Life's Trivialities

Hello Morning / The Scraproom / Doodlebug

Sigh.... I have no excuse other than I haven't. Just haven't. I have worked so hard and diligently on growing my YT channel that this poor ol' blog is neglected. I want to make a more conscious effort to at least post the layouts and videos here with a little bit about them. I don't blog more often because I feel as though I have spent a vast amount of time explaining my process on video that it's redundant to come here and do the same thing. But I realize there are many of you who don't "do" YouTube and enjoy the blog, even if you don't comment. So, I will try. Again!

One of the cool challenges that The Scraproom hosts is called "Freaky Fast Friday". It has intimidated me for some time as the idea of cutting into my previous patterned paper and deciding I wanted something different just didn't bode well. I figured out though, that if I pre-cut the recipe shapes out of different colored cardstock, it made for some REALLY fast scrapping! And then you have a number of potential layouts too! Amazing, right?

I used this "Hello" collection from Doodlebug which is in the July Doubleshot kit to create this fun, bright layout of Mia in my parents' garden enjoying the morning cool temps before they soared. She had a grand time using her new to her camera taking pictures of all the lovely flowers my Mum grows.

The gold foil bits in this collection are sublime! The doilie is from my own stash, not a part of the kit. I felt it made the perfect circle as the recipe called for and was the perfect place to nestle the flowers; some die cuts and some fussy cut.

If you are of the process video viewing kind, you might like to see how this layout came together and enjoy this;

 

 

Thanks for stopping in today! If you have videos you would like to see, a certain technique or use of a certain collection, leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do for you!

 

The World Is Full Of.... / Stash Bash

Hiya! This month my scrappy friends and I are bashing our way through old manufacturers. It's one of my favorite challenges to pull out the no longer in existence manufacturers that we all loved and cherished and use up some of it. It's all pretty and nice sitting in your stash but it's time to use it up and do something with it! I chose to use of some of the Lily Bee goodies that I've been hoarding.

I have been hoarding these goodies for AGES. And the challenge to actually putting it to use for me is the fact that I don't have any embellishments to go with these collections. I was not a huge fan of the embellishments and rather than buying it because it went with the collection and i knew it wasn't going to get used, I just ordered the papers, labels and the alpha stickers! OH! do I love me some Lily Bee alpha stickers! So, that's what I had to work with.

I find that when you are lacking embellishments, the next best thing is to use some digital die cuts to create your own fun! That is just what I did here. I found this lovely phrase cut file in the Silhouette store and then the black stars are a free digital download from SpiegelMom Scraps.

I created a mixed media background to enhance the large phrase cut file. I also found that with the busy chevron patterned paper that I used to cut the file from, writing the words of some of the words made it easier to read the phrase.  Enamel dots (not from Lily Bee) were a fun way to add more color to the layout and punctuate the openings in the letters as well.

Who is your favorite manufacturer that is no longer in business? Do you have one? I have so many!! Lily Bee, Scenic Route, October Afternoon and Basic Grey really stand out for me. I collected, literally, every single collection that those companies put out during my scrappy days. Those were largely my hoarding days too. I did do a huge clean out a few years ago and got rid of things I new weren't me anymore, largely embellishments. The patterned papers you can always put to use, they are more timeless.

 

If you of the process video ilk, be sure to watch and see how the process comes together. I hope you are doing well! See you next time!

 

Fly High / Cocoa Daisy

 

Hey there scrappy peeps! So I have had some interesting conversations about blogs and I have decided that, struggle as I may, I need to blog. If anything to provide a collective home for all my projects, a resume of sorts. If you find yourself here and enjoying my work, then it's an added bonus for the both of us! And, honestly, it is nice to see the close ups and enjoy them rather than have them flash by in 7 second increments, don't you think?

Today I am hosting the August Cocoa Daisy designers challenge. It is a Tic Tac Toe board, you can find the details over on the Cocoa Daisy blog HERE. Pick 3 in a row; horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Use those items on your project (card, layout, off the page, doesn't matter, just a paper craft project). Remember when you upload your project to note with row you picked please.

I used the top, horizontal row; a circular element, mixed media and stitching.

The circular element is obvious; that large digital cut file from Ashli Oliver, an ex design team member. The stitching is in random circles around and amongst the the cut file while the mixed media is just splashes of mist in navy blue for a hint of darker color and weight to the project, away from that heavily loaded bottom corner.

The picture is of Mia in her latest pair of glasses. I did journal about this tucked in behind the picture. I knew with the tone on tone white/cream background that I didn't want to disturb the balance of dark and white I had created and journal directly on the page.

