Write. Click. Scrapbook.

Keeping you in Stitches: Basic Stitches

It's Jennifer Larson again, sharing some basic stitches I tend to use.

First: you can find basic stitch guides online if you google "embroidery stitches" or "needlework stitches." I find this one helpful (Sharon B's guide) and this one (Johanna's embroidery stitch diagrams). I won't draw stitch diagrams for you on this post, but I will describe the stitches I used on my pages; if you want to look up how to do it more precisely, click on one of these two links and search by the stitch name.

Generally, when stitching on paper, you do not want to holes to be too close together. I use 1/4 inch as a rule, though 1/8 inch can work (sorry for internationals about the measurements--I think this would be about a centimeter for you?). Any closer will probably shred the paper. I use my ruler or straight line hole templates (mosty from Stampin' Up!) to map out my straight line stitching.

 

1. Cross Stitch

I used cross stitches in two ways here: as a line under the title and in between scallops on the bottom border. If you happen to have border punches (of course you do!), adding cross stitches in them makes it super easy. I use the Stampin' Up! stitch template to measure the cross stitches, but a ruler will do as well.

2. Back Stitch

A back stitch is an outline. You can poke holes evenly apart and then stitch until the entire line is filled in. I use this stitch and the cross stitch the most because it is the most practical (and easiest!).

 

3. Running Stitch

This is similar to a back stitch, just with empty space. I use this to outline photo blocks a lot, or to make butterfly or bird trails.

 

4. Blanket Stitch

Blanket stitches are sort of half cross stitches, and they look cozy yet masculine. I like them on borders. I also backstitched a photo corner, one of my favorite things to do.

 

5. Algerian Eye

In my mind, Algerian Eyes are like glorified cross stitches:  to make one, you make a cross stitch and a plus sign. I like them because they are sort of sparkly looking shape-wise, which fit this winter page well.

 

6. Lazy Daisy Stitch

(Please ignore my hair and the fact that I'm massively pregnant in this photo!)

Lasy Daisy stitches are basically a loop you pin down on the page: Put the needle through the hole, then go down the same hole, leaving a loop the size you want. Supposedly, you then just have to stitch down the tip of the loop to form a lovely leaf shape; in all honesty, for me this forms leaves that look like they belong on a pine tree instead of an elm, so I also pin down the sides to make it more of a traditional leaf shape.

 

7. French Knot

French Knots are made by stitcking the needle through the paper and looping the floss around the needle, then poking the needle through the loop, which will form a knot. For some reason, I found that French Knots take more looping for paper than for fabric. When I stitch on cloth, I loop twice; on paper, I do it at least 5 times. On this page, I dotted the "i" with a French Knot; the rest of the word I backstitched after handwriting the word "attitude."

These were some basic stitches; tomorrow I'll share how I use templates to add designs that are amazing looking!

scrapbook!

Welcome to scrapbook Saturday! It's Marnie and I am so excited to be with you today. I love scrapbooking with a purpose, and always feel so motivated by our Saturday challenges. Lately I have had found myself pushing photos around and around and around the page. Unless I have a purpose. And then the pages seem to come right together. Do you ever have that? It seems when I have a long todo list and little rest that my creativity seems to hide away. But I have always loved good grades, and so scrapbooking with an assignment forces my juices to flow, if just a tiny bit, and somehow pages get made. I know my motivation should be intrinsic, but, well, it isn't always. Please tell me you have this, too, sometimes. 

 

Today we have three new challenges to inspire you. I hope that you will find a reason to create a page or three from what you see, be it the sketch, the color palette, or our trend alert.

 

SKETCH

This month's sketch comes from Christa's layout in our Pinterest Made Me gallery. Diane is our new sketch director and she did a great job picking this layout and turning it into a sketch for us. Thank you, Diane!!

 

Here it is transformed into a sketch.

With its chevron stripes and roomy journaling box, this layout is perfect for Thanksgiving, fall, or anything you need.

 

And to help you see how versatile it is, we have four layouts for you which all began with the sketch.

O' Christmas Tree | Diane Payne

While Diane followed the sketch closely, her signature style can be seen in her tilted photos, and layered, colorful, embellishments. I like that she put her journaling in a flourish'y not-box. And the star at the top of the round embellishment above tree is very reminiscent of the star on the tree. So pretty.

Next up we have a layout from Jennie. She forwent cutting chevrons from patterned paper, opting instead to have paper with chevrons!

Fall Party | Jennie McGarvey

As you use a sketch, don't worry about incorporating all the details. Use what you like and leave the rest behind. Just don't post it online or the scrapbook police will come find you! heehee! Just teasing. That's just it. You can do what makes you happy. Maybe you use it exactly. Maybe you let it start you and then leave it all behind.

 

Amy kept the basic design, combined the two photos into one larger one, and opted for a chevron-less layout, like Jennie's. Amy, our local wordsmith, even found a little extra room for details on the subtitle circle! Good job, Amy!

