This Makes Me Happy: A Cheerful Scrapbook Layout | Debbi Tehrani

Some projects start with a photo… but this one started with a Perspextive. The “This Makes Me Happy” title practically leaped off my desk and set the whole mood for this playful, joy-filled layout. With its cheerful script and gorgeous color, it became the heartbeat of the page—inviting layers of stenciling, Rosie's Studio pretties, and all the little details that make creating so much fun.

(And in case you’re wondering why everything looks extra cute, I scrap 8×8—so the Perspextives make an even bigger statement!)

Choosing a Title with Perfect Colour & Meaning

The title pack really shines here—not just because of its gorgeous aqua hue, but because the sentiment guided my photo choice. I wanted an image that truly captured something that makes me happy, and this cheerful snapshot was the perfect match in both color and emotion. The This Makes Me Happy Perspextive pack also includes additional mix-and-match words and phrases, giving you even more flexibility to build the perfect title.

To build on that theme, I added a few of my favourite word strips from General Paper Snips 001, a go-to set packed with versatile phrases in classic Bramble Fox colours. They’re perfect for threading subtle storytelling throughout a layout without overwhelming the design.

💡 Debbi’s Design Tip: Let your title do more than decorate—use it as a creative compass. Choose photos, colours, and embellishments that echo the emotion or message of your title, and your whole layout will feel more cohesive and intentional.

Building the Background With Texture & Dark Contrast

I kicked off the design by creating a textured background using white tinted texture paste through the stencil that came in the January Fox Box Plus. The combination of text, splats, and coffee-ring circles in this stencil adds such playful detail, and I wanted the text pattern to really stand out—so I chose black cardstock as my base. The high contrast makes the stencilling pop and adds a bold, modern touch to the entire layout.

The cute tab beside the photo comes from Paper Snips 001 and coordinates so nicely with the title. I mixed in papers from Rosie's Studio Better Together, cutting them into slim strips and bordering them with the Film Strip border dies. A quick line of stitching secured everything and added that lovely handmade feel.

💡 Debbi’s Design Tip: For instant depth without bulk, try applying white or lightly tinted texture paste over dark cardstock. The contrast highlights every detail of the stencil and creates a unique, high-impact background that still keeps your page feeling light and airy.

Frames, Layers & a Heart-Filled Visual Triangle

To draw the eye toward the photo, I used stickers and die cuts from Rosie's Studio, adding a stamped frame to create a sweet little cluster. I brought in coordinating hearts from the Cool Hearts pack—an element I return to again and again—both for meaning and to help form a visual triangle that moves the viewer’s eye through the design.

💡 Debbi’s Design Tip: When layering stickers and die cuts, offset each piece by just a few millimeters. Those tiny shifts create soft shadows and subtle dimension without adding bulk.

Little Details That Shine: Patterns, Gold Touches & Retro Bits

This next cluster is all about soft elegance. I added more hearts for my triangle, plus a cute viewmaster reel from an older Bramble Fox die set. I framed one of the patterned papers for extra layering.

One of my favourite finds was a pair of old satin pink and gold photo corners. The gold tied perfectly into some of the Rosie's Studio die cuts, contrasted nicely with the aqua Perspextives, and added a gentle shimmer that draws attention back to the photo.

💡 Debbi’s Design Tip: Keep a small dish of “orphans”—tiny leftover pieces from old kits. They often end up being the perfect unexpected detail.

A Sweet Kitty, Final Sparkles & an Extra Visual Triangle

The darling kitty cat sticker from Rosie’s Studio Frolic collection completely stole my heart and added a perfect sweetness to my layout. I outlined her with a thin black pen to help her stand out, then nestled her among a few more Rosie's Studio embellishments and another word strip from the Vintage Paper Snips.

One of my habits is leaving my layout overnight before calling it done. In this case, that pause helped me see where a few sparkly brads would bring everything together. I added them in three spots to form yet another visual triangle.

💡 Debbi’s Design Tip: When a small sticker or die cut feels a bit lost in your layers, outline it lightly with a fine-tip black pen. That tiny touch instantly gives the piece definition and helps it pop without adding any bulk.

Creating this layout reminded me how much meaning a single title can bring to a page. It was a pleasure to build this design around such a cheerful sentiment. Between the playful stencilling, the warm Rosie's Studio details, and the bold Bramble Fox title, this page truly makes me happy.

Until next time… may your crafty moments be filled with colour, joy, and tiny things that make you happy.