You’re Not the Boss of Me: Pagemaps Gossamer Blue February Kit Sketch Contest

The one thing I love about sketches is that they force you to think about layout and embellishment placement differently. The Pagemaps sketches tend to be way more linear than how I usually scrap. Plus, I am a bit of a layer fanatic and as such I tend to have lots of elements overlapping and touching. This Sketch challenge required me to throw all of my preconceived layout notions out the window and get down with a grid design.

The Sketch: The Layout:

The Details:  The top design of the sketch gave me the most trouble. I figured it was a design element that was cut in a grid but I decided on a different take. First, I added an additional small photo. Only reason was because she just looks so incredibly precious.  Second, I altered a Silhouette Studio Design 3×4 card into an approximate 4 by 5.5 card (exact same size as the larger photo below). Third, I layered a journal pocket on top and made it a design element which really makes the top design of the layout pop.  And we cannot forget my sojourn into the world of watercolors and gelatos to paint the die cut flowers. In order to make those beautiful flowers, I die cut them using watercolor paper and then just spent sometime channeling Monet.

Thanks for stopping by. More to come. Celia

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Title: Just Precious.  Cardstock: Project Life (Jade 4×6 cardstock pack); American Crafts (Powder, Sunflower, Peony, Charcoal); Bazzil (Strawberry); Watercolor Paper. Patterned Paper: Crate Paper- Fourteen (Love, Crush, Cupid)- Love Notes (Sparked, 6×6 paper pad-Sweetheart, Crush, Going Steady).  Stamps: Hero Arts (Envelope Pattern); Heidi Swapp (Best Day Ever). Die Cut & Punches: Silhouette Studio Design (Three Vines with Leaves #54802, 3×4 ‘love’ journaling cards #54539); Memory Box (Tulip Petals, Cherry Blossom, Norland Flower, Meadow Leaf); Elizabeth Craft Designs (Bunch of Flowers 1); Impression Obsession (Butterflies); Fiskars (Apron Lace); Martha Stewart Crafts (Popup Butterflies). Embellishments: Chic Tags (Everyday Life II-A/B Tags; Happy Place- Labels; January 2014 Exclusive Kit- Die Cut, 3×4 Card); Recollections (Washi Tape); October Afternoon (Daily Flash Alpha-Strawberry Ice Cream; Woodland Park-Tidbits); Studio Calico (Thataway- Stitched Pockets; Heart Wood Veneer; February 2014 Project Life Kit- Washi); Misc. (Gems, Sequins).  Markers: Spica (Mint, Pink, Buttermilk); Wink of Stella (White). Inks: Stampin Up (Smoky Slate, Pretty In Pink); Faber-Castell (Gelatos), Simply Art (Watercolors).

Color Challenge: Color Story Inspiration (CSI Case File #108)

Don’t blame me, blame the MEEEDIIA! Mixed Media, that is. For the classic scrapbooker, mixed media is a bit of a stretch. And for me, its more of a leap. I love all of the graphic design of patterned paper and most mixed media techniques either cover up or completely alter the paper. So this week’s CSI challenge was a challenge in deed.  But as always, I try to rise to the occasion. So, I gathered my stencils, paints, mists, stamps and sassy photos and got to work.

CSI Case file No. 108: With the CSI challenges, you must use all five colors in the scheme, at least 2 elements in your layout from the evidence list and at least 1 element from the testimony.

Case Solved- The Layout: The color scheme was interesting this time – muted colors with some interesting low lights (dark chocolate) and highlights (kiwi green). At first, I admit I was thrown because I could not see how all of these colors could work together. Then I just started flipping through my scrapbook collections mental rolodex and then POOF, it came to me. Crate Paper by Maggie Holmes- Flea Market. This collection has this running color theme of pink, aqua with hints of a yellowish green that is almost a direct match to the kiwi green. And since this week’s challenge definitely had an artistic bent, I grabbed a Prima 6×6 and the Julie Nutting stamp dolls that I have been dying to use on a layout.

Evidence: I try to challenge myself to hit as many elements from the evidence list. This week so far was my best-  (1) Mixed Media Background (I took a piece of smooth cardstock and just went to town with inks, mists, paints and gel medium. I know it is a beginner’s shot at mixed media but this is what works for my scrapbook style); (2) Newsprint (I stamped the Julie Nutting dolls on a newsprint paper and colored the skin tone with copics); (3) Music element (The great thing about the dolls is cutting out some pretty clothes and the music paper from Prima was just the right touch); (4) Hearts (This element keeps coming up in challenges and I try to be as creative as possible by using heart stencils with mist and ink and adding a couple of wooden veneer hearts); (5) Flowers (I went with a beautiful floral patterned paper that incorporated most of the color scheme. I also added a special element by cutting the paper and adding eyelets for base to have flowers spilling forth from the layout); (6) Border Punch (I added a small scalloped border punch under my photos to ground the pictures); (7) Stamps (Anytime I can incorporate stamping into my layouts I try. Here I stamped a preview  “Autobiographical In Nature” that this layout was me telling a story about me.

Testimony: I was able to incorporate two testimonial elements. The journaling was definitely inspired by me telling my story. The story behind the pictures and the smile. It is a story that I have never told, “Truth be told, I don’t really like my natural smile. It’s too gummy and my eyes squint.  Here, I was going for that perfect pose with the manufactured smile and sassy stance. Except one shot was a natural smile and for once it’s my favorite.”

