Tuesday, June 30, 2015

2 Silly Scrapbook Layouts That Make Me Smile

Every month we should allocate a little time for inspiration. What better way to be inspired than by our own photos! On this last day of June(which happens to be National Smile Month) I thought I would share a few scrapbook layouts that make me smile. I think everyone who is a memory keeper has a tendency to smile when they see their photos.

School Has Been Interrupted by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants, Elle's Studio; Letters: American Crafts, Evalicious, Studio Calico; Acrylic, Sequins, Stars: Freckled Fawn; Tape: American Crafts; Other: Doily, Enamel Dots

My cats always crack me up. Who wouldn't laugh about a cat crawling onto a kid's shoulder during homeschool. To emphasize that our school session was interrupted, I purposefully split the word in half within the title.

All Casual Like by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper: Simple Stories,Crate Paper, Cocoa Daisy; Letters: PinkFresh Studio, Scenic Route; Bags: Fancy Pants; Die Cuts: Simple Stories; Tape: Amy Tangerine;Tags: Traci Reed, Other; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye; Other: Twine,Confetti, Sequins; Based on Scrapbook Challenges Sketch # 163

Another amusing cat photo!I love the way he is just sitting in that box all casual like. I realized that I have just shared two more layouts using a camera motif print base. Score two points for using up my stash!

When we are happy, we have a tendency to feel uplifted and inspired which makes it easier to create. So go crack open an album and take a look at your photos and layouts. Dedicate a few minutes each week to look at past pages and I guarantee that you will feel happier and ready to create.

By the way, all of these pages were made for Scrapbook Challenges. You still have time to submit a page of your own to the Scrapbook Challanges Link up. If you are feeling like this is too last minute, never fear, new challenges will soon be posting for July!

This posts contains affiliate links when possible. Please shop your stash first, but should you find you need something, consider supporting MSE.

View blog post for supplies

Is the Camera Motif the Exception to the Scrapbook theme Rule?

Follow My Scrapbook Evolution's board Motif: Cameras on Pinterest.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Who is Ready for a Vacation? This Girl!

It's been a long tiring week full of blogging, planning and blogging some more. The work doesn't bother me but I know my mind needs a rest. When I saw the latest kit from Traci Reed Designs, traveling and rest were all I could think of. Sure, I have travel photos to document( and I will get to those) but really, I just needed to daydream a little. I don't have any travel plans on the horizon but that didn't stop me from making some new luggage tags!

DIY Hybrid Luggage Tags by Christy Strickler |Supplies Digital Kit: All year Round Destinations by Traci Reed Designs and Jady Day Studio; Tag: Deflecto Craft Solutions; Twine: True Hemp

The tags were super easy to make. All you need is an empty pouch, patterned paper and some travel themed die cuts. Digital kits are perfect for the tags because you can print anything from them, including buttons. It's best keep your tag relatively flat. Hence the use of the die cuts. You don't want anything lumpy that might get snagged on one of luggage carousels at the airport. Speaking of which, I did add twine to make the tags look good in the photo. You don't want twine tassels when you tie these tags onto your suitcase. Trim all the ends. Loose twine can easily get snagged in a machine. In fact, you might just want to replace the twine with a carabiner hook, a key chain cable ring or a combo of both. These tags would also be perfect for your kid's school bags. In which case, break out all the lumpy embellishments and twine tassels that you want.

Really, it's probably a good thing to make the luggage tags ahead of time. You and I both know that if a vacation were in the works, spending time crafting would be put on the back burner in order to pack. So even if you don't have travel plans any time soon, I say you should break out those travel supplies and create something with them!

This posts contains affiliate links when possible. Please shop your stash first, but should you find you need something, consider supporting MSE.

All Year Round Destinations from Traci Reed Designs and Jady Day Studio

Visit Deflecto to find a retailer near you or purchase supplies through Amazon.

The Deflecto Reversible Pouch can also be used to make a mini album.

Follow My Scrapbook Evolution's board Motif-Have Suitcase, Will Travel! on Pinterest.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

A Focus on Photography

I have a big announcement coming soon. I know, kind of a vague way to tease you. I don't know when I can tell you about it. All I can say is that, I have set out to try yet another new endeavor. I have been bursting with the secret for weeks and I find I need to share something just so I don't go crazy. Ready for a hint? It has to do with photos. I know. That's vague too. Alas, that is all I can share for now. So I asked myself about what I could share with you. The answer is anything photo related.

Maybe you noticed I was posting a lot of photo stuff on MSE this week? Well, I love photos. I collect cameras(mostly analog). I don't have a lot of cameras but that doesn't negate the fact that I collect them. I also hoard scrapbook supplies featuring cameras. So I figured that since it's sort of an obession then perhaps I should make this week( and perhaps the next) have topics with a focus on photography.

Photos are a huge part of memory keeping. Without them, well, I suppose one could write a diary, but in some ways that just wouldn't be the same. A photo is a time machine and when you see it, it immediately transports you back into the moment. The desire to take good photos for my albums is part of what fueled my obsession with cameras and the art of photography. If you aren't already camera obsessed, then maybe I can fuel you with a little inspiration.

