Gettin' By

For the love of patterned paper | BasicGrey

I'm a proud hoarder of patterned paper and despite the fact that I use it on just about every layout I create, my stash is always expanding. Some of my very favorite patterns were from BasicGrey and when I came across this page using their Dear Heart line, I was reminded just how much I miss their amazing papers. They always produced gorgeous collections of papers that worked together seamlessly (and creating with them was so easy!) 

 

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So while I was lamenting the fact that BasicGrey papers are no longer available, I decided to turn to Google and see if there was any hidden stash out there on the world wide web. And while I did find a few papers still available (yay!), I was even more thrilled to see the digital collections of many BG lines available at Snap Click Supply Co. They currently carry the Dear Heart line I used on this layout, as well as many of the well-loved BG collections.

 

 

I used lots of the patterns to fill the centers of my heart cut file, and you could easily print the papers from the digital collections to re-create this look. (Tip: one of the best - and cheapest - papers for printing digital elements is Staples Basic Photo Paper in Matte!) 

 

For even more texture and dimension, I added chipboard, felt and enamel heart accents atop my die cut. This is a great way to use up little bits from your stash! I look for pieces that match the general color scheme and theme of my page and mix them in liberally.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this blast from my scrapbooking past! And now I'm off to download some delicious papers (and bonus - they won't even take up any room in my supply closet!)

 

Wardrobe Wednesday | Cladwell

Target Moto Jacket (similar) + Knox Rose Tunic (ebay, ThredUp, similar) + AG Nikki Jeans + Freebird Lasso Booties (similar, similar) + Jack Wills clutch (similar, similar)

 

I've always known there are certain pieces in my closet that I'm drawn to - the ones that make me feel pulled together and stylish even when inside I feel like a bridge troll.  And after about four months of using the app Cladwell (which basically helps you inventory your closet and keep track of what you actually wear) I'm learning exactly what are the go-to pieces in my wardrobe. And spoiler alert...it's not the plaid mini skirt or sky-high tweed pumps I convinced myself I needed in a whirl of retail therapy on Black Friday.

 

 

Loose tunics and distressed jeans are at the top of my "most-worn" list and the outfit today is no exception. There's something very easy about grabbing a colorful drapey top (that drapes away from the body and doesn't remind me that I may have eaten a cheeseburger and fries last night) and soft, broken-in jeans to pull together a look. And when I can mix in a few different patterns and textures (hello florals and animal prints!) I'm even happier.

 

Cladwell has helped me to focus on the pieces I truly love and offers lots of different outfit options based around what I currently own. For this tunic alone, it offers more than 50 outfit combos with pieces already in my closet. Here's just a sampling:

Cladwell has also helped me be a smarter shopper, because I'm starting to realize what type of items I love and wear regularly (and which ones need to be purged!) When I can quickly look at my closet stats and see the plaid mini skirt has zero wears, yet the floral tunic has 10, it makes it so much easier to let the skirt go - and replace it with something I know I'll wear! If you're looking for a way to feel less overwhelmed with by your wardrobe, I'd totally suggest grabbing the app (it's free!) and diving in. It takes a bit of time to get everything inventoried and start tracking your outfits, but it's well worth the effort.

And when you're done, you can totally reward yourself with a cheeseburger and fries.

 

 

SIMPLE SATURDAY | Happy Hearts

Since we just celebrated Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share a page full of love (and not coincidentally, HEARTS!) One of my favorite ways to reinforce the theme of a page is to use repetition. In this case, I've used the heart shape to convey lots of love, and they are also a perfect way to bring color and pattern to the design!

 

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This page features two 4" square photos that I positioned on the right side of the page. After selecting my patterned papers, I cut a variety of sized hearts on my Silhouette Cameo and used them to fill the remaining space. I overlapped the shaped and used foam adhesive to pop some of them off the page for more dimension.

The shape of the hearts makes it hard to fill the whole space evenly without leaving little spots of trapped white space. But buttons area great way to fill these blank spaces! I used an assortment of sizes in colors that coordinated with my patterned papers.

