Eniko's Playhouse

Taking it to the Second Floor...an Addendum to the Upcycling Challenge

I wanted to say a few words about the importance of challenging ourselves as artists...to push ourselves in directions that are sometimes uncomfortable -or even unsuccessful. I've been following two amazing artists for a while now, Natalie Kalbach and Julie Fein-Fan Balzer...both extremely creative and inspiring women. They have teamed together to pose  The Second Floor Challenge. The idea is to encourage artists to step out of their comfort zone in their artwork. March 12th's inspiration was to use gold acrylic paint in your next layout. Both women took their own challenge, and both turned out work that they were not entirely 100% happy with. Gold paint can be tricky to work with, and as Natalie tried something new, the results were not quite as predictable as she was used to. Julie had a similar result, and she did the "silk purse out of a sow's ear" -thing and turned her "failed" piece into something else.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is more important to push ourselves in new directions, even if we at times fail, than it is to stick with what is safe and "tried & true", but utterly predictable, and therefore less creative. In my last post, I wrote about upcycling scrapbook packaging material and other items that we might normally toss out, but that can sometimes be given a second life as a part of our artwork (pushing myself further & further from my comfort zone) and you're probably wondering why I am including the same scrapbook pages here.

Well, unlike Natalie and Julie, at first I was perfectly happy with the results of my  layout created mostly of scrapbooking packaging materials and other "throw-a-ways" (and using a touch of gold paint), but the more I looked at the pages, the more I liked them better independently, rather than as a double-page layout. Especially the page below...I feel that it stands alone so beautifully and so completely as a piece of art.

Somehow, the composition of each of these pages work better for me when they are not opposite each other (SEE BELOW).

You may, or may not agree, but for me, it was an interesting and revealing realization. Generally, the composition of my double-page layouts is designed in such a way that the two pages work perfectly together. Perhaps I was so focused on other elements that I was briefly side-tracked...who knows?

In reality, the pages will probably remain together...partnered for life in the protective sleeves of a scrapbook, since side-by-side they do tell a more complete story...which is the point, after all. -But it was fun to step back and take a second look and experience first-hand the consequences of risk-taking. Honestly, though, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So I encourage all of you to take up the challenge and take your scrapbooking, cardmaking, art journaling...whatever your art...a little further, and take a chance on trying something new once in a while. It's good for the soul and who knows, you might discover something new about yourself as you "Take it to the Second Floor."

Happy Creating! -Enikö 

Speaking of challenges...I decided to "Take it to the Roof" when I responded to the Let's Scrap Design Team call. I love this group of creative women and I desperately wanted to have a spot on the Design Team. I found out early this morning that I made it! My "reign" begins on April Fool's Day...which just added to the joy of the whole thing.-More about all that in my next post...I just couldn't wait to share the news!

Your ideas, reactions and comments are deeply appreciated! -And if you decide to take on the "Take it to the Roof" challenge...or create something with upcycled products, I hope you will include a link, or post it on my

Upcycling Packaging from Scrapbook Supplies & Using Up Your Stash

I admit it...I am a bit of a pack-rat. When I open a package of new scrapbooking supplies, I often save the packaging as well as the embellishments inside. I can't seem to get myself to throw away that crisp cellophane envelope, which I just KNOW will make a wonderful enclosure for a future keepsake, and I simply can NOT toss that wonderful cardstock backing, which I certainly will make into a glorious tag someday! In fact, I don't stop there. I save tissue from gift bags, molded clear plastic packaging,  interesting tags from clothing purchases, bottle caps and twine, ribbon & string. But before you call Hoarders Anonymous and turn me in, hear me out.

I am actually en-point with the latest scrapbooking trend! (Purely coincidental, I assure you.) Recently, I've noticed several scrapbooking blogs and videos promote the use of packaging materials in a trend they refer to as upcycling. Prima Marketing is actually promoting their new "Green Concepts Projects" to encourage scrappers to upcycle -check out these great Valentines on Prima Marketing's blog that utilize packaging materials.

In fact, just the other day, as I ripped open a Jolee's Boutique packet of embellishments , I discovered (2) printed tags, just waiting to be cut-out and upcycled!

