We are so excited to share this gorgeous layout tutorial from our talented design team member Jana Eubank! Jana dove into her February 2026 Hip Kit Club kits – the Life Right Now Collection – and created the most beautiful scrapbook page featuring her son during the pandemic. She used the February 2026 Main Kit patterned papers including the blue check plaid background, the bright house print called “It Takes a Village,” the bold striped paper called “Go for Bold,” and a purple geometric paper from the reverse side of that stripe. She also brought in the September 2025 Fancy Edge Metal Die Set to add some seriously impressive detail work along the edges of her papers.
Want to create layouts like this? Our monthly kits include coordinated papers, embellishments, and supplies to bring your scrapbook pages to life.
What makes this layout so inspiring is Jana’s thoughtful approach to composition and color balancing. She walks us through her L-shape design concept, showing how to build up layers of pattern and texture before adding embellishments from the February journaling die cuts, icon die cuts, and puffy stickers. If you have ever stared at a blank 12×12 page wondering where to start, this tutorial is going to be your new best friend. Grab your February 2026 kits and let’s get crafting!
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Plan Your L-Shape Composition
Start by selecting your background paper. Jana chose the blue check plaid patterned paper because it coordinated with the blue shirt in her photos. The plan is to cut strips of patterned paper and arrange them in an L-shape, with vertical strips running the full 12 inches and horizontal strips along the bottom running about 10 inches long.
Step 2: Select and Cut Your Patterned Paper Strips
Pull out two bold, colorful papers for your L-shape strips. Jana was drawn to the “It Takes a Village” house print first, then paired it with the “Go for Bold” striped paper to balance the colors while adding a different pattern. Cut your vertical strip to 12 inches and your horizontal strip to approximately 10 inches.
Step 3: Tear an Edge for Texture
To add variety and a handmade feel, tear the bottom edge of one of your paper strips rather than cutting it straight. Jana tore the bottom edge of her striped paper to create a softer, more organic look. This small detail adds visual interest and helps layers blend together naturally.
Step 4: Use the Fancy Edge Metal Die to Cut a Decorative Border
Bring in the September 2025 Fancy Edge Metal Die Set to cut a decorative edge along the bottom of your tonal layering paper. Jana used the file folder tab shape on her purple geometric paper. Run the die through your machine, and if your paper is longer than 8 inches, simply line up the pattern and run it through again to extend the cut across the full length.
Step 5: Fussy Cut a Tonal Paper for the Vertical Layer
For your vertical paper strip, try fussy cutting along a geometric or patterned edge instead of a straight cut. Jana chose a tonal red hexagon paper and fussy cut along the hexagon pattern to create a unique, interesting edge on that side of the page. This adds dimension and breaks up the straight lines of the layout.
Step 6: Ink the Edges and Assemble Your Base Layers
Before adhering anything down, ink all your paper layers with gray distressing ink along the edges. This unifies the papers and gives the layout a cohesive, finished look. Once all your base layers are inked, go ahead and place them in position to form your L-shape.
Step 7: Choose and Place Your Die Cut Embellishments
Flip through your journaling die cuts and icon die cuts to select pieces that tell your story. Jana looked for office-themed icons to match her son’s Amazon job, pulling out the globe, typewriter, Scotch tape, planner, alarm clock, and rainbow die cuts. Place your title die cut first, then arrange the remaining icons around your photos before adhering anything down.
Step 8: Balance Colors and Shapes Across the Page
Before gluing anything down, step back and evaluate the color and shape balance of your layout. Jana added a red floral behind her journaling die cut to echo the red vertical strip on the left side of the page, and brought white flower die cuts to the upper left corner to repeat the white tones appearing elsewhere. Once you are happy with the balance, adhere your flat embellishments, then layer in dimensional puffy stickers and finish by sprinkling confetti dots across the page.
Products Used in This Tutorial
These same supplies work great for card making too – our card making ideas collection has loads of quick projects if you want to try something between layouts.
These layout techniques work beautifully for themed albums too. Check out our travel scrapbook ideas for more page inspiration.
Love working with curated kits? Our craft room organization ideas and best scrapbooking kits guides have everything you need to know.
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