Embrace Life

Stories of Summer: My Submissions

When Ali Edwards asked for projects and layouts to be submitted for her Stories of Summer series, I realized a few things:

• My kids need to be equally represented, so I submitted 4 + 1
• I don't have many layouts with all four in them together
• I have not made any mini-albums about our summers
• I make way too many assignment-based projects and not enough for the simple joy of scrapbooking

I was sceptical about having any submission accepted as I was already honoured with my Week in the Life project hilighted on Ali's blog earlier this year. But another thing I've realized? You have zero chance of having your work seen if you don't submit!

These are the layouts I sent in:

What did you submit?

I don't know about you but I thoroughly enjoyed the Stories of Summer series. There is so much talent out there! I'm so inspired to capture more moments in photos and words. My enthusiasm is always there but sometimes my creativity is lagging behind. I'm more creative if I'm consistent.

You know how energy breeds energy? Well, I believe creativity breeds creativity. If you stop, you have to wind yourself up all over again. Certainly I have bursts of more creative periods than not, and that's what I was facing earlier this spring. Then I got it in gear. I started with A Week in the Life, then joined in LOAD in May, participated in Sketchapalooza over at Feeling Scrappy and it kind of snowballed from there. I've been creating in a steady hum for a while and it feels great. 

How do you create? What works best for you, do you have a process or is is stop and go?

Ahem, back to unplugging :)

Studio slowdown ... maybe?

Maybe not.

Probably not.

I don't know about you, but I tend to go on creative binges. The month of May was one solid binge. I felt energized and creative with ideas spinning through my head regularly. I hit a few frustrating walls and managed to hurdle over them and land safely on the other side.

I have to say, once it was over, I thought I would have to slow down, or pack away the adhesive for a while. I expected to be spent. Then I discovered the Creativity Boot Camp which offered another method of creativity. A way to focus again on my photography which, while creating pages, tends to be less of a priority as I'm playing with paper and writing up stories. Though the last couple of weeks of photography, and writing, I was able to maintain my creative pace and re-charge simultaneously.

I realized at the end of CBC that I had not shared all of my May goodness with you! I managed to get more out of my studio in the last eight weeks than I have in the last eight months!

Sketchapalooza was wonderful. The ladies of Feeling Scrappy are fabulous and so willing to try new things and change things up. This past month I spent much time on the forums and commenting in the gallery since most of my contribution was done in preparation for the month. For the class I created six sketches and twenty layouts. So much fun contributing to Jayne's design team! I can't wait for the next project :)

A Week in the Life was such an all-encompassing challenge. Photos and stories captured one week and magically turned into a fully-formed album sitting in our family room and enjoyed by family and friends the next week. Such a rewarding exercise. And exhausting!

With all of that going on I messed up on LOAD (Layout A Day with Lain Ehmann) and only managed a few layouts, though, I have to say, those I managed, I really liked. I mean, really liked. I shared a couple of the layouts previously, here are the (too few) rest:

CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
SANDPAPER: Close to My Heart
INK: ColorBox Cats Eye
FONT: Helvetica, SketchyTimes
CHALLENGE: Lain asked us to get a little grungy. This is my interpretation.
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Basic Grey
BRADS: Bo Bunny
FONT: Helvetica
PHOTO: Found here
SCRAPLIFT: Kelli Crowe's "Iconic Style" was the basis for the layout.
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: American Crafts, KI Memories
BRADS: American Crafts
THICKERS: American Crafts
STICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: BeauRivageOne
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Wenke's "Iconic Style" inspired this layout 
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Basic Grey
FELT FLOWERS: Stash (I really can't remember!)
PEARLS: Prima
FONT: Helvetica, Cocktail Script
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Wenke's "Iconic Style" inspired this layout
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Sassafras Lass
THICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: Helvetica
EXTRAS: Dimentional Glue Dots 
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Creative Imaginations
STICKERS: Rose Moka, Creative Imaginations, Scenic Route
FONT: Helvetica, Honey Script
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Wenke which was a lift of my friend Barb Wong
CHALLENGE: Write.Click.Scrapbook
PRINTED PAPER: American Crafts
BRADS: Bazzill
THICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: American Typewriter
NOTE: Yes, I am crazy enough to remove the word " ... FREEDOM" and fix it so that the red bulls-eye is in the centre of the O. I didn't notice until after I took the photo that it was wonky. It's not now!

