Reach for a Smile - Paper Basketweave Technique for Scrap Our Stash January Book Challenge

Hi scrappy friends!  So glad you are here.  I'm popping back this month to share a new layout using a fun paper strip basketweave technique.  I actually woke up one morning with the idea in my head - but I'm not sure if I was dreaming about scrapbooking or something else!?  In any case, I came up with this layout for the Scrap Our Stash January Book Inspired Stash Challenge #34 and decided to use it.  

My inspiration from the book is the overall "sketch" from the book cover layout - you can see the curve of the snow from the book, the photo is placed where the Cat in the Hat stands, the title placement, and the journaling placement where the author is listed. Fun! Plus, this Fancy Pants Happy Place collection makes me smile. :)

I started by choosing two papers from the collection to include as my base. I used my trusty Cameo to cut both papers along the curve I created in the software.  I merged them together on a base white cardstock, put some paint spatters on the dark cardstock, and sewed along the seam.

I then focused on the basketweave mat for my photo.  I cut many 1/2" strips of multiple papers from the collection and started weaving. It's a bit unwieldy when you first start, but once you have three strips together, it stays nicely. When it got large enough to hold the photo while also leaving a nice border to show the basketweave, I glued the edges over to the back.

After that, the rest came together quickly! For the title, I was inspired by one of the phrases on the My Happy paper "Reach for a smile" - I used the Happy Place letters and found some old My Minds Eye phrase stickers to complete the first part of the title (I had to smile at my luck to find all three words I needed!). I outlined the words with a black pen to help them work with the Happy Place letters.

I put a few of my leftover strips to work as embellishment, and I created a chipboard heart using the My Happy paper and used a yellow Wink of Stella marker to highlight the word "joy".

I sprinkled some puffy stickers from the collection and cut some custom plus signs to pop up using 3D foam tape. And then did a spot of journaling between the plus signs.

I'm digging all the positive signs - goes with optimism and happiness. :)

Have you used the Happy Place collection? I hope you are inspired to grab some and make pretty papercrafts!

Have a great week!
Majken