I'm loving these quick, messy, totally un-fancy pages! I'm using up my scraps and leftovers. But, I'm also getting the chance to work with supplies I've been hoarding forever. I rarely scrap for myself anymore (sadly), so it has been great fun to have the chance to work with whatever supplies I want! And I've fooled around with a few techniques and gotten some great ideas!
So, here is the (very long) show and tell of what the album looks like so far. I've tried to include plenty of "before&afters," along with some information about how I put together each page.
Before is on the left. After is on the right. Generally. Sometimes it's before is above and after is below. You'll figure it out.
- The addition of black embellishments (lace, frame, heart, star) really changes the feeling of the page. And because the photo has so much black in it, it really works.
- Notice how I cut the top of the page to follow the lines of heart and the star.
- And, it's hard to see in the photo, but there's some Glimmer Mist (stenciled circles) underneath the heart and star. Spraying on top of paint (because it doesn't absorb the ink) almost always requires a heat gun to speed the drying process. Otherwise it takes forever!
- I originally had a yellow thicker inside that "2," but it didn't work color wise, so I outlined it and pulled it off.
- One of the things I love about albums made with book rings, is that you can really integrate new stuff into each page. Notice how the photo overlaps with the hole. You just punch a new hole whenever you cover the old one up!
- On the left, I didn't have enough stickers to make it through the word "rootbeer." So, I just drew in the ones I was missing!
- Again, I went right to the edge with the photos and just punched new holes. I know I've said it before, but I think it's important to use the edges of your page. It helps to create movement and gives a page energy!
- On the right, this was a new trick for me. I cut the number "3" out of the photo. I drew it on there and then took a pair of scissors and hacked away. I love the way it looks! Notice that I also outlined the edges of the "3" with a gold pen. Just a bit of shimmer on a sunny day.
- The large "home" on this page is an homage to this famous artwork.
- This page couldn't be simpler. I wrote on my photo (and the page) with a Sakura Pigma Micron.
- And speaking of running off the page and at the edges, notice how I placed my photo at the very tip top of the page? It's almost like the building continues up and past the page!
- People never believe me when I say that I'm not a good painter. I just slap the paint on. It's the addition of layers that makes it look good. I'd say that's evident from this before&after shot, right?
- I stamped the journaling squares on leftover scraps of patterned paper. One of my all time favorite stamps sets, by the way. It's from 7gypsies and called, "Take Note." You can see it here.
- On the left, you can see that I repeated the same formula that I used on the front side – photos with journaling squares on patterned paper.
- Long ago, I read one of Ali Edwards' books, A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking. She says something in that book that has really stuck with me for years. Basically, she talks about how creating "containers" for things can make the most disordered pages orderly. And she's absolutely right. The messy little photos. The random background. The mismatched patterned papers. But, it all works together because it's "contained" in a 2-square-by-3-square grid.
- On the right, the "5 page" is packaging from the back of some Jenni Bowlin chipboard buttons.
- You can see it a little more easily in these photos (above).
- I placed my photos so that they ran off the edge, flipped the page over and cut away the excess photo so that it would follow the line of the page.
- Also, I hole punched a folded receipt from dinner and just placed it into the binding. If I want to read it, I can pull it out of the ring later. In the meantime, it's a fun element.
- Above, you can see the back of that little page. When I put the book together, I put patterned paper across the back (see it below). To finish the page, I simply added photos and text.
- I love the page on the right! Love, love, love it!
- I used a bit of UnDu to pull up the edge of the long tag thing that runs across the page. I placed my photo behind it.
- The letters are ancient Heidi Swapp letters that I found at the bottom of a file folder. They look fantastic. I'm going to try to figure out if I can still get them anywhere, because I really love the way they look!
- On the bottom left, you can see my receipt (and NOT my ticket) from the train. You know, I rarely include ephemera on my pages these days. But, this little project is helping me get back into that. I think it's awesome!
- I think that these two pages (above) win "most transformed," don't you?
- On the left, I placed a 4×6 photo across the top of the page. I like the way the green painting seems to extend the grass of the lawn.
- Originally, I was going to put the journaling tag below the photo. But it's not a very interesting photo. To make it less passive and more active, I inserted a portion of the journaling tag onto the photo.
- At the bottom of the page, you can see three little gray photos. I decided not to edit them or brighten them, but just leave them as they are. I used a Uniball Signo (back in stock at JetPens.com, btw – follow the link) to write on top of them.
- On the right, you can see that I used a Hambly transparency as a kind of cover page. There's a better view below:
- At first, I was going to staple the transparency over the photo, but then I decided it would be more fun to let it live as a page in itself.
