The Story of Optimism

Still scrapping those beach shots I see. Yep, and there's a few more to go too! If it makes any difference, I haven't actually journalled about anything beach-related, I just used the photo to represent the happy and carefree nature of my kids.

So this was attempt No#3 at trying to create an interesting background. Getting closer with this one I think. There was still 2 more attempts after this though (and 1 more background that never got further than just that) before I hit the jackpot. Still going very much down the mixed media avenue with this one too. I changed tack a bit after this which you'll see when I share the next attempt.

Layers of gesso, paint, stamping, stenciling and splattering. There's a fine line to this though as it seems to be all too easy just to make a big fat mess! However, you can always then cover up the worst of it with your paper ;-)

I like how on this layout 'the mess' seems to carry on the idea of the beach extending across the page. With it's blue/green paint representing the ocean, and the gritty gesso like the sand I think it comes close. Perhaps I could have even sprinkled some sand or included some shells. That could have been cool. Aaahhhh..... retrospect.

I took my journaling cues from the paper itself. I'm using an old Simple Stories collection "100 Days of Summer" which included these fun bits like 'don't worry, be happy' and 'relax' which are true of me and my general attitude. I'm an optimist by nature, and in fact it annoys me when people grumble all the time. I guess I believe that if you create a happy atmosphere then happy things will follow. Obviously I don't believe that nothing bad ever happens or that you shouldn't express your feelings, but perhaps in a more constructive or therapeutic avenue than say Facebook? But hey, I guess I'm just a 'glass-half-full' kind of person.

Ms Pacman

Last month on the Jenni Bowlin forum there was a fun little game called 'Ms Pacman' that I instantly wanted to join in. It's a stash-busting game, with the idea being to use up some old supplies. It starts with creating your own kit according to the following rules.....

The Ms. Pacman Kit must include and is limited to the following items:

1. 7 pieces of patterned paper scraps.  the papers must all be used/none can be an entire sheet.
2. a total of  1 yard of trim, but no individual piece can measure more than 11 inches.
3. one sticker sheet with at least one sticker missing.
4. an "old" alphabet set dated pre-2010.  we'll use the honor system here.
5. one jar/bottle of embellishments.  look in your space for something you've stored in this way.
6. one unopened package of scrappy product.
7. one roll of tape.  if you don't have washi or bookbinding you'll have to get creative!
8. one jbs item.
9. unlimited cardstock.
10. unlimited technique type product.  (paint, ink, embossing powder, pens, glitter, etc.).

And then you needed to create at least one layout and two cards with your kit. These are the projects I made - I shared them on the JBS forum at the time but totally forgot to get them up here. Sorry!

I started with that old Pink Paislee cherry blossom paper that I've been hoarding the scraps from for like ever! I had cut out chunks of cherry blossoms for previous projects so I just hid those gaps with more layers.

One of the big challenges I found was only having one alphabet to work with. Especially because I used this large Sassafras font which I love.... but I had to limit it to just one short word. So I stamped my subtitle istead (all within the rules!!) and worked it into the journaling.

I scrapped a recent favourite photo of Little Moodles dressed to the nines in her princess costume, but chillaxing in her recliner chair. Such a juxtaposition of styles... it makes me giggle!

I featured more Sassafras golden oldies from my stash with that floral paper I build my first card on. And I'm not sure if it was cheating or not, but I chose an American Crafts die-cut sheet as one of my pieces of paper. That made it easy to trim out and use these butterflies as an embellishment.

 And if die-cut paper wasn't cheating, then using the packaging from my Webster's Trim (which counted as one of my ribbons) might just be even more of a grey area?!

This second card was such a hodge-podge of scraps, which I guess it just the point of the challenge! Webster's packaging as the background, JBS butterflies and chevron scraps and Fancy Pants ribbon.

Someone left a comment for me praising my choice of having the Simple Stories '2' travel off the side like that. But to be honest - it's because I had already accidently chopped the 2 in half like this from a previous project. Another bonus of the game hey? Happy designer discoveries :-)

This was such a worthwhile exercise. If you didn't join in the JBS game, why not give this a go now?

Summer Lovin'

Twine? Who doesn't have oodles of twine in their stash?!

The twine theme at Scrapz.biz was bound to be an easy one for people to join in with. I guess the trick for us as designers was going to be trying to use it in interesting ways.

To make it even trickier for me, my challenge for the twine week was a 'Scrap it Blind' which tends to get me thinking a bit more laterally (read: linear, graphic, straight lines....boring!) with my layouts as I know I have to describe to someone else how to put it together without any pictures.

As you can see, ultimately I went with using the twine as my sunrays, which doubled up as journaling lines. A little bit cute, and quirky.

Kinda like me ;-)

Supplies:

Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer Kit

Jillibean Soup Twine

InLinkz.com

Head in the Clouds

I've got like 9 Silhouette sketch pens. I think I've used them about 3 times!
I really must get them out more. Especially when I remind myself that they can do things like this....

It's kinda like stamping but without the guess work. I mean, you know you're going to get a perfect image every time. And look at all the details on this dreamy castle in the clouds - they certainly don't lack precision.

I thought this would be a good image to use for this card I gave away for an Engagement Party. What do you think?

Supplies:

Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer Kit

Kaisercraft Christmas Carnival 6x6" pad

ScrAp this! Fuzzy Felt Clouds

Ranger Liquid Pearls White Opal

InLinkz.com

 

Calvinball points: 0.5

Calvinblog points: 1

Total to date: 20

True Story

Sometimes I'm a bit conservative when it comes to chosing new scrapbook supplies and I tend to stick to my tried-and-true brands - often buying large chunks of the same collection so I can be assured my layouts will be coordinated. 

But yay! I purchased and used two new-to-me brands on this page here. Both the Simple Stories 'Happy Day' collection and Bo Bunny's 'Et Cetera' have been on my radar since thier release at the last CHA and I'm pleased to see how well they work together.

The direct inspiration for the woodgrain design I painted onto the background came from this book cover I pinned on Pinterest. I love that place... so much eye-candy!

The journaling tickets I picked up from BubblyShnooks etsy store. Gorgeous hey?! And another great place to go for inspiration.

I'm so happy I managed to get another monthly layout done.... this is our June family photo, which we took whilst on holidays in Queensland.

So tell me, what are some of your favourite brands for scrapping with? Because I'm thinking maybe I need to expand my horizons a bit :-)