Eeek!
30 minutes is clearly not enough time for me to endlessly fiddle with stuff and paint everything in sight.
But I love a good challenge!
Diane (dpayne) over at Studio Calico challenged us all to create a layout in 30 minutes or less. (You can see the rest of the participants' layouts here.) I printed my photo and then set the timer on my cell phone. I spent the first five minutes or so trying to get a basic design together.
In the end I chose the design second from the bottom on the left. And after 30 minutes of intense scrapping, this is what I had:
Ooooops! Didn't manage to finish. And I thought that I was being *so* good and moving so fast. I did almost make it. Just missing a title and journaling. Sort of.
I spent an additional 20 minutes playing around and here's the finished layout:
I added the title, journaling, a bit more washi tape, moved and reduced the butterflies, and stitched together the banner. Even though I didn't make it in under 30 minutes, I'm still pretty pleased that I managed to get a layout done in under an hour!
Here are the details:
I love, love, love how cute this banner turned out. Here's a quick tip: Use removable tape (like washi tape – indicated in the photo with red arrows) to secure the pieces of your banner in place…
…and then slip your page into the sewing machine! I simply stitched across the tops of the pennants.
I think I probably wasted too much of my precious 30 minutes on the embossing and painting (3 layers) of this little chipboard frame. But it's so cute all textured and painted, don't you think? And for the "milk" I got to use my new Martha Stewart alphabet punch. Love those tiny letters!
This is a punched butterfly popped up on foam adhesive with a little rhinestone to give it some spark. You can just see the "t" from the stitched "retreat" that goes across the top of the layout. That was a last minute decision and I haven't decided whether I like it or not. What do you think?
Here's what I learned:
- Assembling something may only take a brief period of time (I'm sure that I could replicate this layout in under 30 minutes) but designing just takes me longer. I like to move stuff around and think about it.
- The only thing that enabled me to come even close to finishing on time was working from a kit. I didn't have to pull together embellishments or paper or anything like that — it was all in front of me! Even if you don't buy kits, I think it's worth making little kits.
- Creating quickly ends up in the creation of a huge mess. I was in such a rush that I didn't want to waste time putting anything away. I lost my scissors in the piles at least twice!
- Simple is really effective. I think I tend to overdo stuff. I subscribe to the "more is more" concept. And sometimes it's okay to just do a little less. (I'm feeling like maybe that stitched "retreat" was too much.)
- I *can* create a layout without almost any paint. Lately I've been wondering whether or not that's true.
Thanks for stopping by!
I LOVE the stitched word “retreat!” and I love that it is tone-on-tone with the background paper! I also love your banner and that chipboard frame totally rocks! Beautiful work Julie!
I LOVE the stitched word “retreat!” and I love that it is tone-on-tone with the background paper! I also love your banner and that chipboard frame totally rocks! Beautiful work Julie!
I LOVE the stitched word “retreat!” and I love that it is tone-on-tone with the background paper! I also love your banner and that chipboard frame totally rocks! Beautiful work Julie!
I LOVE the stitched word “retreat!” and I love that it is tone-on-tone with the background paper! I also love your banner and that chipboard frame totally rocks! Beautiful work Julie!
I love your layout! And the stitched Retreat is definitely a good choice!! I think it ties the upper design and the middle together. And I love the idea of making little kits before even starting a layout. Thanks.
I love your layout! And the stitched Retreat is definitely a good choice!! I think it ties the upper design and the middle together. And I love the idea of making little kits before even starting a layout. Thanks.
I love your layout! And the stitched Retreat is definitely a good choice!! I think it ties the upper design and the middle together. And I love the idea of making little kits before even starting a layout. Thanks.
I love your layout! And the stitched Retreat is definitely a good choice!! I think it ties the upper design and the middle together. And I love the idea of making little kits before even starting a layout. Thanks.
That banner makes the LO for me. I was wondering if you could create a LO without paint and I guess that you can;-)
That banner makes the LO for me. I was wondering if you could create a LO without paint and I guess that you can;-)
That banner makes the LO for me. I was wondering if you could create a LO without paint and I guess that you can;-)
That banner makes the LO for me. I was wondering if you could create a LO without paint and I guess that you can;-)
Oh it looks so great!!! Love the chipboard frame!!!!
Oh it looks so great!!! Love the chipboard frame!!!!
Oh it looks so great!!! Love the chipboard frame!!!!