I caught a little video on You Tube in which an entire tutorial was devoted to making a mini-book from Prima Marketing packaging and I think I've even heard Tim Holtz mention something about utilizing the backing of scrapbooking supplies. And on Spiegel Mom Scraps lovely Jody offers a month-long challenge in honor of National Craft Month and encourages her readers to upcycle as they scrap. (She has some great examples of upcycled packaging materials, which I am absolutely lifting!)

So I took up the challenge and created a scrapbook page exclusively out of upcycled materials saved from packaging, found objects that were never originally intended for scrapbooking, and paper scraps. Even the photos were ones that I downloaded from MySpace in 2008 and tucked away, hoping to get my hands on better copies someday. -But why waste? This is a perfect time to scrap them!

So I pushed myself to the limit of upcycling...I even used the cardboard backing of scrapbook paper stacks as my background paper instead of cardstock! To make them a bit more interesting, I sprayed them (along with a couple chipboard elements that I've had hanging around for ages) with several colors of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (mostly Brick, Creme de Cocoa & Gold) and a touch of Perfect Pearls (Evergreen):
Next, I dug out my scrap paper bin and the stash of miscellaneous upcyclables that I'd been hoarding for years:

If you look closely, you'll crack up at all the seemingly silly things I've collected through the years. Besides my scrap bin, which clearly is over-flowing with close to ten years of scrapbooking paper remnants and my button drawer (that is only one of two...I also have a tin of buttons that once belonged to Jim's mom!) ...I've saved used tags galore, lots of interesting packaging materials, coffee cup sleeves, candy wrappers, bakers' twine (from a real bakery!) and Simplicity tissue sewing patterns.

So for this scrappbooking project, I decided on the two Prima Marketing packaging tags you see here...the green one and the printed one in the lower center of the photo, the yellow tag (which I flipped over to the blank side) and the natural colored string. I also found a cardboard heart that I had cut-out for an art journaling page, but never used.

I wanted to tie-in my elements with the golden sheen of the lion's costume that my adorable grandson wore for Halloween when he was just a year-old, so I sponged some gold craft paint onto the background, the chipboard elements, and onto the cardboard heart.

(I just want to mention here that I am linking this to The Second Floor Challenge of Julie Fein-Fan Balzer and Natalie Kalbach -the idea is to encourage artists to step out of their comfort zone in their artwork. March 12th's inspiration was to use gold acrylic paint in your next layout. Well as you can see here, I didn't step...I JUMPED out of my comfort zone and right up to the second floor...gold paint and all!!!)

Instead of over-thinking and over-planning, as I often do, I just created art, following my instincts and my sense of design and whimsy. I began pulling random scraps of scrapbooking paper that matched my color scheme. I used the green Prima Marketing tag as a base for the title: "Lions & Tigers and Bears, oh my" -which was the title Rigel's mom gave the main photo on her MySpace page.
The process was very appropriately organic, and far different from my usual style of scrapbooking. Since I've been a member of Let's Scrap, I've been influenced by some the the layering that members use in their card designs and I just went at it. I had a die cut image of The Wizard of OZ that I tucked in by the title, I used the yellow tag that was once attached to a rug, I think, as my journaling tag and added some scraps from Graphic 45's Le Cirque (loved the lion image) and some animal paw prints left over from a child's craft project. I'm rather pleased at the outcome and the only thing that cost me money on this layout was the adhesive!

It's not too late to join in Jody's upcycling challenge...in fact, I'm on my way to Spiegel Mom Scraps to upload this. (I'd love comments and feedback!)

Happy Upcycling! -Enikö                                                                           

Childhood Wonder is Captured in Sketch-Inspired Layout

Have any of you ever used a a pre-designed sketch as inspiration for a scrapbook layout?  Scrapbooking off of someone else's sketch design has been a challenge for me (since I normally work so organically), but since I like to push myself out of my comfort zone occasionally, I made a commitment to give it a whirl. (I wrote about my first sketch-inspired experience in an earlier post: Sketch-Inspired Thanksgiving Layout).

I have since discovered a wonderful website called Let's Scrap, whose sole function seems to be to inspire fellow scrapbooking enthusiasts through weekly sketch challenges (with enticing prizes), group projects, blog-hops and on-line encouragement. I must say that it has been an amazing experience connecting with hundreds of women that share my scrapbooking passion. Scrappers from all over the world log-on regularly to share their traditions, familly events and life-experiences in addition to their artwork. Truly fabulous, inspiring and gracious women; I already feel like I have made some enduring friendships.

