Scrapbooking Tips: Low Quality Photos and Paper Scraps

Although I am working to improve the quality of my photographs, I still have several photographs that I want to include in my albums that are far from worthy of taking stage on my layouts.  In fact the photograph on the layout immediately below was cut from a Polaroid.  I learned that you should never cut up your Polaroids long after I had already cut most of mine, years ago.

However, these photographs have stories to tell, (which are almost always told on the back of my layouts). The mother and son in the layout below were close friends when I was a child.  We share common heritage, (Norwegian), and I called the mother Aunt in Norwegian, (Tante), the way many children in my generation called some of our parents closest friends. I don't have many pictures of them and no additional ones from the 70's.  

There are a few other reasons this photograph is special to me.  For one, the picture window in the background is the crime scene from my Apache story, (link to story included).  The lamp and tables are heirloom pieces that now bless my current home.  Lastly, the dog in the photograph was one that we had for a few years.  I named him, Mandy, and I could write a nice little story about my adventures with that little ragamuffin!  

This picture has so many stories that I can tell.  Just looking at it brings on a slew of memories.  This is why I find ways to fit them on a page when otherwise they may seem unworthy.

 I struggled with a title for this post because there were so many different points that I thought valuable to discuss. One of which was that I scraplifted myself .  I chose two layouts from my November projects and created two projects for December.  The designs seemed a natural solution when I found myself with very little paper left. If you think a certain style works well for you, I find that it adds some uniformity to your albums when you replicate your work.

The photograph below is from my last Christmas with my parents together. They divorced shortly thereafter.  The photograph itself looked horrible! It had spent too many years in the old magnetic albums with high acid content.  It was very yellowed around the edges and my family was crookedly placed in the center.  The faux Polaroid frame was an excellent solution.

The photographs hold their very own stories.  In each case of these four pages, a picture tells a thousand words.  Our poor quality photographs need to come out of hiding and take center stage.  And, isn't it a wonderful solution when we can take our scraps of papers and leftovers from our kits and fashion them together in some artistic way to create beauty out of ashes?

The two Christmas pages were created mostly with the December 2015 Simple Stories Claus and Co. line from The ScrapRoom Kits, and a couple items from my stash.  The other two pages were made from November 2015 kits from The ScrapRoom.

It's Freaky Fast Friday!!

.December's Freaky Fast Formula!!
This month's formula is from Rochelle.....
(2) 1 1/2 x 12
(2) 3 3/4 x 1/2
(2) 2 1/2 x 1/2
(1) 8 1/4 x 12
(1) 4 1/4 x 1 1/2
(1) 5 x 6 3/4
(1) 6 3/4 x 5 1/2

And here are the steps to completing your layouts using the December formula...

1. Collect a few pics.
2. Cut your patterned paper to the dimensions stated above.
3. Push the paper around your cardstock till you achieve the look you want, or simply copy the layout below!
4. Adhere and EMBELLISH! It is that easy!!

Today, I'm sharing my work with the December 2015 Freaky Fast Formula using the Simple Stories Claus & Co. line from the Flavor of the Month Kit.  I cut my papers, pushed things around and flipped the sides a couple times before I came to my final result.  The two panels that are 6 3/4" are the top and bottom pieces partially buried under the largest piece.  I, also, cut a few designs from the patterned paper and matted them to serve as embellishments.  This was a fun recipe.  I hope that you give it a go!

Last weeks recap...

This layout was created by Rochelle using Shimelle's Christmas Magic, found in the  December 2015 Flavor of the Month Kit.  I just love that this formula has sooooo much patterned paper. You can layer it so many different ways. Gotta love that!! The embellishments that come with the kit are so cute too!!

Have a great weekend!!

December's Sketch

This month's fun sketch is from Pagemaps. Won't you give it a try? Here's what our designers came up with:

Rochelle Spears

Brenda Ragsdale

Janine Rachau

Frugal Paper Tip

The Plaid Paper, you see below, from The ScrapRoom's November 2015 Pattern Paper Kit is included as part of the PhotoPlay Autumn Day line.  It is a beautiful warm plaid on the front and an awesome clean newsprint design on the back.  Seriously, could you ever have enough of a sheet of paper like that?  I cannot.

