Friday, July 28, 2017

Mixing old with new...a sneak peak

Last weekend our consultants group had a bit of a challenge set...to use some of the new products on a project.  


I created this page using a 'My Crush' water colour page as the base and made use of inks and stamps we were given at the Annual Inspirations Launch in Auckland last month. Prickly Pear also makes an appearance.



The new Inspirationsbook kicks off in August...only a few days away now!


Sunday, July 16, 2017

Prickly Pear Blog Hop

Welcome to our Prickly Pear Blog Hop!
We will be showcasing items from our Prickly Pear Paper Pack with various projects created by talented Close to my Heart consultants. If you are visiting from Brittany's blog then you are on the right track, if not please start at the CTMH Blog Challenge and Support Group Blog Hop Guidelines beginning with our hostess Carol. Next check out Diana’s blog.


I have loved working with Prickly Pear - these are my kind of colours! I opened this pack up at a Scrapbooking Retreat and used it for most of my layouts over the weekend. There were a few!








I also used some of my left overs from this kit to make a couple of cards that you can see in my YouTube process video (skip to 5.23 if you don't want the Design Space instructions :-)



Thanks for visiting - I'd love for your to comment so I know you have been here :-)

Next check out Diana’s blog.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Cricut Design Space

I purchased a Cricut a Explore Air about a year ago.  To offset the cost, I sold my much loved 'Personal Cricut' - one of the originals that I earned partly through doing some altered gumboots for a Scrap shop owner...but that's another story.  I was the one to support people with their Cricut questions via this online shop and forum...fast forward to now.  I got a Cricut.  YouTube was a great source of info to get me started with Design Space in the absence a physical Cartridge and Keypad.  

I continue to enjoy using it and seeing what it can do.  As I used it at some of our local papercraft sessions, it wasn't long before two of them (group of 5 including me) sourced Cricut Explores too. I used it at a scrapcamp in April, another lady purchased an Explore Air (she dropped in yesterday to give me some extra vinyl she had).  The lady who purchased my personal Cricut is waiting for the delivery of her new Explore Air. One of the Hostess benefits if you have a certain spend is the Cricut Explore Air 2.  A friend and customer had one of these delivered last week.

Feeling kind of responsible for enabling 5 people to get themselves a Cricut Explore Air...I decided it was time to do some process videos that include work in Design Space.  First up is a card template that I had made at a Scrap Camp last weekend - but I had done it on my phone.  The iPhone app and Design Space have many similarities.  With a bit of lateral thinking the tutorial could apply to either way of designing cuts. 

Tutorial finishes at 5.23 for those wanting to skip the Design Space bit.



I hope this is helpful and I have a few ideas of what to cover next. Feel free to share some of your wonderings about the Cricut and Design Space in the comments...you never know, your wondering may become a tutorial!

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Learner Driver

When doing the 'voice over' for this process video (while the wind is as rattling something outside and the spouting was pouring out rain), I ask the listener to reflect on what is the driving factor or starting point of their Scrapbooking.  Where do you start?  Is it the photo, the papers (or embellishments) or the story that you build your pages around?

I typically start with the photo and the memories/ emotions attached to it.  Papers are then chosen to support the photo and the story I want to tell.  What's your process?



Supplies:


Monday, July 10, 2017

Journaling

As I created this page at camp this weekend, I was making connections between the cacti on the papers, my kids and a song from my later teenage years.  I made the page, added some quick notes in ajournaling spot and put it on display to be in for a chance to win 'favourite layout'.  It didn't.  That's not really the point here though.  My page wasn't really done.  While I was thinking about the cacti song as I created the page, I neglected to include that thinking in my journaling.  My journaling has become minimal.
On the drive home from camp I selected some Scrap Gals podcasts to listen to, one was about aspects of our Scrapbooking that we feel good about and those we wish to grow.  I was feeling pretty good...but as I listened more this changed.  

Scrapbooking was identified in these podcasts as including photography, design, and journaling.  I wonder if colour theory comes in here too?  I'm quite satisfied with my photography, having studied photography at university level, and most of the time my design and colours are in my comfort zone.  I was challenged about the 'depth' of my journaling.

My next road trip took me three hours...two of my kids were with me and thankfully slept as I listened to 'Live Inspired' podcasts where Tracie was talking to avid journallers...

I went back and added more of my thoughts and the connection between the cacti and this photo of my three teenagers.

My personal challenge going forward is to be more intentional with my journaling.

I'm back!

I have had a few frustrations with publishing posts from my phone...I only turn the computer on if I have photos to edit from a paid photo shoot...I do all my YouTube recordings (CTMH with Lara) and editing in my phone too.  After listening to Scrap Gals and Live Inspired podcasts to and from 'No Frills Scrap Camp' this weekend (great way to travel) I was inspired to get back into my blog, perhaps as a way to grow my 'writing' skills.

Because posts need photos or videos...here is my most recent YouTube upload:



I made good use of 'No Worries' by Close To My Heart in this layout and the title was cut using my Cricut and the 'Artistry' cartridge by Close To My Heart.