Happy Anniversary to the Art Studio!

It's been a year since the Art Studio opened it's doors. The staff of Scrapbook News and Review magazine would like for you to celebrate along with us. From now until May 31st, you will have the chance to win some fabulous prizes. Prizes will be posted over the coming days, so be sure to stop by the SNR blog regularly.

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Get It Scrapped: the Asymmetrical Cross

Understanding a design means that you need to use it on a regular basis. It's likely you have several go to configurations for your scrapbook layouts. Dina Wakely likes to use the asymmetrical cross. I got a little practice with it for a recent assignment for Get It Scrapped.

Snuggles by Christy Strickler | Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper: Jenni Bowlin;Alphas: Sassafrass; Flock: American Crafts; Tag: Basic Grey; Jewels: Making Memories; Other: Pearls, Crochet Trim, Labels by Dymo label maker

The asymmetrical cross was a little different from my normal layout composition.I have a tendency to group my photos in the center of my layouts. I approached my assignment by examining Dina's work and by scraplifting Dina's Bad Hair Curse.

When you are working with a composition that is different from your normal configuration, it can be helpful to scraplift a layout or use a sketch. My layout is quite a bit different than Dina's though the "bones" of her layout are present in mine. Scraplifting doesn't mean your layout needs to be an exact replica. I am not quite ready to say that the asymmetrical cross will be part of my normal layout compositions. It usually takes a few tries with any configuration( or technique) to make it truly your own. 

Understanding composition is important in learning more about layout design. After all, there are only so many ways in which one can place paper and photos onto a canvas.Take a look at your layouts over the past few months. Look for patterns in the way you place your photos. Chances are good that you will often use the some of the same configurations over and over. If you want to understand more about layout composition, study sketches and look for the underlying structures. You can also take a class.Get it Scrapped has a series of free articles on the blog about layout design. Debbie's Scrapbook Coach and Building Pages classes offer further insight into the subject.

Always remember that the key to learning more about your style is to pay attention to how you work. Once you understand your preferences you can then add new tricks to your repertoire.  Don't just try something once. Try it a few times to become comfortable with the concept. You can then decide if the new composition is something you want to use again or you can turn back to something familiar.

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SNR Magazine: The May Issue

Happy Mother's day to all of the moms and grandma's out there! I have spent a lovely day with my family and I am a bit sad to see the weekend come to a close. However, this weekend ends on a high note. The latest issue from Scrapbook News and Review Magazine is live!

I hope everyone had a nice relaxing day, just like I did. Have a great week everyone!

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Celebrating iNSD

National Scrapbook day came and went last weekend. In years past, it was a flurry of one day events with layout challenges and short deadlines for a chance at a prize. That's not true anymore. As memory keeping has grown, so has the event. The little i in front of NSD reminds everyone that it's an international activity and we now see challenges which last throughout the week after.

Speaking of challenges, iNSD might be over, but there is still one more day to submit your layouts to Shimelle.com. You will need to scroll through to see all of the challenges options. Shimelle really pulled out the stops when it came to providing ideas to inspire you.

I am very honored to be a guest for Shimelle's iNSD party. This layout was featured for the Power of Three Challenge.

Squinty Eyes by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye; Letters; American Crafts; Wood Veneer: Studio Calico; Brads: October Afternoon, Basic Grey; Eyelets: Making Memories; Other; Denim,trim

I also managed to create several layouts during a crop with some friends. I combined some of the challenges from Two Peas in a Bucket and Big Picture Classes with Shimelle's Challenges. This layout was inspired by some I statements I created for a BPC challenge.

I.Photograph by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper: LillyBee Designs,Amy Tangerine; Letters: American Craft; Tape: Webster's Pages; Flair,Stamp: Amy Tangerine; Brad: Making Memories; Glitter: Ranger; Wood Veneer: Freckled Fawn; Mist: Pink Paislee; Other: Button

It's a perfect submission for Shimelle's challenge to scrapbook about yourself.

Two Peas in a Bucket and Shimelle challenged me to scraplift one of my own layouts. I decided to use a design that is a little unusual for me. Using clusters in scrapbook design was an assignment for Get It Scrapped. I loved the layout I created but until now, I had never revisited the design.

Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper: Sassafrass, Basic Grey; Letters: My Little Shoebox,Hand lettering; Tape: My Mind's Eye; Sticker: Creative Memories; Buttons: Basic Grey; Embossing Powder: Ranger; entered in Whimsical Wednesday at the Memory Nest






I had a great time participating in the iNSD challenges. If you haven't had the chance, you still have time. Shimelle's challenges are open until tomorrow night. 

