Update on my Big Picture Class

I have been having the best time in my class with Nic Howard.  I think that this is the best $ I've spent in a long time.  A lot of enjoyment for the expense.  I really think you should check out Big Picture Classes!

Since I last posted I made my way through the green lesson and the blue lesson.  I think that the blue layout is my most favorite layout of all time (at least until the next one!).  I really struggled with the green layout, mainly because I didn't have the right kind of photos (vertical).  In the end, I think that it is OK.

So, let me share.  Here are my color cards for green (the Alhambra in Granada, Spain)

 and blue (photo of Aegean Sea in Karabarun, Turkey):

And, here is the sketch for the green LO:

Followed by my take on the inspiration.  I'm still trying to layer and challenge myself to do different sorts of things (isn't that the point of a class?).  Here I wet and rolled the edges of my paper to give it dimension. I also turned it into a two-page spread.

Now, here is the LO for the blue lesson:

 And, my take. 

This is inspired by G and is a tribute to him and our time together.  We really miss him.

Thanks for reading!

Meeting Stephanie!

This weekend was a very busy one.  First, my dad and step-mom arrived from California on Thursday.  I got to show them the school and they were able to meet a lot of the teachers.

The next day we woke up and went to test drive the new Nissan Leaf.  It was a full experience, with education and driving.  I really liked it, overall, and am seriously considering a purchase.  I seem to be pretty far down the list, so it could be awhile.  Here I am with my family before driving:

Getting ready to DRIVE!

After all of that excitement, we went and visited DH's school.  I was blown away by all of the improvements.

Saturday, I woke up and got ready for the CKC convention.  I was so excited.  Almost like a kid before Christmas.  The whole family was laughing at me.  I went and picked up D and we immediately missed our other D.

Checking in for our class!

Our first stop was the Embellish It! Class with Shelby.  She didn't disappoint.

Then, on to the highlight of my day...meeting Stephanie Barnard.  The Stamps of Life booth looked pretty in pink, and her DH was lovely.  I had make a serious purchase, and then I signed the Club Member board.  Here we are together:

Me and Stephanie at the Stamps of Life Booth

Stephanie, thanks for this wonderful company!  You've made a complete addict out of me!  Thanks for taking the time to go on the road and give us the opportunity to meet you.

Now I just have to meet Lori from Apron Strings Designs and I will have met my scrapbooking favorites!

Week Two of Colour or is it Color?

I am having the best time with my class at Big Picture Classes.  I am still blown away by the international composition of the class, as well as the talent and kindness of everyone.

I didn't really know what I would learn, or what the content would really be about.  While the class is about color, and how to use different colors in your layouts, it is also about the techniques that the instructor uses.  She uses a lot of layering and dimensional details.  I'm challenging myself to go outside of my comfort zone and try something new.

This week we are focusing on yellow and orange.  These are two of my favorite colors (I'm always running out of yellow!).  First, I completed my color cards for the week:

Yellow Color Card

The flowers were flattened in the scanner.  When you see it in person the blue is less obvious and a flowers are a little softer.

Orange Color Card

Orange always makes me think HOT.  So, of course I thought of our MS HotShotz team.  It was fun to make the flame border.


Finally, there was a Build It lesson.  Here is the sketch from Nic.

I really loved this layout, and was inspired.  I followed her directions and practiced layering and creating dimension. I also added a second page to make it a two-page layout.  I think that it turned out pretty cute!  On the right hand side the border is like a fringe, and adds dimension when you see it in person.

Yellow/Orange Build it Project

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.

Sketches on Wednesday Challenge

This is for the sketch given on Wednesday at Apron Strings Designs Blog.  I have been so focused on my School Years Album, that this felt good to take a departure and do something else.

Here is the sketch:

From Nuts About Sketches

And here is my take:

May Days with Family

In May we had a lot of visitors, and this spread captures some of the highlights.  I still have to do my journaling!

Made from the February 2010 Smaller than a Breadbox Kit, Cosmo Cricket - The Boyfriend.

