Gettin' By

Simple Saturday

It's been a busy week, full of end-of-the-school year craziness (sock hops and field trips and speech contests and band concerts, oh my!) and I MIGHT be feeling just a little bit woozy waiting for my brain to catch up to all the places my body has been rushing to this week. And while our weekend is equally jam-packed with fun events, beer and bbq will be involved. 'Nuff said.

Even though life is moving full-tilt right know, there is one thing I can count on to remain simple and uncomplicated - my scrapping! This week I'm featuring a page from my Seeing Double video that went live yesterday at Two Peas:

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It's a simple horizontal arrangement of 3x4 journaling cards, topped with my photos, lots of washi tape and embellishments. I love these Project Life-style cards even though I don't do Project Life, because they are easy to incorporate into grids and other linear designs. They make a perfect home for journaling, or a frame for photos, or a backdrop to other accents on your page.

I've added lots of chipboard accents to this page and covered them with washi tape to create colorful custom embellishments. It's a fast and easy way to make bare chipboard look fabulous.

Because my page includes a lot of bright colors, I opted to cut my title from vellum using the font Cookie. It's soft and subtle and doesn't compete with the rest of the page.

For more tips and tricks using journal cards and washi tape (and to see the accompanying card!) be sure to check out the video (and let me know what you think!)

And now I'm off to partake in some weekend revelry. And possibly do a little brainstorming for trips/outings/activities/sports/crafts to keep my kids entertained (and me sane) when they finish up school in a mere four days. And here's where you should feel free to console me that I am not the only bad mama with absolutely no summer agenda worked out yet...

Simple Saturday

If you've only got a few moments to sneak in some scrapping, here's a layout that you can complete in record time, and it's brought to you by my very favorite design framework - the undisputably easy 9-square grid! I've used this tic-tac-toe style foundation on countless pages but because the elements within the grid change with every layout, it still looks fresh.

For this page, I've featured four photos from my childhood (and, er, please direct any comments about my hideous bowl haircut to my mother, who assures me this is was a stylish and trendy coif for the early 70s. I have yet to take solace in that, because the emotional scars from being mistaken for a boy for most of my youth just run too deep.  *sob* )

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The photos were different orientations and sizes, so I knew each square of the grid wouldn't be identical.  By mixing in slightly various sizes of patterned paper squares, as well as a large flower and number for my title, the grid squares are asymetrical, but balanced.

I added embroidered stitching to divide my grid, and also around the outer edge of my die cut numbers. To see a detailed tutorial on this easy embroidery technique, hop over to the BasicGrey blog!

Simple Saturday

Happy National Scrapbook Day, my friends! Hope you are getting a few moments today to celebrate with a little bit of scrapping. And since it is an official holiday and all, don't hestiate to add a little chocolate or champagne into the process - or even better, both!

So today, in amongst the celebratory toasts and treats, I'm sharing a recent layout I did for Lily Bee. I'm sure you'll be shocked (not) to see it uses a modified grid design of 2-inch squares - both paper and photos:

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First I selected 12 pictures that gave a good overview of our vacation and mixed them in with patterned paper squares from Lily Bee's Pinwheel, Sweet Shoppe and Destination lines to complement the colors in my photos. I positioned each square slightly staggered from the one below and aligned the rows at a slight angle. I love the sense of energy and motion a little slant adds to the page.

Then I adorned the majority of my paper squares with small embellishments. I tried to stick with accents that matched the paper so the details would be subtle and not too busy.

My title was cut from deep teal cardstock using the font Shishoni Brush. It's a rough-edged type that has the feeling of hand-lettered calligraphy. Before I cut the title, I also drew in a few small circles to cut at the same time that adorn the corners of my layout.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your NSD, peeps!

Simple Saturday

This past CHA, Jenni Bowlin Studio debuted a new product that they'd previously never produced - paper tape! And in classic Jenni style, the patterns and colors were chic vintage that perfectly coordinated with all things JBS.