- Above, you can see the back of the transparency on the left and the page underneath on the right.
- I used my typewriter to add all that journaling you see. On a side note, I feel a bit angry with myself. The print was getting so faint, I assumed that I needed to change my typewriter ribbon. But after I changed it, it didn't seem much better. I now realize that the typewriter got jostled in the move and some of the settings were changed. Wasted ribbon. Urgh.
- Above, this is another candidate for "most transformed." Those pretty hot air balloons got a coat of black gesso. You can see the word stickers, but most of the rest of the original page is obscured.
- The word "stickley" along the left edge of the page is a fun story. I used some vinyl Thickers to spell out the word. But, I didn't have any "t's" left. So, I pieced one together. In addition, the adhesive on the Thickers was not holding well. So, I threw some masking tape over it to hold it, and a bit of paint for definition. I *adore* the way it turned out. Definitely a technique that I'm going to experiment with a lot more!
- On the right, you can see the front and back of a little tag. It was tied onto the "doggy bag" we took home from the restaurant. The chef wrote his name on it. I added a bit about what I ate on the back.
- I have been hoarding those Hambly flourishy frame rub-ons forever. They're so gorgeous, and they go on like butter. I'm a little sad that they're gone now. But, I guess that means I'll have to buy some more…oh no.
- I've used a lot of vinyl letter stickers throughout this book. I love them. I buy them at Staples. They come in all sorts of sizes, a few different fonts, a few different colors, and they are plentiful. Plus, they go with everything. Sort of like a little black dress of letters! You can see some white ones spelling out "God of Carnage" above and some black ones (1,2,3) below:
- Unfortunately, the little fairies and elves didn't go with my day. So, I covered them up with photos. Now, they just add texture and color.
- I knew that I wanted to include the little doily from Junior's, so I mimicked the look with some round orange journaling spots from Ormolu for the other two numbers.
- I pulled apart a spare Playbill from the show (on the right) and hole punched the relevant pages. One of the things that I adore about binding with rings, is that you can add in so many things, like this program!
So, that's what I've been up to. Let me know what you think of this style of memory keeping….?
Thanks for stopping by!
These pages are fabulous! I think this is a great way to artistically share your memories!
These pages are fabulous! I think this is a great way to artistically share your memories!
These pages are fabulous! I think this is a great way to artistically share your memories!
These pages are fabulous! I think this is a great way to artistically share your memories!
I think it is amazing! Love it!
I think it is amazing! Love it!
I think it is amazing! Love it!
I think it is amazing! Love it!
It is cool- I love it!
It is cool- I love it!
It is cool- I love it!
It is cool- I love it!
Love your books so far! Its nice to see stuff you did just for you. I think we all get into doing deadline stuff or stuff for challenges and then we never just do things we want for us.
Love your books so far! Its nice to see stuff you did just for you. I think we all get into doing deadline stuff or stuff for challenges and then we never just do things we want for us.
Love your books so far! Its nice to see stuff you did just for you. I think we all get into doing deadline stuff or stuff for challenges and then we never just do things we want for us.
Love your books so far! Its nice to see stuff you did just for you. I think we all get into doing deadline stuff or stuff for challenges and then we never just do things we want for us.
I love this kind of book. I made one for our holydays. I brought it with me, and filled it every day. Now i’m waiting for my photo.
I love yours, the way how it turns. Great !!!
(i hope you understand what i mean, i know my english isn’t very good….)
Bizzz
I love this kind of book. I made one for our holydays. I brought it with me, and filled it every day. Now i’m waiting for my photo.
I love yours, the way how it turns. Great !!!
(i hope you understand what i mean, i know my english isn’t very good….)
Bizzz
I love this kind of book. I made one for our holydays. I brought it with me, and filled it every day. Now i’m waiting for my photo.
I love yours, the way how it turns. Great !!!
(i hope you understand what i mean, i know my english isn’t very good….)
Bizzz
I love this kind of book. I made one for our holydays. I brought it with me, and filled it every day. Now i’m waiting for my photo.
I love yours, the way how it turns. Great !!!
(i hope you understand what i mean, i know my english isn’t very good….)
Bizzz
This is so amazing Julie!! I’m also working on a September Daily, inspired by your work (and also to try to get those $10 from Portraitbug!!)I’m new to scrapbooking and i have to confess that ever since i started this art journal I feel I’ve never had so much fun with paper & glue! It’s so cool to just grab a few items and give myself 1/2 hr at the end of the day to put some thoughts down and play around. I’m loving it. Thank you so much for all the inspiration and techniques!