Thanks for stopping by. More to come. Celia

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Title: hello SASSY.  Cardstock: Neenah Classic Crest (Crème); Coredinations (Sassy, Shabby Shutters); American Crafts (Coffee); Fancy Pants Designs (Mint Corrugated Paper). Patterned Paper: Crate Paper by Maggie Holmes- Flea Market (Curio, Ellie, 6×6 paper pad); Teresa Collins-Vintage Finds (6×6 paper pad); Prima-Madeline (6×6 paper pad);   Stamps: 7Gypsies (Disclaimer); Prima-Julie Nutting Mixed Media Dolls (Mia, Bolero Sweater).  Die Cut & Punches: Silhouette Studio Design (Hello, Hey, Hi 46981); Fiskars (Mini Floral); Fiskars Jenni Bowlin (Tab); Sizzix (Branch w/ Leaves); Lifestyle Crafts (Pocket Scrap Dies-Today); EK Success (Scalloped Scallop). Embellishments: Crate Paper by Maggie Holmes- Flea Market (Ephemera)- The Pier (Slide Frames); Teresa Collins-Vintage Finds (Brads); We R Memory Keepers- Love 2 Craft (Chipboard Letters); Jillibean Soup- Cold Avocado Soup (Flashcards); Studio Calico-Atlantic (Wood Veneer Hearts)- Printshop (Accent Stickers); Eyelet Outlet (Eyelets); Queen & Co. (Jellies); Misc. (Embroidery Floss, Punchinella, Gem). Stencils: Heidi Swapp- Spray Stencils (Tiny Heart, Confetti). Markers: Copic (E11, E13, E15, R22, T1, T3, T5, T9, 110, Spica Chocolate); Wink of Stella Glitter Pen (Black). Inks: Stampin Up (Pool Party); Distress Inks (Tattered Rose, Shabby Shutters, Broken China); Heidi Swapp- Color Shine (Blush); Claudine Hellmuth Paints (Traditional Tan, Painterly Pink); Golden Gel Mediums (Regular Matte).

Color Challenge: Color Story Inspiration (CSI Case File # 107)

Shock and Awe.  If you follow my blog, besides the shock of me blogging this much, you should also be awed for me doing this many challenges in a row.  This one was pretty hard for me. I do not mind going out of my comfort zone- trying new things to take my creativity to the next level. However, after this layout I admit to a sticking to my “style” kind of gal.  And in some ways, admitting that about scrapbooking is coming to grips about my take on life.  With that said, lets get into it.

CSI Case File No. 107: With the CSI challenges, you must use all five colors in the scheme, at least 2 elements in your layout from the evidence list and at least 1 element from the testimony.

Case Solved- The Layout: As soon as I saw this color scheme I instantly thought of the My Mind’s Eye The Sweetest Thing Honey Collection.  So I started with that beautiful collection coupled with my favorite shot of the Grand Canal in Venice and got to work.  I started off trying to do a grid layout with the reverse side of the chevron paper and no matter how many bits and pieces I cut and moved around it just would NOT work to my eyes. Then I flip the paper over and that pink chevron framed by the spirograph print just made sense. Here is the lesson for today folks- Your know when you see it. Creative aesthetics is what your eye beholds. If it just does not look right to you – don’t force it. There is nothing wrong with being true to your style.

The Evidence: I went for it this time and tried to hit as many elements as I could from the evidence list. I did not hit super start level but not too shabby coming in at 5. Count ’em baby- Flowers (Utilized a floral print and did you notice me working the floral embossing on the color scheme yellow horizontal feature); Badge/Flair (the pretty pink flair on the focal photo); Heart (There is just love all over this layout with heart punches, heart paper clip, geotag with heart and heart flair sitting on top of  round heart die cut); Mini brads (this was a bit of a free spot for me since I generally incorporate brads in just about every layout); Long title (I was not sure if this qualified or not but my title is abut six inches in length).

 

The Testimony: This was a bit of a doozy for me. The design of this layout really only worked with tucked away journaling. So I added a vellum envelope tucked behind the picture of Brad and I. To bring attention to the journaling I overlapped the envelope flap onto the picture and added some embellishment. The pictures that I scraped was not conducive to most of the testimony prompts but I was inspired by the word “awesome” because this was an awesome vacation and seeing the Grand Canal for the first time leaves you with nothing but shock and awe.

Thanks for stopping by. More to come. Celia

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Title: highlights.  Cardstock: Project Life (Midnight Collection 4×6 cardstock).  Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye- Sweetest Thing Honey (Doily, One of a Notable, 6×6 paper pad- Cheerful, Damask, Fond, Peppy, Bouquet)  Stamps: Technique Tuesday (Are We There Yet, Leaving on a Jet Plane); Two Peas (exclusive).  Die Cut & Punches: Silhouette Design # (Geotags 47796, 3 tabbed borders 19323, heart viewfinder 53828); Martha Stewart Crafts (Heart Confetti); EK Success (Double Embossed Dotted Lace); Die-Versions (Missy Micro); Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Swiss Dot, Floral). Embellishments: My Mind’s Eye- Sweetest Thing Honey (Brads Recollections (Washi Tape); Freckled Fawn (Washi Tape); Basic Grey (Letter Stickers); Studio Calico- Kit Club (Tags); Peebles (Heart paperclip); Chic Tags- Jan 2014 Kit (Tag, Tab, Flair Badge); Misc. (Vellum Envelope).  Inks: Distress Inks (Tattered Rose, Pumice Stone).