I created the layout below to showcase just a few of the cool things you can do with these tapes:

 

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Beginning with two of the Heart Cards Kit Cuts (cut from white cardstock), I laid out a grid with my photo (printed 3x4) and journaling. The negative space in the die cuts was a perfect place to showcase the tapes. I layered them over the piece of cardstock that was cut from the center of the heart. Then I trimmed off the overhang and mounted it behind the die cut using foam squares.

I repeated the process for the Blessings card, adhering the tapes vertically this time.

To finish the page, I applied several strips of tape along the left-hand edge, adding in a small strip of white cardstock punched with a scallop border and some machine zig-zag stitching.

So the next time I can't find the perfect piece of patterned paper for my design, I might just reach for my paper tapes instead! They are a quick and easy alternative to add color and pattern to a page.

 

Simple Saturday

Patterned paper is probably my very favorite scrapbook supply and I definitely have the stash to prove it.  And because I have so much of this staple, I often challenge myself to incorporate lots of the patterns into one page design.

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The You & Me line from Elle's Studio has so many wonderful papers and they are are particularly easy to combine because of the simple designs, soft colors and variety of pattern sizes. To make things easy on myself, I printed my photo in black & white so I didn't have to worry about it coordinating with the color palette of the papers. Then I layered wide strips of papers across the bottom portion of my page, punching one paper (the aqua pattern) with a scallop border punch.

After selecting several of the tags and journaling spots from the same line, I tucked them in between some of the layers. I chose tags featuring phrases and sentiments that echoed the theme of the page and tried to place them on contrasting papers so they'd stand out. I loved the bold contrast of the black tags with the softer colors, and also for the way they complimented the tones in the photo.

Though I liked the clean white space at the top of the page, it looked just a bit bare. So before adding my photo, I stitched a diagonal grid in white thread across the white cardstock. The stitching adds a subtle bit of texture and pattern to a blank space, giving it interest without detracting from the rest of the design.

I also added rows of stitching across the top of each wide patterned stripe, which is both decorative and functional, as it securely holds the tags in place. My final step was to trim down three sides of the layout and mount it on a black chalkboard paper to frame the design.

If you're intimidated by working with multiple patterns, using papers from a single line is a great way to start. Pay attention to the how the colors, patterns, and scale work together and soon you''ll be mixing patterns like a pro! And for even more tips on combining patterned paper, you can check out the Ella Boot Camp archives. For just $18, you'll get 12 video drills (including one from me specifically on combining patterns) from 4 expert Drill Instructors. So check it out! And happy scrapping!

 

Simple Saturday

While I have grand plans to eventually create school-year albums for both my kids that feature their school photos, artwork, homework, and info about each grade, I have yet to actually make those projects come to life. So in the meantime, what's a girl to do with extra school photos that are lying around collecting dust?

Well recently when I was cleaning up my office I discovered one of Hayden's photos from fifth grade (last year) in a pile with his photo from first grade. Seeing the two photos side by side immediately made me mutter that time-worn phrase all parents come to know: where does the time go?

And that, naturally, prompted me to create this page. I scanned the two photos and converted them to black and white (because, honestly, who wants the challenge of color-coordinating supplies with those hideous school-photo backdrops??!) and paired them up with lots of die cuts and Jenni Bowlin supplies:

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Though the design looks detailed, it's really only die cuts mixed in with chunks of patterned paper. I layered the triangle die cut directly over the cardstock background, while the clock I backed with two different patterned papers to fill the circles. Then my title is a combination of stamped lettering and a die cut word. Layering up die cuts this way adds a lot of visual interest to a page but it's super simple to do!

To create a visual triangle with the red circle in my title, I added red polka dot washi tape vertically on the left side of the layout and horizontally on the right. A few circles of patterned paper, vintage tags and some stickers finish it up.

Hope your Saturday is simply wonderful!

 

Simple Saturday

Well hello weekend! Anyone working on anything scrappy? I've got my JBS Mercantile April kit on my table and am hoping to create some pretty things with it today. It's a lovely, subdued palette of greys, pinks, yellows and aquas with plenty of neutrals thrown in - perfect for spring. And if you're fan of Heidi Swapp or Elle's Studio, you're really gonna love this kit! Here's a little peek:

And I happened to have designed the two exclusive papers for the kit - a grey mathematics paper, along with a design that reminds me of my early childhood love of the Spirograph!

