Layout Share

Here's what I have been working on recently. Since quitting my kit club, I'm just working on using my supplies and enjoying making pages. I have been watching a lot of videos and have even considered taking a class to push myself a little. But for now I am just gonna keep doing what I am doing. Scrapping.

Really wanted to make a page about each kid to capture them right now. Here's Elsie's. She beamed when she read it. Scrapbook page for the win.

This page came together quickly with two photos and the ephemera. Glad to have this one in the book. 

This is another page for the college album. Just two random photos of our suite gift exchange. 

Another college page. The gnomes seemed to work for Scott - he's from Montana. Why not?

So that's it for now. I have a few more layouts ready to get started. Till next time. 

October Simple Scrapper Layouts

This is my last month as a guest designer on the Simple Scrapper team.  It has really been a fun adventure and I am still so honored to have been included.  Here is the last layout I created for the team. It was created by taking two sketches and placing them together to make a two page spread.  I loved being pushed to use a big photo and also to think about the story of the day as not just another back to school layout, but something deeper and more significant.  

Each month, Simple Scrapper posts prompts and sketches for its members.  If you need a jump start, swift kick in the scrappy pants or just continuing encouragement and ideas, then this membership is totally for you!  

A few random thoughts - the front door photo continues to be a must (first day and last day of school).  Snapped this quick photo of Elsie's classmates and moms walking in the rain - I wanted to remember it was raining when I did the journaling, but the photo ended up making it on the page.

I got some grief for pausing at the bottom of the stairs to take a photo as I was walking out from dropping Elsie off at her room, but it was totally worth it.  Love that it captured the essence of what this year means for her - its a huge step - she's growing up.

5am and fitting it in

Some days, you just have to set the alarm and get up early to get any quiet time at all.  Though 5am might not sound fun to you - I am finding this is my happy space.  Just imagine, no noise (well, the cat is kinda cranky some days), my favorite mug of coffee in hand, and my scrapbook room and me.  Here is what I have managed to pull off in two weeks before the traveling fun began.

Still working on the college years photos. Super happy to have these three photos thrown together for what feels like a comprehensive story. Note the power tool in my hand in the bottom right photo - hilarious!  This camping collection ended up being perfect to tell this story of living in the dorm that was farthest away from the rest of campus.

Two random photos came together to capture the constant studying.

The story of how Darla and I became roommates.  Miss her since she lives so far away.  

And on to a current photo!  Y'all - I used a stamp on this page!  Whooohooo.  I never use them. Gotta keep trying.  Also, am determined to use up every last bit of this Fancy Pants paper.  It's an all time fav of mine.

This represents a moment of tool happiness.  I got out that creative memories hexagon punch and this page came together so much better than I had first planned.  I am also really focusing on finding ways to use up the last pieces of embellishments that I have had laying around (puffy stickers, half green and woodgrain diecuts and the woodgrain geotags are the ones on this page - oh and that butterfly!)

Love the dialog that was created when I posted these photos.  I swear the whole crew has commented on it.  Love the community and fond memories that were written.  Reminds me of why I love photos.  

Then I grabbed a page protector and got these not awesome photos in the album.  High five is right!

And please pay no attention to the fox.  Supplies used - enough said.

Peace out, Girl Scout.   (my new fav goodbye line)

Creating Keepsakes Convention

We headed back to the annual CK Scrapbook Convention and as usual had a blast.  Angelia and I took two classes, played in the vendor area and had our usual champagne and lunch.

Cheers!

We even saw childhood friends!

And my starstruck moment - when Megan Hoeppner taught my last class of the day.  Oh my stars she's fabulous!

Then I planned a bunch of trips and such and took a break from my scrap desk.  Back at it now!

September Simple Scrapper Guest Designer Layouts

For the month of September, Jennifer Wilson of Simple Scrapper asked us to pick any previous Simple Scrapper sketch and then add a pocket page protector to create a double page spread.

The photos I picked were some silly dorm room photos and I had too many for one page protector so I created a full spread - which is technically four pages.

I found a sketch for the 12 x 12 layout and then flipped it for the other side of the page protector to bookend the page.

With my dorm room bedding as my inspiration, I chose the supplies for this page and then ended up making three more layouts from this "micro kit."

The end result is that I have scrapped these silly pictures that I didn't want to get rid of but also didn't want to make oodles of pages about.  13 photos - in the books!

