Fancy Pants goes Back to School

Ok....so sometimes a line of paper and embellishments comes along, when you say to yourself,

"mmm, I think I got to have it all." Well, more often than not, we got to have it all, for all the lines that we love. I have to say, I purchased the entire "Fancy Pants", "Its the simple things", line, which I took away with me to Hong Kong to complete my mini book whilst away. Then, the Back to School line came out, and again, I purchased all the goodies. Sometimes I just find it so much easier, when everything is made to mix and match, and I don't have to sit with all my STUFF, and sort through to decide what goes on the layout. This layout was totally inspired by a digital layout, that I had seen on the "oscraps" blog (I love there digi stuff), however, I am also definately NOT a digital scrapbooker. It is nice to be able to take a digi and scraplift it, using all your favorite papers and embellishments.

As much as I love using everything from the same line, I am also kind of setting myself a little challenge for the next layout I do. That is, using papers from several different lines on the same layout! For sure, a little more thought involved in that. However, as I have said before, I LOVE being able to use older papers in order to get rid of stuff, and make room for new.

I encourage you to challenge yourself to something new!

Don't spend to much time thinking about what you are going to do....just DO IT!

Week 25 and still going strong

Yep, week 25 of Project Life, and still loving it.

So much so, that this week I will be ordering my kit for 2012. If you haven't seen what the choices are, I suggest you wander over to Becky Higgins Blog and check out the choices. Either Clementine or Cobalt. Any suggestions?

I have to say that I have drawn a ton of inspiration from reading Lisa Truesdells (gluestick girl)

blog posts. In fact, I was totally motivated to go out and get myself a typewriter, just because her journaling cards just looked so absolutely fabulously cool with typewritten font. (I do know that can also be done on the computer.) If you haven't checked out her blog, you absolutely should.

I will still admit to the fact that Project life is a time consuming endeavor, however I also still BELIEVE a very well worth endeavor. I have gotten into a groove of getting it done, simply by starting on a Thursday evening (provided I have time), printing a couple of pics from the week till that point, and then continuing on a Saturday or Sunday. I have also discovered that in the whole Project Life process, I have found myself grouping goodies, stickers, journaling cards and embellishments in a certain spot all together, so that I can simply pull out my "project life" box and get going. IT IS FUN, IT IS REAL, IT IS A DOCUMENT.

I have said before, and I will continue to say, that it NEEDS NOT be complicated. It is however you want it to be. Looking back, there are definately some weeks that are more embellished and decorated than others. I have also allowed myself permission to combine two weeks, if I have neglected to take enough pics to fill up for one week. This whole "Project Life" thing is wonderful....I am so glad to be doing it!

What's my style????

I can't tell you HOW many countless hours I have spent looking online at various art journaling blogs, trying so hard to learn, copy and incorporate ALL that I see, into my art journal.

For that day, there is nothing quite like it, and I think to myself "OMG, I want my pages to look just like those".....example, Pam Garrisons pages. Until the next day, and the next style that I see. From paint, to doodling, to collage, to just plain old journaling. Trying so hard to find the one technique or type, that I can truly say, "that's my style". Well guess what.....I have finally given myself permission to acknowledge the fact that I can just carry on enjoying the process, whatever that may be, without having to try and fit myself into a style or mold. I mean, I like it all, so WHY do I have to limit myself to just one specific look. There is something to be said for doing a little bit of everything. Our mood changes on a daily (or hourly basis), and that can be reflected in the type of page we just feel like doing. I am okay with the fact, that ALL my pages are different....I'm learning to like that! And like I always say....there are no rules in art journaling, there is no right or wrong.

Just let yourself go within a blank page, don't spend so much time thinking about what its supposed to look like at the end, don't rush out and buy things because you think you should.

Use what you have and enjoy the process.