Cheers, and What’s for Dinner?

Being off work today, I had a little time to do a couple more sketches from 28 Days of Sketches. I’m really enjoying using sketches; it takes a lot of pressure off me to know how to start and where to begin. I’ve also seen some pretty nice sketches on Pinterest lately, and I think I’ll try some of those I’ve been seeing elsewhere, as well. Here are my takes on sketches 23 and 24 (I’m getting there!):

#23

Wasn’t entirely crazy about this sketch, but that, I’ve discovered, is part of the fun of it: take a not-so-great sketch, and see if I can make it a really great finished layout (okay, so it’s not really great….). It’s a challenge.

#24

Okay, so this sketch was also not-so-great, but I admit that this layout is even worse. Really. I had a lot of difficulty with embellishing both layouts; it seems I’m looking for things I don’t have, and discovering that I really don’t have the time or the inclination to make my own embellishments….I’m trying to save money by not buying anything new for a long while, and use only what I have. I do have a lot of things, just not what I wanted or had in mind today! Picky, picky. I’m just glad I had a chance to accomplish something and document some stories.

I hope to have something better in the near future, and thanks for stopping by!

Less is more.

I discovered Laura Kurtz yesterday. I was blown away by her style; minimalistic, yet packs a powerful punch. She and Ali Edwards (and I’m sure many others as well) epitomize what scrapbooking is to me: words+photos=great stories and memories. Not a ton of embellishments. Use things from your stash. Paint, punch, staple, sew. Go with your feelings, make a statement. Less is more. I really admire their simplicity and honesty; get down to the nitty-gritty, and highlight what’s important. I was also reminded of something else today: this is my story, not a competition to get into the latest magazine, or become famous. I have been reminded, once again, not to strive for perfection, not to expect fabulousness, just put the photos and words down on paper in such a way that I will remember the experience, the moment, the person at that time. I’m able to scrap much faster this way, too.

3 friends, scraplifted from Laura Kurtz

Super Becky

untitled

The journaling for the Super Becky layout says: (top)This child of mine loves to be         funny and she likes to be entertaining; give her a wig, some accessories and make-up, and her alter ego comes ’round to life. (bottom)She’s funny, silly, outrageous, whimsical, stylish, talented, goofy, ridiculous, crazy, outlandish, chatty, girlie…she’s Super Becky.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy scrapping!

Fish and chips and Guiness…

My offering for today is yet another layout. I thought about this last night, and I realize that most of what anyone sees here is about scrapbooking, and consists of layouts. At first I felt bad; I was thinking that my post-a-day comrades may get a little tired of it, but then I reminded myself that that is what my blog is all about! Scrapbooks, layouts, stories to tell. I find that the best way for me to tell my stories is in scrapbook format. So, ladies and gentlemen, here you have my St. Patrick’s Day layout, done digitally. I will do it again with paper to put into my album, and I will be as happy as a little leprechaun!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and the luck o’ the Irish to ya!

The unexpected life

This is my layout that I just finished this evening for the class I am currently taking at Big Picture Classes. I am much too tired to go into any more depth about the subject tonight, but this is one of many, many stories I am telling for the class, in a nutshell.