Final Cruise Layouts With Stamping

In the weeks leading up to my completion of our 10th Anniversary Cruise albums, I used inspiration from a couple of online classes as I scrapped the final stories and photos from that trip. This first layout was inspired by a challenge in the Art-Science workshop to start with a story and add a pocket to the page. I created my pocket using a sheet of stationary from our stateroom.

I took inspiration from May Flaum's Stamping for Scrapbookers class for these next layouts. On this first one, I stamped an image on the journaling card.

I used stamps for the title and the white border strip on this next layout.

I stamped directly on a few of the photos in this next layout, and added several stamps as accents scattered around the page.

And finally, I used some large flourish stamps on this two page layout.

Have you stamped on your layouts lately recently?

Scrapbook Project Completion - 10th Anniversary Cruise Albums

I started scrapping the photos and stories from our 10th anniversary cruise almost as soon as we returned home in January of 2012, and I've worked on this project off and on over the past few years. Each time, I've enjoyed returning to these FUN memories and our vacation celebrating 10 years of marriage.

I ended up with two full 12x12 binders! Maybe that's a little excessive, however this was the first cruise for both of us and there were so many stories and photos and memories to capture. My albums are arranged in sections rather than chronologically. The ten sections are: Bon Voyage, The Ship, At Sea, Cozumel (New Mexico), GeorgeTown (Grand Cayman), Falmouth (Jamaica), On Board, Culinary Delights, Reflections, and Cruise Compass. Over the past few months, I've been working to complete this album, filling in missing gaps in each section.

The last page I created is actually the last page in the album and documents the fact that we recorded stories and memories real-time on the cruise using the travel journal I created from an old Moby Dick picture storybook.

Once I slipped this layout into the page protector, I simply had to add a label to the front & side of each scrapbook and place them on our memory shelf.

This is the first project completion toward item #37 on my 50 Things To Do Before I'm 50 list: Complete 10 Scrapbook Projects. What big projects have you completed lately?

Scraplifting Weekend 8

As I'm nearing the completion of our 10th Anniversary Cruise albums and the end of my Scraplifting Weekend, I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. I've had so much FUN scraplifting some of my favorite bloggers.

Karen is an avid cardmaker who enjoys photography, travels often, and documents her memories using Project Life. Karen's use of stamping, die cuts, and little details lead to an inspiring clean and elegant style. I wanted to include one of the 8x10 professional photos we purchased on the cruise in the Culinary Delights section of our album. The photo has lots of details (a large photo of us, three smaller photos of the cruise ship, a title & subtitle), so I was looking for something simple and found just what I was looking for in this post from Karen during last year's LOAD. I particularly liked the addition of the washi tape strips along the bottom of her Family Photo Op layout.

I matted the photo and the adhered it to a wide band of black cardstock. I added two hearts in the place of Karen's one, then popped on a few enamel dots and this simple layout is complete.

Thanks for the inspiration Karen!

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Scraplifting Weekend 7

I completed another layout early on this beautiful Sunday here in Texas as I continue scraplifting my favorite bloggers!

Amy and I coached together in the last two Finding Photo Freedom workshops at BPC, and we've met in person and had lots of  FUN cropping together at Scrappin' Goodtime several times over the past couple of years. She is a digital scrapbooker who focuses on telling everyday stories through her layouts and photography. She shares her approach to using color on her pages in this post, and I chose her Naked Lady Tree layout to scraplift. I liked the neutral color palette and the placement of the title and journaling together, however I moved my title and journaling above the photos as that worked better with my papers.

This page will go in the Culinary Delights section of our cruise album.

Thanks Amy for the inspiration!

I'm settled in for afternoon of watching football, but I'm hoping to lift one more layout before the weekend comes to an end. Have you found time for creating this weekend?