Behind each of the birds is a "thread wad" or "thread bundle"; a bundle of wadded up sewing thread. There is something about that light blue swallow that makes me think of the dove with the olive branch in the Noah ark story... Some hidden symbolism perhaps?

As is the case lately, there is a process video that accompanies this, if you are interested;

 

Thanks for stopping in today and letting me share! Take care!

 

Favorite / Cocoa Daisy - Process Video

Once a month there is a Designers Challenge and a sketch challenge over at Cocoa Daisy. The sketch challenge is in the first half of the month while the Designers Challenge is the second half of the month. The sketch challenge is pretty self explanatory. The Designers Challenge can be anything, depending upon what the lead for the challenge of that particular month feels like posing as a challenge. This month, we have been challenged by Katherine to create about a favorite summer memory or summer bucket list. Easy enough!

Here's my project for that challenge; I went with favorite summer memory.

The kids had a tough time choosing a favorite summer memory that wasn't travel related. I wanted something that wasn't "over the top". Yes, I put stipulations on it. It would have been endless otherwise! After much humming and hawing, I decided to choose a memory for them! National Ice Cream day! It's a special treat to build your own sundaes and it's even more of a treat that Mum remembers National Ice Cream day and finds a way to celebrate!

Here's how this layout came together using my May 2017 Cocoa Daisy kits;

I challenge myself when the kits come to use something in particular, something that is either usual, not part of my comfort zone, something. This month's challenge included two things; this Cocoa Daisy exclusive patterned paper, the banana side in particular, and the acrylic pieces. The busyness of the patterned paper was a challenge to me, and bananas?! I mean, come on. I get flamingos, pineapples and other such things, they are all the trend right now. But bananas? So, challenge accepted! I love acrylic pieces and frequently buy them. But as a bulk-o-phob on my pages, I'm always challenged to actually use them. I still have to get at least one of them used... But you see, I conquered the bananas!

The rest of the layout is a grid constructed from ephemera from Crate Paper Oasis, a DITL card that I cut up and either die cuts that came with the kit of print and cut files from the kit. Not only did I use the banana patterned paper but I used it as my color palate for the layout. When creating, I pulled all the yellow and pink elements in the kit and set to work.

Are there elements that you like but the colors don't work? Use enamel dots to "re-color" as I did here! The pop of teal just didn't work with my yellow and pink so I just covered it up! Viola! Simple solution, right?

Have you recently received a kit, if you are a subscriber, and thought, "hmmmm?". What was it that made you go hmmmm and how did you use it?

 

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Lapcat / Cocoa Daisy / Process Video

A new month and a new kit from Cocoa Daisy. With each new month comes new challenges too! I love challenges! The prize that comes with them is a bonus to me but the creative juices flowing in ways that I wouldn't otherwise think of is invigorating to me. I like to think out of the box and feel that I do a fair amount of that anyway but when I am coaxed into stepping further out of the box, it's a great day. I challenge you to this month's sketch challenge over at Cocoa Daisy!

Another sketch created by me. I'm really growing to love the sketch making. I hope you enjoy my sketches as much as I do! If you have any requests (more photos, different size photos, etc) be sure to let me know.

You can see the resemblance but you can also see that there are a few changes. First off all, I used rectangular pictures instead of square pictures. My "circle" is a tad bigger and more in the form of a doily than a circle. A Spiegel Mom Scraps doily to be precise! I just love how delicate that doily is. It is NOT however a part of the Cocoa Daisy kit. I did pull that out of my stash. The title is in a different place than suggested by the sketch. Because I used a larger circle everything got shifted down on the layout and the title wasn't going to work in it's designated spot. So, Plan B!

This process video could have been a lot shorter and this layout could have taken a whole lot longer were it not for the next difference; the lack of top and bottom background papers. I was determined, after deciding that a north and south pole wouldn't work on this layout, that I would have that division in the form of a banner in the center of the layout. I spent A LOT, a lot, a lot of time trying to find a patterned paper that would work. Only to abandon the idea altogether.

I think I finally have the white balance in my white background pictures down a bit better. What I see on my monitor when editing is just horrid. I hope it looks better on the blog or FaceBook. It looks great in my blog designer/editor. LOVE that 1canoe2 Hazelwood patterned paper. I need more! Yes, need...

I journaled! On the layout!

Be sure to check out the Cocoa Daisy blog for additional interpretations of the sketch! You don't need a Cocoa Daisy kit to play along and I would love to see what you created based on this sketch!

