scrapbooking – Page 2

Sunny Memories Layout

I am absolutely in love with the Sunny Memories collection by Zinia Amoiridou for Pretty Little Studio which I ordered to add to my kit box with my July Clique Kits. It pays to be a subscriber because there are always new products coming in to purchase at a discount and you also save on shipping when adding to your kit box.

To create this bright, cheerful layout I backed the negative of the dragonfly cut file I used in the layout posted here with 6×6 papers from the Sunny Memories 6×6 paper pack. Using both the positive and negative spaces from a cut is one way to stretch both the cut file design and your supplies.

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This layout is about my daughter having her first sleepover in her new room of her own. It is a really big deal to her that she no longer has to share a room as she has grown up sharing rooms with sisters all of her life until now!

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The rainbow die cut is from one of the Clique Kits digitals which you can find here to download and print at home- you get so many cute pieces in this set for only $1.50 and the colors work really well with so many other kits and popular paper collections.

You can download my dragonfly cut file here for your personal use! There is a png. and an svg. file available.

Thanks for stopping by and please share your project with me if you decide to use this file! Enjoy!

-xGia

Take 5 Challenge for Traveler’s Notebook Layouts

Hi everybody! Today I am channeling my inner minimalist in my traveler’s notebook and wanted to share with you my take on a challenge I saw online somewhere-only instead of using it for full size layouts I am applying it to my recent traveler’s notebook spreads. You are probably familiar with some variation of the concept of selecting a handful of things from a list and limiting yourself to just those items in a layout. Yeah…that’s the one. Here are the 5 items I chose!

Ephemera
Washi Tape
Stickers
Stamp Sets
Patterned paper pads

I did not “count” things that I consider to be staple supplies like something to write with, adhesive, and ink for the stamp sets, but otherwise I was fully compliant!

So first up I have a “divider” spread where I used washi tape to add a vellum page to serve as my marker for a new section ( and also because of its general prettiness.)

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I tend to be all over the spectrum from minimalist to maximalist in style depending on the day and the mood on my layouts but it never ceases to amaze me that when I do the simplest things to just get the memory documented I realize how much time is spent adding extra stuff to the essentials- a great photo, a caption or title, and a little bit of color to make it pop.

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This spread is shown pre- handwritten journaling- and did not end up quite this sparse but almost.

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And this last one only uses paper and one sticker, and yet I still love how it looks and how it conveys the memory perfectly. I mean, I will always know who, what, and when this memory happened. And that is the truly the essential part of scrapbooking.

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My overall assessment of this challenge and what I learned:

I love to strip back to the essentials sometimes because it gives me a chance to really focus on the overall design of the layout. You know those elements and principles of design we use all the time but sometimes we are not as intentional about? Thinking about things like unity, rhythm, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis, and movement. Simple exercises like this help to practice, practice practice design.

I learned that sometimes I am so focused on how a page looks that I forget to record the crucial little details that will prompt the memory 10 or 20 years from now. (Trust me, I thought I would not need those things until I started looking back at layouts from 20 years ago and really wanted to kick myself!)

So what’s the down side? At this rate I will never go through even a tiny fraction of my stash by the end of the year. How will I possibly justify buying all the new pretty stuff that comes out? First world problems, I know.

-xGia

Happy Home Layout

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To create this look I used gelato water soluble pigment crayons with a waterbrush to get a watercolor wash effect. Then I used a fringe scissors on strips of paper from the Paige Evans Pick Me Up 6×6 patterned paper pad and stitched them down vertically. This layout was the perfect place for the mini weaving embellishment from the Clique Kits February release. If you would like to pick one up, use my code to save 10% GIA10

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I am really glad that I finally have a layout about one of my happy places in life- my comfy bed. Have you made any layouts about your home sweet home?

-XGia

LOVE the February Clique Kit

Aloha and thanks for looking! I have this layout which is going to be one of many about my son John, who is graduating from high school this May. I always make an album for each of my children that I give to them at graduation spanning from birth to graduation. I go through all of the layouts ever made over the course of their life and choose my favorites for this compendium of a childhood.

It’s really quite a simple layout, and I love the way my We R Memory Keepers CMYK bird stamp turned out as a fussy cut and glittered embellishment on this page. This stamp and the inks to go with it are available in the Clique Kits shop and the stamp is on sale!

