It's All in the Process

In the past two or three months, my creative process has really evolved.

• I've started to embrace spray mist in my own small way.
• I keep pictures and papers on my "work" table the entire week and take five minutes here and there to move things around and get the creative juices flowing.
• I use my small bits of creative time during the week to jumpstart my larger blocks of creative time on the weekend.
• I'm doing my very best to embrace my mistakes.
• I stamp on my layouts.
• I try new things.
• I'm finally realizing it is okay.

So in the spirit of all things creative and process oriented.  I thought I'd show you the evolution of a layout.  Since I've started scrapping about my nephew - I often choose the photo prior to the story.  I'm finding that I don't always need words - which is a HUGE departure from my previous approach.   I still love my words - I'm just okay with them being minimal, and in some cases, non-existent.  I'm kind of loving that right now.  So without further ado....

First I chose the photos and products.  I played around with the photo placement.  I really loved the picture on the left and wanted it on top.  I went with the second option.  

Next, I chose my spray mist and paper colors based on the boys outfit.

Then I placed the pictures based (very loosely) on a sketch from the lovely Shimelle Laine.

Next up, title work - probably one of the hardest steps.  I always wish I had more letters in different styles.

Now the embellishing begins...

Finally - I added some sewing around the clouds and the hearts on the cameras.  Finished!

So, that's it for today.  Hope my process is interesting or helpful in some way.  I can't say enough about splatters and sewing.  I love it so much.  Hope everyone has a great Thursday.  Until then...

Mother of...!!!!!!

I decided to do a challenge this week to really get back into the swing of things blogging wise...and I almost lost it.  I almost lost the will to craft.  I almost lost my breezy attitude.  I almost lost my mind.  I started with a really beautiful sketch by Shimelle.

Source Image

I watched the video.  Looked at both variations of the sketch and decided my nephew was a prime candidate for this layout.  His perfect little face seemed destined to be part of a super cute, totally out of my comfort zone, banner-inspired layout.  It seemed fortuitous - meant to be.  I even sat thinking about how it was okay if it didn't turn out okay - I could always start over.  Digital photos could be reprinted.  It was not the end of the world.  It was okay - as my mentor Ali Edwards has so eloquently said.  Famous last words...

This was my first go at the layout.  I had to think long and hard about how to make this layout without eyelets.  I settled on brads and was really happy with how things worked out - until I did the journaling.  The layout is okay.  The journaling is relatively straight thanks to a straight edge and pencil line.  It's very close to the sketch...and I hate it.  The journaling is awful and honestly - looking at it now - I hate the title too.  It looked so great when Shimelle did it.  My first attempt at making this better was adding a journaling block...

I temporarily adhered the journaling block and immediately knew this was some form of scrapbooking hell.  No way was this going to be okay.  So I trimmed the paper to include the top 1/3 excluding the banner and put it on a white piece of paper.  Thank God I didn't take a picture of that...I ended up cutting out the banner - which was quite the bitch, frankly - and starting over on a new piece of patterned paper.  My favorite pattern in fact...ledger.  Fortunately, I came up with this...

I tried journaling on the final layout above and ended up making my very small journaling cluster (see previous monstrosities) into a large cluster.  It's out of balance.  It's a hot mess but I love the banner and the title so I'm calling it a day.  I find this boy is just too cute for words.  Journaling seems unnecessary.  Quite strange, I think.

So that's it for this Saturday evening.  I'm done.  This is the best it's going to get.  I would give a list of products - but I just don't want to at this point.  Maybe I'll update it later.  It's been a hard crafty day and I want to leave it happy.  I hope this day has been a happy one for you filled with smiles and leg kicks and overall general goodness.  Until then...

Baby Shower Thank You Cards

Hello friends!!!  I finally have something crafty to report.  I wanted to share the cards from the June 10 on the 10th post where I tackled the issue of planning and finishing a big project.  I was focused on how to keep things fresh and interesting while getting 50 cards completed.