The sketch above is the one I chose when I decided to join in and rise to the sketch-inspiration challenge. I chose this sketch over others because I had recently received a stack of photos from Shutterfly of my darling grandson, Rigel, who at age four, was completely enamored by his Grandpa Jim's garden railroad during his visit last summer. I had the correct number of photos the sketch called for and I had the subject matter, so all I needed was the perfect paper to get my scrapbooking project going. Once I had the paper, I allowed the sketch, the photos and the story guide me. This is what came out of it: (click on image to see larger)
The paper and the embellishments compliment the colors in he photos...the title summarizes the story...and the photos capture the exhuberant movements of awe-struck little boy and the pleased, quietly observing grandfather in the background.

I scanned-in this layout before I added the journaling, but on the bottom strip of patterned paper I added my cherished memory of the occasion, "It was with great delight that I watched 4 year-old Rigel bond with his Grandpa Jim over Jim's Garden Railroad." On the left side I added, "July 24th, 2011, Martha's Vineyard, MA".

"So what did the pre-designed sketch contribute to this layout?," you might ask.

It's impossible to know how this layout would have looked if I hadn't worked off of a sketch (hey...great idea for another challenge...do two layouts of the same event -one designed organically, and one using a sketch), but I do know that I most likely wouldn't have added some of the embellishments where I did...the circle, for example...yet it works so well there. -And I definitely would not have thought to place the plaid ribbon near the bottom...which I think brings all the other elements together beautifully. I also may have used a shorter title and may have not spanned it along both pages.

But I did do all those things and the result is just lovely, don't you think? I love how the movement of the letters in the title reflect the movement of Rigel in the garden. I love how I matted the main photo on the left to make it the suggested 5"x7" size (since all my photos were developed 4"x6") and I love how I needed to crop the photos on the right to make them fit into the "size-equation". I also love how seven photos fit so perfectly and naturally on one layout, and tells a complete story.

I can't resist posting my favorite photo from the layout:
I simply love the captured movement of Rigel suddenly turning as he hears the approaching train engine.

But then there's this one -where his inquisitive nature is so very much on display-

On this following photo, which I shot from my bedroom window, Grandpa Jim's face says it all...
Thanks for visiting, and I hope you'll check-out Let's Scrap and their many discussion groups and inspirations. Also, keep on the look-out for Let's Scrap's Blog Hop, coming in February. I will be hosting one of fifty greeting card sketches and inviting you to join in -creating and posting your cards, making you eligible to receive a nice gift.

I'll keep you posted!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Bloggers! Live an inspired life in 2012! -Enikö

A Whimsical Children's Summer Layout

To scrapbook the old-fashioned fun I had with my darling grandson, Rigel, when we played on the beach during last August's visit, I turned once again to Graphic 45 Papers. In their "On the Boardwalk" line, there are lots of images that remind me of beach days in Asbury Park and Coney Island during my own childhood. I was especially drawn to a printed scrapbook paper that was colorfully illustrated with vintage postcards of various beaches.

I immediately knew what I would do. I printed out my favorite photos of Rigel playing in the waves the same size as the postcards on the scrapbook paper. I used matte photo paper to mimic the look & feel of the vintage postcards and I glued my photos over several of the beach scenes -leaving some intact. This is a close-up of the right-hand scrapbook layout:

I really love the way this layout turned out. The image of the three beach-goers on the lower right just tickled my fancy, so I raised them with foam adhesive to achieve a great 3-D effect. Love, love, love the tag of the bathing beauties and by placing it where I did, it served to break up the repetition of rectangular images and added a nice touch of interest.

It was my good fortune that I also had some reproductions of old postcards of Martha's Vineyard on hand, which I incorporated into the left side of my layout. I titled my scrapbook layout "An Old-Fashioned Beach Day", which I wrote on the back of an old postcard, along with my journaling.

Graphic 45 papers have no shortage of whimsical graphics that are perfect embellishments to any scrapbook layout. This ad for men's and boy's bathing suits was a great contrast to Rigel's modern beachwear. I also added some large beach-themed grommets that picked up the color of the stamps & beach sign graphic.

Now wasn't this fun? And it really made me long for summer and the beach and playtime with Rigel.

Sharing the love, Enikö

If you enjoyed this post, please send me some blog-love by leaving a comment below. Also, please visit my website Enikö's Scrapbooks!

