Mixing and Matching

I must admit that it's very hard for me to resist buying patterned paper; it's one of my favorite scrappy supplies. And since I buy so much I tend to have plenty left over in my stash for future projects. I like mixing my newer paper purchases with older paper lines. I also like mixing different manufacturing lines. Today there are so many lines that have similar patterns and styles that it's easy to mix and match them to suit your taste.

On the layout below I used both old and new papers from Prima. The older one is from the Madeline collection and the newer one from the Lyric collection. They both worked well with my photos from our anniversary trip to the mountains. I also used some very old Heidi Swapp words for my title along with a mixture of embellishments from Basic Grey.

 

Always forever us by Tena E. Supplies - Patterned Paper: Prima; Title Words: Heidi Swapp;

Brad & Chipboard Embellishments: Basic Grey; Ink: Colorbox; Punch: EK Success.

 

Being a mixer is a great way to use your stash as well. So are you a one collection at a time scrapper or are you a mixer too? With so many great products available there's room for being both!

 

Happy Scrapping!

~Tena







Our Heritage is the Background Of Our Lives

A recurring issue I hear and read about with Crafters of Color? In regards to scrapping, paper crafting, mixed media and the like - are that there are not enough images and products out there to reflect who we are, as People of Color. The plethora of vintage papers, stamps, digi stamps, background papers, etc which flood the market - and less than 3% reflect African Americans and other ethnic backgrounds. Some would say that the companies can not be ALL things to ALL people - and you know what? .. they are right. WE can take care of that as crafters and artists. WE can control, to some degree, the images that we are looking for elsewhere - we need to use what we've already got!



Back in May, the design team members on Scraps of Color E:spire online magazine were asked if we'd be interested in creating some projects using products from a new company called Basically Bare. Well I don't know about anyone else - but I jumped on it.



I decided last year when I could not find satisfactory images of vintage African American Life on the latest scrapbook papers to use on my scrap layouts - that I would use pictures from my own life, my Grandparents, Great-Aunts and Uncles ... I would infuse their images and their stories to help me tell stories that *I* wanted to tell today through my art and scrapbooking.



While companies such as Graphic 45 are starting to introduce Louis Armstrong and other jazz notables in their fabulous Curtain Call line ... we must flip the script on the industry and take what is unique to **US** and push ahead. Use the images we already have as the focal points to our creations. Don't wait for companies to represent you. Like I did using the Basically Bare accessories, you can take the fabulous papers of Graphic 45 and other papers who are trying to reach Artists and Crafters of Color, and use their products to enhance what you already have.





It's not hard - it just takes thinking outside the box about using what you have a little differently to give you what you want.

Look for the next issue of SOC E:spire in September to help you get those ideas to showcase your talents, and more importantly, your own family. Utilize all those pictures of your ancestors. Take the images you have or that your family has, and scan them ... create your own background images ... and pay homage not only to your family through your creativity - but to yourselves, as artists and crafters.


Happy Crafting!

Waste Not, Craft A Lot

Don't you hate when you find a cool surface ... and it's damaged? Do you throw it away ... or like me, do you see the potential?

This cool birch box was slightly damaged in transit, and instead of throwing it away, I decided to work with it to create something quick, easy and cute!


Add a splash of color by taking watered down acrylic paint, and paint the outsides and inside of the box.


Cut to size a piece of patterned paper, and cover outside of box.



Cut to size a coordinating piece of cardstock, and cover inside of box.



Now it's time to embellish!!

TIP: For inexpensive lace, it's a good idea to check the clearance bins at your local fabric stores. They sell the ribbon at wonderfully discounted prices - many time much cheaper than the scrapbook stores.

To adhere ribbon and Prima flowers, I used Glossy Accents.



Let dry, and now my damaged box is a pretty wonderful accent.


Supplies: Studio Calico Shortbread paper, Studio Calico Kit Emma's Shoppe Collection Dresses paper, Prima flowers,Glossy Accents, Americana acrylics

A Perfect Pairing: Paper and Painting

I love painting on products traditionally created for paper crafting. I especially love the chipboard books and binders from Maya Road. As you saw in my first post, I am in the process of creating an art journal, and so far, I've been having a lot of fun creating it.