 

 

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Love These Friends / Cocoa Daisy / Process Video

Here were are with scrapbook process video #13! It's funny how things evolve; the learning curves, the change in views and the lessons learned. I was NOT a fan of process videos. I hate the sound of my voice, I said um an awful lot and I rambled a million miles an minutes. I'm beginning to enjoy the videos more. It's almost weird to create a layout and not be filming these days. There is excitement in each thumbs up and new subscriber, I appreciate each and every person who watches my creative process and appreciates the time and effort put into each video, thank you!

Today's layout and YouTube process video share was created using the March Cocoa Daisy kits and the March Cocoa Daisy Designers Challenge. You can find more about the challenge HERE.

Creating the border of this layout was a much more time consuming process than I thought it would be. It could be much simpler if you didn't care about balance of color and weight and just stuck down pieces of paper, mind you! I found that using double sided sticky tape was really helpful too. Be sure to watch the video to see how I was able to stick all the layers down before sewing on the top layer with my sewing machine that isn't right next door to my craft desk.

There was an awful lot of fussy cutting involved in this layout. A process that one does not need to watch on video. It's long and tedious. Yet very rewarding. Back in the early days of my scrapbooking creations, I was a big fussy cutter. I liked making things from things and was always one to cut the pattern out of patterned paper rather than just use it as is. I have always been a fussy cutting fool. What are your thoughts on fussy cutting? Do you love or loathe it? It really is something that is black or white for most people.

It was only fitting to use the pennant sticker from Maggie Holmes/Crate Paper in place of the "O" for these riding friends! These 3 gals were the same 3 that Mia did her first higher class Hunter show with too. This particular day, they were celebrating Olivia's birthday, which happens to be on boxing day. While they are all different ages and attend different schools, the bond that they have formed through riding has been special.

Spiegel Mom Scraps sequins!! Love me my sequins and love the mixes that Jody creates! Every once in a while our Cocoa Daisy kits have a lovely baggie of sequins that Jody has created and it just makes a great kit even greater!

I used a fair number of pieces from the March print and cut sheet that is available to Cocoa Daisy kit subscribers. I don't know what I do without these perks! The best part is that you can print them over and over again and use them on multiple projects. The labels that are in this month's set are fantastic and will definitely be well used on many more pages to come!

We would love for you to join us this month and participate in the Designers Challenge! It's an easy one; making your title the feature of your page! Multiple fonts, fussy cutting fonts, using a die cut machine, either hand cranked or machine, for letters, there are so many great ways to approach this challenge!

 

Fresh Start / Cocoa Daisy / Process Video

Hi there scrappy peeps! That seems to have become my signature opener for my process videos so why not use it here too?! I have a sketch challenge up on the Cocoa Daisy blog today and would love for you to join us! You can find the Cocoa Daisy blog HERE.

This is this month's sketch (designed by yours truly);

And this is what I came up with;

More often than not, the sketch comes after the layout the way I do things. However, for the next few months of Cocoa Daisy sketches, the sketch actually came first! I have a process video that shows you how this sketch inspired layout came together. And, how it evolved. It's interesting what editing video will do to your perspective of your work. As I was editing something about the "finished" layout irked me. I had to go back in and fix it. Watch the video to see what!

My favorite thing about this layout is that there is a tag hidden behind the pictures, in the glassine bag that Cocoa Daisy goodies come in, that contains a little love from my Mum - the lady in the picture that Nikolas is teaching digital goodness to. It's not obvious, it's rather discreet that twine poking out the top of the bag. Just a little hint that there might be something to take notice of. Someday, he will find it. And someday he will have a lovely surprise!

I had fully intended to put a title on the page but the letters that came with the kit weren't dark enough to stand out. I could have colored them but I liked the subtley of the flair "Fresh Start" as the title for my page. Or title-less and the flair is just that, flair. I might go back in later and add a title in a heavier hue than the pastel pink or white letters but for now, it's good as it is.

Have you enjoyed the process videos I have created? Do you honestly watch them in their entirety? I know I get tired of hearing myself speak. I honestly think it's the most I speak a one time unless I'm lecturing the kids about something! LOL! Any and all advise is welcome. PLEASE! Anything in particular you would like to see? Do share! In the comments here, on a video. Anywhere that I'm present on social media!

Thanks for stopping in today! I hope your March is spring-ing along!

 

 

Little Moments - Crafting With Black & White

Hey scrappy peeps! My scrappy friend Christine Meyer invited me to join her this week and share a process video crafting with black and white patterned papers. I chose to use watercolor as a means of sprucing up the background patterned paper. I used a mix of Koi and Peerless watercolors and then outlined various sizes of the hexagons that can be found within the busy geometrics of this paper.

