Organization works when you're in a hurry!

I came across this pastel paper pad by K&Company and all I had left were a few stickers and die cuts.  The patterned paper on the front and back cover of this mini is from the cover page of the paper pad.  I used it's entirety!  I used all the die cuts on each page.  What helped me with the rest is that all my embellishments were organized by color so I went straight to each bag and pulled it all together.  

I'm working on some organization tips.  Before I go to another project I clean my area.  When I've just about used all my embellishments, I may have a few left.  Instead of putting it in the package I color code everything.  It makes it easy to find and put together especially when I'm making mini albums.

 The purple rosette lace was already cut and fit just nicely on the page.

Look at all the tags for photos and journaling.  I even added a strip to make a border...No paper left behind.

 Look at the pink fiber...My last from my Webster Pages stash.  It fit perfect on the flap.

 The pink rattles are so old I can't begin to tell you how long it's been, but it found a place on the pages.

 And my last stash of lavender lace fiber by Recollections.  Let it go and use it up!

Do you have a system or organization tip you practice when you need to create a project in a hurry?  I would love to hear it, because I have several impromptu request and could use the advice.

Come on and help a Sistah out!

Can Pastels be Masculine?

OK, so when I think of Spring I think of flowers, bunnies and pastel scrapbook paper. The only problem is that I typically do not use pastels in my layouts. But, being the risk-taker that I am, I decided to challenge myself.

So, my goal was to use pastel colors while achieving a layout that is more masculine than feminine. Here is what I did...

• Used black paper to help ground the layout
  
  
• Inked the edges with black ink to add a grungy feel to the layout
  
  
• Avoided rounded corners and soft edges.

Tip: Geometric layouts with a focus on straight lines help to add a more masculine touch.

The Result: Well, I am not sure how masculine it turned out. But, I wouldn't exactly call it feminine either, more like unisex. I guess there is but so much to be done with pastel pink, lavender and baby blue paper.

How would you make a "boyish" layout with pastel paper?