Where some may be inspired by the many embellishments to create scrapbooking masterpieces - I love to use those same embellishments to enhance my painting projects.

Henry Ward Beecher said, ”Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.”

That's how I'm inspired when I see all the scrapbooking goodies. I want to embellish from my soul using my paintbrush. I truly believe paper and painting are the Perfect Pairing for artists and crafters alike.

Scraplift? Yes, Scraplift!

I can’t believe it’s almost 2011! As crazy as the Holidays can be, I look forward to this week of preparing for the New Year. My name is Moanica and I am so delighted to be included on the E:spire design team! I’ve been married 21 years to my high-school sweetheart and we live in Atlanta with our funny rescue dog, Baxter. You will see both of them in my layouts as they are the source of much laughter and joy in my life.

I started scrapbooking over ten years ago and jumped in with both feet. It started as a way to get our travel photos into albums, but has grown to be much more of a source of fun and friendship. Over the years, my style has evolved into something that works well for me. I’m a scraplifter! That means, I gather inspiration from all sorts of places and use it to create my layouts. Sometimes it’s a very “literal” translation and other times, my end product is merely a “loose” translation with some particular elements of the inspiration piece in my layout. Either way, this method of scrapbooking has really freed me up to enjoy the process of choosing photos and playing with papers and embellishments. I love sketches and just browsing online galleries for inspiration. Try it next time you’re stumped for ideas!

I’m looking forward to sharing my layouts and my process with you in the pages of SOC E:spire. If you haven’t signed up for your FREE copy, what are you waiting for? What a great way to start 2011!

A Happy (and safe) New Year to you!

Here is an example of a recent scraplift. This lovely layout entitled “Remember” by the talented Karen Jiles caught my eye in the Scraps of Color Gallery:

And here’s the layout I did. As you can see, because I had horizontal photos instead of vertical ones, I simply turned the layout 90 degrees clockwise, and voila!

Seafeast by Moanica Caston. Supplies Apron Strings Designs July 2010 Smaller than a Breadbox Kit Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee; Cardstock: American Crafts; Chipboard Triangle Banner Pieces & Star: Maya Road; Blue Rhinestones: Queen & Co.; Stickers: Jolee’s; Rhinestone Flourishes: Prima: Alphas: American Crafts Thickers

Mini Book Crusher.

Hi all -

Wendy here...

and i'm a

mini.book.crusher.

maybe i should say a slighttt addict....

I'm super delighted to be a

SOC E:spire designer.

I’m always inspired by things around me and make time each day for art.  Since scrapbooking 15 years ago, I've been addicted since the beginning.  I have BIG passion for life art, lots of creative spirit, and love experimenting with new products and techniques. My favorite products are a combination of the old + new.  I love combining vintage products along with the latest trends in scrapbooking product and adding stamping in the mix. 

I’ve been published/featured in "Beyond Scrapbooks" (available on www.amazon.com), PaperArts (now Scrap & Stamp Arts) Magazine, QVC UK, Scrapbook Trends, and serve on several design teams – Sausan Designs, Memory Works, The Creative Type, several guest designer spots, and past design teams include Creative Imaginations – Art Warehouse.  I’ve taught at CK Convention, Scrapbook Expo (USA), Memory Works Scrapbook Retreat, and local scrapbook stores & retreats within USA & Europe.

I filter out a lot of my inspiration in my blog, ScrapNspire, I work A LOT with mini books & really the big focus of my blog as well as there you can find the music, fashion, trends, loves...that inspire my creative mojo.  I live with the motto to “find inspiration everyday & everywhere”.

here are some sneaks into my scrapbook style...

A few other Top 10 tidbits about me

...that maybe you didn't know, "bucket list" to do....

1. Never been to Disney World/Disneyland...but on my "bucket list".

2. BA in Accounting with a Master's Equivalency and work full-time as an Audit Manager & almost decided on a major in the arts but now I combine my love for both. :)

3. Traveled to more countries than places I've visited in the U.S. when I worked in the past as an International Auditor.  A dream.come.true.experience.