Oh it looks so great!!! Love the chipboard frame!!!!
I think the LO is absoluetely amazing, I would need weeks to think of a sketch and will not be able to make such an ingeneous LO!!!
I think the LO is absoluetely amazing, I would need weeks to think of a sketch and will not be able to make such an ingeneous LO!!!
I think the LO is absoluetely amazing, I would need weeks to think of a sketch and will not be able to make such an ingeneous LO!!!
I think the LO is absoluetely amazing, I would need weeks to think of a sketch and will not be able to make such an ingeneous LO!!!
I’m so glad you showed your process. It is always interesting to me to see how others create. Love this layout – thanks for playing along!
I’m so glad you showed your process. It is always interesting to me to see how others create. Love this layout – thanks for playing along!
I’m so glad you showed your process. It is always interesting to me to see how others create. Love this layout – thanks for playing along!
I’m so glad you showed your process. It is always interesting to me to see how others create. Love this layout – thanks for playing along!
I’m so bad at arranging. Maybe I should try drawing things out the way you do first. This is truly one of my weakest areas!
I’m so bad at arranging. Maybe I should try drawing things out the way you do first. This is truly one of my weakest areas!
I’m so bad at arranging. Maybe I should try drawing things out the way you do first. This is truly one of my weakest areas!
I’m so bad at arranging. Maybe I should try drawing things out the way you do first. This is truly one of my weakest areas!
That layout would take me six days- I agonize over every paper choice, every little element… argh. Love it, and I LOVE the banner!!
That layout would take me six days- I agonize over every paper choice, every little element… argh. Love it, and I LOVE the banner!!
That layout would take me six days- I agonize over every paper choice, every little element… argh. Love it, and I LOVE the banner!!
That layout would take me six days- I agonize over every paper choice, every little element… argh. Love it, and I LOVE the banner!!
HI 🙂 beautiful amazing tags.. my challenge is COVERING GORGEOUS PAPERS!! 🙂
with a grin,
steff 🙂
HI 🙂 beautiful amazing tags.. my challenge is COVERING GORGEOUS PAPERS!! 🙂
with a grin,
steff 🙂
HI 🙂 beautiful amazing tags.. my challenge is COVERING GORGEOUS PAPERS!! 🙂
with a grin,
steff 🙂
HI 🙂 beautiful amazing tags.. my challenge is COVERING GORGEOUS PAPERS!! 🙂
with a grin,
steff 🙂
Your designs always inspire me. I also follow you on episodes of Scrapbook Memories. I remember in a college elementary art education class where my lineoleum carving (w/a brook) and the blue coloring on the paper didn’t match up and I was so not wanting the professor to see it, but when he did, he was so excited about how it looked–which follows your philosophy-don’t worry about perfection. I try to keep this in mind when working on projects, but still feel at times that mine are 2nd rate with a little “glitch” here and there—thus I relish your philosophy!
Your designs always inspire me. I also follow you on episodes of Scrapbook Memories. I remember in a college elementary art education class where my lineoleum carving (w/a brook) and the blue coloring on the paper didn’t match up and I was so not wanting the professor to see it, but when he did, he was so excited about how it looked–which follows your philosophy-don’t worry about perfection. I try to keep this in mind when working on projects, but still feel at times that mine are 2nd rate with a little “glitch” here and there—thus I relish your philosophy!
Your designs always inspire me. I also follow you on episodes of Scrapbook Memories. I remember in a college elementary art education class where my lineoleum carving (w/a brook) and the blue coloring on the paper didn’t match up and I was so not wanting the professor to see it, but when he did, he was so excited about how it looked–which follows your philosophy-don’t worry about perfection. I try to keep this in mind when working on projects, but still feel at times that mine are 2nd rate with a little “glitch” here and there—thus I relish your philosophy!
Your designs always inspire me. I also follow you on episodes of Scrapbook Memories. I remember in a college elementary art education class where my lineoleum carving (w/a brook) and the blue coloring on the paper didn’t match up and I was so not wanting the professor to see it, but when he did, he was so excited about how it looked–which follows your philosophy-don’t worry about perfection. I try to keep this in mind when working on projects, but still feel at times that mine are 2nd rate with a little “glitch” here and there—thus I relish your philosophy!
I LOVE the stitched retreat at the top! It adds so much and ties the sewing in the whole piece together.
I LOVE the stitched retreat at the top! It adds so much and ties the sewing in the whole piece together.