Scrapbooking Black & White Photos

I love black and white photos, but from a design point of view, they can be a bit challenging to scrapbook. Colorful printed paper can feel like it's competing with the photo, but sticking with a black & white palate can feel very "one note" and flat.

I simply adore this black & white image of my grandson, Rigel -he looks so serious and determined- and I was dieing to use it in a layout. I found a really great pattern in Graphic 45  's Curtain Call paper pad that used silver-gray letters to spell-out entertainment-related words. Since Rigel was named after the brightest star in the Orion constellation, I love using stars in scrapbook layouts about him. I also love thinking of him as the star of his own life's journey -I'm always wondering what choices he will make in life and who he will become- so when I spotted the giant words "Curtain Call" on this paper, it  inspired this message:

The addition of red and cream (in the  lettering and embellishments) to the page added character and made the layout more lively and interesting -enhancing the black & white photo without overwhelming it or competing with it.

On a more personal note, I love the positive message of this scrapbook page, that we are all stars in the story of our lives...and indeed we are.

Passing the love, Enikö

(Photo by CSIS Photography Portland, ME)

Scrapbook Layouts Using Graphic 45 Papers

(photograph by CSIS Photography)

Last week I wrote about my hesitation to break into the gorgeous paper pads of Graphic 45 's colorful and utterly inspiring collections. The papers were so exquisitely designed that I didn't dare to cut them up - I used them basically to drool over. In addition to that, the papers are very vibrant and so strong in character, that I was a bit intimidated by them. I thought that they would compete with the photos in a scrapbook layout. Well, as you can see, I got over my fears and have found great joy in stretching beyond my scrapbooking comfort zone and entering an entirely new realm of papercrafting.

The layout above was designed to show-off a wonderful image of my photogenic three-year-old grandson, Rigel, by CSIS Photography. Standing in front of the multi-colored-shingled shack in his cable fisherman's sweater, Rigel had the exact look that I wanted to combine with the unique "Steampunk Debutante" papers by G45. Elements on the design are very 3-dimensional...especially in the upper right-hand corner, where some very interesting woven beads hang by fibers from a large metal brad, so the background in that area didn't scan as clearly as I had hoped, but perhaps you can still appreciate the interesting juxtaposition of contrasting elements. To me, these contrasts mimicked the personality of the subject, who is simultaneously a rough-and-tumble boy and a soft, gentle, sweet spirit.

This next layout is a study in monochromatic design:

(photograph by CSIS Photography)

Here I was inspired by the color of the grass in autumn, with its hues of yellow ochre and green. I wanted the focus to be Rigel's face as it was highlighted by the rays of the sun shining through his incredible head of hair. The papers used in this layout are also mostly from the "Steampunk Debutante" papers by G45 -I believe the lettering on the left was cut-out from G45's "Renaissance-Faire" collection. The cool envelope is a rather new addition to G45's line of products -I switched-out the black yarn it came with a green cord that co-ordinated better with the other elements. The 3-D list of all the ways I love this boy was written on some cool ledger paper.

You've probably noticed the many layers of inking and chalking that were applied to give the papers this worn and aged appearance. I also want to point out the interesting technique used on the solid green paper that mats the photo. The paper is torn using a ruler, then the edges are wetted and sanded to make them soft and fuzzy and just a bit uneven, like the neglected lawn and the boy's uneven curls.

One of my favorite elements on this scrapbook layout is the metal button used as the center of the flower...these sort of contrasts add whimsy as well as interest to the artwork.

So dear readers...what have you done lately to step outside of your comfort zone? What challenges have you stepped up to that changed your perspective or allowed you to grow in an unexpected direction? (Please send love by leaving a comment below).

Playing it forward, Enikö

Scrapbooking a Heritage Album: Part 6

Last week I posted pages about the boys in the Farkas family...this week is all about the girls. The layout above illustrates how eight photos can be incorporated in a single-page design without feeling crowded. Also of note: I tried something new on these pages -computer printing on ink jet transparencies. The one I used was by Avery and it is best if you print out the journaling on plain paper first to test the size and placement, then be sure to follow the package directions on which side to print on (naturally I found this out the hard way). It was a great way to include a lot of information in a limited amount of space. I also used it on the title "A Girl at Last!" for uniformity. The above layout is of yours truly and is embellished with flowers cut by hand from patterned paper from Paper Loft's Grandma's House line. Some of the flowers were enhanced with an application of Ranger's Glossy Accents, which add dimension as well as a nice shine. This is a great reminder that scrapbooking embellishments need not stress your budget. We often overlook opportunities to use images from patterned paper as fabulous and inexpensive accents to our pages. This product by Ranger is similar to glitter glue, minus the glitter. It is very easy to apply and works best when applied generously, but it is important to let it dry thoroughly (preferably overnight) before handling or slipping into a sheet protector.

