Gettin' By

The Making of a Mini.

I have a little scrapbooking confession:  Mini albums confound me. I love the idea of minis - of capturing a single event or theme in one little format - and I'm always inspired when I see other's mini creations.  But, for the life of me, I could not figure out how to complete one myself.  I'd start them with gusto, only to have my inspiration and patience wear out long before the album was ever finished.  I think that's why I stick to layouts: one page and you're done!  But still, something about the mini keeps tempting me.  So, determined to create an album of our summer vacation photos, I set out to make a mini in my scrapping style: simple, easy, and fit for a short attention span!

Along with the many photos I had from our Texas vacation, I had also gathered lots of little pieces of memorabilia from the trip that I wanted to include as some journaling.  Here's what I came up with:

album (Maya Road) + patterned paper ( Girl's Paperie, Studio Calico) + corrugated letters (Making Memories) + letter stickers (Sassafras Lass) + die cuts (Girl's Paperie) + ribbon (Heidi Grace) + twine, heart charm

I started with a 4-ring chipboard album that's approximately 5 x 7.  I decorated the cover with paper and die cuts and added some ribbon, twine and an antique heart charm.  I also lined the interior sides of the cover with a coordinating paper and die cuts:

paper (Studio Calico) + chipboard (Maya Road) + rub ons (Jenni Bowlin) + die cuts (Girl's Paperie)

The album came with several chipboard pages, but I opted to use only three of them:


I covered the front side of them with patterned paper and then use various bits of memorabilia from out trip to create mini collages on each page:


patterned paper (Sassafras Lass) + die cuts (Girl's Paperie)

On the back side of each chipboard page, I adhered my journaling, which was printed onto kraft cardstock. After printing my journaling on the kraft, I used a lined stamp with watermark ink to add some interest to these pages:


Then I pulled out my photos from the trip (I had about 50 photos, all printed at 4 x 6 size.)  I organized them in the order I wanted them to appear in the album and then adhered them back-to-back.  Using the chipboard pages as a guide, I punched four holes in each photo so it would fit into the album:


Then I assembled the interior pages, using the chipboard inserts as dividers in the album and filling the space in between with all my photos:


My album is pretty full, though you could probably get about 10-12 more photos in there.  I love that this mini includes the photos, the journaling recap, and little pieces from our travels all in one small place. Not counting the photo printing (I sent mine to winkflash for prints), it took less than a day to create.  And more importantly, it's gotten me over the mindset that I can't do minis - bonus!

Watch for more of my adventures with mini albums in early October when my self paced-project, a cute Halloween mini album featuring Jenni Bowlin Studio products will debut at Big Picture Classes. I'll show you a simple, step-by-step process for creating an album that will help you conquer your fear of minis.  (And yes, plenty of candy corn will be involved!)

Happy Wednesday!

Monday Morning in a Nyquil Haze

Technically, I guess it's not really even morning anymore. But a weekend trip to the mountains gained me more than time with family and a view of the changing aspens....I also got a nasty case of the sniffles. (ok, snot-packed nasal cavities is actually more accurate, but sniffles sounds so much more feminine, right?)  At any rate, I succumbed to the lure of the Nyquil in order to get some sleep last night and this morning I'm feeling like a college girl who spent the night romancing Jose Cuervo. (Minus the inappropriate Facebook photos). But needless to say, I'm moving a bit sluggishly today.

So, yeah - we took a quick road trip this weekend to see family, spend some time on the golf course, and see the gorgeous fall colors.  We had the most amazing weather!  It was sunny and warm with a just a hint of crispness to the air - pretty much perfection.  Here's a few of my favorites shots from the weekend:

and of course, a gratuitious shot of my hot husband's cute butt:

I'll leave you with a few sneaks of the Jenni Bowlin kit for October. It's just gorgeous and I plan to spend some quality time with it this afternoon.  Just as soon as this damn Nyquil wears off.

Enjoy your Monday!

