Using Tags & Journaling Spots in Mixed Media & Scrapbooking

Tags and journaling spots are one of the most versatile and essential elements in scrapbooking, junk journaling, and mixed media art. Whether you’re building layered scrapbook pages, creating mini albums, or designing expressive layouts, they provide structure, texture, and storytelling space in a way few other products can.

They are a place to write, hide, layer, and reveal — or simply allow design elements to breathe within your composition.

At Scrapping Clearly, the range of tags, die-cuts, journaling pieces, and Luckyfindings designs from leading creative brands makes it easy to build depth, detail, and storytelling into every project.

Why Tags Matter (and How to Use Them)

Tags are more than embellishments — they are functional storytelling elements that help shape your page.

They can:

• Add journaling space
• Create focal points
• Build interactive pockets
• Anchor embellishment clusters
• Introduce texture without bulk

With a little mixed media layering, a simple tag can become so much more. It can be a focal feature, a hidden journaling pocket, a cluster foundation, a textured collage surface, or even the starting point of a mini artwork.
Add paint, stamping, collage papers, stitching, and layered ephemera, and even the simplest tag becomes something richly dimensional.
Often, it’s the smallest element that carries the most story.
Once you start thinking of tags as storytelling tools rather than just embellishments, everything opens up. The base you choose can completely change how a page develops — whether you prefer raw mixed media layers, delicate detailing, or bold expressive clusters. This is where inspiration turns into creation.

      Curative Collective Team member Lisa Oxley

Tag & Journaling Spot Inspiration – Scrapping Clearly

At Scrapping Clearly, you’ll find a wide range of tags, journaling spots, die-cuts, and creative bases designed to suit every style. From raw surfaces ready for paint and ink through to decorative pieces and Luckyfindings designs, everything is designed to help you build layered, meaningful compositions.

Let’s break it down so you can quickly find what suits your creative process.

Classic & Mixed Media Base Tags

Best for: altering and building from the ground up

Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Salvaged Tags
Dina Wakley Media Square Tags &  Media Metal Rimmed Tags
Dyan Reaveley Dylusions Journal Tags
7gypsies 97% Complete range
selected LUCKYfindings foundational pieces

Decorative & Designer Tags

Best for: fast, themed, cohesive page building

Art by Marlene Luxury Paper Tags
Heidi Swapp Tags
Fancy Pants Designs Gift Tags & Labels
STAMPERIA themed collections

Journaling Spots & Ephemera Layers

Best for: layering, tuck spots, and storytelling details

We R Memory Keepers Vellum Tag Pockets
49 and Market Die-Cut Elements & Ephemera Packs  

Journaling labels

Fabric & Specialty Tags

Best for: texture, contrast, and mixed media depth

Cedar Lane Metallic Thread Fabric Tags
Fabric embellishment tags
LUCKYfindings specialty mixed media substrates

Luckyfindings Signature Designs

Best for: storytelling and layered composition work

Assemblage Tags
Mini Curiosities Tags
Curiosities Tags 
Groundworks imagery sheets
Artist Trading Collectives

These are more than tags — they are story fragments designed to be layered, altered, and reimagined.

DIY Tags & Stamping Systems

Best for: complete creative control

Dina Wakley Perforated Tag Stamps
Darkroom Door frame & label stamps
Stencil + stamp combinations that create tag shapes

Layering Tags: Where the Magic Happens

The magic happens when you start combining elements.

• a painted or stamped base tag

• a die-cut journaling piece

• a Luckyfindings mini tag

• a vellum or transparent layer

Try layering:

Then add stitching, inked edges, staples, or torn paper to build a rich, dimensional cluster.

Curative Collective Team member Rox Boyce

Final Thought

Tags aren’t just an accessory — they are a storytelling device.

They hold words, memories, fragments, and feeling… and when layered with intention, they can carry the entire emotional tone of a page.

Ready to Create?

Click on the link below to head over to the shop and start exploring the full range of tags, journaling spots, and Luckyfindings designs in the Scrapping Clearly store and start building your own layered stories today. 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - 5 Ways to Add Texture Without Using Texture Paste

 5 Ways to Add Texture  - Without Using Texture Paste

Showcasing our Design Team’s creative brilliance

Texture doesn’t have to mean thick mediums and heavy tools. Some of the richest, most engaging pages are built using clever layering and surface detail. Here are five texture techniques — along with inspiring examples from our Scrappingclearly Design Team — that you can recreate with products available in the Scrappingclearly shop.

1️⃣ Layered Ephemera Clusters – Tracey Beer Style

Ephemera clusters add instant dimensional interest without bulk. By stacking tickets, tags, die cuts, and focal pieces, you create visual depth that draws the eye.

Featured example:
In this layout, Tracey places a variety of ephemera beneath and around the photo, using foam tape to lift key elements and create shadow play. Notice how the layered bits guide your attention toward the story.