As you can see below, the next page is centered around our sister, Ildi. Her page includes six photos and is designed to be compatible to the page that sits to the left of it in the Heritage Album. Many of the same elements were used on both pages to make them coherent. (She was an adorable baby, wasn't she - and a blond!)

I am particularly fond of the colors used on these pages. The Heritage Album started out in mostly brown and sepia tones to reflect the era that my parents were born in and then the couple's war-torn courtship. With the introduction of children into the mix, a little more color is added to the pages, illustrating the joy that children undoubtedly added to the family.

I hope you're enjoying this series about my family's heritage and that by now you, too, are working on your own Heritage Album. If you've enjoyed this post, please leave me a message below and do subscribe to my blog.

Sharing the Love, Enikö

Scrapbooking a Heritage Album: Part 5

First comes Love, then comes Marriage...

Yes, we know what comes next in my Scrapbooking a Heritage Album series...

It was quite the challenge to fit six photos of my brother Attila on a single-page scrapbook layout and still maintain order. Notice, once again, the use of the "power of 3's"...Three large photos carry the eye to the three smaller photos, and the three journaling blocks tell the story. There are also three areas in which the striped paper was used as matting. Using 3's will not necessarily guarantee balance in scrapbooking, but when the items are placed in a harmonious way, it can create pleasing order on a layout. In the photos, we see a happy, but contemplative boy. The outfits are precious and I'm very fond of the photo of Attila being fed by his maternal grandmother, Mami at our summer cottage in Erd, Hungary. The gnome was a beloved fixture in the garden of the cottage.

Opposite the layout of Attila, my brother Csaba makes his entrance into the Heritage Album...

Here, it is the repeated use of circular images that moves the eye effortlessly from the date of Csaba's birth to his name. I chose these photos very carefully, since they needed to illustrate the relationship between the brothers without words, since I wanted to limit my journaling. In the upper left-hand corner, we see Csaba helping his older brother button his jacket. (I thought this was a particularly sweet picture.) Below that, we see the brothers hanging out their heads from our summer cottage window with mischief on their faces. The photo of Csaba in his mother's arms shows the love she felt for her beautiful toddler. The next photo shows big brother Attila coming to the defense of his little brother in a clearly protective gesture. To the right, another photo taken at the summer cottage shows the boys frolicking in their pajamas. -All together, the closeness between them is quite apparent in this layout, hence the story is told.

Details that are noteworthy in these Heritage Album scrapbook layouts:

• The scroll on the upper right of Attila's page was continued from the patterned paper onto the matting with a similar rubber stamp.
• A simple word such as "Cherish" or "Together" is often enough of a title to give the layout meaning and direction.
• When using many photos on a layout, it is best to use embelishments sparingly, such as the copper brad which attaches the date of Csaba's birth and the ribbon that softens the look of the journaling tag, which both add interest to the layout -without distracting from the photos and the story-telling.

Stay warm my friends, and take pleasure in scrapbooking your family's heritage.

Sharing the Love, Enikö

SCRAPBOOKING 101: Part 7

 

An Introduction to the Art of Scrapbooking (cont.)

 

STEP 7: BALANCE  Use the basic principles of graphic design to ensure that your layout is in balance and visually pleasing. I will get into more detail of these basic principles at a later time, but most importantly, just step back before you proceed to step 8 and glue everything down, take a good long final look at your layout. Do you find the layout pleasing to look at? Do your eyes flow across the page easily? Does your layout successfully tell the story of your photos? The following tips will help you achieve balance on your pages. Once you are satisfied with your design, move on to STEP 8: ADHERE.