Now that I'm firmly on the other side of this large crafty commitment, I can breathe a sigh of fresh air and talk about it without turning to blue language or tears.  So without further ado...

As many of you might remember, the momma-to-be was active in the paper decision making and color scheme.  This is an important part of the process.  I definitely felt inspired by the scheme and ended up having more freedom than anticipated in terms of accent colors, design, etc.

This is by far the favored card of the bunch.  My sister (momma-to-be or preggers depending on the day and my mood) loved this card.  She especially loved the paper-pieced shopping bags.  I had planned on doing that on every card - but that flew out the window after the first 10.  I think the Spectrum Noir markers held up well and I like the coloring on this particular card.  The design is a direct copy (or card lift) from the ever-talented Jodi Collins.  You can find her original card here.  I love her style so much.

Next up, is this beauty,

I really loved making this card.  It's another card lift from Jodi Collins.  Find the original here.  I think it's one of my favorites because the amount of layering.  Notice how I've stopped paper piecing at this time and the juiciness of the Spectrum Noir markers is getting the better of me on the leggings.  I'm trying not to sweat those things - even now.

The following card is a simplified version of the one above.  I had grand plans to liven this one up a little more but it didn't happen.  I also planned on paper piecing the bags, another thing that didn't happen.  Insert sigh here.

Next up, is another Jodi Collins inspired card.  Have I said I love her work enough yet?  Find the original here.  I really love what SHE did with the card.  I think my interpretation is really lacking.

Frankly, there is too much pattern going on here.  I never thought I'd utter the words.  There is no where for the eye to rest - a really big problem in design.  I should have considered that more.  Also notice how I've stopped the intricate blending on the images.  This was one of the last designs and my arthritic hand was screaming for mercy.

The next card was inspired by this sketch from Retro Sketches.

Retro Sketches: Original Source

This was my favorite paper.  I didn't have a lot of it and I was just SURE I was going to rock these out.  I thought the heavens were going to open and sing at this finished card.  Guess what?  I hate the end result.  Sometimes life is just like that.  I wanted to tear them up - but a girl's got to get here order done.

And finally last but not least is this little dear...

I almost kept this one.  It was in the height of my blending phase and I was playing with sky colors.  I loved the end result even if the shading around the girl is a little purple for my taste.  This card was inspired by one of the earliest sketches on the Mojo Monday blog.  You can find the original here.  I really love the finished product on this one....

So that's it for now.  I'll be back in a few days with a list of things I learned from this project.  I have big plans with Starbucks and my local book store today.  Going to do some reading and try to resist buying any of the lovely books.  Hope everyone has a great Saturday.  Until then...

Layout Love - Sketchy Sunday

Another Sunday - a long weekend - and I can't believe I decided to be crafty at 9:00 in the evening.  This is going to be a quick post.  It would be nice to get more than 5 hours of sleep for one night before work.  We'll see.  I took another sketch from Shimelle - have I mentioned how much I admire her - and made my definition of a "simple" layout.  Let's start with the sketch shall we!

Source Image: Shimelle Laine

Love the layout.  Love the little circles.  Didn't manage to put them on my layout.  I shifted the layout a little.  I had horizontal photos and not nearly enough space to journal below them.  I like the end result - despite a lot of emptiness on the left side that drives me a little crazy.  Maybe I love it so much because it reminds me of a time of renewal spent with one of my favorite people.  Maybe that could be my OLW for this upcoming year - Renewal.  Moving on...

Patterned Paper: American Crafts & Studio Calico; Stickers: American Crafts: Letters: American Crafts; Embellishments: American Crafts & My Mind's Eye; Journaling Spot: Unknown

Allow me a little explanation of the origins of the layout.  First of all - I have no idea where that wooden flower button came from.  It's not on the layout.  Sheesh!  I just noticed it!  Man alive I'm a hot mess.  Anyhoo - I refuse to get up and take another picture and hook it up to my computer.  It's 11:00 at night!  I digress...when my Dad was here in the Spring we spent a lot of time purging and organizing.  This included getting rid of a huge chunk of my personal library and disassembling my magazines to pick out my favorite articles.  I bought 100 sheet protectors from one of my favorite stores and put the articles in three binders.  It's a practice I'm going to need to do regularly.  I love the end result.  Less stuff.  Less stress.  Hope everyone had an outstanding weekend.  Until then...

