Gettin' By

Got design dliemmas?

Being a freelance graphic designer definitely has its perks. I get to work from home (often in my pajamas). I get to surround myself with paper samples, ink swatches, and font collections (oh my!). And other than the occasional difficult client, I get to work in an industry that indulges my creative passion (and get paid to do it - winning!)

Another benefit of a design background? It helps me be a better scrapbooker. Studying my favorite pages, I can see how balance, proportion, repetition and unity are working on a page. These design concepts are ingrained in my head after years of use, and incorporating them into a layout has become second nature. But I realize that not all people scrap that way. A frequent question I get asked is "How did you know to put that element THERE?" and while the complicated answer relates to design concepts, the simple answer is "It just GOES there!"

All this rambling about design does have a point: I am going to be teaching at some upcoming events this spring (including Ella Publishing's Spring Training!) and wanted to get your feedback on topics you'd be interested to learn more about. So what are your biggest design dilemmas? Do you struggle with incorporating journaling into your layout? Does white space scare you? Are multi-photo layouts your biggest foe? Is there a technique you just can't figure out?

And as some incentive to leave me some feedback, I'll pick a random commenter to win a copy of my Ella book, Design Workshop.

Now's when I do my best Ben Stein impression and stand here repeating "Bueller? Bueller?"

Hope your Tuesday is terrific :)

UPDATED WITH WINNER:  Thanks to everyone for sharing your design dilemmas! I'm hoping to address many of these in my upcoming classes, so stay tuned for more details!  And congrats to Kristine S, who is the winner of my e-book download:

 

Project Life: Week 6 & 7

Catching up on Project Life with a double-week post today. And to keep this project rolling along, I think you'll notice some simplifying that went on in the design. I also discovered the world of Project Life printables available on Pinterest, which made these weeks come together quite nicely.

So up first is Week 6, a single-page layout that uses mostly Instagram photos from my phone.  Since Instagrams are square, I filled the page protector (which normally has 8 pockets for 3x3 photos and 1 pocket for a 12 x 6) with all 3x3 squares.  I alternated photos, screenshots and memorabilia, along with a printable + Thickers for my date card. After labeling each photo with mini-number stickers, I typed out a corresponding journaling card to describe each of the photos. Note: The links for the free printable cards are in the supply list below! I did modify the files in Photoshop a bit to fit my squares:

S U P P L I E S :

Since Week 7 included Valentine's Day, I dedicated a whole page to it. The top portion of this spread contains a collage of Valentine's cards the kids got from their classmates, and I adhered the heart + date in the middle, right on top of the page protector:

S U P P L I E S :

For the rest of Week 7, I went with a two-page spread and used several of the free quote cards from Smitha Katti as fillers.  Inspired by the simple, colorful cards, I create a few of my own using the same style fonts (including one for Riely's sparkly shoe photo!) and styled my journaling block in a similar way as well:

S U P P L I E S :

 

I actually laid this whole spread out digitally and printed everything on photo paper, adding in a tiny bit of pink patterned paper and the ski lift ticket before sliding it all into the page protector. Once again, I ignored the pocket sizes of the sleeves, and fit everything into twelve 3 x 4 blocks. Not being locked into a certain photo size/orientation is proving to be very effective in helping me get these weeks documented.

So how is your Project Life moving along? Link me up to your pages - I'd love to see your progress, too!

 

Contemplating. And more contemplating.

I've been contemplating changing up my hairstyle for a few weeks now. (OK, honestly? I've been contemplating my hairstyle for YEARS.)  But contemplating - and collecting pictures of cute, short 'dos -  is all it ever amounts to. Once I'm actually in the stylist's chair, I am a big fat chicken around the scissors. So I proffer the usual "just trim it a bit!" and call it good.

I've had the same long, straight hair since I was pregnant with Riely and it was beginning to feel like a rut. It was an easy rut to stay in, due in large part to the convenience of ponytails. And ballcaps. But since there are a limited amount of social engagements where baseball hats are appropriate, I decided it was time to stop all the contemplating and JUST DO SOMETHING ALREADY.

So yesterday, I called my stylist to get an appointment. And knowing that if I was left with any time to contemplate further, I'd change my mind, she told me to come in that afternoon. No more contemplating. Gulp. And here's what resulted:

About six inches shorter (and more in the back, as it angles slightly up toward the nape of my neck) and a few shades darker. Not too drastic, but a significant change for this haircut weenie.

So now I'll have to find something new to contemplate. I'm guessing it should be more worthy and virtuous than hairstyles...like maybe the meaning of life? ...the key to world peace? ...the solution to our nation's deficit?  ...or how many times I can include the word "contemplate" in a single blog post without killing readership?  Yeah, maybe that last one would work.

 

Give-It-Away Thursday: Mini - Kit!

