*I bought the kits myself and these thoughts are my own*

For the first time since I started scrapbooking I got my first kit. I have always questioned them. If they were for a clean and simple scrapper like me. I decided to try Studio Calico’s kits. Well I love hexagons and so I decided to try the 35mm kit. I also decided to get 2 add-ons: Leica and Holga. I was most worried about Holga and all the pink, and really it was an impulse purchase. I put it in my cart went back to the front page and saw sold out. So I decided to keep it.

I got my kits on the 10th and the first thing I did I ohh and ahhed and took everything out of the bags and put them all together. I stamped the stamps and a sample of each washi for my binder, and then I stared at it. Having no idea what to do. Well I need to make Mother’s Day cards. Then I pulled out a couple of photos to play with.  Mainly some recent Instagram photos. I pulled some kraft cardstock for a base (I’ve been using that like crazy lately) and some of the main kit papers. I pulled my new Adventure stamps (love these!)  and I started a layout about my love of Starbucks Black Tea. I’ve filled my instagram account with photos of it.

Here are the first layouts I did: They’re small, but if you click on them you’ll see them larger.

4 layouts! In like 4 days. I did add something from my stash to every layout. Layout 1 was just some twine, layout two was all that ribbon and the tiny alphas, layout three was just a couple buttons and silver mist, and the 4th layout are some heart brads.  I need to add some journaling strips to layout 4, but I’m not sure what I want to say yet.    The biggest thing I did with the 35mm kit. I cut apart the memory file folders from Heidi Swapp. I knew I’d ever use them as one piece, but cut apart I’ve used them on 3 layouts so far. I need to dive into the papers more, some are so beautiful I’m afraid to cut into them.

I am loving the kits. I’m already finding that I’m using embellishments more, enjoying the process of laying and planning a layout before putting it together, and playing with colors and products I would never have thought about buying.  So far I’ve made 2 cards and 4 layouts and I still have a ton of stuff left. My plan is to keep it all together until I’m down to bits and pieces or after 2 months. (So I can easily pull it from my stash for newer kits)

The big question though, would I subscribe. I think so. I’ve watched Studio Calico kits for the last 4 months and I’ve liked every month’s main kit and almost always at least 1 add-on. (most months 2) This month was just the first time I thought about it at 9pm on the 28th when I could buy.  The downside of subscribing the cost. I spent just over $100 this month on the 3 kits and stamp set. If I still lived in Georgia where I didn’t have a great LSS nearby I wouldn’t question if it was for me, but it would effect how much and what I end up buying from my LSS and that’s really the question I have to figure out.

Thanks for reading and happy crafting! <3 Ann