 

For the title, I fussy cut two conversation bubbles from one of the papers. To help them stand out from the sea of hearts, I added a baker's twine border around each oval. Then I adhered them overlapping with foam adhesive. I also used this border technique on the edge of my page. Baker's twine is an easy way to add a fun textural element to your design!

Hope your weekend is full of LOVE!

Technique on Tuesday | Shrink That Space!

Sometimes starting a double-page layout can be a bit intimidating. I find the 12x24 canvas hard to visually organize, especially if you're used to designing 12x12 pages. One trick I love to implement when starting a two-pager is to immediately shrink the "live area" of the page to a smaller size. Confining your page elements to a specific space also leaves plenty of room for the all-hallowed white space - which is never, ever a bad thing. Today I'm sharing a layout using this technique!

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After selecting my background (a snowflake pattern + pink cardstock), I opted to focus my design on a 17.5x8.75 area in the center of the spread. While this might seem like a random size, it was actually based on my photos - three 4" square and one 4x6 (along with three smaller 2" photos I added as well). I arranged the photos in four columns, each featuring a grid of smaller elements above or below the photo. The last column features my largest photo and a die-cut title to fill the space beneath it.

 

To separate my photo columns from the background (and visually define my design area) I matted everything on cardstock and added a stitched border. The small 2" squares were a great place to add fun and festive embellishments that went along with my winter theme.

 

 

To keep the page from being all straight lines and right angles (which, let's face it - can be a bit boring) I softened the corners of my photo block by adding diecut snowflakes. Not only do they help lead the eye from the upper left corner of the page all the way through to the lower right corner, they also add a sense of energy and motion to the page that the squares alone couldn't accomplish. 

 

By repeating the shape of squares throughout the page, I was able to incorporate a lot of elements into a relatively simple design. The grid framework keeps the page organized, but allows lots of little "canvases" to showcase your story. And can I get an AMEN for all that beautiful white space?? 

Happy Scrapping!

Technique on Tuesday | Scalloped Circle Border

After almost 20 years of scrapbooking (and collecting all the latest and greatest scrapbooking products!) I've spent the last few months organizing and attempting to reduce my stash to better fit in the confines of my small home office. I've narrowed it down to the products I truly I love and use regularly and basic shape punches are one item that made the cut. I especially love circle punches and they can be found on many of my favorite scrapbook layouts. (Like this one, this one and this one!)

One technique that put this versatile tool to use is the scalloped circle border. It's a great way to incorporate texture and pattern in a page and it's also super easy, thanks to the handy dandy punch!

 

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This page documenting the story of my grandparents' elopement was a perfect setting for a colorful patterned border. The vintage black & white photo meant I could use just about any color scheme, but I wanted to keep it a bit soft and romantic to reflect the theme of the page. I chose smaller print papers from the Amy Tangerine Shine On collection and punched small (1.25") circles from a variety of the patterns. This is also a great way to use up small scrap of paper you  may have lying around!

 

 

Next, I cut the punched circles in half and adhered them to the backside of an 8.25" circle to make a scalloped border. I used two layers of half-circles to complete my border, adhering the second row circles centered between the first row. This technique is totally customizable - you can add as many or few rows as you want, or use a larger circle punch to increase the size of the scallop!

 

 

 

Here's a visual step-by-step of the scallop border technique!

STEP ONE:  Punch circle from patterned paper. I used approximately 22 circles on my page,
but quantity will depend on the size of the cardstock circle you are edging.

 

STEP TWO:  Cut punched circles in half and adhere to back side of larger cardstock circle.
I apply a tape adhesive to the outer edge of cardstock and slightly overlap the edges of the scallops.

 

STEP THREE: Adhere a second row of half-circle, centering each between the first row
of half-circles. And remember the back side doesn't have to look perfect! Once you flip the
cardstock circle over, the border will look clean and crisp.

I'd love to see your pages using this technique - so leave me a link if you do! Happy Scrapping! 