This is so amazing Julie!! I’m also working on a September Daily, inspired by your work (and also to try to get those $10 from Portraitbug!!)I’m new to scrapbooking and i have to confess that ever since i started this art journal I feel I’ve never had so much fun with paper & glue! It’s so cool to just grab a few items and give myself 1/2 hr at the end of the day to put some thoughts down and play around. I’m loving it. Thank you so much for all the inspiration and techniques!
This is so amazing Julie!! I’m also working on a September Daily, inspired by your work (and also to try to get those $10 from Portraitbug!!)I’m new to scrapbooking and i have to confess that ever since i started this art journal I feel I’ve never had so much fun with paper & glue! It’s so cool to just grab a few items and give myself 1/2 hr at the end of the day to put some thoughts down and play around. I’m loving it. Thank you so much for all the inspiration and techniques!
This is so amazing Julie!! I’m also working on a September Daily, inspired by your work (and also to try to get those $10 from Portraitbug!!)I’m new to scrapbooking and i have to confess that ever since i started this art journal I feel I’ve never had so much fun with paper & glue! It’s so cool to just grab a few items and give myself 1/2 hr at the end of the day to put some thoughts down and play around. I’m loving it. Thank you so much for all the inspiration and techniques!
could you be any cooler? These are my favourite kinds of albums these days too.
could you be any cooler? These are my favourite kinds of albums these days too.
could you be any cooler? These are my favourite kinds of albums these days too.
could you be any cooler? These are my favourite kinds of albums these days too.
What an Amazing layout…..luv it !
What an Amazing layout…..luv it !
What an Amazing layout…..luv it !
What an Amazing layout…..luv it !
I just revisited that very book of Ali’s not too long ago, it is a great one! Love your mini and the artistic look you gave it 🙂
I just revisited that very book of Ali’s not too long ago, it is a great one! Love your mini and the artistic look you gave it 🙂
I just revisited that very book of Ali’s not too long ago, it is a great one! Love your mini and the artistic look you gave it 🙂
I just revisited that very book of Ali’s not too long ago, it is a great one! Love your mini and the artistic look you gave it 🙂
waaay cool book! sometimes simple is better!
waaay cool book! sometimes simple is better!
waaay cool book! sometimes simple is better!
waaay cool book! sometimes simple is better!
I love your book Julie! It’s so funky and fun!
I love your book Julie! It’s so funky and fun!
I love your book Julie! It’s so funky and fun!
I love your book Julie! It’s so funky and fun!
Hi Julie !
If you have 2 minutes, please visit my blog :
http://nathelscrap.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/10/15017575.html#trackbacks
I made a LO with…celery !!!
Bizzz
Nat
Hi Julie !
If you have 2 minutes, please visit my blog :
http://nathelscrap.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/10/15017575.html#trackbacks
I made a LO with…celery !!!
Bizzz
Nat
Hi Julie !
If you have 2 minutes, please visit my blog :
http://nathelscrap.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/10/15017575.html#trackbacks
I made a LO with…celery !!!
Bizzz
Nat
Hi Julie !
If you have 2 minutes, please visit my blog :
http://nathelscrap.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/10/15017575.html#trackbacks
I made a LO with…celery !!!
Bizzz
Nat
I think what I like the best is how don’t mind covering things up – those gorgeous balloons! 🙂 That’s great. WHat will happen for me most of the time is that I’ll prepare something, and then not use it because it doesn’t fit my day 🙂 I’ll upload a similar journal I made later today 🙂
I think what I like the best is how don’t mind covering things up – those gorgeous balloons! 🙂 That’s great. WHat will happen for me most of the time is that I’ll prepare something, and then not use it because it doesn’t fit my day 🙂 I’ll upload a similar journal I made later today 🙂
I think what I like the best is how don’t mind covering things up – those gorgeous balloons! 🙂 That’s great. WHat will happen for me most of the time is that I’ll prepare something, and then not use it because it doesn’t fit my day 🙂 I’ll upload a similar journal I made later today 🙂
I think what I like the best is how don’t mind covering things up – those gorgeous balloons! 🙂 That’s great. WHat will happen for me most of the time is that I’ll prepare something, and then not use it because it doesn’t fit my day 🙂 I’ll upload a similar journal I made later today 🙂
I love it, Julie, especially how you made it work for you!! So free and easy! And a great way to use up some of my stash of not so loved papers. 😉
I love it, Julie, especially how you made it work for you!! So free and easy! And a great way to use up some of my stash of not so loved papers. 😉
I love it, Julie, especially how you made it work for you!! So free and easy! And a great way to use up some of my stash of not so loved papers. 😉
I love it, Julie, especially how you made it work for you!! So free and easy! And a great way to use up some of my stash of not so loved papers. 😉
I especially like how you cut the “3” into the photo and your use of the masking tape over the Thickers! Can’t wait to try that one. TFS your fun memory keeping.
