My Most Used Smash Products

I am constantly finding myself running to the craft store (my favorite is Heartfelt Creations) for the same items every week or so.  I can't seem to get enough of them! Here are a couple of my favorite Smash Book pretties that will no doubt be found in my books.

I think that any crafter can say that washi tape is a MUST HAVE. I don't know what it's best quality is...the seemingly limitless supply, the adorable designs, the uniqueness of its transparency... my favorite thing about washi tape is that the style goes perfectly with the idea of a smash book; smashing everything into one place, with no apparent rhyme or reason. Washi tape is the perfect embellishment, with its trendy patterns and thin cut, perfect for sticking down an envelope or a piece of paper. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the smash pockets!! I frequently use both the small and large size. They're great for tickets, programs, or if you're a freak about organization like me, I often find myself throwing everything from one night into a pocket. The main reason that I love these pockets though is because it gives the beholder a chance to look at something from every angle. 

Something else that I'll do with the small pockets is I will print off all my pictures in wallet size, and then write the story of the photo on the backside, then put all the pictures together in the pocket; saves tons of space on the page and adds more to that "smashing" effect that I love so much!

Small Pockets

 

 Large Pockets

 

And the best for last...drum roll...the journaling cards! I cannot stress enough how vital journaling is, in any sort of scrapbooking! What's the point of gluing some pictures on a page and showing all your friends if there is nothing there to tell the story? Someone should be able to look at your book and be able to tell what is going on without you looking over their shoulder and narrating each page. 

Which is why I LOVE the journaling cards. All the pages in every smash book is so trendy and adorable, but some of them are pretty hard to write directly on. SO these cards are perfect for telling the story. I know that it can sound a bit daunting, telling every story for everything you smash. You don't have to put every detail, just enough that it will make sense to someone looking on at the memories. Just a sentence or two, that's all you need to do!

There are TONS of journaling pads, each with different themes. I use the Quote and Blank pad most, and you may find that you fancy the Travel and Family pads. No matter which one you find yourself using most, I beg you to use them. You're making your smash book to preserve memories, and what's the point of that if you don't put the story in with it?