From diving into our stashes of old patterned paper to mastering adhesive techniques and exploring the impact of full-page photos, we've tackled a variety of challenges that have pushed our creative boundaries. We've journaled, stamped, and mixed fonts, and we’ve reflected on how scrapbooking is not just a hobby but a powerful medium for personal expression and storytelling.

Special Highlights

• Daily Pages Masterclass: A big thank you to our paid subscribers who joined the masterclass. Your dedication to refining your craft is inspiring.

• Community Contributions: It’s been amazing to see your posts and projects throughout the day. The creativity displayed in the Substack chat and on the ALP app has been nothing short of inspiring.

• Deals and Steals: I hope you took advantage of the great sales we discussed, and that your toolkits are now bursting with new supplies.

Keep the Momentum Going

Remember, the end of today is just the beginning. Continue to use the techniques and insights from today’s challenges in your future projects. Keep sharing your work, supporting each other, and telling your stories through your beautiful pages.

Stay Connected

Keep an eye on our Substack and the ALP app for more tips, challenges, and community features. We’ve got a great event coming up in June — all about colors! Your ongoing participation and feedback are what keep our community vibrant and growing.

Thank You

Thank you for making International Scrapbook Day a huge success. Your passion and participation are what make our community so special. Let’s keep the spirit alive, keep crafting, and continue to share our stories!

xoxo,

Kristin

My favorite part of scrapbooking is telling stories. I love to create replicas of my favorite moments; whether they're everyday stories or bigger adventures. I like telling stories1 and I love being a storyteller.

It's important that everyone knows they have the power to be their own storyteller. You are allowed to tell your story in any which way you want. I believe that you are a storyteller. No matter who else is in your story -- kids, spouse, family, friends, pets, fictional characters, etc -- when you're telling the stories, you are a big part of the story. There is no omniscience narrator of life and scrapbook pages.

In our patriarchal society, we’re constantly telling women that they should take up less space. If you’re going to be a scrapbooker, you’re going to have to take up space with your supplies, your finished albums, and all the stories that you will have made into tangible, physical, objects. You have to be okay with the idea of taking up space with your own stuff. It’s a direct lesson in being kind to yourself, and understanding your worth.

Even more than taking up space — I think that feminism and scrapbooking are intertwined in three very specific ways.

The Idea That Your Story is Valuable

You are enough. You don't have to be someone's mom, daughter, sister, or anyone's anything in order for your story to be important to this world. Your story matters.

Agency Over Your Own Story

You decide what stories to tell. You decide how to share, what to share, and the ways in which you share it with the world. When you're scrapbooking those stories, not only are you using words, but you're also playing with photography and all of your favorite paper supplies. The possibilities for you to express yourself are so much cooler.

It's Intersectional

Intersectionality is a term coined by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980's to describe the 'intersection' of characteristics like gender, race, class, location, ability, etc.

Feminist Scrapbooking asks you to look at your stories through an intersectional lens.

One of my personal favorite quotes about feminism fits perfectly into our feminist scrapbooking definition.

A feminist is any woman who tells the truth about her life.

— Virginia Woolf

As long as you’re telling the truth about your life, you’re a feminist.

If you’re taking physical scraps of your life, whether it be photos, journaling, memorabilia, pretty paper, artwork, or anything else, and putting that together into a book/album, you’re a feminist scrapbooker.

By scrapbooking our experiences and the world around us, we engage in a form of storytelling that is inherently feminist.

We claim space for our stories and make our voices heard. It’s a celebration of our identity and a reaffirmation of our beliefs in equality and justice.

If you’re looking to hang out with some like-minded feminist women and tell your stories with pictures, words, supplies, and the bits of life we pick up along the way — join us over at my Feminist Scrapbook School. We’re your people.

