Despite my intention not to start any new classes, I am in fact taking three. The first is a class at My Creative Classroom on using the Silhouette, and it has been fantastic. I’m learning just what I needed to know and am amazed at the capabilities of this machine. The other two are both at Big Picture Classes. I broke down at the last minute and signed up for Karen Grunberg’s Finding Your Way. I’m already happy with that decision because I’ve decided to use the assignments to work on one of my biggest 2011 FINISH albums. The last is Picture Inspiration because I’m always looking for photography inspiration and conversation. My plate feels too full right now, but I know it will ease up as I get going with each of these.
One of Karen’s first assignments was to identify the things you use on your pages so you can focus on making those accessible and stop spending money on things you don’t use. I did that when I moved my studio and did one of my first big purges. But before I started the Home Album I gathered up all the supplies (kraft paper for the basics, patterned papers, stamps, and embellishments) from my stash that I thought I might use. It has really expedited the process.
Here are the first layouts I did for Finding My Way with some Silhouette work as well.
This isn’t the title page which I’ll do later, but it’s an introductory page to the album. I scraplifted it from a layout I saw on Kelly Purkey’s blog a long time ago. I also incorporated journaling stamps and my own handwriting—two things Karen suggests as ways to speed up your scrapbooking process.
Here’s a close-up of the journaling.
This page shows photos we received after a visit from the man whose family built our house in 1931. The journaling documents the people in the photos as well as how we came to have them.
One of the things I’ve learned how to do in the Silhouette class how to cut my own titles using the fonts on my computer. This week we learned how to weld the letters of a script font and create a shadow for the title. The chipboard accent is from Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934, which seems appropriate.
The first week’s assignment for Picture Inspiration was to take a self-portrait. I avoid these as often as possible and I didn’t take this until the last day possible. But I’m not unhappy with it and will eventually change my avatar since I finally have a photo that doesn’t use a mirror. I used my tripod and my remote and took it in my studio.
Just wonderful! The picture of you AND the house pages. What a gift to have been able to take a step back in time like that – it’s the best thing about old houses.
How wonderful to have those old photos and be able to incorporate them into your album.
I wasn’t going to join any new classes….but am just loving the one I ‘gave in’ to.
I am trying SO HARD not to join anything major right now! I joined Picture Inspiration as soon as it was announced and I figured one picture a week would certainly be doable!
Then Melissa showed her project from Permission to Live a Creative Life and after some emails with her, I knew I just had to do it – needed to give myself permission!
Then Stacy Julian goes and announces her new class i.Scrap- and since I pretty much take ANYTHING Stacy teaches, well, I signed up. and that just started and it is only a two week class.
I managed to not sign up for Karen’s class, but I’ll be paying attention to what you post about it – I’ve taken several of hers already.
And if I were ever to own a die-cutting machine, the Silhouette is the one on my secret wish list. Have to say I love what you’ve done with it. And the self-portrait is fabulous!
Beautiful layouts and love the old pics! And your self portrait is beautiful!
Karen your portrait is just absolutely beautiful, you have done a wonderful job with the tripod and I love the lighting.
I have had in the back of my mind for a while now, the idea to make a page about places where we have lived … so far it is still in my mind, but I really like your format, and I don’t have a lot of photos of the houses so it is great to see your take on the concept.
First, I LOVE the new photo of you. :o)
I’m glad you are enjoying your Silhouette and learning how to use more of its features. I have a Cricut that I love – wore out the first one and now have an Expressions. I understand there’s a way you can actually use it with your computer but I haven’t made my way there. Anyway, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying your die cut machine. Your home pages are lovely.
Me, too – I signed up for two classes. I’m in the Finding Your Way and really enjoying the material and message board. I’ve scrapped four layouts so far thinking about my process. I’m also taking Stacy Julian’s i.scrap workshop and assembled nine photo layouts and nine journal layouts this week. (We’ll be doing the journaling in next week’s materials.) Love the way your house album layouts came out – looking forward to seeing more of these as you go along.
First of all Karen, I have to say I also LOVE the new photo of you! Very natural and inviting.
I didn’t realise you had a Silhouette, I keep looking at it and wondering. I used to have the Craft Robo but when I changed to Vista on my computer I could no longer use it. I have read a bit about the Silhouette and it seems fantastic so I’d be interested to hear what you think of it.
I have been trying to collect photos of all the houses I’ve lived in to make a mini album. I have a few more to find and then I’ll be ready. I love your pages and the older photos.
xx
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