new year:new scrap rules

So. the album challenge.

Around 6 months ago, I bought some coupons for photo books. Three coupons actually. For 100 page books. In A4 format. Gave myself a pat on the back for being so forward-thinking. Knowing that I had heaps of time to get all those pages I'd been doing together, and print them.

Then I realised, as the new year dawned, that the coupons expire on the 22nd January. This year. And I had a little moment. I quickly panicked and looked through my folders. What I (repeatedly) found prompted me to make some new scrapping rules for myself (after I repeatedly hit my forehead with my mouse).

1. Put the date.on.every.page.

2. Journal. Everything. Even just a little bit, to say where the pictures were taken, or what we were doing.

3. Heavily embellished, layered pages are not what I want for my albums. I love making these kind of pages- lurve the pretty- but it often distracts me from my main aim of documenting. Also, turns out my family aren't so interested in looking at those either. Hubby tells me he prefers simple pages, where the photos are the star. Yes, he said that.

4. Keep a consistency in design. And in keeping with the simple thing, I'm going to stick with plain backgrounds, perhaps a little solid colour or print for pop, and one or two embellishments. I don't care that I can hear you yawning. In years to come, I want my eyes to wander through my albums and be overtaken with memories, not think wow, chevron was so in back in 2011. Document in double pages as much as possible.

5. Document as I go. I'd like to say I'll get my album pages done at the end of each month. Considering however, that I am currently staring down the barrel of three years of pages, I know that I'm kidding myself there. Although, you never know!

So there we have it. Now, I need to stop belting myself in the head with the keyboard, and get back to photoshop. Oh, before I go, want to see some pages, following the golden rules?

I used some delicious Three Paper Peonies gear for these. Check out the store, perfection. I'd love to know your thoughts on documenting. How do you keep on track?
s.

generations.one little bird collab

Something a little magic happens when Peppermint (one little bird) gets her design on with Ms Paislee Press. Chuck in Traci Murphy, and we have this gorgeous little lovechild: Generations. Such a beautiful kit, in classy neutrals, for your family and heritage photos.

It was perfect for recording a get-together of my family:

                    

What a good-looking bunch (never mind the reel of 24 awkwards. we are getting better). That's my Poppi, on the right, holding my little girl. I can hear him singing "Pop goes the weasel". He had a stroke yesterday.

The work on the album extravaganza continues!

Have a happy day,

s.

count your blessings.viva artistry

Isn't this just gorgeous? What a lovely way to document the things you are grateful for.

I used ViVa's new kit to document the Blessingway I had to prepare for my little one's birth, back in May last year:   

I am loving streamlined, magazine style documenting right now. Probably because I am super focused on getting the documenting done for some albums before the end of the month- more on that later.

In the meantime, have a happy day!

s.

heart of the ocean.viva artistry

A lovely vintage nautical kit from my favourite duo.

I made a special two-pager for my album (only 98 pages to go!), about the day we went to the Whale Dreaming festival.

Have a happy day!
S.

found art-a boy thing.viva artistry

Those ViVa girls have yet again nailed a grungy, vintagey kit, this time for all things little and masculine.

It's part of their guest run at Scrapmatters. I made a classic "mummy guilt" page with this one...

Enjoy! Have a happy day,
S.

sweater weather. one little bird

Just look how lovely and golden this kit is. I love the vintage feel, so warm and cozy!

Not so long ago, we visited our lagoon to feed the ducks. Lots of them. A couple of them big guys, as my little guy found out.

Have a happy day,
S.

chakra.viva artistry

A kit with exquisite balance.

I took up yoga during my final pregnancy, what an amazing experience!

Have a happy day!
S.

epic.one little bird and friends

Yep, it sure is. Epic. The collaborative work of One Little Bird Designs, Paislee Press Designs and Biograffiti.

And I was slow in cracking this open, intimidated by the awesomeness. I ended up with a two-pager (don't think I've done one of those before).

I like how it looks side-by-side! And, hello, chevron! You should get this kit. The stitches and photo overlay were dug up from my stash.

Have a happy day!

S.

hello.joyce paul designs

Hello. Yellow pops against beautiful greys. Lovely flowers, masks, stamps and a hint of vintage. Love this!

And one of my absolute favourite photos. Owen meeting his baby sister for the first time.

Have a happy day!
S.

lottery ticket. joyce paul designs

Joyce has created a gorgeous new kit for those of us who love surprises.

The kit alone is so pretty, and if you buy it before November 1st, you'll be in the running to win access to Joyce's store for a whole year! How cool is that?!

This kit was a perfect way to document my recently rediscovered love of sewing.

Have a happy day!
S.

westover.one little bird

I am loving the process of scrapping my retro photos. This is me in Year 1. I really think I should start wearing my hair like this again! Whenever I slide an old photo onto my page, I get the urge to journal, stream-of-consciousness style. Sometimes I write things the front of my brain had forgotten- like the smell of Gestetner stencils at school back in the day. Remember that, anyone?

 I used the new kit from One Little Bird, called Westover. Perfect for celebrating your geeky self in a stylish manner. Nice one, Peppermint!

                             

Have a happy day!

S.

viva artistry.5 star feature

My gorgeous friends Vanessa and Vivienne- ViVa Artistry- are the featured designers at 5 Star Digital Scrapbooking! There is a lovely interview where you can find out more about these talented designers, and a fab freebie kit to download. Enjoy!Have a happy day!
S.

designs by anita.hello with ange

Designs by Anita and Ange Designs have teamed up to create this fab collab: Hello.
I used it to make this layout for the February Miscellaneous challenge at MScraps:

Have a happy day!

S.

queen of hearts.mscraps debut

Scrapping goddess and now template queen, Carly (you might know her as snaggletooth) has joined the designers at Mscraps in opening her store there this week. Check out these simpler templates, Not So Crazee:
But wait, there's more. The Queen thought she would 'have a go' at making a kit, just to see if she could. Hmm. Turns out she can. Check out Crazy Cool.

I made a layout with both of these new products. And I used more than 2 ellies.

Have a happy day! (and congratulations Carly!)

S

iscrap.pagemaker 9

Ing has created this nifty Pagemaker Pack, complete with templates and papers in fun colours. My favourite part is the ellies she has included into the templates- you can mix and match them, so fun!

I used the template pack to make a page for the Feb Theme challenge at Mscraps.

Have a happy day!

S.

viva artistry.snaps and scraps

Vivie and Vanessa have this gorgeous new kit out this week- Snaps and Scraps, in my favourite colourway. Yum.
I couldn't resist the shadowbox frame, and put this gorgeous boy in it.

Have a happy day!

S.

mscraps. your turn to shine at the oscars

We are having an amazing time in our ball gowns and poofy hair over at mscraps. Come join in- there is plenty of time to enter, and great prizes to be had!
have a happy day,
s.

polly and rufus.sunblushed touch

New at MScraps this week, this gorgeous sunny kit from Polly and Rufus Designs
I love the stamps in the kit and those fun sunkissed colours.

have a happy day!
s.

mscraps.turning one

Come hang out with the cool kids!
Sale starts Friday Jan 28th
Blogtrain starts Friday Jan 28th, 8pm GMT
Birthday Bash Games and Challenges Saturday Jan 29th and Sun Jan 30th

have a happy day!
S.

three paper peonies.a perfect pair

Jaime is a guest designer at Scrapinsider this month, and has created this gorgeous kit just for the occasion.
here is a layout I made, using a template from ErinInk

have a happy day!

S.