Hello, Shanel here today sharing a new Pretty Little Studio Design Team layout featuring our challenge for this month - Summer is a Feeling. I’m excited to share a bright and cheerful summer layout created with the Pretty Little Studio You Are My Sunshine collection. This collection is filled with the happiest colors and patterns, and it was perfect for documenting one of those simple summer moments that makes me smile—my sweet dog relaxing in a lounge chair by the pool. 

   For this layout, I wanted to capture more than just a day by the pool. I wanted the page to reflect that carefree, colorful feeling of summer, so I built my design around a large layered sunburst filled with patterned papers. 

Creating the Layered Sunburst

   I started with a patterned paper background, the Fly A Kite patterned paper from this Collection, and created a large sunburst as the main foundation of my page. I cut rays in different widths and lengths from several patterned papers in the You Are My Sunshine collection, choosing a playful mixture of yellows, oranges, reds, blues and greens. Instead of making every ray perfectly uniform, I varied the patterns and sizes to give the sunburst a more relaxed, handmade appearance. I layered the rays slightly over one another, which added dimension and helped all those gorgeous patterns work together without feeling too structured.

   The sunburst immediately brought so much movement to the page and naturally draws your eye toward the photo. I placed my photos of my pampered pooch where they could become part of the sunburst rather than covering too much of it. By adding card stock behind the photos, it gives separation from the busy background and help them remain the focal point.

   Next came the florals - I clustered floral die cuts from the You Are My Sunshine Collection Fruit Salad diecuts around the photo mixing different sizes and I used dimensional adhesive behind several of the flowers so they lift slightly from the page. I love the contrast between the geometric lines of the sunburst and the softer shapes of the flowers. These little connections help all of the different areas of the page feel like one cohesive design! Sticker phrases are scattered around the page from The Chasing Summer package and labels from Poolside Labels help the design feel more connected at the bottom of the page, both from this beautiful collection. 

   The idea behind this page really became my title and theme using a Hello Sunshine title from the You Are My Sunshine Peachy Titles. Sometimes the photos we scrapbook aren't about a big vacation or special event. They're about those everyday moments that capture exactly what a season feels like. A sunny afternoon, the pool, a favorite lounge chair—and my sweet furry friend who clearly understands how summer is supposed to be enjoyed!

   The colorful sunburst, playful patterns, florals and die cuts from the Pretty Little Studio You Are My Sunshine collection were the perfect way to capture that happy, relaxed summer vibe!

   I hope this layout inspires you to pull out several of your favorite patterned papers and combine them into one bold design. A sunburst is such a fun way to use lots of patterns on a single page.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. 

Happy creating!