Ali Edwards's Blog, page 8

Storyteller Kit 01 | Special Guest Jill Drangsholt

Hi friends! Jill here. When I saw the papers in the Fun Storyteller Kit made from Ali's mixed media, I knew it would be perfect for telling the story of my most recent crafty retreat. Perhaps you also have a crafty retreat, get together, or crafting related story to tell? It could even be a story about your craft room or supplies! 

The numbered 6x8 paper was the perfect home for all of my stories from the weekend, and I paired that with one of my favorite photos (looking into the crafting space from outside) on the other side. One of the circle die cuts paired with some basic info typed on my typewriter made for the perfect title. 

I took a lot of photos of my friends and the gorgeous house so I decided to use the 12 paper with the multi-colored scalloped rectangles to hold my photos. But I didn't want one large block of photos, so I decided to cut it into 4 6x6 pieces to make a grid that paired the photos with squares of mixed media. I used an old Becky Higgins page protector for this but you can easily create this on a 12x12 canvas. 

I also cut up the 12x12 mixed media paper to fill the other alternating pockets. I love how the light peachy background gives the eyes a bit of rest from the multi colored rectangles and photos. I was excited to figure out that the mixed media paper also made a perfect home for some mixed media pie charts that we made during the retreat. I hated covering Ali's artwork but it was such a perfect fit that I went for it anyways. I made sure to include some of Ali's art on the back side though! 

One of the advantages of cutting my papers into grids was that I was able to rotate one of them so that I could fit in a few horizontal photos! 

I used a few of the pieces from the kit (the little labels and "evidence of something fun" strips) to create visual triangles on my pages. 

I love how this project turned out and how it fits into my Project Life album! Check out my video below for more on my design process. 

You can follow along with Jill's other crafting adventures on Instagram (@jill.drangsholt).

Stamps Are Fun 03 | Ali's Project 02

Sharing another project idea using our newest Stamps Are Fun 6x8 stamp set (03). 

Something I wanted to try with this stamp set was the idea of radial flowers coming together to create unique shapes. 

A little like snowflakes but made with flowers! I stamped these using StazOn ink on vellum for my project. 

Let's dive right in to the process video: 

And here's a look via still images: 

This project is a two-page, 11 inches wide x 8.25 inches tall project that will live in my 2025 story album. I will be creating on the back of the vellum within the album adding another story later this month. 

As you can see above, this project started with creating the background pattern on the vellum using outline flowers from this stamp set. On top of that custom background paper I added a series of circles and photos to tell my story. 

I used an older stamp set that has a bunch of outlined, half-filled shapes to start my circles. I used a 2.5 inch circle punch to punch those out before using the Birthday Story Stamp (we have some of these in stock) on top. I curved the "a birthday story" and "celebrating you" on my stamp block to fit this particular circle. Next I added the floral outline stamp before running my circles through my sewing machine with some dark pink thread. 

I punched a Storyteller pattern paper for the title and added some stickers from my stash for her age and initials. I then used a 3 inch circle punch to punch white cardstock circles as a base for my journaling and photos. Those circles get overlapped when I adhered the circles to my background pattern vellum. 

I love how that spread turned out! 

When I first started working on these Stamps Are Fun projects I did some warm-up stamping in a variety of colors. I ended up punching those out with a 1 inch circle punch and plan to add them to a project soon. Loved adding in a couple stamped on vellum too for a texture variation. 

Have fun playing with this set! 

SUPPLIES
Stamps Are Fun 03Storyteller Kit 01Vellum AED InksBirthday Story Stamp SetCircle Background Stamp Set (similar)Pink Puffy AlphaWhite Alpha Thickers2.5 Inch Circle Punch3 Inch Circle PunchWhite CardstockSewing Machine Rolling Date StampBasics via Amazon Storefront

Stamps Are Fun 03 | Ali's Project 01

This month's Stamps Are Fun set features a bunch of flowers with filled in versions and outlines. 

Stamps Are Fun is a monthly stamp subscription that features a 6x8 stamp set. Some months include words, some months are illustrations, and some are a mixture of both. 

One of the first things I knew I wanted to do was create some kind of frame using the flowers. I did some warm up stamping first and then stamped a border using a bunch of green inks from Tim Holtz around the outside of a pattern paper from last year's travel collection. Love stamping on top of these prompt papers to make them my own. 

Let's dive into the process video: 

Here's a look at the full spread: 

Get out some of those prompt papers in your stash and stamp on them! It's so fun to play like this! 

I cropped my photo into a circle in Photoshop before printing it here at home. Black + white worked so well with all the greens in the stamping. 

From my 3x8 paper stash I found a number list with the green stripe on the bottom and stitched that to my first page to document a few of the basics from this Saturday morning. 

