This month the gallery was nothing short of extraordinary. With everyone creating layouts in their sweet spot, we should have known it was going to be great! We are glad you could join us for one last look back.
Skate Park | Aliza Deutsch

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (October Afternoon, Elle’s Studio, Crate Paper, Studio Calico, Basic Grey) + brads (October Afternoon) + thickers (American Crafts) + mist (Maya Mist) + stickers (Basic Grey) + fonts (Linenstroke)
When you create your grid, add a large photo matte behind it and then tip the two together. It will give your tip much more impact than if you had just tipped the grid.
Learning Control | Marnie Flores

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper, tape, arrow (Crystal Wilkerson) + fonts (Cursive Standard, Century Gothic)
In the evening hours, try placing your subject so that the evening glow comes at your subject from the side. This "fractures" the light and makes your subject glow.
Sunset Stroll | Christine Newman

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (Pebbles, American Crafts, Bella Blvd, Hambly) + twine (Martha Stewart) + glitter pen (Sharpie, Elmers) + pens (Sharpie) + stickers (American Crafts, Martha Stewart Avery, Studio Calico, Simple Stories, My Mind's Eye) + letter stickers (American Crafts) + stamps (Elle's Studio, Recollections) + tags (Elle's Studio, Plaid Barn) + ink (Memento) + sequins (Kelly Purkey) + wood veneers (Studio Calico) + paper clip (Freckled Fawn) + adhesives (Scotch, Glue Dots)
Vacation photos can be a bit overwhelming. Choose one set of photos and just start as if it is a basic page. And if your other pages contain much of the story, a snippet will do!
Camera Wars | Sue Althouse

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper, stickers, tags, bags, small alpha (Fancy Pants) + thickers, date stamp (American Crafts) + ink (Hero Arts) + vellum (Studio Calico) + punches (EK Success, Fiskars) + typewriter (Remington)
What a great way of getting in a photo! This is a view of us that our kids are very accustomed to. Let's preserve it!
Kitchen Sink | Celeste Smith

12 x 12 | materials digital kits (Jennifer Barrette (Sailaway, Puddlejumper), Allison Pennington (Pops Brads), Robyn Meierotto (Cut It Out Clipping Masks)) + prompt (Get It Scrapped)
This is such a unique take on a vacation photo. But one that tells quite a story. Not only of your trip, but of you abililities!
Be Happy | Stephanie Bryan

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (Studio Calico, American Crafts) + vellum (Paper Source) + tissue paper (Target) + journaling cards (Elle's Studio, Dearest Someday) + tag (American Crafts) + stickers (Studio Calico) + resin flowers (Freckled Fawn) + paper clip (Studio Calico) + die cut machine (Silhouette Cameo) + typewriter (Smith Corona) + paint (Tulip white shimmer) + adhesive (Scotch tape roller)
Stephanie is a master of layering, especially using transparent elements. Beginning with the bottom layer (the glazed circles) and ending with the top (vellum stars), she creates additional layers which are light and airy rather than heavy.
The Great Outdoors | Laura O'Donnell

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Brown Paper Packages by Karen Funk) + journaling cards (Bugaboo by Deena Rutter) + stitches, paint, button, star (Dude by Robyn Meierotto) + wood veneer (Day Camp Wooden Words by Mommyish) + font (AL Worn Machine)
Laura took a different apporach to her layers. By painting her initial layers, she, like Stephanie, added a layer without bulk. Rather than transparent, Laura's is opaque white. This helps provide a lovely base for the darker elements that layer on top.
So Good | Lisa Ottosson

8.5 x 11 | materials patterned paper (Jenni Bowlin, October Afternoon) + embellishments (Creative Club) + stickers (My Mind's Eye)
Lisa is a wonderful example of how to capture your teen in their own environment. While they might be embarrassed to have you capture a pic of them at work, later they will be so glad to have a preserved memory. Or so we tell ourselves to ease the guilt. ☺
He | Amy Kingsford

8.5 x 11 | materials cardstock (Karen Funk (Dare to Dream)) + patterned paper (Paislee Press (Hey There Handsome)) + elements (Paislee Press (Hey There Handsome), Anna Aspnes (Summer Breeze)) + digital overlay (Anna Aspnes (Summer Breeze)) + template (Amy Martin Designs) + fonts (Courier New)
Journaling on top of her photo lets us look at the photo all the while we read the love letter. Heartfelt journaling needn't be reserved for babies, but sure is easier when they don't talk back yet, no?
Fawns | Cristina C. Scrap

12 x 12 | materials Fairest One of All kit (Sahlin Studio) + fonts (Pea Krystyne)
Having a camera at the ready is the best help to getting that nature shot. Cristina had the perfect aperture on this one, allowing the front deer to take center stage, as the one in back is there but out of focus. Mmm.
Hanging Inspirations | Jina Jean

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned paper (American Crafts, Crate Paper, Echo Park) + buttons (October Afternoon) + wood veneer (Studio Calico) + labels (October Afternoon, BasicGrey) + mist (Studio Calico) + ink (Tsukineko)
Jina's layout was this month's color palette for a reason. Her layout is a study in how to use bright and plentiful color without overwhelming a layout. Tiny bits sprinkled. White background. Varying scale of patterns, and misted bits of paint. Amazing.
Backpack Treasures | Francine Clouden

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper (American Crafts, Basic Grey) + letter stickers (Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories) + stickers (Sassafras Lass) + stamps (Banana Frog) + adhesive pearls (Kaiser Crafts) + sticker (Twine & Ink, Basic Grey) + fabric arrows (Studio Calico) + mask (Studio Calico) + spray ink (KesiaArt) + enamel dot stickers (My Mind's Eye) + baker's twine
When you live with a little person all the time, you become a bit immune to their curious natures. But it is these same little things that will fill your memories as they grow. Francine provided an excellent example of getting a photo of such a time and then journaling about it. Perfect.
Good Co.! | Melanie Blackburn