Design Redeaux

A week or so ago I was attempting to put away the stacks and stacks of completed layouts piled upon the dining room table and get them into albums where they (according my, ahem, husband!) belong.  I speculated that we might need the table for Thanksgiving dinner and, given the number of layouts residing there, it just might take until November to get them all put away.  (It should be noted that the last time I actually put a layout into an album, Tom was jumping on Oprah's couch, LOST was my television obsession, and both were confusing the hell out of me. Ah, some things never change...)

At any rate, in sorting through the piles and inserting layouts into albums, I came across a few pages that left me somewhat disappointed in myself as a scrapper.  Now, I don't expect every single page I make to be a work of art that causes the heavens to open and angels to sing, but I do have my standards.  Namely, the page should (1) successfully display a treasured photo; (2) have some sort of documentation of who/where/what/when/why that photo relates to our lives; and (3) show some shred of artistic merit and creativity.  But one such page I found met none of these criteria:

Eeeeeek!  It's horrendous, right? While I adore this sweet photo of Hayden's friend Sophia, the layout itself is truly horrible.  Granted, it's several years old, and was created in the time when my style wasn't fully developed. I think I had thrown it together in a last minute application for the AC design team.  It's no wonder I wasn't chosen for the team, and I should probably be thankful AC didn't ban me from ever using their products again after seeing this haphazard mess of a page.  But even beyond the design, the fact that there is no relevant journaling on the page really, really bugged me.  Of course, we know who Sophia is and why she's important in our lives right now, but if we see this page in 10 or 20 years, will we still know? Or will we just see a random (albeit CUTE!) photo of a little girl that is in our scrapbooks for some unknown reason? I didn't want the story to go unrecorded, so I set out to re-design this page.

Here's the new version, complete with the journaling that the original was missing:

Sweet Sophia • 12 x 12  patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket Pinwheels, Making Plans, & Flower Fields; Sassafras Lass Mellow, Affection, Studio Calico Down to Earth) + frames (Maya Road) + mist (Studio Calico Mr. Huey) + letters (Cosmo Cricket) + punches (Martha Stewart butterfly, EK Success notebook) + flower gems (Making Memories) + die cutting machine (Silhouette SD) + fonts (Handsome Pro - title, Veteran's Typewriter - journaling) + misc buttons, twine

I used supplies from Studio Calico's kit, Back 40 (and the add-on, Fresh Cut) to create a collage of frames and simple embellishments next to the photo.  The title is a mix of chipboard letters and shapes that I cut using my Silhouette (I cannot even begin to express my love for this little machine.  It has already saved me so much time cutting things I used to painstakingly cut by hand.  Time that can be used to do more important things.  Like shop online. And play Jewel Quest. And avoid housework.)  I printed the journaling directly onto the cardstock background, overlapping the title just a bit.

Now, I realize that redesigning a scrapbook page isn't revolutionary work that's going to save the world or anything.  But I'm so much happier with the version of the page! (And around here, mama's happiness counts for a lot. Just ask my kids.)  The soft colors of the product make the photo shine, and the story behind Sophia and her importance in our life is now documented.  And hey, if there's one less poorly designed scrapbook page in the world, maybe it is a better place after all.  Happy Thursday, my friends!

 

Well, howdy.

I didn't mean to leave you all hanging in suspense regarding the Great Cattle Baron Fashion Debate. At decision time on Friday, the Anthro dress was just slightly ahead in the votes, and since it was the dress I was most comfortable in, it ended up winning as wardrobe pick.  But since the black dress was just about as popular, I went ahead and got it too  - look for it to make an appearance at upcoming holiday parties. :)

So after waking up at 4:30 on Saturday morning to go run 22 miles in the rain (do I know how to kick off a weekend, or what?!)  I packed up an overnight bag, got the kids settled in with the sitter, and Mike and I were off to enjoy the evening.  We snapped a few photos in the hotel lobby while waiting for our ride to the event, which, much to my disappointment, wasn't a stagecoach:

We didn't get to take the wagon, either, because our scarecrow driver had apparently taken advantage of the hotel happy hour and was unable to fulfill his duties.