Nathan Right Now | Amy Sorenson

 

I thought for certain that I would stay true to the sketch. Usually I do, and I love chevron. But... I didn't. I picked the photos and then couldn't find a trio of patterned papers that I liked alongside them. So I switched out the matte for a pattern and left off the chevrons. And love it so much more. (Though I am certain that I will indeed create another layout with this sketch that incorporates my beloved chevrons.)

If you would like a layered template, all ready for a quick layout, just click here. We would love to see your layouts if you make one!

 

ROGYBIV

This month for our color palette, there was only one choice. Celeste's lovely oranges from our gallery were too much to resist.

 

Here are the colors put into a paint sample.

And here is a layout using them. Oh, how I love orange. Mmmm.

 

TRENDING

This month our gallery has 7 layouts with misting/spritzing. A trend we adore as it adds just a little teensy bit of color, texture, and graphic element.

Even in greys, the spritzing adds just a bit of decoration. I like using drippy drops as a means of creating or emphasizing visual triangles. How do you love using them?

Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you can put the sketch, the color palette, and the drippydrop trend to use on a layout or three! 

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving is filled with tradition. The foods we eat, the prayers we say, the time we take to express our gratitude. Add in lush autumnal colors, and the love of family and friends, and our layouts will nearly make themselves.

But in case you need a little push in the right direction, we have a few layouts to help you get started.

Let's begin with a gorgeous layout from Christa.

How many of you were relegated to the kiddie table as wee ones? Do you remember the transition to the big table? Christa's layout captures the moment for her daughter helping her to remember how it felt. What a truly great idea.

 

Diane put together a wonderful layout itemizing the toasts of the season. The number paper adds a feeling of counting to help support the title, Count Your Blessings.

To recreate a picture like this for your own book, pull out your tripod or set your camera on a counter and set the timer. Chances are you will get some great grins as people start to laugh as you hold your glasses still and raised and your arms begin to shake waiting for the timer to go!!

 

Next we have two layouts from Diane, both capturing her gratitudes for the season.

From these layouts we see how fall photos are fantastic for thankful layouts, too. There is no rule that you need to use pictures from the meal! And using envelopes with hidden journaling means you can be honest and heartfelt without worrying that others might read it.

 

Now, let's talk turkey!! Knowing all the hours that you spend on your turkey, and your decorating, don't forget to take some photos and create some ambiance layouts, too!

Snapping photos of the table, the place settings, and the centerpieces, Marnie used a two page layout to fit them all on one layout.

 

 

If you can refrain from diving in immediately, it can be fun to have some photos of the food. Not only did Marnie snap photos of the food spread, but also her plate filled (and her festive drink in a red can!!). (This doesn't always happen--sometimes hungry tummies forget to take a picture first!) Again using a two page design, Marnie kept all the photos trimmed to the same size for ease of use, and ease of viewing.

Mmm. Are you getting hungry? We are! Bring on the tryptophan stupor! We are ready!!

 

And if you want to start putting layouts together, it's never too early! Remember a few months ago, when Marnie got her seasonal layouts together? Here is a reminder of her Thanksgiving layout ready and waiting for photos.

 

If you would like to use this as a basis for a layout of your own, here is a basic sketch.

And you may download a layered template here.

 

We hope that you are looking forward to your holiday! Only nine more days 'til turkey!! Thank you for stopping by--we look forward to seeing tomorrow!

Map Week: Maps in the Background

Did you know that next week is Geography Awareness Week? Probably not, unless like me, Vivian, you are a geography geek. As a kid, I always had my nose in an atlas of some sort and grew up to be a social studies teacher/curriculum coordinator/instructional coach whose passion has always been in the area of geography. Maps lie at the core of geography, so, as you might imagine, I was thrilled when the trend toward map-themed products started a couple of years ago in the papercrafting industry. We'll be exploring that trend this week, with a different focus each day.

Here's our schedule for the week:

Monday: Maps in the Background

Tuesday: Maps Instead of Photos

Wednesday: Maps as Embellishments

Thursday: Give.Away.Day. (yes, you read that right! :))

Friday: Maps as Home Decor

So...let's dive into our exploration of maps in the background. 

 

Maps in the Background, Part I: Using Maps Literally

One way to use a map in the background is to use it for the specific location(s) depicted, using the map to help tell the location piece of your story.

On this layout, I used the Blue Christmas patterned paper from Crate Paper's new Sleigh Ride collection to help tell the story of our Christmas Eve tradition. (How much fun is that North Pole print?!)

You may have already seen this layout I created a while back, but I still love it and it's a great example of using a map for the specific locations depicted. This layout tells the story of my grandfather's family's journey to the United States.

