Smile, You Make Life Beautiful
Deborah Lazar • October 23, 2026

Hello Pretty Little Studio friends!


I’m so happy to be back sharing another layout today! This page is titled Smile, You Make Life Beautiful, and it features one sweet photo of Hailey that just makes me happy every time I look at it. Her big smile was the perfect starting point for a bright, cheerful page filled with fun color and floral details.


For my background, I started with a piece of solid white cardstock. I love using white as a base because it gives everything a clean, fresh look and really allows the colors to stand out. To frame the page, I added a strip of the August 12x12 patterned paper to each side. Those rainbow stripes bring in so much color and help draw your eye right to the center of the layout.

I used the Fun in the Sun Word Titles for my title, pairing “Smile” with the phrase “You Make Life Beautiful.” I love how the bold black word stands out against all of the bright colors, and the sentiment was a perfect match for this happy photo.

Around the photo, I layered flowers from the Happy Blossom Die Cuts and Daisies Die Cuts to create soft, colorful clusters. I love mixing florals like this because it adds a playful, layered look without feeling too heavy. I also used the Spring Scallops Die Cuts to bring in a little extra shape and repetition. The scalloped pieces at the top, beneath the photo area and near the bottom of the page help carry your eye down through the design.

To finish everything off, I added a few Hello Sunshine Stickers around the layout for some extra little details. I also included typed journaling beneath the photo, which helped me tell the story while still keeping the overall design clean and simple.

I love how this page came together! The white cardstock keeps everything feeling open and airy, while the striped borders, colorful florals and scalloped accents add just the right amount of fun. Sometimes a simple design really is the perfect way to let one sweet photo shine.


Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this layout inspires you to start with a clean background and build up a bright, happy design with some of your favorite florals and embellishments.


Happy scrapping!

Deborah Lazar
My name is Deborah Lazar, and I live in southern New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia, with my husband, teenage daughter and our five spoiled cats. I’m also a proud mom of two adult sons who have already flown the nest. I’ve been passionate about scrapbooking for more than 25 years and love it just as much today as when I first started. While 12x12 layouts are my favorite format, I also enjoy creating mini albums and creative listing. I love attending retreats and taking classes to learn new techniques and connect with other makers. For me, scrapbooking isn’t just a hobby -- it’s a lifestyle rooted in storytelling, photo taking and preserving the little moments that matter most. When I’m not at my craft table, I work full-time as a Construction Project Manager, overseeing new store openings and remodels for a fast-growing retail brand. Outside of work and crafting, I enjoy traveling, cooking and shopping for new scrapbook supplies!