Defining Moment

You know when you do a layout and it just seems to take FOREVER to compose and nothing seems to fit properly? The paper doesn't match, the embellishments don't fit, the journalling isn't describing the underlying meaning, etc. Then there are days when you find the best photo. You HAVE to scrap it. You go through your stash and find the PERFECT paper. Your embellies jump out at you and the page just puts itself together??

I have tried many different techniques and styles - clean cut, playful, feminine, whimsical, etc. but I always find myself falling back into a destinctive comfort zone - my style - "rustic grunge". I completed this layout last night (would have uploaded sooner, but didn't have my computer all day!) for a Challenge over at Scrapper's Block? where you were to incorporate 'metal' into your layout. It was just one of those nights where the placement of every piece of paper and embellishment was so obvious.

It was a good night...

Here is a close up of the metal buttons I used.
Metal safety pin.
Metal hooks and music note.

Metal bus charm.

Final version. A photo I took last weekend while at the park with my family. My husband and I were watching the 3 kids playing together and he just sat there with this inward grin and said "this is what its all about". Life with 3 kids can most definately be hectic. But at the end of the day when they're all asleep, the house is quiet and I'm left with my thoughts. I'm smiling too...

Materials Used:
Fiskars 12 inch portable trimmer
cosmo cricket paper pad in get happy
making memories edge distresser
paper reflections stamping sampler by DMD Industries
K&Co. Que Sera Sera adhesive paper ribbon
making memories tiny alphas in whiteblack
white school glue by Selectum
Scotch craft stick by 3M
Karen Foster design mini charms
paper by creative imaginations, marah johnson
Bo Bunny back to basics, X-Treme texting
Black Cardstock
K&Co. cut & paste designer paper pad
random metal buttons and pins