I'll be back tomorrow with another project idea using this stamp set. 

SUPPLIES

Stamps Are Fun Set 03
Travel Pattern Paper Pack (currently marked down)
Past 3x8 Prompt Paper
Pen
Peeled Paint Distress Oxide
Pine Needles Distress Oxide
Lucky Clover Distress Oxide
Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide
Shabby Shutters Distress Oxide
Forest Moss Distress Oxide
Twisted Citron Distress Oxide
Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide
Rolling Date Stamp
Sewing Machine
Basics via Amazon Storefront 

New Releases | March 2025

Welcome to a monthly overview post of our available subscriptions this month, including our brand new monthly 
Stamps Are Fun, the next One Little Word® Mini Kit, and a new chapter of Pieces Of Life: Pieces Of You. 

STAMPS ARE FUN | 03

Stamps Are Funand features a 6x8 Stamp Set designed by Ali and shipped to you each month. 

This subscription does not include class content but will be supported through blog posts sharing ideas for using the stamp sets each month. Some months the stamp set may be aligned with the theme of the 
Storyteller Kit but mostly they will be a fun, random assortment of words and shapes. This monthly physical stamp subscription includes the digital version of the stamp. 

Here's the pricing for this monthly subscription: 

$20.99 - 12 month commitment 
$23.99 - 6 month commitment

$28.99 - month commitment

SIGN UP HERE

*Digital version of the stamp is included in subscription price.

Ali will be sharing process videos for these projects later this week on the blog. She also used the Birthday Story Stamp in this particular project.

STORIES BY THE MONTH 

Our 
Stories By The Month kit continues with the this selection of items: 

This subscription includes 4x6 and 3x4 cards in paper and vellum, chipboard, sticker sheet, and an embellishment. It also includes access to a classroom. 

SIGN UP HERE

Here's an overview of the kit this month: 

INSPIRATION BY THE MONTH (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS) 

If digital is more for you in this season we've got you covered. This subscription includes the digital Stories By The Month kit and access to the SBTM classroom. 

SIGN UP HERE

This kit is also available to physical Stories By The Month™ kit subscribers as an Add On.

ADD ON 3x4 STAMP

We've been offering an 
add on 3x4 stamp option regularly but haven't always included it with these posts. Ali had a chance to play with the April set to create some custom 3x4 cards - she paired the stamp with a pattern paper from the Storyteller Kit and 3x2 images. She'll be adding her story and putting these into page protectors in her 2025 10x8 album. 

ALPHAS ARE AWESOME | #24

We've got a new 
Alphas Are Awesome (#24) and this year we are also offering a coordinating 4x6 Numbers Are Awesome set. 

Physical kit subscribers can add these to their box for no additional shipping. There are available to Add On (for physical kit subscribers) and are also now available in the shop.

SHOP 6x8 + SHOP 4x6

Here's a look at this stamp in action: 

QUARTERLY STORYTELLER CLASS (DIGITAL KIT + CLASS)

Our physical Storyteller Kit is at capacity and is currently waitlisted. 
Click here to join the waitlist. 

If you'd like to join us in the classroom for inspiration + ideas you can sign up here.
The Storyteller subscription includes the digital kit seen below. 

This is $24.99 and is a quarter to quarter commitment (
you don't have to commit to all four kits but if you want to cancel you need to reach out to our Customer Service Team). 

SIGN UP HERE

ONE LITTLE WORD® 2025 | MINI KIT 02

Our next One Little Word® Mini Kit is now available. Here's a video overview of the contents: 

Learn more about this quarterly subscription here. 

NEW CHAPTER IN PIECES OF LIFE: PIECES OF YOU  

We've got a new Pieces Of Life notebook available: Pieces Of You. 

Physical kit subscribers with a kit releasing this month can add items from this collection to their box. 
It's also available here for everyone. 

We've got a notebook, stamp set, and cute little  available with this release. 

More information about this release and when Ali will be documenting in April can be found here.

In Case You Missed It | March 07

Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest
In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:

TENTATIVE 2025 PROJECT + PRODUCT SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE

Earlier this week on the blog Ali shared our 2025 project schedule. Recently we've been encountering some unexpected delays in manufacturing which is inviting us to be more fluid in our release/project scheduling (the reason why we've been holding off on sharing a more concrete schedule). Head there now for our rough schedule and a few general notes. We’re excited about the year ahead!

PIECES OF YOU COMING MONDAY

The next chapter in our Pieces Of Life collection will be available on Monday, March 10th with our monthly kit releases. Physical kit subscribers will be able to add the notebook, stamp, and pin to their kit shipment. If you aren't a physical kit subscriber you can purchase these items from the shop. Ali will be documenting her Pieces Of You using a new notebook + seven categories/story sparks during the week of April 14th. Head to Ali's post now for photos and more. 

