Cheeri"Oh": A Scrapbook Page

Good morning, friends! I've been all over the place with the photos I've been scrapping lately.  Sometimes you just have to follow where the creative mood takes you though, huh?  This time around, my creative mojo had me digging through Emme's baby photos to find the perfect set to pair with this Simple Stories collection that I've been holding onto.  I think the two make a pretty sweet pair...



Supplies used: Simple Stories - patterned paper, diecut pieces; Bazzill cardstock; Silhouette;
American Crafts - wood button; Studio Calico - wood veneer

There are so many feminine and sweet patterns in this Simple Stories baby collection I had to be sure to find a way to include as many of them as possible.  I knew a sweet quilt-like design, alongside my photos, would accomplish my goal and also reinforce my overall theme.  The 'quilt squares' not only remind me of a snuggly baby blanket, but they also provide a nice home for additional diecut pieces and dimensional embellishments.

It's no secret that I tend to get a bit wordy when it comes to the journaling I include on my scrapbook pages.  By sizing my photos down and keeping most of the page design toward the top two-thirds of the page, I was able to secure a large space at the bottom for my journaling (or incessant rambling - whatever, you prefer to call it!?!).

Now unlike journaling, page titles are not my strong suit.  I usually go for the obvious when naming my pages.  In this case however, 'cute baby in highchair' didn't really feel right, so I decided to get a little more creative! I did a play on the word 'cheerio', since that is what my baby girl was feasting on in these pics.  Does it work?!?  I don't know that I'm convinced, but I do know that it's better than the first alternative ... ha!

 

Well, that's all I've got for today.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit! 

 

Oh, and one more thing....I mentioned in my last post but will do so again, in case you missed it - If you're on Instagram, I have an all new account @jaclynrenchstudio.  Once I reach one hundred followers, I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate to scrapbook.com!  There will most certainly be other random giveaways, as well.  So, I hope you'll come and check out my new account and follow me!

 

Wishing you a happy and crafty weekend!

Being your mom: A Scrapbook Page

Happy Monday, friends!  It's a very happy Monday at my house, because my darling children finally returned to school today, after being off for a full week due snow and below zero temperatures. Don't get me wrong, I do cherish all the time I get to spend with my kids as a stay at home mama, and we certainly made some wonderful memories this past week.  But a full week stuck inside the four wall of our home, where the temperatures wouldn't even allow much outdoor play - left us all wanting back to our routine this morning!

 

I've got a scrapbook layout to share with you today that, like the aforementioned scenario, documents the struggle and sacrifice yet outstanding rewards that can be experienced in motherhood.

 

Supplies used: Heidi Swapp - patterned papers; American Crafts - wood buttons, 3D bows, cork hearts, thickers; Crate Paper - chipboard frame, fabric brad; Studio Calico - mini badge, Mister Huey; Tim Holtz - mini paperclip; Other: Silhouette, Veteran Typewriter computer font, hand stitching.

I dipped into an older paper line by Heidi Swapp, called Mixed Company.  One of my favorite papers from this collection was this paper with the continuous grid of circle icons.  In fact, this paper become the starting point for my page.  I knew using the page as is, would create a background that was much to busy for my liking.  To remedy that, I found another subtle gray background from the paper pad and cut and adhered a smaller selection of the circles to my page.  I re-centered my grid, allowing some of the circles to work off the edges of the page and also left several spots blank.  Both of these design decisions create a resting place for the eye and allow for flow and continuity throughout the page.

I had so much fun selecting which circles I would use in my redesigned grid.  In many instances, I tried to tie the selected circles in with my journaling to give the page more meaning and connection.

The circles without journaling were just begging for some embellishment.  I enjoyed digging through my stash to find little bits and pieces that would adorn my page just perfectly.  I seem to use these Crate Paper chipboard frames on just about every page I do lately (have you noticed?!).  I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I run out! LOL!

With so many colors and elements going on throughout the page, I chose to stick with a solid dark gray for my title.  The beginning part of my title is composed of raw chipboard thickers from American Crafts.  I used some Mister Huey's mist to customize them to fit my page.  Since I did not have a matching cardstock to cut the remainder of my title, I simply used my Silhouette to cut the word 'Mom' in white.  A quick misting of the same Mister Huey ties both pieces of the title together and makes them perfectly coordinate!

