Tag Archives: flow

Jul 30

Going with the flow.

I will say it again. Being given sketches to work with has really helped me reclaim some of my motivation, creatively speaking. I get the blue print, I suddenly feel inspired, as I gather materials up, I feel a flow start happening, and I go with it. It feels pretty darn good. Here are two more sketch-inspired layouts:

I try not to get too overly busy with embellishments; it’s not really my style and I want the photos and the story to take center stage as much as possible. I am really loving this class at Big Pictures! Thanks for stopping by!

 

Jun 28

Fun with panorama photos

Earlier in May, I had fun using my Pano iPhone app to take a photo of our Mother’s Day luncheon. How was I going to include everyone at the table, I wondered, and then I remembered this lovely app, and voilá, it worked! I printed out that photo and put it into a layout that used in my May 11 post. It was so easy and fun, I tried it again while at the airport recently with my daughter, because I think the airport is cool. This panoramic shot ended up being bigger than my first one because this one is a complete 360° view. It turned out rather well, I think. If you have an iPhone and want to try it, I recommend the app Pano ($1.99 on iTunes); it does a really nice job of stitching each frame together, and makes the process easy for you with guides visible on the left side of the frame for a seamless flow of shots. This evening I printed out the photo to a 2×22″ size to make a two-page layout by printing each half of the photo on 8.5×11 photo paper using landscape orientation (without borders). I trimmed each half and carefully adhered them to two pieces of 12×12 cardstock. So, how to fill the 1″ gaps on each edge? Just to be different, I decided to make faux envelope flaps, something akin to Maya Road’s mini kraft envelopes. And then–my usual state of “what do I do now with all the usable space that’s left?” confusion. I freeze up when I have too many choices and options for such a nice slice of “real estate” on my page. So I kept it simple and documented just the essentials with rub-ons and stickers, save for one embellishment sticker. I know, I know, chicken! I could have gone for broke and done so many wonderfully artistic things to this layout, but I left it alone and played it safe (what would Ali Edwards have done?). It’s not exciting, not jazzy or spiced up. But it’s a cool panoramic photo that I really like.

FAT: Fresno Air Terminal

Handmade envelope flaps are easy to make using kraft paper, bakers twine, and a small eyelet. Airplane sticker by Evalicious.

Go ahead and have some fun with your iPhone photo apps, or just use whatever photo capabilities you have on your cell phone. While you’re having fun this summer, remember that not having a camera with you does not mean you will miss out on some really great photos. See what you can do, and whatever you come up with, don’t forget to scrap it! Have fun!

May 3

Crossing my fingers…and my toes.

I did it. I just put my application for the Ormolu design team in “the mail”. 30 seconds ago, I hit the SEND button, and now I will just have to wait until May 20th to hear who will be chosen. Actually, whatever happens will be for the best. I think that if I am not on the team, I can’t allow myself to feel like I am terrible, no good, all the rest; it’s just not meant to be. Period.

I started vacation yesterday, and it feels soooooooo good!! Things had been so stressful the last week of work, I don’t think I could have timed this vacation any better. Now, I have had the time to prepare my admissions for Ormolu, and do some other things I have been wanting to do. Since Ormolu is checked off the list, I can go on to item #2: the hand-made art book collaboration with Hubby. Yesterday and today I ordered some supplies from Bookmakers, Inc. in Maryland. Very nice, helpful people. I had gotten a new book on hand-made bookbinding at Barnes & Noble Sunday, so I have a better sense of what I need, and how I will be doing it. I will be updating here when I actually get some supplies and begin that journey. Very excited, but nervous!

I don’t know what happened yesterday, but I got into this awesome creative momentum where I just started doing things, and planning, and figuring, and thinking, and everything just came together so well. I came up with a new layout to send with my email to Ormolu, I made a banner, and I made some cards, as well. Just for fun, I will show you what I made and sent:

a fun banner to cheer any wall

I revised this journal to improve it with Ormolu embellishments

these tags are so pretty, and I love the colors, too.

making this was a lot of fun...a lot of sewing, too!

this may be familiar to many of you...

So now that I am on vacation, I will be back a little more often to give updates on new things I am working on. Those creative juices are flowing! Happy creating!