BTW: Unless something MAJOR happens - I will not be posting a new product tomorrow.  I'm tapped out of new products.  I'm almost scared to say it.  However...I assure you - product love will be back soon!

Sunday Scrappy Fun

Last night I spent a lot of time telling my stories.  I loved it.  I felt pretty crappy most of the day due to some milk products I love but my body clearly doesn't.  However, in the evening I was feeling well enough to sit in my crafty chair and bang out some crafty goodness.  I used a sketch, starting point, and layout inspiration from a new book I ordered from Amazon.  So without further ado...let the scrappiness begin.

First up is Shimelle's lovely starting point from yesterday.  I love this new series and find it far more inspiring than a sketch.  I'd love to do more of that around here (on this humble blog of mine).  I just noticed she provides dimensions which I really don't give a flying hoot about  - which is a real departure from my typical crafty perfection craziness.

Source Image

Here's my interpretation of the starting point.  I love this paper from Garden Cafe.

Products - Patterned Paper, Tags, Stickers, and Flair Button: American Crafts; Scallop Border Sticker: Crate Paper; Journaling Block: October Afternoon; Pen: Pilot Precise Extra Fine

I had a real hard time placing the journaling block - but I think it ended up okay.  If you'd like to read the journaling, click on the photo for a ginormous picture of the layout.  So on to the sketch...

Source Image

Another lovely sketch from the wonderful Shimelle Laine.  She is giving me a whole new education on the art of layering and I love it!  Here is my interpretation of this sketchy goodness.

Products: Patterned Paper: American Crafts & Crate Paper; Die Cuts & Stickers: American Crafts: Chipboard Stickers: Crate Paper: Letters: American Crafts Thickers: Pen: Pilot Precise Extra Fine.

After doing two Shimelle inspired layouts, I decided to give my new book from Creating Keepsakes a try.

Source Image

I used a layout from the wonderful Jen Jockish as inspiration...And finally came up with this layout.  I have to be honest.  I'm not sure I like it which has NOTHING to do with the inspiration.  I just didn't get a chance to tell the story well.  This has been a theme in my last few layouts - telling the story well.  Maybe I need to start being more deliberate in my journaling instead of free flowing.  Something in me hates the idea of that - but really, it's the story that matters most to me.

Products: Patterned Paper: Echo Park Paper; Letter Stickers: October Afternoon & Webster's Pages; Die Cuts & Chipboard Stickers: Crate Paper; Pen: Pilot Precise Extra Fine

So that's it for today my crafty friends.  I'm making myself quite late for brunch by writing this post.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday.  Blessings all around.  Until then...

The Mother LOAD - Day One

So I did it!  I made my first layout late into the night after a long nap - but I did it.  I have to say - it feels pretty good.  Not much to report beyond the layout.

All of the products are from Amy Tangerine's new line with American Crafts minus a button and brad flower from the Stella Rose Line at My Mind's Eye.  I also want to everyone to take note that I messed up on the camera stamped in the lower right corner and just went with it.  I even liked the sketchy effect. Something must be in the water.

One more thing...since I have you here....I recently did a layout based on Sketch 250 on Pencil Lines challenge blog.

Image Sourced from Pencil Lines

So here's my take on the layout.  I could not do the pendants for my life - I almost gave up.  I thought about cursing the world.  I decided to just move forward and not sweat the fact that I'm not a pendant girl.  It is okay.

