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Hi friends, Kimberly here, and I am so excited to share this gorgeous mixed media scrapbook layout that Jessica Michaels created using portions of our March 2026 Hip Kits. Jessica pulled together a stunning Two Cute page celebrating her son’s second birthday and their beach day adventures, and she used pieces from the March 2026 Pocket Life Kit, the March 2026 Embellishment Kit, and the March 2026 Color Kit to make it happen. This one is packed with techniques you can borrow for your own pages, from paper strip backgrounds to splattered mixed media goodness.
What I love most about this layout is how Jessica turned a simple paper strips challenge into something with so much dimension and personality. She built a giant number two out of cut paper strips, splattered Lindy’s Magical Powders in coordinating blues, greens, and pinks across the background, added machine stitching, and layered in florals and puffy stickers from the embellishment kit. It is the perfect project to tackle this month if you want to use up those leftover scraps and branding strips, and Jessica shares some wonderful tips along the way about color mixing, adhesives, and adding texture. Grab your March 2026 kits and let us walk through it together!
Step-by-Step Mixed Media Paper Strips Tutorial
Step 1: Prep the Background with Clear Gesso
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Start by selecting a background paper from the March 2026 Main Kit and brushing a layer of clear gesso across the surface. The gesso preps your paper to accept the mixed media we are adding later and keeps the colors vibrant. Set this aside to dry while you work on your paper strips.
Step 2: Cut a Variety of Paper Strips
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Trim the 6×8 papers from the March 2026 Pocket Life Kit down into little strips, then grab the solids pack and cut more strips from those papers too. Jessica also trimmed scallops from one of the patterned papers for extra visual interest. Mix patterns and solids so you have plenty of variety to layer over your template.
Step 3: Layer Strips onto a Cut File Template
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Use your Cricut or Silhouette to cut out a large number or shape, then layer your paper strips across the template to fill in the shape. Jessica used a number two for her two-year-old son’s birthday layout, but you can use any number, letter, or shape that fits your story. Distress the edges of each strip and then distress around the entire outside edge once everything is adhered.
Step 4: Activate Lindy’s Magical Powders
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Sprinkle a small amount of Lindy’s Magical Powders from the March 2026 Color Kit onto a glass mat, then add a little water from your cup to activate the powder into a liquid. Jessica recommends being precise about where you place the mixed media instead of covering the whole page. Aim for the area where your focal point will sit so the splatters frame your subject.
Step 5: Splatter and Flick Color onto the Background
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Use a paintbrush to flick and splatter the activated powders onto your gessoed background, layering the blue, green, and pink colors. Dab up any larger pools of liquid with a paper towel so the paper does not get oversaturated and dries faster. If your color gets too light, just add more powder to bring back that vibrant pigment.
Step 6: Back Your Photo and Add a Scallop
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Tear and rough up the edges of a piece of patterned paper from the Pocket Life Kit to mat your photo, then add a layer of tissue paper for extra texture. Tuck a small scallop edge along one side of the photo for a sweet decorative touch. This soft, layered backing keeps the focus on your subject while adding handmade charm.
Step 7: Add Machine Stitching to the Paper Strips
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Run your layered number through the sewing machine and stitch down most of the paper strips to add texture and visual interest. If you do not have a sewing machine, hand stitching works beautifully too. Jessica says this step really draws the eye and gives the paper strips a finished, intentional look.
Step 8: Layer Florals and Add Dimension
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Pull the floral bits and leaves from the March 2026 Embellishment Kit and tuck them around your focal point, popping up the petals and corners with your fingers for natural dimension. Use Nuvo liquid adhesive since it dries clear, and add 3D foam squares under some pieces for extra lift. Build clusters along the bottom of your shape, above the photo, and to the side for a balanced design.
Step 9: Stamp Repeat Phrases for Texture
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Pull out the Pocket Life Stamp Set and stamp little word phrases across your number and background. Jessica loves the repeat stamping trick where you stamp the same phrase two or three times without re-inking, creating a faded, layered effect. This is a fantastic way to add subtle color and interest without overwhelming your design.
Step 10: Finish with Puffy Stickers and Thread
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Add puffy letter stickers from the Embellishment Kit to spell out your title (Jessica used “cute” for her Two Cute theme) next to the focal photo, and tuck in word phrase stickers above the photo. For extra texture, wrap a piece of thread behind a puffy sticker and secure with glue dots, then curve the thread tails and glue them down. These final touches bring everything together for a layout full of personality.
Products Used in This Tutorial
About the Designer
Jessica Michaels
Hip Kit Club design team member who loves bold mixed media techniques, paper strips, and capturing everyday family moments with personality.
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