I am so thrilled to introduce you to Jessica Michaels, one of our amazing new design team members! This is Jessica’s very first layout for Hip Kit Club and let me tell you, she knocked it completely out of the park. She used the February 2026 Main Kit, the February 2026 Pocket Life Kit, and the February 2026 Color Kit to create the most stunning paper frame layout featuring a gorgeous photo of her baby girl. The moment you see how she transforms that gorgeous floral patterned paper into a custom photo frame, you are going to want to grab your X-Acto knife and try this yourself.
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What I love most about Jessica’s approach is how clever and intentional every single decision is. She converted her photo to black and white to let those vibrant florals really shine without competing with the image, and then she layered stamped elements, puffy stickers, and Lindy’s Magical Powders to build depth and dimension across the whole page. This tutorial walks you through every step of her process so you can recreate this beautiful technique with your own February kits.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Choose Your Feature Paper and Plan the Frame
Look at your patterned papers from the February 2026 Main Kit and find one with bold floral details around the edges that could frame a photo. Jessica spotted this technique immediately when she saw the floral paper – the key is finding a paper where the interesting design elements are concentrated around the perimeter, leaving room to cut out a center opening for your photo.
Step 2: Convert Your Photo to Black and White
Before you start cutting, prepare your photo by converting it to black and white. When your patterned paper is packed with color and florals, a black and white photo keeps the layout from feeling visually overwhelming and draws the eye naturally to the subject. Print your photo at a size that will show generously through the frame opening you are about to create.
Step 3: Cut Out the Center of Your Patterned Paper
Using your X-Acto knife, carefully trim out the center of your patterned paper, cutting a small outline just inside all of the floral and leaf details around the edges. Take your time with this step – it does require patience, but cutting close to those little petals and leaves is what creates that beautiful layered effect where the flowers appear to overlay your photo.
Step 4: Adhere the Paper Frame Over Your Photo
Once all your flower bits and leaves are cut out, use your tape gun to adhere the patterned paper frame directly over your photo. Position your photo behind the opening so your subject is centered and peeking through. Those little floral cutouts overlaying the photo create such an organic, dimensional look that makes the whole layout feel polished and intentional.
Step 5: Stamp on Pocket Life Kit Elements
Pull out the February 2026 Pocket Life Kit and its coordinating stamp set to add stamped details to the small journaling and tag pieces. Before you stamp, condition any new stamps by lightly rubbing them against the back of your hand – this gets a little natural oil onto the stamp surface, removes the stickiness that comes with brand new stamps, and prevents them from pulling up your paper or soaking ink unevenly.
Step 6: Fussy Cut Stamped Elements and Place at Top
Using small fussy cutting scissors, carefully trim around your newly stamped elements and cluster them at the top corner of your layout above the photo. This creates a little tabbed grouping in the upper left that anchors the eye and fills that corner space naturally without feeling forced.
Step 7: Add Dimension with Foam Squares and Shaped Petals
Pop select embellishments up with 3D foam squares to build layers and visual interest across your layout. As you place the floral pieces, gently lift and curl the individual petals with your fingers to give them a more realistic, three-dimensional shape. That small extra step makes a big difference in how lush and full the finished page looks.
Step 8: Create Ink Splatters with Lindy’s Magical Powders
Take some of the Lindy’s Magical Powders from the February 2026 Color Kit and dissolve a small amount right in the lid using a little water. Load your paintbrush and flick it toward the top and bottom corners of your layout to create loose, organic splatters. Finish by layering a few of the kit’s puffy circle stickers over some of the splatter marks for a fun mixed-media touch that ties the whole color story together.
Products Used in This Tutorial
About the Designer
Jessica Michaels
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Hip Kit Club delivers curated scrapbook and paper crafting kits to your door every month. Each kit includes exclusive papers, embellishments, and supplies hand-picked by our design team.