Mar 20, 2015

Simple Stories I Am Collection Simply or Not So Simply

Hi everyone! Rebecca Keppel here! I am here today to showcase the many facets of the beautiful I Am Collection. In my house every family member has albums dedicated solely to them. Then there are family albums that feature photos and stories of multiple people. My kids have amassed MANY albums to themselves. Sadly, my husband and I each only have a couple of albums between us. But with the I am collection I am beginning to fill up my album! The I Am collection can be very deep and introspective and let you document your most core beliefs and feelings. But it can also be playful. I found that you can use it to make very simple layouts as well as much more complex ones as well. Here is a simply layout.
Although I used many different pieces from the collection including Clips, patterned paper, stickers, Chipboard Frames, Epoxy Dots, and more, it is a relatively simple layout featuring one thing that I am...a soccer mom :)
I love how the typed stickers fit in so well with my typed journaling. The going to be heard sticker was the perfect touch since my oldest recently told me "not to cheer" lol!
The chipboard frames are fun for mini photos of course, but my favorite use for them is to house journaling or embellishments. On the flip side, here is a more complicated layout showcasing many things that I am right now...
This collection makes it so simple to tell your story, to let you define yourself in your layouts and to pass on to future generations little snippets of who you were.
Each of my small circular photos represents one piece of me and the photo is explained by a sticker title like, I am...healthy.
I love the bits of gold foil in this collection and the combination of dimension and texture available with the different embellishments like the chipboard and Bradz.
I hope many of you will also start to fill your own albums using this amazing collection! 

Supplies Used:
Simple Stories I Am Collection
4500 Collection Kit
4501 Simple Basics
4502 Fundamentals Stickers
4503 Expressions Stickers
4527 Brads
4528 Chipboard
4529 Bits and Pieces
4531 Enamel Dots
4532 Stickers
4535 Washi Paper Tape
4536 Clips4538 Chipboard Frames

Mar 7, 2015

Scrapbook Circle - 3x4 Cards 3 Ways!

I love all the 3x4 cards manufacturers are making these days. Whether you use them for pocket page layouts or journaling on a traditional 12x12 layout, they add a nice touch. I like them so much, that I used them on 3 different layouts this month. I worked with the main March Scrapbook Circle kit (Here's the Story) and both Add Ons, On My Way and Tell Me.

For the first layout, I used one of the exclusive Scrapbook Circle 3x4 cards in a traditional way. I used a typewriter to journal on it and then I tucked it next to my photo:

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In the next layout, I used 3 different 3x4 cards as part of the layout design. I liked that the left hand one included a sentiment, the middle card featured an image and on the right hand card I adhered a photo trimmed down so part of the 3x4 card design was peeking out.

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For the final layout, I used a similar approach as above, but I also wanted to create an altered background. All you need to create this type of background is a piece of patterned paper, some gesso, a large brush, a few Gelatos and a mini mister filled with water.

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With the large brush, paint on gesso starting a thick application at the top of the page and gradually thinning out by the middle.

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Once dry, take the Gelatos and color a thick smudge at the top of the page where the gesso is the thickest.

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You can mix and match colors or use different shades of one color.

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Then spray the Gelatos with water and allow the color to drop. This won't work as well if you do not prime the paper with gesso first because the Gelatos will sink into the paper.

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Let dry and dab with a clean paper towel.

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Once my background was dry I started applying my photos and 3x4 cards. This time I mounted my cards on slightly larger pieces of patterned paper to make them really stand out.

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How are you using the 3x4 cards?

:) Rebecca