Hi friends! I am so excited to share this layout with you today because designer Anke Kramer came up with one of the cleverest rub-on tricks I have seen in ages. Using our April 2026 Hip Kits, Anke built a beautiful travel-themed scrapbook page anchored by a big, bold tag in the background. But the real magic is what she did with the rub-ons. Instead of applying them straight to her page, she turned them into custom die cuts, and once you see how she does it, you are going to want to try it on your very next layout.
Want to create layouts like this? Our monthly kits include coordinated papers, embellishments, and supplies to bring your scrapbook pages to life.
For this project Anke pulled from the April 2026 Cardstock Kit, including that gorgeous Waterfall cardstock for her tag, plus a stack of goodies from the April 2026 Embellishment Kit like the foam phrase stickers, puffy stickers, and rub-ons. She also fussy cut some darling travel elements from the patterned papers in the April 2026 Main Kit, including the Wild Is Calling paper and the It’s Time To Go paper. Add in some hand stitching and a couple of sweet little birds, and you have a layout that feels personal, textural, and full of life. Let me walk you through exactly how she made it, step by step.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Cut a Large Tag from Waterfall Cardstock
Start by making a tag template out of white cardstock so you have a reusable shape to trace. Once your template is ready, cut your large tag from the Waterfall cardstock included in the April 2026 Cardstock Kit. Anke wanted this tag oversized so it could anchor the whole background of her layout, so do not be shy about going big here.
Step 2: Turn Your Rub-Ons into Custom Die Cuts
Here is the clever part. Instead of rubbing the transfers directly onto your page, choose a few of your favorite rub-ons and apply them onto a piece of white cardstock first. Then carefully cut each one out so you can use them just like die cuts. This gives you dimension, lets you reposition before you commit, and protects your layout from any rub-on mishaps.
Step 3: Pierce and Stitch the Tag Outline
To add gorgeous handmade texture, pierce small evenly spaced holes around the outline of your tag. Then stitch along those holes using thread in a matching shade of blue. This little detail frames the tag beautifully and gives the page that cozy, made-with-love feeling.
Step 4: Fussy Cut Leaves and Travel Elements
Grab your patterned papers from the April 2026 Main Kit and start fussy cutting. Anke cut leaves from the Wild Is Calling paper, then snipped out suitcases, flip flops, cameras, and other fun travel items from the It’s Time To Go paper. Take your time with the curves and keep a small sharp pair of scissors handy for the tricky spots.
Step 5: Build Your Layout and Arrange Everything
Now bring it all together. Place your stitched tag onto your layout, add your photos, and start arranging your rub-on die cuts and all of those fussy cut elements. Move pieces around until the composition feels balanced before you adhere anything down, layering elements so they tuck around your photos in a natural way.
Step 6: Add Your Title with Foam Phrase Stickers
For the title, Anke reached for the foam phrase stickers from the April 2026 Embellishment Kit. The foam gives your words instant lift off the page and makes the title pop. Place it where your eye naturally lands so it becomes a clear focal point.
Step 7: Add Birds and Stitch Their Trails
Punch two little birds out of white cardstock and tuck them into your design. Then, for an extra dose of texture and whimsy, stitch flight trails behind each bird. This tiny hand-stitched detail adds so much movement and ties back beautifully to the stitching on your tag.
Step 8: Finish with Playful Animal Shapes
To complete the page, scatter in a few of the animal shapes as your finishing touches. These final little accents fill any empty spots and add personality. Step back, admire your work, and enjoy your finished travel layout.
Products Used in This Tutorial
About the Designer
Anke Kramer
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