Did you know if you are a Magic Key Holder (annual pass holder) or you purchase a photo pass for the day you can have your picture taken professionally at any of the areas that have photographers stationed at Disney?! You could also hand them your phone and ask them to snap a picture with it.. most of them oblige. But… why do that when they can take it on their camera and super impose images into your photograph? After they take the photograph on their camera they scan your pass link and your photos appear on your Disney app within minutes. Sometimes with little surprises in it! One hundred percent worth it. On this day we stopped to take a picture at the front of Disneyland, they super imposed a Mickey pumpkin in our hands and it could not have made me more happy.
Now to complete this album page. For our base we took a grid paper and stamped the pumpkin images on it. Using the technique “2nd generation stamping” I stamped the images on a scratch piece of paper first before stamping on the grid paper to have softer look. By rotating your stamp image in different directions and going slightly off the paper, it makes for an amazing background pattern.
The date stamp is important to me. I always try to incorporate the date somewhere on the page. My favorite version of it is stamping the date stamp until the ink is faint. It almost gives it an ombre look.
The Boo to you ephemera ties into the ears I was wearing for the day, they were bat ears! I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate bats in the design while not overpowering the pumpkins.
I wanted to bring a little height to this side of the layout. This balloon cluster was perfect! Well almost perfect.. if it only had some bat balloons in it! Still loved what it brought to this side of the photograph.
Let’s talk pumpkins, or jack o’lanterns! Whatever you are calling them they pretty much are the symbol of Halloween! This word strip anchors the bottom of the page.
Adding the pops of color with the dimensional stickers is just what this design needed. A little bit of dimension and some bright bursts of color. By adding the stars we were able to tie in the purple in our outfits in the picture as well.
Do you want to see of process video of how this all came together? You can watch it on our channel on YouTube here. And you can find all the products used in this layout here.
The first day of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resorts is a big deal. Like take the day off work, plan an outfit, big deal. It’s the first official day that all of the Halloween offerings begins. The seasonal merchandise, the themed food, the outrageous desserts, and the Halloween photo opportunities. I took my first Mickey pumpkin picture of the season, despite the record temperatures that day I tried to wear a festive outfit. What is not pictured is the fan I wore around my neck all day long!
Now to turn this picture into a festive page.
Halloween Magic Traveler’s Notebook Page
Striped paper from Paper Person worked as a perfect base for the page.
This pumpkin is from the ephemera pack called This is Halloween from Social Paper Plan.
The puffy stars add dimension and pops of color. They coordinate perfectly with the paper. The word strip sticker is the pop of green color need, and the phrase sums it up. The word strip sticker is from Social Paper Plan.
No page is complete without the stamp date! It is simple page that perfectly encompasses the day!
What better way to see the projects I create, than a video version of it. Yes! Finally a real time version of my creation process. What tools I am using, what products I am working with, and the thought process that goes along with creating. I invite you all to subscribe to my YouTube channel and be first to see my videos.
What can you expect from the channel? Process videos of my Disney albums, paper crafts, stationery store visits and also some fun Disney park experiences mixed in there.
Follow the link above to go straight to my channel or you can search Social Paper Plan on YouTube. I currently have 24 videos up for you with more on the way.
I would love for you to join me on this video journey! Let’s have some fun with this and help me spread the word! I am so excited!
I think one of the most quintessential summer vacations is to be had at the desert. Think Palm Springs for a minute… bright colors of the homes, the lifestyle, the sparkling pools, against that desert sand backdrop. Or what about Joshua Tree, or Death Valley? Those muted tones, the rich sunsets, and the vast desert flora… just breathtaking!
How would you document your adventures in your traveler’s notebook, planner, scrapbook or journal, using the same stamps on completely different outings? Can it be done? You bet it can!
What stamps am I working with? Social Paper Plan’s new Out West Stamp collection.
First up, Pocket Pages.
Pocket pages scrapbooking is a form of scrapbooking in smaller sections to complete a whole page. Instead of using one big 12×12 inch page as your background, you can now design in small sections, making completing pages more manageable.
Also used to compete this project was the digital download that was printed to fill in some of the pockets. Adding stickers or stamping on your pictures enhances your design as well. It truly makes creating a scrapbook less daunting with all of the things that are offered to help you create. This layout was created in less than 10 minutes.
You can chose to get creative with your design layouts as well. Because it was so effortless to create the first page, I took my time to add a few elements to this design layout. These stamps are perfect for any desert landscape, or tranquil setting.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
These 3×4 inch sections can be divided up into sections or your design can overflow into the next section.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection Social Paper Plan Out West Digital Download
Traveler’s Notebook
Designing in a traveler’s notebook layout allows you to use one or two pictures, and plenty of room for journaling or adding embellishments. They are no constraints as to what size your pictures have to be (as in the pocket page style you must use 4×6 inch or 3×4 inch photos), even though smaller is best in this case.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
This style allows you to focus on the main picture and work around adding embellishments to enhance your design not overtake it.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
You can chose to stamp directly onto your paper, or stamp onto clear sticker paper and add it to your design. I have done both here.
