To those of you who came by to find this post empty for the past day and a half–my apologies.  I’m not entirely sure what happened–but I’ve got it all fixed now!  

So here you are–an idea for a quick, yet memorable token for your loved ones on Valentines Day!

For the past 5 years, my husband and I have written each other love letters every Valentine’s Day.  Sometimes we exchange other gifts too–but this is a standing tradition that we never skip.  Flowers eventually wilt, chocolate will undoubtedly go to the parts of your body you’d rather it didn’t–but a love letter never loses its meaning

This year I’m extending the tradition to include our boys–I’d love for them to have a love note from their mommy and daddy for every year of their lives!

I’m writing this year’s love notes on some fun note cards that I made using SEI’s Promise Me Collection.  I just love the beautiful foiled papers in this collection and the sentiment stickers that accompany the collection were just perfect for this simple project!

My note cards are 4×6 and I’ve used an old invitation envelope as a template for making my own coordinating envelopes.

To share your love in style this Valentine’s Day all you’ll need are:

• some coordinating patterned papers (preferably one sided)
• sentiment stickers, tags or stamps to accent your note card.
• small embellishments to add a few charming finishing touches.
• an old envelope that you can take apart and use as a template for making your own coordinating envelopes from scratch.
• AND a little bit of love!

Wishing you all lots of LOVE this month

]]> http://www.amykingsford.com/2012/02/make-stylin-love-notes-coordinating-envelopes-for-your-loved-ones.html/feed 0 http://www.amykingsford.com/2012/02/make-stylin-love-notes-coordinating-envelopes-for-your-loved-ones.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/feedburner/scrappydoo-askings/~3/-DeRMwthdOE/new-love-quote-word-art-printable.html http://www.amykingsford.com/2012/02/new-love-quote-word-art-printable.html#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:12:49 +0000 askings http://www.amykingsford.com/?p=3357 Hop on over to Get It Scrapped!–where you can download my latest wordart + printable for your love and Valentine’s Day pages.

Have a Great Day! 

Inspiration for a scrapbook page design really can come from anywhere.  I’ve used songs, jewelry and even articles of clothing to inspire scrapbook layouts.  I also turn to more traditional forms of inspiration quite often–including sketches, scraplifting, challenges and prompts.

Its not so much about where the inspiration comes from as it is how you choose to translate it in your page’s design. Today I’d like to share a few of the approaches that I take in incorporating inspiration in my own scrapbook pages.

 1. Using an inspiration piece as a road map for your page’s design.

I use this approach with more traditional forms of inspiration in which there is a strong “design” element present.  This approach can help you to feel more confident when trying out a new technique or a style that differs significantly from your own.  I also find that using this approach to translate inspiration saves me time and produces quicker results.

My page “Together” was inspired by an Ad Challenge that my friend Paula Gilarde holds each Monday on her blog.  I found this type of  inspiration to be quick and easy to work with and I feel a confidence in moving forward with a design that in sense was already “proven.”

Inspired by Paula Gilarde's Ad Challenge

2. Finding the single detail that stands out above all the rest.

I try to search my inspiration pieces for the one detail that grabs my attention. Chances are that when incorporated into my own design it will have the same effect –so I find that this is a great approach for adding stand-out details to my scrapbook pages.

The ruffled mat on my page “You’re Why I Love Being a Dad” was inspired by a ruffled messenger bag by Donna Downey and I simply love the way that I was able to translate the details in my inspiration piece into such an eye-catching detail on my page.

Inspired by Messenger Bag by Donna Downey

3. Thinking about how an inspiration piece makes you feel and setting a similar tone in your page.

Sometimes it is not the color or details of an inspiration piece that inspires me, but instead what it  reminds me of or a certain way that it makes me feel.  This approach to translating inspiration is perfect for communicating feeling and emotion in our page designs.

When I think about my son’s sweater that inspired my layout “Sweater Baby”, I am transported back to the last time he wore it and how cozy and warm he looked.  I thought about how even though he was bundled up his cheeks were rosy from the cold and I would hold him close to keep him warm.  And it was this feeling of  coziness that I tried to translate to this page.

