There's a First Time for Everything!

Today I decided to use a paper collection that I've been neglecting.  I used to use this set frequently but since I've restarted this blog I hadn't used it once.  Surprisingly, I still have a lot of it left (probably too much).

The reason I used to use these papers a lot was because I was in love with the color combos and I must say, I still am.  They were difficult to photograph but I just blame that on the lack of even natural light I get in my place.

The buttons on this page were a bit of a challenge for me mentally because I found myself constantly wanting to line them up or group them in sets of three but I forced my brain to work outside of it's usual tendencies and I'm very pleased with the results.

Sometimes I have to remind myself to try new things and that's okay.

I'm proud to say that this is the FIRST page I've ever made that I can identify ALL of the elements!  Good thing it's Saturday because I think that deserves a glass of wine in celebration!  Cheers!

Identifiable Elements:

• Buttons- Favorite Findings in Violet Glitter by Blumenthal Lansing Company
• Phrase stickers- Stickers by Momenta
• Letter stickers- Chaos & Confusion Green Alphabet Cardstock Stickers by Three Bugs in a Rug
• All papers- Fresh Linen collection by Colorbök

Fast Card Friday

This Fast Card Friday only happened because I realized I might actually start needing baby cards.  I've never really had a need as I hardly know anyone having kids but I was at work one day and we were talking about how it seemed like we had so many pregnant coworkers giving birth recently and I decided I might want to have some cards on hand for that.

I luckily have some paper die cuts of baby related things that my mom gave me from her old Creative Memories stash.  I used the purple booties to start because I thought they were really cute and I really like purple.  A lot of this is random stuff I had stashed away.  It was really quick to throw together and I already have a potential recipient!

Identifiable Elements:

• Backround paper- Kraft Classics paper pad by SEI
• Rhinestones- Adhesive Gems by Simply Creative

Hoarder's Hump Day

Although I'm not a huge fan of the page today, it feels really good to get rid of some things that I've been holding onto for way too long.

For this page I was able to use some of the red letters that I was running low on and have had for years, as well as the die cut flags from some old Stampin' Up! kits.  I like the design I came up with but I feel like it still might need some sprucing at some point down the road.

All things considered I think this page served it's purpose and I couldn't as for much more than that. 

Identifiable Elements:

• Background paper- Kraft Classics paper pad by SEI

Unique as a Unicorn

As much as I love this unicorn I'd been hoarding I just had no idea when I'd ever use him.  Luckily I found the perfect opportunity today and he finally is getting the recognition he deserves!

This lovely photo was taken of me as a child after a fall rain and the raincoat I was wearing gave me all the inspiration for this page.  It also made me think that I might want to start wearing more pink now (maybe, I'm still not sold on the idea).

Matching my photos to my pages is one of my favorite parts of scrapbooking.

Surprisingly, I actually can identify a lot of the elements on this page, despite the fact that it was yet another effort to purge my collection.  That in and of itself is quite the achievement!

Identifiable Bits:

• Textured paper rectangles- Two Scoops Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper
• Background paper- "Today" from the Recorded collection by Webster's Pages
• Wood paper- Wild Card collection by BoBunny
• Yellow letters- Summer Fresh by Simple Stories
• Pink rhinestones- Adhesive gems by imaginisce

4 Photo Frenzy

I've noticed that not too many scrappers seem to be doing 4 photo layouts without cropping their photos but I have a lot of pages that I need to get done that'll fit that description.  Today's page is one of them.

Most of these photos weren't super croppable (I'm making that a word now) so I decided to embrace it.  I used a heavily patterned paper for the background so that I could have visual interest without piling too much on and making the page heavy.  

I refuse to crop my memories for aesthetics.

I added a few finishing touches with the chipboard and rhinestones (because I can never have enough bling).  Unfortunately, a lot of this page came from my stash with no name.

For such a fast page to put together this turned out to be one of my favorites that I've done in awhile!

