Inspired by Elizabeth Dillow, this is number 12, my final Design Challenge. I do love scrapbooking!
Tag Archives: scrapbook
Not a great layout, but a meaningful one.
Saturday, I put together the 11th challenge for my Design Challenges class. The layout was to incorporate different sized fonts, with the emphasis on the journaling, or writing more so than the photo. At first, I was a little stumped. Looking through my photo galleries in Photoshop, I ran across one that is very special to me. I haven’t put it into a scrapbook layout yet, and somehow, I found myself drawn to using it that day. What do I say about this photo? How can I possibly express myself adequately? I decided to just start typing what was in my head, and go from there. I may not have all of the facts 100% correct, but I reached into my heart and this is what happened…
Not a great layout, but a meaningful one.
I hope they don’t get mad at me for posting this. It’s just something I am compelled to express. Have a great Monday!
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!
I love to Smash!
When I first discovered the Smash book by EK Success in April, I couldn’t wait for it to come out in stores so I could order one. Crazy? Yes, I know. I followed the latest fad and purchased something I could make at home myself. It has a cover I have not been able to replicate yet; nice pages I wouldn’t have; journaling prompts I wouldn’t have thought of, and a handy pen that also doubles as a glue stick attached to the book (clever!). Plus, I always like what other people do, better! And, it’s just so dang cute! I got mine just shy of a month ago, and it’s already 2/3 filled. Good thing I have another one (the Retro style) waiting in the wings!
My Smash book, and samples of the inside pages
Really, this is the original form of scrapbooking, and I love it. What I have in my albums is like an art piece with photos. The Smash book is perfect for hoarders like me (although I’m not bad enough to be on any show…): I have a tendency to keep little sentimental things like napkins, receipts, tickets, etc. to remember an experience by, but those little things don’t often make it into my scrapbook album. They get piled in nooks and crannies around my desk until they eventually get thrown away. Three years later, or so. Now, I literally “smash” it into this journal, scribble some notes about it, and suddenly the nooks and crannies are cleaned out! No fancy art necessary, nothing frivolous or time-consuming. Just an awesome way to keep the little things I hold near and dear to me in one cool, little place. After the next one is used, I’m making my own….and selling them on Etsy.
Smash book by EK Success→ rated 5 stars by me.
Life with him.
I haven’t done any digital scrapbooking lately, but today I was compelled to do so. Hubby had some fun with his camera while I was at work, and I just had to put it into a Cathy Zielske template. This was really fun to make. Life really is good, and I am always happy to document it. Enjoy!
Less is more.
I discovered Laura Kurtz yesterday. I was blown away by her style; minimalistic, yet packs a powerful punch. She and Ali Edwards (and I’m sure many others as well) epitomize what scrapbooking is to me: words+photos=great stories and memories. Not a ton of embellishments. Use things from your stash. Paint, punch, staple, sew. Go with your feelings, make a statement. Less is more. I really admire their simplicity and honesty; get down to the nitty-gritty, and highlight what’s important. I was also reminded of something else today: this is my story, not a competition to get into the latest magazine, or become famous. I have been reminded, once again, not to strive for perfection, not to expect fabulousness, just put the photos and words down on paper in such a way that I will remember the experience, the moment, the person at that time. I’m able to scrap much faster this way, too.
3 friends, scraplifted from Laura Kurtz
Super Becky
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The journaling for the Super Becky layout says: (top)This child of mine loves to be funny and she likes to be entertaining; give her a wig, some accessories and make-up, and her alter ego comes ’round to life. (bottom)She’s funny, silly, outrageous, whimsical, stylish, talented, goofy, ridiculous, crazy, outlandish, chatty, girlie…she’s Super Becky.
Thanks for stopping by, and happy scrapping!
The Let’s Go travel journal kit is now here!
Just in time for vacation and travel season, I have a new product available on Etsy today: my “Let’s Go” travel journal kit. This kit is for the scrapbook lover who wants to put together a keepsake journal of their vacation without having to fuss with all the cutting, punching, and trying to figure out what papers to use. It’s all here for you; 30 unique pages, 3 tags, 1 vintage card piece, a sheet of airmail stickers, 5 Jenni Bowlin chipboard buttons, and 2+ yards of baker’s twine. It all comes in a white cigar box for you to decorate to your heart’s content! The size of the journal is approximately 4×6″, so it’s small enough to put in your bag and tote along with you. Add photos, journaling and mementos of your special trip, and you have a unique and special remembrance to last you a lifetime! To get yours and see more photos of what’s inside, click on my Etsy badge to get to my shop, and get yours before they run out. Free gift with purchase, too! Happy travels!
Yes, it is a wonderful world.