Before we get to the oh-so-exciting giveaway, let me slip in another page that I completed with my February JBS kit.  I used the new dictionary stamp (which should be arriving in stores soon!) to create a repeating pattern, filling in the center area with little bits of patterned paper:

S U P P L I E S :

Yesterday proved to be a good mail day when both a new Boden catalog and my March Jenni Bowlin kit arrived. Both are filled with reminders that spring is just around the corner - fresh, colorful patterns and palettes abound!  The March JBS Mercantile kit is filled with Jenni's new line, Magpie, and it's nothing short of perfection.

So today I need to clear off my desk and make room for new creating adventures, which means I've got a collection of pieces from my February kits that need a new home:

There are several 6x6 papers from October Afternoon, Studio Calico, and Cosmo Cricket, along with a nice assortment of new & vintage embellishments and goodies. If you'd like to give this assortment a loving home, just leave me a comment below.**  Comments will stay open until Monday morning, February 27, when I'll post the winner below.

Now go enjoy your Thursday, ya hear?!

**Please be sure to leave a contact email in your comment if you are not signed in to Typepad.  Comments will remain open until the morning of February 27 (whenever I drag my butt out of bed, make coffee, and log on to Typepad) and the winner will be randomly drawn from the comments, announced at the bottom of this post, and contacted via email (if possible). Internationals are welcome to enter, but you'll have to pay postage on the shipment. And that concludes the fine print. Yahoo!

UPDATED WITH WINNER: Congrats to Busygirl, winner of the mini-kit! And thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Weekend Recap (On Wednesday!)

Wowsers...it's Wednesday already? I guess a three-day weekend playing hooky on the ski slopes makes the week slide by a bit quicker, huh?

We spent a few days up in the mountains at my parents, hanging with family, where almost-three-year-old Henry may have taught Uncle Mike the finer points of Pac Man on the iPad and the kids may have eaten their body weight in Nana's red velvet cupcakes:

We spent lots of time on the snow, in the company of Masked Rastafarian Maniac and Pink Piglet (otherwise known as our crazy, no-fear, point-your-skis-straight-down-and-don't-stop-til-the-bottom kiddos:

We did get them to pause for a brief second to take a photo with their parents (who spend most  lift rides questioning whether they were too old and creaky to ski two days in a row):

We were finally able to convince them to call it day by bribing them with s'mores while we tossed back some microbrews (and possibly a few Advil!)

There was also a birthday celebration for Uncle Josh (with two ice cream cakes, because can you really party with just one?!) and a quick family photo shot by a nice lady in the lodge who patiently waited while 10 people tried to smile & keep their eyes open at the same time:

Good times, indeed. 

Today I'm playing some catch-up on work, tackling the oh-so-fun task of tax preparation, and hoping for a few minutes alone with my March Jenni Bowlin kit! Hoping your Wednesday is wonderful!

Project Life: Week 5

I'm a bit behind with posting this week, but Project Life is still running along pretty smoothly. The family has gotten very involved, collecting things for me to include in the album, and both Mike and Hayden are snapping photos for me. Which means (1) I don't necessarily have take photos everyday; and (2) I end up actually being in some of the pictures!

For the week of Jan. 29 - Feb. 4, I ended up doing a two-page spread with a 8.5 x 11 insert:

S U P P L I E S :
This week I pretty much used whatever happened to be laying on my desk at the time, which means there's not a whole lot of matchy-matchy going on here. And there's a small OCD part of my brain that is freaking out about this, but I'm trying to convince it to shut up. After all, the week is documented and it's done.

It includes the elaborate ceremony the kids performed Thursday night in hopes of getting a snow day Friday (it worked!). And just in case you want to try it, it apparently involves wearing your pjs backwards and inside-out, flushing an ice cube down the toilet, and sleeping with a spoon under your pilllow.

I also included a coaster from date night in one of the slots (I cut it down to fit):

I was lacking some photos for the last page, so I got creative filling the center section. I used a screen shot from the website of the restaurant we ate at, which included some cool photos of food and drinks and the "Be Happy" phrase which perfectly suited our night:

I filled the rest of the empty space with a patchwork of patterned paper and a square cut from a sticker sheet, stitching them together and topping them off with an Ormolu badge:

And that's about it...another week is in the books!

Happy Birthday Kimber!

I am so excited to be a part of the blog hop today celebrating the fabulous Kimber McGray's 40th Birthday!  I met Kimber for the first time in 2009 at Winter CHA when we stayed at the same hotel. Needless to say, her sense of humor and sarcastic wit kept me entertained all week. She is one of the most talented, down-to-earth, funny, and all-around awesome scrapbookers I know.  So please join me in wishing Kimber a fabulous, fantastic, and fun-filled FORTIETH birthday!

S U P P L I E S :

 

Kimber, I hope your day is amazing and that at least one margarita will be involved. And just for the record...there's no one I'd rather get kicked out of an Embassy Suites happy hour with than you! Happy birthday girly!

Now head on over to Christine Drumheller's blog to continue Kimber's birthday blog hop!

Five on Friday.

Here's five random things I've recently purchased that are making me happy!