I'm not sure about where all of these products are from - I'm sad to say.  The vacation card is Studio Calico and there is some hidden journaling behind it - notice the brad from Basic Grey.  The flowers are Prima and some other company - I was using older product.  All paper (excluding background) is My Mind's Eye - Lime Twist.  The balloon is from Echo Park and the stamp is Tim Holtz.  I think the background paper is from Crate Paper - but don't quote me.  I'm sorry my information is foggy.  It is 12:25 in the morning here and I combined older products with new stuff.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday.  For my part - I will probably post Day 2 & 3 of the Mother LOAD challenge on Saturday.  Hope you have a chance to take a look.  Until then...

BTW: I was surprised to find a prompt email on the BPC site today - should make the layouts a little easier.  Hopefully there won't be any prompts about kids since I don't have any.  Also - I'm excited to announce I have more yummy product coming for the LOAD so I just HAVE to keep going. :)

Joyful

Saturday was a huge day for me. I was able to take a class taught by the talented Wendy Vecchi. I went to a Stamper's Anonymous trunk show and got a whole lot of swag. Unbelievably I'm still on budget. I got some rockin' photos of artwork by Tim Holtz and Wendy. And...I finished my last sketch for Sketchfest. I'm so proud of myself. It was definitely nice to craft every night of the week. I would like to keep the momentum going. All these wonderful things are making me feel joyful! I love this feeling. So, instead of blubbering on - I want to show my sketch and one amazing tag from the trunk show.

I really like this card. The sketch is there in it's true form - but the flower, bird, and cage are my own little additions. I really love the finished project - mainly because flowers, birds, and bird cages are some of my favorite images! Love it. If you can believe it, I colored the bird and cage with colorbox inks. Then I overstamped with background images from Papertrey Ink. The flower is from Prima. These painterly petals are my favorite flowers of all time - must have more!

Okay - one last thing. I cannot finish this post without including this tag from the Trunk Show. It is completing amazing and NOT MY WORK AT ALL. It is the wonderful work of Tim Holtz and/or Wendy Vecchi. At the class, we learned that Wendy does a lot of Tim's examples presented at shows, etc. Needless to say - I bought this set after seeing the tag - just unbelievable.

So...that's it for now. Quick update on Wednesday Sisters - I didn't make my deadline - but my plan is to choose a longer book and try to finish as soon as possible so I'm still on schedule. I didn't read a word yesterday since I was out all day. I hope everyone had a nice Saturday and has a nice Sunday! Until then...Happy Crafting!

Friday Sketchfest

It's pretty late - so I'm going to make it quick. I really liked the sketch for today. I had another chance to color my favorite thing - cupcakes. Which reminds me, I made birthday cards for my mom and dad that I will post on Sunday. I hope everyone had a really great Friday. So excited for my class tomorrow - I'll update everyone on the class tomorrow. Until then...Happy Crafting.

Thursday Sketch

New day - new sketch. I just finished the Thursday sketch. Only two more to go and I have met my goal. It's so exciting. The sketch for today was out of my comfort zone AGAIN, which is probably why I'm participating. Right? I think I might have done a little too much. On Monday and Tuesday, I was really concerned that I stayed to close to the sketch. I tried to push a little harder today. But, it's a little busy - even for my taste. I wish I would have used light tan as the background paper for my image. I wish my indulge stamping was clearer. But that's life - imperfections and all. It is okay. So here it is - my busy, busy, busy card!

I've been wanting to use this coffee stamp for a very long time. I've had a pretty hard time with coloring the image - enter my fabulous markers and I like the finished product a lot better. I absolutely love the buttons on this card. No idea what brand they are.

Update on 52 Book Project: I'm still reading Wednesday Sisters. I'm about 100 pages in and am loving it. Unfortunately - I need to read 200 pages in the next two days AND Saturday is a field trip day. I'm going to a workshop with a good friend. Still it's time to get on it. Wednesday Sisters - I'm coming for you! So on that note - it's time for me to get going. I hope everyone had a super nice day. Until then...Happy Crafting!

