Weaving- My process.

Sometimes when I finish a layout, I get asked how I came up with that.

This layout was inspired from the weaving on baskets, and another take on the quilting idea.  The idea had been tossing around in my head for a bit,so I decided to give it a go with this sweet picture of my snuggly girlie.

I wanted to contrast two patterned papers against each other, and still try to keep the cohesiveness of the two.  When I finished, the edges weren't what I hoped they would be, so I framed the weaving with a 1 1/2 inch border, and angle cut the edges at a 45 degree angle to give it a finished look.

With just the weaving and the frame, the layout was too much for that photo.  I selected a blue mat to contrast with the pink, and that helped the photo some, but not enough.

I added the flowers to help anchor the picture into the layout.  The weaving made the layout "busy" so I had to balance that with larger embellishments.  When I was fussy cutting the paper, there were not a lot of whole flowers, so I added some scallop punches.  On a couple of them, I copied the patterned paper by tracing some circles in the middle of the scallop and adding dots around the edges.

Ultimately, I ended up with this layout, which is one I adore.  I hope you like it too.

My Take on Quilting

I wanted to try the quliting trend, but I wanted a unique look to my layout.  I stumbled across a lazy log house quilt square pattern on Pinterest, and the inspiration for this page was born.  I adore how the paper and the picture work together to create a square.  I also adore the contrast of the warm/cool colors on this layout and the sunshine feel it gives, mirroring the sun/shade contrast in the photo.

What has inspired you lately?

Ribbon!!

I adore May Arts ribbon. Here are my favorite projects using ribbon. I love how ribbon adds a classy and fun touch to any project, and can change the personality of a piece. Of course I couldn't pass up a try for a Design Team Spot! Wish me luck! And if you are applying too, then share your link!
http://www.mayarts.com/blog/may-arts-ribbon-blog-design-team-call/

 

How to with May Arts Ribbon

Enjoy this kissing ball how to. It feels like cheating because this project is super simple, but time consuming. Before you get started, check your supply list, and gather your patience. This one takes a while, but is worth it!

Supplies:

• Styrofoam Ball

• Floral Pins (100-300 depending on your ball)

• Double Sided Paper- I used Authentique

• Flower Punch(es)

• Ribbon- I used May Arts

Once you have your supplies, decide which paper is going to be your base, and if you are doing a double flower, which will be your top. Punch out a bunch of flowers. This ball was 5 1/2 inches, and it took over 300 flowers.

I punched all my flowers and placed them in a container to hold them.

Place your styrofoam ball on top of a glass, so it does not roll around.

Pin down your ribbon. The amount of pins may be overkill, but that ribbon isn’t going anywhere.

Expect your little helpers to stop by during the process. I suggest markers as a distraction.

Once you have your flower supply, place your smaller flower on top of your larger flower. Then, pin it to your styrofoam ball.

Circle the flowers around your first flower, and continue around the ball. Try to cover all the foam. Repeat until your ball is covered, and remember to cover the pins that are holding in the ribbon and the ribbon edges.

“Fluff” your ball by squeezing the flowers around the pin to give more dimension. Pull some of the flowers above the others and adjust the placement. If there is foam showing, add a fluffed flower to cover the area.

Add a bow to the riboon, and amaze your recipient.

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{for you}

This layout is of my oldest at Christmas a few years ago. I used some old Basic Grey Collections for the paper.

Misty Buck created this awesome sketch for www.scrapbooksteals.com. I loved how it allowed me to crop the photos to feature my Daughter's joy for the holiday.

Journaling prompt- today I'd rather

Today I'd Rather

Thinking about what you would rather do allows you to explore.  Would you rather be somewhere else? What would you rather be doing? Something you do normally, or some grand adventure you have been planning?  Would you rather be working toward a goal? What is difficult about now? Why would you rather be doing something other than what you are doing?  Why are you wasting time on something you don’t want to do?

I’m sharing my go on this journaling prompt here… please share yours!

Today I’d rather take a nap.  I am not usually a huge nap person, but last night I awoke just after 2am and was unable to drift back to sleep.  My restlessness woke my husband, which lead to a lovely late night conversation that reminded me of our days dating.  I always enjoy talking to him, and it seems we rarely get an opportunity to just talk.  Daily life gets bogged down in stress, children, chores, and to-dos.  The beauty of a late night chat is there is very little one can do without disrupting the household, and it is rare to have a partner in the wee hours of the morning with which to converse. It was a glorious gift, and I am gracious for the time with my husband, however today… I’d rather nap.

My creative process-- ATCs

STEP 1

It is time to work on another set of Artist Trading Cards, and this time, I thought I would share my design process here.  Looking at the end product that someone shows is lovely, but a lot may be learned from the struggle that an artist goes through to create.

This set of cards is themed “Spring”, although I always use the theme very loosely.  This round is a little bittersweet because the group that I have participated in ATCs with had some upheaval, and I stepped away in the process. That leaves me with a group of people I love and dearly miss, with a melancholy feeling around the situation as a whole.  That and spring are divergent ideas at first glance.

In looking for something common between the two ideas, I find myself drawn to “hope”, “wish” or “growth”.  Both hope and growth fit nicely with a spring theme, so I am narrowing my card theme down to those two.  Flowers and blooming align with either, so I am going to look at my papers/embellishments/resources to see what it have.  I also want to include a hand-designed piece, so I am searching for a transparency to see if I can add a home-made rub on to the mix. 

Now with a theme, and an idea rumbling around, I am going to look at my resources, and see what I can do...

How do you start a project?