One of the challenges in the International Scrapbook Day Creative Crop at Big Picture Classes was “Create a summer bucket list to create and capture memorable summertime adventures.” I didn’t have a chance to complete that task, but I told myself that eventually I would, and yesterday was the day. Although the class is over, I still want to go back and complete some of the challenges I didn’t do, so you may see some of them here in the near future. Here is my bucket list layout for summer:
Not only do I want to stay caught up with Project Life, but I want to improve in the way I do it. I would like to see it look more stylish and cool, like the photos I see on Pinterest. Slapping a journal tag with sloppy writing onto a photo and then stuffing it into a pocket is no longer good enough. I want to have more fun with it, and make more of an effort in documenting not just the happenings of the day, but my feelings, moods, troubles, music I’m into, books I’m reading, and t.v. shows I can’t get enough of. That goes for my daughter, too. I need to spend more time listening to her, and documenting her ever-changing self. She won’t let me take pictures of her right now, but I will concentrate on other aspects of our lives in a better, prettier, more unique way. I want to see some movies, any movies (except scary ones) this summer with big buckets of popcorn (hold the butter) and huge amounts of soda; I want to go to the coast for at least one day (it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from my home), and I’m crossing my fingers and toes that I will be very busy taking an anatomy class as a pre-requisite for the nursing program. All of this I will be STRIVING for (using my One Little Word), and more (eating better, being more positive, taking risks and adventures, exercising, etc., etc.)
What’s on your summer bucket list? Why not put it on paper and decorate it all up? That would make a great vision board! Thanks for stopping by!
I know that “Scrapbook Day” was yesterday, but I’m still working on some of the challenges from Big Picture Classes, and I know I won’t be able to finish for a few more days. Oh, well! The deadline just ended for submitting projects which qualifies me to be entered into the drawing for one of the many fabulous prizes, but I want to continue to finish every challenge offered to put into my scrapbook album. I’ve been so busy with life lately that almost the only scrapbooking I’ve been doing lately revolves around keeping caught up with Project Life for the most part, so it has been nice to create some real layouts from some of my photos which otherwise would continue to “hang out” in my computer, unseen, their stories untold. It’s nice to have so many photos that I can use (I’ve been taking a lot, lately), and plenty of stories and experiences to document. I was so looking forward to yesterday, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly! Anyone else out there participate in any NSD events?
Here are the challenges I was able to complete:
Challenge #1
Challenge #2, adding more photos to a layout by incorporating a modified divided page protector.
Challenge #4 (I skipped #3 for now), using many photos using a 2-page sketch that was provided.
Challenge #5, creating a layout about someone or something you love, with a sketch provided.
Challenge #7, scrapbooking the last photos taken on my phone. I downloaded the recommended app called “Fuzel” (the free version) to create the collage, then printed it out and completed the layout from there.
I had so much fun yesterday, and the best part was the fact that it was my birthday. My birthday wish for myself was to be able to stay home and scrap my little heart out, and I really did have fun! My mom participated as well, and we texted each other to keep in touch and compare notes which made the day even more enjoyable!
When I complete the rest of the challenges I will be back to post those layouts as well. In the mean time, happy scrapping, and thanks for stopping by!
Yep, Big Picture Boot Camp is officially over. I just barely got my last drill posted yesterday; tomorrow there are drawings for some fabulous prizes for those who shared their projects in the classroom gallery. I want to win something! Okay, that’s not the only reason to get my projects uploaded, however, I didn’t want to be the last one to cross the finish line! The final boot camp section is about storytelling, and our drill sergeant is Ali Edwards. After documenting my observations of my daughter’s day, I added facts and feelings, a photo, and then created this layout about my daughter’s day, sort of like a time-capsule-turned-layout. This will be so nice to go back over and remember when she’s grown and gone. I loved Ali’s example layout; it’s very clean and simple, focusing on the story and the photo.
Now that boot camp is over, I have an itch to create and I feel so inspired by what I’ve been seeing on Pinterest. I worked the night shift at my job last night, and when it was quiet and I took my break, I watched some fun videos on YouTube by Janna Werner and Mercy Tiara. Both scrapbookers show in their videos the process they go through to create a layout from start to finish. I was mesmerized. I was also very inspired because they both made layouts not too unlike the beautiful ones I’ve been pinning onto my “Memory Keeping” board on Pinterest, and watching the videos showed me how I, too, can create something very different from what I’m used to (a much-needed stretch and work-out for the creative side of my little brain!). Once I got home this morning, I couldn’t wait to get started in my scrap studio.
I began with a photo I love that means a lot to me: an old photo of my 17-year-old grandmother that I had scanned into my computer. She just recently passed away, so I thought pulling this picture out and using it on a layout would be not only a really therapeutic way to deal with the loss, but also a chance to pay tribute to her in my scrapbook.