Another oldie but goodie of mine is this layout, which marks San Francisco on the map:

Katie used a New York map-print patterned paper as the background on her gorgeous black, white, and red layout about her love of New York:

Lisa (Ottosson) used a map to locate all of the connections she's made with people around the world:

Deb's "Bryce Canyon" layout has the journaling pocket/card resting on top of Utah:

Diane's fun "I'll Go Anywhere!" layout is another great example of this type of map use. She added embellishments to show the two locations discussed in her journaling. The space between Los Angeles and Boston on the map was just the right size for her to include her photo there:

Maps in the Background, Part II: Using Maps Figuratively

Another great way to use maps in the background is for layouts about travel in general, journeys, or places you go.

I used a globe-print paper in this way to document my son's obsession with geography:

Francine used a map in the background on a layout about how her son is a good traveler:

Amy (Coose) used a map on a layout about her son's educational journey:

Deb used a map on a layout about a weekend treat destination:

As you can see, maps are very popular with the whole write.click.scrapbook. team! Are you already using maps in the background? If you're using them literally, try using them figuratively. If you're using them figuratively, try using them literally. If you're not yet using maps, give it a try!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post about using maps instead of photos...

Welcome, November!

We welcome November with sugar-hyped kids and costumes ready to be put away. Hopefully you all had a fun Hallowed Eve, and that the kids brought home your favorite candy!!

This month we are excited to welcome four new team members! Aliza Deutsch, Jennie McGarvey, Christine Newman, and Amy Coose are joining us and we couldn't be more happy. They bring well designed pages, excellent photos, and delightful lives to you and to us. Take a moment and stop by their bio pages and get to know them. They are all participating in our gallery as well, so you will have a chance to see them in action today!

We have a terrific lineup for you this month. Sarah will be finishing out this week for us, followed by Vivian who has a fun week planned. After that we have a team week to help you get ready for Thanksgiving. Jenny will be next; and Katie will close out the month. What a month it will be!

But now, put your hands together for our new gallery! We gave you sneaks... could you figure it out? This month, our theme is We Love Color! Follow the link to the photoalbum and you can read the journaling and see the the layouts in greater detail. Here are 24 new layouts for you to love and use for inspiration! We hope you love them! (Feel free to tell us!!)

 

4 Eyes | Francine Clouden

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper (Studio Calico, Jenni Bowlin) + vinyl letter stickers (American Crafts) + paper flower (Sassafras Lass) + stamps (Banana Frog) + adhesive pearls (Kaiser Crafts) + sticker (Sassafras Lass)

A Note from Francine
My love affair with the yellow and grey combo began just over two years ago (around the time when this layout was made). Before this I was always hard pressed to name a favourite colour, but since this combination has persisted I think it is safe to say that I have found an answer!

November Fun Fact
We're moving house! Again! Send me all your good vibes please.

 

 

Hmm…Should I Wear | Aliza Deutsch

(12 x 12) | materials patterned paper (Authentique Paper, Bazzill Basics Paper, My Mind’s Eye, Amy Tangerine, Basic Grey, Echo Park) + embellishments (Amy Tangerine, My Mind’s Eye, A Flair for Buttons, We R Memory Keepers, K&Co) + stickers (Lily Bee Deigns)

A Note from Aliza
This layout is all about my little obsession with the color black. I’m not trying to be sophisticated or artsy. It’s just then when I shop for clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. I always like the black or the gray one best. I find shades of black or gray absolutely rich and delicious. And still in the morning, I need to decide which black shirt and pants to wear. I do own a smattering of colored clothes, but guess what color I always pair them with?

November Fun Fact
I also love gray and rainy days. I don’t think I’ve ever minded waking up to a rainy forecast.

 

 

Click! | Vivian Masket

(12 x 12) | materials cardstock (Bazzill Basics) + patterned paper (October Afternoon) + wood veneer embellishments (Studio Calico) + spray inks (October Afternoon, Studio Calico) + stickers (Jillibean Soup) + die cut (October Afternoon) + brad (October Afternoon) + die cutting machine (Silhouette) + font (Typenoksidi)

A Note from Vivian
My favorite colors are brights against neutrals. On this layout, that took the form of brights (both photos and embellishments) against white with a neutral wood grain pattern and matching brown cardstock border.

November Fun Fact
At Thanksgiving, I always prefer the sides to the turkey.

 

 

Got Color? | Lisa Ottosson

(8.5 x 11) | materials patterned paper (Collage Press) + stickers (Panduro Hobby, American Crafts, Webster Pages)

A Note from Lisa
This layout is one I should have done a long time ago.

November Fun Fact
When I was younger I never used nail polish, now I do almost every day!

 

 

Little Mermaids | Katie Ehmann

(12 x 12) | materials patterned paper (Ki Memories, Echo Park, Amy Tangerine) + embellishments (Studio Calico) + stickers (Amy Tangerine, October Afternoon) + mist (Studio Calico) + punches (Martha Stewart Crafts) + Royal Typewriter

A Note from Katie
This layout features my current favorite colors: bright pink and electric blue with a little kraft thrown in for good measure. I misted the whole sheet of cardstock and used some punched paper to mask the hearts and stars to give my page a little punch (literally, ha!). The instagram of my girls on their last day at the pool for the season went perfectly with the colors I chose.

