I wanted to share one of my favorite scrapbooking inspiration challenges. Every week, a lovely scrapper named *Paula* posts a new advertisement to a thread titled “Pub Ad Inspiration Challenge” on the website Two Peas In A Bucket. Sometimes the ads are very easy to translate into a scrapbooking layout and sometimes they’re more esoteric. Regardless, the results are always very interesting.

Throughout the week, scrappers post their layouts in response to the ad. Some people “lift” the ad directly. Others use the topic, shapes, colors, or general idea as inspiration. I have learned three things from doing the Ad Inspiration Challenge:

1. Design. Looking at the ad and trying to figure out how to translate it to a page has forced me to be conscious of how ads are put together, why certain design arrangements work, what kind of design additions or alterations work and which don’t.

2. My Personal Style. I am much more concious of what my personal scrapbooking style is. I’m always trying to alter the ad to incorporate massive amounts of journaling. I like to put a lot of “stuff” on my layouts. I’m always trying to cram more photos than are called for. I love a bold title.

3. Look Harder. Don’t just accept the ad at surface value. Look at what really makes it work. Tilt it. Turn it. Break it down. Expand it.

Here are some recent challenges and my responses:

10393792

Itsallaboutthedresssm_2

10410092

Ourvowssm_2

10609244

Fatherofthebridefullsm_2

10866472

Massbarswearinginsm_2

11128302

Avisittocentralparksm

Here is this week’s challenge:

11198634

Beadingbeautiessm_2

If you’d like to play, here’s the thread: Pub Ad Inspiration Challenge: Week of 3/26/07 I hope you’ll be inspired!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

24 thoughts on “Scrapbooking Inspiration!

  • WowWowWow–Love your responses to the PubAd Challenges. “The Dress” is a killer layout. I’ve never tried one of these challenges, but I think maybe next week I’m going to give it a go.

    Reply
  • WowWowWow–Love your responses to the PubAd Challenges. “The Dress” is a killer layout. I’ve never tried one of these challenges, but I think maybe next week I’m going to give it a go.

    Reply
  • WowWowWow–Love your responses to the PubAd Challenges. “The Dress” is a killer layout. I’ve never tried one of these challenges, but I think maybe next week I’m going to give it a go.

    Reply
  • WowWowWow–Love your responses to the PubAd Challenges. “The Dress” is a killer layout. I’ve never tried one of these challenges, but I think maybe next week I’m going to give it a go.

    Reply
  • Love all those layouts- awesome ! I too love the ad challenges- I have to play again!

    Reply
  • Love all those layouts- awesome ! I too love the ad challenges- I have to play again!

    Reply
  • Love all those layouts- awesome ! I too love the ad challenges- I have to play again!

    Reply
  • Love all those layouts- awesome ! I too love the ad challenges- I have to play again!

    Reply
  • oh my goodness…you are so good!…wow…i love them all! especially ‘the dress’…& speaking of the dress….that is the coolest dress i’ve ever seen…incredible…but not surprising miss color:)…thanks for sharing

    Reply
  • oh my goodness…you are so good!…wow…i love them all! especially ‘the dress’…& speaking of the dress….that is the coolest dress i’ve ever seen…incredible…but not surprising miss color:)…thanks for sharing

    Reply
  • oh my goodness…you are so good!…wow…i love them all! especially ‘the dress’…& speaking of the dress….that is the coolest dress i’ve ever seen…incredible…but not surprising miss color:)…thanks for sharing

    Reply
  • oh my goodness…you are so good!…wow…i love them all! especially ‘the dress’…& speaking of the dress….that is the coolest dress i’ve ever seen…incredible…but not surprising miss color:)…thanks for sharing

    Reply
  • ps will you post more detailed pictures of your dress?…or let me know if you already have & link me…thanks:)…it is awesome…

    Reply
  • ps will you post more detailed pictures of your dress?…or let me know if you already have & link me…thanks:)…it is awesome…

    Reply
  • ps will you post more detailed pictures of your dress?…or let me know if you already have & link me…thanks:)…it is awesome…

    Reply
  • ps will you post more detailed pictures of your dress?…or let me know if you already have & link me…thanks:)…it is awesome…

    Reply
  • These layouts turned out great. My favorites are Central Park and Beading Beauties.

    Reply
  • These layouts turned out great. My favorites are Central Park and Beading Beauties.

    Reply
  • These layouts turned out great. My favorites are Central Park and Beading Beauties.

    Reply
  • These layouts turned out great. My favorites are Central Park and Beading Beauties.

    Reply
  • Yay! I’m so happy that you find these ads as inspiring as I do. Thanks Julie!

    Reply
  • Yay! I’m so happy that you find these ads as inspiring as I do. Thanks Julie!

    Reply
  • Yay! I’m so happy that you find these ads as inspiring as I do. Thanks Julie!

    Reply
  • Yay! I’m so happy that you find these ads as inspiring as I do. Thanks Julie!

    Reply

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