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!