Thanks for visiting me on the blog today!  Before I go I wanted to mention that I've created an all new instagram account - @jaclynrenchstudio!  I'm still posting at my old account, if you follow me there, but that will mostly be filled with personal stuff and photos of my kids.  My new account will be dedicated to everything crafty - sneaks, my latest projects and what's inspiring me!  You'll definitely want to come visit and follow me there because I'm doing a GIVEAWAY!  Don't miss out on your chance to be entered and hopefully inspired!

Watercolors and Washi

Happy Saturday morning!  If your weather has been anything like mine here in the Midwest (cold, snow and more cold!) you are in need of some warm and happy inspiration, like me!  I've got just the solution for you and it involves watercolors and washi tape!  Are you intrigued?  If so, scroll on for a look at a duo of cards I put together for Love My Tapes...



Supplies used: Bazzill Cardstock; Love My Tapes washi tape, lace tape; American Crafts twine; Pink Paislee stamps; Hero Arts ink and embossing powder; Stampin' Up ink; Doodlebug enamel dots; Other: machine stitching, embossing folder and foam adhesive. 

Now I didn't set out to combine washi and watercolors, originally.  Although, it ended up being quite a happy match, don't you think?!  You can read more about the evolution my design process took for these cards on the Love My Tapes blog.  I hope you'll stop by and say HI!

Chick Chat Stack Page

As promised, I'm back today to share a recent page I did for DCWV.  All week long on the DCWV blog we've been sharing projects using two brand NEW collection stacks available at Michaels!  If you haven't seen them yet, hop on over to this post where you can get a closer look at what's included in each stack.

I have a page to share today using the Chick Chat stack. 



Supplies used: DCWV Chick Chat Stack, Double Sided Cardstock Stack, Brights Cardstock Stack, Neutral Cardstock Stack; Sihouette die cut machine and cut files; Other: crochet thread, computer font, foam adhesive.

There are so many fun and trendy designs in this collection, I knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate as many of them as possible onto my page.  I cut a handful of 3.25" frames from navy cardstock to highlight some of my favorite prints and patterns, and to act as the base of my layout.  It made for a fun and quick starting point to my page.

I also couldn't resist pulling out my silhouette to create my title.  I combined two separate files to customize the pefect title for this picture of my sweet girl. 

If you want more details about my page, including how I used the gorgeous burlap paper included in the stack, head on over to this post on the DCWV blog.  While you're there you can also view the rest of the DT's work with these awesome new collections!

DCWV February Stack-a-holic Sketch

Happy February!  I'm just a couple days late, huh?!  Guess I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the first month of 2015 is gone and in the books and we're on to number 2!  Since February tends to be the 'love' month I thought I'd share with you a recent love-themed page I created.  It's a bit of an untraditional take on the theme, in that it documents my love of the sweater weather season - HA!  Why not, right?!



Supplies used: DCWV - Winter in the Wood stack, Shimmer Stack, Holiday Glitzy Glitther Stack, Airmail Envelopes, Gem Stickers ; American Crafts - heart punch; Simon Says Stamp - heart dies; Crate Paper - chipboard slide frame; Silhouette - cut files; Fancy Pants - striped tag; Other: foam adhesive, machine stitching.

I based this page on a sketch created by Yolie Burke, for the monthly DCWV Stack-a-holic challenge.  If you're not aware, each month DCWV issues a challenge to create based off of a card and layout sketch.  You can see the DT's take on this challenge right here.  The sketch is revealed at the first of each month. It's not only inspiring, but a fun way to be featured on the blog and even a chance to win a prize pack.  I hope you'll check it out!  Here's a look at the layout sketch for February:

 

 



As you can see, I mixed things up a bit on my page by replacing one of the photos for a journaling block and forgoing the banners.  But the sketch was a great starting point for me. 

I love to cluster and layer elements on my pages.  Here the envelope, tag and scattering of hearts and gems provide a resting place at the end of the title and above my photo.

The whole idea surrounding this page, came from this awesome DCWV sweater print paper. It's hard to get a feel for the pattern in the larger photo, but this close up allows you to see the texture.  Isn't it fun?  A cozy sweater print, turned pattern paper - give me one in every color, please!

 

 

Thanks for joining me today!  I'll be back tomorrow to share a page I created with an ALL NEW DCWV stack!