After spending two weeks in Europe this past May, I couldn’t wait to keep the memories alive using Project Life by Stampin’ Up!

I instantly fell in love with the new annual catalog’s Hello Lovely Project Life Card Collection (item 141668) so I knew what I was going to use for my album. The pocket cards from this kit will fit any theme or occasion and I loved how they fit my theme—vacation!

Before I started decorating the inside of the album, I started with the outside. And by the way, that’s one of my favorite things about the Espresso 6″ x 8″ Project Life Album (item 139655): you have total freedom to make the album unique and add your own creative personality!

The cover of the album was created using two cards from the Hello Lovely Project Life Card Collection and a few pieces from the Hello Lovely Project Life Accessory Pack (item 142687). I stamped the “Happiness” greeting using Early Espresso ink (item 126974) on one of the coordinating stickers from the accessory pack.

Once I completed the album’s front cover, I couldn’t wait to start creating layouts of the trip. I wanted to capture highlights from each country that we had visited over two weeks.  I did this by using the Variety Pack 6″ x 8″ Project Life Photo Pocket Pages (item 135297) which were perfect for snippets of our great vacation. I’ve already made great headway on completing this album and I’m excited to share a few of my favorite layouts with you.

For my first layout, I added a simple piece of Linen Thread (item 104199) stapled to the pocket card along with a die cut from one of the 2″ x 2″ cards in the accessory pack. I was a little giddy how the Project Life cards coordinated perfectly with my photos.

For the second layout, more embellishments were added including a die cut heart from the Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies (item 141489).

One of my favorite pocket pages included in the Variety Pack 6″ x 8″ Project Life Photo Pages is the one without pockets.  I used it as a title page for my album and for memorabilia I collected, but one of my favorite ways to use it was for a traditional scrapbooking layout as you see below.

This layout includes a 3″ x 4″ pocket card with a photo trimmed to fit inside the pocket card. I added the “Love” die cut by using the Sunshine Sayings Wishes Dies (item 141489) and a small strip (1″ x 6″) of the Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 141648) along the edge of the pocket card. The Delicate White Doilies (item 141701) are one of my favorite accessories to use for any project and this one was no exception.

The last layout I want to share is my favorite.  I love how all of the elements came together to create a fun layout using one of the 4″ x 6″ pocket cards as a photo mat.  I included elements from the accessory pack, and I also incorporated the stamp set, sequins, washi tape, stickers, and the negative portion of the die cut I had previously used on another layout.

Whether you’re making a special album for a wedding or birthday or you’re preserving your travel memories, the Hello Lovely Project Life Card Collection (item 141668) and Hello Lovely Project Life Accessory Pack (item 142687) will help you create an excellent album to keep your memories alive for many years to come. From the album cover to the sweet photos inside, this Project Life collection fits many themes and will help you make your scrapbooking a simple but gratifying experience.

I hope this album inspires you to start keeping your memories alive with Project Life by Stampin’ Up! You’ll be amazed by how fun and simple the process can be!
Kimberly Van Diepen
Artisan Design Team 2015–2016