I have to say that I really enjoyed getting back to making some more photo-centric layouts with the big 8x12 enlargements. I've missed them, and I like a chance to showcase some fun photos that don't make it into frames! I've also gotten away from making 2-page layouts which were, a long time ago, my specialty. I'm thinking of maybe making a few - the Sketchapalooza sketches were so brilliant and versatile, I have no doubt I already have 20 places to start.

There are a few other projects still in the midst of being completed which I'll share some other time. I'm still not 100% sure I like them. They definitely need a little tweaking, and for a minimalist scrapper as myself, that's saying a lot! I'm also signed up for a few more structured projects:

• I held out and didn't sign up for any pressure-filled or paid-for courses in the last 6 months. For an on-line course junkie like myself that level of self-restraint was hard! Then I found out that Angie Warren of The Creative Mama is teaching a photography course Project Photography starting TODAY, June 20th for five weeks and I couldn't pass it up. The price was good and I really enjoy her work. If you're going to learn a craft, learn from someone you admire, right?
• THEN I got a note from Mondo Beyondo which captured my attention sometime last year. They are offering a Dream Lab for the summer. Kind of a mini, no-pressure Mondo Beyondo. Again, I pushed that PayPal button and it starts tomorrow, on June 21st and goes for eight weeks. My quiet, non-creative summer has just filled up. SNAP. Just like that. Four clicks of my mouse. But doesn't this Dream Lab description sound perfect? "This is the thought that inspires me to no end: What would happen if we set aside our lists (our goals, our drive, struggle) for eight weeks? What would shift in our lives as a result of radical acts of play? of kindness? of rest? What would this clearing create space for in our hearts and in our lives?"
• Ali Edwards Stories of Summer series is scheduled to begin on June 21st as well, continuing through July 6th. Such inspiration. Really wonderful stuff. I always find brilliant and practical stuff when Ali gets to creating and sharing.
• Because I couldn't leave well enough alone, on the advice of my brilliant cyber-friend, Jill, I joined Everyday Elements for the 2-hour class on June 24th. I know bits and pieces about PSE, I've tried a few things to some degree of success but it was a matter of just enough information to be frustrating. Plus, I really wanted to figure out "actions".

These projects should keep me busy through summer. In case there was a fear I might get bored, I've been selected as a guest designer at Scrapbook Sussies and hope to have all of my projects done and ready to reveal soon. Not only that, I have been chosen to participate in something wonderful AND super secret ;) Both events should keep me way busy.

Though, I have to admit, the best part of the last month+ was the time I took to really take a look at the projects I am doing, want to do and need to let go. I spent the first week of June writing down everything I learned from that process. I'm no longer spinning-my-wheels when I sit down to create. There is always something on the list that appeals to me at the time. I do not like waste, and I really dislike wasted time! Everything is now catalogued with references, photographs and instructions. That is probably the best creation to come from the studio in months!

Sketchapalooza 6 coming to a close ...

Blink!

There goes a month of sketchy goodness at Feeling Scrappy. I can't believe we celebrated our graduation weekend already!

It has been so wonderful to work with Jayne, Becky and Tracy. They make things so much fun and supportive behind the scenes. The ladies who participate are phenomenal and I've learned a ton from them on the message board and via their tremendous works of art generously posted in the gallery.

I posted my first half of layouts earlier this month: here. These are those which remain to be shared:

Based on Sketch 11 by me:

 

Based on Sketch 12 by Jayne Jones

Based on Sketch 13 by Becky Rico:

Based on Sketch 14 by me:

 

Based on Sketch 15 by Jayne Jones:

 

Based on Sketch 16 by Becky Rico:

Based on Sketch 17 by me:

Based on Sketch 19 by me:

Based on Sketch 20 by Jayne Jones:

 

I'm thrilled to have had this opportunity to document some recent activities. I also used this project to focus more on my male-centric stories, papers, embellishments. So often I've been in classes where there is much cafuffle* made over how to scrapbook about boys - especially pre-teen and teen boys. I wanted to see for myself in a mindful manner how hard it is and realized that the way I structure my pages and the process I use makes it very easy to make such pages. Even purple Tinky Winky pages!

I have to say, if you have the opportunity to join Jayne and the ladies over at Feeling Scrappy, do so! They are really lovely. In between classes many of the ladies gather over on Facebook, and there is often something going on over at the blog. Hope you visit :)

*cafuffle: a word I've made up (I think) but it means how it sounds!

From the studio: more layouts!

We've just passed the mid-way point over at Feeling Scrappy. I am really enjoying the talented group of designers and participants AND the sketches for Sketchapalooza 6 are really fantastic. The gallery is rocking with such creative content and so many are embracing the digi versions of all the sketches. So much talent!