4. I lived in Germany for 8 months & LOVED it (unfortunately it was only for a temporary fraud assignment to high risk countries & I had to return back to the States).

5. My boyfriend is Italian, originally from Sicily but has lived in Turin for several years.  He is truly one of the most sweetest, thoughtful, very very funny, and beautiful souls I've ever known AND he cooks! (that definitely makes him a winner) :)  (and he tests my Italian in text messages where I HAVE to reply back in Italian, but it's cool because I love learning different languages).

6. I don't know how to swim.

7. I could eat pasta every day (but I doubt my hips would like that).

8. I bow down to yoga & pilates. love love.

9. My favorite spice is cinnamon...candy, rolls, candles...

10. I love roller coasters & could ride over & over & over....also on my "bucket list" to tour the best coasters U.S. and ride them all.

Again, hope you liked the glimpse into my world...

I love to inspire & be inspired.

Looking forward to a great year with SOC!

ps - get ready because this premiere issue is to.die.for.

I'm curious to SOC blog readers...

"Do you have anything on your "bucket list" of things to do in your lifetime?"

Please share up! ;-)

What is Ethnic Scrapbooking?

Hola! I’m senorita Lisa Sanford and that is the extent of my Spanish. I’m thrilled to be part of a team that is dedicated to inspire. Inspire you to create, to be more creative in all aspects of your life. I made my first scrapbook in 1972 when I was in second grade. I’ve been passionate about creative scrapbooking for 12 years now. I’ve designed products and have been an advocate for diversity in the scrapbooking craft industry since the day I was introduced to Creative Memories.

After I did years of the chronological scrapbooking for five children, my sister asked me to do an album of her first trip to West Africa. While I was home having babies, my sister was travelling the world. I enjoyed her photos (by the thousands) and stories about cultures in lands far away. I quickly became enthralled with teaching my kids about other cultures through scrapbooking and that’s Ethnic Scrapbooking. I authored Ethnic Scrapbooking, not as a scrapbooking how-to-book, but a book about self-exploration…about connecting to your own culture as well as others.

My style of scrapbooking has varied over the years…right now I’m about quick and easy (because I work full-time) with a heavy dose of meaningful journaling with an emphasis on educating. Really, scrapbooking is a lifestyle for me. Being behind the lens has changed my perspective on many things…mostly about how I want to be remembered by my children (all five of them). I incorporate cultural learning into many areas of my life, from the foods we eat, the music we hear, the clothes we wear and the activities we partake in.

One of my favorite workshops that I teach is Kwanzaa Through the Year. It’s a class where you review the seven day ritual of Kwanzaa and reflect on the past year of photographs to find ones that represents the meaning of the principles. It’s a weeklong fun way to look back through your photographs and see your (or your family’s) growth throughout the year, to see how you can connect to a cultural tradition that may not be part of your heritage and document it through a mini album or a series of scrapbook pages. This method can also be adapted to other weeklong celebrations or series of principles or virtues such as the Beatitudes from the Holy Bible or various Jewish Holidays.

My challenge to you is to take more everyday photos of your daily life and to think out of the box and give “connecting to other cultures” a try.

Parts of this article are adapted from Ethnic Scrapbooking, pages 58 & 59.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and your family from all of us at SOC E:spire. We hope that you make wonderful memories this day and everyday. My name is Camille and I am so excited to be part of the E:spire design team. I am a native New Yorker transplanted to the Maryland suburbs where I live with my husband and children. The inspiration for my art and my proudest accomplishments are my three sons, Joshua (26), Frankie (19) and Julian (15). I’ve been scrapbooking for about 7 years although I’ve been creating in many other forms as long as I can remember. I love learning new ways to express my creativity, so besides paper scrapbooking, I love photography, card making, coloring with Copics and colored pencils, decoupage, altered arts, and one of my most recent endeavors digital scrapbooking. About a year ago I was attracted to the world of digital scrapbooking. I just loved the idea of being able to scrapbook anywhere I could take my laptop. After taking a beginners class taught by Renee Pearson I was hooked. I’ve taken other classes over the year and I plan to take many more. There is so much to learn in the digital world and I just can’t wait to take it all in. Okay, so when it comes to describing my scrapbook style and describing me in general I would have to say I am eclectic. I mean can you blame me?  This is how Mr. Webster defines eclectic:

 eclec·tic noun \e-ˈklek-tik, i-\

Definition of ECLECTIC: one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various sources

That fits me perfectly! 

