Me and paper crafting kits go WAY back. Once upon a time what I loved about them is that someone would coordinate supplies to go together. I could add as much (or as little) as I liked for my specific projects but I could get coordinated, beautiful products often times things I didn’t know existed nor could I find locally.
These days kit clubs have truly evolved and become so much more – and today I’m going to share some of my thoughts, tips, and explore the four options the wonderful company Gossamer Blue offers. OH yes, and they were so generous that I’ve got a kit to give away so be sure to enter!
Where to begin? When looking at a kit club I look for product types that are useful to me, and I look for unique products I can’t get myself easily. If all I wanted was just coordinated product, I’d just buy from one specific line/brand. Kit clubs can (and sometimes do!) take it way farther with unique offerings and also design teams that share projects and video tutorials to inspire you further.
Today I’m using a Traveler’s Notebook kit from Gossamer Blue to work in my 6×8 pocket page scrapbook album. You can see (and purchase) that kit here. I’m mixing it up like this because I wanted to prove a point. The life pages kit would have been perfect (and easy!) for me to use but I really want to show that you can take any paper craft kit and make, well, anything you want with it!
Gossamer Blue offers four different kits: Life Pages, Planner, Traveler’s Notebook, and Scrapbooking. I could use any and all of these kits for any and all paper crafting of course. Their kits are filled with exclusive product which is a HUGE selling point for me because it means this is unique “can’t find in shops” product. My recommendation with ANY kit club is to look at the contents, and see which variation(s) are actually the most useful to you. I’ve created a video to share with you as I walk through this simple page and also go over what I’m loving about these kits on YouTube.
As much as I could (and would love!) to keep all these beautiful kits to myself (mwahaha) I’m going to share them…
But before we get to that – let me share a couple of tips for purchasing kits:
- Don’t fall in love in general – view specific elements consider them separately. Would you buy them?
- Do consider what item(s) you tend to use, and if the kit contains types of items you use (or don’t use)
- Do consider purchasing one at a time/a la carte vs subscribing if you don’t use a ton of supplies each month
- Do consider the support/inspiration such as blogs, videos, etc.
I’m a “one at a time” kind of kit purchaser. Which does mean sometimes I miss out if they sell quickly, but that’s ok. Some months I purchase 2-3 various kits. Some months I purchase no kits from anyone! It works well for me, while for others having a beautiful kit every month automatically come in the mail works well.
As for this particular page – it’s actually the first (of MANY) in this album about our recent NYC adventure. I am a HUGE 6×8 fan for when you want a binder/album but 12×12 is just too big. Or when you want minimal decoration/fuss and maximum story telling fun. Before I end this post I will share a few top tips for adding your own supplies into kits:
- Don’t treat a kit as something other than a grouping of supplies. Be open and willing to mix & match!
- Consider what the kit doesn’t have. What isn’t there? White cardstock? gold mist? kraft paper? What are your go-to items? Add those.
- Work on a one project at a time basis. As you create, feel free to add in, mix, match, and otherwise customize.
Kits make our crafty lives fun – so have fun creating with them!
Give away time!
One lucky winner will receive the June 2017 scrapbooking kit (so beautiful! so full of goodies!).. but wait there’s more! A second lucky winner is going to receive a surprise kit! For your chance to win simply leave a comment on this post. Winners will be announced on July 16th in the round-up post here on my blog.
I will be back creating more with these kits here on my blog – in addition to the ongoing Camp Scrap event. So stay tuned!! Thank you SO much to Gossamer Blue for supporting Camp Scrap and for sharing a give-away.
And thank YOU for tuning in to Camp Scrap, for your wonderful comments, and for being a part of this fun adventure!
