5-Product Pages
Happy Cinco de Mayo! If you're reading this eZine the very day it went live (May 5, 2010), I certainly hope there are some rice and beans or a hearty burrito in your future. This is the day people across the United States (and even worldwide) celebrate Mexican heritage and pride,
and there's no better day to enjoy some chips and salsa or a bit of flan (if you're into firm, gelatinous puddings).
It's also a great day (and month!) to celebrate the number "5," which explains the impetus behind this inspiring article. With lots of fives in mind, I challenged five of my favorite Ella Friends (i.e., the first five to volunteer), to each create a layout featuring exactly five products. Why? As an exercise in simplicity, frugality, and creativity within limits. Katie, Barb, Jodie, Wendy, and Monica took the challenge. You'll love the results!
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#1 12 x 12 layout by Katie Scott |
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Katie Says: "The thought of Cinco De Mayo instantly made me think of our last cruise to Mexico and how I really want to go on a cruise to celebrate my quickly approaching 40th birthday—on 6/6/2010. So I created this page and left it in plain sight as a hint for my husband!"
Katie's Picks
2 sheets patterned paper (manufacturer unknown)
1 sheet letter stickers (Sasafrass Lass)
1 length ribbon (Michael's brand)
1 souvenir (the room key from our last trip)
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5 products total
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#2 12 x 12 layout by Barb Wong |
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Barb Says: "Limiting myself to only five products forced me to dig deep and get creative. Where I might have used a photo turn or a staple or two, I cut a wee bit of black and white patterned paper and stuck it down (lower right corner of the right photo). Where I might have used a row of brads or a hand-stitched line of embroidery floss, I added hand-drawn stitches. It was fun!"
Barb's Picks
1 sheet cardstock (Bazzill Basics)
1 sheet patterned paper (Shabby Green Door)
1 sheet label stickers (Shabby Green Door)
1 chipboard star (Making Memories)
1 package letter stickers (KI Memories)
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5 products total
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#3 12 x 12 digital design by Jodie McNally |
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Jodie Says: "This is one of my all-time favorite layouts! I'm a digital scrapbooker, so using fewer products in a design won't save money, but it can save time. Starting with a limited supply list helps me sort through all the possibilities and reach the finish line faster."
Jodie's Picks
1 solid digital "paper" (Paislee Press)
1 patterned digital "paper" (Paislee Press)
1 file word art (Paislee Press)
1 stem/leaf digital stamp (Paislee Press)
1 digital tape file (Taylor Made)
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5 products total
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#4 11 x 8½ layout by Wendy Smedley |
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Wendy Says: "Using fewer products made this easier to pull together. I decided to stick with one color (purple), plus neutrals. But that looked a bit bland, so I pulled in a rainbow border sticker, which I snipped and used in two places. To create my title, I printed a free outline font (Clementine Sketch) on my background paper—because fonts don't count as "products"—and colored it with purple crayon!"
Wendy's Picks
2 sheets cardstock
1 rainbow border sticker (Doodlebug Designs)
1 triangle border sticker (Sassafras Lass)
1 package glitter brads (Doodlebug Designs)
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5 products total
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#5 12 x 12 layout by Monica McNeill |
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Monica Says: "The focus of this layout is definitely on my five photos, plus some short and succinct journaling that explains what makes them special. It wasn't difficult to use just five products on my page—especially since so much space is taken up by these meaningful and nostalgic images of my little boy's first home."
Monica's Picks
1 sheet cardstock (Studio Calico)
2 sheets patterned paper (Studio Calico, Jillibean Soup)
1 sheet cardstock stickers (Jillibean Soup)
1 package letter stickers (American Crafts)
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5 products total
Your Turn!
Dive in to your scrapbook stash—no shopping allowed— and pull out five items that are inspiring to you. (Bonus points if the products coordinate!) Time yourself and just see how quickly your own five-product page comes together.
Here's to the freedom limits can bring!
If you liked the five free ideas you found here, you'll love all the free ideas in Ella's Free Super Sampler. Download your copy today.