November Fun Fact
I am a Disney freak. I used to tease a couple of my friends for liking Disney World so much until we went there a few years ago. Now I can't get enough and can't wait to go back in February to see the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom!

 

 

Happiness | Deb Duty

(12 x 12) | materials patterned paper (American Crafts, Echo Park, Studio Calico) + embellishments (Studio Calico, My Mind's Eye, October Afternoon) + letter stickers (American Crafts) + stamps (Studio Calico)

A Note from Deb
It's hard to choose absolute favorite colors because there are so many that I love, but lately I've been leaning toward the soft blue color in my layout. When I saw the beautiful yellows and soft greenish blues in this photo, I thought it would be perfect for this theme because the colors are so very lovely.

November Fun Fact
I'm a fan of reality TV. Ever since I happened upon the very first episode of Survivor, I've been totally hooked.

 

 

Rock Star | Diane Payne

(12 x 12) | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + embellishments (A Flair for Buttons, Studio Calico, Sunstar) + stickers (American Crafts)

A Note from Diane
This layout features lots of colors! Yellow is my favorite…my happy color, but really how could I limit my layout to one? When I look through my albums all my layouts are very colorful! In my book, bold and bright layouts are beautiful!

November Fun Fact
There is something about fall that makes me want to burn candles. The fall scents are fabulous and make the house smell so good. I burn more candles in the month of November and December than the entire rest of the year.

 

 

Think Orange | Celeste Smith

(12 x 12) | materials digital kit (Catch the Falling Leaves kit by JM Designs at One Story Down) + button (Daydream kit by Tracy Martin at One Story Down) +Alphabets (Homemade Memories collaboration at One Story Down, Smell My Feet kit by Valorie Brown at One Story Down) + font (Claire Hand)

A Note from Celeste
I just adore orange and paired with a little kraft it's even better! This layout could be considered my ode to orange.

November Fun Fact
I'm looking forward to pajama day on Thanksgiving!

 

 

Favorite Color? | Kathy Martin

12 x 12 | < b>materials card stock (Bazzill Basics and Neenah Paper) + washi tape (Bella Blvd.) + buttons and twine (Doodlebug Design)

A Note from Kathy
Choosing a favorite color is like trying to pick a favorite book, movie or song. There’s just so many fabulous choices!

November Fun Fact
I’ve been known to pick red as a favorite color!

 

 

Peeler | Marnie Flores

(8.5 x 8.5) | materials patterned paper (Crystal Wilkerson) + arrow (photoshop) +parentheses (Crystal Wilkerson) + fonts

A Note from Marnie
I took a color test once. It asked you all sorts of questions using not just images but also adjectives, and emotional response questions. At the end it gives you two color families. My first was rosy pinks. I felt so exposed. I am totally a soft pink girl, but only in secret. My kids will tell you my favorite colors are orange, red, and black. I wear lots of bright colors (orange, lime green, turquoise blues) and decorate with fun pastel brights. But apparently, at the heart of me is soft pink. Paired with greige (a taupe-y grey) and I am at my most relaxed. That's what this layout is - my two secret favorites.

November Fun Fact
Poppy is getting baptized this month so we have family coming to town. That is rare for us so I have been on a decorating frenzy, trying to get everything to its ideal. Silly, I know. So far, we have switched two bedrooms, including closets and light fixtures. I have painted and rearranged the linen closet and the entry closet. (And by rearranged, I mean gutting and redoing!!) I have just pulled apart the pantry for a complete overhaul. I have painted one bedroom, with one to come tomorrow. And I am nearly finished a redo on the kids' bathroom, including a new mirror, cabinet, and light fixture. I have painted, spackled, and drywalled like a crazy woman. But with only 7 days to go, things are winding down and I am so very happy.

 

 

Week 40 – 2012 in 52 Pages | Alexandra Sirugue-Macleod

(8 x 8) | materials patterned paper (Heidi Swapp) + embellishments (Avery, Making Memories) + die cuts (Sizzix) + ink (Ranger) + font (Courier New)

A Note from Alexandra
This layout is 8 x 8 in. It is part of a project called «2012 in 52 Pages». Since January 2011, I have been scrapping a page a week that recaps the everyday of our lives. I’ve been making my photocollages under Picasa using quite a few photos taken with my iPhone. I love the various filters certain apps offer such as «Early Bird» in Instagram. I’ve always loved these faded colors. They have a timeless quality which I find very comforting.

November Fun Fact
I enjoy watching presidential debates so much I wish there were one every week!

 

 

Fools for Summer | Jennifer Larson

(12 x 12) | materials patterned paper (Studio Calico, Echo Park, Little Yellow Bicycle, Basic Grey) + embellishments (Studio Calico, We R Memory Keepers, Elle’s Studio, Technique Tuesday) + stickers (Basic Grey, American Crafts)

A Note from Jennifer
My absolute favorite color is yellow, but if I picked a favorite color family, it would be bright. Since most of the photos I’m taking now in the fall are more muted, I went back to some favorite photos from the summer to scrap. Bright colors, especially on a background of yellow, make me so happy, especially the closer we get to winter. In winter, I need to keep my summer brights in front of me.