One of my favorite embellishments in this month’s Clique Kit are the Hazelwood rub-ons by 1 Canoe 2 and American Crafts. Do you use rub-ons? I have been scrapbooking for over 20 years and have seen rub ons come and go in scrappy fashion. I am glad they are making a comeback because I have always been a fan! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

-xoxoGia

January Clique Kit Layout

Aloha! Today I am sharing a layout I made using the January Clique Kit called Hey, Sugar! This kit is still available to purchase here and is perfect for the month of love! I am one of those kind of corny girls who uses Valentine’s Day as a common theme pretty much all year long. I mean, when is it the wrong time to express love? Definitely check out all of the contents of this beautiful kit! And while you are there, many other fun Valentine’s Day products are available in the Clique Kits shop! And now for some close up views.

Happy Ground Hog’s Day!

-xoGia

CMYK Stamped Background

Just showing this 8 1/2 x 11 layout that I posted on the Clique Kits monthly kickoff post today. This layout features a hand stamped background that I previously made in this process video using an art stamp from the Clique Kits store and the We R Memory Keepers CMYK inks.

This layout gets away from my recent pattern of doing backgrounds with a lot of white space. In fact, quite the opposite it is full of pattern, color, and layering with a tremendous amount of texture from stitching and the different textures in the art stamps. The outcome does reflect the happy and carefree mood of the layout titled “Life is Lovely”

I also used some chipboard, an embellishment that I have gotten away from using! Is there something you have been doing recently that is outside your comfort zone? I found that it really challenged me to be more creative.

Now take a peek at the beautiful February 2017 Clique Kit Bee You. You can purchase one here and/or subscribe today for a 3 or 6 month subscription which would begin in March.

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Isn’t it gorgeous? Thanks for stopping by!

–xoGia

Clique Kits October Pep Rally featuring Sapphire

Hi there friends of Clique Kits! Welcome to the October Pep Rally. I am looking at this lineup and saying to myself, “Cheeeooooo this is going to be an awesome blog hop!” I am excited that November is coming also, with the lovely November kit Swan Lake. Sometime before or after you hop, don’t forget to head over to the Clique Kits website for a full view of the just revealed November kit in all its glory. And now, back to October and our celebration of all the fun we had with Sapphire featuring Pinkfresh Studios Indigo Hills.

Clique Kits
You are here—>Gia Lau
Nicole Martel <—Go here next
*Magali Le Luc
*Melissa Elsner
*Enza Gudor
*Nathalie DeSousa
*Caroli Schulz
Maryam Perez
Dani Brown
Sara Mishler
Kim Allen

Today I have two projects to share. The first is a layout that captured a moment in time of my teenage daughter and son, who have always been best friends, walking down the street together. Sometimes we don’t even realize how sweet one moment can be, and often it is not the perfect front view portrait that speaks to our emotions as much as something so candid and real.

As I look back over my years of scrapbooking albums, I am so glad that I learned at some point to forget about all the old “rules” of scrapbooking, like having to do two page spreads, having to use multiple photos, having to work in chronological order, and never ever getting “caught up.” To make scrapbooking meaningful for me, it has to be simple, it has to fit in to my busy schedule, and it has to capture impressions of my life, not so much document the play by play of my daily routine. Of course, the “right” way to scrapbook, is whatever way works for you!

Broken down bit by bit, this page is comprised of very simple paper layers from the kit, fussy cut flowers, white laser cut paper pieces cut from the Amy Tangerine specialty paper in the kit, and some additional pieces of white die cut paper cut using my Kesi Art dies. The leaves dies are sold out, but some others are still available here. I also used the Do Crafts gold mirrored chevron arrows from the shop which look so beautiful in real life! My journaling is a sentiment from this stamp, by Altenew. It is an extra large set with many fun sayings I use often.

Another way I love to use my kit supplies, is to create mini albums. I sometimes think I need to stop making them, because they are more difficult to store in an archival way in the tropical climate I live in. So if you have any tips or suggestions for managing storage issues with mini albums, I would love to hear from you. Every time I think I should stick to archival quality album pages, I find myself relapsing. It truly is an addiction- because I can get my creative fix to scrapbook, in a short amount of time, while completing a project in one sitting! Now that is a satisfying experience- here is how I got another “fix” from the October kit.

I started with lightly frosted acrylic hearts as front and back covers and made my own binding from blue jute twine. The real copper painted skeleton leaves in the kit were the perfect finishing touch. In addition to the papers in the kit, I used some plain watercolor paper as some of the pages in order to add some mixed media to the book for interest and texture. The stencil and some of the paints I used came in the Clique Agenda Traveler Notebook Wander Kit, which has unfortunately sold out. It was truly one of my favorite limited edition kits ever. The good news is, another limited edition travelers notebook kit is available for pre-order. You can pick up the Gratitude Travelers Notebook kit with some fantastic exclusive products in it right here. Take advantage of the pre-order pricing because once these kits start shipping it will go up to full price. Make sure you get in on the copper texture medium in the shop if you can, and this beautiful and versatile Kesi Art die. I promise you won’t regret it.