Giveaway | SCT 365 Online Layout Class

I'm thrilled to be involved with another year of SCT’s 365 Online Layout Class! SCT asked previous students what they would like to see in this year’s class and many of those suggestions were implemented in the 2019 class. Each month, you will be creating one double and one single page, both based on a PageMaps sketch. By popular demand, many of these pages will featuring lots of 4x6 photos, perfect for your lab prints. Here's a few sneaks of my projects, which will be part of the January class content!

 

Our talented group of teachers will bring you trend-setting techniques, tips, tricks, cutting files and so much more. This class is a great way to learn something new, fill up your scrapbook albums, and try new techniques, all at your pace. I'm excited to be included in this all-star cast of teachers that includes Meghann Andrew, Jana Eubank, Nicole Nowosad, Virginia Nebel, Sheri Reguly, Marcia Nix-Haus, Tya Smith, Lorilei Murphy, Jen Gallacher, Wendy Sue Anderson and Nathalie DeSousa.

If you'd like to join us for a full year of creative fun, you can register at the link above (class starts tomorrow, January 2!) And I'm giving a spot away to one lucky blog reader and their friend - all you have to do to enter is leave a comment below telling me one scrapbooking goal you have for the upcoming year! I'll announce the winners January 2 and post them below. 

Happy New Year, my friends!

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year | SCT 365

So who's prepared for it to be 2019?! While I'm definitely not quite ready to wrap up the end-of-year celebrations, I'm begrudgingly flipping the calendar to a new, fresh year that probably doesn't involve cocktails at any hour (because it's the holidays!), wearing flannel pjs 24 hours a day, watching countless reruns of Christmas Vacation and having cookies and egg nog for breakfast. Sigh.

I am, however, kicking off 2019 with a bit of scrapbooking as the January designer for the online class, SCT 365! This class features a new designer and fresh content every month, with double and single-page layouts based on PageMaps sketches. You'll have access to trend-setting techniques, tips, tricks, cutting files and much more. And it's only $28 for the entire year-long class, so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be creative in 2019.

Today I'm sharing a layout from last year's class that documents our NYE celebration and incorporates a fun technique - the embellished grid!

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The center of my layout features all the major components - photos, journaling & title. With the space that was left in the surrounding margins, I decided to stitch a grid with black thread and top it with festive sequins, stars and dots that help reinforce the celebratory theme.

 

I don't usually use much gold on my pages, but I had fun incorporating accents into this design as it goes so well with the New Year's Eve theme. The title (which was included as a free cut file with the class!) is a bold number font with the script die-cut layered over the top.

 

The SCT 365 classroom will open on January 2 with an all-star cast of teachers, including Meghann Andrew, Jana Eubank, Nicole Nowosad, Virginia Nebel, Sheri Reguly, Marcia Nix-Haus, Tya Smith, Lorilei Murphy, Jen Gallacher, Wendy Sue Anderson and Nathalie DeSousa.  On the first of each month, new content is available in the online classroom on the SCT website. And because this is a self-paced class, that content will be available all year long.

Stop back by on January 1, when I'll be posting sneaks of my new class content, as well as a chance to win a spot in the classroom for you and a friend! See you in 2019!

Wardrobe Wednesday | All Hail The Egg Nog

Bishop Sleeve Cardigan + Umgee Tunic + Madewell Skinny Jeans + Matisse Booties (similar)

I'm not a frequent Starbucks customer, though I've been known to suck down a few Latte Brevés during times when I need and extra boost (or twelve) of caffeine. But when the calendar signals the arrival of the all-hallowed red cups, I find myself bee-lining for Starbucks on a very regular basis. Add to that the fact that our local dairy (which delivers our milk in glass bottles to a cute metal box on our porch) offers the most amazing egg nog in all the world during December, and you've got a perfect situation for adding on some holiday weight. And while I have no problem emulating the Jolly Old Elf during Christmastime, it does it make more challenging to get dressed!