Wednesday Sketch

It's late so that it can only mean one thing - I have another card to present. I had more fun doing this card for Sketchfest. I have to say that coloring is where it's at for me. I love using my sharpie/bics. My friend found this cool video - and I've been using these markers ever since. I still covet Copic mainly because lighter colors are non-existent among my current marker choices. Still they make this coloring girl happy! So here it is: my card for the Wednesday sketch! I hope everyone had a nice Wednesday. Until then...Happy Crafting!

Humpday Challenge

Another day - another card to present. I finished my third card for Sketchfest late last night. I'm still feeling pretty crappy so I didn't really want to do the card - but completing the 7 days is still important to me. So I did it. I think it shows that I didn't want to sit down and finish the card. The sketch wasn't like anything I would normally do. Instead of thinking outside the box, I stayed very true to the sketch (something I don't really like to do). My goal is to push a little harder today. So without further ado - here's the card!


A few things - I love this paper (by American Crafts). I've had it for maybe 2 years. I'm never quite sure how to use it. It seemed like a good match with the circle from Little Yellow Bicycle. Again - a little too plain for me and WAY out of my comfort zone - but it's done and that's what matters most to me right now. Hope everyone has a nice day. Until then...Happy Crafting!

Caardvarks - Monday Sketch

I'm feeling a little under the weather - so this post is going to be quick. I finished the card below just a bit ago after having an overwhelming feeling to stay on the coach. It's not my best work - but it's done - can't ask for anything better than that some days. No embellishments and many glue debacles later, I'm happy to have it finished. Sometimes it's good to just finish a card because you want to be part of a challenge - not to make the most beautiful card ever. It's a good lesson to remember. The sketch can be found on the Caardvarks site. Here's to crafting despite feeling quite yucky! Hope everyone had a great Monday! Until then...Happy Crafting!

Caardvarks

So you didn't have to wait long for the super cool news. It turns out that Caardvarks is hosting a event called Sketchfest. For this week only, a challenge will be posted each day. All entries must be in by 7:00 AM the following day. There are tons of prizes and a coveted spot on the Caardvarks design team. I'm totally game so I made ANOTHER card for the Sunday challenge. So why is this super? Well - because a challenge will be posted each day this week including Wednesday - challenge day. I'm super excited to see how things go. Here's a look at the sketch for this day's Sketchfest.


Here's a look at my first project. Please note: I'm not a fan of the oval so I changed the shape to suit my style. I think that's okay. Or let's just say, I hope it's okay.


Supplies: Cardstock - White; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Stamps: Stamping Bella, Hero Arts; Flowers: Prima; Markers: Sharpie, Bic; Buttons: Unknown.

Many of you might know that my family calls me bee. So I love all things bees - including the Autobot Bumbleebee. I had to have this stamp the moment I saw it. Love it to tiny little pieces. I'm pretty satisfied with this card. I used my brand new Indian Summer paper line from Basic Grey. I've had my eye on it for a while now. It didn't disappoint. So - that's it for Sunday. I hope everyone has a great Monday. Until then...Happy Crafting & Resting!

Thursday Tips: Sketches

I love sketches. I love them to tiny little pieces. They make scrapbooking much easier when your head is full of jelly and starting a page from scratch with your own right brain is way too daunting. It's also a great way to play with papers and try something new. I find I'm much more creative when I'm not trying to come up with a design and paper and do something funky and so on. Also, they help when you're not in the Inspiration phase - see sidebar. So in honor of my love for all things sketchy - I'm listing links to sketch sites that I find helpful and one rockin' magazine (on the left) that I think is still available.

Card Positioning Systems

Page Maps

Scrapbooks Etc. Sketches

Sketch Lover - otherwise known as the motherload (for now anyway)

Scrapbooks Etc. Page Planners Special Issue

Trust me when I say - sketches are amazing. I never get tired of looking at these little bits of creative goodness and making them my own. I hope you find a few that you like and take the plunge. It really is worth it. Until then...Happy Crafting.