Going outside my comfort zone

There is no doubt about it, I absolutely LOVE sketches. I also like the simple task of scraplifting. Just makes everything so much quicker and easier. No guessing, no matching, no moving papers around and about the page. But every now and then, I also like to just put a photo on a page and go with what comes to mind. Without, a plan, or an idea. Sometimes its a product that gets me going....and I have to say that with this layout it definitely was the product. I am a huge fan of Studio Calico stuff, and even if I don't necessarily know immediately what I will do with it, I do know that it will make it to a page some time sooner or later. The reason that I call this post "going outside my comfort zone", is because, although I love sprays and rubons....I don't always feel comfortable using them. I know WHY I don't either!!!! They are permanent, really permanent. The whole idea makes me nervous, NOT because of the commitment of putting them down on the page, but because, if I make a mistake or not happy with a result, I am stuck. Mistakes and all.

So this is my layout....a whole layout FULL of Studio Calico goodies. Then some BRAVERY of spraying tattered angels, and if you look really closely over my writing, you will see that it is less than perfect. It is not where I wanted or intended for the spray to go. But I had to let go of that wanting perfection, because years from now, or even tomorrow.....my children will never realize or know that that blob of spray was NOT supposed to be there. They will look at the layout, read the words and be thankful.....thankful to know what there mom was thinking and feeling.

I encourage YOU to go outside your comfort zones, to embrace imperfection and to let go.....just a little.

A scrappy weekend

What a wonderful long weekend, filled with lots of relaxation, food and scrap time.

My scrapping goal for this weekend, was to accomplish three layouts that I have had in my head for the past couple of weeks. Well....mission accomplished.

Now, I am not always such a big fan of ALL basic grey, however, I absolutely LOVED "wander", and knew that I was going to use it for this layout. I was not quite sure exactly what I was going to do, so I simply just pulled out the entire collection, and took it from there. There are so many elements within this paper, that are easy to cut out and use to embellish. It is hard to look at a "busy" piece of paper, and imagine how and where to use it. Sometimes, it is good to imagine it in small pieces, simply as accents or embellishments.

Have to say that this collection pack allows for alot of that kind of thing....cut around a shape, pop dot, and VOILA!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter, and a good week ahead!

Just some "Stamping Bella" Love

K...so, maybe I could get used to using some stamps on layouts! Getting a little more BRAVE to do so. But, how could you resist them "circle stamps". Did I even mention that they fit with some punches? I love this set of "Julies perfect circles" How much fun one can have with these?

Well, I got to say that this layout started from just stamping the circles on a plain ole piece of white cardstock...just an experiment, you know. However, this experiment kinda turned out to be a finished layout. The possibilities are endless for some circles....I mean REALLY endless. You might be seeing a few layouts that are involved with these circles. Also, nothing quite like getting to use some of our older paper. I LOVE that!!! OUT WITH THE OLD....IN WITH THE NEW!

Anyway, wishing you all a GOOD PASSOVER, A HAPPY EASTER and a WONDERFUL whatever it is you may celebrate.

Some new Stamping Bella stamps are coming

And I love them.....

Can you see them?

You see where it says "this is US"

You see where it says "this is YOU"

YEP

Those are them.....the new "Stamping Bella" Stamps.

Just to let you know that there is also a "this is ME" in the set.

So much fun doing this layout....especially getting to use paper from the new Crate Paper Portrait Collection. Have to say that this layout was actually inspired by a picture that Emily had showed me from from Pinterest, just of tumbling frames. It is great to be able to take something from somewhere else and use it as inspiration for a layout. Whether it be colour combinations, fonts or design principles....there is inspiration all around us. It is just up to us to see it, notice it and apply it in some way or another.

Wishing you all a week filled with inspiration!

Still Loving the Lille Collection

I have to say that no matter what, I love 7 gypsies....even if, I don't always know quite how to use it, or what to do with it. This layout actually started from looking at a sketch (as most of my layouts do). However, by the time that I had finished it, it looked NOTHING like the sketch.

Once I had placed all the paper, I pulled out my entire HUGE box of 7 gypsies stash, with the intention of using some to embellish.....but then I thought to myself...."MMMM, lets get some Crate chipboard instead". It is my constant mission to keep using stash on hand. Hence, you will notice "Tim Holtz" filmstrip ribbon and "KI memories" stickers.

By the way, I also LOVE that new edger punch.

Wishing you all a week of accomplishing something creative!

February 2011 Photo love Layout

As you know, I have decided to try and participate in the Two Peas Free Monthly Challenge called "Photo Love", with Shimelle Laine...so here is my 2 photo layout.

I have to say, that I really enjoy this challenge, simply because, other than the sketch, and the number of photos required for each month....one can use any papers and embellishments that one wants.

I love the new 7 gypsies "lille" collection, and with a sketch as a guideline, I found it much easier to use the papers. Looking at these papers, they are simply stunning....BUT, busy...oh so very BUSY. Busy enough, that they can be a little intimidating to use, that we may question...um...um...um....not so sure HOW to use them. Now, don't think that you can just buy one of each sheet! NO SIRREE!!! because you need the back and the front. As busy as one side may be, the other side is simply essential to have as well. So if perhaps, you are not quite sure how to use a "BUSY" paper, just start with a sketch. If you have not already looked at the "Photo Love" Challenge, I encourage you to do so....and I especially encourage you to participate.

Wishes to all for a week filled with sunshine and good things.

A two peas sketch challenge

Just wanted to share my one photo "sketch layout" challenge from Two Peas. Every month a challenge is posted, starting off using one photo for the first month, two for the second, three for the third....you get the picture....12 photos on the 12th month. I have actually never participated in any kind of challenge before, but because I really like "Shimelle".....a Garden Girl, I did want to participate in this challenge. I started off by just picking the photo that I wanted to use and going with it. Sometimes, it is quite overwhelming to decide on which papers and embellishments to use, so the simple thing is pull out everything from one manufacturer or paper line. That way, you are guaranteed that everything matches and co-ordinates.

For this layout, I pulled out my entire "Cosmo Cricket" stash, picked a colour scheme and enjoyed papers and goodies that I have not seen for a long time. You know, some of the older stuff.....(we all have some).

So here it is....

I hope to continue in this challenge each month. Having the sketch definitely takes the guesswork out of where to start.

Wishing you all a day, a week, a month of good things ahead!