Additional Feminism + Scrapbooking Posts

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Let's Get Chatting

Share your thoughts about feminism + scrapbooking here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all think!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #5: Embrace the Full-Page Photo

Sometimes, a single photo tells the story best, especially when it's rich in details or emotion. Tonight, we challenge you to let a full-page photo be the star of your scrapbook layout. Whether it’s a breathtaking landscape, a candid shot, or a portrait that you absolutely love, let your photo do the talking.

Why This Matters

A full-page photo isn't just a design choice; it's a storytelling device. Using large images can set the mood of your scrapbook and focus the attention on the pivotal moments you want to highlight. It’s about making an impact where every pixel speaks.

In visual storytelling, scale is more than size—it’s about scope and impact. A full-page photo invites the viewer into the scene, making them feel immersed in the captured moment. It’s a bold way to emphasize what’s truly important in your story.

How to Participate

1. Choose Your Photo: Select a photo that deserves center stage on your page.

2. Design Your Layout: Consider how this photo will interact with the rest of your album. Does it need text? Will it pair with another page?

3. Share Your Creation: Upload your full-page photo layouts to our Substack chat or on the ALP app. Show us how you use this powerful visual tool in your scrapbooking.

This challenge is your chance to think big and craft a page that not only tells a story but also makes a visual statement.

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Reminder — ALP Shop Sale!

Everything in the Awesome Ladies Shop is 25% off this weekend. Stamps, stickers, classes and more!

I personally love my shapes set to design repeating backgrounds. There are so many different combinations that can transform these simple shapes into amazing designs.

Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Today’s Shopping Spree

Scrapbook.com is offering great deals all weekend long—enjoy percentages off, freebies, and deep discounts especially on their own products. I use this weekend to stock up on my favorites. But they're not the only game in town! Be sure to check out your favorite craft stores for more crafting treasures.

Featured Favorites: I’m excited to share a few of my scrapbook.com must-haves that are currently on sale:

• Journaling Card Holder: Perfect for organizing your 3x4 and 4x6 cards. I keep two of these in my desk drawer and keep all my journaling cards sorted this way.

• Roll Adhesive: This is my favorite scrapbook.com product. I use it constantly. I like the 2” roll the most, but I’m also a fan of the 4” roll and the 1/4” roll as well.

• Die Sets: They’ve got a great collection of their own in-house dies on super deep sale as well. I picked up this set to create some spring pages.

Other Sales

• My shop! — 25% off everything through Sunday evening.

• Ali Edwards — free kit with $75 purchase

• Scrapbook Generation — Sales + more

• A Cherry on Top — 20% off + free gifts

• The Lily-pad — Digital Scrapbook shop

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Reminder — ALP Shop Sale!

Everything in the Awesome Ladies Shop is 25% off this weekend. Stamps, stickers, classes and more!

Let's Get Crafting

Share whatever you’re buying here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #5: Use Adhesive Foam for 3D Effects

Adding a bit of adhesive foam can transform a flat page into an epic landscape. It's all about making elements stand out and giving your pages a lively, tactile feel. Today, I'm sharing a special project that showcases my ideal day — spread across two pages, with some elements popping right off the page thanks to adhesive foam!

Why This Matters

Dimensional designs invite the viewer to touch and explore the page. By elevating elements off the page, you draw attention to key features and create a mini-stage for your most cherished memories.

Using 3D elements on your page can enhance the visual impact of your projects. This technique allows for shadow play, depth, and focus, which can be used to highlight important aspects of your story. The raised elements can make your pages more interactive and enjoyable to look at when you’re flipping through your album.

How to Participate

1. Select Your Materials: Grab some adhesive foam, I really like the Tombow and Scrapbook.com ones, but you can also pick some up can be found at your local dollar store.

2. Create Your Layout: Apply the foam behind key elements on your page. Think about which parts of your story you want to bring to the forefront.

3. Share Your Masterpiece: Upload your dimensional pages to our Substack chat or on the ALP app. Show us how you use elevation to add excitement to your scrapbooks!

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Reminder — ALP Shop Sale!

Everything in the Awesome Ladies Shop is 25% off this weekend. Stamps, stickers, classes and more!

Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Today’s Focus: Mastering Adhesives From the quick convenience of tape runners to the sturdy hold of staples, the right adhesive can elevate your scrapbooking project from good to great. Let’s explore how to choose and use them effectively!

Types of Adhesives:

• ATG (Advanced Tape Glider): For those who scrapbook frequently, the ATG is a must-have for its ease and economic use.

• Tape Runners and Roll Tape: Ideal for quick, clean application in scrapbooking. Perfect for paper-to-paper adhesion.

• Liquid Glue: Offers precision and strength, especially for embellishments.

• Foam Dots: These are your go-to for adding dimension and shadow to your pages.

• Glue Sticks: Great for light papers and quick fixes.

• Staplers: Not just for office paper! A tiny stapler can add a unique, industrial touch to your projects.

My Favorites

I particularly love using the ATG gun for most of my pages due to its durability and ease of use. The scrapbook.com roll adhesive is another favorite for its strong, clean bond, and let's not forget the tiny stapler — it's perfect for adding a quick, decorative touch.

Why This Matters

Choosing the right adhesive is not just about sticking things together—it’s about making your creations last and ensuring your embellishments stay put as your scrapbook ages. Understanding the properties of each type can help you make the best choices for your projects.

How to Participate:

1. Experiment: Try using a type of adhesive you haven't used much before. Notice any differences in application and durability.

2. Create & Share: Use your chosen adhesives to assemble a page today, and think about how they affect the layout and longevity of your work.

3. Discuss: Share your adhesive experiences and your finished pages in our Substack chat or on the ALP app. What worked? What surprised you?

Adhesives are the unsung heroes of scrapbooking, providing both functional and creative solutions to our designs. Let's stick to the basics and ensure our memories are secured for years to come.

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Let's Get Crafting

Share your thoughts about here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #5: Repeating Stamped Backgrounds

Grab your stamps and let's create patterns that bring fun texture and depth to your pages. In the page above I used a stamp that I picked up at Harry Potter world in Universal Studios and stamped in black on watercolor paper. I added a bit of color with some watercolors to give the background it’s colorful imperfect look.

Why This Matters

Repeating patterns look great. They also let you to customize your color schemes and themes, giving you complete creative control.

Stamping techniques like creating repeating backgrounds involve both creativity and precision. The process of aligning your stamps and choosing your inks can be meditative and immensely satisfying. This practice of creating repeating patterns both improves your crafting skills and also boosts your ability to visualize spatial arrangements — boom, level up.

How to Participate

1. Choose Your Stamps: Select from the shapes set or any other stamps you love that lend themselves well to repetition.

2. Ink Up: Choose inks that complement your overall page design. Consider using a single color for a subtle background or multiple colors for a bold effect.

3. Stamp Away: Begin stamping in a corner and work your way across the page to create your background. Try to keep your spacing consistent for a uniform look.

4. Share Your Art: Post your creations in our Substack chat or on the ALP app. We’re eager to see how you use repeating patterns to enhance your pages!

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Reminder — ALP Shop Sale!

Everything in the Awesome Ladies Shop is 25% off this weekend. Stamps, stickers, classes and more!

I personally love my shapes set to design repeating backgrounds. There are so many different combinations that can transform these simple shapes into amazing designs.

Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #4: Create a Page with Interactive Elements

Interactive elements like flip-outs, pockets, pull-tabs, and rotating wheels not only make your scrapbook pages more engaging but also allow you to incorporate more content in creative ways. For today's challenge, I'm sharing a page that uses flip-outs to pack a multitude of photos onto a smaller page—perfect for those of us who love to include lots of visuals without overwhelming the layout.

Why This Matters

Interactive designs make the experience of flipping through your scrapbooks more memorable. Handling the elements—flipping, pulling, and rotating—makes the storytelling process tactile and engaging, helping to cement those memories more firmly in our minds.

Interactive elements borrow from the best of both print and digital worlds, transforming our static pages into dynamic stories. This approach enhances your storytelling power. It makes your scrapbook a truly personal and immersive experience.

