Life Scripted

 23 January 2014


I've never gotten into the whole mixed media craze that is so ( or is it still?) popular right now. Give me white cardstock, a photo, and a bit of text, and I'm a happy gal. I'm not one for getting messy. However, I do adore text, type, script, and quotes, and I'm super excited about taking the Life Scripted class over at Studio Calico. I'm even willing to get a little ink on my fingers, if it means I will be able to replicate the kind of text she does. I love it. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd buy a big giant Kal canvas to hang in my big giant new living room. But since the likelihood of that is next to nil, I'm hoping after this class that I'll be able to make my own big canvas, for my tiny old livingroom. ;)

 Sign up is until the 31st, and class starts on February 1st. Come on over and get your scripty on!

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My Copper Mountain layouts

 27 December 2013

The gallery at Studio Calico is now live, and you can see all the awesomeness that the DT has created with these gorgeous kits. I mean, really... I can't even believe that I'm a part of it. I could see the pages being added this past week and was like 'WOW. Why didn't I think of that?!' Seriously a talented team.
I'm not a big horn tooter. In fact, I think I'd rather curl up in a corner than have to wax on about myself and my work, so I'm going to make this short and sweet, and feel free to shoot me any questions you may have!

Here's the first 2  pages I made, using only the main Copper Mountain kit:

I can't even tell you how great it is when you see a kit in person and know automatically that you have photos that will work perfectly. I love how the woodgrain & the inky blue from the kit were an ideal match for what my son is wearing in these pics- total fluke, I tell you. I'm very partial to pages like this. And I love these photos taken of him last week. Love him. Such a great boy.



This is also a main kit only layout, and turned out to be my fave of the month. I was kind of giddy when I saw that veneer die cut, and I knew I wanted to fill it with a few pics and paper. I took my cue for this layout from the 'HOME' die cut circle and just built on it from there. I also fell in mad love with the October Afternoon feather paper and ended up using it on 2 layouts by fussy cutting them and using them as an embellishment on the page. I always fidget with adding and subtracting when I make a layout, it's almost like a game of chess.  I knew when I added the house (cut from one of the papers in the kit) that I was done my page. I decided to add the tiny title there, and I was completely happy with it.




I had this cookbook photo printed out for my DD, but after an extremely tiring week with my new job, I came home on Friday to a house that seriously looked like a bomb went off. And I'm not even kidding. I wanted to cry. So when I found this pic while looking through my photos, I found it too ironic not to scrapbook about how I am SO not a Martha (even though I didn't journal about my terrible housekeeping skills. ;) even though deep down, I still adore her. This page uses the High Point  add-on along with the main kit- that striped paper is also so beautifully colourful!



This is probably the simplest page I made this month, but I really adore it. The gold letters in the Fremont Glades add-on were pretty much my fave thing in all the kits. They're a beautifully burnished, old gold colour and so, so pretty. The stamp is from the High Point add-on, and is really fun to use with the bullet numbers & cute cameras.
And then, there's those feathers again. :) Also, once again professed my obsession with sequins here by sprinkling a few throughout the page.



I did this quickie layout this morning ( Boxing Day) in my pjs,  and it came together in about 20 minutes, which is super fast for me, as I usually take forever and a day. I had printed my photo to an 8x10, back it with that beautiful woodgrain paper from the main, and then basically just embellished my photo with the 'cheers' cork diecut from the Slingshot kit, and used the banner tag from Fremont Glades as a little subititle.


Thanks for taking a peek! I can breathe easier now that this one's under my belt. :)



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My first ever Studio Calico sneaks. (deep breath)

 26 December 2013

I'm super excited for tomorrow's Studio Calico reveal. I was crazy under the gun, having started a full time job the past few weeks, and seriously didn't think I would be able to come up with anything decent. Throw Christmas into that mix, and you can see where I'm going. NUTS. Thanks to an understanding husband who let me sit and scrapbook all last weekend, I think I did okay. Reveal for subscribers is tomorrow at noon, and for those of you who don't subscribe ( and you really should!) you'll be able to purchase kits at midnight on the 27th. The Copper Mountain scrapbook kit is right up my alley- full of beautiful bold colours, and has a very masculine, outdoorsy feel which I love. I'm also a subscriber to the PL kit, and it looks completely amazing, but I haven't yet seen that one in person.

Here's a few sneaks to whet your appetite- I'm very nervous for tomorrow, but I'll be at work and won't have time to sit and press the countdown button, which is probably a good thing!


this one uses the main kit & the Slingshot add-on.