If you aren't a member of a group - you might consider joining Simpler Scrapper.  It isn't a kit club, just a great community with monthly inspiration that makes it easy to get to making.  

In my spare time . . .

I am currently, planning a 50th birthday celebration (out of state with 10 attendees), working, getting everyone on track for the new school year which started last week, getting us all settled back a home after the unexpected renovations this summer, getting the Girl Scout troop up and running and trying to make some time for me!

I have been working on my Simple Scrapper October assignments but also got these layouts done.  

First up - three random photos from college - still using the scraps from a recent layout and loving the color combo.  It screams college to me as these were the colors of my comforter in the dorm.  Silly - but true!

I went to the closing of my elementary school (sniffle sniffle) and had pulled out some photos from that time to take with me - and of course they ended up on my table and there was an idea sparked by an assignment and then there was this!  Sixth grade international festival photos.  I used a page protector to add in the photos that I wanted to keep but didn't want to embellish.  All scrapped.  It's the little things in life that keep you happy! 

Left side:

Right side:

And with the pocket page in between:

P.S.  I am photographing my layouts just after work in my office cause the light is great, but please ignore the dirty glass spots that you can see on the navy layout.  I guess I will have to go outside and wash the windows!

Simple Scrapper Guest Designer - me!

I'm guest designing for Simple Scrapper for the next few months (Eek! So excited). 

Here are the pages I made with the sketches and the prompt this month.  If you need inspiration, order, grounding, and an awesome community, you should totally check out Simper Scrapper.  It is inexpensive and the owner, Jennifer Wilson, makes sure you get an incredible amount of content and value out of the membership.  There are monthly sketches and prompts which really help to get you thinking and scrapping.  There is a monthly book club, free classes each quarter, monthly chats (during the day AND at night) and so much more.  The magazine "Spark" is free this month as a way to show folks what Simple Scrapper is all about.  

Hope you enjoyed.  I better get going on the ones for September.  I am having such fun!

The Spring Round Up

Conferences, rodeo and spring crazy kept me busy for the first part of the year, but I did manage to scrap - I just completely forgot to photograph and post things.  Most of these pages are made with various late 2015 and early 2016 Cocoa Daisy kits.  Here we go!

This takes inspiration from Irit Landgraf and her wonderful ability to gather colors on a page.  Its a great way to use embellishments based on color instead of the theme or the actual words.  Happy New Year!  

Since I save the program and such from the annual Girl Scout luncheon (I was a table honoree) I decided to document it, even though there are really no photos.  I wonder why the scrappbooking industry shies away from kelly green . . . .

I was able to stick to my plan of using this super old stamp on a layout (the oval messy ring) by thinking of it as a condensation ring.  I also got a chance to use those cute wood veneer glasses since they sort of went with my sunglasses!  I really struggle with the word sticker sheets - anyone else?  I got one on this page, I need to figure out a way to use more of those since they always come in the kits!

I actually ordered a photo from the rodeo photographer to include on this page since it is the only one that captured the whole grand entry wagon.  I included on of our passes that we had to wear so that gave me the year and the rodeo logo.  Those amazing big letters just screamed "Grand" entry!

So there you have it, what I was doing in the spring.  I just wrapped up a layout about my first Girl Scout Brownie troop investiture way back in 1982.  I know I am jumping around in the decades a lot, but I am just going with it and trying to be super flexible as long as I am making things that make me happy!  I really need to complete the refresh exercise about the projects I have and map out a better plan to concentrate on something . . .

I Needed a Refresh and I Got it!

Refresh - I needed one, desperately.

I'm a member of the Simple Scrapper community -I read the emails, I'm active some on the FB group and even applied for a design position (which resulted in a guest designer spot for August, September and October!) but I've been off my scrapbooking game for a few months.

Insert Refresh - a class offered quarterly by Simple Scrapper. If you are a member, its free with your membership.  If you aren't, you can pay to take it.  I wasn't able to participate in the last session or two but the summer session came at the right time for me and it has been so helpful in getting me back on track.

I cleaned up my space and go back to the basics of stories and photos - along with some pretty things mixed in - and I couldn't be happier!

Here are two of the pages I made in the seven day class using various activities and prompts offered as part of the class.

This is a little something I put together as I was getting ready for the class to begin.  I am trying to use up my Cocoa Daisy Kits as they have piled up a bit.  So I just gave myself permission to unkit them and just grab whatever works.

