Layout 2 - January 14, 2011

I love a layout with a large focal point photo. This layout includes one 8x10 (cropped) and two wallets -- think school photos!! 

I have to laugh at how "fancy" I feel myself getting with my new camera. Last year I had a job working with a marketing company promoting Canon products. Part of the job included working with a Canon Rebel T2i camera. The focus of my work was really with photo printers and not wanting to get too attached, I didn't get too crazy with learning the camera. In fact, it is a wonder I even figured out how to turn it on.


The job ended abruptly--the contract was canceled with the marketing firm and I found myself without a job (the only "real" hourly job I've had in like 5 years!) on my birthday no less! Oh, and let's not forget this part--I had to give the camera (and most of the printers) back.

So after a few days of trying to figure out my next step, mourning and so on, I talked the hubby into helping me get a new camera. We researched and researched...and finally got the Canon Rebel T2i on sale at Target. And then we stayed home most of the week because I'd spent nearly every last dime on it and had no gas. Okay, that might be a little embellished, but it was that dire in my bank account after that camera purchase!

After all that, I'd better learn to use this camera and start getting "fancy"! I am still shooting mostly in auto but having fun trying new things. So this pic of my family at Union Station is one of those photos. I am glad they are willing to entertain all of my requests for different poses! Don't get me wrong, I am not here thinking that now that I bought a DSLR that makes me a photographer and I am going to start booking sessions with people. But I would like to take better photos and the DSLR has really helped!

For the focal photo, I had to get down on one knee and look like a looney leaning over to get this pic but I am glad I did!! Knee and back problems aside! I am trying to ignore the looks from my parents and nephew that they think I am nuts :P

Now on to the fun stuff -- here's how to make this layout in about 30 mins or less:


Supplies:
Paper - Sassafras Lass, Cosmo Cricket, Scenic Route (Circle)
Stickers, Brads - Sassafras Lass
Epoxies and Buttons - Epiphany Crafts
Embroidery Floss - Joann's 

I trimmed the 8x10 down to 7x9.5. Then I trimmed two 4x6 photos down to 3.5 x 2.5. You can use wallets or just crop your 4x6s like I did.

Add the photos across one side of your layout -- if your 8x10 was in portrait orientation, arrange the photos vertically along one side of the paper.


I chose this Sassafras Lass paper because I love the pattern. It's one of those papers where you really don't want to cover up the pattern but you have to put your pics somewhere--putting them as far away from the focal point in the paper pattern helps the eye travel around the page and helps you preserve what you loved about the paper in the first place.

After adding my photos I cut two strips from the UPC strip along the edge of a Cosmo Cricket paper, Circa 1934. I made these into little "flags" and adhered them to the back of a circle I punched from lined paper. 

I have lots of these kinds of circles laying around in cups and in my drawers -- they are perfect instant journal spots and a great way to use scraps. And if you make a mistake, you can always create another one on the spot. Adhering the flags to the back of the journal spot before putting it on the page allowed me to position everything before it was permanently stuck. 

Once the Journal Spot was on the page I trimmed it and added journaling with a Sakura gel pen.

To finish off my "visual triangle" I added a flower sticker (from the same collection as the paper) to the line between my photos and the paper. The, like last week, I have buttons and epoxy accents using my Epiphany Crafts shape tools and scraps. I also made epoxies from one of the Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers that look like typewriter letters. I used MYD = New year's Day and LA = Los Angeles. I learned from my friend tammy i that you really don't have to have a "title" all the time. But I love letters so this is my title in a way.

 
In the gaps between the groupings of epoxies and buttons I made long stitches with red thread, the same thread I tied in the buttons. And that's it!

Enjoy!!!