Inspired by my son's favorite sweater

I hope with these ideas you can start translating inspiration into your own pages in new and creative ways.  Remember that there are an infinite number of ways that you can incorporate inspiration into your scrapbook page design–you are limited only by your own creativity and imagination!

 

Want to dive even further into the world of inspiration?  I’d love for you to join me for my class Finding Your Inspiration Station at Creative Passion Classes!  If your interested in learning to zero in on inspiration that is tailored to your personal style and translate it to your pages then this class is for you!  Class begins March 6th–click here for more details!

 

 

Have a Great Day

#1-Count the Ways

Sometimes it can be difficult to declare our undying love for everyone to read on a scrapbook page–but listing the things you love about someone or something can be a fun alternative that holds just as much meaning.

When I look back on this page and read through the list of things that I loved about my youngest son just after his birth, I feel like I’m transported.  Some of these things still apply and others have been replaced with new things I love about him.  But this list creates for me the perfect link to so many wonderful memories.

Credits: Tens List by Biograffiti, Inspire Me Sketch No. 1 by Kitty Designs and Confessional by One Little Bird

#2-Playful Innuendos

Now I always try to keep things clean on my scrapbook pages–you never know who will see them down the road  But a few playful innuendos never hurt anyone!  And in my page “Makin’ Whoopies” I simply couldn’t resist–it was too perfect!  Getting a little saucy in your  pages can help you to have a little fun while grabbing your viewer’s attention and maybe even get a chuckle a or two in the process.

Credits: Promise Me Collection, Milk and Dark Chocolate Puff Alphas by SEI

#3-Love Songs

Song titles and lyrics can be the perfect way to express love on your scrapbook pages–especially if that song holds a meaning for you and your sweetie personally.  In my page, “Baby Just Say Yes” I used lyrics from Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” as my title and though this isn’t “our song” I felt like it was the perfect title for this particular page and it helped me to tell my story in a fun and clever way.

Credits: Template from Simple Scrapper's Premium Collection (September 2011), Affection Bundle by Kitty Designs, Generations by One Little Bird Designs, Tracy Murphy and Paislee Press, Renewal by Aja Abney, Apple Orchard and Kitschy Christmas by Krista Sahlin

#4-Send Flowers

Fresh out of hearts to use on your pages?  Flowers can also also convey a soft and  tender feeling in our pages that will fit in perfectly with  your love-themed layouts.  While hearts are one of my favorite motifs I also enjoy the chance to use flowers whenever and however I can to create a romantic or even cheerful tone in my pages.

As a mother of two boys love layouts offer me the opportunity to add  feminine touches to my pages and I like to take that opportunity and run with it. In my page “All Because Two People Fell In Love” I used a fun combination of fabric and rub-on flowers to embellish my page and to help create a cheerful yet sentimental feeling–that in my eyes still says LOVE.

Credits: Sketch from Simple Scrapper’s Premium Collection (May 2011), Studio Calico Handmade Kit, Tumble Dry Mist (Black) by SEI, Brenda Walton’s Flora and Fauna Collection by K Company, paper tape by 7 Gypsies, assorted brads and buttons.

#5-Bare Your Soul

Every once in a while I like to take a tell-all approach to my pages–in which I leave nothing unsaid where my love is concerned.  I find it therapeutic to bare my soul to my loved ones in a scrapbook page because it is a testimony of my love that will live on forever.

In my page Us in 2011, I acknowledge some pretty tough times that we endured as a family during that year.  And I used this page as an opportunity to remind my family that it was our love for one another that helped us through. This is actually an excerpt from my journal and though not all of it is visible on the page–I think the vulnerability and the message of love still shines through.

Credits: Kitschy Christmas & Field Trip Kits by Krista Sahlin, Epic by One Little Bird Designs, Biograffiti and Paislee Press, Notebook Edge Frames by Katie Pertiet and Sophistica by Anna Aspnes

How do you approach the topic of love in your scrapbook pages?  Feel free to share your thoughts and layouts in the comments below!