Enter the flowy tunic. I'm grabbing anything that drapes away from my body these days, and this tunic is one of my favorites. Layered under a cozy sweater, it's festive and comfy and most importantly - it's loose. And it's also equally wearable in warmer weather with cut-off denim and sandals, so it's truly a versatile piece. Not only does it help disguise the fact that I ate Christmas cookies for breakfast, it also assures there's plenty of room in my gut for an afternoon eggnog latte (or eight - who's counting?!)

Happy Holidays!

christmas fun | SCT Delivered winter kits

With a mere seven days to go until the big Christmas celebration, I'm (quite literally) wrapping up my holiday to-do list. I'm popping the Christmas cards in the mail today and then getting cozy for a marathon wrap session. Last December 26, I stocked up on paper from Hobby Lobby and I have to say it is such amazing quality compared to the Target rolls I've bought in years past (which is so thin it rips if you look at it sideways). There's nothing quite like a heavy, crisp paper to make package wrapping a joy. Am I right, or am I right, Martha Stewart?!?

The kids' last day of school is Thursday, at which point we have lots of festive things planned - a movie with cousins, cookie-baking, and checking out the local light displays. And maybe a few Silent Nights thrown in for good measure! I'm going to make it a point to take lots of photos (something I've been slacking on the past few years) because creating holiday layouts each year is one of my favorite things. Here's one I did of last year's Christmas - using the winter SCT Delivered kit, Winter Wonderland!

 

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Two-pagers are ideal for holiday pages, and I love featuring lots of photos to set the scene. On this spread, I used two 4x6 photos and eight smaller square photos (2.75") that really capture the event. I spread them across the two pages, lining up the 4x6 photos first right along the center seam.

 

 

I adorned the upper left and lower right corners with snowflakes (both stamped and die-cut) and a variety of small, colorful accents that help lead the eye through the design. The title is a mix of stickers and the kit exclusive acrylic word, which I backed with light blue cardstock to help it pop a bit more.

 

 

To keep a clean, uncluttered look, I chose to put my journaling on the backside of a tag (printables included with the kits!) and tucked it behind the patterned paper strip. It can easily be pulled out for viewing, and keeps the design aesthetic simple.

 

 

I hope that your holiday preparations are going smoothly and you have a time to enjoy the simple things as Christmas grows near. Like a wrapped gift with perfectly matched seams and diagonal folds - it's a good thing.

Happy Holidays my friends!

ALL IS BRIGHT (CALM, NOTSOMUCH)

A little more than two weeks until Christmas - is anyone else in denial?? I have about ten million other things I should be doing to prepare, yet here I sit composing a blog post. Because what fun are the holidays if you aren't running around like a crazed lunatic the last few days? I hate to deny myself the pleasure of that insanity.

So instead of ordering Christmas cards, finishing the tree decorations or organizing teacher gifts, I'm posting this festive layout for y'all! It features one of my favorite shapes - the star - grouped together to make a dimensional wreath frame for my photos and journaling.

 

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To start, I simply sketched a circle centered on the cardstock and then machine stitched several times around the circle with gray thread. It doesn't need to be perfect! (Coincidentally, this is also my mantra when it comes to Christmas decorations and holiday baking!)

 

 

Then I die-cut lots of stars (ranging from 1.5" to 3") from several papers. I used 17 stars total, but you can fit less or more, depending on the size of the circle and the size of the stars. Once the stars were cut, I scored each one from point to valley and gently folded along the score lines to make them three-dimensional.

 

Large glue dots (the 3D kind) are great for securing the stars to the page and also help keep the centers from getting smashed. I arranged mine around the stitched circle, filling in any gaps with small snowflake stickers and die cuts as well as sequins for a bit of sparkle.

 

In the center of wreath, I arranged my two photos, journaling and die-cut sentiment to serve as the layout title. (Full disclosure: I actually printed the journaling on the white cardstock after penciling in the circle and determining where my photos would go, prior to creating the star wreath. I use Adobe Illustrator to layout my elements and help me determine where to type journaling, but I believe you can do something similar in Word.)

 

And now I'm off to actually cross something off my holiday to-do list....does drinking eggnog and watching a Hallmark Christmas movie count??