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Sunday Musings - Move On book review

When I chose my latest (free in exchange for an honest review) book from Booklook Bloggers, I figured it would be a quick read because it really didn't pertain to me right now. The book, Move On: When Mercy Meets Your Mess by Vicki Courtney, is about processing our struggles, imperfections, doubts, and fears. It also addresses issues like the need for approval, shame, legalism, Christian snobbery and idols. I feel very comfortable in my life right now and figured this book might contain information that would be useful in the future as I minister to women and/or possibly write another ladies' retreat.

However, I found that the book spoke directly to me and caused me to question my fears of sharing about my past sins (we all have them, right!), my tendency toward legalistic thinking, and my need for approval. I found myself nodding my head in agreement as the author shared her own struggles with these issues while striving to break free and experience the grace and freedom God intends for each of us. I highly recommend this book!

Here are a few thought provoking quotes from the book:

We as believers cannot be effective in offering others hope and forgiveness when we're not living in the light of that hope.

I know the truth - I know that I am supposed to perform for an audience of One. . . But my eyes are often on the wrong audience.

If we're not performing for the sole goal of bringing glory to God, no amount of applause, pats on the back, Facebook friends, or Twitter followers will quell the silent ache in our souls for something more.

I was thrilled to discover that there is a video-based Bible study curriculum that goes along with this book, and I've added it to the list of studies that I want to lead when God opens that door of opportunity.

Have you ever picked up a motivational or self-help book thinking the information might help you minister to someone else, but instead found out that it spoke directly to you?

Scraplifting Weekend 6

The sun is shining right in my west facing windows as we head into evening here in Texas. I'm still having tons of FUN scraplifting my favorite bloggers!

Sandra typically shares her Project Life spreads, Project365 photos and progress on updates to their little house, but this layout from a recent uncharacteristically productive crop called out to be scraplifted. I particularly liked how each of the two photos was layered over a "messy" stack of papers with a doily and various embellishments mixed in. On my layout, I was excited to use the "Look at Me!" die cuts because they came from the scrapbook kits I received on the cruise where these photos were taken!

This time I also took inspiration from the theme of Sandra's layout - then & now. While both of my photos are from our cruise, my journaling shares a then & now type story.

This was a FUN layout to put together and a great way to use up some patterned paper scraps.

Thanks for the inspiration Sandra!

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Scraplifting Weekend 5

Have you noticed that all my layouts this weekend feature photos from our 10th anniversary cruise? I'm determined to complete the final pages for that project, thus my idea to scraplift some of my favorite bloggers. Scraplifting the design of someone else's layout means I can have FUN while creating more layouts in less time.

Jacky is a self-proclaimed craft addict and creates some of the most amazing cards with multiple layers of papers, stamped images and embellishments. She's also a wonderful scrapbooker who uses lots of patterned paper, however she often starts with a cardstock background for her layouts. I chose this recent layout to scraplift because I had four food photos to scrap, three of them were somewhat darker than the other, and this layout design was perfect to accommodate that fact.

I also really like how Jacky used strips of the heart patterned paper as an element on the top right of her page. I found a text paper in my stash that had rows of spices in colors that worked with my photos, so I cut them apart and mimicked Jacky's design.

I included my journaling on a tag in the bottom left corner.

This layout came together fairly quickly, and I"m thrilled with how this design worked with my photos.

Thanks for the inspiration Jacky!

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Scraplifting Weekend 4

My FUN scraplifting weekend continues on a beautiful sunshiny Saturday here in Texas.

Becky uses lots of patterned paper and embellishment clusters on her layouts, and I knew I wanted to scraplift this recent layout. I especially liked how she was able to draw attention to her photo despite the busy background paper.  I pulled a busy colorful paper from my stash and included my title at the top left of the page.

I included a small embellishment cluster at the top right of my journaling and a much larger batch of embellishments below it.

This was a FUN layout to put together. I enjoyed adding lots of little bits & pieces all around the photo & journaling block.

Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Scraplifting Weekend 3

It's getting late here in Texas, but I'm still up because I'm having so much FUN scraplifting layouts from some of my favorite bloggers.

