My Mind's Eye

A beautiful mess

April 30, 2012 By Janice Daquila-Pardo 2 Comments

When new collections come out by my favorite scrap companies I am always tempted to buy. But I rarely get the whole collection because no matter how much I like (even love) it, I just can’t imagine wanting to create that many layouts out of the same look. Add to that the fact that collections have become so expensive. So I have been for some time buying the 6×6 paper pads that many companies are issuing. They have long been favored by card makers because of their smaller-sized patterns, and I quite like the lower price tag as well.

So I am always on the hunt for ways to use pieces of patterned paper that are 6×6 or smaller on my 12×12 layouts. When I find good ways to do this I will share them here in case you, like me, have several 6×6 paper pads or a bin full of scraps waiting to make it into your designs.

I really love the bright, happy feeling I achieved on this baby-themed layout without using any baby-themed papers.

Yup, another layout of me as an adorable baby. 😉 I have a few photos from Mom of me in my high chair, but this one really makes me laugh. How great is life when the likelihood that you’re wearing more food than you ate makes you this happy?

I based this layout on sketch #205 from the Creative Scrappers blog, and I’m entering it into their challenge. I really enjoyed working with this sketch; it’s right up my design alley.

Product/technique notes: I had fun blending companies’ products here, with background paper from American Crafts’ new Amy Tangerine Sketchbook line, accent papers from My Mind’s Eye’s Lime Twist line and shapes from the Silhouette store.

All tucked in

April 22, 2012 By Janice Daquila-Pardo 4 Comments

I was about 6 months old in this photo, and Daddy had just put me in bed with Mom.

The simple story behind this photo is that Daddy had arisen when he heard me stir in the other room, and rather than put me back in my crib, he tucked me in bed with my still-sleeping Mommy. Whenever we looked through family photos together over the years, Dad would always say how much he loved that photo.

I created this layout with two online challenges in mind.

Product/technique notes: I just love how the patterns in the MME Six by Six Honey Cake pad matched the colors in my photo. All the stamps and bits and bobs (except the buttons) are also MME.

Discus queen

March 24, 2012 By Janice Daquila-Pardo 2 Comments

This layout is based on sketch challenge #33 at the My Mind's Eye blog.

Matt’s younger sister, Thyia, competed in the discus and shot put events on her high school track team. Matt tells me that she was so good at these events that she went to nationals and came up against girls in her age range that were 100 pounds heavier than she was…and won! This photo of her is from 1993.

I created this layout for the My Mind’s Eye blog challenge #33, using all patterned papers from various lines of theirs and their sketch .

So special

March 21, 2012 By Janice Daquila-Pardo Leave a Comment

These photos were taken during my father's 70th birthday weekend in 2003.

From the time we were little I can remember Aunt Mary Lou making a huge fuss over us. She loved to laugh at our sassy comments and make us feel brilliant. When Earl joined the family he spoke to us as adults, which every “brilliant” teenager craves. It takes special people to make others feel so special. These photos were taken during our weekend-long celebration of Dad’s 70th birthday in October 2003.

I created this layout using My Mind’s Eye patterned papers and a sketch from their blog.

My Mind's Eye sketch

I still get butterflies

March 19, 2012 By Janice Daquila-Pardo Leave a Comment

A few selfies taken on our 12th anniversary in 2009

These are photos of us on our 12th anniversary in 2009, after we had returned from our celebratory dinner. I actually finished this simple layout months ago but forgot to photograph and post it. What I notice the most when looking at these pictures is how much less Matt weighs now than he did then! This was when he was at his highest weight, and he is now 23 pounds lighter. I’m very proud of him because he is working on losing this weight the slow, steady, healthy way. He’s exercising every day and has changed his diet drastically. No fads or get-thin-quick schemes here; just wise nutritional choices and lots of sweaty exercise. He says he wants to lose 20 more pounds, and I’m absolutely sure he will.

For this layout I used some older patterned papers from My Mind’s Eye, a few Martha Stewart punches and a Silhouette cut file for the title.

« Previous Page