Thinking Out Loud

I love a clean desk.

There is something that happens when a desk is cleared and clean. It beckons you to mess it all up again! I have several pages of photos just waiting to be scrapped. There's also several projects to be finished up. I would rather do something new and fun, but I know I should finish what I've started. (I am horrible at that) 

I am attending a retreat in two weeks. (Rockin' Reality Scrapbook Retreats) I am SO looking forward to some time away with friends. I would like to have some pages planned before I go. I tend to get a lot more done that way. So, I think I will prepare some basic page supply kits to take with me. You can see above the photos I've printed and that are waiting on my FRED. Okay, so here I go...

(I guarantee that the minute I get started, I will be interrupted by at least one of the kids!)

Baby Announcements.

I am finally getting to Aaron's baby announcements. I ordered the paper and envelopes two months before he was born. They have been sitting on my desk starring at me for quite some time now. Since I got the scrap space all cleaned up, I figured it was about time to get these done!

I ordered the envelopes and cards from The Paper Source. If you have not ever checked out this store... you are missing out. They have some really cute stuff!

Now I just have to make labels.

Using those close-up photos & my love for paint.

Here is a photo canvas that I made a while back. It utilizes the close-up photo and gives you another option instead of a regular photo frame. It is actually easier than it looks. So, why not give it a try.

One of my favorite products to use, whether it's a layout or something else, is acrylic paint. Next to my desk, I have an entire wall devoted to paint. Love the incredible variety of colors that are available and the look it gives. There are so many ways to use paint in scrapbooking. 

#1-- paint on canvas, as I have done here. You can purchase just plain white canvas at Hobby Lobby or Michaels in the art department. On this particular canvas I used the Heidi Swapp acrylic paint. Hers are thicker, giving you the ability to "smear" the different colors without totally mixing them together (which sometimes creates ugly combinations). I also like Making Memories acrylic paint.

#2-- The clock was actually attached using the paint. When it dries it acts as an adhesive. 

#3-- The tag was cut from the remaining part of the acrylic clock. I painted the back of it with the same paint and used rub-ons on the front. 

#4-- I stamped the word "cherish" with black acrylic paint. 

#5-- I ran paint around the torn edges of the picture. 

#6-- Edged the star with white paint to make it stand out. 

Oh, so many uses!! 

Now, your going to laugh when I tell you this--> The picture is printed on regular, cream-colored cardstock. I didn't want the glossy look and I didn't have any matte paper available. So, I tried something new. 

Products used: Clock, star, "cherish" stamp from Heidi Swapp; rub-on letters from Making Memories

Short & Sweet

Today was cleaning day... so not too much time to get upstairs (where all my junk is). However, I added a little eye candy to my photo albums. Over there, on the right --> you will find a link to the Father's Day album I did before Aaron was born. It was just about the only creative thing I accomplished in nine months.

Ta ta for now!

Shooting Up Close

My friend, Rena, and I were discussing photography today and it got me thinking. She had been told, "If you think your close enough, take two steps closer". That is definitely something to ponder.

I find myself loving those crisp, clean, close up shots; when the picture is super close and you can see every detail. (Not of me, of course, but those little baby faces are perfect) Here are a few things to try next time you find yourself up close and personal...   

Try filling the entire frame with your subject. Don't be afraid to zoom in! Let your subject's face fill the entire frame. It's okay to crop off the top of the head or sides of the face. 

Where is the best place to focus your camera when shooting up-close? Try focusing directly on the eyes. 

Another rule of thumb is to position the eyes 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. It seems to give the photo more visual appeal.

That's it for today. Go get your camera and get up close!  

*Bonus* - these are super fun photos to scrapbook! 

Next time... I'll show you a project I did with a close up photo and canvas.

New Layout

July/ August Layout Contest

Finally got one finished...

Look at the post below for details.

Rockin' Reality Page Contest

Check out the Rockin' Reality website. Every couple of months Rena has a page layout contest. You can win a half-price retreat! Here is the July/August sketch...

I have had my layout in progress for about 4 days now. It seems that every time I get upstairs and get started, I am interrupted 5 minutes later! I guess that goes with having two kids, huh? I am slowly, but surely, getting back into the groove (scrapping that is). Maybe I can finish it today and get it out there!

Enter the contest by uploading your layouts to the Rockin Reality site. 

Blog To-Do List

1. Take photos & Upload Christmas Album

2. Same for the Father's Day Book

3. Send out emails for people to come & see me :) 

4. I think I might hold a contest for people who leave me comments. More info coming soon...

(who doesn't like to win scrap stuff?)

5. Oh, I got my desk cleaned off and some pictures printed, so it's time to bust out some new LOs.

Conner is such a good big brother! If only I can get him to change a diaper.

Finally!!

I am finally feeling better! I have had a stinkin' cold for the past week. I really have been wanting to get upstairs and do some creating. However, feeling like crap, a newborn and a three year old really puts a damper on things. So, tonight... the kids are asleep and I am upstairs standing in my scrap room.

Awe, crap! I can't do anything till I clean up this mess... I think a tornado hit my desk.

It's going to take me a whole day just to get organized again. As I was staring at the piles of product and random stuff, I wondered how it got this way. For the past few months I have been coming in here to do little projects here and there. I get the stuff out, throw it together and walk out. The last project I did was a father's day book for Jason. It turned out super cute, but I believe this is what sent the chaos over the edge. (will post pics of the book when I can clear a space to take pictures...)

As I type this I am looking over and deciding where to start. 

How do you tackle big messes like this? Or does your desk even get this messy? And, by the way, I am convinced that the bigger the desk the bigger the mess! 

~~Ooh, one more thing... I got my Cocoa Daisy kit the other day and cannot wait to break it open and do some creating with it. If you don't know about Cocoa Daisy kits check it out!