The Start of our 52 Dates Journal / Smashbook

Can I be a little honest with y'all? We're all friends here, right?

When I first got the idea to make a "smash book" "52 Dates Journal" I was SO NERVOUS! Would I do it wrong? Is there a right way to "smash book"? What does one need to smash book and how is it any different than a scrapbook?  I have been asked by a few people to help explain it to them and here you go: how I am smash booking our "52 Dates Journal"!

First main difference from scrapbooking: We got a cute journal from an etsy shop with 60 blank sheets of paper, sized 8"x8". I just didn't like the backgrounds on the pages in the Smash* Book books available, so we're making our own. You could use a sketchbook or buy your smash book at any craft store or I've even seen them at Target!

I was ready to "smash" things in there from our dates. I prepared a fun little table of stuff in the living room so I didn't have to lock myself away in our craft room and still work on it in the evenings:

• fun pens and markers to journal (not pictured. I use the markers from Stampin' Up though!)
• stickers (we bought some for dates we knew we were going on and I started a box adding some stickers I had a stash of already)
• journaling die cuts
• mini envelopes (to tuck movie stubs or other tickets into)
• baker's twine (I had a stash of various colors and can't wait to add a few more new colors! You can find it just about anywhere now, but I use The Twinery and order in packs!)
• washi tape (you can find this all over etsy and even in Target!)
• buttons (I had a few containers of the Designer Buttons laying around from Stampin' Up)
• ribbon
• glue dots (again from Stampin' Up- although I think you can find them just about anywhere!)
• double-sided tape
• a box to stash it all in (again, found in an etsy shop: Sticker Stop!)!

You certainly can use anything you have laying around! You don't even need too many embellishment things to get you started! {I plan on writing about all of my pages either when I talk about our dates or in a different post! I'll try my hardest to include links to everything I use if I ordered it online!}

For my book, first thing first: A super simple "cover page"! Ok, well, I skipped this, but will be working on it today since I feel like all scrapbooks need one! Something I can add onto if I want or leave it alone if I feel like it. I'll be sure to share all about it once it's "done".

I took the monthly view of calendars from my Erin Condren Life Planner and used them as the first double page spread. I figured I could put little heart stickers on the days we went out, or circle them, highlight them... somehow distinguish our date schedule.

Die cut hearts from Paper Dozen

Washi Tape: from the Masking Sticker Set in Tin from Sticker Shop

As you can see in my calendar pages: you literally just "smash" them into your book. No fussing with pages the way you would in a fancier scrapbook. I think I'm doing it right? Smash books are a bit messier, if that makes sense. In my craft room, this smash book will be more dimensional than any of my flat pages scrapbooks. I can't wait to show you how my book progresses!

If you're a "smash booker" I'd love to know if you write about it so I can make sure I'm following along for creativity inspiration! If you're not a smash booker, I think it's a super simple way to keep some memories! I hope you're inspired by my smash book project to maybe start one of your own! Feel free to find more inspiration on my pinterest board: "My Journaly, Smashbooky, Scrapbook"

*I was not compensated from any company mentioned above.