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned paper (Basic Grey) + thickers (American Crafts) + labels (Basic Grey) + mist (Studio Calico) + stickers (Basic Grey)
Our kids are cool and they wear cool stuff. (That in 10 years might seem so much less cool!) With new school clothes and autumn light, you can't go wrong by documenting as many of their cute outfits as you can!
Iron Man FTW | Jennifer Larson

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (Elle’s Studio, American Crafts, Basic Grey) + thickers (American Crafts) + star punch (EK Success) + twine (Martha Stewart) + stickers (Glitz) + die cuts (Studio Calico) + cork (Studio Calico) + sequins (Studio Calico) + circle cutter (Coluzzle) + ink (Jenni Bowlin) + font (Times New Roman)
Rather than layer her photos, Jenny cut out a corner to make room for her circular photo. Clever idea!
Summer Fun | Katie Ehmann

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned paper (Studio Calico) + flower (Studio Selections) + thickers (American Crafts) + labels (October Afternoon) + die cuts (Basic Grey) + washi (Freckled Fawn) + ink (Hero Arts) + stamp (Studio Calico)
Putting your camera on paparazzi mode is a wonderful idea for water photos! It's a great way to record the faces that go with the moments.
Wanderlust | Diane Payne

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + patterned paper (Studio Calico, Basic Grey) + flair (A Flair for Buttons) + brads (October Afternoon) + thickers (American Crafts) + labels (Twine + Ink, Basic Grey) + mist (Studio Calico, Heidi Swapp) + stickers (American Crafts) + rub-ons (American Crafts) + stamps (Hero Arts, American Crafts) + wood veneer (Studio Calico) + pen (American Crafts)
Have you recorded your feelings about your job lately? Today is a great day to do so!
Stuck | Valerie O'Neall

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + stickers (Sassafras) + thickers (American Crafts) + stamp (American Crafts) + wood veneer (Studio Calico) + mist (Studio Calico) + enamel dots (My Mind's Eye) + ink (Memento) + pen (Sharpie)
We often think of a grid design as when using lots of photos. But a grid can also serve as a way of placing your embellishments. Keeps them neat and tidy and well placed.
Our Happy Place | Amy Coose

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (American Crafts, Crate Paper, Tim & Beck) + flair (Simple Stories) + tags (Chic Tags) + enamel dots (My Mind's Eye) + rubons (American Crafts) + silhouette cameo + cut files (Fancy Pants Designs, Loni Stevens, Silhouette)
Amy's cut out sun and clouds are the perfect backdrop for her layout. Using cutouts gives the tiniest bit of shadow which creates a layer all on its own. The same is true of the strings of thread: the shadows there make them so much more impactful.
Pumpkins | Kelly Jeppson

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket, Stampin’ Up!)+ alpha stickers (American Crafts) + bookplate + brads
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP
Dont' forget the extra shot of the ambience--these photos come in very handy for a bit of embellishment!
Her Best Moments | Christa Paustenbaugh

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Core'dinations Cardstock) + patterned paper (Jillibean Soup, Simple Stories) + die cuts (Jillibean Soup,Cocoa Daisy) + mist (Studio Calico) + stickers (Jillibean Soup) + button (Crate Paper) + wood veneer (Studio Calico) + twine (The Twinery)
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP
To get a candle shot like this one, remember to turn off your flash. If your camera doesn't have the option to turn off the flash, switch to the mountain setting. It is flashless. And remember you might have to bump up your iso to compensate for low light.
Roly Polies| Amy Sorensen

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper (Imaginisce, Studio Calico) + alphabet stamps (Studio Calico) + washi tape (Darice) + label stickers (Jillibean Soup) + font (Quaver)
The words our kids use to name things are a wonderful place to look for titles. And will provide plenty of smiles when you look back and remember the funny'isms.
Maries River Swimming | Carey Bridges

12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Mommyish Sweet Side of Life) + patterned paper (Mommyish Get Schooled Extra Papers, Sweet Side of Life, Robyn Meierotto Dude Mini kit) + elements (Mommyish Summertime Flair, Seaside Retreat, Robyn Meierotto Dude Mini kit, Spring Sweetness Enamel Dots, Shannon McNab Skinny Stitches Shapes) + template (Crystal Livesay) + font (Century Gothic)
Carey's fine lined black hexagons, together with the black stitching along the bottom of her photo (which is an awesome photo! with an awesome angle!), and the black ink spots, create a subtle yet strong background for that awesome photo.
Hello Summer | Jennie McGarvey

12 x 12 | materials patterned paper (Studio Calico) + buttons (Queen & Co.) + sequins (Studio Calico) + labels (October Afternoon) + die cut (Pink Paislee, Jillibean Soup) + pocket (Fancy Pants Design) + ink (Tsukineko) + pen (Sharpie) + stamps (Studio Calico)
It's still summer--if just for a moment more. Don't let the journaling stress you out. Pick just one thing about the photos that stands out to you and write it out. Now you are done! Excellent work!
Real Life | Jennifer Hignite

12 x 12 | materials Digital kit & elements (Currently | Mini Kit by Mye De Leon) template + (Gridtastic Vol. 1 templates by NettioDesigns)
Using a patterned paper twice on a grid doesn't mean you can't rotate its orientation. Not only does it provide interest, but it acts as an additional pattern without having to be one.
Thank you for stopping by! We hope you hae enjoyed our gallery!