Challenge #218 - week of 27th June 2016

Sorry that I missed a week and many thanks to Leslie for last week's prompt. Bit under the weather but nearly back to new now. And I need to get some scrapping done - I don't do enough just-for-me scrapping these days and I miss it. On my to do list.

I recently had the pleasure of working on my Scrapabilly July kit and one of the sheets of paper features such a pretty sunburst effect with subtle bokeh that I just had to use the whole sheet as it was and make sure I didn't cover too much of it up. I ended up buying another sheet to add to my ever-growing pile of "special" papers which now have the following categories: bokeh, foil, clouds, stars/constellations, vellum and maps.

I can't share the layout yet but I can give you a sneak...

This week, I'd like you to be inspired by bokeh.

Now it might be bokeh on the photo itself

This is an old layout - one I put together at the airport doing LOAD one year but I still love that I captured these two photos on one page together 

This was me trying out the shaped bokeh lens cover trick and I have to say that I love how it turned out!

Or maybe like my current addiction, bokeh paper 

It could even be a story about how you love taking photos and long to get that great bokeh shot. I'm sure you can come up with a long list of ideas!

We'd love you to be inspired by this prompt and hope you will share your creations - there are now two ways to do this!

You can either upload your layout into the Whimsical Musings Flickr gallery with the tag WM#218 or you can post it in our Whimsical Musings Facebook group. We've decided that we'll save albums for special occasions so just load up your photo to the group with the tag WM#218 in the write up text so that we can find it.

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#88 - inspired by seasonal foods

sometimes these stories come easy and sometimes they don't. This week they didn't. I thought long and hard about foods and seasons, but I was disappointed to discover that the majority of the foods I associate with certain seasons I eat all year round...

with the exception perhaps of grilling.

The grilled is only pulled out and put to good use when the weather is nice.

And so this layout was born.


I have a system for selecting the photos I scrap - which is to star them in my photo editing software (picasa) and this particular set had been sitting in that pile for quite some time. But I never tell food stories, so I didn't find a time to scrap them. Until now.

since this was a spring BBQ, I used subtler colors than I usually would and tried to keep it light and aerie.  

I love how vibrant the colors in the photos were. They carry the story in my eyes.

and of course, a cute photo with my siblings to round off the page and give the scrumptious food some context.

What delicacies did you feel inspired to scrap about?

xo,
Pamage

#76 Inspired by instant pictures

Hey there!

I wanted to go the hard route and not use my instax for this one... but for once I had a hard time coming up with a story. Shocker.

Does that ever happen to you? I know there are hundreds of untold stories and yet I have a block. So I visited a few inspiration sources. Not pinned scrapbook pages or "favorites" on flick'r, but actual story starter ideas I've collected. And I ran into a quote which inspired my page and story.

  I made my frames from plain cardstock. I cut out the square for the photo using an exacto knife and then I added splats, watercolors, embossing and stamping for a total custom look. 

 the quote served as my title. since it was long and I wasn't sure what fonts I would be using, I added each word to a separate piece of cardstock. This also helped me play with placement. This is the one tip I would offer anyone trying their hand at mixed-alpha titles. This way you can move things around until they are pleasing to the eye (which is usually when they are really close together). Having to commit to adding all the words straight to the background when you are not sure of the final result seems scary.

 I also added some pop dots and chipboard pieces in the mix to create some dimension and movement.

something cool happened. When I finished this page, I showed it to my grandma - and she complimented me on the photos. She said she really liked all these shots because they showed her natural personality. She wasn't posing for any of them and yet they are all photos I love. Sometimes it pays off to be constantly behind the lens capturing every little detail.

Did you get your instant photo fix this week? We would love to see.

xo,

Pamage

Challenge #76 - week of February 4th, 2013

It is ironic that this prompt comes you a little late this week since the theme this week is all about instant. Yes, you guessed it - instant photos.

It probably isn't a secret to you by now that I absolutely love my {{instax mini}}. There is just something magical about getting photos developed immediately. Instant gratification. But I also love how the frame around the photo adds to the design. Below is a {small} sample of layouts I have completed with my mini photos (trust me there are more; I'm obsessed).

