Inspired | Nicole Samuels

One of my favorite places to go when I'm running low on creativity is my "scrap inspiration" board on Pinterest. It's full of ads, graphic design images, craft techniques, and color palettes and often just what I need to jump start a layout. Plus, it's fun to push myself creatively every once in a while and try something new. That's exactly what I did on my page today. I found this image on Pinterest and just loved it.

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I decided to use it as a large frame on my layout. Here's how I re-created the look with paper:

1. Cut strips from a variety of coordinating patterned papers. The strips should measure 1/4 inch x 7 1/2 inches. I cut mine so that I had 4 strips of each pattern. I used 8 different patterns (although some were just front and back patterns on the same paper).

2. Use 4 matching strips to form a square as shown below. Allow the edges to overlap about 1/2 inch. Adhere the first completed square to your background paper (centered).

3. Make more squares with the remaining strips of paper and adhere to the layout as shown below, turning each slightly as you go until you create a circle in the center of your page.

4. Embellish the circle center with veneer and cork circles accents, a photo, and some stickers.

Supplies: patterned paper - Studio Calico Atlantic Atlantic City, Montauk, Bridgeport, New Haven and Scarborough; stickers - Studio Calico Atlantic 12x12 Sticker Sheet and Glittered Star Stickers; veneer - Studio Calico Atlantic Burnished Circle Wood Veneer; cork - Studio Calico Atlantic Cork Circle Stickers

Sometimes my Pinterest-inspired pages are direct interpretations of something I've pinned, like the example above. Other times, I might be inspired by a technique I've pinned, the colors used, or a design/pattern. There's really no wrong way to let inspiration strike. :)

If you haven't joined Pinterest yet or haven't used it for scrapbooking, give it a try! Start an inspiration board of your own and start pinning things that catch your eye. Also, be sure to follow Studio Calico on Pinterest for extra inspiration!