A bit different for me

I sure hope this photo gets a line around it when published--otherwise it is going to look like I a really odd layout. This week I decided to attempt to use more white space in my layouts. I wanted to step away from the ink smudged over lapped designs of the last few weeks and see if I could use a sketch that made me a bit uncomfortable to consider. The sketch was from So Sketchy blog http://sosketchy.blogspot.com/

I love the ribbon, the bright colors, the photos, of course, just make my heart sing. Because I still refuse to use a ruler--it's not as straight as the sketch. However, it wouldn't be mine, and it wouldn't be as happy if it were completely aligned.

The bird die cut from Sizzex really did well on this layout. I hadn't used it for anything but cards since I bought it before Christmas. The patterned paper is from K & company and the ribbon was bought on eBay for my wedding decorations and repurposed here--I love that.

The Within Reach Doctrine

The InspirationWe were watching the History Channel President series this week and I was reminded of the Monroe Doctrine. While the Within Reach Doctrine does not have such lofty ambitions—I have arbitrarily created it and I highly recommend adherence in the world of paper art. The benevolent dictator hath spoken…smile.

I finished the second layout for my wedding book on Saturday. Not that I’ve actually come near finishing the honeymoon album, but back to the topic at hand. Often, when I haven’t finished a theme album I conserve the scraps to use on subsequent pages. In end, I have a huge pile of scraps instead of the smaller ones after a two-page layout.

The best solution for a theme album is to create page elements for upcoming layouts. However, even that can backfire on me and while the scrap pile is smaller, the pile of pre-made elements that need to be put on cards or SOMEwhere is now too large.

The Doctrine
Hence The Within Reach Doctrine which reads as follows: Use the leftover supplies from the completion of a project along with any items within reach of your workspace to create something from the scraps. In other words, leave no scrap unturned.

The Doctrine in Action
The projects shown here are from my most recent adherence to the WR doctrine. The layout is called “dance” and features a professional 5” x 7” photo taken by Palm Beach Photography. I used a sketch to make designing easy and papers from multiple manufacturers including Club Scrap (background) DCV (prints from two different collections) and Marko Papers (the stone finish mauve). Other supplies include letter stamps by Tim Holtz, Ranger ink, Offray ribbon, Sakura ink pen, pastels, Spellbinders scalloped circle and doodles die cuts with the Wizard machine.

Once the page was finished, I created a 5.5” square card with same papers, a Tim Holtz stamp, and even a variation of the sketch. I scored the stone mauve card stock to make the top lift up and reveal a message underneath.

Now that I’m in full compliance with the WR Doctrine, I will be sending neutral inspectors commissioned by the United Paper Crafters to inspect your work area. Be on the look out….

My first grandson page

I wonder how old fashioned my digital layouts will look by the time my grandson grows to be a man? Regardless of their appearance, I just want him to feel the love that pours into every element.

My feelings about digital scrapping are mixed. I’m exploring them in a series of articles I’m working on now. At the moment, I’m just trying to keep a sense of wonder and a sense of humor about it all. Like many things, the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.

Digital is defiantly right for certain situations. In the case of this layout, I had access to photos sent online and I didn’t have the right paper or ink quantity to begin the hybrid process. Plus, I wanted to finish this in an hour or two for posting and emailing to family.

As with any scrap process I don’t want to spend days completing—I worked from a sketch. Technically, it was a digital layout posted to the gallery of Designer Digitals. The majority of my digital downloads come from Designer Digitals http://www.designerdigitals.com/ -- they are just the easiest for me to use from the vast array of choices out there. I think I discovered them initially by referral from the amazing Jodi Kennedy of Pink Tomato/Creative Caffeine fame. http://pinktomatos.blogspot.com/

The background paper on this layout came from the first (and possibly only) Digital Die Cut Fusion set by Spellbinders. www.spellbinders.usa

I had a great weekend full of wonderful people, adventures, and ideas. I’ve tried to make notes and hope to post more soon. I’ve finished the majority of our wedding guestbook which was designed in scrapbook format. I really do like it. That was my project for the fun crop I attended on Saturday. There’s nothing better than paper, adhesive, and friends….

My primary efforts for the next month will be holiday gifts and cards. My plan at the moment will be a similar gift for everyone so I can’t write much about them yet. Maybe I’ll figure out some code words….grin. For now I wish you moments of joy.

When the photos pile up--sketch them away

Stretch with a Sketch

I love sketches for many reasons. A sketch along with a select group of papers and elements can I love sketches for many reasons. A sketch along with a select group of papers and elements can streamline the process of creating scrapbook pages. Sketches are my crutch when I have more photos than I can envision scrapping within the next 10 years...wry smile

Sketches provide the scrapbook artist with boundaries yet they enhance and stretch your design skills at the same time. I often create sketches on 3" square sticky notes--just a rough idea of placement that works as a guide for what I want on the page. However, when gifted with an overwhelming number of photos, I resource the professionals.

There are plenty of sources for sketches in magazines, books, and online. One of my favorite spots is the Gettin Sketchy blog http://gettinsketchy.blogspot.com/ for sketch artists. Most often, I cruise through their entries and use one from months past to jump start my pages, however, this month I actually used the current sketch to make my two page layout. I'm even entering this in their monthly contest.

Check out their blog and give sketches a try yourself. Plus, as an added bonus, they have cool music playing if you keep the blog open.

About these layouts

These two pages utilize the same sketch which I flipped to fit the direction of photos. I've been using another "photo overload" tool which is keeping the majority of supplies within a single product line and color scheme. I used K and Company papers from a tablet along with textured card stock from WorldWin papers, Stickles glitter glue, and green vellum. Sakura pens were used for journaling and Ranger's Adirondack Ink was used for distressing. Rub-ons were from a little word book by Art Warehouse. Tools included the Wizard for the circle die cuts and the EK Success paper crimper. My wonderful friend Lynn Barwald made the title words with her klick-n-kut tool. The world is so much brighter when you have friends, isn't it?

There are always a few things the scans don't show and these two layouts are no exception. The glitter that came on some of the papers and that was added on others barely shows. I love my glitter so you can be sure there's more there than you can see. The other thing I did that I hadn't done in a long time was cut out portions of the photos and layering to make 3-D areas on several photos. Since these layouts were about food on the cruise, I popped out the food in three photos.

Tons of photos

I am the proud owner of almost 500 photos from Aug. 2-Aug 11. We had a great wedding and honeymoon and we both love to take and view photos. The professional wedding photos from Palm Beach Photography are still up and available for viewing at http://www.palmbeachphotography.printroom.com/event.asp?domain_name=palmbeachphotography&group_id=19 I haven't posted a link in a few weeks so I thought I'd move that to the top. Tonya and her staff gave us some wonderful views of our special day as part of the CBS 12 Dream Wedding. If you need a talented and cool photographer, I recommend her wholeheartedly.