Identifiable Elements:

• Sticker letters- Summer Fresh collection by Simple Stories
• Rhinestones- Adhesive Gems by Simply Creative

Fast Card Friday

Today's fast card is fast in that it doesn't take long to put the pieces together but it does take a bit of time to dry.  I still consider it fast because without drying time it only took me about 10 minutes to create.

This card was fun to make because I tried out something different with glitter glue.  I lumped a whole lot of streaks of glitter onto the white piece that I had stamped flowers on then unleashed my inner toddler and smeared it with my fingers to get them to mix together.

Finger painting is just as fun as an adult.

I got a little messy myself but I think the otherwise clean lines of the card balance out the visual interest of the glitter.

Unfortunately the blue and green glitter glues had no label as I won them from a contest many years back.

Identifiable Elements:

• Flower stamp- Secret Garden by Stampin' Up!
• Birthday stamp- Bring On the Cake by Stampin' Up!
• Ink- Basic Gray by Stampin' Up!
• Gold glitter- Glitter Glue by Studio G
• Green paper- Neutrals cradstock stack by DCWV
• Rhinestones- Adhesive Gems by Simply Creative

Let's Get Sketchy

I decided to take on another challenge today since I wasn't able to on Sunday (I was adventuring through a seemingly impossible corn maze).  The challenge I chose is from Let's Get Sketchy where they give you a sketch and you create your page around it.  I made the following page from their sketch which I decided to take a loose interpretation of because often when I see a sketch I find myself trying to copy it exactly instead of letting my creative juices flow.

This page was pretty fun to make though I had to resist the urge to add excessive bling like I usually do.  I liked getting to use multiple patterns and play around with their positioning

It was a fun page for a fun photo and I really enjoyed making it!  I especially enjoyed getting to use the unique buttons I found at a flea market (they seem more practical as scrapbook embellishments than actual buttons).

Identifiable Elements:

• Torn papers- Modern Graphics Deluxe Paper by Cricut
• Small letters- Summer Fresh collection by Simple Stories
• Background paper- "Garden Bench" from the Miss Teagen Sue collection by Bazzill Basics Paper
• Large letters- Summer Fresh collection by Simple Stories

Hoarder's Hump Day

Today's Hoarder's Hump Day mostly focused me scrapping photos that I've been hoarding rather than elements.

The photo for today might look very plain but it is a photo that I took to send to my boyfriend (at the time) when I went with his roommate to look at the house they'd all be renting next year and help him move in (the other guys were coming later that summer).  This house ended up being one filled with great memories and this photo reminds me of that exciting time of new adventures.

Sometimes it's the "random" photos that hold the most memories.

Since this photo isn't as visually exciting as most I didn't want to overpower it with a crazy page.  I tried to keep everything simple like it is.  I think I accomplished that (probably to a fault, but oh well).

Identifiable Elements:

• Flowers- Blossoms in Orange by Queen & Co.
• Background paper- "Melon Ball" collection by Colorbӧk
• Worded paper-"Melon Ball" collection by Colorbӧk
• Green paper- Neutrals cardstock stack by DCWV
• Rhinestones- Adhesive gems by Imaginisce

Glitter Problem

I'm surprised that I don't regret created this page despite the fact that my work space now has glitter that I'm sure I'll be finding months from now.  I had so much fun creating the the circles in the background.  I covered parts of them in glue then dumped the glitter on.  no special technique to it!

I had to keep myself from going too far with the glitter.  I almost used glitter lettering as well but luckily I talked myself out of it and went for some classic white instead. 

Glitter addiction is only a problem if you let it be.

I've never been a fan of the color yellow so I wanted to bring out the accents in the background paper without resorting to using more true yellow.

I also didn't realize that this was holiday paper until I cut off the label!  I just love the way the blues mesh with everything.

Identifiable elements:

• Background paper- Sleigh Ride collection by BoBunny
• Gray paper- Neutrals card stock stack by DCWV
• White raised heart stickers- Lovely Hearts by Sticko

Can I Legally Marry Paper?