ALL NEW STAMPS AVAILABLE NOW

New in the shop are eight stamp sets, in both 6x8 and 3x4 sizes. Physical kit subscribers can add these to their box and have them ship with their kits. These are also now available in the shop (and ship free through February 17th). Ali's been working on projects that incorporate some of these stamps. She'll be sharing the process videos that go along with them later this week. Head to the blog now for more images and a few sample projects from Ali. As always, digital versions of all of these stamps will be available the first Friday of March. Shop stamps now. 

STORYTELLER KIT CLASSROOM UPDATES

Earlier this week our second round of inspiration went live in the Fun Storyteller Kit classroom. Have you checked it out yet? We have more incredible story planning from @lindalovescreating, and gorgeous hybrid inspiration from @denine2, a beautiful page idea from @nehlan.has.a.plan, and a stunning traveler’s notebook spread from @circleplusarrow. You don’t want to miss these projects! Stay tuned for our community sharing coming March 12th. We’ll have more details on how this will be structured later.

FEBRUARY REVEAL

Earlier this month we revealed our newest kit and stamps.  For February we have our next installment of our Stamps Are Fun set, we also have a brand new Stories By The Month™ kit, a new Alphas Are Awesome set, as well as a handful of fantastic new stamps that subscribers can add to their box now! ⁠Head to Ali’s blog post for all the details about this month’s release.⁠

MARCH DIGITALS 

The first Friday of every month we have a new digital release available in the shop. Play with scale, recolor objects, add journaling, print multiples…the sky is the limit when playing with digitals. Shop digitals here. 

As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!

Pieces Of You | Coming Monday, March 10th

Ready for the next chapter in the Pieces Of Life project? 

The next chapter in our Pieces Of Life collection will be available on Monday, March 10th with our monthly kit releases. Physical kit subscribers will be able to add the notebook, stamp, and pin to their kit shipment. If you aren't a physical kit subscriber you can purchase these items from the shop. 

Ali will be documenting her Pieces Of You using a new notebook + seven categories/story sparks during the week of April 14th. As always you are invited to join this documenting adventure or participate during a time that makes the most sense for your own like.

Here's a look at the prompts: 

Our Pieces Of Life projects come in a fun notebook with the prompts already outlined for you. 

Ali stores two chapters in one felt folio. Here's a video overview of the new notebook + a quick look at some of the past chapters!

This week Ali's been sharing a look back at her past notebooks on Instagram. You can see those videos here or you can check out the archives with all past posts from these projects (including images and process videos). 

Here's a list of the physical past chapters still available in the shop and a link to all the digital versions: 

Pieces Of Joy Notebook Pieces Of Joy StampPieces Of Us Notebook Felt Folio Digital versions of past notebooks + stamps

Project Life® 2024 | Week 43

You know that feeling when you are getting close to wrapping up a project? 

I've got nine weeks left in my  Project Life 2024 album and I'm so excited to wrap this up + make space for more new projects.

When I get close to the end of a really big project like this one I end up focusing on keeping it simple. For this project that means filling in the pockets and not feeling like I want/need to add lots of extra stuff. There are times I love doing that and times I'm just motivated to be at the end. Riding the waves as always! 

Here's a look at the process: 

Here are a couple of up close images: 

For this spread I decided to do something similar to last week where I'm collecting most/all of my words onto one card or pattern paper. This gives me more space for photos and simplifies the process in the way I want right now!

SUPPLIES
9x12 Page ProtectorsOctober 2024 Stories By The Month™ KitBasics from my Amazon Storefront 

In Case You Missed It | February 28

Happy Friday, friends! Welcome to the latest
In Case You Missed It. Just a reminder that this is a quick post that will happen every Friday afternoon with all the updates and links that have happened throughout the week. So, let's get to it:

TENTATIVE 2025 PROJECT + PRODUCT SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE

Earlier this week on the blog Ali shared our 2025 project schedule. Recently we've been encountering some unexpected delays in manufacturing which is inviting us to be more fluid in our release/project scheduling (the reason why we've been holding off on sharing a more concrete schedule). Head there now for our rough schedule and a few general notes. We’re excited about the year ahead!

