This was a "just for fun" layout I created. I had no intentions to scrapbook these photos of my family in all the crazy Christmas hats and headgear, but then I took an online scrapbooking class, and this came together!
I am a huge fan of learning new tips and techniques when it comes to Scrapbooking. With that being said, I do not always follow trends. I know my scrapbooking style, what I like and what I don't. I faithfully read a couple scrapbooking magazines and while some layouts look incredibly awesome, I know I don't have the time to implement certain techniques, nor do I want to invest in a new tool that doesn't have multiple purposes.
One area I commit to spend time and effort in is taking classes having to do with using sketches and getting the most out of them. My all-time favorite classes are Allison Davis's through Scrapbook Generation, but I have taken classes through Scrapbook and Cards Today just to get the exposure to other designers and their way of scrapbooking.
The class I was taking when I came up with this layout was SKETCHES FOR 6 X 6" PAPER PADS: ONE-PAGE SKETCHES, which you can still purchase. The premise was simple - use 6 X 6" paper pads to create twenty 12 x 12" full size one-page layouts. It was so much fun! There was a sketch for each week along with a sample created by Allison Davis, and a PDF explaining what she did, along with tips and techniques that would work with that particular sketch.
To challenge myself, each week I would try to make two layouts from each sketch. On one layout, I would follow the sketch religiously. On the second layout I would try to use the sketch as a springboard for my own creativity. Sometimes I would make a two-page layout, other times I would change up photo sizes or flip the sketch. It was so much fun working through these sketches!
For the layout you see here, I followed the sketch down to the last detail. At this point in my scrapbooking, I very rarely used 2 x 2" photos and I did not have any printed. I went through my phone looking for photos that I could print in a smaller size. I found these silly photos of my family with all kinds of crazy Christmas headgear.
Looking at the photos inspired me to embellish the empty squares on the sketch with die cut festive hats and accessories. I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut these details out, then I pieced them together and adhered them with foam adhesive.
I was pleased with the final result - and I began incorporating more small photos into my layouts. I'm so glad I pushed myself to create with the 2 x 2" squares, when at first, I didn't care for the sketch. A couple months later I decided to be brave and submit some of my work to Creative Scrapbooker Magazine when they did a call for Christmas and Winter layouts to be published in an upcoming issue. I threw this layout into the stack I submitted and was shocked when they requested to publish it!
That accomplishment motivated me to constantly learn and try new things in this hobby. Although I've been scrapbooking now for 28 years, I know there are still things to learn and try when it comes to capturing and preserving memories. I've taken photography classes, journaling classes, graphic design classes, just to name a few. I participate in challenges with Facebook groups and on my own. I am determined to continually refine my art and it brings me a great deal of joy in the process and is just one of the many reasons I am so passionate about scrapbooking.
Supplies Used:
Cardstock - Bazzill and The Stamps of Life
Pattern Paper - Simple Stories
Letter Stickers - Doodlebug Designs Tiny Type
Die Cuts - Silhouette Design Studio
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