July Inspiration Elevator Challenge

You may recall from last month's challenge that the purpose of this challenge group was to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow. 

This month our challenger was the very talented Audrey Yeager. Audrey noticed (as you may have too) that all but one of our members is a single page designer. Our default design is a single 12x12 design! That's why we love IE..so many styles and we all approach it differently! In fact, we have invited a valued guest designer to join us this month; her name is Scarlett Salamone.

Here's a bit of what Audrey had to say in her challenge this month. She even gives us a few tips and a link to a great blog for inspiration! 

" I take a lot of photos.  Right now, I have been using 2 or 3 smaller photos on my layouts.  But truth is, I have a lot of events where I would like to include a lot of photos on a larger spread so that you can see the details in the photos to.  So I print out the photos with the intention of putting them on a 2-page spread...

I just can’t get it.  I feel like I have a certain style, yet when I sit down to create a 2 pager, it feels nothing like “me”. 

SOOOO, your next challenge is to create a double page layout.  And I don’t mean just any double page.  I want you to really think about your style and your design practices for single pagers (the first assignment helped us define our style, so think about those elements).  Then take those ideas and try to apply them to a double pager.   

Here are some ideas:

*Start by thinking of your canvas as a 12x24” size.  Before you even print photos or pick papers, try to envision (or sketch out) a design that feels like “you”.

*Once you have a basic design, think about the techniques that you love and where/how you will incorporate them on your page.

*Choose products that you would use for a single page layout.  If you use white cardstock as a base a lot of times, then use it on your double page.  If you mostly use patterned paper, then use that.  And if you don’t have 2 of the same sheets of patterned paper for your background, I REALLY challenge you to use 2 different 12x12 sheets for the base of your spread!  (Kim Watson does a superb job of using 2 different sheets for her backgrounds…if you have CK magazine, look at some of her pages.) http://kj-starre.blogspot.com/

*Another way to approach this, (which I personally want to experiment with more), is to create 2 single pagers, but use the same papers in the same ratios.  The papers and the photos will help tie your design together.

You might do this challenge and not be happy with your first result, so I challenge you to KEEP TRYING!  Do a 2^nd , double page layout and try to learn from your “mistakes” on the first one.

Also, if you typically DO create 2 pagers, then apply the same ideas to a single page spread instead.

As we create this month, if you have thoughts about your process or are struggling, OR you are loving what you are creating, share some of your ideas with us!!!

I can’t wait to see what you create!"

 

Well, after grumbling a bit about having to do a two pager, I decided that this was, in actuality, a GREAT challenge.  Most of my two pagers are from birthdays and vacations and I tend to just not scrap those events.  I am much more of a "moments" scrapper but I recognize that it is the events that need to be scrapped in two pagers that are, many times, the best MOMENTS.  Scrapping is, after all, the preserving of memories and stories and what better memories and stories come from those big events??  So, I set off to scrap our day at Hearst Castle in a two pager that reflects my scrappy style.  I am a cohesive scrapper, liking to have flow across my pages, so I knew that using different papers across the two pager wasn't going to work for me.  I chose a deep blue cardstock as my base.  It is a little different for me as I usually choose kraft, white or black, but I challenged myself to go a little outside my norm.  I am really happy with the results. 

 

You can see my very typical smaller photos, a mix of photo sizes, fussy cutting and embellishment clusters as well as the scattered "blings" on the edges...these are very typically a "Lisa Layout".  I also found space for pop dots and banners and flags which have also been big for me lately...so while this layout is a teeny bit cleaner than usual (no misting or paint) I felt adding more would take away from the story the photos are telling so I left them off.  I am really happy with the clean but embellished look of the layout and super happy that our most recent vacation is already going in the book!

 

We would love you to hop along with us and leave some love along the way , and if you are inspired, we challenge you to play along with us!  Be sure to link us to your blog so we can see what you create, too! Happy Scrapping!

 

 

 

Audrey Yeager 

Lisa Moen 

 Laurel Seabrook 

Cathy Harper 

Sue Sykes 

Lisa Spiegel 

Joanne Burton 

Ann Jobes

Christa Uttley

Laura Whitaker 

Scarlett Salamone - July Guest Designer 

Comments

[Joanne Burton]

I totally love your layout! You did a great job of keeping the flow between the pages and I adore your element clusters!
Joanne xo

[Lisa Moen]

Love, love, love your embellie clusters Lisa!

[Cathy]

Love how clean your layout is..flows so well. Love the embellishments clusters with all the layering! Awesome!

[Laura Whitaker]

love the mix of photo sizes, the sweet little embellies and the colours. All together it is so beautiful!

[Wendi R]

wow!!! love your fun 2 pgr and all those photos!!! we've done the tour a couple of times and love it!!!

[Christa]

Your clusters are perfect!, I love the melon and grey too. So many photos and a great title. Submit to CK!!!

[Diana Waite]

GREAT two pager Lisa!

[MaryAnn N]

Great Double...love the clusters, the flow, the area for the title in between is just perfect. Love It.

[Ann Jobes]

I love that mini banner, Lisa! Nice flow, too!

[Scarlett]

Really like the clusters you created and all the photos you used! Great design to fit them all in. Adore the little banner - so cute and love that cloud!

[Sue Sykes]

The clusters are perfect - and I'm so jealous of how many photos you fit on here! :) Great job!