Planner – Memory Planning
These stamps are designed for smaller spaces, that will allow you to use them in areas like your planner, or on handmade cards or gift tags.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
This Out West Collection is so versatile, we just used it on our trips to Joshua Tree, Sedona, and now we are using it on a Disneyland layout.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
There are so many succulents and cacti all around Disney if you really look! This stamp set was absolutely perfect for this memory planning spread in my Happy Planner.
Social Paper Plan
I used the stamps as a background for this second spread. Instead of using black ink and coloring each image in, I used two different shades of green and left the outline. I like the boldness it gave the layout.
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
Make sure to mask off the out sections when stamping your background. I used washi tape all around the page to mask off where I did not want any stamped images to be be. After removing the washi tape you are left with this stamp design.
Journal
I loved using one of the leaves design in my journal. The outline of the leaves allowed me to color in the leaves. It added a subtle look that I love!
Social Paper Plan Out West Collection
I cannot wait to try this same technique in the fall with different colors leaves.
Handmade Card
These stamps are so perfect for handmade cards! Like I mentioned before, the size of the stamps make it perfect for these projects.
Social Paper Plan
You can stamp directly on your project or stamp on clear sticker paper, either way is a win win for me!
Hope these ideas gave you some insight on how versatile this collection really is! You can find them here. Happy creating!
You have decided to visit Disney World, what now? Where do you begin? First thing first! What time of the year will you be going? What is your budget going to be? Once you have decided those two things, you are ready to begin!
Pop Century
If you are not use to humidity, Florida’s summers can be brutal. In fact the majority of the months have humidity, but the summer’s humidity can take its toll on you. I would try to avoid hurricane season and summer. Hurricane season starts in June with the worst months being August and September, and could last until November. I like to schedule my visits between November and early May for great weather.
Art of Animation
I have been in September, and the heat and the humidity tire you out faster making your days shorter. We stayed on property and took advantage of early morning park entry to the parks. We were at the parks by 7:00 in the morning and did the majority of the rides, went back to the room during the height of the heat, and then returned to the parks in the evening when the sun set and cooler temperatures were out. During the warmer months this is something to consider. Making sure you are hydrated and cool is most important.
November, January, and February have been my favorite months to visit. Perfect weather, great deals, and in November you can see the Christmas decorations!
Now you have what month you would like to visit, and you have your budget… let’s book a room. I would tell you to stay on property 100 percent of the time, I am a big believer in all the amenities Disney has to offer. Being fully immersed in your vacation is the way to go. But, with COVID other hotels and amenities have been brought into consideration, and they are making staying off property look pretty good!
Staying on a Disney property meant you were able to access the Magical Express at the airport. You do not need to organize a shuttle to your hotel, nor do you have to grab your luggage! Disney sends luggage tags to your home to tag your bags, once your flight lands your bags are whisked away and put in your hotel room. Once you check your luggage at the airport upon departure, you will not see them again until you enter your hotel room! You then load onto your Magical Express bus and it will take you to your hotel on property, for free! Not having to lug your luggage all around the airport looking for your shuttle to take you to your hotel and shelling out extra money is priceless! Not to mention they do the same thing on your return flight home! They drop off tags for your bags to your hotel room the night prior to you leaving, tag your luggage then drop them off at bell services. They will make sure they make your flight home, and they arrange the Magical Express bus time for you back to the airport. It really is magical. Note that this service is ending at the end of the year, they will no longer offer it after this year. Big disappointment, this was one of the selling points for me.
Another selling point for staying on property was Magic Bands! They were free band they would send to your home prior to your trip and was the key to everything! You do not have to go to the front desk to check in, your Magic Band is your hotel key ( they check you in when you land so you can go straight to your room when you get of the Magical Express). You link your credit card on it and you can pay for almost everything in the park on your Magic Band! Your Photo Pass is also linked to your band. This is the last year they are sending Magic Bands to you for free, after that you will have to pay for them.
Magic bands
Staying on Disney property also allowed you extra hours at the park before opening. Another huge selling point! To be able to get in the parks before they open allowed you to ride all the rides that other wise would have long lines. During COVID they are not honoring early morning park hours for hotel guests.
Shopping! Yes, even shopping has staying on property advantages! I love being able to shop at the parks and not have to lug it around with me all day. If you make a purchase in the parks you can have it delivered to your hotel. As long as it isn’t the day before you are leaving, during the rest of your stay shop all you want and your shopping packages are delivered to your hotel. Each night when I returned to my hotel I would stop at my hotel gift shop and pick up the items I purchased that day throughout the parks. I think I spent more knowing I didn’t have to carry it around all day. You know how heavy those mugs are!