Speaking of JBS, I've been wanting to share a layout of mine using the Haven line. It's not a new collection, but I love its timeless, classic colors of cream and green with just a touch of red. To modernize the vintage look of the papers, I've framed them with a crisp black circles (cut on my Silhouette) and clustered them all together with my photos:

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I really love the way a simple black border unites all the different elements on this page. In some of the circles, I've stamped images using red, brown, and black inks (the damask and ruler patterns are stamps!) This allowed me to bring in some additional colors and patterns that coordinated with the Haven papers.

The word read is also cut on my Silhouette from red cardstock. The font is Clarendon and it's undoubtedly one of my favorite serif fonts!

Wishing you all a happy weekend (scrapping, reading, or whatever you may be up to!)

 

Simple Saturday

One of the most-used (and oldest!) tools in my scrap arsenal is my Creative Memories Cutting System and yes, I use it to death! I know it's totally old school, but then again, so am I.

And when you need a quick and easy way to get a page design rolling (quite literally!) circles are a perfect way to start.

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On this page, I cut a variety of circles from a few different papers with coordinating colors. I arranged the circles to form an oversized matte for my photos and determined how I would position them on the cardstock, but before I adhered anything, I printed my journaling in the space remaining.

Then I adhered my circles and stitched around the edge of the entire arrangement with embroidery floss.  This stitched border helps the eye see the circles as one unit, rather than individual elements.

I used a combination of mini alpha stickers and stamps for my title and then added a few buttons, brads, and circular chipboard pieces finish off this page.

Happy simple scrapping!

 

Simple Saturday

Sometimes, a patterned paper does all the design work for you. And the Lovely Stripes paper from the new Elle's Studio line You & Me is just that kind of paper!

The wide stripes with subtlely (but strategically) placed typewritten text helped me create this page for the Elle's Studio CHA booth - and it came together in less than 20 minutes. Hooah - that's a total record for me, folks!

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I added two identical photo strips to the center, using several of the larger Elle's tags to surround them. The LOVE tag works as my title, with my journaling written on the 3" circle tag.

I then cut four of the pennant tags to adorn the upper left side of the page. I added some zig zag stitching to attach them, and repeated the same stitching along the lower right side. A few red rhinestone stars sprinkled around, and this page is done!

Do you have a favorite paper that's made your design come together quickly? Do share!

And have a super Saturday!

Simple Saturday

So yeah, I really love patterned paper. Of all my scrapbook supplies, it's definitely the most plentiful. But often I find it's hard to select just a few to feature on a page. So when I'm feeling too indecisive to choose, I'll implement the strip method (and I promise it's not as scandalous as it sounds!)

Using just a small strip of each paper is a great way to gets lots of pattern on a page without overwhelming the design. On this page, I incorporated 10 different patterns, positioning various lengths vertically across the center of my cardstock:

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Yes, it's busy, but the page theme lends itself to a bit of liveliness! You can tone that down if you limit your color palette to two hues, but I've chosen to use blue, green and yellow on my page. Each paper strip is about one-inch wide (though I kind of eyeball that) and staggering the heights of each strip gives the page some energy and motion. For texture, I've tucked a few vintage tags in between some of the strips and added rows of maching stitching as well:

For a final bit of flair, I used the exclusive stencil from the February JBS Mercantile kit to draw the yellow starbursts in the upper left and lower right corners. I used a fine-tip yellow pen, because I'm currently in a fight with my yellow paint dabber, which has twice decided to revolt against my gentle squeezing and explode all over my workspace. (I'll spare you all the gory details and just say me and that yellow paint dabber? We are not friends.) A little sprinking of green pearls and the details are done.

My title is a mix of Pebbles letter stickers and a die cut word "happy" that I designed and cut with my Silhouette. And speaking of which, I'll be sending that very cut file to anyone subscribed to my mailing list next week, so it's a great reason to subscribe to my blog! (And my lawyer says that I should also add: I solemnly promise not to sell your email address to anyone and you are able to unsubscribe at anytime!) So no pressure.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!