November Fun Fact
In November I am looking forward to our annual Black Friday visit to the Mall of America. Seriously!

 

 

First Day | Erin Sweeney

(8.5 x 11) | materials patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye; KI Memories; American Crafts) + embellishments (Love, Elsie) + stickers (Making Memories; Studio Calico) + border punch (EK Success) 

A Note from Erin
You can’t tell it from the pictures, but Mackenzie was not at all excited about me taking pictures before her first day of 4’s preschool. She faked it well! Eventually I’ll add journaling, but I’m not sure what I want to say yet, so I’ve left it off.

November Fun Fact
Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. The Thanksgiving after Mackenzie was born (she was only a few weeks old) we skipped the family celebrations and stayed in our pajamas all day. We only got dressed when we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and when we got home we got right back in them!

 

 

Color Full I Christa Paustenbaugh

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned papers (October Afternoon, Bo Bunny, Pebbles, Echo Park, My Mind’s Eye) + stickers (October Afternoon, Crate Paper) + chipboard (October Afternoon) + die cuts (Studio Calico, Banana Fish Studio, Jillibean Soup) + wood grain (Studio Calico) + twine (Ormolu) + washi tape (MT) + paint (Making Memories) + spray mist (Studio Calico) + die cut machine (Silhouette)

A Note from Christa
For this month’s gallery I went for a play on words instead of direct translation. I love this sunburst from Silhouette and wanted to add lots and lots of color to it with these bright patterned papers. Our youngest daughter has definitely brought lots of color and shades of color to our lives over the last 7+ years with much more to come! And yes, I spelled colorful wrong on purpose!

November Fun Fact
This November is shaping up to be a really great one with lots of fun! We get to put another stamp in our passport books with a Thanksgiving trip to Hong Kong. I’m beside myself with excitement for that trip!

 

 

I'm A Rockstar Ladies Love Me | Jennie McGarvey

(12 x 12) | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned paper (Authentique) + embellishments (Bananafish Studios, Marcy Penner, Maya Road, Chic Tags, My Mind's Eye, The Stringery)

A Note from Jennie
I chose these colors because some form of light blue/soft aqua/turquoise and red have been my favorites for a very, very long time -- plus grey is all my all time favorite color so it seemed right to combine them. It was awesome to pair them with this photo of my son with his funny antics!

November Fun Fact
Potatoes are my favorite food. I've never met a kind I don't like.

 

 

That's Hilarious | Kelly Jeppson

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper, journaling card (Doodlebug Design) + letter sticker (American Crafts) + chipboard letters + buttons

A Note from Kelly
I love this yellow-green paper from Doodlebug. It is part of a line that features yellow, orange and navy blue. I thought they were perfect for this layout about my daughter, Josie. A departure from typical girl pink!

November Fun Fact
Last year I tasted my first "tofurkey" at Thanksgiving - my sister is a vegetarian. It was pretty tasty, but I'll stick to the real thing!

 

 

Love You Two | Amy Coose

(12 x 12) | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (Studio Calico, American Crafts) + tags (Chic Tags) + washi tape (Freckled Fawn) + index card (Lily Bee) + brad (Basic Grey) + sequin (Studio Calico) + stamps (Ali Edwards) + ink (Stampin Up!) + Silhouette Cameo, sewing machine

A Note from Amy
This layout came together just like I wanted it to.  I knew red needed to be the main color, and I remembered these pictures I had taken of my baby and his sister outside.  They were perfect.

November Fun Fact
I cannot have candy corn in my house.  It's not good for anyone.

 

 

happy together | Celeste Smith

(12 x 12) | materials digital kit (Sew Happy Collaboration by Mye DeLeon & The Ardent Sparrow at Design House Digital) + template (Grow with Love Letters March by Crystal Livesay at Design House Digital) + font (Century Gothic)

A Note from Celeste
Shh! Don't tell anyone, but secretly I wish I could scrap with more pink. I have two boys who are at an age where boys rule, girls drool. This means flowers and pink on pages are not appreciated. So I sneak it in where I can. For instance, I have free reign if I'm in the photo, the kitty has no beef with pink, and if I'm really wanting to scrap pink I can always snag a photo or two of my stunning niece!

November Fun Fact
On Thanksgiving Day, I have a pot all set up with onions, carrots, and celery just waiting for the turkey carcass. By 9:30 pm, the house is filled with the fabulous smell of turkey soup!