(The official event photos aren't available yet - I'm hoping that photographer did a better job than the Embassy Suites employee who took this photo and apparently thought scarecrow hats were just the fashion accessory we needed.  Nice.)

Upon arrival at the Ball, I was reassured that I'd made the right choice of dresses, as most of the women were wearing summery, cotton numbers paired with boots. The black dress would have probably been a bit too dressy, though there were a few women sporting blindingly bling-y rhinestone shirts that may or may not have been stolen from Neil Diamond's closet.  I'm just saying.

Overall, it was an evening was filled with fabulous food, drink, music and company.  I made it through the whole night without spilling anything on myself (or anyone else!) and without stepping in cow manure.  A successful evening, indeed.

 

 

Because what is the internet for, if not to help make critical fashion choices?

Ok, friends - you've helped me out in the past by issuing honest and forthright opinions on my wardrobe sagas.  Really, you're the next best thing to having Clinton Kelly on speed dial (which, sadly, has yet to become a reality for this WNTW-obsessed fan).  So here's the latest conundrum for which I'm soliciting your thoughts:  What should Lisa wear to the Cattle Baron's Ball this weekend?

The event, which benefits the American Cancer Society, is a work-related obligation for my hubby, and since I'm not one to turn down an evening of food and drink, and (let's be honest) the opportunity to go shopping for a new outfit, I'm going to tag along as well.  The invitation says the dress code is "western elegance" which despite my many Google searches, remains somewhat of an enigma. My knowledge of western fashion is limited to my brief reign as 1988 Middle Park Fair & Rodeo Queen, and there's no way I'm wearing the high-waisted, butt-elongating, bright pink Rockies jeans that fit the bill then. (I haven't really kept tabs on the current cowgirl style trends, but goodness knows I'm hoping those horrifically unflattering jeans aren't the rage anymore.)

At any rate, I've narrowed my options down to these two dresses.  Please review & discuss:

Violet Gloaming Dress from Anthro: silk with velvet tie at waist, worn with brown Frye Campus boots.  I have an ivory leather motorcycle jacket I'd probably throw on as a coat.

Pros:
Super comfy
Gorgeous fabric
Very unique
Could probably work in more casual setting, say under a jean jacket

Cons:
Expensive
Possibly not dressy enough
Easily recognizable as "the landscape dress" - not as versatile as a Little Black Dress.

 

 

Little black dress from Nordy's: Textured satin with front pleat & bow at waist, worn with traditional black dress cowboy boots. As a coat, I'd probably wear a fitted jean jacket adorned with some fun black tulle flowers.

Pros:
More reasonably priced
Could easily wear again
Fits perfectly
Black is classic
Looks amazing with my red heels (for future event)

Cons:
I'm struggling w/ pairing such a classic dress with boots (does it look funky & hip or just weird?)
Not as unique
Black is a bit boring
I'm not sure I love the front pleat
It's not the Anthro dress

 

 

 

So what do you think?  Channel your inner Stacy London and give me the truth!  And be sure to voice your opinions here before Friday evening - I've got to have a 12-hour window for shopping! ;)

Things I learned this weekend.

1.  When you start your shopping for a special occasion dress at Anthropologie, you are likely to find the exactly what-I-had-in-mind-but-way-more-than-I-wanted-to-spend dress.  You can spend the rest of your weekend searching countless other stores for a similar, yet cheaper, dress and you even though you will find viable options, you will still want the Anthropologie dress.  If you drag your unwilling husband to these stores with you, forcing him to evaluate and discuss the pros and cons of no less than 25 other dresses, he will likely, in utter frustration and/or exhaustion, tell you to just go back and buy the damn Anthro dress already.