There is a nice balance to the layout below. The eye moves comfortably across the double page spread and the story I am telling is clear to the viewer: "Take time to explore our vast world through the eyes of a small child". The title, embellishments and journaling  are all used effectively to support the photos, and the layout is enhanced by the effective use of lines, mass, shapes, texture, and color. The result: BALANCE.

 

The five elements of design that govern most everything in the field of publishing and apply well to Scrapbooking are:

• Lines: Lines may be used to keep photos, embellishments, journaling, and other components organized on a page. They can be used to enhance or emphasize the story that is being told.

• Mass: Each photo or journaling block or other element has its own physical mass. In the design world, mass essentially means size, and every item that you add to your page has its own relativity to the whole piece as well as a relationship to all the other components of your layout. Often, this is the element that most likely will make or break a successful design. Take care to give more mass to photos that you wish to emphasize and less to secondary items.

• Shapes: There are 3 basic types of shapes – geometric, natural and abstract. Shapes may be used in any number of ways on a layout, and because of it’s strong attraction to the eye, bold shapes are often best reserved for emphasis. Sometimes a repetition of shapes can be used successfully to move the eye along the layout.

• Texture: Texture has become a very important element in modern Scrapbooking, since 3-D components and textiles have become popular additions. Textured paper and embellishments such as ribbon and fibers – buttons and metal brads – can add great interest and whimsy to your pages.

• Color: While not essential to a good design (many heritage layouts are beautifully scrapped in black & white or shades of browns), color has the power to evoke emotion and to make a powerful statement. The values of the colors you choose are as important as the colors themselves. Some designs work best when soft, lighter hues are used, and others require the strength of a darker or more vibrant hue.

STEP 8: ADHERE  Adhere the elements onto your page in layers with adhesive. I will address the issue of adhesives in future posts. One would think that gluing items onto pages would not require tutelage, but there are so many types of adhesives on the market that it can be quite intimidating for beginners. I prefer a tape roller above all others and use glue dots when a more aggressive adhesive is required, but often recommend inexpensive glue sticks to novices. Just make sure that whatever you choose is acid-free and photo safe.

STEP 9: PROTECT  Place in acid-free page protectors and into your photo album.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This post concludes my SCRAPBOOKING 101 series, but I will be getting into more detail of many of these steps in future posts. Most importantly, remember that these bits of advice are merely tips for those of you who are having trouble getting started or would like to perfect your design skills - they are not RULES! Scrapbooking enthusiasts often laugh as they exclaim: "There are no rules in scrapbooking!"

SCRAPBOOKING 101: Part 4

An Introduction to the Art of Scrapbooking (cont.)

   

STEP 5:  LAYOUT:    

 Decide on a general layout based on the number of photos you plan to use and the size of the photos. -This is where you may decide to crop certain photos to fit your layout better. A word of caution: It is recommended that you not crop original, irreplaceable photographs and take care not to crop out interesting details that may interest future generations, such as the family car, or furniture or lamps typical to an era. As an example, don’t crop out the orange lava lamp from a sixties layout.

 

 This colorful layout illustrates several elements of scrapbooking design. Let's review -

In Part 1 and 2, I speak about sorting your photos according to a theme. This layout is about a toddler's enjoyment of the final days of summer and photos were well chosen to tell that story.

In Part 3, I discussed how to use color and paper to your advantage. Here, the bright colors of the paper reflect the mood of the colorful flower garden and the bright sunny day.

Part 4 focused on choosing an appropriate title for your page. I used the word "Sweet" on a die-cut of a butterfly for my main title and enhanced it by adding a strip of the words "The Sweet Days of Summer" underneath it -sort of like a subtitle.

This layout illustrates several elements that make the layout work, as I've discussed in this post, Part 5 of my Scrapbooking 101 lesson. Notice how cleverly the large photo on the right is cropped. By enlarging the image and chopping the top right off, the focus is placed on the child's point of view...we are invited to see the garden from a small child's perspective. The photo on the bottom of the left page shows us why he is so mesmerized - the flowers are, in fact, taller than he is. These two photos in juxtaposition tell us the story of why this is such a sweet day for this child. The other two photos show Rigel exploring the garden path and stopping for a moment on the garden bench to read in the glow of the warm sun, enhancing and supporting the theme of the story.

In future posts, I will be discussing the principles of layout in more detail, but for now, I just want to bring your attention to the powerful use of threes. Notice how the red journaling block on the left, the red banner on the upper right, and the red silk flower embellishment on the lower right move the eye cleverly around the entire layout of the double page spread. (Remember that trick!)

