I like structured and clean scrapping
I have only been scrapping for almost 2 years and even though I think my work will always be structured, I am still experimenting with so many products and techniques and turning my hand to new concepts. My Dad is a retired architectural draftsman and growing up I was exposed to the structured and crisp plans that were always on his drawing table. My Dad was also the family photographer, so I guess I picked up that passion from him as well.
Something I struggle with a lot in my scrapbooking – especially with patterned papers – I find it difficult to cut it or cover it up – but I am working on that. I am also working on my journaling. I guess my scrapping is more about the creative side of things, and my photos, and I am trying hard to put more of the story behind the photos onto my pages. The trouble is my career has always been extremely administration based – words, words & more words – blaah!
I like to challenge myself
I almost always start with the photo, although lately I have been challenging myself with a concept, a great product that I ‘just had to have’ or a new technique or style I want to try. Then I go through my stash and pull out everything I think might be usable for that particular page and then I play and procrastinate and procrastinate some more – I can honestly say I’ve never finished a page under 5-6 hours – most times longer and then end up settling for the main structure that I put down in the first ½ hour. Sometimes I sketch a plan but mostly they live in my head. On many occasions I will lay out an entire page before I stick a single thing down. I often take a digital photo of my page, pull it all apart and put it back together referring to my camera screen for reference.
Great photographs are essential
Without a doubt it is the photo/s and in particular photos of my son Flynn, who is 3 and the most wonderful photographic subject. Of course I have been ‘forced’ to do quite a lot of ‘me’ pages so I can use all the great ‘girly products’ out there. We don’t have a lot of girls in our family, my brother and his wife are expecting another child and in a non-selfish, selfish sort of way I am hoping for a little baby girl – ohh all the pinks and flowers and ribbons - and did I mention flowers?
What do you think is the one thing that distinguishes your unique approach to the craft?
Earl Nightingale once said ‘ we are all a product of our environment’ and I guess that is what is so great about this craft – each and everyone of us has an individual view of the world we live in. Every single page I put together came from my heart and my mind and my soul. It is my good times, my great times, my sad times and my tragedies. What a wonderful community of people us scrappers are – I have never witnessed such an honest, loving and sharing bunch of people – ordinary people who touch so many others in such profound ways and who really make a difference in other peoples lives.
My fave tips
I love to hand stitch on my pages and ladies it is all about the length! Keep the long stitches for the straight lines and squash them up when going around the corners – try it you will see the difference. For the straight lines try creating a template with acetate and your sewing machine without any cotton in it. You can then use the holes created through the acetate as your guide and it can be used over and over again- I have a heap of them in different stitches and sizes.
Scrap-lifting is a great way to get started – it tests your skills and makes you try new techniques – obviously there is etiquette that should be followed but for those ‘just for the family’ albums it great (imitation is also the best form of flattery). It is also a great way to get out of a rut!
Share your Scrapbooking!
Go to crops – you will be amazed at the friends you will make – I hardly ever get much done anymore but I love my scrap buddies - we have so much in common. Submit it – on-line, magazines whatever – put yourself out there. Show your friends and family – without exception everyone loves to see their pictures on a page – it shows them that you care! Teach it. I love to see other peoples photos and stories and the look on their faces when the light bulb goes on when I teach them something they didn’t know how to do.
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