2.  Some days I am TONS of fun to be married to.

3.  Involving two children under the age of nine in a weekend project of repainting a table and chairs might sound like a good idea initially, but in the end, it's a lot like giving a cat a bath.  While it's certainly possible, and likely to provide to some decent entertainment value, the end result is not pretty and someone's gonna end up screeching and yowling.

4.  Some days I tend to be just a TAD uptight.

5.  When the rest of your family is fed up with you and your (1) obsession with finding the perfect dress, or (2) extremely anal painting techniques, it is quite easy to sneak off into your office and complete a page:

 
 
Five Wishes • 12 x 12  Studio Calico Kit, Summer Camp: patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) + paper ribbon (Basic Grey) + flowers (Sassafras Lass, Basic Grey) + die cut (Sassafras Lass) + jewels (American Crafts) + fonts (Bohemian Typewriter, Rough Typewriter)

So what did you learn this weekend?  Do tell!

Five on Friday.

This week I'm using the Five on Friday forum to air my petty grievances - stupid, silly things that in the grand scope of life are inconsequential, but are annoying the crap out of me, nonetheless.

1.  In the last two weeks, I've witnessed so many poorly-parked mini vans in parking lots that I'm beginning to think there's some kind of epidemic going on here.  Doesn't the fact that most of these vehicles are built on a Honda Civic-sized chassis make them pretty easy to park? C'mon, suburban moms!  If I can learn to park my husband's 3/4-ton Ford truck in a crowded Target lot, surely you can navigate your swagger wagon into a 9-foot wide space. (And for reference, that's BETWEEN the white lines, not straddling them.)

2.  Since road crews are resurfacing the main thouroughfare of our neighborhood, a trip that used to take 5 minutes now takes at least 20 due to the one-way street traffic. Yes, this inconvenience is annoying but what's really driving me nuts is the scrolling LED sign at the entrance of our street that flashes DRIVE CAREFULL! So that's where my extra "L" has gone.

3.  Reason #46,780 why listening to local radio in the car makes me grumpy:  the "clever" insertion of their call letters into songs to make us think the artist is actually singing about the station.  Um, sorry Mix 100, but I know Uncle Kracker didn't write that line.

4.  YAY for Target for already starting to get their Halloween aisles set up.  BOO that they chose to prioritize the display of costumes and decor, and not mellowcreme pumpkins and candy corn. They better get that candy out soon. Don't they realize what the focus of this holiday is?

5. So yeah, MTV?  I do not know how you got my email address, but don't think I didn't notice your blatant push on Jersey Shore merchandise (ping pong paddles - really?) on the same day Snookie received her sentencing.  So here's my Situation:  UNSUBSCRIBE.

Whew.  I feel a bit better getting those off my chest. So what's your gripe today?  Feel free to dump it here.  And I promise I won't judge. I just discovered a secret stash of candy corn, so my mood is looking up.

Happy Friday!

Playing Catch Up.

We spent the Labor Day weekend at my grandmother's in Kansas, saying good bye to another summer with a family celebration packed with food, fun, and oh yeah, a little fishing too! I spent yesterday doing the post roadtrip hangover stuff like unpacking, laundering, and re-stocking the frig while the kids and hubby headed back to school and work.  So today sure feels like a Monday, regardless of what my calendar may insist.  I'm doing my best to catch up....Wednesday, can you wait for me??

I'm also noticing that my last two layouts from the Jenni Bowlin Mercantile kit also kind of follow the theme of catching up. Both feature photos of my littles traveling away from me (and the camera - a popular pose these days!) and leaving mama behind.  Part of me of wants to run and keep up, but part of me knows that I have to step back and let them grow.  Sigh.  So before I get any more sentimental and mushy, here's the pages:

Going, Going, Gone. • 12 x 12   cardstock (Bazzill Basics) + patterned paper, buttons, butterfly (Jenni Bowlin Studio) + fonts (Edwardian Script - title; Bohemian Typewriter - journaling) + twine

I'm pretty sure I was channeling Keisha Campbell on this page. I love her linear designs with the romantic touches like scallops and bows she always adds. I used the font Edwardian Script printed directly on swiss dot kraft for the title.  All the papers are from Family Tree - I love the way this die cut JBS paper works for back-to-school!