Tracey has used on her page - Lucky Findings Imagery - It's a gal thing , Dylusions spray inks , Letter stickers, Stencil with Dina Wakley paint (Sky), Stencil with Bo Bunny glitter paste (Bubblegum), Vicki Boutin ephemera, Heidi Swapp stickers (Sun Chaser and Carefree), 49 & Market diecuts, Heidi Swapp puffy  stickers (Favorite Things) & Heidi Swapp dipped tags

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2️⃣ Rub-Ons for Subtle Surface Detail – Emma Zappone Magic

Rub-ons are ideal for adding texture that doesn’t interfere with bulk — they sit right on the surface and feel naturally integrated.

Featured example:

In this piece, Emma applied delicate rub-ons across the background and edges, adding subtle visual texture that complements stamped details and layered papers. The effect is soft, rich, and unifying.

Emma has used on her page - 

Lucky Findings Imagery Sheets, Rub ons

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3️⃣ Stencil with Ink Instead of Paste – Tracey Lea Henly Inspiration

Stencilling with inks or paints through a stencil gives you repeated patterns and visual texture — without adding physical height.

Featured example:

Tracey uses a patterned stencil with distress inks to create a subtle background pattern that ties all the cluster elements together, adding implied texture and movement.

Tracey has used on her page - 

Tim Holtz distress inks in Hickory Smoke and Tea Dye , Tim Holtz stencils and Aall and Create ephemera

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4️⃣ Torn & Distressed Paper Edges – Georgia Arthur  Edge Play

Don’t underestimate the power of rough edges! Tearing, inking, sanding — these small moves create a tactile, organic feel.

Featured example:

Georgia tears and inks several layers of patterned paper, adding a raw, earthy texture that suits the theme beautifully. The distressed edges lead the eye inward toward the focal point.

Georgia has used on her page - 

 49 & Market plum grove, papers, this gorgeous imagery Little Peacock from LuckyFindings.

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5️⃣ Paint for Organic Movement – Lisa Oxley Expressions

Whether it’s painting, dry brushing, splattering, or scraping, paint introduces variation and energy across the surface.

Featured example:
In this example, Lisa uses a acrylic paint with stencils to add movement behind the main elements. The paint marks provide contrast and visual texture without heavy buildup.

 Lisa has used on her page  - 

 DWM Black Gesso,  Ranger Dylusions Square Journal,  DWM Bee Hive honeycomb, gelli plate, Inktense ,  beehive stencil, DWM Gesso,  Prismacolour pencils,  Darkroom Door background stamp,  fudeball black pen, splatter girl stamp, Dorlands wax medium

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Texture Is More Than Thickness

True texture comes from contrast, layering, repetition, shadow, movement, and intentional detail — and our Design Team has shown us gorgeous ways to achieve it in every style.

Take inspiration from these examples, swap products from your stash, and layer boldly.

Until next time enjoy the process, lean in to the chaos of creativity

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November Newsletter: Gratitude & Reflection

 November is here — and we’re feeling all the creative gratitude

After the incredible energy of the ScrappingClearly Artistic Anarchy Retreat, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate everything our amazing community has created and shared. This month’s newsletter is packed with inspiration to help you capture those thankful moments in your own creative way.

Inside you’ll find:

• Journalling ideas & prompts to inspire reflection

• Product spotlights on journals, pens, tags & stamps

• Tips for mixing handwriting with printed journalling

• Curative Collective Artist Highlight

• New products 

It’s a month to slow down, create with purpose, and appreciate the stories that matter most.

Follow the link to our Scrappingclearly Share & Inspire Facebook page to read the newsletter in its entirety 

NEW RELEASE – Luckyfindings: DRACULA Collection

Something darkly beautiful has arrived... and it’s ready to sink its teeth into your creativity! 

🖤

Introducing the Dracula Foundations, Foundation Fragments, Curiosities & Snippets - a hauntingly gorgeous new collection from Luckyfindings, designed to stir your imagination and inspire your next mixed media or journaling project.

Think rich gothic tones, moody textures, vintage ephemera, and just a touch of the macabre — perfect for layering, collaging, and storytelling in your own unique style.

Available now in-store and online — but beware… these treasures won’t last long once night falls.

 

Everything About Her was Excotic - By Lisa Oxley - Curated Collective Creator 2025

This mixed-media layout is a stunning fusion of ornate vintage elegance and contemporary surrealism, centering on identity, mystique, and feminine beauty. Anchored by a single, unforgettable portrait and surrounded by botanical specimens and Victorian motifs, the piece evokes a sense of curated wonder and quiet strength.

Key Visual Elements

1. Central Portrait – The Exotic Muse

The focal image features a woman in ethereal blue — strikingly adorned with dramatic eye makeup, floral headpieces, and a tulle-like collar. The tone is regal, melancholic, and commanding.

   •   Her icy gaze and stylized appearance create a sense of distance and mystery.

   •   The overall colour tone of the portrait blends perfectly with the surrounding blue hues, making her feel embedded in the environment.

2. Butterfly Specimens & Ephemera

Surrounding the portrait are several cut-out butterflies, in soft blues, creams, and silvery greys — giving the sense of a vintage entomology plate or specimen wall.