So far ten sketches have been presented to participants. Here is my take on the sketches, to date:

Based on Sketch 1 by Becky Rico

Based on Sketch 2 by me!

Based on Sketch 3 by Jayne Jones

Based on Sketch 4 by Becky Rico

Based on Sketch 5 by me, again!

Based on Sketch 6 by Jayne Jones

Based on Sketch 7 by Becky Rico

Based on Sketch 8 by me

Based on Sketch 10 by Becky Rico

So what do you think? Are you participating over at Feeling Scrappy? Do you use sketches to help you get your pages done? They are my most favourite creative tool. I'm thrilled that every single sketch presented thus far is incredibly versatile and I'll be able to use them again and again.

If you scrapbook, what is your favourite creative tool?

Sketchapalooza 6 starts TODAY!!

The first sketch over at Sketchapalooza 6 will be revealed today :) I am thrilled to have been chosen to be on the Design Team this time around. I know that Jayne, Becky, Tracy and I have some really fun and creative ideas in store. If you haven't joined in, what are you waiting for? It promises to be a great group of ladies, if the pre-class chatter is anything to go by. And, if you're in LOAD with me, it will give 20 days of sketches to follow. So great to have, especially on those days you hit a creative block :)

This is the third day of LOAD and I'm thrilled to say I haven't dropped out yet! Whoot! Mind you, the day isn't over and I haven't created a layout yet today! But I can share the layout from yesterday:

CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: My Minds Eye
CHIPBOARD: Stash
THICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: American Typewriter
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Dent-Pruks
CHALLENGE: Write.Click.Scrapbook

This time around the focus of LOAD is to determine your own personal style. Mine is pretty well established, I think! I'm going to use this month to do a few things: use up the supplies I have on hand, pack up and give away any supplies I won't use, join in challenges to get layouts done. And, post those layouts on the challenge sites :)

My layout for Sketchapalooza 6, Sketch 1:

CARDSTOCK: Bazzill Dots
PRINTED PAPER: Stash
CHIPBOARD: Stash
INK: Color Box Liquid Chalk
FONT: Adler
SKETCH: Becky Rico
CHALLENGE: Feeling Scrappy Sketchapalooza 6

Have a wonderful Monday, and a great week! If you're on LOAD or over at Feeling Scrappy, be sure to say hi :)

Project Prep

I have three big projects coming up:

A Week in the Life: April 19 through April 25
LOAD with Lain Ehmann: May 1 through May 31
Sketchapalooza 6: May 3 through May 31

I have been diligently working on my contributions for Sketchapalooza 6 and this is what happened to my work space:

I love the idea of being on a design team, it's so much fun, but boy what a mess! I have to say, I cannot wait for everyone to see the gorgeous sketches the team has created - and the resulting layouts.

At this point I had three layouts, out of twenty, left to complete, and no space!

So, tada:

Once I got that all cleared up, I moved onto reorganizing my printed paper:

Originally I had all of my printed paper organized by colour, by use, but now have realized that I can get away with just having it organized by colour. It's fast and easy - just what organization is supposed to be!

Last week I realized all of my pens were in various stages of dried up, so when I sent in an order to scrapbook.com for the paper I needed for my A Week in the Life Project, I also ordered all four packages of the American Crafts pens, and a few black ones, too:

And then there was all that cardstock:

This pile will have to be incorporated into the Cropper Hopper holders, again organized by colour, but in the meantime, it is just a pile of colour!

I am a huge fan of order and I feel relieved now that my workspace has been cleared up, my paper organized and I have some working pens! There is still plenty to do to get the studio in 100% working order, but this exercise has certainly made a big dent.

I'm excited to be productive! And ready to get started :) Join me?

LOAD: You don't want to miss this!

Are you interested in getting 31 scrapbook pages done in 31 days?

If you are like me you have plenty of layouts in various stages of completion: still in idea form, unprocessed photos; processed photos lying around, sketches in a pile, embellishments you love but don't know what to do with them; half completed, journaling ideas on post it notes, then you need to join LOAD! Just GET THEM DONE. Unless you are a pro, not every one of your layouts is publish-worthy, so take a deep breath and get started, get finished, just get them done. You will be amazed at how good your layouts get with daily practice. Who knows, by the time the end of May rolls around your layouts may just be publish-worthy.