Follow Your Heart • 12 x 12  patterned paper, buttons, ticket, journal card, stickers, paint (Jenni Bowlin Studio) + ribbon (May Arts) + punch (Fiskars) + font (Clarendon) + pen (American Crafts) + twine

I added a bit of light blue cardstock to the kit contents for this page. The journaling is tucked behind the large photo, written on a sheet from the JBS memo pad.  I used a JBS ticket stapled to the top as a "handle" for the journaling.  The title was handcut from the font Clarendon, and may well just be my very last hand cut title....My new Silhouette arrived yesterday and I am having so much fun making custom titles with this little machine - woo hoo!

And now I'm off to tackle this day...Wednesday, right??

Family Tree.

September's kit from Jenni Bowlin Mercantile is full of Jenni's new line, Family Tree.  I had no idea how versatile it was going to be, but after working with it, the consenus of all the design team members was that it's a workhorse!  From back-to-school and fall layouts to Christmas and Halloween pages, this kit can do it all!  Here's what I created:

Rose Garden • 12 x 12  patterned paper, die cut, journal tag, butterflies, buttons (Jenni Bowlin Studio)+ pleated ribbon (May Arts) + pens (Staedtler) + twine (Coats & Clark) + font (Veteran's Typewriter)

I loved the way the kit's colors worked with my rose photos.  I layered a journal card with the kit exlusive bird die cut, a vellum butterfly and button for the title.

Tiara • 12 x 12  patterned papers, journal tag, pearls (Jenni Bowlin Studio) + flower (Prima) + pen (American Crafts) + machine stitching

A super simple page using strips of the JBS papers mixed in with a bit of scalloped cardstock. (I pulled these from my scrap bin - they aren't in the kit). The mini pearls are from Jenni's pearl flowers - I just cut them apart to use them individually here.

Santa • 12 x 12  cardstock (Core'dinations) + patterned paper, large buttons, small buttons, stickers (Jenni Bowlin Studio) + machine stitching + font (Bohemian Typewriter )

I sanded the middle portion of the core cardstock here and layered lots of small circles before stitching between each row of text to make a background. Also added lots of buttons and some of the JBS star stickers in there.  I love the vintage Christmas feel this page has!

Just Too Cool • 12 x 12  patterned paper, letter stickers,  buttons,  stickers , paint dauber, journal tag,(Jenni Bowlin Studio) + rub ons (7Gypsies) + pen (American Crafts) + stitching

I used the new JBS paint daubers to make the red circles, applying it to white cardstock and then using a circle cutter to cut them out.  Also applied the whole sheet of rub ons to the page as a background. The green alphas are a kit exclusive and I love the bright color!

I've got two more pages to share with you next week, so stop back by!  Also wanted to let you know that Doris Sander, Debbie Hodge, and I will be hosting the Masterful Scrapbook Design seminar this month and it's all about color - a topic near & dear to my heart!  Hop on over and check it out - there are some amazing resources and incredible inspiration.

And, hey - enjoy your weekend!

 

 

 

Use Your Words.

Back in August I was asked to participate in Elle's Studio Journaling Class, In Your Own Words.  Using some of Elle's adorable journal tags, I created this page with one of my favorites styles of journaling:  list-making!

Almost 5 • 12 x 12  cardstock (Bazzill Basics) + journal cards (Elle's Studio) + sticker (American Crafts) + ribbon (May Arts) + pen (American Crafts) + pearls (Basic Grey) +  font (Bohemian Typewriter)

If you missed the class, you can still catch up over at the Elle's Studio blog.  The entire 3-week class is also available as a pdf booklet that you can download for free:
Just click here to download the pdf file. Happy Wednesday everyone!