I have gotten away from making my own kits and more often find myself reaching for one that is ready made. I subscribe to Cocoa Daisy and I have many kits left over from working with JBS Mercantile.There is nothing wrong with using those kits. It does feel good to use them up, essentially getting my money’s worth and I have gotten quite  a few fabulous layouts done. Lately I have been reorganizing my supplies. As I do so, I have begun discovering older items that feel new again. It’s time to return to making my own kits.

For kit making inspiration, I turned to the Scrap Stash Kit Club. It’s not a kit subscription. You choose your own supplies from your stash to create a kit based on a color palette. This month’s palette is called Bunny Hop which features bright colors perfect for spring. Once I saw the palette, I brainstormed ideas for photos I though might work. I decided I also needed to sit down and think about what spring means to me.

The arrival of spring is marked in so many ways. I have always dwelled in a warmer climate. Living in an area in which flowers bloom year round means searching for other signs of its arrival. Usually, this means the spring break tourists begin to visit, Easter candy hits the shelves and spring color palettes( and lots of bright flowers) can be seen in store windows. Using the Bunny Hop Palette as a starting point, I began to create a spring mood board which I felt suited my personal thoughts about the changes of the season. I decided to add navy to the palette. Spring also heralds our first forays into the swimming pool after the cooler breezes of January and February. The navy and teal are a nod to that and the dozens of pool side spring photos I have on hand.

Now that I had a starting point, I began to audition supplies for the kit. Often when I create a DIY kit I go crazy adding way more supplies than I could possibly use on a few layouts. Yes, it’s good to have options and it’s also good to have a big kit to work with. However, it’s not so much fun to break that kit apart when you are done. I decided to limit my choices and create a basic kit. After all, I can always dip into my stash for a few extra items should I need them. Now I had my kit and it was time to play.

Water Wings by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper American Crafts; Letters: Colorbok; Glitter Glue: Stickles; Wood Veneer, Enamel: Freckled Fawn; Transparency: Fancy pants; Stickers; American Crafts; Stamp: Studio Calico; Ink; Ranger; Punch: Martha Stewart; Die Cuts: Elle’s Studio; Based on Scrapbook Challenges Sketch # 432

I decided to work with a series of photos of my son in the pool. There were two reasons for this choice. The teal of the pool water contrasts nicely with the energetic pink and yellow papers. The second reason is due to Scrapbook Challenges Sketch #432. This sketch calls for six photos divided into two strips. It’s the perfect sketch for showcasing a lot of photos on one layout. These two strips are perfect to support one larger focal photo. I chose the best shot of my son to be the large print and put smaller, less perfect supporting photos in the strips. As it happens, I did add a few more bits and pieces to create this page.    I chose a chevron print in navy to mimic the movement of the water. I also chose some pool themed flair, a phrase stamp and some fun wood flags to support the story of my son wearing water wings.

I do have bits left from this kit. I might even get one or two more layouts out of it. I would like to consider using the non traditional feel of the navy with the bright colors to create as Easter themed layout. We shall have to see where my creativity leads me.

Meanwhile, if you would like to make your own kit, you can join Scrap Stash Kit Club for monthly inspiration.

If you need ideas for using up your kits and supplies. Head on over to Scrapbook Challenges. There are a variety of challenges including today’s new sketch, upon which my layout is based.

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