I was so excited to make this page because I got to use some of the paper from a collection of 6x6" that I fell in love with awhile back.  The Wild Card Collection by Bo Bunny speaks to me on an emotional level that I can't explain (maybe a little dramatic for paper but I don't care).

I loved cutting out the fun shapes and mixing and matching them to get just the right balance.  I also got to use some cream colored ribbon that I have a surplus of but never get around to using.  

Overall, I absolutely love how this page turned out and I really enjoyed making it.

Finding geometric balance on a page is one of my favorite things to do.

Identifiable Elements:

• Patterned papers- Wild Card 6x6" Collection by Bo Bunny
• Enamel hearts and circles- Enamel Shapes by We R Memory Keepers
• Ribbon- Grosgrain Ribbon by Stampin' Up!
• Lettering- Marquise Pearl Letter Stickers by American Crafts Thickers

Fast Card Friday

I promise that background color is green.  It was a weird day lighting-wise on balcony today when I took this and my phone was cooperating.  I have no idea why it looks like baby food yellow but in person it is green.  A Fast Card Friday calls for a Fast Photo as well and I didn't feel like fighting with it today. 

This card was incredibly simple to make.  When you're in a rush, stamping one image in multiple colors can add some quick visual interest.  I also got to use up the last of my black leaf stickers.  I'm sad to see them go because they were really nice to work with but this just means more space for more fun stuff!

Identifiable elements:

• Green paper- Neutrals cardstock stack by DCWV
• Black leaves- ECD Outline Stickers 2598 by Elizabeth Craft Designs
• Flower stamp- Flower Shop by Stampin' Up!
• Thank You stamp- Something to Say by Stampin' Up!
• Blue ink- Marina Mist by Stampin' Up!
• Green ink- Cucumber Crush by Stampin' Up!

It Might Be Too Soon

I don’t like scrapbooking photos that are too recent.  Part of the enchantment of scrapbooking for me has always been getting to spend time with photos that I haven’t seen in a while and really appreciating them.  If the photos I’m working with are too recent I catch myself often rushing through a page just to get through it because the memories attached to it are too recent and I don’t feel that nostalgic magic yet.

In those moments I'm not working off of emotions and inspiration like I should be.

The wonderful thing about the hobby of scrapbooking is that it gives you the chance to slow down and cherish the life you’ve lived.  So many times I find myself pausing while I’m creating just to be thankful to have enjoyed the moment that archiving. 

Photos are great because they tend to show the happy times.  I have photos that were taken on nights that I felt down or during events that took turns I didn’t anticipate but when I look at them I’m reminded that it wasn’t all bad. 

It’s often too easy to let the bad outweigh the good in our minds.

Looking back on old photos with fresh eyes can frequently put things in perspective.  I’m saying to totally disregard any less than positive feelings you might have to a memory as those are valid feelings to have but don’t let them be the only ones.

Recent photos don’t have the power of hindsight behind them.  So maybe next time you want to jump on scrapping something just to get it out of the way, give yourself a little time to process.  The take away you have later might just be the inspiration you need.

Hoarder's Hump Day

I wasn't planning on doing another Hoarder's Hump Day this week but as I was putting this page together, I quickly realized that's what it was becoming.  All of the bits and pieces that make up this page are things I've been stashing away for far too long.  The brown buttons are even ones I held onto from a sweater I had to trash long ago!

I'm not sure how happy I am with the outcome of this page but I still like it enough to call it finished.  Part of me wanted to keep adding things to make it more eccentric but I didn't want to distract from the photo too much.

Sometimes less is more.

Since it is a Hoarder's Hump Day and I'm mostly trying to use up as many random things I have in my collection, there's really not a ton that i can identify on this page but I did my best sleuthing to figure out what I could!  At least for once I know where the papers came from!

Identifiable Elements:

• Orange butterfly paper- Hey Day collection by Studio Calico
• Lettered paper- Melon Ball collection by Colorbӧk
• Orange leaf paper- Melon Ball collection by Colorbӧk
• Layered stickers- I Love Family collection by Echo Park Paper Co.
• Camera paper- I Love Family collection by Echo Park Paper Co.