Not only that, it has to be one of the most lovely groups of encouraging and upbeat ladies on the internet. Why don't you have a listen to Lain, she is our lovely host and can tell you all about it:

So print your photos, get your adhesive, organize your supplies, and if you need a bit of a "push" be sure to join the Sketchapalooza 6 class over at Feeling Scrappy. This time I'm on the design team with Becky Rico and Jayne Jones and I have to say the layouts and ideas we've been working on since February are really, really wonderful. 

Oh, and if you sign up for LOAD before April 15th you might just win one of two opportunities to take Sketchapalooza for FREE! And, if you sign up for Sketchapalooza before April 15th you might just win an opportunity to pariticipate in LOAD. Nice!!

I'm in both, so let me know if you're joining in and don't forget to say "hi"!

On a binge

One of the many charming aspects (read: flaws) of my personality is my tendency to binge.

I'm happy to wait and prepare and mull and wait some more and then I go silly. The one area where this is most obvious is with my scrapbooking and crafting. I spend a great deal of time mulling, and then I immerse myself, hours and hours and hours on end with photos, sketches, adhesive, printed paper, paper trimmers, card stock and embellishments. Oooh! Such good stuff. I think it is the delayed gratification that gives me such joy: seeing all of the projects completed from start to finish in one sitting.

I have just embarked on another creative binge. 

This time I am more mindful of my process, and I'm sharing it with you:

This is the file I started a couple of weeks ago:

In order to get all of this accomplished my next step was to select all of the appropriate photos which I keep stored in iPhoto:

Since a number of my current projects are based on specific outlines: a 4x6 album, a sketch class, a blog entry to be turned into a mini album, preparing for an upcoming week-long project, I print off the design outlines and assign the photos/story:

Now, I love scraplifing and find it a very effective way to get layouts DONE. Not everything I do is based on a pre-done layout or sketch, but my current lifestyle requires me to implement the 80-20 rule. That means 80% of my layouts are based upon the brilliance of others and 20% of the work I produce is completely original.

Once the photos are selected and matched up to the projects, in this case there are 25 individual projects) the photos are burned:

I take my photos over to my local Fortino's, along with the project outline, and use the Kodak machine they have there to submit all the photos and different sizes. I get perfect prints in an hour:

 

though I have a printer that can handle photos, I really do not like how they turn out at home, they take forever, if ever, to dry; and, their durability is questionable. I realize it is so nice, and convenient, to size things in Photoshop and print them immediately, but I'd rather deal with the inconvenience and cost effectiveness of taking my photos down to the store.

In the meantime, once the design is selected, the photos/theme determined, I start writing out, in various Word documents, all of the journaling for the layouts and projects. I really love that I can utilize my time efficiently by saving up all the projects and do all the writing at one time.

I have various journals I bring with me to some rinks, which I transcribe when I get home, and if I have space and time I drag along the laptop to other rinks. I much prefer the opportunities to bring the laptop! Once the documents are proof-read a few hundred times, they get printed off and ready to incorporate into the project design.

It is at this point that each project or layout can be started. And, as they get done, I post them here to show them to you!

Right now, the scrappy-project list includes, but is not limited to:

• Album: Going Away Gift
• Status: Completed and posted
• 
  
• Layouts: Sketchapalooza6
• Status: In progress. No layouts (20 in total) will be posted until Sketchapalooza 6 is completed. Have you joined up? You really don't want to miss it!
•  
• Mini-Album: 10 Things That Make Me Happy (based off this blog post)
  
• Status: Preparations completed. Photos printed, Journaling written, Album chosen, Printed Paper selected
•  
• Album: A Week In The Life
  
• Status: Preparatory stage. Album, Printed Paper, Cardstock and Design selected
•  
• Mini-Album: Hockey Cole Tyke - PeeWee (6 Years so far); Caden Timbit - Minor Atom (3 Years so far)
• Status: Preliminary Collection. Collecting photos (mine, team & pro), collecting stats
•  
• Altered Tin: Affirmation Collection (for Mother's Day)
  
• Status: Preparatory stage. Affirmations downloaded, tins purchased, materials collected. 

There are more things in the works and on the list, but for now, these are the immediate front-burner scrappy/photo things I'm anxious not only to start, but to get finished. I've also signed up for another dose of LOAD which is starting May 1st and going through the whole month so much preparation is required to accomplish that particular test of scrappy-stamina!! Though, to be honest, the challenge with LOAD, for me, is not in the creating 30 layouts, it's creating it one-day-at-a-time. I could easily prepare and make 30 layouts in a weekend, but throughout a month. That's hard.