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TGIF with a Teaser Thursday

  Yesterday I had my hands full around the house. I didn't get over here to post the layout featured for Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's Teaser Thursday Feature. I have been experimenting with Crayola Model Magic clay and creating handmade embellishments. That little white circle on the upper left side...it's model magic.

Fondue Fun by Christy Strickler Supplies Patterned Paper,Tag: Basic Grey; Letters: Fancy Pants; Stencil: Crafter's Workshop; Modeling Paste: Liquitex;Stamp: JBS Mercantile; Other: button,Crayola Model Magic clay,cardstock

I have a tutorial inside Scrapbook News and Review Magazine which shares how you can use model magic to create your own layouts. It's full of tips and tricks for how to keep the clay from cracking and how to add colorants.

I also recently submitted this layout for a review in the Get It Scrapped Guided Study Critique class. I feel like I am getting better with design, and I am now learning how to tweak my layouts for more impact. One suggestion I received was to have used the pie chart stencil with modeling paste on vellum. Then it would have popped up more from the background.

Overall, I really love this layout. I have more to share for iNSD after I get caught up today. Meanwhile, it's Friday and I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

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Get it Scrapped: Roosters and Flair

Flair badges are one of the current hot trends in the scrapbooking world. Who can resist them?!?! There are a wide variety of them available on the scrapbook market. You can use them as is, or you can find fun ways to add them to your layouts.

As with any product, there is always that one item you just aren't sure you will use. I recently got a pack of JBS Mercantile flatback flair badges and I just wasn't too sure about the rooster. I thought  I would be sharing that particular badge with a fellow memory keeper. Then I found these photos of my son visiting my friend and her new chickens.

Soft and Silky by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper, Flair, Flashcard: Jenni Bowlin; Alphas: My Little Shoebox, Sassafrass; Die Cuts: October Afternoon; Stamp: Basic Grey; Embossing Powder: Ranger; Other: buttons, feathers; Created for Get It Scrapped


Normally, I don't hang onto items that I won't use. However, I also found a Rooster flashcard and an older stamp in my supplies. I created a country look to the layout with the soft floral paper, vintage style die cuts, feathers and old buttons. My son kept wanting to touch the chickens. This inspired my title and the desire to use the feathers. To add sound to the layout, I created a flower with the flair badge, a die cut, and some tiny type alphas. The word cluck has been used several times around the base of the flair badge.

Flair is often themed. It's easy to use it just the way it is on any layout. It can also be used symbollicaly. I could, for example, have used this rooster flair on a layout about waking my son up in the morning or maybe even a special breakfast. Many flair items are small enough to use in custom embellishments. This allows you to further unite your story with sound or texture as you build the layout.

Looking for more flair? Here are a few other recent layouts I created utilizing flair badges:
Scrapbooking a Treasured Friendship
Sour End to a Sweet Day
MultiMedia Kid

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JBS Mercantile Kits and iNSD

What's the point of being in  a kit club if you don't use the kit? I really strive to make the most of my kit club subscription every month. In April, I received a brand new kit from JBS Mercantile called the Historian. It's a brand new kit concept, designed for those who like Project Life. I decided I wanted one to spice up my PL layouts. Instead, I ended up using it for regular layouts. The kit is just that awesome! Vivid colors paired with bits and baubles for your layouts.

I really didn't want to cut up this 12x12 dreamy rainbow patterned paper. I decided it was perfect for a background canvas. I did add some flags from my March JBS Mercantile kits along with some extra jewels. I had enough denim scraps from my guest layout for Shimelle.com that I was able to cut this circle and the hand cut title. I used a Signo Uniball white pen to outline the title letters.

Dream Sweet Dreams by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper: Studio Calico; Tags: Elle's Studio, Studio Calico; Stickers: American Crafts; Flags: My Mind's Eye; Pen: Signo; Letters, Tape: Jenni Bowlin; Jewels: Making Memories; Other: Denim, ribbon; Most supplies from JBS Mercantile April kit; Sketch from Two Peas in a Bucket INSD challenge 


Both the journaling and the title were inspired by Shimelle's iNSD challenge to write with repetition. I started with the word Dream and repeated it throughout, letting it guide the path of my thoughts. If you would like to play along with this challenge, you have until May 12th to submit a project.

I still have a few iNSD challenge layouts to share. Stay tuned.

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