How to Participate

1. Choose Your Element: Decide which type of interactive feature you’d like to add to your page. Consider what fits best with your story and how much space you have.

2. Learn & Apply: Check out the tutorial videos linked below to see step-by-step how to incorporate these elements into your design.

3. Share Your Creativity: Post your interactive pages in our Substack chat or on the ALP app. Inspire others with your inventive designs and see how they’ve tackled this challenge too!

Tutorial Videos

Pull-tab Slider from Shu-Wen (the best interactive scrapbooker IMO)

Interactive Photo Flip Out

Tips + Tricks for Interactive Layouts

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Reminder — ALP Shop Sale!

Everything in the Awesome Ladies Shop is 25% off this weekend. Stamps, stickers, classes and more!

Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #3: Create a "Currently List" Page

This seven-prompt challenge helps you document the simple yet significant aspects of your daily life. What are you watching, reading, listening to, and loving right now? Let's put those details down on paper. I’m sharing a page that features 12 squares detailing the TV shows I’m currently watching — a visual feast of my current favorites!

Learn more about the full Currently List challenge here.

Why This Matters

The Currently List is a journaling exercise that shares a snapshot of your life at this moment. It makes journaling approachable and fun, and sets a foundation for regular storytelling. This simple routine can enhance your memory keeping, making it easy to look back and see what captivated your interest at different times.

Journaling about your current experiences can have profound psychological benefits. It helps in organizing thoughts, managing stress, and enhancing self-awareness by capturing your emotions and activities. Integrating these lists into your scrapbooks not only adds a dynamic and personal touch but also serves as a timestamp of your evolving tastes and moods.

How to Participate

1. Reflect: Think about what currently fills your days and brings you joy or intrigue.

2. Design: Layout your responses using a creative format that suits your style. Perhaps try the 12-square format I used or come up with your own unique design.

3. Share: Upload your "Currently List" pages to our Substack chat or on the ALP app. I'm eager to see the variety of ways we all capture our present moments.

The Currently List is a perfect way to ease into journaling and ensure your scrapbooks are filled with personal, timely content. Dive into this challenge and let’s document today together!

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Reminder — ALP Shop Sale!

Everything in the Awesome Ladies Shop is 25% off this weekend. Stamps, stickers, classes and more!

Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #2: Use Washi Tape for Journaling Strips

Forget about rulers or lined paper! Lay down strips of washi tape to create beautiful, straight lines for your journaling. This simple technique adds a splash of color and pattern to your pages, making your text not only neat but also visually appealing.

Featured Project

Today, I’m sharing a page from my scrapbook dedicated to the TV show "For All Mankind," one of my current favorites. This layout features different shades of blue washi tape, perfectly aligning with the show’s thematic elements and adding a dynamic look to my journaling.

Why This Matters

Washi tape is more than just decorative. It’s a versatile tool that can be used to bring structure to your layouts without sacrificing style. Its ease of use and immediate impact make it a favorite among scrapbookers who want to add flair and focus to their pages.

How to Participate

1. Select Your Tape: Choose washi tapes that complement the theme of your page or just pick your favorite colors.

2. Apply and Write: Position your washi tape strips where you’d like your journaling to go. Use them as guides to keep your writing straight and tidy.

3. Share and Inspire: Upload your creations to our Substack chat or on the ALP app. We’re excited to see how you integrate washi tape into your journaling!

Washi tape offers a unique blend of functionality and decoration, making it a staple in the toolkit of modern scrapbookers. Whether you’re adding a subtle touch or making a bold statement, it’s an excellent way to personalize your story.

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Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

As we continue celebrating International Scrapbook Day, let’s take a moment to focus on a practice close to my heart—Daily Pages. This is about creating a consistent space for your creativity to flourish!

The Basics of Daily Pages

Daily Pages are your creative conversation with your notebook. They are about keeping up an art habit that fits seamlessly into your life. Whether it's daily, weekly, or monthly, the key is regularity in a way that suits you.