But, since I only had one sheet, I wanted to maximize the design.  Although the newsprint had me enamored, I wanted to use the "cozy" plaid as much as I could.  On the layout below, I chose to use the Coffee Cardstock as the base and cut the plaid pattern to use on two layouts.  

My cuts are as follows:

The sides were cut 1.5 inches from the edge and the top and bottom were cut 2.75 inches from the edge to cut out the large hole.

The smaller rectangle was cut out from the edges of the smaller piece of patterned paper, as well, to create the mat. I cut one inch from the sides, and .75 of an inch from the top and bottom.  This left me with a frame and a 5x7 inch mat out of that piece.  

The large piece and mat were used on the "Cozy Fall" layout below:

The frame was reserved for my "Fall in Love" layout from the PA Renaissance Faire.

Which sheet(s) are you wanting to maximize the use of?

Cards on a Sunday

Using Pink Paislee Cedar Lane:

Rochelle Spears

Janine Rachau

Janine Rachau

BasicGrey Typeset:

Rochelle Spears

Bella Blvd. Family Frenzy:

Janine Rachau

PhotoPlay Autumn Day:

Janine Rachau

And from our Doubleshot Kit, using Simple Stories, We Are Family:

Rochelle Spears

Janine Rachau

Check back on November 19th!! Lisa Lahiff offers up a tutorial to make two additional cards with this month's Flavor of the Month kit.  Have a great day!

Re-Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper

Welcome to our last installment of the Patterned Paper Series for November.  Today's notes talk about using large shapes with your patterned paper.  I made a hand drawn leaf that I scanned. You may use if you can copy and resize it.  Otherwise, you may email me a request and I'll send you a word document copy that reflects the leaf in the exact size.

I, also, used an old scalloped circle paper from my stash along with the PhotoPlay Paper Autumn Day line from The ScrapRoom's November 2015 kits.

Brenda Carpenter's notes read, as follows:

1.  Cut Large Shapes out of your Patterned Paper.  An easy way to transform your paper is to cut it into shapes that enhance your layout. Some of my favorite shapes are circles, flowers, hearts, and stars.  You can free-hand your designs or trace chipboard or other objects (plates and bowls work great for large circles.) I used this technique to create the large heart shown in the layout below, (actually the image on Brenda's paper above.) Note that I used a tone-on-tone print, which will read as a solid on your layout and help balance the compelling patterns.

Another way to achieve this look is to use die-cut shaped papers and cardstocks that are available/  The blue polka dot circle works with the large brown floral for two reasons.  The green border breaks up the two patterns and the blue dot is a small print that reads as a solid color in the layout.  The large and small patterns work together without overwhelming the layout and photos.

"Fall Fun" [12 x12 inch layout] - (Brenda's instructions adapted to my layout.)

• Photo sizes - 4x5, (7) 2x2 inches
• Start with brown cardstock as a base.
• Trim Foxes to 11,5x11.5 inches.You will be covering up most of this paper, so make sure that you cut out the inside to use on other designs.
• Trim approximately 2.5 inches off of scalloped circle cardstock or patterned paper.  I used a large scalloped circle from my stash and colored the outside rim with a brown marker to tie it in better to the PhotoPlay Autumn Day line.
• Cut out maple leaf from Multistripe - approximately 4x3.25 inches.
• Matte largest photo with brown paper.
• Cut banners and "Sweet Family Time" oval from patterned papers.  Matte oval with brown paper.
• Assemble layout as shown using sticker sheet, cut shapes and flowers with brads from stash to match.

**Tip: Brenda used the large circle to create another layout that should be our next installment.  I, however, used the "Foxes" paper cut out for other purposes.  You will see her 8x8 inch layout in a future blog post.

Also, I did take Brenda Carpenter's handcut heart idea and applied it to a different layout that I created with the November 2015 kits:

Have a wonderful day!!!

Re-Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper

 Today's installment from our re-visited patterned paper series, presents a larger version and lift from Brenda Carpenter's original.  It was created with the November 2015 Flavors of the Month Kit along with the Embellishment and pattern paper add-on utilizing the Bella Blvd. Family Frenzy line. Here is what Brenda said when she created her page:

***Use your leftovers to create smaller layouts and cards.  Here are some examples, (I only found this example in my binder here).  Note how I use the design principles above and in Week 1's lesson on the layout, (edited for just this layout was found.

