Eight 12x12 scrapbook pages using Autumn to Remember Kit from Stampin’ Up!®

Have you tried one of the new Stampin’ Up!® scrapbooking workshop kits yet?

I dipped my toe in by ordering the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit (166502). I have never scrapbooked in this way, with kits and instructions, so I wanted to see how it works.

I was impressed! The Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit makes six pages – three double-page spreads – with lots of leftover elements. Cutting instructions are really clear, so you know which way to cut and which way the pattern should go. There are clear photos of the finished projects, as well as paler versions of the projects with each piece clearly labelled (1A, 1B, etc) so you know which goes where.

In case you don’t have your photos ready – as I didn’t for most of these pages – there are photo place holders which are brilliant for getting your projects moving. I know I always used to get stuck by not having my photos ready.

The sheets of pop-out die-cuts are all labelled on the back, too, with the number of the relevant project. This is a really good detail if you like to stick closely to the instructions.

So did I stick closely to the instructions in the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit? What do you think?

 

I tried, I really did. For the left page of the first double-page spread I stuck pretty closely to the Stampin’ Up!® design. I strayed a little to move a strip to cover some wonky placements, and also left off a few elements as I found the Stampin’ Up!® page a little too busy for my tastes. 

Then when I got to the second page, I realised my cutting may have gone a little awry and my pieces weren’t all the same size, so I started going off piste a little more. 

It doesn’t matter though as I have decided to use the pages as singles rather than doubles – splitting them up to use in two separate scrapbooks to give as Christmas gifts to my nephews. The finished page is still very close to the Stampin’ Up!® original. 

For the second double-page spread, I went my own way quite a lot as I wasn’t keen on the design in the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit instructions. I used many of the same elements but left some off and gave my placements some jaunty angles. 

I used the gorgeous Autumn Days pop-out element on the second page from this sequence. 

 

This is from a fabulous sheet of woodgrain-effect elements including words, trees, leaves, arrows and much more. There are way more than you need to create the six pages in the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit.

 

For the next page I was back on track, following the instructions, but leaving off some of the elements again, and adding a few of my own. I left off a whole strip of Designer Series Paper which I felt was a bit much for the page, and changed the title piece as I felt the original had a thanksgiving theme, which of course we don’t celebrate here in the UK. It doesn’t matter though because there are plenty more elements to choose from. 

The final page from the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit is this one with four square photos. Again, I stuck fairly closely to the instructions, but had stopped worrying that I would run out of elements – you really won’t — so felt confident to swap them around to complete my page.

Now I could assess the situation and see how much of the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit was left over.

For the six pages I had used all six sheets of 12x12 Two-Tone cardstock of course. This is beautiful cardstock which is a true Stampin’ Up!® colour on one side and a paler shade on the reverse. The kit comes with two sheets each of Old Olive, Pecan Pie and Petal Pink. 

 

I had also purchased a pack of Autumn to Remember 12"x12" Two-Tone Cardstock (166499) which contains 12 sheets in coordinating autumnal colours. This enabled me to extend the Autumn to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop Kit further by giving me more page bases to use my leftover elements and Designer Series Paper. 

Using two Pecan Pie sheets from this pack and some leftovers, I made two more pages on an autumn theme. As I mentioned, I am creating for two scrapbooks, so made one in true Pecan Pie and one using the paler reverse side. 

 

For these pages I used the Autumn to Remember stamp set to create my titles. 

 

The paler page says Crisp Autumn Days and uses lots of leftover elements to frame two 6x4 photos. No photo placeholder? I simply used some cut-up grid paper which I secure in place temporarily with Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive. Did you know it become temporary if you allow it to dry clear?

For the darker page I used some leftover strips of Designer Series Paper and other elements to frame a single 6x4 photos. 

 

I stamped the title twice – once in Old Olive on one of my leftover pieces of White Willow cardstock, then again on another scrap in Cajun Craze. On this second piece, I fussy cut the banner out carefully so I could place it on top of the first. You could achieve the same effect using Stampin’ Write Markers but I didn’t have the correct colours.

I still have more leftover pieces and pages to play with but haven’t had chance to play for a while, so for now I think eight pages will do. 

 

And what’s my verdict on the new scrapbooking workshop kits from Stampin’ Up!®? These are my recommendations, based on different scrapbooking styles:

If you like your scrapbooking to be scripted, then these are definitely for you. This kit will make three double-page spreads, or six separate pages. You can follow the instructions closely, or go your own way if you feel more confident, or want to leave off some elements. The leftovers can be used for more pages, or for cardmaking.

If you like simpler pages, and want to create a whole themed album, then I would recommend this kit plus a pack of Autumn to Remember 12"x12" Two-Tone Cardstock. Scaling back the pages will give you enough elements to fill the whole album.

Want to make a themed album but prefer busy pages like these? Then get this kit plus a pack of Autumn to Remember 12"x12" Two-Tone Cardstock and the Sweet Days of Autumn 12x12 Designer Series Paper & Sticker Sheet. This is more of the same paper plus the sticker sheet from the kit.

If you just want to make a couple of autumn pages, then you don’t need the full kit. Autumn to Remember 12"x12" Two-Tone Cardstock and Sweet Days of Autumn Designer Series Paper & Sticker Sheet will do the job, or just just the DSP and Sticker Sheet if you already have a good supply of 12x12 cardstock. You can also purchase the Sweet Days of Autumn Designer Series Paper on its own, so there are lots of options available.

How about the Autumn to Remember stamp set? Well I do love the leaf and tree images, but unless you’re gifting lots of albums to different people, I think the title stamps (September to Remember, Bountiful Blessings and Crisp Autumn Days) have their limits, as you aren’t likely to want to make more than one page with the same title.

All in all, I love the new scrapbooking offering from Stampin’ Up!® and believe it gives us lots more options to enjoy traditional 12x12 scrapbooking again, especially in a class scenario as we can now purchase single-colour packs. I love the instructions as they give you the confidence to get started but, personally, will always use them as a jumping-off point rather than something to be followed strictly. And that's ok, because we all craft in our own ways!

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