Saturday Challenge

I actually had some time this weekend to scrapbook, and it felt so good!  I thought that I might get to all three challenges this week, but I only had time for two (so far!).  This is for the Saturday Challenge at Apron Strings Designs Blog.  It is also another spread for my school years album.  I'm having so much fun with this!

From my School Years Album

I used my stamps from The {Stamps} of Life by Stephanie Barnard for the titles. I actually went back and used this same format for all of the titles.  They are looking good!  The word represents the theme of the year. 

School Years Project Post 1

I have been in education for 19 years.  Over the years I have saved my class photos, faculty photos, memorabilia and other items.  It seemed overwhelming to know what to do with it all.

A few years, at a cropping retreat I ran into a teacher who was working on her school album.  She had narrowed it down to two spreads for each year, and kept the format the same.  At that point I knew that this is what I wanted to do as well.

I bought an album (we r memory keepers, red leather, three ring).  I filled it with pages, and kept place holders for each year.  Over the last two years I have stashed things in this album, sorted photos and tried to find all of the photos for years past.

Still, I didn't know what I was going to do with it all.  I needed a plan.

Finally, about a month ago, I decided to design a sketch that I could follow and get started.  I looked through old magazines for inspiration, and I finally felt that I knew what I wanted to do.  I was going to create two, 2-page layouts for each year.  The first spread would be for group photos, including class photos, faculty photos, or any all-school photos.  The second spread would be for other candids and memorabilia. 

Here is the sketch that I drew:

Sketch for school years album

Here is a sample from my first year teaching.  First, the group photos:

Faculty and Class Photos 1991

 

For this spread, I will use school theme papers.  I have been collecting for the past few years, knowing that eventually I would do this album.  Unfortunately, for this year I do not have the names of the faculty.  I wish that I had done a better job of labeling the group photos.  Overall, it's pretty good, but not great.

For the second spread, I plan to use cardstock in the school's colors.  Then, a primary type patterned paper that is torn and used on both sides.  Finally, I will create what looks like a file folder for the right hand side.  I will include a photo with me and some of my students each year (make sure that I am a part of this album!), and the rest of the space will be for journaling.  The file folder is also a pocket to keep other photos, cards or memorabilia inside.

Here is a sample from my first year:

Some photos from my first year 1991-1992

So far, I have four years done, and most of the paper ready for the other years.  The fun/hard part is picking 6-8 candid photos to use.  Lots of memories along the way.

I have not completed any of the journaling, but I figure that is something that I can add (probably via computer) when I am in the mood to write as opposed to create.

I hope you enjoyed!

Photo Assignment: Final Layout

I am getting this done in the nick of time.  Lori tricked me with one last photo.  I didn't have time to do my journaling, but here is the layout.  The rest of the title is: "& 1 not".  Because my pile of things to file is not a favorite!


Here is the layout!

Photo Assignment #5

Eeek!  I didn't know about this photo assignment until about one hour ago!  I even have my layout almost done.  But, of course after all of the "favorite" photos Lori at the Apron Strings Designs Blog wants me to take a picture of the area of my home that I want to keep secret from the world.

Am I that brave?

Okay, here it is.  The pile of bills to be files and receipts to be organized.  SCARY.

Photo Assignment #4

For this assignment, Apron Strings Blog challenged me to look for things around my house that make me happy.  Little touches here and there.  I spent a few days on this, thinking and shooting and then editing.  My husband kept asking, "What are you doing?"  I guess he thought it was weird that I was taking a photo of the light fixture.

In the end, I realized that I had a theme!  Three light fixtures and four photos of little display areas.  My husband usually does the display type decorating, and he has a great eye.  I love the little art pieces and touches that we have picked up over the years.

Photo Assignment #3

Okay, this one really got me excited.  I knew right away what I wanted to photograph.