I hope this gives you a little insight into who I am. I look forward to sharing my digital layouts with you over the next year. SOC E:spire is going to be an awesome publication. If you haven’t signed up for your FREE copy, do so and give yourself a gift today!

Here is a digi layout I did of my boys on Christmas Day 2009. 

From my family to yours Feliz Navidad.

Camille

Layout: Love & Happiness by Camille. - Template: Tiffany Tillman 25 Days Templates #1;
Digital Paper and Digital Elements: Paislee Press (Adorned Kit); Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.

Happy Hellos

Happy Hellos and Merry Christmas Everyone:

This is truly an exciting time. With the holidays upon us and the launch of E:spire Magazine just around the corner; and all the things that will fall in between, I feel as though Christmas will be making two appearances instead on one this winter.

My name is Lorie a.k.a. ThePeddler and I am a Creative Team Member for SOC E:spire Magazine. Before I continue with my introduction, I would like to use this platform to thank Tiare Smith, E:spire Founder, for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome journey. Like many of you, I’m looking forward to a year overflowing in shear inspiration and creativity.

Currently, I live in Baltimore, Maryland with my soon to be (48 hours away) pre-teen son, Kevin whom you will probably hear me refer to from time to time. Kevin plays a big part in where my inspiration is drawn from.

I began crafting at eight years old. My mom was and remains a crafter—just not as much. From as far as I can recall, my hand were always moving whether I was learning how to macramé (Chinese Knotting), pour slip for ceramic pieces, latch hook, crochet, decorating specialty cakes, etc. I was always doing something on the creative side. After the birth of my son, I took up scrapping as a hobby. I would attend crop nights. I love it and how my friends responded to my scrapbook(s).  Then one evening I sat down next to Linda—a lady I did not know.  She was making greeting cards—lots of them too. By the end of the crop, Linda had hooked me and she wasn’t even aware. I left the crop that night with one and half completed pages (probably because I was too busy watching what she was doing) and she walked out with more cards than I could count.  The next time I returned to the crop, I spent half of my time scrapping and the other half making cards. By the time I returned again, I deemed myself a card maker. I loved the idea of creating smaller completed projects in a shorter period of time.

Looking back, I have learned many techniques, as a result my style has evolved. If I had to describe my style, it would be truly eclectic. There are many facets to art that I love to bring to my craft and though you may not see it in one card or layout, it is evident when you visit  my blog. I love the art of collage, lots of color, clear & simple lines, layers and cards that border being slightly baroque. My favorite embellishment is ribbon. My biggest challenge is creating for a male recipient. So, whenever a challenge presents itself, I make sure I participate. Now that you are aware of my Achilles heel, when it comes to paper crafting, what’s yours and how do you handle it?

Thanks for taking a little time to get to know me! I encourage you to leave your comments so, I may get to know you too.


Peace & Blessings,

Lorie

Family and Friends

Hello SOC Fans,

Hi my name is Chalese and I am so honored to be apart of this amazing team!! We live in cold Minnesota the land of snow and ICE!!  Yes, it is very cold and our winters last at least 7 months. Why do we live here?? When I figure it out I'll let you know!! LOL  Anywho I am married to wonderful Mr. Knight and we have four children, two college bound and Gabby 12 and Stormy 6! My family brings me so much joy. I am thankful to God to have chosen me to take care of them. What brings me true happiness is family and my soy latte(a must have EVERYDAY)!!!

You know I often think about my scrapbook style? It takes me about 4 hours to complete JUST two layouts! Yes, ladies I am a slow poke when it comes to creating. Any suggestion on how I can speed up this process? Really anything would HELP.  I love my little bug aka Cricut! I use this little baby on almost all of my projects, along with paint and misting. I love everything about scrapbooking.  I find joy and peace in this art form.

I hope you all join US and play along this coming year.  Thanks you so much and stay tuned for inspirational yummy goodness in 2011!