In Part 6 and 7, I will be sharing my views on embellishments and journaling. The silk flowers mimic the real flowers in the photos, giving them even more impact, and the flower brads add color and whimsy. Notice how the journaling block on the left gives the viewer the "what, when and where" of the story and the journaling under the large photo on the left actually tells the "why" as it describes the final sweet days of summer that are giving way to the chill of the coming autumn. 

What we have collectively is a great layout that tells a complete and delightful story. Go ahead, now you try it. I'd love to see what clever layouts my readers come up with!

 

 

SCRAPBOOKING 101: Part 2

An Introduction to the Art of Scrapbooking (cont.)

  STEP 3: PAPER

Once you've selected a theme and the photos that you wish to use in support of that theme, you need to choose your paper. Generally, this will be the background to your layout. Usually, I work on a double-page spread all at once, so I need matching or coordinating papers that work well together for the 12 x 24 (2x's 12 x 12) layout.

I like to keep a good stash of 12 x 12 paper on hand at all times to avoid having to run to the store or to avoid interruption of the flow of the project. It is wise to have a good base of solid colors -neutrals, pastels, brights and of course, black & white. Patterned papers come in a huge variety of styles these days. Choosing what to purchase can be overwhelming for the beginner, so don't get stressed out. Relax and enjoy the process! Many companies offer paper "stacks" that are grouped together, usually coordinated by theme or color. Find a couple of stacks that appeal to you and start there. I recommend starting with smaller patterns at the beginning, since larger patterns can compete with your photos and are a little trickier to use. (I will discuss the multiple uses of larger patterns in STEP 6: EMBELLISHMENTS).

Decide on a color scheme based on the event itself (for instance, you may want to use orange and black for a Halloween-themed layout), or allow yourself to be inspired by colors that appear in the photos (for example, you may want to choose a couple shades of blue that match the shirt of your subject and the water behind him), and chose papers accordingly. I discussed my point-of-view on this topic in a previous post (see 4/26/2010 Scrapbooking the Promise of Spring / Color Concepts in Scrapbooking).

In the layout below, I chose grass photo paper combined with a coordinating solid green background paper and a solid yellow for accent. The patterned paper (grass photo) was chosen to match the grass beyond the picture window. The solid green matched the hue of the plants and grass in the photos. The solid yellow was chosen to add a nice contrast.

In the next layout, I chose to use patterned paper on both sides of my layout. The paper on the left has a small repeat of boyish toys and a toddler running around with wild abandon, much like the subject in the photos. On the right, I chose a vertical stripe pattern that coordinated with the colors on the left side, and also contrasted beautifully with the horizontal stripes created by the repetition of the stairs in the photos I was intending to use.

There are times that you will want contrast and there are other times you will prefer the paper to blend with your photos. In the layout below, I wanted the emphasis to be on the beautiful relationship between the subjects in the photos and I wanted as little distraction as possible, so I chose to match the color of the father's shirt in my background paper. Although the pattern is large, it is not loud, so it doesn't call attention away from the photos.

The best advice I can give you is to try a couple of different papers with the photos that you have selected for your layout. Be conscious of the effect that your choices have on the story that you are telling and ask yourself: Does the paper compliment the photos, or does it distract the eye away from them? As long as the photos still remain the most important element on your page, you should be all set.

Some Bunny Loves You!

SCRAPBOOKING EASTER MEMORIES

A while back, I took a workshop with a talented young woman named Julia, owner of the New Hampshire Scrapbook Cabin (my absolute favorite scrapbooking store). At the time, she was a rep for the "Close to My Heart" line and using their products for her demonstration. It was she who introduced me to the magical world of acrylic stamping and the versatility of chalking. While normally I am not overly fond of the cutesy embellishments that are often used with children's themes, when Julia showed me how to make an Easter Bunny face out of a lightly chalked circle, using flower petals for ears, I couldn't have been more delighted. The face was drawn on, but the nose is a brad which holds the string whiskers in place -isn't that just brilliant? The bunny face was the perfect embellishment for the Easter photos in which my adorable grandson sported bunny ears himself to the delight of all of us.

