The Madness of March: ScrapHappy Style

Picture of Lindsy Cummings
Lindsy Cummings

March…the month of leprechauns & basketball, time changes & Pi Day, and showers & flowers. Of course, in ScrapHappy Land, it’s also the month of Calvinball. That’s quite the roster! Spring has sprung and everyone’s ready to get a little wild.

This month, the blog team is letting loose, having fun, and getting a little rebellious. Adventures in life can also lead to adventures in crafting, so today I’m sharing a few playful ways to shake things up. I hope you’ll consider embracing your inner creative “March Madness.” I’ll even be sharing an on-theme scrappy challenge (with an accompanying PDF) at the end of the post.

You don’t need a tournament bracket to know you’re the true MVP of your craft space. Here are some tips to help you get your head in the {crafty} game.

Go Big

  • Use an oversized title or element that dominates the page.
  • Include large photos. Think 5×7, 8×10, or even full-photos as your background.
I like BIG cut files and I cannot lie...

Go Bold

  • Use unexpected pairings when choosing prints, ephemera, or photos.
  • Use the more intense and dominating patterns from your stash.
  • Ignore scale rules to combine tiny prints with oversized bold patterns.
  • Create unexpected embellishment clusters.
This layout features a variety of bold prints and florals, along with lots of layers. There's even tags that pull out of the top ephemera cluster.
Have fun with photo filters, which can add unexpected flair. And, don't be afraid to make your layouts interactive (like the flaps that open on this layout).
A mixture of bold patterns can add intensity and style.

Mash-Up Collections

  • Don’t be afraid to clash collections by mixing brands, themes, or even seasons.
For this layout I mixed three collections, and I used carnival-themed ephemera for a page about books.

Break the "Rules" on Purpose

  • Use the B-sides. Flip papers you “weren’t supposed to use” and build your whole layout around them.
  • Create an off-center design to shift your focal point way off balance, or place elements on a tilt/angle.
This version of a layout uses subtle pastels and a neutral background. The 6x6 papers are layered on a slant, creating unique visual appeal.
This second version of the layout incorporates a bold floral background, along with the flip-side patterns of the 6x6 papers. It offers a completely different look!

Use the "Wrong" Supplies Creatively

  • Take holiday leftovers (such as hearts or snowflakes) and use them as abstract or layered elements.
  • Create journaling card collages or leftover alpha sticker backgrounds.
  • Use packaging as intentional design pieces.
These cutie "leprechauns" are technically St. Paddy's Day themed, but mixed with other patterns/elements you'd never know.
I repurposed a glassine envelope - that ephemera I'd purchased came in - to create an interactive pocket/flap element in this mini folio.

Participate in Challenges

Many brick & mortar stores, designers, companies, online scrapbook groups, and in-person/virtual crop events develop challenges to inspire us.

  • You can participate in ScrapHappy’s very own Calvinball and LOAD challenges. Calvinball is held in our ScrapHappy Community every March (and is free for everyone). LOAD challenges run every February, May, and October (and can be purchased individually or through a yearly membership).
  • Consider One Little Word or December Daily opportunities, hosted by Ali Edwards.
  • Try The 100 Day Project, a global art project originally started by Michael Bierut that has continued to grow thanks to Elle Luna & Lindsay Jean Thomson.
  • iNSD events will be happening the first weekend in May.
  • Be on the lookout for colour/palette inspiration boards, Scrap-BINGO games, or sketch challenges.
Many of the virtual crops I attend include sketch challenges or pre-designed layout kits. That helps pages like this come together quickly! The fun part is, since crop participants feature different photos to tell their stories, no two layouts are exactly alike. This layout kit was curated by Nadine Karen Design.

Upcycle Items

  • Decorate boxes or gift bags. They make great gifts or party favours.
  • Find unique ways to store your supplies!
  • Add stamped & coloured images to unexpected items…even beer boxes!
A set of earbuds came in this little slider box.
Now it holds paperclips.
This mix & match to-go box for cans was a solid kraft colour before I decided to decorate it.
Now it's a "fancy schmancy" way to hold my beer, and gave me an excuse to use one of my cute stamps.

Go Ahead...Add That Random Item!

In my opinion, nothing beats Calvinball energy! It’s the most unpredictable, chaotic, and ridiculously fun scrapbook challenges of the year…and it gets me geared up like a seasoned competitor entering the creative arena. The best thing about Calvinball is, although it encourages you to add what might at first seem like random techniques/items, it’s really just pushing you to elevate your project.

  • Take the extra time to use a border punch, distress an edge, or round a corner.
  • Add that shamrock, flower, unicorn, banner, touch of gold, or…avocado! They’re your projects.
Look at all those randomables! This layout is from Calvinball 2023. How many likely points can you spot?

Interested in finding out more about Calvinball?

Score! A Bonus Challenge

This is where I leave you with a little extra March Madness fun, no rebounds or buzzer beaters necessary. Below is a tournament-style “bracket” (a.k.a. list) of challenges to incorporate into your next set of layouts or projects. There’s no real trophy on the line, only playmaker bragging rights.

Full disclosure, although I used a lot of specific and careful prompting, I did incorporate AI technology (chatGPT) to help draft this challenge. However, I then used the best ideas to personally curate, edit, and format the final list and PDF.

Enjoy…I hope you “win!” <giggle giggle>

March Madness x Spring Break Crafty Challenge 

 

🟢 Warm-Up Round (1 Point)

  • Tip-Off Trio (use 3+ bold colors)
  • Circle Drill (add a circle element)
  • Fresh Picks (incorporate florals/botanicals)
  • Repeat Play (repetition of shapes/icons)
  • All-Access Pass (place a ticket/tag element)
  • The Line-Up (include a list)
  • Deep Bench Dig (use forgotten stash)

🟡 Sweet Sixteen (2 Points)

  • Stack the Stats (make a layered cluster)
  • Title Takeover (mix multiple fonts)
  • Game Plan (use arrows/movement lines)
  • Clear Advantage (add vellum/acetate)
  • B-Side Bracket (create a non-traditional background)
  • Out of Bounds (incorporate a non-straight border)
  • Spring Break Escape (include a travel element)

🟠 Elite Eight (3 Points)

  • Sunburst Showdown (create a radiating background)
  • MVP Moment (feature a standout memory)
  • By the Numbers (prominently feature numbers)
  • Raise the Level (create dimension)
  • Triangle Offense (showcase a visual triangle design)
  • Shine Time (include something reflective)

🔴 Final Four (4 Points)

  • Hidden Playbook (make an interactive element)
  • Shape Shifter (create a unique journaling shape)
  • Mash-Up Madness (mix collections/themes)
  • Wild Card Weekend (go a little wild)

🏆 Championship Round (5 Points)

  • Bracket Boss (make a bracket-inspired layout)
  • Headline Hero (title like a scoreboard/headline)
  • Pun Intended (use a punny title)
  • Story Slam Dunk (highlight a strong-themed story concept)

⭐ Bonus Plays

  • Stitch Assist (+add stitching detail)
  • Dot the Court (+add an embellishment triangle)
  • Color Curveball (+add unusual colors)
  • Shot Clock Challenge (+make a 30-minute layout)

Here is a printable tracker sheet to keep track of your March Madness x Spring Break Challenge! It’s just meant as a quick way to tally points, so if you want to remember the details of each challenge you will have to handwrite those in after you print.

Downloadable/Printable PDF: March Madness X Spring Break Crafty Challenge Tracker

Until next time…stay fun & fantabulous, scrappers!

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