The first is my class Finding Your Inspiration Station–a live workshop aimed at helping you to zero in on avenues of inspiration that are most suited to your personal style and that you can easily translate to your scrapbook pages and projects.

In this workshop we will explore:

• How you can avoid being overwhelmed by all of the inspiration that is out there.
• Whether you are more visually motivated or thought provoked and which forms of inspiration may work better for you as a result. 
• How to interpret inspiration both literally and figuratively in your scrapbook pages.
• How you can use a variety of different sources and types of inspiration in your scrapbooking to come away with pages you love.
• How to incorporate the forms of inspiration that work best for you into your creative process.
• How to build your own “inspiration archive” that you can reference for quick and creative page starters.

 You can receive 10% off  my class thru Friday, February 3rd using coupon code: A1F2891C

The other workshop that I’m excited to share with you is Digital U–a FREE digital and hybrid training series, offered by Pattie Knox, Jana Morton and myself.  Join us the second Sunday of every month for a live webinar in which we will share ideas for using digital and hybrid techniques to record your memories.  Click Here to find out more about Digital U and to register for this free webinar series.

Both of these workshops should be a ton of fun!  I would love to have you join me and I look forward to seeing you there!

Click on any of the prompts below for more inspiration! 

Idea No. 32 | It’s so hard to say goodbye

Idea No. 33 | Use up some of those leftovers

Idea No. 34 | Mimic your subject’s movement or shape in your page design

Idea No. 35 | Search for deeper meaning in your everyday photos

Idea No. 36 | Incorporate a popular trend into your design

Idea No. 37 | Showcase your journaling by using a mixture of fonts and colors

Idea No. 38 | Use lines to direct the eye to the most important part of your page

Idea No. 39 | Mix and match themed elements from several kits/collections

Idea No. 40 | Try bringing two different styles together in your page

Idea No. 41 | Focus your next page on someone or something you rely on

Idea No. 42 | Turn heads with a slight turn in your page’s design

Idea No. 43 | Share a secret about yourself

Idea No. 44 | Examine both sides of the story

Idea No. 45 | Where do you stand on change?

Idea No. 46 | Draw inspiration from your favorite fashions

Idea No. 47 | Not picture perfect? That’s OK!

Idea No. 48 | Use stitching to connect the elements on your page

Idea No. 49 | Capture your family’s headquarters

Idea No. 50 | Reference one of your favorite songs in your journaling

Idea No. 51 | Let your photo fill the page

Idea No. 52 | Capture your “One Little Word” for 2012

I hope you’ll enjoy these creative prompts and I look forward to seeing your pages in the Page Idea Gallery!

You can download the set below for use on your scrapbook pages.  They are available in both pdf format and as png files–enjoy!

Download PDF Version to use on your paper layouts

Download the PNG file for use on your digital layouts

These date stamps were created with the use of images from The Graphics Fairy and Obsidian Dawn.  As such they are for your personal use only.  I hope you enjoy using them and would love to see what you create with them

Now let’s have a look at a couple more creative solutions for storing your paper scraps!

Creative Solution No. 1:  A Paper Scrap Clothes Line 

Try hanging your favorite paper scraps in full view where you’ll be sure to see them and inspired to use them in your next project.

  This approach is great for those of you with your own scrap space.  You can use an actual clothesline or even a piece of yarn that is secured to a wall near your main scrap area and then use miniature clothespins to hang all of those “must-use” scraps (big and small) in style!

–AND/OR–

Creative Solution No. 2: A Paper Scrap Swatch Ring

You could save those smaller paper scraps on a swatch ring!

This approach is perfect for keeping your smaller pieces of scrap paper wrangled.  You can punch a hole in the upper corner of your scrap pieces and then thread them onto a ball chain, book ring or even a piece of ribbon for safe-keeping. This also makes it a snap for matching your scraps to your pages–give it a try!

You could also try:

• Some stylish color-coded file crates like these.
• A small mail sorting cubby like this one.
• Or maybe color-coded magazine files like these.