 

 

Shine | Christine Newman

(12 x 12) | materials cardstock (American Crafts, Bazzill) + patterned paper (Pebbles, Basic Grey) + vellum (Strathmore) + embellishments (Studio Calico, Divine Twine) + tape (American Crafts) + tag (Amy Tangerine) + Stickles (Ranger) + stamps (Technique Tuesday, Studio Calico) + ink (Jenni Bowlin) + digital die cutter (Silhouette)

A Note from Christine
My favorite colors to scrap with are light blue and yellow, because these colors make me happy and remind me of the sun and ocean. I live 15 minutes from the beach and I have a lot of photos that have blue in it. You will find that I have many blue papers in my stash. For this layout I wanted to convey sunshine and rays, and I repeat the theme throughout the layout with patterned paper, twine, die cuts, and wood veneers.

November Fun Fact
I will be running the Krispy Kreme Challenge in November, which consists of running 2 miles, eating 6 donuts, and then running another 2 miles!

 

 

Rainbow Balloons | Sarah Pendergrast

(12 x 12) | materials patterned paper (American Crafts, Studio Calico, Basic Grey, October Afternoon, Echo Park) + embellishments (Studio Calico, My Minds Eye, Freckled Fawn, American Crafts) + stickers (Making Memories, American Crafts)

A Note from Sarah
I had a hard time deciding on my favourite colour scheme, as I like a few, but when it comes to crafting, my favourite is rainbow! I’m always drawn to pages with bright rainbow colours, and it worked perfectly with this photo of rainbow balloons!

November Fun Fact
I’m actually terrified of balloons! I have to leave the room if one of the kids is playing with one.

 

 

Favorite? | Emily Spahn

(8.5 x 11) | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned paper (Studio Calico) + chipboard, stickers, thickers (American Crafts) + alphabet stickers (Basic Grey) + wood embellishments (Sodalicious) + washi tape (MT) + spray mist (Studio Calico)

A Note from Emily
My favorite color combination to use on a layout always seems to be some variation of yellow, orange, and aqua. I've had these Studio Calico Heyday papers sitting around for awhile, and I was happy to finally use them on a layout! This layout is also the very first I made with my brand new Cameo!

November Fun Fact
I love November! However, it seems like every year there is so much going on and everyone is always looking forward to December and the holidays that November becomes the forgotten month!! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I get a week off work…I wish November could last forever!

 

 

Complementary Colors | Amy Sorensen

12 x 12 | materials card stock (Bazzill) + ink (Close to My Heart) + hexagons (Silhouette) + LD Remington and Janda Elegant Handwriting fonts

A Note from Amy
My second-favorite hobby is quilting, and by sheer coincidence I picked up a quilting book from the hold shelf just a few days before I started working on my layout: We Love Color. The book is about using Kona solids (a line of gorgeous, well-crafted solid fabrics, the quilting equivalent of cardstock) for making quilts that showcase color. A perfect wellspring of inspiration for a gallery dedicated to color! The hexagons and the title design come directly from the book.

I had initially planned on doing a layout with my current favorite color combination, but when my sister and I had this conversation about Halloween colors, it was too perfect to pass up.

November Fun Fact
Since we were speaking about color, I confess: I have a little obsession lately with all things grey.It might just be the perfect neutral!

 

 

Maybe, Perhaps? | Emily Pitts

(12 x 12) | materials cardstock (Bazzill Basics) +patterned paper (Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper, Echo Park Paper Co.) + embellishments (Crate Paper) + alphabet (Crate Paper) + spray ink (Maya Mist) + stencil (Crafter's Workshop)

A Note from Emily
Maya Road has a spray mist called Fig Magenta. I am not a purple or pink fan, but for some reason, this color is one of my all time favorite, most used inks. It's just perfect. Pair it with turquoise and a mustardy yellow and I just swoon. I'm really into the 1970s color schemes right now, I used to find them ugly because I grew up with them, but now I use them a lot. A black and white photo, white or kraft background, it's the perfect combination!

November Fun Fact
I always wanted a plain gold band instead of a diamond for a wedding ring. After my first baby, my fingers grew and my band didn't fit and we just never got it sized. My grandmother passed away and my mom got all the jewelry. In the collection was a gorgeous plain gold band that belonged to my great great grandmother. It fits perfectly. My sisters prefer white gold. So guess who is wearing a vintage plain gold band? It makes me happy.

 

 

Lashes | Paula Gilarde

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Jillibean Soup) + patterned papers (Jillibean Soup)+ embellishments (7 Gypsies tape) + rub ons (American Crafts) + stencil (Crafters Workshop) + digital element (Katie Pertiet digital frame)

A Note from Paula
My favorite colors are green and blue. I nearly always use some green on my scrapbook layouts, somewhere. Currently my favorite color is teal - somewhere between blue and green.

Put Their He{ART} in it

Hi there! It's Sarah Pendergrast here to share some ideas on how to incorporate your children's artwork into your pages. First off, I have to admit that 99% of the art my kids work ends up in the recycling bin, and more often than not, my daughter finds said artwork and I am 100% busted. So, since I can't possibly keep up with the prolific stream of art that is produced by my kids, I try to do something special with a few of the pieces. Of course, lots goes on the wall and fridge, but what to do after that? Here are a few ways you can incorprate those special pieces into your pages.

