Get It Scrapped: On a Block

I started my exploration of layout design in much the same fashion as many people have. I worked with sketches or chose to scraplift my favorite memory keepers. Over time, I began to develop my own style. I was able to dispense with my reliance on other people's work in favor of my own designs. I knew that I liked the way things looked but I didn't always know why I liked them.

In an effort to better understand what worked for me and what didn't, I began to take design classes. Some worked better for me than others. Some were so immersed within the teacher's own style that I could not absorb the information. A few years ago, I began to take Masterful Scrapbook Design. I had found a place in which, my own style could prevail while I analyzed it and tweaked it. I began to see myself develop and grow. Many more of my layouts pleased me.

Now, here I am today, once again revisiting the basic structures of layout design. There are, after all, only so many basic structures which one can use to adhere photos and paper to a canvas. This time, the exploration of design is even more fulfilling for me. In the past year, I have come to understand my style and process more in depth. Just when I think I have all my bases covered, something new unfolds.

If You Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Christy Strickler | Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok; Border,Patterned Paper: Bazzill; Letters: Jenni Bowlin,American Crafts; Ink: Ranger; Stencil: Crafter’s Workshop; Stamp: Studio Calico; Sequin, Ephemera, Tape, Rub-on: Jenni Bowlin: Other Staples, Tag, Twine; for Get It Scrapped










I didn't realize just how much I rely on the basic block until the recent Scrapbook Coach class or the Masterful Scrapbook Design Seminar about Grids and Blocks. I knew grids weren't my best design ( I can't sew straight or cut straight). I thought the block design was just plain jane. As I explored both classes, I came to realize just how versatile the block was. In fact, I began to purposefully use it. A LOT.

Revisiting design structures through Scrapbook Coach has taught me new things about my process. It's like walking up a spiral staircase. Each time you reach a new floor, you come to a new awareness. Then you set out to climb to the next level. Those first floors I reached a few years back taught me that I could understand design and develop my own style. I then learned that I could make better decisions both in product choices and design concepts. All of this led to more layouts produced in less time.

My understanding of the block design has allowed me to use it more effectively. I am ready to experiment with another structure. So here I stand once again at the landing, one foot on the step, ready to climb the staircase to the next level.

Supplies
I am often asked about the foil animals and pieces used on my layouts.The supplies used were originally from a JBS Mercantile Kit. Jenni often adds German Foil to her Antiquarian kit. The kits do sell out fast and sadly, at this time, the particular kit the foil tiger came from is sold out. Kit subscribers get first choice of these fabulous kits every month.

Additional Resources

On a Block

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Grids and Blocks

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LOAD inVogue: an update

As I mentioned yesterday, I am working on editing week one's process videos for the LOAD in Vogue challenge at Scraphappy.org. I did want to share a little something that I worked on this week. I often have multiple goals during a Layout a Day challenge:

1. Find stories I might never have told
2. Practice a creative habit, even when I have other big projects looming. I recently blogged about how Creative Practice helps me find the fun again.
3.Practice new techniques so that I can get a handle on them.
4. Explore my process. Having to work quickly on a layout each day to fit it in really gets you in touch with how you work and why you do certain things. I am always up for streamlining both my process and my space so that I can work more efficiently.
5. Use up scraps from past kits and items from my older supplies

Load also helps me use less then perfect photos in new ways. Sure, I use less than perfect photos all of the time. Sometimes though, there are photos whose quality  brings the term " less than perfect" to a whole new sublevel. I like to use these photos for quick scraps during load.  Sketches also help me out a ton.I can see the sketch, make quick adjustments and create a layout in under an hour.Most days, I only have about half an hour or an hour at the most to create a layout for LOAD. I am after all a mom, a homeschool parent, and a wife first and foremost.

Yesterday,being Saturday, left me with a little bit of extra time. I was able to allot drying time so that I can use paint. Ink, paint and mist are, in my opinion, a budget friendly supply. You can stretch them a long way and customize a color for you palette. You have the ability to create backgrounds and layers to fit you subject. After applying each stage to my layout, I was able to work on the larger project for my class while waiting for drying time to complete.