If I wasn't posting this in the wee hours of the morning before a major holiday, I would re-shoot these images of my scrapbook pages, they're a bit out of focus I'm afraid, but I'm hoping my readers will bear with me. This is certainly not the best layout I've ever made, but it is a joyful one and captures the spirit of the day. Here's a close-up of the Bunny Detail that I scanned-in:

In this next layout, I used some lovely vellum stickers that I was given as a gift. I particularly like the way the colors work together on these pages -lovely spring colors.

Enjoy this celebration of Easter -cutesyness and all!

COLORED EASTER EGGS

Place white eggs in a stainless steel pan and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 20 minutes. Remove eggs from water with a slotted spoon and set aside.  While eggs are cooking, bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a tea kettle. Lay out 6 tea cups and pour 1/2 cup of the boiling water in each one. Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar and 20 drops of food coloring to each cup. Red, blue, yellow and green are commonly available, but purple and orange often need custom mixing. Use 15 drops of blue and 5 drops of red for a pretty purple. Use 17 drops of yellow and 3 drops of red for a vibrant orange. Dip warm eggs one at a time in each teacup, allowing to sit in dye for 5 to 10 minutes each, depending on the intensity of color desired. (Generally there is enough dye to color 12-24 eggs). Remove eggs from dye and allow to dry on top of egg carton or on paper towels. If eggs are to be consumed, they should be refrigerated after coloring.

HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY SPRING!

Why I Scrapbook

-Not That Anyone Really Needs a Reason to Scrapbook
 

Scrapbooking is more than a hobby to me – I actually consider it a bit of a responsibility. As I scrap my family’s most cherished moments, I am acutely aware of my role as a family historian. By the photographs that I choose to place into my scrapbook and by the comments I choose to include with them, I am leaving future generations a glimpse into who I am and what in my life was most important to me. By including historically significant moments such as the aftermath of 9/11 and the election of the first African-American President, I am also leaving a first-hand account of these important events.

 

One of my greatest motivators for including journaling on my scrapbook pages was a comment from a friend who was cleaning out her mother’s house after she passed away. She told me that she tossed her mother’s old photo albums into the trash because she had no idea who the people in the pictures were. I was very disturbed by what she said, and vowed that my heirs would have quite a different experience as they came across my albums. They would find names and dates and places, and a written account of their ancestor’s journey. I would leave them something beautiful and informative to love and to treasure.

 

Spiritually, scrapbooking is very healing and grounding. Honestly, I am never more in-the-moment and spiritually present as when I am scrapping the past for future generations. It ties everything in my life together in a thoughtful, creative, most rewarding process.

 

Although I kept a photographic record of much of my life from the age of sixteen, I was transformed when a friend introduced me to modern scrapbooking, about five years ago. I instantly recognized the value of combining my photography with my artistic sensibilities and my personal journaling.

 

For me, scrapbooking is a creative outlet, a meditation, and an expression of my individuality. It is often a welcome escape from other, often less enjoyable, responsibilities, and it is a way to preserve my most cherished memories –good and bad – for future generations. It is the most rewarding of pastimes.

Another rewarding pastime: BAKING PIE. One of the first harvests of spring is the prolific and chuck-full-of-vitamins Rhubarb. Strawberries from California are very reasonably priced in springtime, so I thought it would be fun to share this wonderful recipe:

 STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE        (makes 2  lattice-top pies)
1 ½ lbs. cleaned, chopped rhubarb (stalks ONLY-leaves are poisonous!)
6 cups halved fresh strawberries
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
prepared pie dough
heavy cream or egg wash for glazing

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Line two pie tins with the rolled out dough, as described below, reserving the rest of the dough for the lattice tops.  Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, allowing the dough to relax.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch and nutmeg.  Add the rhubarb and the strawberries, tossing to coat well.  Divide the fruit mixture evenly into the pie shells, and set aside.

Roll out the remaining pie dough, and cut into 12 strips, each about 1 ½ inches thick.  Weave the strips of dough over each pie, using 3 strips placed horizontally, and 3 strips placed vertically, on each to create a lattice design.   Trim the overhanging strips, tuck under the pie dough that lines the pie tin, and crimp the edges decoratively, to seal.  Brush the lattice and the edges of the pie with heavy cream, or with an egg wash made with one egg whisked with 1T. milk.

Bake on the low rack of the oven at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower temperature to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 50 to 60 minutes, until juices are bubbling and the crust is a nice golden brown.