Susanne is a fantastic scrapbooker and master forger . . . no, she's not forging signatures or making counterfeit money! As part of the Counterfeit Kit Challenge team, she creates her own kits using items from her stash and Kit Clubs as inspiration. Susanne's always up for a challenge, and I chose this recent layout based on a Get It Scrapped challenge as inspiration for another layout that will go in the Reflections section of our 10th Anniversary Cruise album.

My favorite part of Susanne's layout is the repeated dress stamp in a rainbow of colors, however I decided the photo I chose to scrap would work best with a border stamped with white ink on black cardstock.

I thumbed through my small red embellishments drawer and added an embellishment cluster along the top left of the layout.

I didn't include journaling on my layout, but I did add a pre-printed strip underneath my photo to mimic the date & place strips on Susanne's page.

And once again, I have a layout that barely resembles the original, but contains most of the design elements.

Thanks for the inspiration Susanne!

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Scraplifting Weekend 2

It's early Friday evening here in Texas as I continue my weekend of scraplifting layouts from some of my favorite bloggers.

Cheri was the first of my blog friends that I met in person, and we've gotten together for a couple of more FUN visits since then. This fact in itself is amazing since we live 1400 miles apart. What's also amazing is Cheri's scrapbooking, art journaling and mixed media skills. I have one of Cheri's mixed media canvases hanging in my craft room and  one of her painted rocks sitting on a shelf nearby. The rock was part of Cheri's Year of Kindness, a year-long blog series based on her word for the 2014. Cheri scraps both digitally and traditionally (primarily for older photos). I chose this recent digital layout to scraplift today.

I started with a floral print background paper and added a cluster in the top right and bottom left corners.

Like Cheri, I used one photo with the title underneath and a small paragraph for journaling.

I then scattered flowers and sequins diagonally across the page to complete the layout.

As you can see, once again my layout doesn't look a whole lot like Cheri's, but it was definitely the arrangement of the elements on her page that inspired me!

Thanks for the inspiration Cheri!

Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Scraplifting Weekend 1

It's Friday afternoon here in Texas, and I'm enjoying the sunshine streaming through the windows of my craft room while I begin a weekend of much-needed scrapping! I have lots of photos and stories to scrap, so I've decided to use my favorite method for creating layouts ... scraplifting. I read and enjoy a variety of blogs that offer tons of inspiration and will be scrolling those blogs for layouts to lift as I scrap throughout the weekend.

Sian is one of my favorite storytellers and is a fabulous blogger and scrapbooker. She leaves the most thoughtful comments and is always coming up with FUN blogs events like Storytelling Sunday or A Great Big Swap of Very Small Things. Her layouts often feature a single photo layered on top of various papers and lots of bits & pieces of embellishments. I chose this recent layout of hers as inspiration for my first page and started by layering papers, photo and embellishments in the bottom right corner of my layout. I even added some random ribbon similar to her twine element.

Then I created a cluster of embellishments on the top left of the layout and included my journaling beneath it.

My final layout, of course, has a much different look than Sian's as she uses more neutrals and pastels and has a definite flair for all those finishing touches. That's what I especially like about scraplifting - I can take inspiration from someone else's layout design and create something uniquely my own.

I didn't add a title to my layout (I don't think every layout needs one) because this page will go in the Reflections section of our 10th Anniversary Cruise Albums along with other photos we took of our reflection.

Thanks Sian for the inspiration for this FUN page!

I hope you're having a scrappy weekend and that you'll stop back in throughout the weekend and see who else I'm scraplifting!

 Click HERE to see all my Scraplifting Weekend posts.

Travel Layouts

I knew when I picked up my latest Design Team kit from Scrappin' Goodtime that I would have FUN using the Bo Bunny Souvenir collection! The travel themed papers and embellishments are perfect for travel of all types. I started with a couple of photos from our Tennessee road trip last summer. The Bo Bunny paper flowers worked perfect to create a visual triangle and matched the colors in our shirts from Jamaica . . .