Whiskers Forward Means I love You by Christy Strickler Supplies| Corrugated Cardboard: Fancy Pants; Patterned Paper: Glits Designs, Farmhouse Paper Company; Letters: Jillibean Soup; Stickers: Gltiz Designs; Tape: My Mind's Eye, Glitz Designs; Ink: Hero Arts; Cork: Studio Calico; Brad: Freckled Fawn; Mist: Pink Paislee; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye; Other: Vellum









I had these photos of my cat, Boo, with his whiskers forward while my son petting him. The quality isn't perfect, but the moment is worthy of being documented. I used a bit of corrugated cardboard and scraps from the JBS Mercantile September kits. By adding bright neon colors, I was able to add a warm tone to the layout while compensating for the dull colors in the photos. I modified a sketch from Skissedilla to accommodate the photos. The original sketch has 2 pictures. I added a third in place of the title and moved the title up and to the right.

As I write this, it's already 3:00 in the afternoon. I spent the morning with my family and have less time to create today. I will likely grab a sketch and allot an hour to the LOAD challenge before going back to work on my big project. Some will say it's crazy to make a layout in under an hour. It can be done. It takes practice and knowing your process. Learning more about that process will help you streamline the way you work. You don't necessarily have to be a slow scrapper unless you want to be.

Supplies

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The Weekend Update: In the Works

This weekends' post is a sort of hodge podge of ideas. I find myself very inspired right now and in a creative whirlwind. There's lots to do and lots to think about!

Layout a Day is in full swing now. This means  I find myself quite busy  juggling my regular creative team responsibilities, working on new class content, family time, and homeschooling my son. So far I have managed to keep up though I haven't had time to share the layouts yet.

I have been exploring a new way to share projects with you. Last week, my husband helped me make an overhead camera mount. They are very expensive to buy. While poking around the web, I found a video featuring one made from PVC pipe. It cost around $6 for me to make. I was able to attach a web camera using velcro and double stick tape. It did force me to do a major overhaul of my creative space. I have to admit that I am glad it happened. My whole space is so much more usable. I am filming my LOAD layout each day along with new layouts for classes. Currently, I am in the process of editing, doing the voice overs and narrating. I hope to share my first video later this week. I have plans to share my space sometime next month.

Meanwhile, if you are interested in making your own overhead camera mount, you can find the video I looked at here.  She even gives the complete measurements for her camera mount. I did have to adjust mine a bit higher to accommodate my particular web cam. I was able to use a longer scrap leftover from the pipe I bought. Easy Peesy!

Last month, I participated in one of the new Virtual Crops at Scraphappy.org. They are one of the new member perks. I had a blast! If you are like me and don't have a local scrapbooker to crop with, these are a great solution. I am thrilled to announce I will be the hostess this month! The caveat being that you must be a member to participate.  Don't worry though...if you come, you won't have to go on camera unless you want to. I will warn you that a lot of chatting is done and not always much scrapping. Details for the time and links to the virtual crop will be available to Scraphappy members in the member's only area.

Speaking of a whirlwind of creative thought...Creatives will find this article by Debbie Hodge very thought provoking. I am no where nearly as polished as Debbie when it comes to writing. She has captured how I feel about what I do and why I like to do it.Whether you are a hobbyist or a serious artist, you will find yourself nodding along as you read. I plan to send this article to some of my friends the next time they ask why I haven't called to chat or why I like to stay in most nights and weekends.

Places to play this week:
Over at Get It Scrapped, Doris Sander has challenged us to create one Haiku poem a week.  I am already behind but I have plans! I plan to use a few photos this month, add a journal label and then I can place these in my Project Life spreads.

Document Life Workshop offered a challenge to create a layout inspired by an Artist's Color Scheme. After reading the recent Get It Scrapped article about Frida Kahlo, I decided to incorporate some of the ideas into two of my LOAD layouts this week. I invite you to challenge yourself the same way and share it both at Get It Scrapped and Document Life Workshop.

This wraps up my hodge podge of thoughts for this week. I hope you find yourself as inspired as I do right now! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Crafting!

Articles you may have missed this week:

The Scientific Method: Layering with Mini Canvas Panels

Color Formula 1: Freshly Picked Berries

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Get It Scrapped: Capturing a Voice

Choosing to be a memory keeper means that I want to capture and share the stories of my family. Most of the time, I am happy with my efforts. However, there are times that, when it comes to the journaling, I often fall a bit short. I have taken several story centered classes over the years. During them, I am often very focused and I love the stories I write. It's easy though to fall back on the usual habit of just writing in the date, place and main details.

