My hair certainly looks scraggly in that picture. It's getting longer and longer. I should get it cut, but I'm not sure what to do with it. So I don't do anything. Sorry, that has nothing with the topic of today's post, just an observation. Now back to talking about me, I'm sure you've been waiting on the edge of your seat...
CATALYST #6 A KIT CLUB
In June of 2007, I joined my first kit club and that was the beginning of a new era. I loved the idea of having to use only what came in the kit. Having someone else pick paper, alphabets, and embellishments seemed a little scary to me, but there are so many great kit clubs out there, you're sure to find one to fit your taste. Note that I said a little SCARY? Well if you haven't noticed this about me yet, I'll let you in on a little fact about me, I kind of enjoy being pushed out of my box, even though it's a scary thing. But I've learned that it's also a very good thing, if you want your scrapbooking to evolve. Here's the first layout I did with my new kit. Note the changes: I do believe that's BLING on a layout! I never would have used bling on my own at that point. It just wasn't me, but since I had paid for the kit, I felt like I had to use every last drop of it. And you know what? I loved it. Also there's a huge Lisa Dickinson influence here. White edges on my photos, ripped papers, and tilted things. I met Lisa around this time and I notice my work started borrowing from hers. Also the use of labels, I never used them up until this point. Note the similarities: I'm much more comfortable now with patterned papers. Still some white space. Still my own handwriting.CATALYST #7 ONE SKETCH 31 WAYS (ALMOST)
In January of 2008, I decided to do a random thought album, i made a layout a day. Following a basic sketch, I scrapped a random thought I had each day, trying stick to the sketch, but make it slightly different every time. I flipped it, traded patterned papers for pictures, buttons for patterned papers, moved the title and journaling, etc. I almost finished the full month. I still have the last few days of pictures ready to go, but I lost momentum. However, what I did gain from this exercise was the ability to change things within a very tight format. You should try it sometime, it was really fun. By the way, most of these layouts were created using my Studio Calico kits.
Note the changes: Not a lot of changes in my style here, but I think there was a lot of growth, for reasons stated above. Note the similarities: This exercise took me back to my original 8.5x11 format. I realized I could work in it again. Handwriting. Clean design.
CATALYST #8 DABBLING IN DIGITAL
The last thing I'll talk about today is my foray into digital scrapbooking. I took an introduction to digital scrapping class from Paula Gilarde. Talk about a totally different form of creating! I love bright and intense colors and a cleaner look when I paper scrap. But for some reason when I digi scrap, I am drawn toward muted grungy look. I wouldn't say I'm super comfortable in this arena yet, but do enjoy it. This is my first attempt, but I've taken a few more classes and played a lot with the technology since then, my layout for the November gallery is all digital. It's much better :) I love the flexiblity that comes with digital scrapping. It takes me just as long to put a layout together digitally, by the way.
Note the changes: Most obviously, it's digital :) and therefore I couldn't use my own handwriting. Now if I were to buy a tablet, I could change that... Note the similarities: White space. Tilting. Labels. Remember the eyelets from early on in my career? I made these digitally because I still love the look.
