Smartphone Treasure Challenge - White Space (June) with NBK-Design

Welcome to a new creative journey with me, Nicole from NBK-Design!

Hi everyone!
I’m so excited to introduce you to something special: the very first Smartphone Treasure Challenge.
Each month, I’ll invite you to discover small everyday moments through your smartphone lens — and turn them into meaningful scrapbooking art!
This month’s theme is White Space – the magic of “less is more”.

What is this month’s challenge about?
We live in a busy world, but often it’s the calm, simple moments that hold the most beauty.
This challenge is about finding peace in simplicity — and letting your photo breathe with open space around your subject.

Your mission:

• Find or create a calm scene where your subject has lots of empty or clean background space.
  
• Capture it with your smartphone — no fancy camera needed!
  
• Create a layout that feels minimal and peaceful.

How to take your “White Space” photo:
Here are a few ideas to guide you:

• Look for simple backgrounds: A wall, sky, clean floor, plain table.
  
• Frame creatively: Place your subject off-center, leaving a lot of white or empty space.
  
• Choose quiet subjects: A book, a flower, your cup of tea, your cozy socks.
  
• Use natural light: Morning or evening light is perfect.
  
• Focus on calm, not perfection: The simpler, the better!
• Here are some white space photos from Pinterest:
• https://www.pinterest.com/mcurtt/white-space-photos

You can take your photo with any device you love — your smartphone, a digital camera, a tablet, an iPad, or even a scanner.
Whatever helps you capture your creative moment best!

Add some journaling:
Bring your layout to life by adding a few words about your quiet moment.
Here are some examples you can use:

• This morning, the world felt slower. I watched the light spill across the floor and just breathed.
• There is a certain calmness in doing nothing at all. I let the silence wrap around me today.
• The small, quiet things often hold the greatest peace.
• Today, I found beauty in a simple moment: a cup of tea, a deep breath, and a little bit of sunlight.

Or you can simply choose a quote or a Word art that fits the feeling:

• Sometimes less is more.
• Breathe. Pause. Begin again.
• White space is where the magic lives.
• Stillness speaks. – Eckhart Tolle
• A blank page is full of possibilities.

Coordinating Products Selected by My Creative Team:
Here are some product suggestions that fit the White Space theme beautifully:

• artCrush #72 {Artsy Bits & Papers - options}
• Shine Like a Sunflower {Collection} OPTIONS
• artCrush #61 {Out of the Box Frames}
  
• artCrush #86 {Artsy Bits & Pieces}

(Feel free to mix and match these or explore other NBK-Design products that inspire you!)

For your layout, be sure to include a white space photo. And if you would prefer, place your white space photo on a white space layout. The choice is yours. Have fun with it! See where your creativity takes you.

Sample layout from Marilyn:


How to participate and win:

• This challenge runs from June 1 2025 through June 30 2025.
  
• Two lucky scrappers will be randomly chosen to win a $8 coupon to the NBK-Design store.
  
• You must use 100% NBK-Design Products.
  
• ️ Post your layout in the NBK-Design Gallery and in this Challenge thread.
  
• Link your layout from the gallery into your forum post.
  
• not a must: Tag me on Instagram at @nbk_design so I can showcase your work in my stories!

The winners will be notified via Direct Message (DM) in the forum.
The coupon will be sent via DM and will have a valid time to use — so don’t forget to check your messages!

Stay inspired & connected:

• NBK-Design Newsletter: Subscribe here
  
• Newsletter Archive: Find past issues here
  
• NBK-Design YouTube Channel: Watch tutorials and unpacking videos
  
• NBK-Design Instagram: Follow for inspiration
  
• ️The Lilypad Gallery: Showcase your layout and receive love
  
• NBK-Design Shop: Explore all products

Final words from me:
Life moves fast, but beauty often hides in the quiet, open spaces.
With the Smartphone Treasure Challenge, I want to encourage you to slow down, look closer, and capture the small, peaceful moments that might otherwise slip away.
I know that not everyone wants to be in front of the camera or photograph their family every day.
This challenge is about learning to see your daily world differently — to notice the simple, powerful moments around you and give them a place in your layouts.
Let’s celebrate the magic of quiet spaces — together.


This Challenge is hosted by my lovely CT Member Marilyn (@mcurtt).
She will be here to help you, answer your questions, and guide you through the challenge if you need any support.

Feel free to reach out and ask anything —
we want you to feel comfortable, inspired, and ready to create!

 

Wonderful layouts you have all created