Hello friends! Celes here @guiademanualidades—today I’m sharing a sweet, light-and-airy 12×12 layout made with the charming Pooh Baby collection. This page is a little love note for my friend Vicki and her daughter Sofi: soft peach tones, gentle watercolor splatters, and a column of stitched strips + rickrack that frame the photo without stealing the spotlight. I tucked in a tiny clothesline banner, pastel alphas (made with the new embossing folder from the collection), and cuddly baby icons (hi, honey bear!) to add movement and texture while keeping the design calm and tender. It’s simple, dimensional, and perfect for celebrating those first-year memories. Ready to build it strip by strip? Let’s dive in!
For this page, the structure stays clean, but the background does the talking. I built the photo mat with the brand-new S4-1501 Ribbon & Trim Etched Dies (Spellbinders), alternating straight strips and rickrack cut from Simple Stories Color Vibe “Warm White” (#13400). I loved this die set the moment I saw it—it’s perfect for a soft, textural backdrop that feels baby-sweet without adding bulk. I layered the die-cut elements behind the photo, mixing designs from the set, then lifted everything with thin foam so the shadows add depth. A light sprinkle of white watercolor ties it all together and keeps the look airy and fresh.
Pick two papers from the kit for the background. Trim ½" off each side of one paper (this becomes the top layer). Keep the other at 12" × 12" for the base.
On the top layer, apply white watercolor splatters and let it dry completely.
While it dries, die-cut your chosen pieces from S4-1501 Ribbon & Trim Etched Dies using Simple Stories Color Vibe “Warm White” (#13400) cardstock. Back each strip with 3 mm foam (≈ ⅛") for subtle lift.
On the dry background, adhere the strips in a tall column. Set the top of the column 1¾" down from the top edge and the bottom 3⅜" up from the bottom edge. On the sides, keep the first and last strips 1¾" in from each side edge. Fill the space with as many strips as you like, spacing to taste. (I used 17 strips in total, mixing designs from the set.)
My photo is 3½" × 4½" (vertical). Cut a Warm White cardstock panel ⅛" larger on both sides → 3⅝" × 4⅝". Adhere the photo on top, applying adhesive on only three edges (leave the top edge open) so it forms a pocket behind the photo for a tiny tag or journaling. If you prefer a side-opening pocket, leave one side edge unglued instead.
Adhere the photo/pocket piece to the layout with 3 mm foam to add lift. Slip a small Warm White cardstock journaling card inside the pocket (trim to fit).
Create the letters with the embossing folder from the collection using your die-cutting machine. Trim the embossed letters—use scissors or a 1" square punch if you like the tiled look.
Adhere the name along the bottom edge of the photo.
Add the main title with foam so it sits level with the raised photo. Before sticking it down, tuck a floral die-cut behind the title for a layered look.
Add a smaller phrase (also on foam) to complement the title.
Start layering additional embellishments, playing with dimension and overlaps to taste. I mixed pieces from the different ephemera packs, foam stickers, and sticker sheets in the kit.
Place a few decorative brads under the title for color and texture, plus one heart brad as a sweet accent.
Decorate the journaling card (the one inside the pocket) with a couple of small elements from the collection and finish with a bit of twine.
And that’s a wrap—our page is complete! As a final touch, I framed the layout so I can gift it to Vicki and little Sofi—a keepsake they can hang and smile at every day. I love how the soft layers, tiny textures, and that sweet pocket come together to tell a gentle story without shouting. Hope this inspires you to print a favorite photo, add a few tender details, and turn it into a piece you’re proud to display or give from the heart. See you next month! Celes
Products:
Collection kit
Foam stickers
Decorative brads
Bits and pieces
Floral Bits and pieces
Journal Bits and pieces
Enamel Dots
Warm White - Cardstock
Embossing Folder E3D-164
Die Set S4-1501
1" square punch
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Celes Gonzalo
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