So You Want to Be Creative?

Here's how John Cleese does it.  This isn't a new video, but it applies just as much to creativity today as it did back in 1991.  His points are timeless and spot-on.  Grab a cup/glass of your favorite beverage, and settle down for 36  minutes of sheer genius.

My First Layout for Scrapper's Playground

Hi everyone!  Here is my first layout for the Scrapper's Playground Design Team.  

 

Supplies:

·         Stars & Stripes patterned paper by Doodlebug Design

·         Bazzill cardstock in blue, light blue, and white

·         Stars & Stripes Fancy Frills stickers by Doodlebug Design

·         Stars & Stripes Mini Doodle Pops by Doodlebug Design

·         Stars & Stripes Doodle Seals by Doodlebug Design

·         Star Spangled washi tape by Doodlebug Design

·         Baker’s Twine by Doodlebug Design

·         Candy Shoppe Ice Accents by Queen & Company

·         Wink of Stella clear glitter marker

·         Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz/Ranger

·         White gel pen

·         Embossing folder with dots*

To put this layout together, I first arranged my photos into collages and adhered them to the layout.  Then I cut out my title with my die cut machine.  A comparable font for the Eclips would be Valentine’s Day & Happy Heart.  For added dimension, I used an embossing folder on the “Smiles” letters.  After adhering the title, I added my journaling strips and border strips/paper. 

Next I added foam adhesive to the backs of the banner sticker pieces and adhered them to a length of baker’s twine.  After stapling the ends of the baker’s twine to the layout with my Tiny Attacher, I tied two bows and glued them to the ends of the banner.  As a finishing touch on the banner pieces, I added dots of white gel pen.

The final step in assembling the layout was to add the embellishments.  I added the stickers, pinwheel, and washi tape; and then I made a medallion/rosette with some of the patterned paper.  First I scored a strip of 1 ¼” x 12” patterned paper at ¼” measurements.  Then I accordion-folded the strip and glued the ends together.  Using a generous amount of hot glue, I glued the medallion in the center, attaching a cardstock circle on the back for stability.  I then added some Wink of Stella glitter marker to the edges of the medallion and the circles in the embossed title. 

The last step was to add the cardstock sticker and Ice Accent to the center of the medallion.  Because this is a heavy embellishment, I attached it to the layout with hot glue.  (I believe acid-free white glue would work also, but I didn’t want it to fall off the layout while hanging on the wall).

I hope you like the layout and that you get a chance to stop by Scrapper's Playground to see them in person, and to check out the cool stuff in the store.

Happy scrapping!

Introducing ...

... MY NEW ETSY SHOP!

I've been really busy lately.  I've written a textbook, designed a new curriculum for a digital photography class (that's the textbook), and re-started my Etsy shop.  It's called Tocco di Bellezza (Touch of Beauty).  I design and create unique jewelry with an Italian flair.  Here are a few photos of my designs:

I hope you get a chance to stop by!

Celebrate the Funny Side of Life

International Joke Day: Celebrate the Funny Side of Life!

Knock Knock!

Who's There?

Justin.

Justin who?

Justin time for International Joke Day!

I know, I know.  That was a pretty bad knock-knock joke, but today (July 1) really is international Joke Day.  To celebrate that day, I decided to finally scrapbook some of my favorite photos of my children when they were little.  I have three Polaroidpictures of them doing goofy things, and I've been "saving them for just the right layout."  You know how that is, right?  We save them for years; and, before you know it, they're teenagers. 

When my children were younger, I kept a journal of the funny things they said, because I knew that I probably wouldn't remember them all as the years passed.  I was right.  I laughed until I cried when I read the pages in that journal.  Those quotes were perfect for my journaling.

Since the original photos were Polaroids, I didn't have any negatives.  So before I used them on my layout, I scanned them and saved a copy on my computer.  That allowed me the freedom to have fun with the photos.  Using my Cricut and some kraftcardstock, I cut Polaroid frames that I had designed.

 After wrapping some baker's twine around the photos, I layered them on top of some patterned papers from the Simple Stories Summer Fresh line.  The fun zig-zag/chevron and polka-dot designs worked very well with the happy, fun mood of this layout.

I like to mix old supplies with new ones; so for the journaling, I used a patterned paper that came with a kit that I've had for a few years.  I typed up some of the funny quotes and printed the journaling on plain printer paper.  Then I adhered the patterned paper on top of the printer paper, using repositionable adhesive.

The doily that is peeking out from behind the journaling was cut with a Lucky 8 Punch by We R Memory Keepers.  Because I'm a frugal scrapbooker, I cut the doily in half and saved the other half for another project.  I'll probably use it on a card.

Since I wanted a fun title for this layout, I chose a fun font for my Cricut and cut it out of kraft cardstock.  Making the word ‘funny' stand out with glitter was easy.  I ran the letters face-down through my Xyron machine.  Then I sprinkled some Martha Stewart glitter over them and ran them through my Xyron right-side up.  The polka-dots were an afterthought, and I drew them on with a white gel pen.  To make the letters stand out even more, I outlined them with a black journaling pen.

All that was left after that was to add a few embellishments:  buttons, phrases, punched circles, and baker's twine.  Those make just about any layout a little more fun, don't they?

I hope you decide to celebrate International Joke Day by creating a fun layout yourself.  Just grab those fun photos, a few funnysayings or a funny story, some fun products from Scrapjazz.com, and fun supplies from your stash.  Celebrate the funny side of life!