 

 

1. Use the art as a backgroud for your photo

Lisa Kisch took a photo of her daughter painting, and used the artwork as a background for her page. I love how she incorporated a Monet quote!

Lisa Kisch

2. Use their doodles

Lately, my daughter is really into doodling....and peace signs.... and everything rock and roll. For my layout, I collected several of her doodles, cut them out, and stitched them to my cardstock to create a background for my photo. I added a conversation my kids had recently, about peace signs, in the speech bubbles. 

3. Hand cut special lettering or words for titles

In my above example, I also handcut the words "rock and roll" from one of my daughter's doodle pages. She spent a lot of time on the lettering, and I loved how it looked on my page. 

When my son was in grade 1, he was given a homework assignment to write three words that described himself. I cut the words out, matted them, and paired them with his school photo from that year.

4. Create an embellishment with the art

My daughter did a cute little drawing of an owl, around the same time she started brownies. I saved it for this layout from her first night. To create a more substantial embellishment, I simple stitched around her drawing with linen thread, then cut out the stitched image:

 

5. Mat the art like a photo

In my layout I made the little drawings my son created the focus of the layout. I used a tiny school photo of him from that year to document the age he was when they were created.

6. Photograph the art

When my daughter was in kindergarten, she came home with her backpack stuffed with art every day. There were paintings, "kites", "treasure boxes", and sometimes just the contents of someone else's recycling bin. It was a sweet time, but I could not possibly keep up. One day I photographed everything inside her backpack, and created this layout:

 

Sometimes kids bring home amazing three dimensional works that simply cannot be saved in a scrapbook. For these, especially the ones they've worked really hard on, I like to photograph them. Here's an example where I used a photo of a paper mache hammerhead shark in my December Daily.

7. Use their handwritten notes

Lisa Ottosson took this photo of her daughter making a phone call to her daddy. Her daughter wrote down her dad's phone number while on the phone, and Lisa saved it and included it on this page.

Lisa Ottosson

 

Kids love to write love notes to their parents. Lisa saved this one her daughter wrote to her, and used it on a page about herself.

Lisa Ottosson

 

8. Tuck their art into little envelopes

In this layout, I saved a few love notes my son made me in Junior Kindergarten, and tucked them into a little envelope. My son has autism, and at the time was not talking a whole lot, so these notes were (and are) so precious to me.

My daughter is prone to creative frenzies...I have no idea where she got that trait from! A couple of years ago she made some little puppets with paper, popsicle sticks and tape. When she finished the room and her hair were a disaster (actually, I think her hair was like that before she started). I managed to get a photo, and I've been hanging onto to those puppets ever since. I tucked them into a few vellum envelopes for this layout.

 

I hope you enjoyed these ideas, and some of your children's art makes it onto your pages.

Pinterest Inspiration Day 4 (titles are tricky no longer)

Thank you for all your kind comments this week. I hope that this is helping you make good use of all those layouts and design items you have pinned. And it's a wonderful excuse to spend more time pinning, now, don't you think?

I have an entire pinboard dedicated to quotes and words. I am moved by not only what these quotes say, but how they are presented. If you click though my board, you will see some amazing design. The fonts, the type style, and the backgrounds are waiting to be incorporated onto scrapbook pages.

In fact, my gallery layout

BeYouTiful | Teka Cochonneau

was based upon this pin:

pinned here::original source here

 

LisaO also found inspiration for a title on Pinterest. Look how she took this

pinned here::original source here

and made it into this layout.

I Loved You | Lisa Ottosson

I gasped when I saw this. It's so very powerful. And the title totally makes it.

Here is a pin that Francine found.

pinned here::original source here

Awesome, no? And it because even more so when she paired it with this amazing photograph! It really doesn't get much better than this!

On the Corner | Francine Clouden

 

Deb found a happy quote...

pinned here::original source unknown

...and used it to make an equally happy layout!

Good Day | Deb Duty

Francine used this tender quote...

pinned here::original source here

... on this sweet layout.

I like how she also borrowed the colors and the banner. Nothing to say you can only be inspired by the words!!

 

Here are a few more quote boards from our team to look through: Francine,  Marnie, Emily, LisaK, LisaO. I hope you, too, can find some title ideas as you click through! 

Thank you for stopping by today!

Pinterest Inspiration Day 3 (it's the little things)

Today we are going to look at ways that you can incorporate little ideas onto your layouts. When you see layouts or other inspiring works on Pinterest, you don't need to use the whole thing. It can be just as fun to use a particular element or detail and leave the rest behind.

For instance, I love how hearts were made into clouds for this movie poster.

pinned here

My layout doesn't resemble the poster much, but for the little clouds. Which is the only element I was trying to keep. Pick what you want, ignore the rest!