I started out by cleaning up the worn photo in Photoshop, then printing it out to a 3×4″ size. Next, I went through all my stash and looked for papers that would be neutral, muted, and soft, like Grandma. I then looked for any materials that could add texture to the layout. I grabbed a doily (from the bakery section at Michael’s), a piece of fabric (which came in an old Studio Calico kit from last year), a Maya Road envelope, some polka-dotted vellum (American Crafts–again from an old Studio Calico kit), thread, ribbon (a vintage piece of lacy ribbon from my other grandmother), a Tim Holtz paper clip and his Tiny Attacher and some Studio Calico wood veneer die-cut pieces (including the letters). I threw in some old bits and pieces from my stash that have been laying around way too long (for example, the monthly ledger journal card from 7 Gypsies)…this is a great way to use up old stash so you have an excuse to buy new! I basically created layers by stacking pieces on top of each other until I created a “base” I was happy with (almost like a photo mat with many layers). Before adhering to my background paper, I did some inking with Mr. Huey’s gold mist, glued down some confetti (left-overs from my hole punch) and stitched some hand-cut ‘arrows’ onto the page. Once the ‘mat’ was in place, I just started experimenting with embellishments until I was happy. A few pearl gems here and there, and I was finished. I wanted the photo to stand out from the rest of the page, and I didn’t want it to be bold or loud. I wanted subtle texture and soft colors to make one stop and think. In my opinion, my experiment was a success: I will no longer be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone, and a little messiness can be a good thing. I made lots of mistakes, but I never expected it to be perfect, and that, my friends is the secret! Make a mess. Tear something. Forget to cut the thread. Spill something. Be curious and unafraid: accidents and imperfection can lead to happy endings, after all.I think Grandma would agree.
Papers: My Mind’s Eye, vellum: American Crafts; envelope: Maya Road; tags & journaling spots: Lilly Bee, Studio Calico, Janet Hopkins, 7 Gypsies, Bananafish Studio; stamp: Inkadinkadoo; ink: Tsukineko; fabric: unk. (Studio Calico); doily: Michael’s; wood veneer die-cuts and alpha, paint mist: Studio Calico; tiny alpha stickers: Pink Paisley; brad:Basic Grey; paper clip, staples: Tim Holtz; pearl gems: Recollections; lace ribbon: vintage.
I had a little time on my hands today, and I also had a creative itch. Lately I’ve been scanning Pinterest for inspiration on layouts, and I’ve also been going back over all of the Scrapbook Trends magazines I’ve been hoarding over the years (a lot!), and I have become more motivated to create something. I have plenty of pictures, many of which have not been put into a mini-album or a layout, so I chose one that I particularly like and decided to make something different to showcase it in my album.
I had a lot of fun trying new techniques like misting over a mask (It’s hard to tell here), using vellum, and “collaging” various papers to mat the photo. For once, I didn’t scraplift or borrow anyone else’s ideas; I just came up with this on my own. Lesson learned: don’t be afraid to try new things. I never would have thought of the arrows or the doily, or misting over a mask, or making a circle with a scrap piece of paper–that was a fluke that I actually liked. I do believe I am going to have to do this “flying by the seat of my pants” scrapping more often! Thanks for letting me share, and please do come back for more scrapbook adventures!
Finally! I completed my sketches for my 28 Days of Sketches class, and I couldn’t be happier! I didn’t like being so behind, and I really don’t like unfinished projects sitting around, so I got down to brass tacks and finished the last four sketches. Whew! Here you have it, ladies and gentlemen:
sketch 25
This, I shamelessly scraplifted from Sasha Farina (I loved her take on it so much).
Sketch 26
Here again, I borrowed some ideas from Jenni Hufford‘s take on the sketch. I love her work.
Sketch 27
This is my “I-just-want-to-get-this-over-with” sketch that took maybe 30-45 minutes. Not the greatest, but I got the story on paper which is an accomplishment in itself.
Sketch #28
The photos and journaling are not centered as they should be, hence the edge embellishments being where they are.
I also haven’t been up-to-date on my One Little Wordclass, so I took some time recently to get caught up there, as well. I can show you June, July and October assignments, but the rest are a little too personal to be shown here, please forgive me.
This is June’s assignment, creating mini canvases…a chance to be creative and artistic, and I was not feeling particularly creative or artistic. I did my best!
July’s assignment, putting lyrics on cards that represent our word. Mine is serenity. I had trouble finding lyrics, so I opted for poems, and one haiku.
For October’s assignment, I found nine more photos which best represented my word, serenity. The dark photo in the bottom right hand corner is supposed to be the blue moon behind some clouds one evening back recently when the blue moon made its rare appearance.
