Friday, April 27, 2007

Monochromatic Layouts

Something that I find doing often is doing layouts featuring one main color. It's easy to put together, and doesn't complicate things. This also simplifies things when you have many pictures and want to tie them together and have something to bring them all together.

Most recently I did an orange page. Used an eclectic assortment of embellishments and tied them all together by their color in this layout. I used a stamp from one of my favorite collections right now, Catslife, and stamped on a coordinating orange patterned paper.

Click on the picture to enlarge:

For the title, I had a 12x12 page of orange/rusty color letters. I cut them up and tah-dah....the title was not only perfect in color, but quick and easy!

I used other stamps with orange ink as well as black ink on orange paper, and of course the orange buttons in a heart shape to "gather" all the pictures and smaller sized embellishments.

I've submitted a few layouts to a scrapbooking magazine, hoping to someday get published... even if it's only one time!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Scary Stuff

Just wanted to write about our past weekend. Took Collin to the emergency room late Friday night after his 5th episode of losing consciousness briefly over the last 2 weeks. He was transferred to Children's Hospital here in Austin, where after a series of tests, determined 2 things... first, he is swallowing solid foods whole without chewing, which he is choking on. Second, he has large tonsils, which may be obstructing his airway when he cries really hard. We were happy to get back home Monday night.

I am again reminded and deeply moved by the support we have received once again from our family, friends, and neighbors. Special thanks to Cindie, Danielle and Chris, Megan, and Denise and Darrell.
In Tom's word's to our closest friends in an email he sent to update everyone...

"Erin and I have been humbled to tears from everyone's outpouring of love and support. We both, at this point, are coming to grips and healing from the growing presence of God on our lives. I am, at the same time, both encouraged and fearful to be in God's grace; it is truly amazing how He set things into action prior to us asking."

I literally cannot express with words how grateful and thankful I am for our circle of support. It is amazing how God has put all the pieces together for us before these scary events, during them, and even now. It is by His strength and grace that helped me get through Collin's hospitalization, and everyday prior. And it is now that I continue to rely on Him to get me through every time Collin coughs, every time I just want to give up, and through every day.

He has answered another one of my prayers.... that we figure out what is causing these scary episodes without a chronic diagnosis.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Look Out World......

Collin's walking! Using busy background patterned paper, I didn't do too much more for this layout.

I stamped the title using Autumn Leaves Clear stamps, and used feet stamp and circular stamp by Technique Tuesday.

I made my own 3D bookplates using dimensional glue (instead of paying 10 times as much for one!) Made my own tags too, added the cutest walking pictures, and that's it!



I loved how these stamps turned out on this layout...




Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Every Boy Needs a Dog....



This is the face of pure innocent joy... Collin enjoying playing with Bowski's paws and fur. Do kids GET happier than this?



And Jack taking a break from throwing the football around, chilling with Bowski...


Jack daydreaming, in between Lebowski and Maple....


Every boy needs a dog.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Patterned Paper Possibilites


I am enjoying using patterned paper that has stripes for journaling. The stripes and colors draw attention to the journaling area, and it's a perfectly straight line every time! I have also been incorporating word stickers into my handwritten journaling. I really like changing things up with the writing on my pages..... handwriting, stamps, stickers, word phrases, etc.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

pinwheel fun....



I love capturing pictures and stories that tell about the everyday life of us.....our family, our kids, moments, etc.


*****

Jack has always enjoyed pinwheels, so I'm so glad I took pictures of him just playing in the backyard with them one beautiful afternoon. I'm a big advocate for journaling, and on most pages I do tell the story with written words. But I also love changing things up-and sometimes pictures do tell the whole story by themselves.

1st page:

2nd page:

I LOVE the pinwheel paper by daisy d's that I found at my local scrapbook hangout. Can you say PERFECT for these pinwheel pictures?
Since I didn't use any journaling on this particular layout, I wanted a bigger title. I stamped the title on cardstock, then cut out the entire title in one piece.


I used coordinating polka dotted paper with the pinwheel paper for accent purposes and to "ground" the pictures.


*****

Adding dimension, I made my own pinwheels with leftover polka dot paper, brads and a popsicle stick that I had from a rub-on pack.

This whole layout took less than an hour to put together....and I love capturing my 3 1/2 year old in his "wonderment" with pinwheels.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Texas Bluebonnets


We went to Mount Bonnell and enjoyed the beautiful Austin weather in March. Perfect weather, with my favorite people :)

Some of my favorite things...


I was thinking about some of my favorite scrapbooking things right now. Other than the "essentials" that are used on every page (paper, adhesive, pens) I am really digging these items right now on my layouts:

* Autumn Leaves clear acrylic stamps. I LOVE clear stamps, allowing me to stamp directly onto my layouts and seeing exactly where they are being stamped. And the Autumn Leaves stamps are really cool and versatile.

* The Bohemia line by My Mind's Eye. Trendy, yes, but super cool.

* The EK Success paper punches. Clean cutting, easy to use, great sizes, endless possibilities.


*Catslife Stamps. All I can say is AWESOME rubber stamps that can be used on any page.


Monday, April 2, 2007

Buttons, Buttons, Everywhere!

Continuing on the topic of added dimension, I love how buttons add so much to a scrapbook page. They are such a great scrapbooking resource....they are everywhere, come in all colors and sizes, and are relatively inexpensive. Add one button, or lots of them to your layout for a great dimensional embellishment. I've been doing a few layouts with lots of buttons, using a monochromatic color scheme. Something different from my usual style, I guess!







Use buttons for a different style of lettering for your titles/journaling....






On this layout, I used one color of buttons (but used different sizes and style buttons) and surrounded my pictures with all of them to unify the 2 scrapbook pages. I also used some coordinating patterned paper ( XOXOXOXO) to bring the pages together as well. And I LOVE adhering these buttons using glue dots. Glue dots come in different sizes and styles which makes it great to quickly adhere items....like buttons!

Adding Dimension

Looking for a simple way to add dimension? Use some 3-dimensional, clear gloss medium. It's one of those products I've known about for a while, but was intimidated to use- probably because I was unfamiliar with it and had never used anything like it before. But recently I bought some for the first time (it's super inexpensive which is another plus) and I used it on a layout.

I loved the results!

The kind of dimensional medium I use is called Glossy accents by Inkssentials, and it's acid free and non-toxic. After applying, it dries to a hard, clear, glossy finish.


The scrapbook page I used this on was a layout consisting of monthly pictures of Collin showing his amazing growth over his first year.

Under each monthly picture, I used a ledger stamp on white paper and dated each picture with his age. Then I colored with different colored markers and let that dry for a bit. I then used the dimensional medium using it's super fine tip which allowed for precise application in this small area. I let that dry for a few hours, then decided to add another coat. You can add as many coats as you desire. I love how this simple technique makes these labels "pop".... without a lot of cost, time, or effort.


This products has so many possible uses! I'm thinking of using this 3-D medium on some lettering on my next layout I create.

Have a great Monday!