Do you have some fun ways that you store your paper scraps that you’d like to share? Tell us more about how you store your paper scraps in the comments!

I first heard about the idea of a one-sentence journal while reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin over this past year and I was immediately intrigued.  The one-sentence journal looked to offer me the perfect home for my brief and ordinary thoughts.

While you can use this online tool for keeping an electronic journal or even buy journals that are tailored to the “One-Sentence” approach, I decided to make my own–using SEI’s Sunny Days Collection, digital templates that I adapted from Karen Grunberg’s Weekly Gratitude Project and a handful of everyday items including jute and a piece of cardboard.

The things I LOVE about my homemade “Once-Sentence Journal” are:

• It’s bright and cheery colors put me in a good mood for recording my thoughts. 
• At 4.5″x6.5″ its the perfect size to carry around with me.
• Its monthly dividers make it easier for me to refer back to certain entries to use in my scrapbook pages.
• The page layout offers the perfect place to add a little bit of art along with my daily journaling.
• Its got a one-of-a-kind look and feel which inspires me to pick it up every morning and write in it.

To make your own “One-Sentence Journal” you can follow the simple steps below:

1. Cut your base from a piece of cardboard–mine measured 6.5″ tall by 11″ wide.

2. Cut out (2) 4.5″ x 6.5″ pieces of paper that you’d like to cloak the front of your journal’s cover and adhere them to the opposite edges of your cardboard piece leaving a 2″ strip down the center of your cover for your spine. 

3. If you choose you can cover the inside of your journal cover (just as you did with  the outside) using (2) 4.5″ x6.5″ pieces of a coordinating paper. Then you may want to consider stitching around your papers that you’ve adhered to your cover to improve its durability.

4. Cut out (12) double-sided pieces of patterned paper (or 24 single-sided and then adhere them back-to-back so there is a pattern on both sides) that measure 4″x6″–these will be your monthly dividers to which you can add tabs to for labeling should you see fit.

5. Now its time to make your pages–you can use these printable pages that I made for my own journal or you can download the psd file for Karen Grunberg’s Weekly Gratitude Journal Templates and customize them yourself.

 6. Print out your pages so you have enough for 365 days.  You can print 183 journal pages back-to-back or you can adhere them back-to-back after printing out a total of 365 pages or you could even leave your back sides blank like I did to save room for photos, clippings and follow-up thoughts/ideas.

7. Now it’s time to bind your journal by punching two sets of congruent holes in your spine and setting eyelets in each of them for reinforcement.

8. Then punch corresponding holes through all of your pages and dividers and organize the pages/dividers as you want them to appear inside of your journal.

9. Finish binding your journal by threading  two separate pieces of jute through the top and then the  bottom sets of holes in your pages and in your journal cover’s spine and tying them off.

10. Finally decorate the front of your journal as you see fit and you’re ready to start filling your journal with your thoughts from this year.

Don’t forget to download your printable pages and have fun making your own One-Sentence Journal to keep your daily thoughts in.

Happy Journaling!

Below are a few of my pages with some of the sketches/templates available in the archives and in a couple of days I’ll be giving you a peek at a few of the NEW sketches/templates coming in February.

 Simple Scrapper’s  Premium Membership Collection (April 2011 Template No. 1)

Also Used: Photobooth and Oh Joy by Paislee Press, Neutral Lines by Kitty Designs, Scissor-Cut Hearts, Stitched Fall Mix No. 2 and Stitched White. Borders by Anna Aspnes, Airtime and Billet Doux by One Little Bird Designs

Simple Scrapper’s Premium Membership Collection (Jan 2012-Template No. 2)

Also Used:Generations by One Little Bird, Paislee Press and Traci Murphy, Sorriso by Paislee Press, Tartan Textures and Sophistica Art Play Palette by Anna Aspnes, Denim Pocket and Wild Horses Element Pack by Katie Pertiet, Apple Orchard by Krista Sahlin.

 The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping.  Click on the link above to find out more about all of the great features that go along with the Simple Scrapper’s Premium Membership.

Hope You All Have a Great Weekend!