"Little Dreamers"

• Photos -- 4 x 6 and 3 x 3.75 inches printed with white borders.
• Base is yellow 12 x 12 cardstock.
• Trim 7 various patterns to 1.5 x 7 strips & white cardstock to 1.5 x 8 inches.  Use tone on tones to break up some of the busier patterns. and arrange along left side, as shown.
• Add title and accents as desired.

November's Sketch

This month's sketch is from Pagemaps. Both Rochelle and I used Pink Paislee Cedar Lane for our interpretations.  Hope you give it a try!

Rochelle Spears

Janine Rachau

Re-Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper

Some of my fondest memories of the first few years after high school involve this group of girls.  It is amazing how quickly you can bond when you're all thrown into a new place and not knowing anybody.  I'll always have a special place for everyone on this page!

The pink and green are our Delta Zeta colors.  When I saw the The ScrapRoom's July 2015 Patterned Paper Kit, (still available BTW), I was hoping to find a picture from sorority to take advantage of the wonderful, bright papers included in the patterned paper kit from the Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss line.

Brenda Carpenter's Patterned Paper Series notes are below:

4. Think 2/3 Pattern to 1/3 Solid.  To maintain a good balance of colors and patterns in your layout, compose the design with 2/3 of the patterned paper to 1/3 of the cardstock.  When doing a 12 x 12 sized layout, trim the paper to 8 inches in length and build your design from there.

Note also the use of the contrasting photo corners, adding impact to the layout and drawing the eye to the photos and away from the "busy" patterned paper. (See #1 from October 13ths post.)

"College Life" [12 x 12 inch layout]  - using notes from Brenda's class adapted for my Pink 
Paislee Citrus Bliss layout.

• 4.75 x 6.75 inch photo matted in pink cardstock, finished at 5 x 7 inches.
• Base of layout -- Green cardstock.
• Trim 8 x 12 inch of pink patterned paper.
• Trim 6 x 11 inch section of green paper and round edges. ( I actually used 6 x 4 inches.  I cut it as 6 x 3 and 6 x 1 inch, and tucked the edges under the pink to be frugal.)
• Cut a 4.25 inch diameter circle out of white cardstock for the title.
• Punch or cut photo corners out of Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss Seeds.
• Trim 9.75 x 5.75 white cardstock for journal box. Matte with 10 x 6 inch lime green cardstock.
• I used a die cut for the title circle border.  Brenda instructs to "Create 8 ribbon tabs to border the title circle."
• Add additional embellishments to your liking.

We are almost half-way through the Patterned Paper Series.  Have you liked it?  Are you using the instructions?  Should I continue?  Thanks, in advance, for any feedback.

Re-Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper

The photograph of this layout was very difficult to take.  The photographs were developed onto a glossy film and it took a gazillion tries before getting an image without glare. The final result was a photograph taken of the layout in a darker area.  As a result, the colors aren't precisely true to form as I brightened it up the best that I could.  The Pink Paislee Memorandum paper has a deeper light color than it appears here.

Although I like the layout a lot, it doesn't exactly use the same design principles as Brenda Carpenter's.  I ended up lifting her layout this time more than reading through her notes first.  But I will address that more later.  In her sample, your eyes are drawn right to the center because of the patterned paper that she used.  Let's look at what she had to say, shall we:

2. Make the Middle Work for You. Another way to use large patterned paper is to cut it up and use it in the middle of your layout.  Have the design work for you by taking shapes and colors from the papers for your accents. Here I used the circle and star elements for the title block and embellishments.

3. Use Patterned Paper for Your Title.  You can stamp on patterned paper and cut out the letters.  You can also use a die cut tool to create a title with the paper, (see "superstar" card - {which I, Janine, cannot find-so I cannot show it to you}) This is a great way to use up extra scraps of paper and bring another color to the design.

Note the use of the small strip of solid paper to break up the two patterned papers. This principle was first discussed in last week's lesson. Below, (actually above here), is another example of that principle.
------

I would like to address what I did differently and how I believe it impacted the impression on the viewer.  As you look at Brenda's layout, try to notice where your eyes begin and how they move on the page.  Then, do the same with mine.

Here's what happens to me on Brenda's page.  My eye is immediately drawn to the center with the busy patterned paper. I glance at it quickly and move to the title and then the matted photograph to the right, where my eyes linger.  I, then, find myself looking up to the picture at the top.  At the end, my eyes are most drawn to the matted photograph, the highlight of the page.

