Smashbook: Trying to Instagram it

Since I'm a huge dork, I decided to smash book my first fantasy draft. I was so excited to finally be in a fantasy league because like the annoying little sister that I am, I've been begging my brother to add me to his fantasy league for years.  Luckily this year, I didn't need him because two work leagues were formed and I was popular enough to be invited to both of them. SO THERE.  Also, there was an opening on my brother's fantasy league  this year and I was passed over.  Whatever I'm not bitter about it (yes i am). 

Anyway, I "captured" (I believe that is what MAC nerds refer to print screening as) my final fantasy (video game reference!) picks, printed them out and then decorated with random football embellishments that yes I do own.  

I downloaded this new app called "Instagram" (if you don't get the sarcasm, stop reading my blog) the other day. I wanted to try it out but I don't want to take any fucking pictures of clouds. If one more person takes an instagram picture of clouds I'm going to scream. It's a rain storm, of course it's going to look menacing when you put a 1970's filter on it. Anyway, I tried instagramming my smashbook page. I don't know if it has the effect I want, but I do love the black/white border around it. 

Alaska Album: A satisfying collage

The plans i had for tonight got cancelled, so I ended up scrapbooking...and finishing up the 3rd season of Breaking Bad (Not at the same time).  

Originally I was going to design a collage without photos, just showcasing the day we spent exploring Anchorage.  Instead I added in a photo I had printed out a while ago for something else, and I actually really like the collage. The only nitpicky thing is the bottom right corner is a little empty.  I'm still getting used to scrapping in a photo album and I'm never sure how close I can get to the edge. I really feel like the book is improving as I go along though.  

A lot of times I hate a page when I first do it, and then I put it away in the album, come back to it a few days later, and I'm surprised at how good it looks.  If I could give anyone advice when scrapbooking its that if you are frustrated or the page isn't looking correct, put it away, walk away for a few hours or better yet a few days and come back to it. You'd be surprised at how your perspective changes. 

Smashbook Monday: Mommy and Me

It's amazing how tired you can feel at the end of a day where you did absolutely nothing. Seriously, I sat on my couch the entire day watching Breaking Bad on netflix. There is no reason for me to feel as exhausted as I do.  Of course my throat is also a bit scratchy so I'm hoping so hard I'm not getting sick. I need so much juice right now. 

I worked on my Smash book briefly tonight.  Took a picture of me and my mom from a party this weekend, pasted it in along with a horoscope that says "the creative juices will be flowing this week". I hope they are..if I can fight off whatever is brewing in my throat. 

Smashbook Page: me and mommy

My blog just got a makeover!

Hello everyone (all 2 of you!).  I gave my blog a mini makeover this morning. I'm still making use of the blogger templates, but I like this background and color scheme much better. It feels more mature (even though I'm not any more mature than when I started writing this).  I'm starting to pay attention to the blog more though and write more regularly so I thought it needed an adjustment. Let me know what you think! 

Smashbook: Fall Preview

I got my new issues of Time Out New York and New York Magazine in the mail today and both had the same cover "FALL PREVIEW".  So excited!!! As I've mentioned in the past, Fall is my absolute fav.  Usually I wait to read my magazines on the weekend, but I devoured both of these in a few hours.  I was so excited, I decided to devote a page to all the things I'm excited for in Fall.

I've also decided I'm going to do a separate smashbook for the Fall season...because I think I'm going to be THAT busy. Not really (but maybe?).  Really, I bought two smashbooks when I first discovered them in the craft store and my current one is running out of space very soon. Rather than be cut off in the middle of Fall, I think it's best to devote an entire book to it. Fall is an important season. It's the most important time for fashion, tv shows come back, new tv shows premiere (very disappointed with the new show selection this year), I can wear sweaters again and put away my fans. So yes, it just seems best to start an entire new book for it. 

Anyway, here are my Fall preview pages:

Fall Preview Smash book page

Alaska: Exit Glacier with Map

I had an idea in my head tonight for a page, but I don't think it came out quite how I imagined it. I still like it but I think my problem with my own designs is the lack of embellishment.  I either hold back too much or I go way too overboard. I can't strike the perfect balance that I want.  My next page is going to be a straight collage, no pictures so I'll use that as practice ground.  The collage part is the hardest for me - making something that is imperfect look perfect. 

Anyway, as I said I'm not disappointed in the page. I used a map as a backdrop (I have a lot of these maps lying around thanks to my free guidebook Kleptomania).  I love the layout of the pictures, the arrow and the lettering I used for the word "exit". I'm not so into how I wrote out the word glacier, and I feel like a nice embellishment or collage in that area would've completed the page.  Learning. Always learning.

Alaska: Sea Life in browns and blues

The Alaska scrapbook continues. Maybe I will finish it by Fall? Perhaps. I have a lot of projects brewing for the Fall....I just love Fall so much.  Almost as much as the Olympics.

I'm not 100% satisfied with today's scrapbook page but I'm trying to not be as hard on myself. You win some, you lose some right? I definitely want to collage a bit more in this scrapbook but it's hard to get away from the traditional scrap. I think I just need a little bit more inspiration in the future. I'll read some of my older collage books and start to get the creative juices flowing.  They are already flowing now, sort of. 

I'm blabbering. Half of this entry might not make sense but that's OK.  I'll just show the page....