International Scapbooking Day/ Weekend

This past May the 4th was International Scapbooking day. Besides a great deal of shopping leading up to the big day I was able to complete 4 scrapbook layouts which is a huge feat for me as I usually spend hours creating just one layout. It takes me time to figure out which pictures I'm going to use, what I want my background to look like, my overall design and then put it all together so it looks at least a little cohesive. Some of the pages are simple in design and technique because hey I'm still relatively new at this and although I have a groove, I haven't quite found my niche yet.

Some of my shopping was done through a new online store  I found who runs a scrapbooking supplies business here in Ontario. I love haul videos on YouTube so here is my haul from Scrapbooknerd.com

Opening those boxes with all these supplies was a total #snhappymail moment. I was in joy just looking at all the things I had purchased and coming up with ideas on how to use them. I was like a kid in a candy store who was told she can have anything she likes.



Now that I had all these supplies my creative juices started flowing, that and I participated in  international scrapbooking weekend challenges on Facebook hosted by HipKitClub.net. This was the first year that I participated, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Basically it ran all weekend long and each hour or so during the day and evening a new designer would put out a challenge to complete. It gave general guidelines; like use 3 of a possible 8 ways to add dimension to a layout or use the colors peach, pink and blue in a layout. I also just created layouts without the challenges to scrapbook pictures I wanted to use. Here is my first layout in the middle stage where I'm trying to figure out how to use this big cut file element that I've cut out and colored with distress inks.

Layout # 2 was a challenge from Facebook to use the colors peach, blue and pink. I had already chosen a picture to use so my thought process was how to incorporate those colors into the layout. I also challenged myself to use a mixed media background, which I am still uncomfortable doing.  I like my layouts to be clean and simple but I had the thought that I wanted to incorporate papers that I had used for backing my photos in circles in the top left and bottom right of the layout. I used gesso on my background and colored in the three areas with gelatos and water with a paintbrush. The result was a hot mess so I trimmed it down and lay it on a dark navy blue background which helped to tidy it up a bit.

The next challenge I chose was to create a monochromatic layout. I took some liberties with this one as the paper I chose had more than one color on it because I really wanted the spring vibe and I wanted to use birds and flowers in it. I also wanted it to look completely different than another layout I'd finished the week before which was also in blue. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it at the time.

The last layout I completed was to use at least 3 of a possible 8 ways to incorporate depth and dimension into a layout. I have to say this last one was my favorite of the all the layouts even though its a bit messy, it reflects more of my current style and preferences. I like to use foam adhesives on my layouts to add dimension and I've started using thread to soften up edges and add a bit of interest. In this layout I used texture paste which I colored orange hoping to match the butterflies. I distressed the edges of the layers of paper behind my photo, used twine and thread and placed the butterflies in a semi circular pattern. Circles seem to be my go to lately.

Well that was it for the scrapbooking weekend although I created another layout on Monday. I'm part of a Facebook group called Mini kit Mondays. I found out about it from a YouTube channel I watch frequently. I only just became a member of the group at the end of April so this was my first month participating. Essentially there are a group of ladies who have blogs and YouTube channels who started this Facebook group  to reach out to viewers and share ideas and layouts using a kit that you put together from your stash at the beginning of each month. One each Monday of the month you use your kit and make a layout. I think I'll share those pictures and processes with you at the end of each month. Who knows how I'll grow and develop my skills this month until I look back at the end and say Hey! I really like this or that. I would have changed this or done something differently, or added that to it. Hindsight is 20/20.