Please enjoy a few of my recent creations.

Chalese

The Secret to Scrapbooking

My name is Shellina, and I’ve got a secret.

Scrapping our memories can be a tricky beast; we want them to present well, to be impressive, and yet reflect our own personal styles and passions. Many of us slave over a layout, constantly moving elements around, agonizing over which picture to use, selecting our color scheme to be just so. And then, when it’s as perfect as we can possibly make it, we present it to our friends and family- all the while holding our breaths to hear those infamous “ooohs” and “ahhhs”. The thing that is supposed to give us so much joy becomes downright stressful if we’re not careful!

There’s really only one cure for this kind of problem. It’s cheap, readily available, and absolutely unique. I found the secret not too long ago myself, and it has changed my life. I went from struggling over my scrapbook pages for hours to creating until my little heart just couldn’t create any longer- and loving it. It was when I was most stressed out and bogged down by struggling to compare myself to others that I found my own style, my own song to sing, my own story to tell. I began making scrapbook pages for ME- not for anyone else. Before I knew it, this copy-cat scrapbooker became what I never imagined I could: a scrapbook artist.

I began creating my own scrapbook materials earlier this year. With my background in graphic design and web programming, I found the transition to digital element design a smooth one. I’ve found that my greatest passion is with scrapbook papers- there’s something about the repeating of simple patterns to make something beautiful that reminds me of the beauty of memories: simple scenarios stacked on top of one another to make one big priceless memory.

I opened my own digital scrapbooking store in July of this year, and have been thrilled to see that I’m not the only one looking high and low for creative and original scrapbooking supplies. The digital realm of scrapbooking has introduced many new venues and possibilities to this growing phenomenon, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Which brings me to the most exciting part of my story thus far: the opportunity to design exclusively for Scraps of Color! This new adventure is one that calls to both my inner artist and the woman in me- celebrating our strengths, creativity, and love. Becoming a part of a tight-knit community of artistic women has been glorious for both my layouts and my heart.

If this is your first time visiting Scraps of Color: welcome. Welcome to community, welcome to inspiration- welcome to a whole new scrapbooking experience- from digital to mainstream.

So what is the secret to scrapbooking, you ask?

Well, that’s easy.

The secret to scrapbooking is you.

To Flash or not to Flash!

Namaste! My name is Rani but you can also call me scrapyoga...because a sure fire way to find peace for me is through scrapbooking! A bit about me: I am a self taught digital scrapbooker and love creating on the computer. Like most of you I am always learning and love to share! I am a licensed certified massage therapist, practicing for the past 10 years. Wow-even I am shocked at that! I have two little cutie pie girls, living on the central Californian coast with their dad and my best bud, Trevis. Anything artsy & crafty I just love! I swoon over things handmade! And most nights you will find me clicking away on my mac, surfing Etsy while making a new layout! It's so exciting to be part of Scraps of Color E:spire and so happy that you will be joining us here!

I wanted to share with you why I don't like to use flash.... especially around the holidays!
Why have this....

When you can have this...

See what I mean?

And then you can create lasting memories like this.....

Now don't get me wrong...flash is wonderful...how else could I get those two cuties in the middle?! But using a flash to capture the lights...it's worth the wait for the shutter to click!!!! Don't you think? Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Does this sound familiar...

a supply or accumulation of items that is hidden, stored away, carefully guarded for preservation or future use? If so does that make you a hoarder or just saving items for that perfect occasion or photo? I'm sure as a paper crafter we've all collected our share of supplies.

Hi everyone! I'm Tena and I'm so excited to be one of the Sketch Inspired designers and a member of this wonderful, talented team at SOC E:spire! A little about me, I'm married and we live in Columbus, GA. We have a beautiful daughter who's all grown up now. My family is often my favorite scrap subjects and also my biggest supporters. Although they are not always willing to pose for photos LOL. I've been scrapbooking about 10 years now and love every minute of it.

Christmas Past by Tena Ellison. Supplies Patterned Paper: BoBunny, Creative Imaginations; Rose trim & Rub ons: BoBunny; Journaling note: Creative Imaginations; Title: Cricut; Cartridge: Lyrical Letters; Ink: Colorbox.

