Secret Garden Fast2Fab™ Album Secrets Revealed

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one scrapbook item, what would it be? Go on, take a moment to think about it… but don’t think too hard! What I’m getting at is, what is your can’t-live-without Creative Memories product? Mine is the Fast2Fab™ Album, without a doubt. The Repositionable Tape Runner Refill and the Border Maker System follow closely behind, but the Fast2Fab™ is simply outstanding. Take a look at what I created!

I gasped out loud when I ripped the packaging off the new Secret Garden Fast2Fab™ Album and paged through it. Breathtaking colors and beautiful watercolor floral designs were a feast for the eyes. You must see this one in person!

I have created a few layout examples that illustrate my favorite ways to use the predesigned layouts and some tips to easily overcome challenges. You’ll see a before-and-after photo for each of these three layouts.

To create these layouts you’ll need:

• Secret Garden Fast2Fab™ Album
• Secret Garden Paper Pack
• Secret Garden Stickers
• Peacock Blue, Royal Blue and White Cardstock
• Cherry Blossom Punch
• Teardrop Lattice Border Punch
• Scallop Burst Border Punch
• Original Border Maker System with Dancing Daisies and Scallop Dot Border Maker Cartridges
• 12-inch Straight Trimmer
• All-Purpose Scissors
• Black Dual-Tip Pen
• Tape Runner with Regular and Repositionable Refill
• Foam Squares
• Peekaboo Pockets

Layout 1: Simple Borders

My favorite way to personalize a Fast2Fab™ layout is to add a simple border to the top, bottom or side(s).

Using the Scallop Dot Border Maker Cartridge, punch two borders with Peacock Blue Cardstock. Trim each to 1″ wide and adhere to the bottom of the layout. Using the Dancing Daisies Border Maker Cartridge, punch two borders each with Royal Blue Cardstock and aqua designer paper. Layer them over the scallop dot borders as shown.

After placing the photos, journal as desired. I created a “journal box” using strips of White Cardstock (4-1/2″ x 3/8″) and edged on top and bottom with sticker bars.

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Layout 2: Clever Coverups

Sometimes my pictures just won’t work with the predesigned boxes. I really prefer having several pictures on a page. In this case, the two vertical boxes didn’t work with my four photos, so I arranged the photos over the boxes and covered up the little white space showing with cherry blossoms and stickers. I carried the arrangement over to the opposite page to tie it all together.

Again, I added a border to the bottom. Punch out a border with the Teardrop Lattice Border Punch and cut it in half lengthwise. Adhere to the bottom of the pages, cut-side down. Add Foam Squares to the border stickers and mount on top as shown.

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Layout 3: Waterfall Pockets

Peekaboo Pockets™ are a new fave! I love how they allow me to add more photos to a layout without it getting too crowded.

To create this spread, mat photos with White Cardstock and mount on the spread. Using the Scallop Burst Border Punch, punch a border with purple, aqua daisies and White Cardstock. Trim each to 3″ wide. Layer as shown and adhere to the right side of the layout.

Cut a 4″ x 6″ piece of designer paper and journal. Add a sticker bar to the bottom. Adhere to the lower left quarter of the page layout. Slip on page protectors.

For the pockets, fill the backsides with vertical photos. Trim the three front-facing photos to 4″x 4″. Cut pieces of designer paper to 4″ x 2-1/4″. Apply a bit of tape to the top 1/4″ of the paper pieces, adhere the bottom edges of the photos on top to measure 4″ x 6″. Add a bar sticker and title to the top one. Slide into the pockets and mount.

Tip: Mount the bottom one first, directly on the page protector, covering the journal box. Mount the second pocket, layering so just the paper piece is showing, and then do the same with the top one, creating a waterfall effect.

To create tabs, cut a few scallop burst punched shapes with scraps. Trim out individual scallops with scissors, apply adhesive to the top 1/4″ and adhere to the backside of each pocket as shown.

Do you have some “secrets” of your own when working with Fast2Fab™ Albums? Please share in the comments below!