‘Creating for you’ by Anna.

‘Creating for you’ by Anna.

Hello Saturday!

Today on the blog Anna shares with us a beautiful message about getting back to basics and creating for you together with showing us some inspiring ideas with circles.

Hi there lovely ones!

I just wanted to start this post off with this quote.

Getting back into scrapbooking again this last year and a bit, has been super fun and inspiring. It has also been challenging and a massive journey of self-discovery. I have learnt so much about myself but I am just going to share this one thing today.

Creating should not be about what other people want from you but about YOU and YOUR STORY and how you want to document it. I say this because I have pulled myself up countless times after catching myself thinking things like ‘it just doesn’t look right’ or ‘it’s just not coming together the way it should’! Now, these are reasonable statements in their own right really – but when I thought about it more closely I had to ask, ‘By whose standards?’ ‘Am I just comparing what I have in front of me to what everyone else is doing?’

It’s ok to be inspired. To check out what everyone else is doing. But when you start thinking everyone else’s way is best and looks better, and focusing on what is currently ‘trending’, it’s only putting pressure on yourself and taking away from what is really YOU. And that is when frustration and dissatisfaction sets in. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing what’s new and using up-to-the-minute products – what I am trying to say is that it is not the ultimate focus…the memory keeping aspect is. Your story IS what is important. However you want to tell it is up to you but don’t lock yourself up in doing what you think everyone else wants to see. This is something I am learning as I live my life story.

I love creating. It’s one thing that makes my soul happy! I also love seeing what everyone else is creating and am constantly inspired! When it comes to creating, I always like the process better when I just let go and celebrate my own style and way. When I start feeling under pressure or getting annoyed at what I am doing, I need to step back – BREATHE – and let go. Find that place in my heart that is JUST ME and start over with a fresh perspective. By all means, draw from others ideas – that’s what inspiration and sharing is all about – but always BE YOU. When I feel light-hearted and free while creating, I know I am in the right head space and allowing myself to just let things flow MY way.

Ok! So that’s my little heart-to-heart deep and meaningful message for you 😉

Now for sharing the creative part…

I am always attracted to layouts that use a certain shape repetitively on a page. Lately, my eye has been drawn to circles – so I have embraced that and have been creating using circles in different ways.

I would like to share with you THREE different projects I have made using circles  – a 12”x12” layout, a 6”x8” layout, and  a 4”x6” journal card.

Here they are…

12×12” layout

Here I have created different sized circles out of patterned papers and have used my circle cutters to make my photos circular as well. I have gone with a diagonal placement of photos and background papers on the page. Doilies, flair badges, and enamel dots are great circular embellishments to continue the theme. And with it being a beachy layout and showing my girls splashing about, I thought the addition of mist inks splattered in the background brings a nice touch.

I have also used some arrows and wood veneer shapes to break it up just a little bit. And the horizontal placement of the title and journaling also balances the page more too.

6×8” layout

I have downsized the page this time – it’s a refreshing change to the larger sized layouts I usually do. And the page comes together rather quickly. They are a great size to add into your Project Life pages as an insert.

Here I have used circles as my background again but this time, I have cut out some circle shapes from the actual page and popped patterned paper behind it. It’s hard to see in the photo, but in real life the cut-outs add some depth to the page as the paper behind sits back a bit from the surface papers which is pretty cool J

To continue the circular theme I have embellished with flair again but have also added buttons into the mix.

4×6” journal card

Here I have cut down some scrap paper to the 4” by 6” size. I have used different items – such as washi tape roll, adhesive tape roll, circle cutters – to trace circles onto the paper. I then grabbed my trusty needle, popped the card onto a folded tea towel and pierced holes around the edge of the shapes. Then I threaded the needle and started stitching. I love it! It adds a great effect to the paper – do try it J

As you can see, I have made the card into my Week 9 title card for my Project Life album. The cork ‘week’ stickers are from the PDC ‘xo’ mini kit. I really love cork – it’s getting up there with wood veneer for me 😉

SUPPLIES LIST

• Bazzill 12×12 cardstock – white
• Crate Paper Maggie Holmes ‘Click’ 12×12” patterned paper
• October Afternoon ‘9to5’ 8×8” paper pad
• Amy Tangerine ‘Cut & Paste’ DieCut Cardstock shapes
• A Piece of Cake Designs flair badges (12×12 layout)
• Flutterby Designs flair badges (6×8 layout)
• Wood Veneers
• Powder Blue, Mister Hueys spray mist
• Chipboard letters and number
• Echo Park ‘This & That’ Instamatic 12×12” patterned paper (cut down to 6×4”)
• Vellum shapes
• American Crafts Thickers
• Dear Lizzy Accent and Phrase Stickers

I had so much fun putting these pieces together.

More memories recorded, my way. 😉

Hope you have enjoyed and feel just a little bit inspired. Remember, each piece is open for interpretation – if you do happen to try creating layouts inspired by my pages, please share! We would love to see what you come up with!

Happy creating…

Anna xx

Anna has a beautiful, bright blog called One Big Sunshine Spritzer. It’s full of inspiration and messages to make you feel good. Visit her HERE.

Tags: anna allan, creative team, Project Life