 

But my challenge this week isn't intended to make you run out and buy one of these for yourself or go green with camera envy. I want to bring this challenge to our world to show you other ways you can be inspired by this fun design element.

below are some examples of how I have used this idea of instant photos...

In this page I let the instant frame paper from dear lizzy guide my design and made my own polaroid frames with some craft cardstock.

Almost every one of us has one or two real life polaroids still kicking around in a dusty pile somewhere. 

And if you don't have an instant camera or older prints? Almost every photo editing software lets you add frames to the photos before printing them.

Not to mention that this trend is blowing up in the scrapbooking product market.

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: studiocalico.com via Sexysaddie on Pinterest

So, your challenge this week is to be inspired by instant photos. And with the many choices (stamps, die cuts, patterned papers, old polaroids, instax, printed photos with frame or handmade frames) you are certain to find some way to incorporate this fun trend.

I will challenge myself not to use my instant camera but rather find a new way to explore this inspiration.

Good luck and join us on the message board to discuss your ideas. We love chatting with you.

xo,
Pamage

#63 inspired by random photo collections

I love the way Pam's brain ticks and this week's prompt was no exception to the funky direction she takes us. This was the perfect prompt for me and I could probably repeat it every week with all those random photos I know that I have if only I tracked them down. I know that many of you have seen some layouts over the months with some of them - sky, clouds, trees, flowers, selfies... I have them all!

And so it was quite tough this week to limit myself to one set. And I only skimmed through a few months worth of photos too. In the end, I printed this set of autumn 2012 and another set which I'm hoping to use this week too. But you won't be surprised to see that autumn won. You just KNOW that it's my favourite time of year and these photos just make me HAPPY!

I used a design I'd seen on Pinterest but at the time I came to make it, I couldn't get to it so I just went with the look I could remember. The sunburst design is very popular right now and I'm glad I gave it a go although I'm not convinced with the result!

But it was fun to try it out and test a new technique to see how it fits. Not bad for a first attempt although the photo is pretty bad - these darker days are proving problematic already!

After such a long time out of the habit of regular paper stroking, it's great to be back. It may be a bit of a slow start, but I have high hopes that I can keep up the pace. Internet or no internet!

So, thanks Pam for giving me something great to work with this week! Can't wait to see what she thrills us with.

Don't forget to share your creations over at Flickr in the Whimsical Musings gallery (here) using the tag WM#63 (or whichever week it is that you are using for inspiration)

Have a great week everyone, the new prompt will be up in the morning.

#63 Inspired by Random Photo Collections

Sooooo happy to be here today - with power and heat restored. In case you didn't know, I live in Northern New Jersey. And although I wasn't directly affected by the ravaging Hurricane Sandy, I live on the periphery and suffered from the side effects (such as having not heat, electricity or internet for a few days).

Anyway, it has been a very long week, but I gladly bring you two new layouts for this week's prompt of random photo collections.

If you stopped by the discussion board this week you know that I had many options to choose from. In end I narrowed it down to two, which incidentally were related. I guess I can always go back and make some of the other pages.

My first layout focuses on my knack to photograph my feet. I find that it is a quick and easy way to document where I am. Or what is going on around me. Also, my feet never have bad hair days, or need makeup, or have blemishes. *wink* so they are always at the ready. This page now documents that. Even though I have used some of these photos before in the context they were taken in, I think they tell a whole different story when paired together like this.  

The second page covers a peripheral story to the last - part of the reason I walk so much is because I don't drive. And spending so much time in the car (or bus) I have developed a habit for photographing my lap. I usually have my camera at the ready or my ipod hooked up or a drink in my hands. I really enjoy this page as well. 

Although you can't see my face in either of these pages, they are so me and I love how much of my story they tell. There's a tip for you, self-portraits don't have to include your face... and you can make pages about yourself without it too. 

Hope you all had a good week and if you were in the path of this storm that you were able to stay warm and dry.

xo,
Pamage

Challenge # 63 - Week of October 29, 2012

Hello again.

Back in my grandma's time (and as recently as my childhood) photos and film were expensive and not as easily accessible  Therefore, in those days you only photographed big events, holidays and trips and your shots were farther and few between these events. 

Digital cameras [and I would add phone cameras] have changed this for us. 

Take for example this little collage.


