Sew Mini Things!

Hello!
I don't know about you ladies but when the Summer comes around my crafting MOJO goes into overdrive!  It's the time of year when I can be creative in all sorts of ways.  Besides Memory Keeping I also Knit, Crochet, Spin and Sew and I make Sew Mini Things this time of year:).

As a memory keeper I thinks its important to document family but also document the stories  that define who we are as well.  We are most often behind the camera not in the photo.  Not today I say! Lets capture what we enjoy and share it!  

Here I have a Mini with a few of my hand sewn garments.  I wanted to keep it simple as to not

 over shadow my unfortunately not so great photos as these were taken a few years back.  I also didn't want to make a 12 x 12 album since basically this album is first for me and second to show the reader what enjoy.

I used the Sew Lovely Kit by Carta Bella

I cut out 6 x 8 cardstock pieces to use as base layers and began to create my pages from there.  One thing you will notice in the following pictures is I embellish on top of my page protectors:).  I like to add texture in everything.  It looks great in person but does not make the best photos.(disclaimer)

Here are the pages laid out since the album will be growing this is a good start! 

For the cover page I wanted to just have fun playing on words.  Always throw in a 3 x 4 Card it makes a nice touch and I ran a quick straight stitch threw it.  I use a Janome mini sewing machine to sew on my layouts.

This hug bobbin in the background is covered with patten cardstock.  TIP: You can use a fingernail file to buff or distress the edges too.

Aline is my favorite style of skirt and I wanted to notate that.  As the book grows I have several Aline skirts that I have made.

I like the look of pocket pages but sometime they can be intimidating. Do I cut everything down to that size?  The Pockets are an odd size?  What about the back?   In this case I stitched the pocket closed to hold the sequins making the page a light and airy.  

I wanted to bring out the florals in the dress without taking too much away.  In the protector this layout flows nicely making a visual triangle between the embellies and the photo.

This photo is layered on a 4 x 6 card on top of the page protector.  This lends for a tactile page thats nicely layered.

I hope that you are enjoying your summer , creating like crazy and leaving a legacy in the meanwhile!  

Toodles!

Emonie

Layering 101

Hello Crafty Dahlins!
Emonie here with my very first blog post, Layering 101.  I love lots of layers and embellishments ....do you?  Well if you do this post is definitely for you.  I know many of us have tons of paper and embellishments that we would love to adorn our layouts with but can't quite seem to get it to work. The SOC blog is here to help!! I have a few recipes that will make it easier to add layers and dimension to your layouts.

When choosing your patterned papers it is easier to start with a collection as the color coordination is done for you.  Here I have chosen the Maggie Holmes Collection.  I used 4 coordinating pieces of patterned paper to make my layers.

Recipe for choosing papers :
1.  A base cardstock with multiple colors. You will use those colors in your layers and embellishments
2.  Words/Script Patterned paper
3.  Geometric Pattern paper
4.  Floral Patterned paper

I chose the bokeh print as my base cardstock.  I just love bokeh! Now... lets resize your canvas.  A 12 x 12 can be very overwhelming at the beginning so make your canvas smaller. You can use the conventional sizes 8x8, 6x6 or a custom size.
     When layering be mindful of your adhesive.  I use Tombow Mono Temporary Adhesive.  This adhesive has barely any stickiness but it lets you place your layers down to get an idea of placement. When you feel comfortable with your layers use your phone/camera and snap a quick picture so you can adhere permanently.   My primary adhesive is This to That from American crafts.  This adhesive  has great stickiness but you can still remove and replace.

Warning:  I design my layouts with out a photo ....said no scrapper ever.  Yup! I am a backwards scrapper. When my layering is complete ....then I add photos.  If this seem absolutely crazy to you
( which I am sure it does) make a template the size of your photo for placement.

Recipe: Try and work in three's.  Notice the color coordinated arrows the paper patterns are repeated 2-3 times and form a triangle.  This gives uniformity to your layering and cohesiveness.  I applied Vintage Photo Distress Ink to all my edges and began to adhere.

Now my layers are complete! Time to add my photo, title, journaling and embellishments! 

 Did you notice my word embellishments moved to the 81/2 x 11 Layout?  Removable adhesive is worthy!

A close up of my journaling certainly I have to explain this crazy photo!

I hope after this post you feel more comfortable with layering and give it try.  We would love to see what you come up with , tag your post layering 101 in the gallery.

Extreme Makeover by Emoniedezigns.com

Other Supplies Used:

Silhouette Cameo-font in Brush Script Std font, lipstick and mascara die cuts.

EK Success Photo Label Punch Large

Dear Lizzy Wood Veneers

Maggie Holmes Chipboard Stickers