Where's the Story: My Manifesto (sort of)

Yesterday I said I had one more layout to share.  I felt like this layout was too important to lump in with all the others I had created over the course of the week.  Not because of who is in the photos, or which designers I used, but because of the purpose for sharing the layout.  The purpose for even creating the thing (a purpose that goes deeper than "because I was at a speed scrap"). 

Where's the Story? using "Watch Me Shine" by Litabells Designs:

I've noticed over the last few months that the number of layouts I've created with only photos, or very little journaling has increased, while the numbers of layouts that tell a story have decreased.  Friday night, while searching for photos to use in a speed scrap, I decided it was time to tackle a subject I'd been mulling around for a while. So rather than choosing three photos, as the instructions stated, I chose three layouts.  Two very recent ones (that I love) and one older one (that I also love). The difference in the older vs. newer is that the newer only contained photos and word art.  And maybe a date/location tag.  But no meaningful story. No why these photos are important. No method to my madness.  So with this layout, I vowed to tell the story more often. Beginning with this layout, I will tell the story more often. Because that is why I scrap.

Grand Ol' Fourth

Looking at my 4th of July photos this year, I wanted papers and elements that were full of stars, but didn't really want to go buy another kit (which always turns in to buying multiple kits), since I had just paid the bills the previous night and was feeling the pressure!  Since I wanted to use a lot of stars, and I knew Photoshop had some star shapes and brushes loaded as standard shapes, I decided to see what I could create.  I ended up with 5 papers and several elements that I was very happy with, and then used those items to create this layout. It took me a couple hours to put it all together, and some things still need a little tweaking to get the way I envision, but it was fun.  Fun in a "I'll do it once" kind of way. I'm not sure its something I want to do often, but every so often, when a color scheme hits me, or other such inspiration hits, it was kind of fun.  (It might also make it easier to justify a full version of Photoshop, since there were a few things I wanted to create but couldn't do in Elements.) So for  change, there are no credits on this layout, all elements were created by ME!

Big News!

Phew! This should be the last post for tonight.  Yes, I could have made all three of tonight's posts in one, but I like having one layout per post...makes it easier to focus I think.

So on to my news...

I was accepted to the Spirit Squad at My Life & Scrap!  I am so excited!  When Jessica Sprague did her CT call in April, I decided I wanted to be a part of a team like that. I didn't make it at JS.com, but continued trying.  I built up my galleries, and last week I applied to a couple CTs (I didn't want to apply just to apply, so watched for calls that I thought would fit my style of scrapping)...and heard back from MLAS that I made it!  I have been playing at their website this week, and am really enjoying it.  It's the same site where I participated in the Speed Scrap last night, and I can't wait to explore and meet more people in their community.  I'll still be hanging out at JS because I love it there too...but I figured it was time to branch out! 

Weekly Challenge at jessicasprague.com

The plan had been to go to sleep early tonight, but here I am at my normal winding down time, getting in one more post, here and at jessicasprague.com. Each week there is a new challenge layout. This week's challenge was to create a layout about how I rock. I twisted it and made it 5 things I am proud of myself for. The last three months have been full of challenges that have made me step out of my comfort zone. Here is my take on how I rock!

Credits: Papers, frame, ivy and flowers from Remember When by Valerie N (freebie from designsindigital.com). Fonts: Alfredo Heavy, One Fell Swoop, PeaCatherineAnne, Butterflies.

I love this frame! My favorite part of digi over traditional is that I don't have to hoard elements for "that perfect layout." I can use them now, AND later, and even change the color or orientation if I need to! So much fun, and thanks for looking!