What Are Daily Pages?

It's a practice conducted in a notebook to provide a clear beginning, middle, and end to your artistic journey. This framework isn't just about structure; it's about seeing your progress and evolution over time. Daily Pages are your playground—a space for experimentation, practice, and personal expression.

Why This Matters

Creating Daily Pages is about more than just making art; it’s about carving out a moment for yourself in the day to focus on mindfulness, creativity, and personal growth. This habit can be a powerful tool for self-expression and stress relief.

Getting Started

• What You Need: Start with a simple notebook and any creative supplies you have—pens, paints, stickers, washi tape, etc.

• Make It a Habit: Share your pages on the ALP website within our Daily Pages group. Engaging with a community can provide motivation and inspiration, turning this into a sustainable and enriching practice.

More about Daily Pages

Check out these posts to learn even more about Daily Pages!

How to Participate

1. Create Your Page: Reflect on your day or your mood and express it through your Daily Pages. There are no rules—just your creativity.

2. Share and Inspire: Upload your creations to our Substack chat or on the ALP app, and join our Daily Pages group for even more interaction and inspiration.

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Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

Challenge #1: Rediscover Older Patterned Paper

Don’t worry about finding your oldest scraps; instead, focus on those special papers you loved and stashed away. Reconnect with your materials and create something new and exciting. I’m using a double page spread from my Book of Me album that features my name using older Cosmo Cricket paper—a favorite sheet of paper, from a favorite scrapbook collection, that I’ve cherished for over a decade!

Why This Matters

Using diverse materials isn’t just about variety—it’s about storytelling. Older patterned papers carry with them the history and nostalgia of past projects and styles. They’re not just materials; they're memories preserved. Incorporating these into your pages adds depth and a sense of personal history that enriches your scrapbooking.

How to Participate:

1. Explore Your Stash: Look through your collection and select paper that speaks to you, something that brings back memories or simply sparks joy.

2. Create & Share: Craft a page using this paper. Whether you incorporate it as a background, a decorative element, or something more innovative, let it shine in today’s project.

3. Share Your Story: Post your creations in our Substack chat or on the ALP app. We love seeing how you weave your personal histories into your scrapbook pages.

Remember, today is about celebrating and sharing our stories through scrapbooking. I can’t wait to see how you all use your special papers to tell your unique stories.

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Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin

One of my favorite traditions is International Scrapbook Day. It’s always on the first Saturday in May and a great way to mark some time off on the calendar for this amazing hobby.

I’m going to be emailing you a lot today — a new challenge or resource every hour. If you’re not into these emails, but still want to get the rest of my newsletter. You can opt-out of the rukristin challenge emails by clicking here and learn how to update your settings to best suit your needs.

Here's What to Expect:

I’ve planned a series of hourly challenges designed to spark your creativity and help you explore new techniques. Each challenge will feature a photo of one of my favorite scrapbook pages to inspire you, and I encourage you to share your own pages in our Substack chat or on the ALP app.

If you're a member of my Feminist Scrapbook School -- you can join us in the FSS Clubhouse, which will be open all day for hanging out and scrapbooking!

Today’s Challenges Include:

9:00 AM: Dive into your paper stash and feature some older patterned paper.

10:00 AM: Get creative with washi tape for journaling strips.

11:00 AM: Reflect on the Currently list page.

...and many more throughout the day!

Special Masterclass for Paid Subscribers at Noon:

Don’t miss our exclusive Daily Pages Masterclass—perfect for those looking to refine their technique or start a new creative habit! Today’s topic is Photography, and you can get all the details right here.

Special Offer:

To make this day even more exciting, enjoy 25% off everything in our shop all weekend long! We’ll combine and refund shipping for multiple orders. Shop now at The Awesome Ladies Project Shop.

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Let's Get Crafting

Share your creations here in our Substack chat, over in the ALP community, or by tagging us on social media and let’s inspire each other.

Can’t wait to see what we all create!

xoxo,

Kristin