Thank you for coming by today and I hope you will leave a comment here and on all of the blogs along the way to be entered to win the October kit! You could be participating in this event next month as a subscriber earning free product credit to use to personalize your monthly kit box with extras from the shop. Fun + economical = Awesome.

Now head over to Nicole’s blog for more inspiring projects!

-xoGia

Clique Kits Pep Rally: Moon Child

September 2016 Line-Up
Start here—->Clique Kits
Gia Lau <—– You are here
Go here next—–>Erica Thompson
Nicole Martel
*Marcia Dehn-Nix
Kim Allen
*Melissa Vining
*Donna Espiritu
*Leigh Ann Odynski
Sandy Gonzalez
*Elisabetta Margini
*Aliza Deutsch
Sara Mishler

Aloha and Happy Fall (it’s official now and October is right around the corner!) I hope you have been enjoying the reveal of the October Clique Kits monthly kit Sapphire-featuring the newest Pinkfresh Studio collection Indigo Hills. From the mood board to all the sneak peeks to the inspiration already rolling over on the Clique Kits Blog–I am chomping at the bit to get creating with it! But today’s purpose is to celebrate our creations with last month’s kit, and without further ado…

The challenge: Who do you love to the moon and back? We want to see them on your Pep Rally entry!

Of course I could choose from many, many people I love to the moon and back, but decided to show this layout featuring my youngest baby! We took a trip together this past May to Sedona, Arizona and I loved this snapshot of him while we were on a desert jeep tour through the red rock formations in the Sedona landscape.

To create this layout I first used yellow watercolor wash around the border of a piece of white cardstock. I then layered some of the pretty patterned papers in the kit behind my photo. Next I embellished with my title chipboard, a flair, and some ephemera. I really loved the butterflies in this kit. I finished the layout with a little bit of stamping just for fun.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look. And now have a great time grabbing your favorite beverage and enjoying the rest of the hop! Leave a comment on each blog to be entered to win a Clique Kits store credit!

If you have not already joined The Clique on Facebook now is a great time to participate in the World Card Making Event online this Saturday, October 1st- everyone welcome! Until midnight tonight, pick up a past kit on sale in the shop for only 19.99. This sale includes many recent favorites- but hurry because when they are gone they are gone!

The Clique Kits Holiday kits (card and BIG documenting kit) are famous for being HUGE and jam packed with holiday goodness. An incredible value compared to other kits costing twice as much in some cases! As a subscriber, you save 20% on these and all limited edition kits! If there is any time of year this perk pays off-it is when preparing for the holidays! We have a follow up to our recent and now SOLD OUT (or close to it) travelers notebook kit coming soon! A special 30 days of gratitude edition soon to be released, with prompts and inspiration from our spectacular NEW design team!

ck_oct16-kit19 — Look at this beautiful October Kit Oh My !!

Speaking of the new Design Team, don’t miss their introduction blog hop this Saturday, October 1st starting on the Clique Kits blog. We are really, really grateful to the 2015-2016 design team, and will be soooooo sad to see them finish out their term this month. I for one cannot thank them enough for their hard work, creative genius, and enthusiastic inspiration on a daily basis. They will certainly be missed, those who are moving on to pursue other adventures in papercrafting- we wish them the best !

Have a wonderful day, and hope to see you again soon!

-xoGia

Clique Kits August Pep Rally

Well, it’s official. I no longer post on this blog unless it’s a Pep Rally day! How sad is that? Still, I am really grateful that this monthly event for my kit club Clique Kits happens, or I just might let this passion-scrapbooking- totally disappear from my life! I really hope I can carve out more time to create and blog- it is so much fun to be part of this online community of creative friends around the world.

This month we are sharing projects using the August kit: Rio. It was kind of fun to have a kit whose name was inspired by an ancient global sports competition that only happens every 4 years! Rio was one of my favorite kits this year. Details on winning prizes can be found on the Clique Kits blog post (see link below). If you are a blogger who enjoys doing blog hops and posting your creations online, I highly recommend you visit the Clique Kits website where you can read about the many benefits of subscribing.