Black and white papers can come in various "weights". By that I mean the heaviness of black to white, or the weight of one color to another. The background paper I chose from American Crafts is heavier in white than black and thus the color I added didn't need to be as bright as one would like need were it heavier in black. The lighter photo was made "heavier" with the black 4x3 cut apart from Bella Blvd and balanced by the triangle in the top, right. A third "heavy" in the header of the layout creates that visual triangle that guides your eye around the essentials of the page.

It's a bit of a lengthy video, lengthier than I would like. It was tough to find what could be eliminated. I don't create my layout ahead of time, I am literally creating as the camera records so there is a lot of shuffling around of elements of the page. I try and explain why I put things where I do but sometimes there really isn't a good reason other than, it looked right! LOL! Please feel free to ask questions if you have any.

I didn't use any specific manufacturer but rather created a kit of my own consisting of black and whites and the teal/aqua scraps I could dig out of my stash. In the pre-planning stages of this layout, when I chose the hexagon paper as my background, I knew that I wanted to use the snowflakes on the layout as well as the picture is of Mia was sitting in the nook reading while the snow fell outside the window. I also felt that the shape of the snowflakes mimicked the hexagon in the patterned paper too.

The shimmer that is scattered through out the page adds to the sparkly snow feeling I tried to create. I tried to tie the Thicker cloud into the rest of the layout by incorporating other elements from the Thicker packet such as those little crosses.

You can't see some of the more delicate features of this layout very well but there is silver thread and a white snowflake to the left of the Thicker cloud. There are a trio of snowflakes in the layout, each from a different material; white cardstock, silver cardstock and vellum.

I hope you get a change to visit Christine's channel as well! She has a giveaway running all week. If you leave a comment on both her channel and mine, each is worth and entry into a drawing for a $20 scrapbook.com gift card! Very generous! You can find Christine's channel here; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm2cTnMvJ-FqZqM96oDEeDw
Her specific process video today is here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fW4xy1ADpY

Thanks for joining me today!

My Favorite Apps / Cocoa Daisy

Okay, so they aren't my favorite apps, they are Nikolas'. I was kind of surprised to see such practical apps as his most used and those that he freely listed as his top 5, in no particular order. I was unprompted. And, in all fairness, as I had asked him earlier in the week to journal on a page, I wasn't going to push my luck and have him write anything other than the title of those apps. Instead, I offered my opinion on those apps!

This month's Designers Challenge over at Cocoa Daisy is to use list in some creative fashion on your project. I had thought of a list of the things in my purse, Mia's current top 5 books, where we stayed while in Yosemite... I just couldn't make any of those topics work with the 4x6 journal card I had created that prompted to pose this particular challenge. I have had a tough time including Nikolas in the scrapbooks lately as I have so few pictures of him. This was a great way to get that cantankerous teen included!

I wish I had had Nikolas write in one color and I in another. I want a better way to delineate his writing versus mine as, while it's his top 5, it's my opinion on that list. I might still have to go back and do something about that. Perhaps but a rectangle around each of the titles? I'm not sure yet.

Those rose gold foiled Thickers are sublime! And this months exclusive Cocoa Daisy patterned papers, that heart confetti being one of them, are just so bright and fun! I really loved the colors in this months kits!

If you are so inclined to participate, there is a Facebook group, Cocoa Daisy Challenges, where we would love to see what you have to share based on each months challenges. You do have to join as it is a closed group but we would love to have you! No need to use Cocoa Daisy goodies, just play along!

 

 

Together / Cocoa Daisy Sketch Inspired

It's time for the monthly sketch challenge which I am sharing over at Cocoa Daisy today. You can find the sketch and two of the other designers' layouts HERE.

Gotta tell you, I was relieved to see that there weren't circles on the sketch this month! I did struggle with the sketch this month as it was rather disproportionate to me. I made it work though, that's the beauty of sketches! I just love the DITL cards and used them here on the layout along with that awesome title and the leaves which came from a BYOAO - Doodlebug Odds & Ends.

I pop dotted the title up for a little added depth and dimension to the layout. I just love the colors, so rich and so much depth to them. That chevron journal card from the DITL kit really was the color inspiration for this layout. See the little bit of the wood note pad sticking out from the bottom of the layout? I think you find bits and pieces of that through out layouts to come, I'm a fan!

Please pardon the empty journaling spot. I'm still waiting on Michael to do something about that glaring white void on my layout. He thinks he's going to mess it up and doesn't want to write on the layout... I told him the kids would appreciate seeing his handwriting years from now. Someday, perhaps, it will say something. Hopefully before the memory is forgotten.

I would love for you to join us and play along! Be sure to check out the October Cocoa Daisy kits - there are still some available!