Hope you all have a great week!  I got up early this morning and made five homemade cards (mainly because the chaos in my house from a water leak if making me feel out of control).  Who knows what's next - I don't care as long as it doesn't involve insulation or drywall!

Catching Up and Taking Stock

Funny how life is so cyclical.  As I look over this blog, I see a lull every conference season, spikes over certain periods and some down right scrap binges during other times. I have to remember, I'm a mom, I'm a Girl Scout leader, I'm a fundraiser with two roles at a major university, I'm a constant volunteer, and I need to sleep some time!  

So here are a few pages I have created between attending and presenting at two conferences in two different states and being a Rookie Rodeo volunteer (and all of that other stuff mentioned above!).  

Supplies are almost all from my lonely and neglected Cocoa Daisy kits that have lots more pages left in them than I have had time to make these days - but don't worry, I feel a binge coming on!

So back to high school again - I knew that patterned paper sheet was going to end up on a two page spread somehow and this is how.  

Sometimes you just scrap the bad, poorly lit, flash on the backs of heads pictures, cause they are all that you've got.  Who cares - they were too fun not to add and they tell the story of the process of becoming a member and signing the book, shaking hands with the principal and all of that.

Here is the complete spread.  I added some doilies, chipboard, stickers and enamel dots and called it done.  It is a tad plain but I think the 90's clothes carry it off well!

These two random photos taken by my mother were never meant to capture the phone but rather me and the long chats with my boyfriends in the living room, but I saw a story.  My kids will never know the struggle of being tethered to a phone jack by an incredibly long cord - it's something to giggle over now.

RODEO!  This was my first event with the Poultry Auction Committee - our gala!  Such fun.  

And back to high school (see the full circle - even in this blog post).  I only have these two photos from Anchor Club but wanted to record my participation in this service organization with a friend that I have always admired.  We were a fun "A-Team." This paper just fit with the colors and who knew that summer themed cork arrows would turn out to be the perfect embellishment for a page about a high school club.

And finally, a little photo booth happiness - cause photo strips are always happy.

December Scrappy Round Up

First up - a few Christmas cards from the leftover from making 2 tags with my dear friend and Stampin' Up demo Karen.  Jarad's family wasn't able to visit us for Christmas this year so we had to remember to mail a package - lots of gift cards which of course require a card.  They turned out pretty cute for just using scraps. I need to post the tags we made next.  

Then - the Christmas break goal this year was to scrap at least a page for each day I was on break.  And I am pleased to say - I met my goal! Most of the supplies are from the last four - five months of Cocoa Daisy Kits (yes, I am a tad behind). Here it goes.

First up was a slightly unfinished project from a few weeks back - it was a good warm up activity to get me back in the creative mood. The picture was from an Instagram post. I hid my journaling - sorry I just wasn't in the mood to share.

I followed a sketch on the Cocoa Daisy blog for this one - hence the feathers. Also the sketch called for a larger picture, but I used two smaller ones together.

Here's the sketch.

Then a one off picture from the scrap soon box of photos.I needed something fun, and this paper fit the bill. I added some circles to break it up and the pops of orange and black to grab your attention.  It's not my usual style but it was fun to try something outside of my comfort zone. I love how my kit pushes me.

More from the scrap soon box. This is a random gathering of photos from the day care days. I used pocket pages. Man does it feel good to have these in the album and not wasting away in that box. They are fun stories and I am glad they are told. I no longer have Rock Star status when I pick them up at school. I miss those days . . .

Teehee - such a cutie.  Love this one with three random photos from back in the day.

Going back to an older album that needed some pages added - the Firefighter album for the hubby. Found a couple of pictures in the scrap soon box from the academy days. Funny stuff so I went a little crooked with the orientation - it makes me laugh so I guess that works.

What to do with photos with lots of black around the people - I went old school and made them into circles and then I just went with it. Busted out the Creative Memories Circle cutter - like the 90's all over again - yeah!

Just a one off photo from the scrap soon box - when it is going to get done? Elsie and her friend Deuce or as she called him at the time "My Deucey".  Such fun and getting to use a red doily - yes, please!

Ok - that's the round up for now. Twelve layouts and some cards. Not bad for a break. We had 11 days off and I made twelve layouts.There might be one or more lurking about that needs to be photographed, but still - accomplished my goal! And I just got my January kit in the mail - yeah!