Hello, friends, and Happy New Year! It’s Victoria and I am back with a quick and easy scrapbook project. And by quick, I mean you can create this layout in under 20 minutes using a technique called art starts!

Supplies | American Crafts Vicki Boutin Color Study collection patterned paper (Spheres, Create), sticker book, sticker sheet, gold foil chipboard stickers, ephemera embellishments, Thickers (Modern Art); Cardstock: American Crafts; Punch: WeR Memory Keepers Pocket Punch Board; Adhesive: Tombo

I first learned about art starts from Julie Fei Fan Balzer, a mixed media artist who creates backgrounds and ephemera that she then uses to make mixed media projects. Her pre-made art starts make it super quick for her to construct full projects and eliminate decision-making fatigue. This same concept can be applied to any creative project, including scrapbooking! 

A few months ago, I created a pocket using the WeR Memory Keepers Pocket Punch Board and materials from the Vicki Boutin Color Study collection. I didn’t have a specific use for the pocket when I made it, but I kept it in my stash for a future project. 

When the time came to make this layout, I reached for this pocket and used it as a main focal point on my layout. All I had left to do was to create a background, additional layered clusters, and a title, and this project came together in less than 20 minutes!

The pocket not only serves as an interesting layered element on this page, but it also drove my product decisions for the remaining parts of the layout. I have tons of Color Study goodies in my stash so I selected coordinating patterned paper, stickers, and die cuts from this collection to complete the layout. 

To finish this layout, I created a simple background using patterned paper from the Color Study collection, and white and black textured card stock from American Crafts. Next, I positioned layered clusters to the left of the photo and to the right of the pocket. 

To the top of the pocket, I added a color wheel die cut and I tucked a cute little paintbrush inside the pocket for added interest. The die cut phrase “Create Yourself” and a journaling text box were added below the photo and the pocket. 

And with that, this layout came together in under 20 minutes using my pre-made art start! I hope this technique inspires you to make embellishments and elements that you can use on a future scrapbook project. This is a great way to use your supplies and get layouts done quickly! I hope you will give art starts a try! Thanks so much for stopping by! 

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