My goal this year is to do away with that same old habit. I want to replace it with the habit of writing more dynamic journaling. The kind of journaling I am inspired to do when I take those classes. It's probably going to mean I take a few more classes. Mostly though, I think it's going to take the habit of using the journaling exercises I have learned.

In a  recent article for Get It Scrapped, I was asked to explore how to capture a voice. It's not a matter of capturing something with a special recording device. It's simply using your pen and paper to document a story from a different perspective than your own. I chose to document my son's voice.

Will There Be Any Sharks by Christy Strickler Supplies| Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye; Letters: Basic Grey; Die Cut: Silhouette; Stamp: Studio Calico; Ink: Tsukineko; Marker/Pen: Bic Mark-it, Sakura; Mist: Pink Paislee, homemade; Other: DMC floss, sequins, glass beads; Design of Layout based on Scrapbook Coach: Criss Cross class

I don't recall the exact conversation. I just remember that my son inquired whether or not we would see sharks on our trip to the beach. I used the question as the title then did my best to reconstruct what I remembered. I had taken a disposable waterproof camera to the beach that day. I love these sun bleached photos of my husband and son in the water. One looked at though my son were searching for a shark. So I added a die cut to the photo. I also used a patterned paper with triangles to simulate shark fins in the water. 

You don't have to have photos of the exact moment of the conversation.Most of the conversation about the sharks occurred before we went to the beach. However, using my son's voice along with my husband's responses, gave me an idea for a title. It's not just another layout about us going to the beach. Even though the conversation is a paraphrased memory, it gives insight into my son's personality and makes for a much more interesting layout. The remembered conversation makes these photos of our beach trip all the more memorable for me.

Good storytelling is a habit. It's easy to fall into the old trap of just putting basic details of time, date and place. Capturing someone's voice makes it easy to find your title and add more interesting journaling,which argues for breaking bad habits and trying harder to exercise those brain cells. I am going to try to break that bad habit. How about you?

Resources:

8 Voices to Capture in Scrapbook Journaling and Titles from Get It Scrapped

Scrapbooking Ideas and Inspiration from Get It Scrapped

This is an exercise for writers which could be adapted for journaling on layouts:

http://jillannbixel.blogspot.com/2011/10/great-voice-exercises.html

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Hello October!

Fall is one of my favorite time of the year. Living in an area of the world that features high heat and humidity means I welcome the cooler temperatures. It also heralds a lot of good things which include wonderful memories. I met my husband in the Fall and I absolutely adore Halloween.

This month promises to be full of a lot of good things for me. I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  This means I am shooting for a goal of a post a day for the entire month of October. It seemed like a good idea as I am also participating in the Layout a Day: LOAD in Vogue challenge for members of Scraphappy.org. Theoretically, that means I should have at least a layout a day to share with all of you. I intend to post for this challenge both here at the blog and with articles on the main website. We'll see how life cooperates for me.

Meanwhile, I figured I would share a few of my current Fall Favorites.



  1. I read Bunnicula as a kid and enjoyed it so much that I had to share it with my son. We've also enjoyed The Celery Stalks at Midnight and Howliday Inn. We've decided to check out a few other books in the series this month. What's not to love about a vampire rabbit that drinks vegetable juice?!?! The books are not scary at all...just good humor and silly fun which involves a cat and a dog.



2. I'm a little biased when it comes to JBS Mercantile. I always adore all of the kits. This month's selection features the Persimmon line from Basic Grey.  It's one of my new favorite lines! Of all the kits though, the Antiquarian really hit the home run for me. The gold foil moon makes the entire kit worth it! I often hoard the German foil from these kits, but I have plans to use the moon on a very special anniversary layout.


3. I plan to use the JBS Mercantile Historian kit for my Project Life this month. I will be supplementing it with Echo Park's Oh So thankful kit. I loved that this kit included additional Photo Freedom album pages along with the paper and stickers.


4. I will also be adding in some of the free printables from One Velvet Morning. She scours the web for free PL style printables such as the one above from Harper Finch.

5. I love pumpkin spice. Especially coffee and cakes. I plan to do a lot of cooking with my son this fall. I recently discovered Two Peas and their pod. I am hoping to try their recipe for pumpkin waffles ( just one of the many I hope to try)

How about you? What are you currently loving this Fall?

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