My first scrapbooking class!

I don't know what came over me, but I suddenly decided that I needed to add something else to my plate.  After reading all about it, and debating which class to start with, I jumped into a class with Nic Howard, who is amazing, by the way, at Big Picture Classes (formerly known as Big Picture Scrapbooking).

The class is called Colour! Or is it Color? and is focused on color theory.  It is good for me because she will use a lot of new techniques, but in many ways I can still do the pages that I want to do as long as they follow the color scheme.

One thing that I love about this class is that there are participants from all over the world.  Literally.  It is mind-blowing.  It is truly an incredible experience to share something with so many in places I may never visit (although I hope to!).  I have already learned a lot about New Zealand (where Nic is from) and Australia (because there are a lot of participants from there).  Anyway, are you wondering what has kept me busy this weekend?  Take a look.

First, we were to complete a project with the color red.  The right hand side was given to us (minus the polka-dot paper).  I completed the left hand page.  Eventually we will have a 6x6 album with all of the colors.  I am considering adding them to a 12x12 spread, as I don't have a 6x6 album...but I will wait to see the final result.

Red=Power

I was also asked to "Build-it" and create a layout with red.  There is a sample layout from Nic, with so many embellishments (she had done a bonus tutorial on using embossing powder--which I don't have).  Here is the layout:

At first I was frustrated, because I am very literal.  I didn't have any red flowers, and I didn't have any embossing powder.  BUT, I realized that I did have some GlimmerMist (in a red tone).  I pulled it out, having not used it before, and I had to clean the nozzle because it wouldn't work.  I sprayed a bunch of stuff and let it dry over night (mainly because it was late).  In the morning I realized that the color was all wrong.  Back to the drawing board.

Well, I decided to stamp some of the shapes with black ink.  I like the effect.  It is shimmery and cool.  Then, I started all over with the design.  I went back to the original papers I had liked and just started working.  My DH had to come and check on me when he heard the sewing machine...I was sewing pleated paper--another first! 

I turned it into a two-page spread, and in the end I am pretty happy.  Inside the envelope is the cruise schedule from the day and a bit of memorabilia from the train ride.  Hopefully the rest of the class will be as fun, but maybe not so hard!

Here is my spread, which I am also sharing on the Apron Strings Designs Blog for the challenge to incorporate a new technique into your layout.  Boy did I ever!  Most of this page came from the Apron Strings Designs Smaller Than a Breadbox (May) Kit Lily Bee-Hello Sunshine.

Using Red on a layout

Croptoberfest--Sketches on Wednesday (Thursday)

I only got through one spread this weekend.  I had hoped for more, but I spent my scrapping time on Friday with friends (yeah!) and then I had a lot of birthday cards to make.

However, I am determined to enter into Croptoberfest at Apron Strings Designs Blog at least once every week. 

This week, I started with this sketch from Sketchy Thursday.  I was a little stumped at first because it is one page, and I needed a double.  Plus, it was very simple.  Then, I let my imagination go and I really like the feeling of my final spread:

St. Croix

I love how cheery these pages are.  I used Fancy Pants - Rusted Sun from the Smaller than a Breadbox July 2010.  I'm almost finished scrapping our cruise from February!  I also spent some time uploading photos and ordering prints of more recent events.

All in all, a great weekend.

Monday Challenge-Croptoberfest Begins

When I read the Challenge at Apron Strings Designs Blog, I thought that it would be so easy.

Wrong.

Here is the original challenge: create a layout that's inspired by them - the colors are browns, creams and greens (both moss and evergreen) and a touch of golds, with little dinosaurs all over them.  They are long-sleeved and soft cotton. 


I went through my kits and I had lots of bright colors, but very little in this color scheme.  Finally, I picked  the Pink Paislee - Queen Bee papers from the May 2010 Smaller than a Breadbox kit.  In the end, when I saw a photo of the PJs, I'm not sure that this is the exact color scheme, but the challenge was my inspiration!

Here is my layout:

CROPTOBERFEST-Sketches on Wednesday

Hooray!  It's time for Croptoberfest at Apron Strings Designs Blog.  Luckily, I had some time to play along this weekend.  First, I was inspired by this sketch from Nuts about Sketches:

Nuts About Sketches Week 129

I love this sketch!!!

This worked well for a spread I had been wanting to do for the 1/2 marathon I ran in June.  This sketch allowed me to get a ton of photos onto one spread.  Here is my take:

Rock 'n' Roll June 26, 2010

It's kind of busy, but I like the energy, given the topic.  I wrote my times right on the photo of my shoe and the timing chip.  So glad that is over (the race, that is!).

Papers are from the August 2010 Smaller than a Breadbox: Jenni Bowlin - Play Date

Sketch Challenge

This week I was only able to get to one of the challenges at Apron Strings Designs Blog.  This is for the sketch on Wednesday.

Here is the sketch:

And here is what I created:

Disembarkation to Puerto Rico

I'm just trying to work away every week, and keep myself going.  In addition to this spread, I also created three birthday cards, finished a couple pages that had little bits left over, and organized my space.  Thanks Apron Strings for keeping me going!

PS: The papers are from the May 2009 Smaller than a Breadbox kit: Crate - Lillian.