On my page, all of my eye movements go in the same direction, (counter clockwise), but they start at the matted photograph. I end in the same spot.

Both pages use two visual triangles. (Brenda talked about visual triangles last week.)  Brenda's includes the two pictures and the journal box as one, three stars close together in the center as the second.  My page includes the three photographs as one, and the three black embellishments as the other.  In Brenda's, I find that the focus is left more into the center with a more micro or local approach.  On my layout, I find the focus expanding out to the farther reaches of the page due mostly to the placement of the embellishments.

You can see some great similarities to both of the layouts.  Both layouts bring most of your attention to the matted photograph.  The bold and bright colors surrounding them add to the eye being drawn to these larger photographs. This is, generally, the main feature on each page.  Everything else on either page supports the main feature.  Also, as I mentioned, in both layouts your eyes move in the same direction.

However, there are differences related to the papers, colors and embellishments on each page.  On Brenda's page the bright colors, busy pattern, color play and photograph in motion all have the presence of a lively page.  You imagine her toddler in constant motion and growing bigger with her use of fonts and his poses.  On my "Back to School" page, the boys are posed and subdued.  The added "yay" almost feels sarcastic.  :)  The black letters further add to the lack of festivity of the occasion.  The stars and dots, however, cheer up, (a little), the much more quiet page.

I hope that you are enjoying these series.  I welcome your comments and added observations.  Next week, I will add one more lesson to this series using Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss.  Hope to see you then!

Re-Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper

My crew, today and everyday.  According to a study done by the Harvard Health Watch, an average American spends 101 minutes per day driving. Not sure what it is for us.  But, being that this is my view of these guys for some portion of everyday, I wanted to document it.

I went back to our paper pattern series to help me with these photos.  Notice the direction that my boys are looking....fairly similar to Brenda's page.  It, generally, looks best when eyes in photographs are looking into the page rather than off page.  One exception may be a contemplative page where thoughts wander.  In that case taking the eyes off page sort of fits.  But, I digress.  Onto Brenda's notes:

(Week Two from her series) 1. Use Patterned Paper as the Page Base. When using a large pattern that covers the entire sheet of paper, one method is to use it as the base for your layout. Because the pattern on the green polka dot is so small, it reads as a solid color on the layout and the photos stand out.  The blue cardstock border adds a pop of color that helps break up the design and put the focus on the photos.  Adding solid cardstock photo corners provides impact to the layout, drawing your eyes to the photos and away from the "busy" background paper.

"My Crew": (12 x 12 inch layout) - using notes from Brenda's class adapted for my Pink 

Paislee Memorandum layout.  One more note regarding my adaptation. Although my triangle base sheet does not necessarily fit the description of a "large pattern" in the way that the initial Fancy Pants sheet does with its' pattern of circles and stars cascading diagonally down, I would consider it busy and bold.  I believe Brenda's rules do apply just as well to such a pattern as this.

• Photo sizes used -- (measured with white matte from photo paper, starting top left and moving clockwise) 4.25" x 5.75", 4.1" x 5.75" and 4.25" x 5.5"  (Brenda's added circles are 2 inch diameter).
• Start with triangle paper from patterned paper kit as base.  You will be covering up most of this paper, so make sure you cut out the inside to use on other designs. (I, actually use my cut out piece on my next project for this patterned paper series which will be shown on the blog next Tuesday, October 20th.  It measures 9.5" x 7".)
• Trim red polka dot paper to 10 x 10.75". (It is the back of the clipboard sheet from the October Flavor of the Month Kit called Cubicle.)
• Trim blue cardstock to 10.25 x 11 inches and adhere flush with the right edge of the page,
• Punch or cut photo corners and star out of yellow cardstock.
• Assemble page as shown.
• Add title and embellish.

One last tip from Brenda C.: Also note the "rule of thirds" in use on this layout - the two yellw photo corners are balance by the yellow star, and the two circular photos, (note Brenda's example), are balanced by the circular journaling block.  Using embellishments or accents in groups of three really helps balance the design.  The visual triangle is something that "I", (again this is coming from Brenda but I do this often as well), use in practically every layout that I create.

