MINI BOOK: Being Authentic

Last year I was invited to run a class at my monthly Eclectic Keepsakes crop.  Well of course, I immediately said yes!  I LOVE making mini books and felt honoured to be asked.

Then doubt set in! 

You see, I immediately thought of a beautiful little book I had once seen and thought 'one-day I will make that'.  Now, how many times do you do this?  Because I do it fairly regularly, and those ideas fade or get forgotten, or I can't find the original inspiration when I want it.  But on this occasion I DID find the picture I had printed. So it was meant to be!  Then I started to think of how I could make it my own.... 

And that's where the problem started....  You see, among the ladies who regularly attend the crop are those who create beautiful scrap book pages, members of design teams (some with published work), those who like layers and pretty pages, and others who use stamps and inking and make me want to hide my pads because their amazing techniques make me feel inadequate.... 

So how could I make this class appeal to everyone?! 

For the next couple of weeks I started to procrastinate, to search the internet and my books for alternative designs.  None clicked with me.  I still 'loved' my original idea.  So in the end I decided to STOP trying to compromise and think how I can please everyone else. I made up my mind to be me! 

To be authentic. 

This gave me new energy and focus so after making a sample I went shopping for materials.  What fun!  I had ideas in mind but in the shop I found some Simple Story papers. Now I love these, and while I shopped I mentally re-designed my pages so these could be 
included.  I enjoy being spontaneous and going with my intuition.  Sometimes I don't know what will turn out, but that makes it all the more exciting!

And armed with my new-found enthusiasm and materials I threw myself into making my Mini Book. I didn't even know the theme before I started, but the Simple Stories was perfect for a recent holiday and my book was quickly filled with photos and memories.  And I was confident that this was adaptable and that others could make it fit their photos and themes too.  At the crop I loved how other ladies used the same materials and design and made it their own, but sadly I have no photos of these to share. 

But I do have photos of my book. It is also a reminder to me to be authentic at all times. And rather than be photo heavy I thought I'd make a short video. But do you know what?  I have sat here hours today trying to do this, so for now I will add some photos and maybe try and do a video later.  And I'd be interested to know what you prefer?  Photos or video?

Some of the smaller photos serve as pages within pages. That makes it ideal for journaling or adding even more photos on the back if like me you struggle to know what to leave out!

 

There was lots of space for journaling.

Some of the pages above were unfinished and I have now added journaling or final finishes. And I am glad I stuck to my original idea for the design. 

And if you run classes I wonder if you can relate to my dilemma?  How do you go about trying to make the experience enjoyable and meaningful for everyone?   

Pondering PROJECT 365

This is my third year of Project 365 and I have mentioned before that I download them onto my Flickr site.   I love some of these photos and how they remind me of everyday life.  Like, when it is two minutes before midnight and I suddenly realize I haven't taken a photo.  Some of the most mundane shots, such as a book on my bedside table, remind me of what I was reading or trigger other simple memories. Sometimes these photos surprise me by how much they mean to me, everyday objects that I would not otherwise think to record. 

But I have always felt that there was something missing.....  and I have wanted to find a way of putting these photos into an album so that I can enjoy them even more.

Then yesterday I went to a new crop, organised by the amazing and talented Ann Freeman.  And what a lovely day I had, with friends, Ann's warm welcome, and her lovely homemade lunch.  Ann had also prepared a layout to do in the class (or take away, as in my case!)  and it started me thinking about how I could do something similar with my Project 365 photos....

.... then during the day I browsed some of Ann's albums that she had bought along.  One of these was a Project 12 album using 12 inch double pages.  And I immediately saw how this could offer flexibility and space for me to use for my Project 365 photos.  I could choose some or all of the photos,  but I need time to let the idea settle and spread before it comes together.  It is exciting to know that I shall be taking down one of my 12 inch albums to use because I also have a plan to 'Use it Up' this year.  But more about this soon.


As you might know, I like to include a photo or two with my post so here are a couple of recent 365 photos.

Some of my blog friends may recognise familiar faces in this photo taken at last weeks Eclectic Keepsakes Crop.  It's the 15th and I've already been to 2 Crops.  What a great way to start the New Year!! As well as these I also have 2 Craft Shows and a residential weekend in my diary during the next 6 weeks.

Who's a lucky girl then?!

PICTURE PERFECT!

At my last crop I put together a 12" x 12" page using some  

absolutely gorgous papers from the MME Portabello Road Glittered paper range. The sort that I would normally put away and just admire, or stroke, saving for that 'perfect' page. I love going to the crop because I hijack such thoughts and follow the crowd... cutting carefully around the filigree edge on one sheet then removing the whole centre leaving just a very narrow border. My instincts were yelling at me not to spoil the page, but I carried on... carefully and trustingly.  Another page was also cut...  it reminded me of therapy....  there's no gain without pain.

Then I assembled. Without seeing the papers in advance it is sometimes difficult to choose the right photo or colour match. On this occasion I had taken another photo with these papers in mind. But luckily I usually take others with me. And this time I knew JUST the photo to use. Taken by a friend it has become one of my current favourites. I used it on some of my Christmas cards this year, and what was more, a corresponding photo was the perfect size for the 2" frame.

                                                      

     

Yesterday I showed the page to my granddaughter. 
She studied it for a moment or two then said in an
amazed way "HOW did you do THAT?!"


I can't take any credit, other than for the assembly. But I loved the end result and my granddaughters response. I told her that one day the pages I make will be hers to keep. That one day she might be able to show them to her own children.

"And my boyfriend" she added.

I had to smile.

I have lots of things on the go and struggling to finish anything at the moment as things are quite stressed at work and my mind is all over the place.  A lot of things are stirring and it is a time to wait and see what happens.  Meanwhile I am experimenting with making flowers and trying to organise my space. 

I have booked on another Belstead Residential weekend in February and am very excited about that.  The focus will be on how to make the best of your photos for scrapbooking or albums. I will be taking some of my works in progress to see if I can complete any.  And I have promised myself not to start new ones until I catch up!!

Have a great week!

Busy creating....

I have been asked to post photos...

it is lovely to know that people are interested in what I do. Thank you.

This is very trial and error but I am making my first attempts today. I can't work out how to post 2 photos without it affecting the layout and do not have time to experiment further and hope I can become more creative over time. Meanwhile I am adding the second photo as another blog. Please bare with me!

I recently joined a new group which is really exciting. There is a huge amount of talent and experience among the members and a wide range of interests. This is perfect for me - I am eceletic and do not like to restrict myself to any creative from. I have posted a photo taken at the last crop day and this shows the start of a mini album I am making for both my granddaughters, about the day they were born. This week they went to watch the scan of their new baby brother/sister and I like the idea of sharing their own unique passage into this life.

The same photo shows knitting in progress. Emma used Google images to introduce me to 'cocoons' when she announced this pregnancy. She asked me to knit one but we couldn't find a pattern we liked, so I ended up making up the pattern as I went along and writing it down incase I want to make another! It is made from chunky pure wool and is incredibly soft and stretchy. I finished it the other day and will include a photo as another blog. We will personalize the cocoon, if the mood takes us, once we know whether the baby is a boy or girl. Meanwhile it is added to the soakers and boots I have knitted. I went overboard buying wool when I was in Devon at Easter, so need to keep up the momentum! The trouble is, since I have joined the new crop group and Taking Flight e-course, there is little time for anything else!! Look forward to catching up again soon.