I LOVE the stitched retreat at the top! It adds so much and ties the sewing in the whole piece together.
I LOVE the stitched retreat at the top! It adds so much and ties the sewing in the whole piece together.
wow, love the way you stitched “retreat” on the page…such a fun page!!
wow, love the way you stitched “retreat” on the page…such a fun page!!
wow, love the way you stitched “retreat” on the page…such a fun page!!
wow, love the way you stitched “retreat” on the page…such a fun page!!
My first impression, aside from loving the lo, was where is your paint. I am so accustomed to seeing “wake you up” paint on your lo that I kind of missed it. I love, love the banner. That was the second thing I noticed, and I find it to be unique and brilliant. Thank you for sharing
My first impression, aside from loving the lo, was where is your paint. I am so accustomed to seeing “wake you up” paint on your lo that I kind of missed it. I love, love the banner. That was the second thing I noticed, and I find it to be unique and brilliant. Thank you for sharing
My first impression, aside from loving the lo, was where is your paint. I am so accustomed to seeing “wake you up” paint on your lo that I kind of missed it. I love, love the banner. That was the second thing I noticed, and I find it to be unique and brilliant. Thank you for sharing
My first impression, aside from loving the lo, was where is your paint. I am so accustomed to seeing “wake you up” paint on your lo that I kind of missed it. I love, love the banner. That was the second thing I noticed, and I find it to be unique and brilliant. Thank you for sharing
Your layout is fantastic! I love the stitched retreat at the top – subtle texture and a great way to add a title. I’m with you – can’t imagine doing one in 30 min. with designing included. You did good!
Susan
Your layout is fantastic! I love the stitched retreat at the top – subtle texture and a great way to add a title. I’m with you – can’t imagine doing one in 30 min. with designing included. You did good!
Susan
Your layout is fantastic! I love the stitched retreat at the top – subtle texture and a great way to add a title. I’m with you – can’t imagine doing one in 30 min. with designing included. You did good!
Susan
Your layout is fantastic! I love the stitched retreat at the top – subtle texture and a great way to add a title. I’m with you – can’t imagine doing one in 30 min. with designing included. You did good!
Susan
Your blog header looks fab! Love the links at the top in your awesome writing! Just wanted to pop over and say hi!
Your blog header looks fab! Love the links at the top in your awesome writing! Just wanted to pop over and say hi!
Your blog header looks fab! Love the links at the top in your awesome writing! Just wanted to pop over and say hi!
Your blog header looks fab! Love the links at the top in your awesome writing! Just wanted to pop over and say hi!
This LO is beautiful…and so YOU (even w/o your paint!). I love your choice of colors against the kraft background and the cute banner. And I do love the monotone stitched title. It makes the whole LO more cohesive by filling a large “white” space and linking the stitching in the upper third and the lower third of the page. Just my opinion, of course. 😀 I love your work!
This LO is beautiful…and so YOU (even w/o your paint!). I love your choice of colors against the kraft background and the cute banner. And I do love the monotone stitched title. It makes the whole LO more cohesive by filling a large “white” space and linking the stitching in the upper third and the lower third of the page. Just my opinion, of course. 😀 I love your work!
This LO is beautiful…and so YOU (even w/o your paint!). I love your choice of colors against the kraft background and the cute banner. And I do love the monotone stitched title. It makes the whole LO more cohesive by filling a large “white” space and linking the stitching in the upper third and the lower third of the page. Just my opinion, of course. 😀 I love your work!
This LO is beautiful…and so YOU (even w/o your paint!). I love your choice of colors against the kraft background and the cute banner. And I do love the monotone stitched title. It makes the whole LO more cohesive by filling a large “white” space and linking the stitching in the upper third and the lower third of the page. Just my opinion, of course. 😀 I love your work!
I really like the idea of stitching your title. In this case it is a bit hard to read due to the tone on tone. I may be giving it a go but still need to practice my free-hand stitching :o)
I really like the idea of stitching your title. In this case it is a bit hard to read due to the tone on tone. I may be giving it a go but still need to practice my free-hand stitching :o)
I really like the idea of stitching your title. In this case it is a bit hard to read due to the tone on tone. I may be giving it a go but still need to practice my free-hand stitching :o)
I really like the idea of stitching your title. In this case it is a bit hard to read due to the tone on tone. I may be giving it a go but still need to practice my free-hand stitching :o)