Sometimes you just have to scrap

I posted a few days ago about my getting some scrapping done. I am finally making it back to post my layouts here for everyone to see. Hey, sometimes it takes a little more time than anticipated.

I call the first layout "Wonder" as it includes the lyrics to Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." I thought it was just fitting for this picture. This is a picture of my oldest son chasing after my youngest son who was off to explore the arboretum without anyone else. He had a grand old time running around and checking everything out - especially the fish ponds. He was totally fascinated by the fish. I still need to scrap those pictures.

Credits:
Everything made by me.

Fonts used:
Bickham Script Pro
Adobe Garamond Pro

Programs used:
Adobe Photoshop CS2



This next layout is a 2 page spread featuring all 3 of my boys on our trip to the arboretum. It was incredibly hot that day we went, but I think they all had a great time just seeing all there was to see. They had this lovely stone wall area that was perfect for resting (and for mommy to snap some pictures). I don't do many 2 page spreads, but this one was just fun.


Credits:
Everything made by me.

Fonts used:
Real Virtue
Adobe Jenson Pro

Programs used:
Adobe Photoshop CS2



And here are the 2 pages individually:

Good things are to come

I was asked the question, "How do you describe your scrapping style?" That is a hard question to answer in some ways, but in others it is SO EASY to answer. Simple! I am definitely a simple kind of person. I don't care for elaborate embellishments. I also prefer to have my pictures tell the stories. For me, it is all about the photos and what is going on in the photos. I journal where I have to, but I'd rather my pictures do the talking where they can. I have found that in a lot of ways, this carries over into the digital scrapbooking kits I am designing. I try to keep them simple. I also try to keep them fairly gender neutral. I do have 3 boys after all. I don't get a whole lot of use out of pink and ruffles.

I thought it was about time for me to share some more previews from my upcoming kits. I am not sure where I will release them just yet, but I am working on some leads. I am excited about them at any rate. I haven't used any of these myself, but I know that my friend and digital scrapbooker, Karen, can't wait to get her hands on these. In due time. . .

I couldn't leave the Gentle Blues kit series with just 1 kit, now could I? Another kit in the series that is sure to be fun for both girls and boys.

Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 002

Main colors: Blues

Patterns: Stripes and Argile

Papers: 5 solid, 2 patterned

Elements: 3 slide mounts, 2 ribbons, 2 rows straight stitching, diamond tiles (flower, plus extra tile colors) with stitched stem, 2 metal bookplates with tacks, and 2 eyelets

I bet you were starting to think that there was a trend in the shades of blues found in the Gentle Blues Kits. I did a total "Gotcha" with this kit. This kit took on a much warmer and earthy tone and feel. I think it is striking for both boys and girls.

Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 003

Main colors: Blues

Patterns: Stripes and abstractish Stars

Papers: 6 solid, 2 patterend, 3 curved/torn

Elements: 2 leather straps, 1 star buckle, 4 paper tags, 4 slide mounts/frames, and straight stitching

I am not 100% certain that these are the only elements that will be found in this kit. Still trying to decide if anything else will overdo the kit, or if we've reached the "enough is enough, already" point.

Now we're onto a kit that hasn't earned is elements yet. Don't let that fool you, this kit is rich with colorful papers. I don't know, maybe the papers will be the focus on this kit. Anything could go at this point.

Title: Stacey's Gentle Blues Kit 004

Main colors: Blues

Patterns: Stripes and Polka Dots

Papers: 11 solid, 2 patterned

Elements: None yet.

Ramblings and going ons

Well I didn't get the SBB store position, but that's ok. I was super disappointed at first. It took forever for them to announce who the new store members would be. The anticipation just kept building and building. Disappointment followed. The reality is though, it doesn't directly reflect the quality of my stuff. I was up against a lot of talented designers. It must have been hard for them to select the few they wanted.

I am not giving up. I could just open my own store. I can't imagine where I would find the time to do it though. Things are soo busy in my life right now. Getting a position in an already established store would be best for me. I'd be able to focus on turning out new product and spend less time worrying about keeping a site up to date. It isn't outside my capabilities, but it is outside of my current time restraints.