You Lift Me Up | Teka Cochonneau

 

Diane was inspired by the tree and kite from this party decor photograph.

pinned here::original source here

Adding the kite was the perfect little extra bit of love on her sweet layout.

Family | Diane Payne

 

When LisaO saw this next layout, she was taken in by the chevron and arrows.

pinned here::original source here

Creating a layout just to incorporate these details, Lisa came up with this one.

Home | Lisa Ottosson

I love how you can see the chevron in the arrows once you first see the chevron in the top corner.

 

EmilyS was inspired to use a heart based upon this pin

pinned here::original source here

 as an impactful element on her layout.

Sweetheart | Emily Spahn

Have you, too, had one of those times when you know when you pin something that it is only a matter of time before it shows up on a layout? If you want to try this one, try the LillyBee banner triangles like Emily did. They are all precut so you don't have to worry about perfect cuts!

 

Can you see how the background details in this next layout by Lisa...

Busy & Happy | Lisa Ottosson

... hearken back to this pin?

pinned here::original source here

I love how Lisa captured the handdrawn feel of the books on her layout.

 

EmilyS loved the look of this artwork...the whole idea of words and images "sitting" on a line...

pinned here::original source here

... and decided it would make for a great layout. She was planning on using more photos on each line, but the title ended up bigger than she had anticipated, thus the single photo on the bottom!

Home | Emily Spahn

 

I hope these layouts help you realize that you don't have to shy away from some inspiration just because you don't want to use it exactly. Tonight, as you scroll through Pinterest, watch for details that you can implement onto your layouts. Just as addons. I hope focusing on the little things helps you find ways to add fun details onto your layouts! See you back tomorrow!

Pinterest Inspiration Day 2 (finding background ideas)

 

I hope your had fun last night looking through Pinterest with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Were you able to find some cards that appealed to you? I hope you were! Today let's look at how we can find ideas for page backgrounds.

As I look through Pinterest, I find that sometimes there are large graphic images that catch my interest. For instance, when I saw this poster

pinned here:: original source here

I was struck by how the triangles made the hexagons. So I drew up a file in my silhouette studio software and came up with this:

Flip Flops | Teka Cochonneau

During her browsing, Lisa Ottosson saw this old book jacket.

pinned here

Inspired by the repetition and the crude form on the e's, Lisa looked for a way to replicate such a pattern on her layout. She bent an empty toilet paper tube into a heart shape and dipped it into craft paint. Not only was this resourceful and clever, but it also helps give that primitive feeling of the lettering.

Hearts | Lisa Ottosson

Diane found background inspiration from this poster.

pinned here

And used it to create a lovely background graphic for her layout.

You Color My World | Diane Payne

Then, Diane used the whole of this mixed media design as the basis for a card. Look how artfully she translated this art

pinned here::original source here

into a colorful little card.

Hi! | Diane Payne

Can you see how Emily created the background for this layout...

Silly Beautiful | Emily Spahn

from this quilt?

pinned here::original source here

Quilts are wonderful sources for pattern ideas. Not only for graphic patterns but also for color combinations.

 

Lisa pinned a pin that Deb had pinned (love that!). She decided to recreate the dotted background.

pinned here::original source here

Once she had the background finished, the layout came quickly and beautifully, together.

Happiness Is | Lisa Ottosson

EmilyS loved the monochromatic rays on this pin.

pinned here::original source here

She used it to create the background for this layout before she had even selected a photo or a story!

Shine | Emily Spahn

Aren't the monochromatic rays lovely?

 

Hopefully this helps you get ideas from unexpected places; book covers, advertisements, posters, and quilts are all good jumping off points for page backgrounds!

It's Who We Are

We are scrapbookers. We may use our products to decorate our homes, create cards, or generally make stuff, but what we really do, and love, is scrapbook. Here are some Halloween layouts to inspire you to create your own. Cheesy theme paper not required. Orange and black not required. Photos not even required. Just you and a story to tell or a photo to preserve. Add in some paper and embellishments and an amazing layout is right around the corner!

 

COSTUMES

Celeste

 

Celeste

 

Diane

 

Valerie

 

EmilyS

 

PUMPKINS

LisaO

 

Diane

 

Deb

 

EmilyS

 

EmilyS

 

EmilyS

 

MINI ALBUMS

Remember how Katie made that amazing wall art with the October Afternoon Witch Hazel line? Well, she also put together a Halloween mini album that is awaiting its pictures. Look how amazing this is! Much like a December Daily, but for Halloween. It really is more fun to scrapbook the season beforehand when you are really in the mood. And not after when you have emotionally and mentally moved on! Perhaps Katie's album will inspire you to create your own!

 

And once you have an album for this year, why not make another for years' past like Monika did?

Wow! What a show! What a team! It just doesn't get better! Thirteen ways for you to document your spookiness! Seems like such a good number for the occasion!

Thank you for stopping by! Tomorrow is Thursday AND give.away.day. Yeah, baby. It's going to be a great one! See you then!