1.  Chinese Laundry Kenna ($49.00).  I snagged these funky mary janes on Zulilly a few weeks ago because (1) I liked the chunky heel that isn't too high; (2) the big button embellishment is adorable; and (3) I'm a total sucker for mary janes.  OK, OK, it may have also had something to do with the fact that they were marked down to $16.95.  Because they look equally cute with jeans or skirts, I've worn them on countless occasions already, and according to my remedial math skills, they've cost me about $3.25 per wearing. And now I can tell Hayden that, yes, in fact, graphic artists do have to use math in real life.

2.  Pantone Postcards ($20.00).  You can't be a real graphic designer without deep-rooted beliefs in three things: the sanctity of white space, the conviction that logos don't always look better bigger, and the faith that there exists a perfect Pantone ink for every project. So naturally, I couldn't pass up these handy little notecards, cleverly decorated with a variety of lovely Pantone hues. I'm keeping them around for last minute thank-yous notes, gift tags, and an homage to all things inky.

3.  J. Crew Painter Zip Tee ($42.50). On a quest for scoop-neck tees, I discovered this striped version from J. Crew and, paired with jeans and a flowy scarf, it's quickly become my weekday uniform. I love the zipper detail on the back, the 3/4 length sleeves, and the uber-soft slub cotton jersey.  I got the classic blue/white, but it also comes in an orange stripe and grey stripe...and at the risk of getting into a striped shirt rut and being mistaken for a Keystone Kop, I may just buy those, too.

4.  Elle's Studio Vintage Number Flash Cards ($9.99).  Lots of Elle's Studio tags have made appearances in my Project Life album, and this set is a recent purchase that's headed for the same destination!  I love the simple, colorful number cards with room for journaling and can't wait to incorporate them in my album.

5. Next Betsey Fashion Designer ($8.99).  I got Riely this a few months back and it has been in constant use ever since. What little girl doesn't want to match, create, and color her own outfits?!  It's reminiscent of the old Fashion Plate toy I coveted as a child - and I sheepishly admit to playing it with by myself while she's at school. And possibly using a Pantone swatch book to coordinate the color schemes.

Have a fantabulous Friday, my friends!

Give-It-Away Thursday: Vintage Ephemera!

One of the best things about working for Jenni Bowlin is the amazing vintage goodies she provides in the Mercantile kits each month.  I love that she shares her amazing flea market and estate sale finds with us and they are often perfect for adding a bit of historical flair to scrapbook pages and projects.

But currently, my ephemera bin is overflowing and it's time to clear a few things out!  So today's giveaway is a random collection of bits and baubles, papers and labels, tags and trimmings:

So, if you'd like to be entered to win this collection, just leave me a comment below.**  I'll keep the comments open until Monday morning, February 20, which just so happens to be the oh-so-historical Presidents Day.  Fitting, no?  I'll post the winner here and we can all celebrate by chopping down a cherry tree while wearing stovepipe hats and reciting the Declaration of Independence. Good times!

 (And there is absolutely no chance that I'm all hopped up on chocolate and caffeine and may be a little overenthusiastic for the upcoming 3-day weekend. Nope. No chance at all.)

 

**Please be sure to leave a contact email in your comment if you are not signed in to Typepad.  Comments will remain open until the morning of February 20 (whenever I drag my butt out of bed, make coffee, and log on to Typepad) and the winner will be randomly drawn from the comments, announced at the bottom of this post, and contacted via email (if possible). Internationals are welcome to enter, but you'll have to pay postage on the shipment. And that concludes the fine print. Yahoo!

UPDATED WITH WINNER:  Thanks to everyone who stopped by and entered to win! I hope to see you all around here more regularly! :) The lucky winner of the ephemera collection is Susan:

And if you didn't win, don't dispair!  I'll be back this Thursday with another crafty giveaway!

Fastly Fleeting February.

Oh dear. The month is half over and I'm completely neglected to share any of my pages with this month's Jenni Bowlin Mercantile kit. Please forgive me. This whole wine-and-chocolate diet? Is kicking my butt. It has, however, allowed me to compose amazingly alliterative blog post titles, no?

But despite the fact the February is almost gone, you can still grab a Papercrafting Kit if you're so inclined (and I can attest - it's gorgeous!) Also available is the Antiquarian Add-On, which contains an amazing vintage wooden bingo card (check out what Briana did with it here!).  And - no surprise - both kits happen to pair well with wine and chocolate.

So here's a page I created with the Papercrafting Kit exclusively:

S U P P L I E S :  

I used bits and pieces of the kit patterned papers to make the oh-so-trendy chevron pattern as my background. Then I layered the vintage paper clock face with a tag sticker, key, chipboard buttons and my title. The green seam binding stitched over the top adds a pop of color that makes me happy!

And with that - I'm outta here! February is flying by too dang fast to hang out in any place too long!*

*And clearance-priced chocolate only lasts so long at Target, people!