The Constant Scrapper

If I'm not scrapbooking I'm thinking about scrapbooking!

Layouts based on sketches

Blue-sky thinking

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Blue-sky thinking is a scrapbook page using BasicGrey What's Up supplies.

Blue-sky thinking is defined as brain storming, original/visionary thinking, out-of-the-box thinking, creative thinking or planning far into the future (which may or may not materialize). When I look at this 1987 photo of myself from college, it makes me think of what a blue-sky time that was in my life.

I was just starting my junior year at Ohio University with a pre-quarter Residence Life training, and we were all dressed up to go to a banquet being held at the conclusion of the long week. I was excited, full of ideas and looking forward to the future.

Product/technique notes

I was inspired by the following sketch from ScrapMuch?. Most of the products I used are from BasicGrey’s “What’s Up” collection. The stickers I used in my title are old Making Memories and October Afternoon alphas.
ScrapMuch? July 24 2015 sketch

Happiness starts with whiskers and ends with a tail

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Happiness starts with whiskers and ends with a tail is a scrapbook layout that features a photo of my cat in his happy pose.

Our cat Tristan is just a hoot. He’s happy and so expressive. This photograph is not the first time I’ve seen him throw himself down in this joyful position. He always does it when he’s in a great mood and has just received lots of love (like here). Or when he’s happily warming himself in front of a heater in the winter.

I swear: just looking at him makes me happy.

Product/technique notes

I was inspired by the following sketch from Let’s Get Sketchy. The products I used are a smattering from Crate Paper “Notes & Things,” Amy Tangerine “Yes, Please” and We R Memory Keepers “Chalkboard.” The flair is from Studio Calico. I designed and cut the title with my Silhouette.
Let's Get Sketchy July 2015

Nothing beats a good book: DT layout for Stuck?! Sketches

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This scrapbook layout is about my answer to the question "Do you like reading on a device as much as from a print book?" My answer is "I love them both because nothing beats a good book."

Today Stuck?! Sketches is revealing its second sketch challenge of July, and you’re going to love the design team layouts for this one. Please join us over at the blog and allow the sketch and the design team inspire you to play along. We have great sponsor prizes up for grabs.

Stuck?! Sketches July 15 2015 sketch

Reading has always made me happy. What’s not to love about getting lost in a story or an idea?

I take great pleasure in holding a book and turning its pages. I rejoice when I can see and feel that I have passed the halfway point in the story. I get a giddy feeling when I pick up the book and find the bookmark holding my place so I can immerse myself again. I keenly feel that satisfying yet mournful moment when I close the book with a thump for the last time after reading the final words. I am a booklover…a bookworm.

When Kindles and other readers first came out, I had conversations with people who vowed not to even try to read with a device because they were certain they wouldn’t like it. I wasn’t sure if I could enjoy reading without all the tactile joys of a book, but I sure am glad I tried it! There are many reasons I love reading on devices: I almost always have one within reach, so I can read during any spare moments (including all those times I find myself waiting in lines). They’re lighter weight, so reading is often more comfortable (picture lying in bed while trying to hold an 850-page hardbound book like Outlander!). I can search the online store and download a book within moments of deciding which one I want to read next. I can sign up for notices when my favorite authors have new releases. You get the idea: it’s convenient!

But if you ask me whether I prefer one over the other, my answer would be electronic or printed doesn’t matter. Because nothing beats a good book!

Product/technique notes

I used patterned papers and a sticker from the Simple Life collection by Echo Park. Then I designed and cut the title on my Silhouette. The cute eyeglasses embellishment is from The Paper Studio; the yellow file tab is from Fancy Pants; the Tell my story die cut is from Shimelle; and the text paper in the scalloped border is from an American Crafts 6×6 paper pad.

The lanky years

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The lanky years is a one-photo scrapbook layout using Jillibean Soup products.

The first thing I thought of when I came upon this photo of me and my baby bro in the summer of 1982 was of how skinny we both were! That seemed like a good enough reason to do a layout. 🙂

Product/technique notes

I followed this June sketch from My Creative Scrapbook, used patterned papers from the Jillibean Soup Avocado Soup 6×6 paper pad and designed and cut the title on my Silhouette.
My Creative Scrapbook June 2015 sketch

Nature’s bounty

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Nature's bounty is a two-photo scrapbook layout about my container garden.

I’m not a big gardener, but I do like to have a few containers planted with herbs and such. This year we added a couple of cherry tomato plants to the mix, and I was thrilled to see the first little baby ‘mater ripen the other day!

Product/technique notes

I used this Let’s Get Sketchy sketch and patterned papers from K&Company’s Sweet Nectar line. The 5-star rating stamp is from Ormolu’s Word Up set. The mason jar is fussy cut from a Dear Lizzy Neapolitan pattern, and the title is on a 3×4 card from We R Memory Keepers Vintage Garden. I designed and cut the title on my Silhouette.
Let's Get Sketchy June 2015 sketch