A Couple of Layouts

It's quite amazing. It really is. I actually managed to do a couple of LOs at the ScrapManic weekend. I really didn't think I'd have the energy but more than that, I didn't think I'd have the inclination to scrap anything.

I'd been so busy with the run up to the weekend, putting together my 'I Can See Clearly Now' class and creating sample LOs for my 'Mad About Ads' class that one of the last things I said to Richard before I set off for Barnett Hill was, and I quote, "I don't want to even think about scrapbooking for ages, at least not this side of Christmas!".

LOL. That didn't last long. Not only did I scrap 1 double and 1 single LO but I also got half way through another double (it just needs some finishing touches). There's something about spending time with so many talented scrapbookers that just rubs off on you. Walking around and seeing the fabulous stuff being created really inspires one. I was even inspired by a few things that people did with my classes.

I've been scrapbooking in such a way lately that I've just forgotten
that it's supposed to be fun! Yes, it is. Anyone else forget this
sometimes? I promised myself this weekend that I was just going to
relax and enjoy my hobby. Every time I found myself
deliberating too long over something (and boy do I do this ALOT) I just
asked my fab scrapping friends around me a simple question and then
just did it. No deliberating, no agonising over this embellishment or
that. Nothing. Just threw stuff together. It was very freeing. Not
every LO has to be fantabulous and I think we all at times can get a
little precious over our scrapbooking. They're just photos and memories
and we don't have to create 'WOW' LOs all the time.

I did this LO, Country Life, on Saturday morning whilst everyone was off taking their first class (I didn't have to teach until Saturday afternoon) and decided to do another ad inspired LO. Love this photo of Richard and our niece, Billie-Ray, which was taken a couple of weekends ago when my sister and her horde came for a visit (she knows we love her coming to stay really). You can't tell from this LO but it is based on an ad for steak - honest (if I remember I'll try and find the ad to upload for comparison). At one point I found myself pondering over whether to use squares or circles, a quick question later and 'circles' was the answer. LO done. Supplies were all from my recent Jenni Bowlin kit and I just LOVE those Thicker stickers. Didn't think too much of them in the packet but once I used them ...

The only downside to scrapping 'in public' is that I find it hard. I don't know why, my mind seems to just dry up and all creativity goes out the window. I've learnt that if I want to be productive whilst cropping with friends that I need to use sketches (or ads!) and do a little bit of prep work first - it's probably got a lot to do with spending too much time gossipping chatting and my brain finds it hard to do 2 things at once?

This next LO used a Becky Fleck sketch and even though I didn't follow it to the letter you can see the basic structure is there. I've got soooo many gorgeous photos from our trip to Bermuda that I just feel I want to scrap them all and so I am. LOL. I usually have my albums by year not themes but I think I might have to make an exception for Bermuda. The only problem is that I don't really have much to say, journalling-wise, as how much can you say about going to the beach?

I'll get the other double LO finished which is a similar LO to the one above but this time Harriet on the beach as opposed to Katarina and no doubt I will do another similar one for Noah.