   •   These butterflies symbolize transformation, fragility, and collection, reinforcing the “private collection” theme.

   •   Tags and labels such as “Private Collection Specimens” and vintage handwritten numbers enhance the natural history archive aesthetic.

3. Delft-Style Damask Wallpaper Background

The rich blue-and-white floral patterning mimics vintage ceramic or porcelain designs (think Delftware or chinoiserie) and adds a sophisticated, baroque quality to the piece.

   •   This background reinforces the sense of ornament, tradition, and heritage.

   •   The repetition of blues across both portrait and backdrop creates visual unity.

4. Metal Hardware Corners

Antique bronze photo corners frame the journal edge, further enhancing the cabinet-of-curiosity feel. These add weight, dimension, and texture — grounding the delicacy of the butterflies.

5. Caption – Emotional Anchor

The simple caption beneath the portrait reads:

“Everything about her was exotic.”

This line offers a poetic yet complex frame — suggesting a perspective of admiration, objectification, or intrigue, leaving space for viewer interpretation.

Mood & Message

This piece walks the line between beauty and documentation, as if the subject is both admired and studied — exoticized and preserved. It speaks to themes of:

   •   Feminine mystique

   •   Preservation vs. presence

   •   Beauty as rarity

   •   Strength in solitude

Perfect For:

   •   Art journaling with a botanical, vintage, or identity-based theme

   •   Mixed media lovers exploring portraiture and pattern interplay

   •   Inspiration for curating personal pages around “collections” of self or memory

   •   Artists interested in combining modern faces with vintage formats

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2025 - SPOOKY & GRUNGE

 If You Haven’t Seen It Yet – Our October Newsletter is Here!

It’s packed with inspiration and tips to spark your creativity! Inside, you’ll find:

• Creative Challenges – Join our Moodboard, Sketch, and Weekly ATC Prompt Challenges.

• NEW Luckyfindings Halloween Release – Make your layouts dynamic, eye-catching, and truly your own with our spooky, creative Halloween designs.

• Guide to using pastels – Fresh ideas to elevate your layouts and mixed media projects.

• Storage Wars  – See what hints Amanda has for you in her informative posts.

Follow the link to our Scrappingclearly Share & Inspire Facebook page to read the newsletter in its entirety and get inspired for your next project!

You Don't Need Approval - By Lisa Oxley Curated Collective Creator 2025

This bold and emotive mixed-media art journal spread is a celebration of self-worth, resilience, and unapologetic expression. Anchored by the empowering message “Remember, you don’t need their approval,” the piece radiates strength through vibrant colour, powerful portraiture, and layered symbolism.

 Key Visual Elements

1. Central Portrait – The Fierce Muse

At the heart of the piece is a digitally enhanced or hand-collaged portrait of a woman draped in rich blues, adorned with floral embellishments and butterfly accents. Her steady gaze and face partially painted with vivid blue mark her as a symbol of defiance, self-possession, and power.

   •   Expression: Calm, confident, and assertive — she doesn’t seek permission to exist fully.

   •   Palette: Blue dominates the figure, contrasted by warm skin tones and deep shadows to create emotional depth.

2. Monarch Butterflies

Floating around the composition, the vibrant orange monarchs provide a stunning contrast to the dominant blue hues. Butterflies traditionally represent transformation — here, they suggest freedom from societal expectation and personal growth.

3. Botanical & Natural Motifs

Painted and collaged blue foliage sweeps through the layout, softening the intensity with delicate, organic balance. They connect the composition to nature, grounding the emotional energy with calming structure.

4. Layered Collage & Ephemera

Elements like measuring tape, textured edges, vintage paper scraps, and photo frames create a scrapbook-meets-fine-art aesthetic, rich with symbolism:

   •   Measuring tape = judgment, comparison, standards

   •   Antique embellishments = heritage, memory, feminine power

   •   Blue painterly strokes = expression, release, clarity

5. Typography – The Affirmation

“Remember, you don’t need their approval.”

Positioned subtly beneath the focal portrait, this quote acts as a personal mantra — a quiet but unshakable declaration of self-trust.

GET scrapping with LUCKYfinding Foundations! ~ Amanda

 Hello to our Scrapping Clearly fans!

Whilst I love art journals and tags, I started my crafty journey as a Scrapbooker. My go-to will always be creating scrap pages.

Last year, Kylie released LUCKYfindings Foundation paper kits - AH-mazing designs printed on all different papers. 

I have made a few different arty projects with Foundation kits, but today I am sharing the scrapbook pages I have made. LUCKYfindings Foundation kits are the perfect start to a scrapbook page, and such a great way to add layers and interest.

New page to share today: "Forever" - created with Typo Market

"Last photos with Lulu" - created with Atelier

"Goodbye" - created with Sweet Kiwi

"The best day" - created with Aubergine Dream

"Splendid" and "Kiwi kids" - created with  Bursted Oceania

"All Snug" -  created with Aged Vine.

Have you got some LUCKYfindings Foundations? Time to get cracking and create some Scrapbook layouts today!

Amanda