I'm not really sure how to describe my scrapbooking style. I love everything from clean, simple lines to shabby chic, artsy & distressed styles. I really love mixing and matching paper lines and using the old with the new...hence the question about hoarding supplies. I also love trying out new techniques and I'm always up for a challenge.

The above layout is one I recently created using papers from the new BoBunny Noel collection with some older Creative Imaginations paper and journaling note. This is also a sketch inspired layout based on a sketch by Tiare from the Nov/Dec 2010 Sketch-A-Day.

This is going to be an exciting year! I'm looking forward to Inspiring and being Inspired as well. So stop hoarding (I mean saving LOL) and start using your supplies!

Tena E.

The Perfect Pear!

Greetings Scrapbookers, Crafters and Cardmakers! My name is Aysha and I am very excited to be a part of the SOC E:spire design team. I am a Bronx, NY native (currently living in Maryland) and I’ve been scrapbooking the safe way for over ten years. I truly enjoy documenting life’s special moments. When I am scrapbooking for myself, I usually default to paper scrapbooking. However, I LOVE designing digital elements and mixing them with traditional elements to create hybrid projects. I am a self-taught graphic artist who spends HOURS in front of the computer…daily. Not sure how to describe my style but I love texture, typography, color and photography. Currently, I’ve been working on all things Christmas. This is the front panel of a card using a digital-stamp that I created. There are some amazing things being planned for the magazine next year, so I hope that everyone jumps in and subscribes!

PS: Here’s a FREE DOWNLOAD! Simply right-click the black and white pear and save the .png file. You can use it in your own hand-crafted or digital projects. Have fun and Happy Holidays!

It's That Magical Time of Year

Greetings to you, our cherished, creative, crafters! I’d like to take a moment to welcome you to our introductory month of E:Spire. Collectively, we are looking forward to your membership, your enthusiastic involvement in our events and your participation with the activities we have planned for your enjoyment. I’d also like to extend a special “Thank You” to our creative director, Tiare Smith, for her vision and her creation of this special publication. E: spire has been designed to ignite our imagination and to help us all keep the “Mojo Fairy” twirling within our souls.

I want to give my own nod of appreciation for this opportunity to contribute to this awesome design team as a writer for a column entitled, “Keeping it Real.” Look for product reviews and crafting tidbits from yours truly. As a creative member of E: spire, my excitement meter has reached levels almost as high as it was as I watched the inaugural process that unfolded in Washington D.C., in 2009.

I have been a paper crafter for more than 10 years. My style leans towards shabby chic, but one never knows when the scissors will take on a life of their own, and voila, something new, creative and totally unplanned evolves from the process! I design personalized cards under the name, Honey’s Child. My creations can be found in Simply Devine Cards-
N-Gifts, a shop in Ypsilanti, MI.

I’d like to offer a challenge to you, dear reader. At least, once during this upcoming year, introduce and bring another crafter with you on this journey of creativity and discovery. Together, let’s expand this endeavor to its exponential level.

Happy Holidays!

Painted Paper Passions ...

... is the best way to describe "My Style". I'm Kay-Tee and I'm SO EXCITED to have been asked to be a part of Tiare's SOC E:spire design team. Tiare has asked me to describe my style. I'm an ARTIST.




I'm an an artist who has fallen in love this past year with the paper arts. I love painting ATCs, cards, journals and then seeing what can be created using traditional scrapbooking paper and supplies.



I also have a passion for Black History. Raising a son in predominately white environment, I noticed early on that he lacked the knowledge of his own Black History that I had at his age. I'm not one to wait around for a particular month of the year...or one to demand that his school steps up - I step up. Everyday, I give him the good, bad or ugly facts of our history ... as I feel to embrace the good, you must also accept the not-so-good. Now that isn't to say it can't be fun, that it can't be "artful" ... because it can.

I hope my journey this year on SOC E:spire is one that allows me to share with all of you my love of history, my passion for painting and my escapades with paper.

If you're ANYTHING like me...