A quick sweep of my hard-drive turned up this collection of images. Yes, I love Pepsi. I drink one daily... but why do I have so many pictures of pepsi cans and bottles?  Back in the days of film I would have never wasted it on capturing this silly aspect of my daily life. But I think the fact we have this technology and use it this way is a telling story in and of itself. These images mean something to us and that is why we take them.

an older page I made about my love of Pepsi for another WM challenge...

Like this example, there are tons more of photos I collect because it really doesn't cost me anything to take them. For you this may be flowers, clouds, self-portraits in front of a mirror, Starbucks drinks, your kids with their faces dirty, your husband reading the newspaper, the inside of your closet, your messy scrap desk, a certain tree by your house, your puppy napping by the fireplace... Did that list spark any ideas?

Well that is our inspiration point for this week - I want you to create a page using a collection of photos featuring the same topic all taken at different points in time. What does this collection of photos say about you and what is important to you?

I hope you are able to spend some time looking through your pictures. I think you will be surprised with what you find. 

Challenge # 53 - Week of August 20, 2012

Well, we are off to a late start, but a start nonetheless to our second year.

And to give you a chance to catch up with some of those older prompts (remember our drawing for a prize at the end of the month) I am keeping this week fairly simple.

What do these layouts have in common?

So have you guessed what it is? The challenge is to use a grid. You can really fit a lot of pictures this way and you can keep a clean look or embellish as much as you'd like. Lisa and I have very different styles, yet both of us make use of this tool to make layouts that pack a punch in terms of pictures. 

and in case you think all grids have to be square, you can visit this page by Lisa {here}. For that extra whimsical touch, try to come up with a grid that is not square - either in the shape of the photos or the resulting shape. Twist it a little and make it fit your story and needs. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

... so go on and give it a try. The gallery is already brimming with plenty of examples, but if you have one you always default to share it with us on the boards. Remember to share your layouts with us and tag them WM#53.

Have a great week.

xo,

Pamage

#47 inspired by large photos

I don't use large photos often enough which is sad as I really like the effect of them. But I tend to be lazy and I have a pile of 4x6s that I have sitting around and I tend to go there first. So Pam's prompt this week was a refreshing change for me that had me sitting here considering which photo would be special enough.

And while I was looking for inspiration for this week's challenge, my eyes were drawn to my magnet board next to my desk and there was a large photo that I love and which I had recently taken out of a frame. It was fate! And the story with it is just another little story that might not have been told. And really, there's not much story - more of a "you had to be there" type of thing. But it's another piece of our Nova Scotia adventure and one that makes me happy.

The main thing is that I remember that moment when I look at this photo, so now it's on a page, that's perfect!

I used my Counterfeit kit, Beach-house which seemed only appropriate and I've just noticed that I forgot to put the date and place on that little tag to the left. I'll do that right after I finish this :-)

Excuse the not so good photo - I was in a bit of a hurry to get this done and up!

A simple story told with a large photo that takes centre stage on this pretty beachy colour paper. It didn't need much added for decoration and the journalling was short and to the point.

This week was a great reminder to get out those larger photos and make them shine. And for me, that often means a simpler, quicker page than usual and that's a double win!

Don't forget to show us how you handle your oversize shots and share with us over in the Flickr gallery - use the tag WM#47 so that we can find it :-)

#47 Inspired by large photos

well, like I said, I have no problems using large photos. I think is a useful story telling tool and I turn to it from time to time.

However, I love enlargements so much that they hardly sit in my "to scrap" pile for long. I knew making this challenge that I would have to print a new picture for this. 

I like my pictures to be really large and good quality. So I usually don't print at home. Even if I can overlook the quality issue, the largest my printer can handle is 8x10. The new challenge for Simple Scrapper called for a freestyle grid and I used that Template/Sketch provided by Simple Scrapper (which will be posted the first week in August).

 That gave me the idea that I could use this tutorial by Elise Blaha from {enJOY it} to print my own 9x9 photo.

titi pam loves u 2 pieces

I thought the title fit the page quite nicely, because the picture was all cut up. You can still appreciate the main parts of the photo despite the cuts. Granted, this technique  works best with divided page protectors... but for the perfectionists out there, you can really line up the photos better and still get a seamless look. I just preferred the puzzle look.