Perfect Paper, More Perfect Photo

This page was difficult to photograph because of the absolutely beautiful paper that I used for the background.  You can almost see that it has a glossy emboss and is slightly iridescent in way where it can be either white or light pink depending on how the light catches it.  I thought it would be perfect for this photograph because it is one of my favorites of my grandparents and I from when I was little and it matches perfectly.

I tried to use the tan paper to make sure that the photo really stood out and used minimal embellishments for the same reason.  The only thing I'm considering adding is to this is the year it was taken in if my mom remembers since there wasn't any date on the back.

Unfortunately, I don't know who makes the paper since I got it from a massive clearance pile awhile back but I've listed below the parts that I do know.

Identifiable Elements:

• Beige enamel tear drop shapes- Enamel Shapes by We R Memory Keepers
• Light blue framed stickers- Watering Can Label Stickers by October Afternoon
• Embossed flower stickers- by Vintage Blue
• Textured tan cardstock- "Neutrals" collection 8x8" by DCWV
•  Letters- Marquise Pearl Letter Stickers by Thickers

Challenge YOUrself

Today I decided to take on another challenge from another favorite challenge blog of mine, the Challenge YOUrself blog.  The challenge was to make a page featuring one of your pets and you.  This task proved to be more difficult than I initially thought as I came to realize that I have very few pictures of myself with my pets actually printed.  I settled on this one of me as a child with a friend and my dog Sam.

I don't have many pictures with this dog as we unfortunately had to put him down not long after getting him so that makes this page extra special.  I used the last of my chipboard triangles that I'd been holding onto for way too long and got to use the papers I'd been admiring but not actually utilizing.

I'm pretty pleased with the way this page turned out and even more pleased to have purged through some of my excessive hoard in the process.

Identifiable Elements:

• Blue paper- Modern Graphics Deluxe Paper by Cricut
• Triangle paper- Modern Graphics Deluxe Paper by Cricut

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

This page was a bit of a challenge for me because I decided to try and not cut any straight lines out of paper for it which seems like it would be easy, but often times I find myself defaulting to using that technique for creating geometric interest in a page.  I also decided to force myself to use my least favorite paper out of the Melon Ball collection that I am very fond of.  That being said, I warmed up to it once I saw my finished product and I really like how the page turned out.

The colors on this page aren't perfect matches for each other but I actually think that enhances the aesthetic of it as a whole.

Sometimes pushing yourself outside of your norm can have incredible results.

Usually pages don't take me that long to create because I have a vision going into them but this one took me longer because I kept having to check myself to keep from falling into typical habits.

The photo of my grandma and I looks wonderful with the colors of this page.  I'm very pleased with how well it stands out.  I love it.

Identifiable elements:

• Background paper- Melon Ball 12x12" collection by Colorbӧk
• Lettering- Chaos & Confusion Collection Green Alphabet Cardstock Stickers by Three Bugs in a Rug
• "Lace" stickers- Pretty Part Border Stickers by Crate Paper
• Butterflies stamp- Papillon Potpourri by Stampin' Up!
• Butterflies ink- Cherry Cobbler by Stampin' Up!

Fast Card Friday

I decided to bring back a concept that I had the first time around with this blog which is posting quick cards that can be made quickly. (I do feel it's necessary to state that these are tending to take me longer but that is only due to the lack of organization in my craft room.  It's hard to find the right button when you keep them all dumped in a shoe box...)

In case if anyone was wondering, yes, those are the same type of "Thanks" felt letters that I was using 2 years ago.  I never made it through the stash of them so I felt it was only appropriate (and a little sentimental) for me to use them in the first 5 Minute Friday of the revamp.  Honestly,  my goal is to be done with them by 2019.  The logical part of me says to get rid of them because there's only so many times I can use them before I lose what's left of my sanity, but the hoarder in me won't allow that.