...you are  FULLY caught up in this holiday madness!!  I can't STAND the "being packed in the mall like cattle" part.  I meant the decorating while singing Nat King Cole and sipping egg nog!  And of COURSE taking a few moments to scrap some memories!!  Tiare asked me to stop by and tell you a little about my scrap style.  I'm Keandra and I've just come to the realization that I don't HAVE a style!  I mean, sometimes I can do a layout where less is more because I want the focus to be SOLELY on the picture(s).  I just ran across this shot of my 3 year old when he was a little under a year.  He was SUCH a little old man and would pucker his lips whenever he saw the camera.  In the picture, we had evacuated from New Orleans and were staying with my parents until we were cleared to return to home.  Because my parents lived in Baton Rouge, they didn't get the brunt of storms like we do...but there were still issues.   I remember that we evacuated to their house to avoid the hurricane...only to be without lights for four days!  So my littlest was irritated with the heat as well as Mommy's camera when he made this face

 

Little Couch Potato Supplies Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Scenic Route and Sassafras; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts and Scenic Route;Stickers: Crate Paper and Mementoes; Chipboard Circle: Scenic Route

 

I laughed SOO hard when I saw this picture...especially when my little one asked why I was laughing at "THAT baby".  I immediately knew that I didn't want  to jumble up the page...I want anyone who looks at this layout to INSTANTLY be drawn to his facial expression!  I added a few scraps of patterned paper to a cardstock base with a few stickers and journaling...my picture is my best embellishment!

I realized about six months ago that I was buying more than I was using (ummm...HOARDER much???)  I also understood that holding onto my supplies would do little to convince my husband that I NEED to make a trip to CHA!  Since then, I've made it my MISSION to par down my supplies.  I've donated some; I've thrown anything manufactured before 1852 away.  But mostly...I've been using them.  I love the challenge of meshing older product with new.  And I love successfully adding BEAU COUP crap to my page without having a jumbled mess!!!  I have three sons who are better than any comedy skit on their WORSE day!  So, it's not unusual for me to catch shots like this

 

YOU Have Energy! Supplies Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: American Crafts, Basic Grey, Crate  Paper, Jenni Bowlin and Pink Paislee; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Making Memories and Basic Grey; Stickers: Crate Paper and Mementoes; Chipboard Circle: Scenic Route; Chipboard: Scenic Route, Sassafras, Heidi Swapp and Technique Tuesday; Journaling Spot: Jillibean Soup; Rub On: Creative Imaginations; Embroidery Floss: Coats

my teen boy wearing my shirt (DISCLAIMER:  I can't fit this on my WRIST  right now...I wore this before I became a big mama!!!)  I have a MILLION shots of my guys which are VERY similar to this but I love that I thought to include a great childhood memory this time!  When we were acting silly, my Mom would tell my sibs and me "Oh...you MUST have ENERGY!"  Those five words would make us weak in the knees because we KNEW we were about to get FIFTEEN chores to expend some of that energy we OBVIOUSLY had since we had time to be silly.  It's funny now that I'm a Mommy but I wanted to CUT somebody when 15 year old Kee heard her say that!!!

Even though I don't have a particular style there ARE a few components included in most of my work.  I LUUUV stitching.  I mostly hand-stitch with a little machine stitching thrown in and some faux stitching on the side.  I keep PACKS of black pens for outlining...it really makes my work pop!  And I almost ALWAYS focus on the mundane, everyday memories.  I'm just like everyone else...I take at LEAST 200 shots on Christmas day and birthdays.  But, I'm normally so busy scrapping funny memories like how my baby would {{LOUDLY}} say "FRUCK" and "BISH" (Keanonese for "Truck" and "Fish")   EVERY TIME we were in public, that "special occasions get pushed to the back burner.  I think I'll always remember that Kea wouldn't stick his hand in his cake on his birthday; how long will those funny mispronunciations stick with me?

So what about YOU..what's YOUR scrapping style?

What treasures do you have hidden that could be turned into keepsakes?

Hi there,

Happy Holidays!!

I'm Karen Jiles, a new member of the creative team for SOC. As Tiare shared her excitement about the premiere issue of E:spire on Tuesday, I am equally excited about this new wonderful journey and being a part of it all.