Here are some posts both old and new regarding photos and cameras from MSE:

A Game of Feathered Leap Frog recounts the tale of how I spent a little time trying to capture a Bahamas Kingfisher. Birds can be elusive creatures. Sometimes it takes a lot of patience and luck to capture just the right shot!

Don't believe me about hoarding camera themed scrapbook supplies? Check this article out. I made a few recommendations about using the camera themed motif for your projects. I also have a few supply suggestions. Well, I tried to keep it to just a few. I had a hard time limiting myself. Time for a confession, I do own most of the supplies I suggested. Almost all of them. I need to use them more. Maybe put a camera on every layout I make.

I would like to say that all of my endeavors are successful but that wouldn't be true. This particular article covers a DIY pinhole camera that my son and I made for a homeschool project. The camera may not have worked( builder error) but at least I ended up with some great pocket pages!

This article covers some of my current favorite photography resources. I collect information about cameras and taking photos with as much gusto as I collect scrapbook supplies. So yes. I have a lot of resources. I assure you that the article includes just a few. If you want to see tons more, then check out my Pinterest board.

I have been doing experiments and striving to learn better still life photography for awhile. This article highlights some of my first experiments as well as showing how I store my props.

These are just a few of the photography based articles on MSE. If you are interested in reading more, check out the archive for the In My Camera Bag series.

I promise to share the big news as soon as I can. I know some of you are busy and don't have the time to stop by every day. If you want an easy way to stay in touch, consider signing up for my newsletter.

This posts contains affiliate links when possible. Thank you for supporting MSE!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

4 of my Favorite Scrapbook Layouts for Father's Day

Watching my husband and son together always reinforces how much I love them both and how lucky we are to have my husband in our lives.My husband and son have a very close bond. In honor of Father's Day, I have curated a round up featuring some of my favorite layouts with my husband and son together.

This remains one of my all time favorite photos of my husband and son together. It was taken in one of those photo machines at Chuck E Cheese.

My son loved for my husband to push him on the swings. While I do love the whole layout, what I really love best is the photo. It gives a little glimpse into how attached these two are. ( I originally made this page for JBS Mercantile. See the post about it here.)

Many of my layouts show glimpses how caring and attentive my husband has always been with our son. (You can see the original post for this page here)

This recent page for Tracy Reed Designs and Scrapbook Challenges is a new favorite for me. My son has always been fascinated by many of the same things as my husband. I love that many of their interests overlap. Plus it is interesting to see how their mutual hobby has changed over the years. Check out that older PC circa 2003!

I invite you to curate some of your favorite layouts featuring the father in your life. Be sure to share them with him. They are sure to bring a smile!

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Live Online Crop Today at Get It Scrapped

Each Month, we have been holding a live crop in the Get It Scrapped forums. Today is the day! As a member of the Get It Scrapped Design Team, I love being involved with the community, talking with friends I know and meeting new people. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know members of the Get It Scrapped Design team on a personal level as well as getting to know other community members.

If you would like to join us, pop over to the Get It Scrapped forum for details. The crop is free but you will need to register with the Get It Scrapped community to join in.

What the crop is:

-Think about it like going to a crop at a scrapbook store. You are pulling your chair up to a table to chat with other scrapbookers. Only it is a virtual table.

-We are talking about life, scrapbooking supplies, places to shop and just about anything else.

-Some people share their screens or video cameras.( this is optional) It gives you the chance to watch someone working live and ask questions about their process.

What the crop is not:

-We are not doing challenges or contests.

-There is no formal structure to the crop.We are literally just there to have fun.

If you come and join us, you can chat via the chat box. However, you can also talk via a headset if you would like to. Please don't just pop in. Be sure to say hello. We would love to talk with you!

Friday, June 19, 2015

Project Life:June 2015- Starting my Summer Stories

This week, I got my hands on the next Pocket Life '15 Collection from Traci Reed Designs. I was very excited to see that it had a nice summer vibe. I have been anxious to get started on my Summer Stories Pocket page series. Working with this kit is helping me stay on target in regards to my summer project life goals.

June Project Life Intro Page by Christy Strickler |Supplies Digital Kit: Pocket Life '15 June Collection from Traci Reed Designs

I began the page with a Summer Stories card. We don't have any big plans for this summer which means I am really not sure what to expect photo wise. I will still be including a card for each month, however, you might notice that the June 2015 card is 3x4 inches this month. I usually create a 4x6 inch card for the introduction to each month.

I kept things simple as I was a little strapped for time this week. I think it works well. Many of the patterns I chose to work with are bold. I also changed how I showed the weather this month. I took a photo of the ocean from the car and wrote about our heat wave on it.I have been playing around a little with my Lomo Instant camera. I think the little instant prints are going to be a great addition to my pocket pages.

I am trying something new this week. I created a "watch me scrap" style video showing how I decorated and placed the cards. When this style video first made its appearance in my You Tube feed, I questioned whether or not they were effective as a means of inspiration. After watching a few, I have to admit that there is something to be said about being able to just watch the creative process in motion. Sometimes the person talking can detract from the video. Let me know if you like it.