#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