Sooooo. Back in May, when National Scrapbook Day rolled around, I was searching for the layout I had created for NSD in 2014, and was baffled when I couldn't find it on my blog. I mean, it was definitely up on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog (HERE) that year.
But I searched my blog high and low one day, and couldn't find it anywhere. It makes no sense that I never shared it, but maybe I really did overlook it. Or maybe I did share it and then the post vanished. Stranger things have happened. Anyways. I thought since I don't have anything else new to share right now, I would share it again. Or for the first time. Who knows at this point ;)
I go back and forth between two different styles when it comes to creating my layouts. Sometimes I’m all about the layers and texture and sometimes I work in a technique or two. I almost always add machine stitching and I love die cutting. I also love mixing and matching between manufactures and using a fun variety of products!
However, sometimes I'm looking to create simple and quick layouts, without all the fuss. Of course, I also still want them to look amazing and have plenty of interest. Luckily, there are so many products on the market that make "simple and quick" look "amazing and interesting". I created this two page layout with 10 photos, 6 3x4” cards, 6 thin strips of patterned paper, a few stickers, some alphas (chipboard and stickers), a few paper flowers, and a handful of buttons. And it really didn’t take me any time at all.
With the hugely popular Project Life elements showing up in so many manufacturer’s collections, it’s easy to find a wide variety of 3x4” and 4x6” cards to coordinate with your photos. I am not a Project Lifer (is that a term?), but I have a huge collection of Project Life cards and elements. They are easy for working into my everyday layouts and cards.
The 3x4” cards that were used on this spread came from a single sheet of 12x12” patterned paper, so I did have to trim them before using. I love that it gives the illusion that I dug into so many different patterned papers to create all of these different cards, when in fact, they all came from one sheet of paper.
I truly LOVE my die cut machine and my sewing machine, and I rarely make a project without using one, if not both, of them. However, with the way my scrap space is set up, I don’t have easy access to either one. If I want to die cut a title or shape, or if I want to machine stitch on my project, it involves clearing off enough room on my desk to put those machines. When I set out to do super quick projects, I forgo my die cut machine and head straight to my large collection of alpha stickers and chipboard for my titles and I skip the sewing machine all together.
By printing my photos 3x4”, the same size as my cards, I was able to create a collage of photos and paper across the two page spread. By lining everything up, and keeping things very clean and linear, I was able to get the “bones” of the page (cardstock, patterned paper and photos) put together very quickly.
I added some simple embellishments to some of the 3x4” cards. By sticking to a few of my go-to embellishments … buttons, flowers, and stickers … I saved time by not having to dig through all of my supplies looking for little bits of things to add to the pages.
Remember, creating eye-catching layouts doesn’t mean you have to spend hours on every page, or put $20 worth of product onto your pages. A little really can go a long way!
Loving the grid design and the different colours!! Just gorgeous Laura!!
Posted by: Tracey | July 23, 2015 at 06:16 AM
It seems that there is a LOT of one photo LOs and while they make wonderful LOs I still like to make a whole pile of photos off my "to scrap" list at one go so I love your LOs Laura, they have loads of style and they get the job (of checking off my photos) done!!
Posted by: Dolly | July 23, 2015 at 08:05 AM
i adore this two-pager! I love grids so this is so pretty to me.
Posted by: Christine Newman | July 23, 2015 at 09:11 AM
I'm so glad you decided to share (re-share?) these pages. I love them! I too love the idea of being able to use up lots of photos. And I love the tone on tone of the embellishments you used on the 3x4 cards. Sometimes I feel guilty for my over abundant supplies, and this is one to use a lot of them.
Posted by: SandraA | July 23, 2015 at 11:31 AM
I wish you could promise to NEVER stop scrapping. Your style is perfection to me, I adore a grid design, little bits to discover with fun - happy colors! Your layouts always catch my eye, after years of following you I can spot them anywhere :)
Your use of multiple photos ( without looking cluttered or too busy) is a skill I still try to master.
Thanks for sharing /re-sharing this beautiful 2 pager !
Posted by: Beth R | August 22, 2015 at 04:13 PM