Because, I'm a binger. I have to immerse myself completely. Attack a project from start to finish with tons of enthusiasm and as few interruptions as possible. Once all of the elements are in place and I can start, look out, I'm in full create mode and nothing will get in my way!

How about you? Do you binge or are you more orderly?

 

The wait is over!

Mark your calendars!

Jayne over at Feeling Scrappy has announced the dates for the next Sketchapalooza Course, the sixth offering of this great event. And guess what? I am, along with Jayne and Becky Rico, on the Feeling Scrappy Design Team!

I have always enjoyed Feeling Scrappy - the blog, the classes, and the new-ish community on Facebook. The community is active and enthusiastic, the classes are engaging, well constructed, and great value. I've always learned a lot from the talented ladies designing and participating.

From the blog:

Sketchapalooza 6
May 3rd to May 31st 2010

We have an all new Sketch Class in the works for you! During this class you will be provided with tons of brand new original sketches (5 per week!) with examples of finished pages from our talented design team during this month long course. This fast paced, exciting class is suitable for any level of scrapper and caters to both traditional and digital artists alike. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to get a tons of pages done and wants to have a ball doing it!

Here is what you can expect during this class:

• A full four weeks of class running from May 3rd to May 31st
• Detailed sketches made exclusively for you by our design team
• 20 total sketches (5 per week!)
• Digital templates provided for PS or PSE for each sketch
• Tips and tid-bits to keep your creative juices flowing
• Fabulous creative examples for each sketch by our talented designers
• A private class forum with lots of support and friendly conversation
• A gallery filled with layout examples
• Self-paced class - do as much or as little as you like
• A PDF file including all the sketches from the class for you to keep for future reference
• Graduation crop with challenges, games and prizes
• Plus a few surprises :)

The cost for this month long class is only $25.00. Ready to sign up? Just click here to go to the link.

Are you going to join in? If so, let me know. And, tell me what you want to see! What are the things you are looking to learn from a scrapbook class - you know, the extras?

Scrapbook: Design Team Call

I am a huge fan of Jayne Jones and her talented team over at Feeling Scrappy. (They're on Facebook too!) If you are a fan of sketches, as I am, the Sketchapalooza events hosted by Feeling Scrappy are not to be missed. Some of my most favourite layouts are as a result of those sketches and classes, and the accompanying community is so warm and engaging.

Anyway ...

There is a design team call which has been extended to February 1st. If this is something you'd be interested in, here are the details:

We are seeking creative and fun scrapbookers who have the ability to inspire and motivate others with their work. Design Team members will be for a six-month term (Feb 1, 2010 - August 1, 2010) and the Guest Designers will serve for one class each (approx two months - one of planning and one during the actual class) No previous design team experience is required - we encourage all styles of scrappers to apply!

Design Team Members and Guest Designers will be expected to do the following during their term:

1.) Design approx 4-5 layouts or projects per month (based on classes) to be used as examples.

2.) Promote Feeling Scrappy whenever possible and create a link on your blog or website if applicable.

3.) Participate on a scheduled basis on the blog - working to make it a fun and inspiring place to read. (This includes posting and assisting with contests, crops and challenges)

4.) Assist with class development and be an active presence during classes providing support and encouragement to student

For your commitment you will receive:

Regular DT members - recognition as a DT member, a scrappy gift every other month and free classes during your term.

Guest DT members - recognition as a Guest DT member, a free class during your term and 1/2 off the next class if you choose to take advantage of it.

We will accept applications until Monday, Feb 1, 2010. We will announce the new team members right here on the blog Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010.

How to Apply:

Send the following to [email protected]:

1.) Your basic information: name, address, phone and e-mail.

2.) Four 12x12 scrapbook layouts (at least one of which should be a new layout not post anywhere on the Web - these can be traditional, digital or a combination) and one original 12x12 page layout sketch (this can be hand or computer generated and should be new/never posted on the Internet.)

3.) A link to your blog and/or image hosting site.

4.) a short bio about yourself that includes the answers to the following questions:

What do you consider your scrapbook style?

Are you a traditional, digital or combo scrapper?

Do you have experience working with Photoshop or PSE?

Are you an active on any message boards and if so which ones?

Why do you want to be on our DT?

Are you on any other teams? IF so, why do you want to be on more then one?

How would you be able to help promote Feeling Scrappy?

What do you feel you could bring to the design team?

Would you be willing to serve as either a regular DT or as a guest DT member?

If you would be interested in a Guest spot, are there any months between Feb and July 2010 that would not work for you

We encourage you to apply and look forward to getting to know you (or seeing old friends!)

Good luck!