A little about me… I live in North Carolina with my wonderful husband, Christopher and toddler twin girls-Camille and Kimberly. You will see a lot of them in my work. Every day is a picture day.:) I have been stamping for 9 years and scrapbooking for 7. I thoroughly enjoy creating traditional and non-traditional scrapbooks, cards, keepsakes, mini books, jewelry and home décor. I’ve been told that my style is "shabby chic" with a touch of vintage flavor. I’m ok with that…:) I love to make my projects look worn and old world. I enjoy that look because it feels so comfortable and rich. I hope that you enjoy my creations and I encourage you to leave comments and share your take on all that I share with you.

Today, I would like to share a little layout that I created recently. It transformed into a lovely keepsake. I love creating these, because they make beautiful One of a Kind gifts and treasures. The photo that I chose to use on this layout is of my husband and baby girls. I changed the photo effect to sepia. Love that, because the sepia color coordinated with the layout very well and helped maintain that warm feel throughout. The layout is adhered to an 8 X 8 Frame and ready to be placed on a tabletop easel.


Gratitude Keepsake by Karen Jiles. Supplies: Patterned Paper: Making Memories; Cardstock: Bazzill and Stampin’ Up; Flowers: Prima; Embellishments (Metal Words, Glittered Flourishes, Ribbons): Making Memories.

What treasures do you have hidden that could be turned into keepsakes? Share them with us.

I hope that my work inspires you and brightens your day.

Make today a great one!

How Do You "Change it Up" on Your Layouts and Cards?

Happy December!  Wow!  Can you believe it's December 1st and the holidays are quickly approaching.  December brings so much fun for so many.  Tons of holiday celebrations, time with family, shopping, eating, gift giving, picture taking and sharing.  Speaking of sharing, December marks the start of the SOC Creative Team sharing their style, challenges and creativity with you.  Stick around as we share a bit of ourselves with you, each month, all month long!  Hopefully, you'll share a bit of yourself, with us as well.

I'm going to get the party started.  For those of you who don't know me, I'm Tiare aka Classygirl.  I am the very proud founder of SOC.  I am quite excited about this venture and am very happy to see so many of you joining us as we launch our magazine.

Married with no children or pets, I find inspiration everywhere for my pages.  Travel, daily activities, my dh, my niece, family and friends can all be found to grace my pages.  This craft for me is so much more than just saving memories...it's relaxing, it's social, it's creative, it's hands-on, it's fun, it's exciting, it's ME!  My style?  Clean, classy and coordinated.  At least that is how I define it.  I love clean lines, well coordinated papers that coordinate with my photos.  I enjoy trying a variety of techniques and will try anything, at least once!  If I like it, I'll do it again!  LOL!  I do like to change things up, especially when I start to notice that I've been doing the same things, again and again.

In recent weeks, I noticed that my pages were feeling much too similar.  Always adding flowers and bling.  Hmmm?  My finishing touch is often bling but it felt like something was missing.  Could it be rub ons?  Why yes!  I LOVE rub ons and have amassed quite a respectable stash!  I do mean QUITE A RESPECTABLE STASH!  However, somehow they don't seem to find their way onto my pages.  Therefore, I promised myself to change it up and add rub ons to my layouts.  Afterall, I need to put at least a small dent in the stash.  I find that I do this often.  I choose something I haven't used in awhile and I challenge myself to use it on my upcoming layouts.  It helps to keep things fresh!

Here is a recent layout I created of my dh and I.  Notice my one rub on added as a finishing touch (at the top of the photo).  Simple, yet fun.  I like the way it looks and I used a rub on!  LOL! Mission accomplished.

Celebrate Him by Tiare Smith. Supplies: Patterned Paper: Bella Blvd; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Die Cuts: Bella Blvd; Rub On: BoBunny.

QUESTION?  What do you do to change it up when you get bored with your layouts or style?  When you need inspiration?  Share.

Stay tuned and look for other Creative Team members to share their style and creations with you throughout December.   Hey and keep your eyes open  for another GREAT BLOG GIVEAWAY!

Visit often!  Don't miss a moment of the inspiration!

Classygirl!