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Blog Redesign + Far Overdue Update & New Layout

Where have I been?! Well, that's a fair question and one I should of answered a long time ago. Truth is, this gal has been heavily invested this year with the usual run-of-the-mill stuff like school, Ethan, Crate and of course, the hot new man, Eric. I decided to simply let the blog "be" until life slowed down. I think I'm almost at that place. Spring semester comes to an end May 16th. Studio time is soon in order. I can hardly wait. Also, just over the horizon, a special class, but I can't mention details..not yet.  Another note, this crazy gal is contemplating opening an Etsy store. Yes, I realize that a lot of designers have Etsy stores, but this one will be exclusive to eclectic mini project kits filled with the usual details you come to expect from me. My goal is to make them budget friendly (with a few splurge kits) and technique oriented. So, there's lots on the agenda. I appreciate your patience y'all - I've missed this place and the many of you who meet and greet with me here.

You might notice a slight change of atmosphere. I'm sprucing up, just a little. Giving this place a brand new look with updated graphics, soon-to-publish new links, more title work and so forth. It's far overdue! Let me know what you think!

Behind the scenes, I'm still scrapbooking. Since my last post, I completed a number of new projects that I hope to share here soon. The above layout is the newest, and was inspired by this image...

I have passion for circles. Don't ask me why. I just do. Ever since the doily tutorial, me and circles have been best friends. Decorating them makes me the happiest crafter on the planet. 

The key to starting this layout is building up a circle base. And by golly, that means trimming a photo into an actual "shape"!! When was the last time you did that?! Decide on the placement of each circle, adhere them down with pop dots and regular ol' adhesive. Then, start piling on the pretty stuff. Don't be random about it. Staying organized and monitoring the decision making process is vital. Good design requires thought. I gave a solid week to completing the layout. Each area is unique to one technique or another. Developing them takes time, and lots and lots of breaks. A layout like this opens all kinds of doors to trying new ideas. It's for this reason alone that this layout is now my all time favorite!! You can't go wrong with a "circle"! 

 

The easiest way to work circles is by sticking to their pre-existing boundaries. Bring a mix of colors and patterns to your set-up. Black patterns serve a nice contrast to bright colors, too. Top the circles off with bulkier items like a fabric brad, or vintage button. Vintage Buttons are especially fab at lending character - love them!

 

Boundaries are sometimes meant to be broken. I went off the beaten path in some areas. This was because I was interested in creating multiple bridges to bring the layout's design full circle. I stuck tiny bits behind stickers, popped circles and so forth. They're the glue that hold everything together.

 

This cool key is from Martha Stewert Crafts. It's sold as part of a set of colorful keys. Found at either Michaels or Joanns. I adhered this white key to woodgrain washi tape set on top a label. It's uber cute :)

 

Speaking of products, Jillibean Soup released the coolest "itty-bitty" cursive phrase stickers. They tally out at around $1.99, I think. Super cheap and a great buy! If you've a silhouette, you could just make your own. Still, a sticker has a high convenience factor. I can't get enough affordable stickers like this!!

 

A stamped camera is given a lens + a few followers. A layering of solid/pattern washi tape acts as an arrow, pointing towards the camera.

 

The left side of the layout carries over with even more element combinations. Some are simple, others are more intricate and tidy. And, I'll leave it at that..oh yes, the cute pup is Rayna, Eric's partner in crime ;)

 

I did it. I took the dive and bought the smaller version of the Silhouette die-cut machine, Portrait. It's the perfect size for me and sits nicely on my dining room counter next to my printer. It was a last minute decision and one I'll never regret!! It is as awesome as everyone says it is!! It opens up a HUGE creative epicenter for me...

 

A couple of quick personal images. These two cute gals are my nieces, Grace and Izzy. The two are charming, sweet and full of spunk! Got to spend the day with them during Easter - Love you girls!

 

This lil' guy is finishing up Kindergarten, already! Can hardly believe we're already at this point, him being six and us having made it out five years following the loss. He looks remarkably similar to his dad. He loves video games as much as his dad, too. The two share much in common - Eric would be impressed ;) And did I mention that he's a pro at math? No kidding..laugh. For those that knew Eric, this comes as no surprise..laugh.

 

Now that it's finally warming up..well, not really, but hey, forty is better than sub-zero!! We're spending more time outside with the boys. I caught Eric taking a ride on this fun machine during one of the days we'd been enjoying the weather. Eric and I have been dating 6+ months - he's a great guy and I continue to appreciate my days with him.

Off to my graphic design course - made the full switch!! Design is forefront and center for me as I transfer over to River Falls's new GD degree program. More about that later on! Great to catch up!! See you soon!

 

Brand New - Project Design: Line

In completing the final for my graphics design class, we've been asked to construct a book of design interpretations. Each week, a theme is stated and from it, we're to photograph ourselves while personally integrating the theme into the composition in however manner we choose. We're then expected to transfer the images to an album (handmade or otherwise) - I titled my album {Project Design}. It follows the same premise as Project Life, though instead of documenting day-to-day activities, design visuals sit front and center and their explicit meaning and understanding is rendered via photos, papers and embellishments. 

 The first week's theme was "line". How often do you really stop to look and think about lines? My guess is, not very often. Line is primitive and the basis of most successful composition. Whether expressed through a hand-written illustration, or as a carefully aligned set of objects, line is limitless and associated with great design.

In looking at a layout, line is usually implied "visually" through the placement of elements. The boundaries are the layout's edges. There's also the drawing of an actual line. Sewn lines are one such example. Next time you look at a layout, just as you would a child's connect-the-dot activity, scan your layout, locate it's starting point, and follow it through to the end. That line should never drift off the page, but instead, bring you to the page's focal point; photo'(s), journaling, etc. Connect the Dots, always.

To emphasize the use of line further, above I contained the journaling and title work in the upper right corner. Surrounding it is a hand-drawn white line. Take that line all the way around, and then follow the vertical arrows and painted area upward. The yellow brad (a catchy item you can't miss!) brings the eye back to point "A" - the beginning. Quick, easy and convenient.

 

These handy-dandy arrows were crafted from My Mind's Eye "Indie Chic/Nutmeg Memories Tapestry Paper". I removed a portion of the zig-zag lines and backed them with two different colored cardstock pieces; Bright Pink & Grey. They look almost like pencil tips! 

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The painted lines were inspired by this beautiful image from Pinterest...

Photo Credit: The Everygirl

Mine aren't nearly as pretty and perfect, but the effect is still similar. You almost can't escape that blazing, glittery gold!! There's lots of chunky glitter and texture on that palette - LOVE IT! And them vertical lines are a great way to create "direction" and interest. 

**Note: Do apply glitter after the surrounding painted strips have dried or mix the glitter with gold paint before applying and add more thereafter. Also, start with a dark peach paint and mix it with varying amounts of white to create the lesser two shades.

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That concludes this week's running design theme; line. Next week's theme is balance - a more difficult application to express via photography, though one I look forward to. See you soon!