Wow, I feel so much better, now! Being caught up means I can relax a little more….after I finish getting caught up on Project Life….(there’s always something.) Thanks for stopping by!
Being off work today, I had a little time to do a couple more sketches from 28 Days of Sketches. I’m really enjoying using sketches; it takes a lot of pressure off me to know how to start and where to begin. I’ve also seen some pretty nice sketches on Pinterest lately, and I think I’ll try some of those I’ve been seeing elsewhere, as well. Here are my takes on sketches 23 and 24 (I’m getting there!):
#23
Wasn’t entirely crazy about this sketch, but that, I’ve discovered, is part of the fun of it: take a not-so-great sketch, and see if I can make it a really great finished layout (okay, so it’s not really great….). It’s a challenge.
#24
Okay, so this sketch was also not-so-great, but I admit that this layout is even worse. Really. I had a lot of difficulty with embellishing both layouts; it seems I’m looking for things I don’t have, and discovering that I really don’t have the time or the inclination to make my own embellishments….I’m trying to save money by not buying anything new for a long while, and use only what I have. I do have a lot of things, just not what I wanted or had in mind today! Picky, picky. I’m just glad I had a chance to accomplish something and document some stories.
I hope to have something better in the near future, and thanks for stopping by!
Life has been very busy for me lately, so I haven’t had the opportunity to do much scrapping lately. I signed up for28 Days of Sketches at Big Picture Classes, and I only had a chance to do maybe a quarter of the sketches. I didn’t stress, though, I can still access the classroom and get the sketches when time permits, and this past weekend gave me the opportunity for that time (finally!). I only completed a few more layouts, but I at least there was progress. Just for fun, here they are.
I do find it helpful to have a sketch to work with when I have a blank piece of paper in front of me and no idea where to begin, and I can tweak the sketch any way I like to suit me. I have never used sketches before, but now I really like the idea of using them. I don’t have a way of showing the original sketches here, but I pretty much stuck to the sketches as they were. And I forgot about one more layout I did a while back that I never showed you:
I don’t much care for the yellow ribbon down the middle, but the color worked for me, and hey, I’m not submitting it to Creating Keepsakes anyway. I’ll be back when I can finish more layouts. Until then, thanks for your patience in waiting for a post!
I loved getting ready for back-to-school when I was a kid, and now it’s my turn to get my daughter ready. This is her first year in junior high, so for both of us, it’s a big deal. I took as many photos as I could, but it was hard because she gets so tired of my photographing everything going on! I can’t help it; this is my only baby, and the older she gets, the more important it is for me to document her growth because before I know it, she won’t be around for this kind of stuff, and she’ll be all grown up! I always thought the “milestones” were for babies and toddlers, but I am now realizing that they don’t stop! Here’s today’s sketch/layout:
I did this one rather quickly, but that’s okay; I was busy today, but still not too busy to do a layout worthy of this blog. Very important. Thanks for stopping by!
Well, I am really behind in my sketch class at Big Picture Classes!! I finally finished number 13 (I believe the rest of the class is on number 18!), and here it is:
Very busy, I agree. I was trying to use up some older Crate Paper supplies, and they may have perhaps overwhelmed the photos a bit. I at least like the fact that it’s colorful, and I added no extra embellishments because there is enough going on here as it is. Tomorrow is my day off from work, and I plan to do some catch-up! Thanks for stopping by!
Here is day 12′s sketch from Big Picture’s “28 Days of Sketches”. I’m a bit behind, but it’s tough when I work full-time and have loads of other responsibilities at home! But here is my take, simple and unfussy.
Not only do I want to stay caught up with Project Life, but I want to improve in the way I do it. I would like to see it look more stylish and cool, like the photos I see on Pinterest. Slapping a journal tag with sloppy writing onto a photo and then stuffing it into a pocket is no longer good enough. I want to have more fun with it, and make more of an effort in documenting not just the happenings of the day, but my feelings, moods, troubles, music I’m into, books I’m reading, and t.v. shows I can’t get enough of. That goes for my daughter, too. I need to spend more time listening to her, and documenting her ever-changing self. She won’t let me take pictures of her right now, but I will concentrate on other aspects of our lives in a better, prettier, more unique way. I want to see some movies, any movies (except scary ones) this summer with big buckets of popcorn (hold the butter) and huge amounts of soda; I want to go to the coast for at least one day (it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from my home), and I’m crossing my fingers and toes that I will be very busy taking an anatomy class as a pre-requisite for the nursing program. All of this I will be STRIVING for (using my One Little Word), and more (eating better, being more positive, taking risks and adventures, exercising, etc., etc.)