Re-Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper

I had hoped to move more quickly with this series from Brenda Carpenter's class notes from 2007, "Examining Your Creative Process: Making the Most of Your Patterned Paper".  It was a fantastic class that she ran here when I first started up with Tammy's kits.  I loved my pages and cards from it then; and, I'm enjoying them just as much, (if not more), now.  If you are just joining us in this series, you might want to check the notes from past installments.  There is some fantastic information and terrific pages from Brenda to lift.  I have include the links for the prior installments at the conclusion of this post, or you may pull them all up to scroll by clicking on the "Pattern Paper Series" Label in the sidebar.

Today, includes tips from Brenda C. from the conclusion of working with her first kit collection.  Her notes read, "Use your leftovers to create smaller layouts and cards.  Here are some examples.  Note how I used the design principles above on the layouts and cards below."  I'm pretty sure that she is referring mostly to her note #3 from this section on using small amounts of patterned paper effectively.  You may read more about it from Day 3.  She used those notes to create an 8x8 layout, (Day 4, which I converted to a 12x12), and then the following two cards that I lifted:

I have altered her notes to leave the specific instructions to complete my cards with the Carta Bella Trick or Treat line.

"Keep Your Paws Off! Or Not" card

• Trim black cardstock to 3 x 6 inches; fold in half for card base.
• Trim framed cat box from Trick or Treat sheet being careful to leave a black frame evenly on all sides. 
• Matte the design onto Squash or Amber cardstock.
• Adhere design to card and add sentiment stickers.

"Halloween October 31st" card

• Trim pale teal cardstock to 4.25 x 11 inches; fold in half for card base.
• Trim striped paper to 4.5 x 2.5 inches. Trim harlequin pattern 3/4 x 4.5 inches.
• Trim and punch black cardstock to 3/4 x 4.5 inches.
• Adhere a ribbon strip above scalloped border as, shown.
• Punch or cut photo corner out of orange cardstock and adhere to corner of striped paper.
• Adhere sticker onto orange cardstock, trim close to outside edges of sticker with straight cuts, matte with black cardstock and adhere to front.

Next installment comes in a week and uses this month's Pink Paislee line, Memorandum.  If you are willing to leave any link-ups to your interpretations in the comments, I would love to see what you create!

Re-examining Your Creative Process - Day 1

Re-Examining Your Creative Process - Day 2

Patterned Paper: Bonus Layout

Re-Examining Your Creative Process - Day 3
Re-Examining Your Creative Process - Day 4

October's Sketch

Do you like grids as much as some of us do?  Did you see this month's sketch?

This month's sketch is from Pagemaps.  I love Rochelle's spin on it, (literally).  Rochelle rotated the sketch a quarter for this fun take with the Pink Paislee Memorandum line:

Heather created a more literal translation of the sketch with the Amy Tan Finders Keepers line. She incorporated frames and puffy stickers into her cute layout using the October 2015 Embellishment Kit:

Brenda's sketch layout was made with the Simple Stories Pumpkin Spice line.  The distressed wood paper that she used from the Patterned Paper Club is an awesome backdrop to her "Autumn Fun" page:

I was surprised how much that I enjoyed the Carta Bella Trick or Treat line from the Doublshot Kit being that we don't do much for Halloween anymore.  The papers and stickers are super cute and all look so great together. I enjoyed the grid but wanted to add more orange so I double matted my photos.  I, also, used strips of the orange cardstock from the kit to add dimension and create an easier backdrop for the embellishments and journal strips to stand out in the center:

Hope you will join us with this month's sketch.  If you would consider leaving a link, we would love to see your creations.  I heard that there might be some sleuthing for projects made with The ScrapRoom Kits, (past and current), for an Eye Spy feature every once in awhile.  

Happy World Card Making Day!!

DEAR LIZZY DOCUMENTARY

Heather Robertson

Heather Robertson

Rochelle Spears

Heather Robertson

AMY TAN FINDERS KEEPERS

Heather Robertson

Heather Robertson

SIMPLE STORIES PUMPKIN SPICE

Heather Robertson

Heather Robertson

Janine Rachau

PINK PAISLEE MEMORANDUM

Rochelle Spears

PEBBLES HARVEST

Rochelle Spears

Janine Rachau

CARTA BELLA TRICK OR TREAT

Janine Rachau

Rochelle Spears

Thought it would be fun to show you the cards that our design team made with the October kits today.  Will you be making any cards?  We'd love to see any of your cards make with any of The ScrapRoom kits.  Please link them up in the comments below.