I have not received the rest of my bookmaking supplies (where are you, Mr. UPS man?), so I am fiddling around in Photoshop, having some fun. I have some photos on my desk that are begging me to scrap them, so I have.
This is a layout in honor of Peter Weis, a fellow blogger whom I have come to admire. Although I only know him from his blog, what I do know is pretty awesome. One of his posts really touched me, and I loved the photo he posted. He gave me permission to use it.
the text used is from his post.
Happy scrapping!
Free Mother’s Day goodies!
Happy Mother’s Day! I would like to wish every mother out there (even if your kids are the furry, four-legged kind!) a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing and lovely day! Where would the world be without mothers? Now, sit back for a moment, think in your mind about all the gazillion things you do for your family, friends, co-workers and society in general, and then give yourself a pat on the back…maybe ask your kid to fetch you a beverage, and then kindly ask the hubby to give those shoulders a massage. You deserve it!
You also deserve a little something free, if you love to scrap, or paper craft! Get a free package of goodies from me today only by submitting a comment about why you deserve free scrapbook supplies. You know you do, so don’t be shy! One person will be chosen to receive a package containing no less than a dozen papers by the likes of Jenni Bowlin, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, Making Memories, etc., plus American Crafts alpha stickers, numerous ephemera, journaling spots, and ribbon! I will be making up some kits to begin selling on Etsy, but in honor of Mother’s Day, one lucky person will get a free one, today! Good luck, and happy scrappin’!
One more thing: I did manage to get another layout completed yesterday, for challenge #4; using wood or woodgrain products in a layout. Luckily for me, Studio Calico has recently had some fantastic wood die-cut pieces in it’s kits, so I had some frames and stars in wood, as well as alphabet pieces. They were perfect! I chose some complimentary papers in blues and gold, also from Studio Calico, and made this layout to submit.
The wood pieces come with adhesive backing, and they are thin enough to cut easily, making them super easy to work with. They also come in many different sizes, whether the frames or stars, so choosing the right size is no problem. I’ll be making more layouts today, to submit to Big Picture Classes for some of the other challenges. The challenges are so much fun; even if I don’t win anything, it’s a good exercise for me to hone up on my skills, and just give me a personal challenge. I’ll be back tomorrow with more layouts. Enjoy your day, and don’t forget to post a comment if you’re interested in winning free scrap supplies!!
Wanted: new self-esteem…
Like Hubby's homemade boat-- rough edges and a broken sail.
I sometimes have those days, lately, in which I find myself particularly sensitive to everyone around me. My rational brain and my emotional brain are in a battle, and the emotional side is winning. I’m working like a dog at work today, but instead of feeling accomplished, I feel somewhat worthless, as some coworkers forget I’m there, unless a sudden emergency comes up. Then I feel just taken for granted. Trying to shake myself out of this self-hate jag while driving home, I was unsuccessful and my mind started wandering to other areas of my life, like Retrospect, and especially my blog. I am in an unsettled place with this blog. I have been on this mission, this commitment to blog every day, for one entire year. That’s 365 days. 3-6-5. Some days have been easier than others. Lately, it’s been feeling like a chore, instead of an exciting challenge I feel privileged to partake in. I have to start wondering: am I really getting anything out of this? Am I really becoming a better blogger, just as Word Press proposed? Has my visibility increased, or have I gathered a flock of new followers who are dying to find out what I have to say today? No. Nope. Nyet. Nein. Not even close. I was honestly surprised to discover that I have 6 subscribers. Hubby only has a subscription to my blog because I physically put myself at his computer and subscribed for him!! My mother doesn’t even follow me…I’ve even sent her the link, several times, and crossed my fingers. Nada. Nonetheless, this is not a pity party. It makes me very grateful for the six wonderful people who do subscribe; I do thank you from the bottom of my heart, which makes my next decision difficult: should I just quit? Or, perhaps I should reduce my blogging to once a week? I hate the idea of giving up on this challenge; I thought it would be really cool to be able to say I never missed a single day, and I don’t like the idea of being a quitter, but I also thought I would have gotten more out of this. Had I not looked up who subscribes to me, I would truly believe that just dropping off would amount to a hill of beans. Who would care, right? On the other hand, aside from being a wussy quitter, I may never see any real change. What if I just haven’t reached my peak? What if I have a wave of inspiration that spreads throughout the scrapbook world and I suddenly find myself having throngs of engaged readers filling out my comment box left and right? I suppose my answer lies in my own queries: who do I blog for, and why? Does it really matter if anyone reads this or not? If it does, how do I create a more engaging blog? These are the questions I need to mull over and reflect upon before I can go forward. I think I will start blogging once a week from now on…I will pick one day of the week to be my “blog day”, and hopefully fill it with many interesting, creative ideas; stories and photos. And hopefully, my six wonderful subscribers will still be around.
