Year.o.graphy

Simple Stories has done it again! They've come out with another cute collection that I have to have! Introducing... Year.o.graphy!

Now you can document a whole year easily with this one collection! Normally, I've tried to stay away from easy-to-use collections like this because I wanted to be unique. Well, since I'm barely recording my life as it is, I think it's time to take advantage of whatever makes my life easier!

This is my first 2012 resolution!

You & Me = Family

I finally used one of my favorite photos of me and the little guy in a layout for my Basically Bare blog post! We took the photo back in May, but I've been at odds on how to scrapbook it. Leave it to a deadline to bring out a little creativity, LOL. I always work better under deadline...

I went a little out-of-the-box (for me!) since I'm not used to clustering lots of little embellishments. But, I forged ahead, and I think I did okay on this one.  ;)

You & Me = Family by cyranoscrap

Along with the Basically Bare products, I also used cardstock stickers from the Life Documented collection from Simple Stories. The borders along the layout are from Garage Sale by Recollections. I just cut up the paper so I could use various pieces.

One of the biggest challenges was trying to figure out what paper to use with this photo. The photo background has shades of orange in it, which match what we're wearing, but it made for a very interesting selection as far as paper. Do you realize how many papers out there have orange and navy blue together? Not many! In fact, the patterned paper that is behind the acrylic hearts is from K & Company. I didn't even know I owned that piece of paper, but it was stashed away with the Garage Sale piece - score one for me for being even slightly organized for once, LOL!

Anyway, I actually had fun with this layout and managed to get it done in less than an hour - another amazing feat for me!

Before I forget - one fun project that I found at Archiver's: the Daily Junque Kit. I am a kit-a-holic, as known by my fetish for kit clubs and anything kit-tish, lol. They also have the Authentique Splendid Ready To Make Album. Love this mini album kit - may have to make my own version sometime soon. Must...stop...shopping...online...  ;)

Have a great weekend!

Paris Art - Defaced!

Defacing Paris mini album by cyranoscrap

For my new project on the Basically Bare blog, I decided to have a little bit of fun. I hadn't tried the Bare Basics Fleur De Lis or the Bare Basics Wings, so I used both with some pictures from Jen's trip to Paris last year. Introducing... the Paris pic folio! (The pic folio was created out of a paper CD holder that I used on a work project.) I just covered it with black cardstock on the outside and white cardstock on the inside.

I haven't used my stamps much in the last year, so I pulled out the never-used stamps I've been hoarding, along with my ink pads and started stamping up a storm. First, I decided to stamp the black background with a diamond pattern using white ink. The ink wasn't evenly distributed and the pattern is a bit crooked when you look at it carefully, but I think it just adds to the charm of the project.

Defacing Paris mini album by cyranoscrap

Next, I moved on to the inside of the pic folio. The background has a variety of artsy stamps, with one very obvious word - ARTIST - on the left page. Then, Venus di Milo and Mona Lisa got makeovers by receiving Bare Basics wings.

To make the wings look a bit more realistic (as realistic as you can be with wings, lol!), I carefully cut slits around the shoulders in the famed works of art so I could insert the wings behind them. Adhesive was placed on the back of the photo to secure the wings - I wanted them to be loose on the front so they had dimension, which is a bit hard to see in the photo.

I was trying to have fun and spread my wings (ha!) a little by going out of the box. I haven't experimented a lot with the grunge look, but this was the perfect project to do so. And, I have to admit it is so much more fun not being so precise on everything, such as the diamonds on the cover. The stamping isn't straight, but I like the effect. All in all, it worked for me!  :)

I also created a card, but I'll be saving that for a future blog post. Even though it was only a card, it took me longer to create since I really didn't have any idea what I was going to create. I've noticed that without some thought on a project, it takes me twice as long to create. Note to self: try to plan projects a little better, lol!

And to Amy: thank you for putting up with my erratic creative process. I appreciate you providing feedback and support, especially when I have no idea where I'm going!  :)