I fell in love with this piece of paper from InfoCrea:
I think it's just too too fabulous. It's from a collection called "Rhapsodie." But I just couldn't make a layout come together with it. I tried really hard. Twice. (I had two pieces of it.) But I totally overworked it, second guessed myself. Sigh.
Take a peek at my two versions:
What do you think? Which version do you like better?
I think I'm a fan of version #1, which is unfortunate because I took it apart in order to make version #2. But I don't really love either one of them. Ah, well. You win some and you lose some.
Now here's the important part: I believe that all mistakes are creative opportunities. Rather than get too frustrated I decided that this layout struggle of mine was a chance to learn something. So I slept on it and thought about why the two layouts just never came together.
And it hit me.
The paper is so beautifully decorated, distressed, textured, painted, and collaged already that the less you do to it the better. I was doing too much — overworking it.
With that thought in mind, I tried again with a different paper from this same collection:
Much, much better! And all I did was glue down my photos, title, and write my journaling. Done in about 10 minutes. This is a case where the paper really does all the work for you, you know?
Lesson learned.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie,
Thanks for sharing. I am such a fan of how fearless you are with paint, distressing, etc. It inspires me to let go.
Julie,
Thanks for sharing. I am such a fan of how fearless you are with paint, distressing, etc. It inspires me to let go.
Julie,
Thanks for sharing. I am such a fan of how fearless you are with paint, distressing, etc. It inspires me to let go.
Julie,
Thanks for sharing. I am such a fan of how fearless you are with paint, distressing, etc. It inspires me to let go.
they are both cute, and the third layout is really nice too!
they are both cute, and the third layout is really nice too!
they are both cute, and the third layout is really nice too!
they are both cute, and the third layout is really nice too!
I think both versions are cool, different feel I guess. It’s important to just like what you do…so I guess in the end it was a lot easier to just not do too much? haha…I love the color in the last layout!
I think both versions are cool, different feel I guess. It’s important to just like what you do…so I guess in the end it was a lot easier to just not do too much? haha…I love the color in the last layout!
I think both versions are cool, different feel I guess. It’s important to just like what you do…so I guess in the end it was a lot easier to just not do too much? haha…I love the color in the last layout!
I think both versions are cool, different feel I guess. It’s important to just like what you do…so I guess in the end it was a lot easier to just not do too much? haha…I love the color in the last layout!
It’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one guilty of overthinking. Sometimes I think we learn a lot by “reverse engineering” our own layouts.
It’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one guilty of overthinking. Sometimes I think we learn a lot by “reverse engineering” our own layouts.
It’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one guilty of overthinking. Sometimes I think we learn a lot by “reverse engineering” our own layouts.
It’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one guilty of overthinking. Sometimes I think we learn a lot by “reverse engineering” our own layouts.
I love them all. For the circle, did you use circle masks or cut outs or both?
I love them all. For the circle, did you use circle masks or cut outs or both?
I love them all. For the circle, did you use circle masks or cut outs or both?
I love them all. For the circle, did you use circle masks or cut outs or both?
I am also I glad I am not the only one who overworks or just doesn’t like what they have created. But I would say you learn all from these “mistakes”. The second Layout stands out for me but I tend like a simple, cleaner style. And I must say, I am not a green person but the last really catches my eye.
I am also I glad I am not the only one who overworks or just doesn’t like what they have created. But I would say you learn all from these “mistakes”. The second Layout stands out for me but I tend like a simple, cleaner style. And I must say, I am not a green person but the last really catches my eye.
I am also I glad I am not the only one who overworks or just doesn’t like what they have created. But I would say you learn all from these “mistakes”. The second Layout stands out for me but I tend like a simple, cleaner style. And I must say, I am not a green person but the last really catches my eye.
I am also I glad I am not the only one who overworks or just doesn’t like what they have created. But I would say you learn all from these “mistakes”. The second Layout stands out for me but I tend like a simple, cleaner style. And I must say, I am not a green person but the last really catches my eye.
I loved that you showed us your 2 versions. So interesting. That is incredible paper!
I loved that you showed us your 2 versions. So interesting. That is incredible paper!
I loved that you showed us your 2 versions. So interesting. That is incredible paper!
I loved that you showed us your 2 versions. So interesting. That is incredible paper!
very cool!
very cool!
very cool!
very cool!
i really liked the first one. im so glad you shared this with us. i am learning to not let it get me mad when things don’t come out “perfect” i love the creative process and that’s what i need to focus on. the third LO is awesome.
i really liked the first one. im so glad you shared this with us. i am learning to not let it get me mad when things don’t come out “perfect” i love the creative process and that’s what i need to focus on. the third LO is awesome.
i really liked the first one. im so glad you shared this with us. i am learning to not let it get me mad when things don’t come out “perfect” i love the creative process and that’s what i need to focus on. the third LO is awesome.
i really liked the first one. im so glad you shared this with us. i am learning to not let it get me mad when things don’t come out “perfect” i love the creative process and that’s what i need to focus on. the third LO is awesome.
Julie. I wish I could be so brave!!! I just don’t try to work with this kind of paper!!!! Congratulations.
Julie. I wish I could be so brave!!! I just don’t try to work with this kind of paper!!!! Congratulations.
