My Scrapbook Evolution-Blog

Sunday, February 16, 2014

JBS Mercantile- Mid-Month Release

This month's JBS Mercantile kit has a definite Valentine's Day vibe. When I saw the kit, I decided to go back through my son's early Homeschool Co-op days looking for photos of him in his first Valentine's Day parties. I have also been searching for other photos that are not specifically related to the holiday but that work well with the theme of this month's kit.

Created with a mix of the Main kit, Mini Album kit
and Antiquarian kit.

As I was scrolling through photos, I came across this particular one which features my son looking down at my husband. I love how much these two love one another. My husband is such a wonderful dad and it shows. I'll save the other photos from the park for a different page. This photo however, shows so much more than just a day spent at the park.

To create this layout, I painted the front cover of the chipboard mini album with Silks Acrylic Glaze.
I have challenged myself to include more purple in my pages this year due to Pantone's choice of Radiant Orchid. I had some mist which I had made using the Lavendar Sachet re-inker. I sprinkled it in a few spots for a subtle orchid like color.

Created using the Main and Antiquarian kits

This was a warm up page for me. Sometimes, I need to get my creative thoughts jumpstarted.I am not necessarily trying to create the perfect layout. I just want to play with the supplies, knowing that once I start thinking creatively, other ideas will start flowing. I started off with the music sheet as my inspiration and went in search of photos which would work well with it. I knew these photos of my son would be perfect.

Back in the days when we had a stereo system, he would climb up on his dad's desk( while under supervision), turn on the music and begin to dance. He was so full of carefree self expression without worrying what others thought of him. I chose to use the thought bubble print to voice that. Hot pink bits of paper added a little more energy to the page.

Created with the Main and Mini Abum kits,
with wood buttons from the Janaury kits
and this month's dime store deal.

I was kind of stumped about using the patterned paper with the envelopes. When I saw these photos of my son writing his name on his class Valentines, I knew it would be perfect. Lately, I have been inspired by Doris' posts about using haiku or one photo with just a few words. I do believe journaling is important, but upon trying haiku for myself, I have realized that I can sometimes say more with less. The journaling reads " He writes, then examines his handiwork." I could have written a longer paragraph about how my son is working on his class valentines, however, I think that within the context of the paper and embellishments on this layout, the journaling has just as much or more impact than a full paragraph. I used my little dymo label maker to write the journaling.

I have been talking recently with friends about the placement of product in the design process. I know some people have a set starting place. Mine varies. Sometimes it's the photos. Sometimes it's a challenge or prompt. Other times, as in the case with this month's JBS Mercantile kits, it is inspired by the products. I am curious to see whether the March kits will be my source of inspiration or whether I choose to start with photos and work the products from the March kits around the story. I guess you will have to check in with me around the first of the month to see.

Supply Options
Most supplies from the JBS Mercantile February 2014 kits except:

*Splash of Color AFRICAN JADE Silks Acrylic Glaze 30600

*Jenni Bowlin LAVENDER SACHET Dye Reinker REFILL Ranger

InLinkz.com

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Get It Scrapped: It was Written

It's late at night.I should be in bed, but I have stopped for a brief moment to reflect on my day. Today was a day of lounging around for much needed rest. I have my husband to thank for that. Today, he took a day off from work so that I could sleep in a bit. He even ventured out to the store to bring home dinner from the deli. I was grateful not to have to cook and for the time I could spend lazing on the sofa. There was nothing fancy about today. Just a gentle sort of reminder about how much he cares for me and how much he spoils me.

It was Written by Christy Strickler | Supplies Patterned Paper: Webster’s Pages, Studio Calico; Letters: Time Holtz, LilyBee Designs; Die Cuts; Pink Paislee; Stickers: My Mind’s Eye; Button: Queen and Co.; Enamel Dot: PinkFresh Studios; Other: DMC floss, pearls, glass beads

Really, I don't have as many photos of us together as I should have. I am so glad my son took this photo of us. It's been a wonderful twenty years spent together. I really am so lucky to have him. It's often the simple things,like today, that remind me most of why I love him so much.

Additional Resources

An article from Get It Scrapped featuring additional ideas for scrapbooking your loved ones using the Constellation Motif.

Shapes: Seeing Stars Pinterest Board

Sunday, February 9, 2014

LOAD214: an Update

I am about a week into the Layout a Day challenge. I almost didn't make it yesterday. Not because I didn't make a layout. Our internet was out most of the day which made the ability for me to upload a page a bit questionable. I did manage to get my page in very close to the midnight deadline.

My Stats so far:
Layouts for LOAD: 10 done ( one was a two pager)
Layouts for JBS Mercantile: 4 done
Layouts for Get It Scrapped: 1 done

It's always a challenge for me during LOAD to be able to keep up with my Creative Team duties. When I can, I try to make my CT pages ahead of time and have them posted before LOAD even begins. Sometimes though, that just doesn't happen. What does happen for me, is that I often want to create more. It's not unusual during LOAD for me to end up making a few extra layouts. Creativity breeds more creative play. I do sometimes combine challenges or sketches from other web sites during LOAD. This year is no exception.

M-F by Christy Strickler |Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers, Studio Calico; Project Life Card, Wood Veneer,Letters: Studio Calico; Stickers: Twine and Ink; Stencil: Prima; Modeling Cream: Viva Decor; Tag: Life-Love-Paper; Other: Doily; sketch from Simple Scrapper Premium membership collection

This particular layout was based upon a challenge from the Document Life Project. The idea was to incorporate your front door in some way. I decided to document how we always anticipate my husband's arrival from work every evening.

Gummi Snake by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, Echo Park, Cosmo Cricket; Letters: Studio Calico, My Little Shoebox; Stamps: Kellie Winnell; Paperclip, Tape, Stickers: Freckled Fawn; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye; Ink: Tsukineko;based on a sketch from Scraphappy

My original LOAD LO was a bit bare. I came back and tweaked it a bit later. There is, after all, no rules stating you can't come back in and add to a page later on.

Totes Adorbs by Christy Strickler |Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper, Tag: Elle's Studio; Letters: October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin;Vellum: American Crafts;Wood Veneer,German Foil, Bingo Cards: Jenni Bowlin; Flowers, Badge, Tape: Freckled Fawn; Enamel Dots: My Mind's Eye; most supplies are from JBS Mercantile February kits

Saturday was a bit hectic and I was also worn down a bit from a busy week. I kept the design simple in order to make things easy on myself.

I chose to link back and share these Lo's with the Memory Nest.

Not all of the pages were created using the daily LOAD prompts. If the prompt doesn't work for me, I save it and move on. Sometimes, I just need a bit more time to think. The nice thing about LOAD is that I will have access to the prompts and can revisit them in the future.

So, now, here we are on Sunday afternoon. I am just sitting down to consider today's LOAD prompt. My goal is to try to work in the latest class from Masterful Scrapbook Design. It's a new Scrapbook coach class about rulebreaking. How are you spending your Sunday afternoon?

Additional Resources