Spring Scrapbooking

So many lovely images “spring” to mind as April rolls around each year: plants blooming and budding. Sparkling clean homes (from all that spring cleaning). Sheets billowing on the clothesline. Hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips.

And of course, spring green, in all its fresh, inviting hues. There’s just something about spring green that makes the world seem fresh and new again. But did you know that the color green can also make you more creative? It’s true.

A recent MSNBC article reported, “German researchers found that when people glanced at the color green for two seconds before doing a creative task, it boosted their creative output compared to briefly looking at other colors, including white, grey, red, and blue.” (MSNBC has also reported that sarcasm can make you more creative, but that’s another story.)

I know that, for me, green is a go-to color for boosting my creativity, my energy, and my mood. Give me green and I am good to go! Why not see if it works for you? The following four projects are all inspired by different shades of green. Glance at each page for two seconds, and just see if you feel renewed, refreshed, and ready to create!
 

Soft Green Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics) • patterned paper (Bella Blvd., American Crafts, Pebbles Inc, Authentique) • badge (Evelicious) • stamp (Hero Arts for Studio Calico) • ink (Versamark) • stock card (Vintage) • journaling cards (October Afternoon) • punch (EK Success) • letter stickers (American Crafts) • word stickers (Authentique) • buttons • brads (American Crafts) • tiny attacher stapler (Tim Holtz) • twine (Darcie) • Silhouette Cameo die-cutter • Calibri font • page by Melissa Gener

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In this multi-color layout, which features a nice, soft, soothing field of green, Melissa writes about embracing spring and all it has to offer. In parts of the United States and Canada, 2012 brought a run of gorgeous weather that was unseasonably warm and very welcome and Melissa's page is a tribute to just that.

Bonus Tip: On a very colorful layout featuring lots of patterns, include neutrals in strategic places, as Melissa has done with the grey elements on this page.
 

	Happy Green Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics) • patterned paper (GCD Studios, Lily Bee Design) • pinwheels (Pebbles, Inc.) • clear stamp (Technique Tuesday) • dye ink (Close to My Heart Sweet Leaf) • baker’s twine (Whisker Graphics) • fringe scissors (Martha Stewart Crafts) • card by Ashley Harris
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Ashley's handmade card is a perfect little welcome to spring and all that it represents. With green grass, blue skies, and three colorful pinwheels, Ashley’s card suggests the lightness and brightness of the season. This happy, apple green—not to mention the polka-dot pattern—brings fun and energy to the scene. Wouldn’t you love finding this in your mailbox?

Bonus Tip: Use tone-on-tone patterns (like the blue starbursts and green polka-dots) to add interest and energy to paper-pieced scenes.
 

Vibrant Green Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics) • cardstock (WorldWin) • patterned paper (BoBunny) • tags (BasicGrey) • ribbons (KI Memories) • buttons (Favorite Findings) • brads, crochet flower (GCD Studios) • sticker (Simple Stories) • letter stickers (American Crafts) • twine (Doodlebug Design) • chipboard circle • tag punch, corner rounder (Creative Memories) • Royal Typewriter • adhesives • 8.5 x 11 page by Grace Tolman

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Just like spring brings on feelings of renewal, so do other changes in our lives, like a fun, new haircut! While this photo was taken in the fall, Grace’s layout features a beautiful, vibrant color palette perfect for spring. The graphic green patterned paper, floral tags, butterfly image, and crocheted flower really make this page come alive. When it’s springtime outside, turn to the most inspiring colors in your product stash, even if the photos you’re scrapbooking are from a few months in the past.

Bonus Tip: As the seasons change, scrapbook about the recent changes in yourself or your life.
 

	Patchwork Green Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill) • patterned paper (American Crafts, Studio Calico, Crate Paper) • alphabet stickers (American Crafts) • button (Crate Paper) • wooden accents (Studio Calico) • arrow dies (QuicKutz) • Cuttlebug (Provo Craft) • machine stitching • page by Kelly VanDermolen
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Like Ashley did with her card, I couldn’t resist greeting the arrival of the new season with a scrapbook page. Where I live, the weather can change on a dime, and the day pictured on my layout illustrates just that. I walked through a light snowfall in the morning and several hours later, walked to the beach in a t-shirt and jeans. Such is the madness of spring, as described in the Emily Dickinson quote included on my page.

Bonus Tip: To help arrange the elements on your page, think of it as a patchwork quilt. I combined several patterns (all green), layered photos and embellishments on top, then machine stitched across the top and bottom.

I hope these projects have inspired you to think about the season in which you are living and how you can reflect that in your papercrafting projects. For more ideas regarding seasonal scrapbooking, make sure to check out A Year in the Life (on sale this month) and the Take Twelve Guided Inspiration Kit.

Kelly VanDerMolen lives on a farm in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with her husband, Bruce, and her son, Ben. A former teacher and publishing professional, Kelly now raises her son full time, helps take care of their chickens and cattle, and makes sure to find time for scrapbooking and card-making. She’s also a member of the 2012 Ella Friends team.