Did you enjoy seeing the love in the air this month? We thought that the gallery was endearing and tender. And hopefully inspirational for you as well.
Shall we find some specific things that we love in each layout? Let's do it!!!
The First | Marnie Flores
12 x 12 | materials patterned paper (Glitz, American Crafts) + label, flag (Michelle Underwood) + flair (liv.e designs) + fonts (Sweet Pea, Blueberry Oatmeal)
Sometimes its the subtle things. Marnie's placement of the flag in the top left balances the smaller height of the left side of the photo, while the embellishments in the lower right balance the height of the flag. Using the embellishments as counterbalances to the people in the photograph gives a solid center.
This Is Us | Celeste Smith
12 x 12 | materials kit (Fated by Karla Dudley, Clear Essentials 3) + font (KD Notebook by Karla Dudley)
There are so many great elements in Celeste's design, but the magical one is the clear title. There are patterns and colors, and designs, and shapes, and then one quiet clear title. And its transparency, the thing that should make it most disappear, is the thing that brings it to center stage as it is so different than all the other elements. And because it is right on the photo, overlapping both of them, you know it is them of whom it speaks. Awesome.
I’d Choose You | Cristina C. Scrap
12 x 12 | materials patterned papers (Echo Park, Studio Calico) + embellishments (Studio Calico) + stamps (Studio Calico) + ink (Studio Calico) + adhesive (Glue Glider Pro)
Sometimes a quote is just so good it needs a whole page. And this is one of those quotes. Let's look at all the things Cristina executed with perfection: right justifying the quote, stamping "I Choose You" in pink, using a linear stack of photos to offset the horizontal waves in the pattern, choosing three small photos rather than one large so as to not compete with the quote. So many things done well that together make for a fabulous spread.
Love is Always a Great Adventure | Amy Sorensen
12 x 12 | materials large alpha and embellishment stickers (American Crafts) + small serif alpha stickers (Lily Bee) + alphabet tiles stickers (Webster's Pages) + "Adventure" sticker (Heidi Swapp) + watercolor pencils (Rexel Derwent) + photo corner punch (Martha Stewart) + font (Futura)
If you haven't gone to Amy's blog to read her journaling, you should. Actually, go right now. We will wait.
Isn't it awesome? But you know what else is awesome? That photo! If you don't have your big camera on you, most cameras have a timer on them now, and you can back up and get your whole self, and some background into the photo. Please do! Especially if you are on top of a mountain. Just sayin'...
Happiness is Homemade | Diane Payne
12 x 12 | materials cardstock (American Crafts) + pattern paper (American Crafts, Pebbles) + flair (A Flair For Buttons) + brads (Crate Paper) + stickers (Crate Paper, Pebbles) + mist (Heidi Swapp) + die cuts (Pebbles)
One of the tricky things about scrapbooking old photos is picking the right papers. Diane found valentine's tones that completely evoke the sense of the seventies without being kitschy. Then her seamless use of flair, pearls, rhinestone, and stitching give her layout a timeless feel. And did you notice the conversation heart? Man, she is so good at the little things. Just so good.
Friday Flowers | Lisa Borbely
Not only did Lisa make all these patterned papers for her layout, but she also kept her color scheme monochromatic allowing her red flowers to take center stage. Just where red flowers belong! Lisa was also very smart in keeping her patterns small on her circles so that they didn't fight against the large chevron in her photo. Instead, they are on a similar scale to her handwritten quote, which makes for a lovely backdrop.
Cocoa Date | Jennifer Larson
12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill) + patterned paper (Studio Calico) + chipboard (Studio Calico) + sequins (Studio Calico) + stickers (Twine and Ink, KI Memories) + labels (Studio Calico) + Project Life cards (Studio Calico) + pen (Copic) + wood veneer (Studio Calico)
These are the moments that we will want most to remember. Not only does Jennifer take time to be a great mother, but she also takes time to documents why is is so special. These are the photos that we might not have had in the past with cameras being bulky and seemingly rude. But now kids take pics all the time, everywhere, so our teens are much more likely to say yes to a photo such as this. Which means we are much more likely to scrapbook a page such as this. Such a win win!
My People | Aliza Deutsch
12 x 12 | materials cardstock (Bazzill Basics Paper) + patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye) + chipboard (Sodalicious) + rub-ons (Amy Tangerine) + thickers (Amy Tangerine, American Crafts) + wood veneer (Shimelle) + stickers (Amy Tangerine) + other (Chic Tags) + digital (Ali Edwards) + fonts (Hello, Amy Tangerine)
In Aliza's post, she said she was "looking for a way to say something meaningful and authentic, something a little deeper than “I love you,” but nothing too serious." And she ended up with "My People" and the sweetest (yest not one bit sappy) journaling. There is much to love about her take on a family photo and honoring our family with love and kind words. Meaningful, authentic, and not too serious. Just what she wanted. And now what we all want.
And it is with heavy heart that we bid a sad farewell to Diane and Francine. We will miss you both. So much. Your kind hearts and creative souls have blessed our site for years. And we absolutely would not have been the same without you.
Diane, you use color like none other. Your pages are as happy as your outlook on life. Your children are beautiful and you document them in ways that both honor and celebrate their teenage lives. Your world adventures are enchanting and we all wish we could accompany you. We will try to maintain our cheerful quotient without you, but it our rainbow will be more subdued with you gone, for certain.
Francine, you have been here since the beginning. Your pages are filled with sunshine, and memories. With sisterhood and motherhood. With a life real and lived and loved. You are a master of the elements found, and your pages have little additions sprinkled on top that help tell your stories. We have seen Kieran grow from a tiny baby to his grand nearly 6 year old self. We thank you for demonstrating balanced motherhood sprinkled with grace and brilliance.
Thank you. We miss you already...
