My Trends

Hey everyone! Jamie here... Just wanting to share a little bit of what is trending in my studio these days... in hopes that maybe it might inspire you just a tad.

There are several go to elements that I am seeing popping up on my layouts recently. Well...let me quantify that statement. Actually, I find I am not doing traditional layouts as much as I use to. ProjectLife has taken over some of that in my story telling this year. So to sit down and do an actual layout is not what it use to be. But when I DO take the time to layout a project, there are a few themes that keep popping up.
Seam binding is one of those elements. I have to use seam binding on everything. I think it's a bit of an obsession. And I usually coffee-dye before using it on my project.
Misting is sort of a new technique being found everywhere on my pages too. I fell in love with paint splatters about 2 years ago when I took a class from Debee over at InspireLovely. And I have been hooked ever since. And you can see too that I used the thickers from the kit as a mask to spell 'derby' for part of my title.

A soft palette, or at least a thematic palette is one of my approaches to my layouts. I love patterns and hues that have a consistent theme about them. Like the layout that I am highlighting here. This is one of the pages from the June gallery for WIPkits.  I stayed with two color themes for the most part. The reddish-pinkish hue from my daughter's shirt is picked up in some of the pattern from the 7gypsies paper, plus the mist that is sprayed on the cardstock. It really shows up better in real life, but the tone from her derby pie is what set the tone for  the gold that is used in the rest of the layout. 

Layering is another approach I am loving right now. I start with the photo. Then add tags, tape, die cuts. banners, pattern paper under and around the photo to give it depth and feel.
And one other item of abundant usage is sequins. Love the soft subtle pop of bling with the sequins right now.
You should be seeing some of these items on more of my projects here in the near future. That is until something else becomes my 'go to' and 'have-to-have" elements and techniques.
Stay tuned.

File Folder Mania

You may remember this layout from the May Work In Progress kit...

I used several of the paper and embellishments...

To tell the story of how we spent Easter this year.
But then I worked them into one layout...and it looks like this::

See how all the pages peak out from underneath each other?
In line with my little personal file folder obsession these days, I made these three layouts into one layout by making it interactive.
The three of them are stacked on top of each other, and then attached to a 12x12 piece of card stock.

Masking tape was used to simply bind the separate layouts together.

 Here is a look at the third and final page against the 12x12.

Now I will either place the whole layout into a 12x12 page protector and add it to our ProjectLife2012 album in one piece...
or I can slit the 12x12 allowing the pages to open freely while the foundation of the page rests in it's page protector. Either way would work perfect for me.

Really like how to tell a story like this with multiple photos yet in a file folder format.
You may be seeing more of the same. {wink}.

Aunt Peg's Cookies.

It has been a while since I shared a new recipe...but this one is worth the wait...

Vanilla Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

2 c. sugar

3/4 c. butter

2/3 c. milk

1 (3.4 oz.) box instant vanilla flavor pudding mix

3 1/2 c. quick cooking oats

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a large pan, mix together the sugar, butter and the milk. Bring to a boil. Boil 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, add in the pudding mix, oats and vanilla. Let stand 5 minutes. Drop by tablespoon onto wax paper and let cool. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Two more washi layouts...

I made this layout and used washi here and there for a pop of color.  I also placed a blue strip of it underneath the title letters, so the word would pop.

For the next layout, I wanted to made my own die cuts using washi.

I free-handed a few cloud shapes on white cardstock.  Next, I placed blue tape across the whole area.  I could still see my original line, so I cut on that line to give me embellished clouds.

I also used it to embellish this printable.  The different colors of yellow and orange really make it fun...

Enjoy your weekend!!

More Washi Tape Inspiration

You didn't think I was finished talking about washi tape, did you??? Here are a few more awesome ideas involving washi...

Using a cutlery drawer for washi organization.  Perfection!!

Washi Tape on kraft wrapping paper.  CUTE!!

Washi Tape Treat Stick Tutorial

Washi added to your desk calendar.  Colorful way to jazz things up!

Washi tape added to labels for scrapbooking or organization.

Washi tape to dress up drink stirrers.

Washi tape to cheer up painted bottles.  SO doing this...

Cover a notebook or journal in no time!

And last but not least, GARLANDS.  Oh, the possibilties are endless!!

 

Grease Disposal

I tried yet another idea from Pinterest. (What did I do before they came along???) When frying up hamburger, simply pour the leftover grease into a bowl that is lined with foil. Stick the liquid grease into the frig, and let it become a solid. Then remove the lining and grease, and toss the whole thing away in the trash!! No more grease down the drain!!

Kinda gross, eh?

It totally works!!

Enjoy your day!!

Book of Aunts

I got a special request to share my Book of Aunts. So here goes!

