plethora of cards in no time!!  In this case, I used leftover bits and pieces I had along with some of the puffy stickers and 4x6 stickers.

Of course, I couldn’t just stop at a handful of cards.  I still had a handful of scraps so decided to make a fun little box to put the cards in!! I think it would make a wonderful box set to gift to a friend. 

So, I encourage you to bust out your scraps and use them up!!!  What better way to get rid of them…and make room for some new product!!!  Be Meowgical and give it a try!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hey planner enthusiast! It is Rachel again, and I on the blog today sharing my A5 Planner setup for February that I am just SMITTEN with it! I not only love this beautiful blush pink planner, but I am also swooning over the Kissing Booth Collection! The pinks and reds with the pops of black and white - its perfection!

Probably the hardest part of setting up a planner for the month is figuring out which gorgeous papers to use. This collection did not make it easy on me!

This year, I am using the Good Vibes Monthly Planner inserts, but I decided to just alter the February divider a little bit with the element cards and combo stickers. You don’t always have to create a monthly dividers from scratch! Use the dividers you have, and just alter them a little to fit the theme you are going for.

Another trick? Use a removable adhesive on your altered divider. You can always make it permanent later!

This month, I am switching things up in my A5 planner to better fit my needs. I decide to put all of my necessary sections right behind my monthly divider and move the rest of the monthly inserts to the back of my planner. Since this planner is for all things home and personal projects, I made different sections based my needs. To make these sectioned dividers, I pulled out some of my favorite DIY divider tools - My divider templates, a scissor or paper trimmer, my 6 hole punch and my Labels A5 Sticker tablet. With just these tools you can make a planner divider out of anything!

My dividers are pretty simple this month for two reasons. One, I just couldn’t bring myself to cover up these papers (sorry, not sorry)! And two, this planner often bulks up pretty quickly, so I’ve learned to keep the dividers pretty simple so that I have a smooth surface to write on. Plus, that means I can add in some sticker storage, which is a higher planner priority for me!

I mentioned that I moved all my monthly inserts to the back of the planner. While the tab colors are beautiful, they didn’t match my theme for this month, so I decided to add in a 6X8 pocket page with a trimmed piece of paper from the collection to separate the sections. Fun Fact: this planner punch is AMAZING! It is quite heavy duty and punch through pocket pages with ease! I have also used this punch with laminated pages too. I have had my fair share of 6 ring punches since my planner addiction began, and this one is by far the best!

Here is the pocket page inside the planner. The monthly inserts are behind and easy to reference, but are not interfering with this months setup! Added bonus: this pocket page can act as storage for important papers, receipts, and photos collected throughout the month.

Again, that punch for the win! I re-punched a 4x6 pocket pages easily for sticker storage in my planner. If the stickers aren’t with my planner, I’m less likely to use them so onboard storage is a must for me.

And now for the planner pages! Here is my monthly setup for February. I used scraps from the divider papers along the top of the pages and as faux washi to mark off a trip I’ll be taking this month.

I love using the insta square stickers from the 4x6 Sticker pack on the monthly pages and layering label stickers over them.

One of thing I am most excited about this month is the opportunity to attend the Chicago Planner Conference! A weekend with other planner enthusiast - yes, please!

My Monthly dashboard helps me remember the big events for the month, set a few goals and have another place to add all the pretty things! I love that the Carpe Diem version of this page is very simple and easy to customize.

I think it is safe to say that I LOVE how this weekly spread turned out! If you have been following me for a while, then you know I am all about making planner inserts work for you. These appointment inserts usually come with Monday through Thursday on the left side of the page, but my brain likes to Monday through Wednesday on the left side.

Since these inserts have such a simple layout, it was pretty easy to just shift the days of the week over. I used Alpha stickers to mark the days of the week. I even was able to add a sidebar on the left hand-side to track a few things (like happy mail!)

These inserts have an hourly schedule on Monday and Thursday. I didn’t need it, so I covered it with circle stickers to use for daily tasks I left plenty of space on the weekend to record my highlights from the planner conference, too!

I hope you enjoyed this pink peak inside my planner for February. At the end of the month, I will share a flip through of the completed pages on instagram, so make sure to check it out!.

Hello, Simple Stories Fans! It's Jana Eubank. With four children and several commitments, like most couples, my husband and I can have a hard time finding one-on-one time with one another. But the great thing is when we do have time together we just pick up right where you left off. I feel lucky and blessed to have built a life with my best friend and wanted to record my feelings on this page using the beautiful Kissing Booth collection.

The florals in this collection are incredible! I fussy-cut the largest floral from the Always Be True paper to accent the top left corner of my photo.

I cut out the "LOVE" tiles and the "Every Love Story" quote from the 4x4 Elements paper to use as a title and subtitle, accenting them with Bits & Pieces die cuts and stickers from the Combo Sticker sheet.

I placed everything on a large block of Love Day paper (pink text) and then capped off the top and bottom with strips of the black and white ticking stripe from the 4x6 Vertical Elements paper. I then added computer-generated journaling strips below.

This Valentine's Day be sure to grab a selfie with your sweetheart and then use the Kissing Booth collection to create a page about how thankful you are to have that person in your life!