Hi crafters! It’s Celes here @guiademanualidades and I’m so happy to welcome you back to the blog with a new layout that feels close to my heart. I created this project using the beautiful SV Woodlands collection by Simple Stories—such a magical combination of soft tones, florals, and cozy woodland vibes. The photo I used was taken a few years ago during a very special trip to New Zealand. I still remember that moment so clearly: walking through the forest, surrounded by trees and silence, feeling completely at peace. This layout, titled “The Simple Life”, was inspired by that feeling of connection with nature, and I’m so excited to share it with you today!
The soft pinks, natural motifs, and whimsical touches in this collection felt like the perfect match for my photo and the story behind it. I knew I wanted to create something delicate, layered, and full of little details—something that would reflect the calm and beauty of that moment. That’s how the idea of building a hanging banner-style layout came together. The dimension created by the floral die cuts, ephemera accents, and textured elements adds such charm and movement to the page. It’s a design that invites you to look closer and feel the story behind it.
Layout Base:
I started by creating the structure of the hanging banner that forms the base of my layout. For the top piece, I used the patterned paper with a wood texture and cut it to 7 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" high. I gently rolled it to give it a soft curve and dimension, and it became the perfect anchor to hang the rest of the composition. To complete the banner look, I added a soft-colored ribbon tied to each end of the rolled piece—this small touch gives it the appearance of a real hanging banner. You’ll also notice that the entire composition is built with multiple layers and dimensional elements, which bring texture, depth, and a beautiful sense of realism to the layout.
Next, I cut two banner-shaped pieces to layer beneath it. The larger one measures 8 3/4" high by 6" wide, and the smaller one is 7 3/4" high by 6" wide. Both have a pointed base, with the central cut starting at 1 1/2" from the bottom edge for a clean and balanced look.
To complete the base, I added my photo—a 4" high by 5 1/2" wide landscape shot placed slightly to the right of center on the banner. It creates the focal point of the layout and ties the entire design together with a cohesive and eye-catching structure.
Now it was time to bring the entire layout to life with all the decorative elements! I selected a beautiful mix of florals, leaves, and small icons from the collection to add texture, dimension, and charm to the composition. Each embellishment was placed with intention—to highlight the layered design, guide the eye across the banner, and keep the focus on the photo and the story behind it. The soft colors and delicate accents make everything feel cohesive, warm, and full of heart.
Decorative details:
For the title, I combined a large piece from the foam sticker set with a sentiment from the Bits & Pieces Sentiments pack to create a layered and meaningful phrase that anchors the page. To frame the photo—a horizontal 4" x 5 1/2" image—I first mounted it on a piece of textured white cardstock to help it stand out from the background and blend beautifully with the rest of the composition.
I added decorative clusters using a mix of embellishments: die-cut florals created with the S4-1438 die set by Simple Stories + Spellbinders, floral elements from the Floral Bits & Pieces, icons and labels from the Ephemera Bits & Pieces, and foam sticker accents to enhance texture and height. I placed some of the clusters directly on the banner base, while others rest gently over the rolled paper for added dimension.
To create even more depth, I used 3D foam adhesive behind selected pieces and adhered others flat to achieve that lovely layered effect. A few Decorative Brads brought extra charm and texture, while the small foam pieces from the foam sticker set added pops of playful color.
Finally, I created a soft watercolor background behind some of the embellishments using Distress Oxide Ink in Victorian Velvet. This subtle touch ties the entire color palette together and gives the layout a dreamy, cohesive look. I absolutely love how each piece contributes to the story and makes the layout feel so special!
And that’s a wrap on today’s project! I truly hope this layout inspires you to play with layers, textures, and soft, heartfelt details to bring your own memories to life. It was such a joy to create and share this moment with you. Thank you so much for stopping by and being part of this wonderful creative journey. I can’t wait to meet you here again with more ideas, more inspiration, and lots of crafty fun. Sending you big hugs and happy vibes! Celes
Products:
Collection kit
Vintage basic kit
Foam stickers
Decorative brads
Floral bits and pieces
Bits and pieces
Sentiments bits
Die S4-1438
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