PIECES OF YOU COMING SOON

An item from our Pieces of You collection has been delayed and is not yet in the warehouse. Because of this delay, we are pushing back our release that was scheduled for this week. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we navigate complex manufacturing logistics. Please stay tuned for our new launch date. We will absolutely share the new date as soon as we have updated information. ⁠

ALL NEW STAMPS AVAILABLE NOW

New in the shop are eight stamp sets, in both 6x8 and 3x4 sizes. Physical kit subscribers can add these to their box and have them ship with their kits. These are also now available in the shop (and ship free through February 17th). Ali's been working on projects that incorporate some of these stamps. She'll be sharing the process videos that go along with them later this week. Head to the blog now for more images and a few sample projects from Ali. As always, digital versions of all of these stamps will be available the first Friday of March. Shop stamps now. 

STORYTELLER KIT CLASSROOM UPDATES

Earlier this week our second round of inspiration went live in the Fun Storyteller Kit classroom. Have you checked it out yet? We have more incredible story planning from @lindalovescreating, and gorgeous hybrid inspiration from @denine2, a beautiful page idea from @nehlan.has.a.plan, and a stunning traveler’s notebook spread from @circleplusarrow. You don’t want to miss these projects! Stay tuned for our community sharing coming March 12th. We’ll have more details on how this will be structured later.

FEBRUARY REVEAL

Earlier this month we revealed our newest kit and stamps.  For February we have our next installment of our Stamps Are Fun set, we also have a brand new Stories By The Month™ kit, a new Alphas Are Awesome set, as well as a handful of fantastic new stamps that subscribers can add to their box now! ⁠Head to Ali’s blog post forall the details about this month’s release.⁠

FEBRUARY DIGITALS 

The first Friday of every month we have a new digital release available in the shop. Play with scale, recolor objects, add journaling, print multiples…the sky is the limit when playing with digitals. Shop digitals here. 

As always, we’re so grateful to have you all as members of this community! Thanks for joining me today and have a great weekend!

Project Life® 2024 | Week 42

Today I'm sharing the next spread in my 2024 Project Life album. 

Ideas to note: 

This one is mostly photos and a couple 4x6 sentiment cards. Sometimes it's so nice to just fill the pockets with mostly photos. 
To make sure I got some words into this spread I added a 6x8 pattern paper from last year's Travel Collection. This paper worked so well to gather up some details about the images I have in the pockets. 
Rather than add embellishments on my photos this time I just used a pen to add a little detail to each photo. 
This one has a few inserts including a 6x12 insert for additional photos and then a couple 6x8 pages adhered back to back. 
Make it manageable + don't forget that you can do it different than you've done it before!

Let's dive into the video: 

Here are some images: 

The sentiment card added to the pocket here is from the Savor Story Kit (we do have some of this kit available). 

I grabbed one of the pattern papers from the 2024 Travel Collection to hold my story. I love this set of papers + they are currently on sale in the shop if you missed them last summer. I stamped the numbers on top of the paper before adding my journaling. That particular number set is sold out but here's a link to an option in a similar size. 

I'm loving that collected journaling on a 6x8 insert idea. 

This was a spread I put together using the Grit Story Kit (in stock + available). Sometimes I add stories like this into this project and other times they go into a 6x8 album. I don't stress about where they end up too much. 

The journal card on my Northern Lights photo is from a past One Little Word® Mini Kit. 

SUPPLIES

Travel 2024 7x8.25 Pattern Papers (currently on sale)
Number Stamp Set (similar to shown above)
Grit Story Kit
Savor Story Kit
One Little Word® Mini Kit (2024 No. 1)
9x12 Page Protectors
October Stories By The Month 2024
Basics via my Amazon Storefront 

Ali's On Substack

Here’s to making time + space for the things we want to do creatively, professionally, and personally in 2025. Sometimes we’ve got bandwidth for adding stuff and other times we are barely hanging on by a thread and subtracting makes a whole lot more sense. I’ve been in both spaces and I bet you have too. 

In 2025 I decided that I wanted to start a personal writing weekly writing project over on Substack. I'm calling it Echoes + Evidence. 

On that platform I plan to share stories from the past (echoes) + stories from today (evidence). I’ll likely cover topics such as creativity and using our hands and being in the season we are in right now. Sometimes I might simply write reflections about everyday life (and those words might end up on a scrapbook page) or look back on a past event in my life. I’ve been taking notes over the years (kept in Evernote + my Notes app) of topics and stories I’d like to explore when I had some space and time. I’m feeling curious about diving back in to those beginnings to see what I can excavate as I challenge myself to write more.

Join me over on Substack here.

You can subscribe for free or choose to support this project for $5 a month/$50 year. Paying subscribers have access to the complete archives, chat + comments, and occasional subscriber only posts. 

My hope is that this newsletter can be your weekly reminder to write something down. Once a week for 52 weeks would be 52 stories told from this year. Use the email landing in your inbox as a way to prompt writing down a few basic details from your life right now as I share thoughts + reflections from mine. 

Thank you for considering supporting me in this project.