I have a couple of leads I am following currently and am hoping that at least one of them will turn up the great opportunity.

I am not sure how it happened, but I finally found the time, or rather, motivation to scrap. Sunday I scrapped 3 pages in a matter of about 5 hours. It was SO THERAPUETIC!!!

Thursday I went with my photographer friend, Marissa Sutherland, to Mercer Arboretum with the photography group she is in. She thought it would be helpful. I was hesitant, but I figured it would be a good opportunity to pick up the camera again and get some practice. I was working mostly on exposure. I was having tons of problems with getting the right exposure with the digital Rebel. I got lots of practice moving from sunny spots to full shade. I got some good pictures of the boys while I was out. I ended up scrapping 4 of those pictures in the 3 layouts I did (a one page and a two page spread). They turned out wonderfully.

I have several more pictures I want to scrap. I just need to find time to do it.

I have also started another kit. I know, I know. . . "finish the other ones, aready!" I am working on it. Spare time is something I don't have a whole lot of these days. Summers are just crazy that way. Just think, I won't be turning out just one kit and you'll be waiting for more. I'll be turning out several and while you're working with those kits, I'll be turning out more. Who doesn't win? I have 2 kits that are ready outside of just exporting everything to the appropriate PNG and JPG formats and creating their TOU files. I have 2 kits that are mostly finished, they just need finishing touches -- adding some elements, exporting to the appropriate formats, and then creation of their TOU files. Then there are the other 2 that need elements. I do have one kit that is just all papers. Initially, I thought I'd add elements to the papers, but at this point I don't think I will. The papers are done and so I'll probably just release them as a paper pack.

Keep checking back, I'll be posting my most recent layouts and previews for my new kits.

Please be patient

I am in the process of consolidating 2 blogs to make it so that I only have 1 digital scrapbooking blogs to maintain. I am hoping that doing such will allow me more time to actually blog and update as I go.

So, please be patient if you see things changing.

I am a Digital Scrapbook Place Mentor

I just received my 3 month assignment for 2 mentee's at Digital Scrapbook Place. I decided I really wanted to help others and this opportunity came up, so I applied. I am surprised that I was assigned to help 2 people. I'm excited! I've already heard from one person.

Maybe this will be the motivation to get me scrapping regularly again? I don't know. I am just having problems getting motivated. When I want to scrap, I am too busy. When I have time, I just don't want to scrap. *sigh* It is a vicious cycle, I suppose. The new digital camera is helping a lot to get the motivation sparked. Let's see if it stays more than a spark.

At any rate, I am excited to be a DSP mentor. I am hoping that it will be a learning experience for all of us.

Digital Scrapbooking should be my priority

Digital scrapbooking should be my priority, but the reality is that I have other things in my life that take over. I have been so busy that I can't even think about digital scrapbooking most days. When I do have time I am so stinking tired that I just can't bring myself to scrap.

Alas, I have scrapped 1 page in the past couple of months. This is since the Ultimate Digital Scrapper contest. I didn't make it past round 1, but it did break me out of my shell. Anyway, here is the latest page I have done.

Credits:
Everything is made by me.
Fonts used: Helterskelter (not sure where I got it from) and Artistamp (www.haroldsfont.com)
Program used: Adobe Photoshop CS2

I am not sure what caused the sudden "need to scrap." It might have something to do with the fact that I have a new digital camera to play with and while it isn't a perfect transition from my old digital camera along with the really crappy pictures I am also getting some really great pictures as well.

I am sort of disappointed that I haven't had more time. There is so much that I want to do. I was supposed to start selling in the store at ScrappyKats but it seems that the owner has gone A-WOL. It is unfortunate. I am sure that she just got busy with life, moving, and a new baby. Still. . . But the opportunity has come up that if I can pull it off in time Scrapbook Bytes has a call out for designers for their store. I WANT TO SO BAD! I hope that I can get everything together tonight or tomorrow and get it submitted. HOPEFULLY!!! It would be an amazing opportunity.

So off to compile the requirements for the SBB store stuff. . . .