Together

I love this photo of Eric and I, not because it is the best photo from a technical point of view, but because it really captures who we are together and our life in Frankfurt on our walk to the station that we did everyday before we moved back to the States.  It really inspired me to start an album detailing our life as well.  Most of my pages thus far has been about Charlotte, one because our life centers around her at the moment (just the way she likes it) and two she is changing so quickly I am scared to blink and miss anything about her life.

I am loving the white on white detail.  And obviously lately I have been all about my sewing machine.  I can't seem to get enough stitching.

I wanted to thank everyone that has been commenting on my posts.  I read every single one and I am so greatful for all the kind words and encouragement.  Thank you so much.

Products Used:

Emma 12X12 The Classics Collection Paper (American Crafts)

Green Houndstooth Lush Collection Paper (My Minds Eye)

Silhouette SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool (Silhouette)

Late to the party

I decided to join Ali Edwards "One Little Word" class.  I felt it would be a nice diversion from traditional scrapping while getting to still play with all my supplies.

So this is the prompt for January.

I started with Ali's handout and made it my own.  Changing up the font and colors but using her words as a guide for the final layout.  I also am going to use American Crafts "Hello Sunshine" collection.  Which I love love love.

So here is January.  My word is Connect:

And here are some of the details:

 I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Products Used:

Zippy 12X12 Hello Sunshine Paper (American Crafts)

Frolic 12X12 Hello Sunshine Paper (American Crafts)

Kraft 12x12 Cardstock (bazzill)

Tutorial and step by step - Double Page Layout

So this week instead of giving a sketch I thought it would be fun to do a photo step by step of a double page layout.

Here is the finished Layout:

(Remember to click on the photos to see larger sizes!)

So first I looked through my photos already knowing I wanted to document Charlotte's 5th month.  I found a cute series of photos that eric shot of her playing in her jumper.  Now this jumper is verrry crazy colorful... like most kids toys. So, I converted the photos to a grayscale, and did a square crop on them. Here is before and after:

So getting started with the page, I grabbed my white background cardstock, some clouds i cut out for a previous layout but didn't use, a couple butterflies and my Mr. Hueys:

For this technique, I taped down the clouds where I wanted the page to remain white with a removable adhesive. Then I went outside and sprayed the "lunch tray" hue on top of the clouds and white cardstock.  I then peeled up the cloud masks and got the cool negative effect:

 


I really liked the look of the butterflies and the clouds but I felt they needed to be brighter to tie in the yellow sun and the matting of the photos.  So they then got the same spray hue treatment as the background:

 

For the sun that goes in the right hand corner.  I cut out a 3 inch circle and half inch wide rays with alternating lengths of 1.5 and 1 inch.  I then inked the sides with a chalk ink that is slightly darker to give it a very subtle pop from the background:

 

After I was happy with the top of the pages, I thought out the center strip papers.  I loved the bird paper to carry on with the airy sky theme.  I felt the page needed something dark to ground it and grab some contrast so I matted the birds with a very dark brown cardstock.  To add detail I punched the edge with a postage punch.  And because stripes make things feel fun I grabbed a paper with pink and white stripes to add something extra to the top of my center strip:

Next I felt the page needed some stitching for a nice small detail.  I tested out the string and stitch types on a scrap paper sheet.  Once I found the color and the stitch I wanted I stitched where the papers overlapped:

I then started to layout all my elements.  I typed up and printed out my journalling, then matted it with the same yellow from the sun and photo mats to add continuity. I put a green checkered pattern paper at the bottom for a non-literal interpretation of grass.  I also worked out my title and placed it opposite the sun so they both had the same visual weight in the upper corners of my page.  Instead of worrying about keeping the title letters even and in a straight line, I purposely skewed their heights and slight rotation.  I think it adds something fun and whimsical to the page:

Next before I taped it all down I laid it all out and added my stickers and embellishments.  I made some final tweeks on placement:

Once I was happy I taped and glued it all down and here is the final result:

Thank you for looking! I hope you enjoyed this step by step.  Don't hesitate to leave a comment to ask questions or leave feedback.

Make sure to "follow" me on the side bar to the left to see more step-by-steps or tutorials! 

Valentines - 3 Cards

Happy Early Valentines Day!!  I love valentines day.  It just so happens to also be Eric and my official 3 year anniversary. I say official because this is the day we got married in a German courthouse, but we didn't have the fairytale white dress wedding with family and friends until November 1st that same year back here in Florida.  I am a lucky gal to have two anniversaries to celebrate.

So while browsing my Local Scrapbook Shop I spotted the Making Memories Je T'adore line and thought it was perfect for making some valentines day cards. The base of my cards are made with my favorite Kraft cardstock (what would I do without this stuff?).  Then I decorated them with the Je T'adore paper/ journaling spots, my ranger white ink gel pen, a Hampton Arts Because I Love You Stamp and some chipboards, fibers, glitter glue and brads from my stash.

Wishing everyone a lovely and inspired valentines day!

Free Printables and a Layout

Today I wanted to share a layout I made about a hat that Eric bought for Charlotte.  I thought it was so adorable and Eric grabbed some photos of Charlotte in it.

I also wanted to share with you some free printables that I made for the journaling in this layout.  You can download the PDF here:

TheStoryTheMemory Journaling Spot Printables


Make sure to click [File] on the left then [Download Original] to access the PDF file. I am using google docs to host the PDF... I am not sure if this is the best option.  If there are better options for dealing with downloadable files I would love to hear it. :)

Supplies used:
Kraft cardstock, October Afternoon Modern Homemaker Stickers, My Minds Eye Alphabet Soup Girl Pattern Papers, Dear Lizzy Rub-ons, Basic Grey Olivia Brads.

Thanks for looking and enjoy the Journaling Spots!!

Sketch 3 and a day at the park

This week I was inspired by the grid type layouts that I have been seeing out and about. I really think the style is cute.  So this layout has that in mind.  Also, quite a bit of machine stitching and some edge distressing.  I cant seem to get enough bright colors and layers at the moment.  I think the scattered elements and the twisty-turvey stitching help break up the structure of the 2x2 grid.

Happy Inspiration!!

A Card...

So yesterday was Eric's birthday and the family and a few good friends all went to lunch and came back to the house for cake.

I wanted to post this card earlier but I know my dear husband reads this blog and I wanted the card to be a surprise.

Made with BasicGrey's granola line, kraft cardstock, foam adhesive for dimension, my stash of watercolors and a ribbon from the packaging of one of charlotte's teddy bears.

New Page Sketch and Layout

Happy Thursday! I haven't been super productive in the scrapping department this week... Charlotte has been teething and irritable so I have been having her attached to my hip.

I have had some fun adventures in making my own baby food though. So far we have made oatmeal, avocado and pears puree and tonight I am planning on making some carrot puree. We subscribe to this great organic delivery service that comes twice a month, so her meals are pretty much dependent upon what gets delivered and whatever jars of "Earths Best" baby food I think looks yummy at the moment of shopping.  But since I have been making her purees myself I am convinced that it is cheaper and much tastier than buying the jars.

Eric's birthday is coming up this weekend! Unfortunately for him it falls on Superbowl Sunday. I am in the process of trying to find a yummy chocolate and hazelnut cake recipe that I can bake up for this weekend.

And as promised here is the sketch for week two:

And here I the Layout I made based on it.

Thanks for stopping by!!