I made this card as a thank you to a couple of my friends who took care of my cats while I was on vacation for a week attending Gen Con in Indianapolis.  It was a great time, but a long time so I put a little extra "something" in the card for their troubles.

I'll try to post what elements I've used when I can with these cards but this entire card was made with scraps I had around and I have no idea where they came from.  The only thing I know are the buttons, but those came from my grandmother's old sewing kit that I adopted.  

Sometimes the quickest way to crank out a card when you're in a rush is to just grab the random bits and slap them on the card stock.  

I didn't have time to adjust the lighting with this photo so I'm a little disappointed that the colors look a bit off but the general spirit is still there.

Hoarder's Hump Day

I decided to start doing something fun called "Hoarders Hump Day" on this blog on sporadic Wednesdays where I attempt to use some of the odd bits and pieces that I've been hoarding (I like to call it "collecting" but hoarding is more accurate). 

For today, I made this layout with pictures from the after-party of my company's holiday party a few years back.

The last few times I'd sat down to scrapbook I found myself avoiding this red and white polka dot paper as the combo isn't always my favorite.  That being said, I think it worked perfectly for this page because it matched the photos well.  I didn't want anything overtly "seasonal" for this page since the photos weren't and I think it turned out well.  

My favorite part is the canvas chipboard letters that I wish I could remember where they came from.  I tried to get a good picture of them but the over cast skies of the day were still too bright to catch the dimension very well.  I promise I'm going to get better at photographing these...eventually

Identifiable Elements:

• Black flower stickers- Elizabeth Craft Designs 2598
• Gold Gems- Adhesive Gems 6mm by Simply Creative

Scrap Our Stash September Challenge

Now that I'm back I'm excited to take on some new challenges but first I thought I'd go back to a challenge blog that I always enjoyed and undertake the Scrap Our Stash challenge for the month.

This month the challenge is to use a grid layout and transparency.  Lucky for me my last trip to JoAnn's yielded some transparent papers on sale!  I used the black dots one and in all honesty, while this is my first time using them, I'm in love.

I kept the grid them with the squares and the background I made.  I'm really proud that my squares I cut actually turned out to be square (I'm not always the best at lining my papers up on the cutter)!

I had a little bit of trouble getting my camera to "see" the lettering, but I promise, it's there!

Play along with me at the Scrap Our Stash Challenge blog!

Identifiable Elements: 

• Background paper- The Color of Memories by American Crafts
• Transparent polka dots by- "Raven Dots" by Bazzill Basics Paper
• Black flowers- Jolee's Boutique
• Black embossed swirls- Jolee's Boutique
• Gray embossed cardstock- Two Scoops collection by Bazzill Basics Paper
• Tan cardstock- Neutrals cardstock stack by DCWV

Feels Good to be Back

I decided that the perfect way to kick off the new and improved blog would be to scrap a page of photos that were taken when the lovely ladies in my family (my mom, aunt, and cousin) decided to  take a trip to an amazing craft store and have lunch at a really good Chinese place near by.  I am certain that quite a few of the pieces on this page came from that trip.

I love the color scheme on this page.  Two of my favorite colors are black and orange, but often it's hard to fit them into one page without crossing into Halloween territory.  I think the pink and green liven it up and the gold in the lettering as well as the rhinestones gives the look a little more glam!  I also got the chance to use some of the punches my mother sent to me to spice up the background. 

It is my plan to try and list as many of the elements of my project that I can identify when moving forward with this blog, but be warned that I have a lot of random bits that I have to work my way through that I will not know where they came from.

Identifiable Elements:

• Green paper- "Melon Ball" 12x12" paper set by Colorbӧk
• Orange worded paper- "Melon Ball" 12x12" paper set by Colorbӧk
• Orange hearts paper- "I Love Family" 6x6" paper pad by Echo Park Paper Co.
• Gold gems- Adhesive Gems 6mm by Simply Creative
• Paper punches- Stampin' Up!