August 2016 Line-Up

If you get lost or need info go back here—->Clique Kits
Gia Lau <—-You are here
Go here next—->Erica Thompson
*Kat Benjamin
*Marcia Dehn-Nix
Kim Allen
*Maryam Perez
*Caroli Schulz
*Melissa Vining
*Leeann Pearce
Sara Mishler
Donna Espiritu
Leigh Ann Odynski

An Instax Mini Album

First let me say that I have had an Instax Mini 8 camera since Christmas. The thought of spending $1.00 per print (that is approximately how much the “film” costs) -I’m not gonna lie-made me really hesitant to snap a lot of the time! What if it didn’t come out as expected? What if I end up with lots of wasted time and money? The camera sat on the shelf except at birthday parties when my kids would take it out for their impromptu photo booths. At least they could have fun, because they didn’t think about the cost!

Then I decided to try the Instax Share printer, which I finally got for my birthday this August- which uses the same film to produce mini polaroids, but prints images directly from a source- such as my iphone! Yay! I love this so much better, and did not hesitate to print out an album full of pics, knowing in advance how the photos would turn out!

Disclaimer**

If you cringe at the thought of a somewhat corny, lovey-d0vey album featuring two “old people’s ridiculous selfies” –that is a direct quote from my teenagers– then you might want to skip to the next blog (Ahem. You have been warned.)

Everything I used to fill the pages came from the August kit Rio , plus a couple of store item add ons (the Amy Tangerine rubber embellishments , the blue acrylic heart on the cover, and one pineapple die cut from the Clique into Summer kit)

I just love a little chunky mini that fits in the palm of my hand and is FULL of memories. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of the hop!

-xoGia

Clique Kits July Pep Rally

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It’s July 20th and that means Pep Rally Day! Welcome! I am so excited to see what everyone made with the July Clique Kit Raskog this month. I believe this kit has nearly Sold Out in the Clique Kits shop ( hurry there may be one or two left!) but you should check out all of the a la carte items available coordinating with this and other kits! We just received notice that some of the brand new Summer 2016 Releases are on their way to Clique Kits- which means stay tuned for even more hype on social media and another big clearance sale (because we have to make room for all the new stuff in the CK warehouse!)

July 2016 Line-Up
Clique Kits
You Are Here—>Gia Lau
Erica Thompson <—Go Here Next
*Justyna Kowron
*Elisabetta Margini
*Aliza Deutsch
*Candace Perkins
Janet Perafan-Babar
Sandy Gonzalez
Kim Allen
*Leeann Pearce
*Kim Oedekoven
Maryam Perez
Caroli Schulz
Donna Espiritu
Sara Mishler
Leigh Ann Odynski

The Softer Side of Raskog and Combining Old and New Kits

Here is my project for today’s blog share. I really loved the exclusive card that says, “She decided to live the life she always imagined” in the Raskog Kit. Most of my other layouts using this kit (which I am working on killing) were super bold and graphic! I decided to change it up with this one and show the softer side of Raskog! (You can check out my bold and graphic layouts here and here.)

I have probably mentioned before that whenever I start a layout, I plan my color palette first and foremost. For this layout, I wanted to use the pastel colors that are in the kit- aqua blue, pastel yellow, and just a touch of pink. Having some variety of the intensity of these colors adds interest and more depth in layering them. Grey is one of my favorite neutrals these days, and I love it even more so combined with pastel aqua or yellow.

I started my layout design by planning a tag banner across the top of my page using tags leftover from a previous Clique Kit called Alegria (Fancy Pants Designs Happy Place tags) combined with some of the rubber flags in the Raskog kit.

To help me to soften my background in a subtle way, I used this Tutti Frutti Dazzlerz shimmering dimensional paste which was a shop item and add on from previous kits. Anything by Shimmerz brand seems to fly off the shelves, but there may be some colors left in the shop here. This media is like a pigmented gel but with a consistency of fluffy icing that made me kind of want to eat a spoonful of it. (Luckily, I resisted that urge.) The pale blush color softened and added some shimmer to the pretty grey and white checkered paper.

I embellished the banner a little more with some adorable stickers from the Magical Sticker Sheet. I have a thing for unicorns.:-)

Last but not least, I went to the Clique Monthly Downloads page in search of a die cut design to add to my page. I loved this one from the June Kit La Dolce Vita. Subscribers get access to this page and get unlimited free downloads of the kit digitals to use over and over. Even non subscribers can find great digitals for purchase in the digital shop. Usually once the kit ages, the coordinating die cut files are loaded to this shop for anyone to purchase!

Here is another closeup and finally the finished layout again!

I hope you like this layout and enjoyed reading a bit about my process. One of these days I will overcome my shyness to make process videos for the Clique. But in the meantime I am stuck writing it all out. :)-

Now let’s go see what amazing scrapbooker Erica has to show us. Now she DOES make videos, and you should all make sure you subscribe to the CK You Tube channel as well as the amazing channels of many of our current Varsity DT members. Enjoy!

-xoGia