I took an uninteresting corner of the photo off and replaced it with a smaller photo which I printed and cut with my large round punch. this draws the eye around the page.

I balanced it all with the title placement on the bottom left corner which creates diagonal interest - a little design tip I picked up from Shimelle's video.

i also added the journaling right on top of another uninteresting corner of the photo. 

i am so glad this story is in my books and i know that little smile will make me grin every time i flip through those pages.

Thanks for joining us for another week of Whimsical Musings. We are getting so close to our anniversary! If you joined in, we would love to see your work on our gallery with the tag (WM#47).

xo,

Pamage

Challenge # 47 - Week of July 9th, 2012

This is Pam here again with another (hopefully) fun challenge for you this week.

First, I have a few pages from my archives to show you. What do these pages have in common?

Well, besides the round elements, I hope the most obvious element were the Oversized Photos. Often large pictures scare us into a corner since it is such a large element to incorporate that the task may seem daunting. However, it is not much different than having a large block of photos. In fact, that is a tip I often use when creating my pages with oversized photos based on a sketch. I look for blocks of photos I can combine into one image.

Yes, you guessed it, the challenge for this week is to use an oversized picture. I consider anything larger than 4x6 "oversized" - You will notice I work with a variety of sizes and some of them irregular. So, go ahead, pull out your 5x7, 6x8, 8x10 or any other combination thereof and get to playing. This is the perfect excuse to finally use up all those professional shots we always order enlargements of and then have in a folder collecting dust. Or go ahead and print up a picture you just adore specifically for this challenge.

And why don't you add a few more pictures in the process? I don't limit my oversized photo use to single photos layouts. The page above used 7 photos without looking too crowded. You are welcome to use as many photos as you like, just make one of them larger. It is a strong storytelling tool and I think you'll enjoy it. If you need extra help along the way, here is a recent Glitter Girl adventure which tackled this topic {here}. And of course, we are always on the message boards to discuss and chat with you and how you are taking on the challenge. 

Remember to share with us on the gallery which is linked above with the tag WM#47. Until next week.

xo,

Pamage

#40 Inspired by clothes

Confession: I love clothes... and shopping... and my closet... and dressing up.

My personal style is much like my scrapbook style - lots of bold colors and whimsy and mismatched patterns, so as soon as I read the challenge I knew I would turn up with layouts I loved.

I ended up completing two layouts about two different aspects of "clothes" which I wanted to document.

Sister Style

 this first layout was born to document my sister and I's unique style and the fact that every time we go out, we don't just put on clothes... we put together outfits! Even a trip to the supermarket requires accessories and picture-worthy ensembles.

 Luckily, right before I sat down to do this, I received a knock on the door - UPS with a package from Amy Tan full of goodies from her latest American Crafts line. The line so fits in with my style and so it was perfect for this. I personalized it by adding some doodling and ink to the embellishments.

The long skinny alphas were difficult to line up but I like the look of the same alphas in different colors.

another way I personalized the Amy Tan line was by coloring in some areas of the b-side of that paper with a pink marker. And one of my favorite things to use, is the strip at the bottom of papers, and the one from that green/stars paper was perfect for this page.

outfit deconstruction

 this is one of my favorite layouts in a while. I struggled with how I wanted to portray this story... until it came to me this morning with LOAD's Sketchy Sunday sketch. Then I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I searched for the perfect pictures to deconstruct my outfits and I couldn't find the right ones. I wanted to crop them to focus on each elements but they were mostly too small to notice the details. So I did something I seldom do - take photos for a prompt. Whenever I do, I end up loving those pages the most, so maybe I should give in more often.

I used some more of the Amy products, with the confetti tag and colorful paper for my circles. Also, because the subject was clothes I felt the fabric paper was perfect for this. 

And I also created pleats (something inspired by Lisa's use of washi tape seen on a recent layout) with fabric scraps. I loved adding these textures to this otherwise flat layout.

I hope you enjoyed this extended look into my layouts for this week. Each week I am glad I belong to this community that inspires me so much. I love sharing with you and learning from you. And each week Lisa pushes me to create something I wouldn't have otherwise had in my albums.

If you were as inspired as I was, please share with us. I know I'll love it. (The tag is WM#40).

I will be back tomorrow morning with a new challenge, and it's a funky one. ;)

xo,
Pamage