My main kit layout, and my fave this month.


and another using the main kit only... also really love this page. :)



I'll be posting these pages in their entirety tomorrow. Fingers crossed they don't boot me off the team. ;)






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Big news deserves a blog update

 17 December 2013

So, I said a few months ago that I'd be back in a few days, but now I'm back for real, and with a very, very good reason:


Seriously!!! I have no idea why I've had such amazing luck in the scrapbook world throughout the years I've been scrapbooking, but I'm very grateful for this opportunity. I have to say,  I was really shocked when I received a very flattering email from Samantha at Studio Calico a while back, asking me to join the team, and although I'm feeling overwhelmed by everything right now, ( starting a new full time job 2 weeks before Christmas is a great way to throw a monkey wrench into things!) I am confidant that I'll find some kind of rhythm as I stumble through this coming month. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but a really fun one. :)

Here's a few layouts I've made in the past few months that I think helped me land this gig:





Joining Studio Calico last year was probably the best thing I've done for my scrap mojo. The kits are beautiful, innovative, & on trend, and the community there is extremely supportive & close knit. I can't say enough good things about it. I hope you will visit me there, and join in the fun. Just don't blame me when your wallet starts getting skinnier, okay? ;)

Thanks for reading and sticking with this much neglected blog! 



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The Picture Everyday Winner is...

 08 September 2013



Candice12, please email me your address, and I will put you in touch with the BP people. Enjoy!!

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Big Picture Giveaway

 06 September 2013

Hello again!
I have the distinct pleasure of reviving this very neglected blog with a super giveaway tonight. If you're new here, welcome! And if you're someone who has visited before, and wondered if I'd dropped off the face of the scrapbook planet, you may be right. ;) In any case, my intention here in the coming months is to share my photography, my layouts, and a bit of project life that I've kind of struggled to keep up with, but enjoy nonetheless. :)

 Onto the awesome giveaway...

The kind folks over at Big Picture have generously offered the chance for one lucky person to win a spot in Tracey Clark's 'Picture Everyday' workshop. If you're interested in taking your DSLR photography to another level and having much fun while doing so, then this class is the ticket. I've taken a few of Tracey's photo classes in the past, and they've been incredible for helping me see ordinary things in a beautiful new light. I'm a fan.

Here's the class description:




Picture EverydayFinding and photographing the magic in your daily life
Your life is full of beauty, authenticity, and moments of magic just waiting to be captured in pictures. All it takes is the right perspective. In Picture Everyday, a new workshop from photographer Tracey Clark, you'll learn to see your world in a sublime new light—and to use your camera to tell the story of what you see.
Through 30 surprisingly powerful photo prompts, dozens of inspiring images and videos, and eight weeks of gentle encouragement, Tracey will help you elevate your everyday—and fill your soul with gratitude along the way. You'll be focusing your lens on topics like Routine, Spaces, Places, Details, Connections, and Affections.
Your final week of class is an exclusive pass to Tracey's upcoming self-paced class, A Photographer's Guide to Project Life. Throughout the week, you'll be inspired to select photos from the past seven weeks to display in a keepsake photo album.



Picture Everyday includes:
  • A robust pre-classroom, available immediately upon registration, that includes:
    • syllabus and class creed
    • a video covering the principles found in Tracey's book, Elevate the Everyday 
    • a video on how to use Instagram
    • a collection of the tip sheets from all six previous Picture… workshops
    • a handout on composition and creativity
    • a suggested equipment list
  • Weekly video overview of the theme for the week
  • Weekly syllabus of each week's prompts for those who like to work ahead
  • 6 weeks of photo prompts to be delivered to your email inbox (one per day, Mon-Fri) followed by a "catch-up" (7th) week where you're encouraged to shoot, compare, connect, organize, prep, and print
  • Bonus 8th week of content, providing early access to Tracey's upcoming self-paced class, A Photographer's Guide to Project Life, and a set of exclusive Project Life cards 
  • Weekly bonus prompts for shooting and sharing in real time
  • Weekends off (for rest, shooting, or catching up)
  • Message board to share your thoughts with your classmates
  • Private posting gallery to share your work and view the work of your classmates
  • Welcome notes from Tracey in the classroom
  • Exclusive classroom blog which Tracey will update during class
  • Two live chats with Tracey
  • Email access to Tracey




Sounds amazing, right? Leave me a comment here telling me why you'd like to take this class, and I'll draw a name to be announced Sunday evening. Good luck!







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Hello again.

 04 June 2012


I know it's many months since I've made my way to this blog. To all who inquired about me, wondering if I had given up scrapbooking, the answer 10 months ago would have been a resounding 'yes', ( I didn't stop completely, but needed a break from the 'scene'). I'm happy to report that I've found that spark again, and I'm excited to share my pages & photos here. Sometimes a break is good for the soul. 


I'll leave you with an ultra simple page I did this morning- me & my boys this past Mother's Day. Aren't they getting ginormous?! They're big boys now. And I'm really enjoying stamping on my layouts these days- I used some Studio Calico stamps on this one, along with a few new Ormolu tags and flair.

Thanks for visiting!




xox


Melanie



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