Hi friends! I am so excited to share this gorgeous layout from the wonderfully talented Anke Kramer, who kicked off her April 2026 Hip Kits projects with the most clever technique. Anke shows us how to create a dimensional layout background using just ONE pattern paper from the April 2026 Main Kit. Yes, you read that right – one single sheet of that dreamy rain, clouds, and sunshine paper becomes a textured, eye-catching foundation for her whole page. It is the kind of trick that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about backgrounds.
Want to create layouts like this? Our monthly kits include coordinated papers, embellishments, and supplies to bring your scrapbook pages to life.
What I love about Anke’s process is how she layers texture upon texture to keep your eye moving all over the page. She pulls in die cuts and puffy stickers from the April 2026 Embellishment Kit, tucks in pieces cut with the April 2026 Grunge Brick Texture Background Metal Die, and adds those sweet hand-punched birds with a little hand stitching for that homemade touch. She finishes everything off with orange and teal Nuvo drops to tie the colors together. Grab your April kits and let’s create this beauty together – it is so much easier than it looks!
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Cut and Fold Your Paper Strips
Start by cutting strips from the rain, clouds, and sunshine pattern paper in the April 2026 Main Kit. Fold each strip to give it dimension and a bit of lift off the page. This simple folding step is the secret to turning one flat sheet of paper into a background that has real depth and shadow.
Step 2: Build the Dimensional Background
Cut a sheet of white cardstock down to 8 by 8 inches to use as your base. Glue your folded paper strips onto the cardstock, arranging them so the folds create texture across the surface, then add your photo. Anke ended up swapping her photo for a smaller one, so do not be afraid to adjust as you go and see what feels right.
Step 3: Add Your Title with Foam Stickers
Create your title using some of the cardstock along with foam stickers. Popping the title up on foam adds another layer of dimension that plays beautifully with the folded strips underneath. This is also where Anke switched to her smaller photo, which gave the title more room to shine.
Step 4: Layer in Die Cuts from the Ephemera Pack
Choose some die cuts from the cardstock ephemera pack in the April 2026 Embellishment Kit and add them to your page. Scatter them around your photo and title to start building visual interest. Play with placement before you adhere anything down so you can find the most pleasing arrangement.
Step 5: Embellish with Puffy Stickers
Continue building out the layout with some puffy stickers from the kit. These add another dose of dimension and a playful, tactile quality to the page. Tuck a few near your focal point and let others wander toward the edges to keep things feeling balanced and natural.
Step 6: Tuck in Grunge Brick Texture Pieces
Cut the grunge brick background twice from teal cardstock using the April 2026 Grunge Brick Texture Background Metal Die. Tuck one piece behind the upper right corner and one behind the bottom left corner of your folded background. This adds extra texture and a pop of color peeking out from behind your layers.
Step 7: Add Punched Birds and Hand Stitching
Punch some little birds from white cardstock and add them to your layout for a sweet, airy detail. Then pierce holes and add some hand stitching to bring in that lovely handmade touch. The stitching connects your elements and gives the eye a delicate line to follow across the page.
Step 8: Finish with Nuvo Drops
Complete your layout with orange and teal Nuvo drops from your stash. These glossy little dots echo the colors throughout your page and add one final layer of dimension. Place them in small clusters and along your stitching to pull the whole design together.
Products Used in This Tutorial
About the Designer
Anke Kramer
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