. . . which reminded me of our 10th Anniversary cruise and my goal to complete that scrapbooking project soon. I used Doodlebug paper doilies as the base for the flower embellishments on this layout sharing how we enjoyed having our own table for two at dinner each evening on the cruise.

My kit also contained a sheet of 12x12 denim, one of the AC specialty papers. I wanted to use photos of me wearing my denim jacket on various vacations with this paper, but the colors in the most recent photo clashed with the Bo Bunny Souvenir collection. I decided to print that photo in a black & white/sepia tone and include additional photos in the die cut film strip.

I cut the denim paper down a little because I like the extra texture and dimension it gives when mounted on a sheet of black cardstock.

And, of course, I'm enjoying processing the photos from our recent trip to hike in the Canadian Rockies, so I pulled one of those to use with the AC burlap specialty paper.

Yes, I even pulled out the sewing machine & stitched a border around the layout! I really like the way the edge of the burlap paper adds dimension and texture!

Have you scrapped any travel photos lately?

Pocket Page Scrapbooking

Using pocket pages to scrapbook event photos is becoming more and more common, so I wasn't surprised when Jennifer Wilson's left-brain process challenge in last fall's BPC Art + Science of Scrapbooking workshop was to use pocket pages to scrap an event. I pulled some of my FUN photos from the twins' birthday party and paired them with cards from the Project Life Honey edition to fill the front and back of a 12x12  divided page protector.

Getting these photos scrapped and the story preserved also helps me in my quest to scrap more of this year's memories during this year. I'm hoping for some time in my craft room this week and think I'll thumb through my 2014 Storage Binder and see if I can get a few more events scrapped using pocket pages. What are you working on this week?

Apartment Living

I've only lived in an apartment twice, for a total of about 18 months, in my entire life. And I have to admit that I really didn't like apartment living at all. I much prefer living in a house. This thought occurred to me as I was contemplating scrapbooking about the many homes I've lived in throughout my life.

I didn't take any photos of the apartments (inside or out) during the times I was living in them, however a few years ago when I was back in the southeast Texas area I drove by and snapped a shot of each one. When I pulled those photos out to create a layout recently, I had to do some searching to find my old addresses and was surprised to see the similarities in the apartment numbers (#157 & #57).

Even though I didn't enjoy apartment living, I had lots of FUN putting this layout together!

Which do you prefer - living in a house or an apartment?

September FUN Check-In & October Plans

I can hardly believe another FUN month has gone by and we are in the final quarter of 2014!

September was busy with lots of FUN get-togethers with friends, visits from and to Mama & Daddy, crafty time (including completing a mini-album for my 50 Things To Do Before I'm 50 list), and football watching. I enjoyed lunch at Crafty Tuesday, the library book club meeting, a Saturday women's retreat/brunch, and a drive down to Scrappin' Goodtime. And even though I have an aversion to shopping, I got out this month and bought some new clothes (in a smaller size)!

Robbie and I attended the Christ for India banquet and won tickets in the silent auction to attend the Dallas Cowboys versus the New Orleans Saints game the final Sunday of the month. The fact that the Cowboys won made it a perfect evening!

We didn't make it out to see any of the new movies this month, but we enjoyed a few here at home:  Frozen, Monuments Men, and Civil War Diary. We watched the final episodes of Season Two of the new Dallas and enjoyed the first couple of episodes as Season Two of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. began. We've also started watching the DVDs of Season One of The Bionic Woman.

Here's a look at my FUN September photo collage.

October is already off to a good start. I attended the library book club meeting on the first and celebrated World Card Making Day and enjoyed the beautiful weather all at the same time yesterday!

My FUN plans for the rest of October include:
1. A quick, but long road trip with Robbie to Ohio.
2. Watching the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns football games.
3. Catching up in the Inspired Scrapbooking workshop and working through the new materials in the One Little Word class.

4. Getting caught up on my digital workflow - processing & printing photos!

5. Scrapbooking more layouts for (and hopefully completing) our 10th Anniversary Cruise album.

6. Carving a pumpkin!

 Did you have a FUN September? What FUN things are you planning for October?