The book goes together quite easily.  I can't wait to add my photos.  To say that I'm behind is a gross understatement.  But I'll get to it...

Above:  The inside cover.  Love Dear Lizzy's stuff. 

The entire book is hindged on a binder clip that is attached to the right side of the hard cover.

I plan on using the fronts AND backs to create more space for photos and journaling.

The elements in the kit are really girly and feminine, and I love that.  Perfect for female photos (or your aunts!)

Please leave any questions, I promise to answer them!

Enjoy your day!

Sharing a few layouts...

Wanted to share a few layouts I finished up over the weekend. I'll be sharing a few more before the week is out...

I used the Echo Park This and That collection from a past WIP Kit for the above layout.  I included pieces/parts from leftover scraps, Dymo label tape, and washi tape. 

Used bits and pieces from the past February WIP kit for this one.  The photo is a collage made using my iPhone, and printed out on a 8x8 square photo.  Quick and easy!

And last but not least, a layout using a printable I found on Pinterest.  I added a favorite pic of our three kiddos, and embellished the rest of the page with washi tape and punches.  Done!

Enjoy your day!

What's in my camera bag?

Once in a while, I field questions on cameras and lenses. For some reason, I've been asked a lot lately (maybe it has something to do with Spring sports? Not sure.) Today, I wanted to share what was in my camera bag (in no particular order...)

Canon 85mm f/1.8.  This is my newest lens, and I have to say, I love it.  Great for portraits that are taken from a bit of a distance.  I'm shooting a few weddings this year, and I think this will be used a lot on those days where you want to catch a moment, but not be right on top of someone.  This lens has also been fun on a few non-action type sports photos, without interrupting the game.

Canon 50mm f/1.4.  This is my tried and true favorite lens.  I use it for about 80% of all my shots, and I know it well.  I like a prime lens (opposed to a zoom), and this one is wonderful for portraits.  Using the AV (apeture priority setting) on the camera, I'm able to control a lot of the focus and light, and that kind of manipulation puts a spring in my step.  If you are looking to upgrade and only buy one lens, this is the one I'd recommend.

Canon 55-250 Zoom Lens--This is the lens I use to shoot sports for our children.  I love the zoom capabilities so I can get close up shots, and also get those far away shots, too. 

Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll do my best to answer!  Enjoy your day!

Washi Swap

I may or may not have a Washi tape addiction.  I can neither confirm nor deny it.

What I can share is that I'm not alone.  Far from it, in fact.  Above, you'll see these tiny wooden dowls that were purchased by my friend, Amy. 

On Saturday, she and I swapped a ton of our Washi.  She thought to use these wooden dowls, and to wrap a good strand of tape around the pegs.  This way, we'd have our own little taste of the mini spools, and make our dollars stretch.  I have to say, it worked out perfectly.  I hope you try it with one of your obsessive/compulsive friends, too!  :)  One can never have too much Washi, right?

Enjoy your day!!

June 2012 WIP Kits

June Main WIP Kit--$30 ($28 for subscribers)

Contents of this kit inlcude:  9 Papers (1 My Mind's Eye, 2 7Gypsies, 3 cardstock, 3 Simple Stories), American Crafts Amy Tangerine foam thickers, Pink Paislee colored label stickers, Pink Paislee mini alphas--tan and grey, My Mind's Eye border stickers, My Mind's Eye Label stickers, My Mind's Eye cut, 26 mini posters, and 60+ die cuts.

Here is a closer photo of the highly requested Project Life Elements for June that are in the Main Kit:

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June Add-On Kit--Father's Day Mini--$20

Contents of this kit include:  4 12x12 papers (gold correguated, 1 Lilybee, 1 Bo Bunny, and 1 cardstock), 12 6x6 7Gypsies papers, 2 library tags, 10 7Gypsies tags, 5 tags, 3 cork stickers, 3 die cuts, 1 mini album chipboard set w/2 jump rings,1 chipboard bracket, one Karen Foster metal plate, and Heidi Swapp black/white poleroid insta frames--full package..
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June Project Kit--$25

Contents of this kit include:  4 sheets cardstock (1 textured), 12 gray business envelopes, Teresa Collins cardstock stickers, Jenni Bowlin cardstock date stickers, Jenni Bowlin rub on alphas, Jenni Bowlin rub on ledgers, 3 cardstock scalloped rectangles, Jillibean Soup grey chipboard alphas, 6 long yellow tags, 1 yard velvet scalloped ribbon, 3 crocheted flowers, 3 XL shipping tags, 3 cork stickers, one silver doilie, two chipboard coasters, 1 chipboard ledger, 3 grey cardstock mini pages, and 2 mini ledger papers.