Polynesian Resort
Transportation around the property is free! Staying on property has it’s advantage and this is one of them! Buses, monorails, ferries, Skyliner, and walking trails are some of the ways to move around the property. Busses are available at all Disney resort hotels. I am sure other hotels offer the same service, but not as frequent as the Disney buses, you can always find a bus!
Monorail Hotels: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, The Contemporary
Skyliner(gondola) Hotels: Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, The Riviera, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk
Now keep in mind the boats, Skyliner, and Monorail don’t go to all the parks. The Monorail from the resorts will only take you to the Magic Kingdom (unless you access the monorail from the Transportation Center, you can take the TC Monorail to Epcot). The Skyliner will take you to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, the boats depending on where you are will take you to Epcot/ Hollywood Studios, or Magic Kingdom. You can only take buses to Animal Kingdom. Ubers, or Lyft prices fluctuate depending on time and demand. It could be up towards $100 on some days just getting to your off property hotel a couple of miles away. Please keep this in mind. Renting a car is always an option but you will have to pay a fee per night at the hotel as well as parking each day at the parks.
Yacht Club
Another advantage to staying on property? You are close! You are tired at the end of the day, staying on property means you’re a little closer to all the magic! Not to mention every property has a bus that will take you to Disney Springs. You defiantly wan to go to Disney Springs a few times on your trip, there is so much to see and do and eat there!
The Grand Floridian
Disney has hotels they call “Good Neighbor” hotels that offer almost the same advantages as the Disney resorts without the hefty price. They are usually close to the parks as well. They offer shuttles, not like the Disney hotels, in fact a lot of them advertise park shuttles but what it really means is they drop you off at Disney Springs and you have to take the Disney bus going to a Disney hotel and take a bus from that hotel to the park you want to go to. That’s a lot of buses! Read your fine print or ask for an explanation of their shuttle system. Some offer “Early Morning Hours” like the Disney resorts (even though the are not offering it during COVID). Biggest draw to staying at a Disney Good Neighbor Resort is honestly the affordability. The rooms are less expensive you can stay longer.
Another thing to consider is where and how will you be spending your time? Do you have a few days to take advantage of the pool and other resort activities? Do you just need to place to sleep and shower? Will you be visiting other parks like Universal? Take all of these under consideration. If you have some days to space around the resort splurge a little and get one with a nice pool, great restaurants, and other activities. I have stayed at a hotel closer to Universal for two days once when I was going to do the Universal Studios Orlando and Island of Adventure, after doing the math on Ubers it was cheaper to get a room for the night right next to Universal and walk to the parks. After we checked into a Disney resort for the rest of our stay. I only did it this way because I was already in Orlando and would not be needing the Magical Express for the beginning of our trip. I needed it for the end of our trip so it made sense.
So many decisions! I have stayed at off property hotel – Gaylord Hotel, Good Neighbor Hotel – Hilton, and on Disney property – All Star Sports, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. I have been super pleased with them all. They fit my needs at the time.
All Star Sports
This will be an ongoing series of posts. I hope this article helped get you thinking as to where you want to stay when visiting Walt Disney World. This is just the beginning!
The combination of brands that are being combined to make these works of art is genius! Long gone are the days of sticking to one brand for creating a whole card. Now, creators are putting together scenes with one brand, using characters from another brand, and adding texture with another.
If the scale is right, go for it! Stamps that would otherwise be used in journals, planners, bujos, or memory keeping are now pairing well with characters from many beloved stamp brands made for cards. If the perportions are correct, its game on!
Like a game of paper dolls, dressing adorable critters have become all the rage. Everyone loves a cute bear frolicking in the forest, but now you can make that cute bear at Disneyland, on Main Street eating a churro!
Jenn from @cre8iveli on Instagram created not one, not two, not even three, but four scenes on one slimline card for the next spotlight. Using critter stamps from Mama Elephant and scene stamps from Social Paper Plan she made the perfect theme park day scenic card. Pandas, kitties, sloths, and bunnies are all pretty cute on their own, I think we can agree on that. But place those animals in front of Disney rides and we have taken our love for them to a whole new level. I mean really… a panda and a sloth riding the teacups, just precious!
Long gone are the days of being exclusively brand loyal on one card. Sure, sometimes it just works out that you don’t have to use any other stamps from any other companies to make your card, you have all you need in one stop! On the other hand when you start to combine forces with stamps from everyone to make one masterpiece, it really comes alive! You have then created a unique handmade design like no other.
Thank you to our three card artist who take the time to create these works of art for us, but most importantly thank you for sharing them with us! Your creations have inspired many others as well. Veronica, Mari, and Jenn, you are all creatively brilliant!
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