BLOG POST: Happy Days Layout
Hi everyone, it’s Celes (@guiademanualidades), and today I’m sharing my Happy Days Layout, a project full of color, movement, and one of those travel memories that instantly makes you smile. For this layout, I used the beautiful Open Road collection from Simple Stories to document a special photo with Sebas from our trip to New Zealand — a moment filled with adventure, fresh air, and that feeling of freedom that only a good journey can give you. I love how this collection brings together road trip icons, cheerful colors, mountains, trees, cameras, cars, and all those little details that make a page feel alive. The bright sunburst, the layered papers, and the playful embellishments helped me create a layout that feels happy, energetic, and ready to say: let’s go, there are still so many stories waiting for us.
Now let’s start with the creative process! For the base of this layout, I combined three patterned papers to build a colorful background with lots of movement and that happy road trip feeling. From there, we’ll work everything in layers: paper pieces, dimensional details, embellishments, and little clusters that help guide the eye around the page. And of course… you know I love dimension, so there will be plenty of foam adhesive involved. Because flat projects are lovely, but a little volume? That’s where the magic begins!
Base of the layout
For the base of the layout, as I mentioned before, I combined three patterned papers. The first one is the diagonal striped paper; Item #27111 Hit the Road.
The second paper is Item #27106 Capture the Good. From this paper, we will cut the diagonal lines in red, orange, salmon, and pink. Set the remaining piece aside to use as the base for the photo.
Trim the pieces from the previous step so they are slightly smaller than the ones on the main base — the first paper. Then, distress all the edges.
The third paper is Item #27110 You Are Here! Cut out the sun and its rays and distress all the edges.
Once all the pieces are ready, start by adhering the colored diagonal strips with foam adhesive. Then add the sun and its rays, also using foam adhesive.
My photo measures 6" wide x 4" high, and I added a mat that is 1/8" larger on both measurements, using the remaining piece of the second patterned paper.
Note: Add foam adhesive only along the edges of the pink strip — facing downward — and do not close the inner edge. This will become the pocket for our journaling.
Decorative details
Place the photo approximately 3 1/2" from the bottom edge and 3 1/8" from the left side edge. Add 3D foam adhesive to the back.
Once the photo is adhered, start building the small cluster in the upper left corner. Combine pieces from the Chipboard Ephemera, Decorative Brads, and Foam Stickers.
Next, create the main cluster that goes across the width of the page and over the photo mat. These pieces are also added with foam adhesive, combining elements from different packs in the collection.
Finally, add the main title and the secondary phrases. Don’t forget to keep working in layers, just like the rest of the composition.
For the final detail, I added white watercolor splatters. I did this step at the very end, making sure to place a piece of paper over the photo to protect it.
Note: The journaling piece is a paper strip with one end rolled up. It measures 2 3/4" plus the rolled paper end in length and 1 5/8" wide.
I hope you enjoyed this Happy Days Layout and that it inspires you to document one of your favorite travel memories in a colorful, playful, and dimensional way. This collection is perfect for telling stories full of adventure, happy moments, and those little details that make a trip unforgettable. I would absolutely love to see your own versions, so if you create a project inspired by this layout, please share it with me — seeing your creations is always the best part. See you next time with a new creative adventure! xoxo
Products Used:
Collection kit
6x8 Paper Pad Kit
Foam stickers
Chipboard pieces
Decorative brads
Journal Bits & Pieces
Bits & Pieces
Cardstock stickers
Extras
3D foam
white watercolor
Photo: 6” wide x 4” tall
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Celes Gonzalo
Craft & Scrap Lover
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