I don't really like to collect things.  It kind of makes me feel stressed out to have that much stuff.  But, I do have one collection that is kind of fun.  You will have to figure it out from the photo.  What I will tell you is that recently, when a friend stayed at our house while we were on vacation, she left behind some of these for me to find.  That is the fun part of having a collection.

Photo Assignment #2

This assignment was to take a photo of our gathering space.  As soon as I read this assignment I thought of our living room.  In the past, I don't think that I would have chosen our living room...no one was ever there!  BUT, we have been working on decorating it and making it a warm and welcoming space.

Earlier this summer we have a number of people over for a few different events.  Every time the living room was full of people.  In particular, it was full of kids, who used the coffee table as their dining room table!  Then, the adults sat around them.  It was lovely.  It was inspiring to have guests and to see our space loved by so many others.  I hope that we have more opportunities to gather soon.

Photo Assignment #1

I love photo assignments!  I am a very literal scrapbooker, and sometimes these photo assignments get me outside of my normal box.  I like where this one is headed.

The first assignment was to take a picture of my favorite room in our house.  Humm...I didn't know which room to take a photo of for this assignment.  I like a lot of the rooms for different reasons.  Why is it my favorite?  After a lot of thought I took  a couple photos of my bedroom.  I picked this because I like the feeling in this room.  It is warm and cozy and a place that is good to sleep and read.  I also really love the built in closets and dresser.  Here is a special thing about the dresser...the drawers are extra long because they go all of the way into the eaves of the house!

Our cozy bed

The built ins

My Croppy Summer #24

The Apron Strings Blog is keeping me inspired these days.  I NEVER would have gone for these colors (as a matter of fact many of them have been in my stash for a while!) without this challenge.  However, it ended up working beautifully.

The challenge was to create a layout incorporating sky-blue, white (if you've got some of that fun paper with clouds on it, that'd work too) and spring green.  This is about as sky-blue as it gets--it's the sky! 

This layout is from our cruise in February, and was our favorite excursion...a day of sailing in the Virgin Islands.  What, really, could be better?

Still figuring out how to stitch with my scanner...

My Croppy Summer #17

I have not been scrapping very much this summer because I have been on vacation.  I got back and saw that I had missed a lot of challenges on the Apron Strings Blog!  I managed to squeeze at least one in today.

This is a spread that is for my girlfriends...it is actually a shared spread, started by my friend (she did the photos) and then added on by me (I added the paper...all scraps!), and then my other friend will do the title and journaling. 

This fit with the theme to use scraps, and I think that is is pretty cute. This was our girlfriend getaway to go scrapping, and before my one friend moved to Hong Kong!!!  This is also the first time that I have used my scanner and stitched two scan together...not too bad?

Inspired by a Cookie Jar Treat!

This weekend my goal was to finish up my album from last year (through July).  I had all the little bits left: some journaling here, a title there, and just a couple layouts.  Of course these are the ones that I haven't done because I wasn't inspired.

Luckily for me, I had a yummy bag of goodies from Lori at Apron Strings.  I spent a little time digging through the papers, looking for something to get me going.   I LOVE how this layout turned out.  I used Cosmo Cricket papers (really they are geared for a wedding, but I think that they worked beautifully for Rome).  I love how they all went together.  I even pulled out my old QuicKutz...which I haven't used in ages.  See, all of the stuff is worthwhile after all!

Overall this weekend was a success...scrap area cleaned, album finished, and I used some special paper from the Cookie Jar Treat.  Thanks Lori for keeping me inspired.

PS If you have been reading along (and I don't really know who is...) you might have noticed on my title page (below) for the challenge that it says Dec 2009-July 2010.  Well, that was wrong!  I am almost caught up on my scrapping, but not that caught up!  I was making the label for my album (on the spine), when I realized that I had the date wrong!  I laughed so hard, because at the time I kept confusing myself.  At any rate, I fixed the date, slid in this last layout and with the correct date on the album, I put it on the shelf.  Then, I spent some time looking at old albums (2003).  The style is very CM and simple, but you know what, I loved looking through those old memories.