Julie. I wish I could be so brave!!! I just don’t try to work with this kind of paper!!!! Congratulations.
Julie. I wish I could be so brave!!! I just don’t try to work with this kind of paper!!!! Congratulations.
I like the layout you posted first. (#1) Yet, I would have made the pictures bigger on the page. The artwork does take the focus away from the pictures. The 10 minute layout is great and the pictures are more of the focus on this one. I think they are still competing with the paper for attention though. Love the papers!
I like the layout you posted first. (#1) Yet, I would have made the pictures bigger on the page. The artwork does take the focus away from the pictures. The 10 minute layout is great and the pictures are more of the focus on this one. I think they are still competing with the paper for attention though. Love the papers!
I like the layout you posted first. (#1) Yet, I would have made the pictures bigger on the page. The artwork does take the focus away from the pictures. The 10 minute layout is great and the pictures are more of the focus on this one. I think they are still competing with the paper for attention though. Love the papers!
I like the layout you posted first. (#1) Yet, I would have made the pictures bigger on the page. The artwork does take the focus away from the pictures. The 10 minute layout is great and the pictures are more of the focus on this one. I think they are still competing with the paper for attention though. Love the papers!
The paper just has too much on it to add anything else (in my humble opinion). That being said, I do like how you did the journaling in the first LO.
The paper just has too much on it to add anything else (in my humble opinion). That being said, I do like how you did the journaling in the first LO.
The paper just has too much on it to add anything else (in my humble opinion). That being said, I do like how you did the journaling in the first LO.
The paper just has too much on it to add anything else (in my humble opinion). That being said, I do like how you did the journaling in the first LO.
My vote is for the first one. Those papers are absolutely awesome. Your “My Guy” layout is spot-on. Yes, with these papers, keep it simple.
My vote is for the first one. Those papers are absolutely awesome. Your “My Guy” layout is spot-on. Yes, with these papers, keep it simple.
My vote is for the first one. Those papers are absolutely awesome. Your “My Guy” layout is spot-on. Yes, with these papers, keep it simple.
My vote is for the first one. Those papers are absolutely awesome. Your “My Guy” layout is spot-on. Yes, with these papers, keep it simple.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this with paper layouts. That is why I like digi so much. I like number 1 but maybe the pictures are too small compared to the circles in size? hmm…
3 is amazing! So its all good! No accidents like you said!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog about my watercolor profile painting. I still read your blog, daily I just don’t always get a chance to comment every day. I posted a thing about fabric tape today, that I saw from a tut I saw about making your own fabric tape you might like. Have a great Saturday.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this with paper layouts. That is why I like digi so much. I like number 1 but maybe the pictures are too small compared to the circles in size? hmm…
3 is amazing! So its all good! No accidents like you said!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog about my watercolor profile painting. I still read your blog, daily I just don’t always get a chance to comment every day. I posted a thing about fabric tape today, that I saw from a tut I saw about making your own fabric tape you might like. Have a great Saturday.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this with paper layouts. That is why I like digi so much. I like number 1 but maybe the pictures are too small compared to the circles in size? hmm…
3 is amazing! So its all good! No accidents like you said!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog about my watercolor profile painting. I still read your blog, daily I just don’t always get a chance to comment every day. I posted a thing about fabric tape today, that I saw from a tut I saw about making your own fabric tape you might like. Have a great Saturday.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this with paper layouts. That is why I like digi so much. I like number 1 but maybe the pictures are too small compared to the circles in size? hmm…
3 is amazing! So its all good! No accidents like you said!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog about my watercolor profile painting. I still read your blog, daily I just don’t always get a chance to comment every day. I posted a thing about fabric tape today, that I saw from a tut I saw about making your own fabric tape you might like. Have a great Saturday.
I LOVE that third one!! I think I have that problem a lot..trying to overwork paper that really doesn’t need a lot! I am so glad I found your blog through Michelle LP because you are very inspiring to me!! Have a great weekend:)
I LOVE that third one!! I think I have that problem a lot..trying to overwork paper that really doesn’t need a lot! I am so glad I found your blog through Michelle LP because you are very inspiring to me!! Have a great weekend:)
I LOVE that third one!! I think I have that problem a lot..trying to overwork paper that really doesn’t need a lot! I am so glad I found your blog through Michelle LP because you are very inspiring to me!! Have a great weekend:)
I LOVE that third one!! I think I have that problem a lot..trying to overwork paper that really doesn’t need a lot! I am so glad I found your blog through Michelle LP because you are very inspiring to me!! Have a great weekend:)
So, so, true! It’s so easy to feel like we have to work to make it work. And sometimes it’s as easy as LO #3, esp when the paper is a work of art all by itself. A great reminder that it doesn’t have to be complicated!
So, so, true! It’s so easy to feel like we have to work to make it work. And sometimes it’s as easy as LO #3, esp when the paper is a work of art all by itself. A great reminder that it doesn’t have to be complicated!
So, so, true! It’s so easy to feel like we have to work to make it work. And sometimes it’s as easy as LO #3, esp when the paper is a work of art all by itself. A great reminder that it doesn’t have to be complicated!
So, so, true! It’s so easy to feel like we have to work to make it work. And sometimes it’s as easy as LO #3, esp when the paper is a work of art all by itself. A great reminder that it doesn’t have to be complicated!