I especially like how you cut the “3” into the photo and your use of the masking tape over the Thickers! Can’t wait to try that one. TFS your fun memory keeping.
I especially like how you cut the “3” into the photo and your use of the masking tape over the Thickers! Can’t wait to try that one. TFS your fun memory keeping.
I especially like how you cut the “3” into the photo and your use of the masking tape over the Thickers! Can’t wait to try that one. TFS your fun memory keeping.
ok…so i am delurking because i read your blog every day.
LOVE this and you are inspiring me to go buy some book-rings…it’s been a LONG time since i made a mini:)
ok…so i am delurking because i read your blog every day.
LOVE this and you are inspiring me to go buy some book-rings…it’s been a LONG time since i made a mini:)
ok…so i am delurking because i read your blog every day.
LOVE this and you are inspiring me to go buy some book-rings…it’s been a LONG time since i made a mini:)
ok…so i am delurking because i read your blog every day.
LOVE this and you are inspiring me to go buy some book-rings…it’s been a LONG time since i made a mini:)
Thanks Julie, your pages and writing are very inspiring! I met you some time ago at a Manhattan meetup. I moved 3 months ago and haven’t sorted out the 8 boxes or so of endless craft and scrapbooking supplies. . . . . definitely overwhelming esp with a demanding (though cute & charming) 2 month old baby. Anyway, thanks for sharing your artwork, definitely what I needed on this night in suburbia.. . .. .
Thanks Julie, your pages and writing are very inspiring! I met you some time ago at a Manhattan meetup. I moved 3 months ago and haven’t sorted out the 8 boxes or so of endless craft and scrapbooking supplies. . . . . definitely overwhelming esp with a demanding (though cute & charming) 2 month old baby. Anyway, thanks for sharing your artwork, definitely what I needed on this night in suburbia.. . .. .
Thanks Julie, your pages and writing are very inspiring! I met you some time ago at a Manhattan meetup. I moved 3 months ago and haven’t sorted out the 8 boxes or so of endless craft and scrapbooking supplies. . . . . definitely overwhelming esp with a demanding (though cute & charming) 2 month old baby. Anyway, thanks for sharing your artwork, definitely what I needed on this night in suburbia.. . .. .
Thanks Julie, your pages and writing are very inspiring! I met you some time ago at a Manhattan meetup. I moved 3 months ago and haven’t sorted out the 8 boxes or so of endless craft and scrapbooking supplies. . . . . definitely overwhelming esp with a demanding (though cute & charming) 2 month old baby. Anyway, thanks for sharing your artwork, definitely what I needed on this night in suburbia.. . .. .
I love it, Julie! So fresh and fun!
I love it, Julie! So fresh and fun!
I love it, Julie! So fresh and fun!
I love it, Julie! So fresh and fun!
I love this album! I can’t wait to start on one of my own now LOL. I especially like that you sometimes show your work in progress … I really like seeing the different stages of your pages, because then I think well, maybe I too can make something like this. When I just see the finished page, I never get that feeling *sigh*. So thanks for sharing Julie, I do hope you’ll be showing your different steps in creating a page more often.
xxx Peggy
I love this album! I can’t wait to start on one of my own now LOL. I especially like that you sometimes show your work in progress … I really like seeing the different stages of your pages, because then I think well, maybe I too can make something like this. When I just see the finished page, I never get that feeling *sigh*. So thanks for sharing Julie, I do hope you’ll be showing your different steps in creating a page more often.
xxx Peggy
I love this album! I can’t wait to start on one of my own now LOL. I especially like that you sometimes show your work in progress … I really like seeing the different stages of your pages, because then I think well, maybe I too can make something like this. When I just see the finished page, I never get that feeling *sigh*. So thanks for sharing Julie, I do hope you’ll be showing your different steps in creating a page more often.
xxx Peggy
I love this album! I can’t wait to start on one of my own now LOL. I especially like that you sometimes show your work in progress … I really like seeing the different stages of your pages, because then I think well, maybe I too can make something like this. When I just see the finished page, I never get that feeling *sigh*. So thanks for sharing Julie, I do hope you’ll be showing your different steps in creating a page more often.
xxx Peggy