There is no doubt about it…great pictures make great scrapbook pages. But what if you have mediocre pictures, like the only picture in existence of my son’s pre-school graduation? Then the designing process definitely becomes a challenge, such as in this situation, where I wanted to couple this print with another mediocre picture. (Hey…It’s tough to get a great picture when you are seated several rows away from the action!) In addition, there is very little to unify the two pictures, which were taken fourteen years apart. However, I was bound and determined to use both prints on the same page. So in today’s discussion, I would like to share the rationales behind my design decisions.

• First I selected a neutral colored card stock as my background paper, as I wanted the focus to be on the subject of the pictures. I love all of the Designer Series Paper, but since I was working with two diverse photos, the safest bet was to select something small and neutral.
• One of my major goals was to create cohesiveness between the two prints. One way that I accomplished this was by printing the pictures the same size and matting them identically. This automatically created similarity.
• I wanted the matted pictures to “pop” off the page and catch the eye, so as the final matting layer, I used Chocolate Chip in contrast against the neutral background. Since very few colors were identical in the two pictures, I purposely steered away from trying to match matting colors to the photos. Instead I selected colors that were not predominant in either photo. This way, one picture was not emphasized more than the other.
• For my journaling block I selected the LD Quick Note font, and printed it on Very Vanilla. I highlighted the words “Graduation” and “2008” by printing them in a color to compliment “Always Artichoke”, which was used as the mat for the journaling block.
• Because this was a school related event, I elected to punch the top border with the Spiral Punch to simulate a spiral notebook.
• Instead of adhering the pictures side-by-side, which would accentuate their differences, I staggered them on the page.
• To connect and ground the journaling block and pictures, I created a badge by stamping the “G” from the Great Grad set in Chocolate Chip ink onto Very Vanilla card stock. I punched this out using the 1-3/4” Circle Punch, and then layered it as follows: Always Artichoke scalloped circle, Barely Banana circle, Chocolate Chip scalloped circle, Always Artichoke scalloped circle. I kept adding layers to build this up to the size I needed in order to have it touch both pictures and the journaling block. As a plus, the selected colors unified the layout.
• Brown Paisley was used to form a small folder to hold a few extra smaller prints that I had of graduation which I did not want to feature on a separate layout. The punched Eyelet Border softened the straight lines of the rest of the layout and added visual interest.
• The sentiment, brads, and ribbon further embellished the layout, and kept it from appearing too Spartan.

When I look at my finished result, I am no longer distracted by two disjointed pictures. Instead, I am immediately drawn into the journaling and its story. If you have stories that you wish to tell through scrapbooking, you may want to join me as a demonstrator. Stampin’ Up! is currently offering you the opportunity to sign on as a demonstrator for only $75 with their Scrapbooking Starter Kit.

The following items are included as part of this limited-time offer:
113510 Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set* $42.95
113059 Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party $19.95
108697 Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12″ x 12″) $11.95
105240 Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Pad $7.50
Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit, including the Getting Started DVD, Getting Started Guide, Guest Invitation Postcard (100), Idea Book & Catalog (8), Occasions Mini Catalog (8), To My Hostess Envelope (10), Recruit Folders (5), Recruit Brochures (20), Hostess Brochure (20), Hostess Benefits Form (10) and Customer Order Form (50). Email me today if you need more information!

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Great Grads

Ink: Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip

Designer Paper: To the Nines;

Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip

Tools: Circle Scissors Plus, Glass Mat, Eyelet Border Punch, 1-3/4″ Circle Punch, Nestabilities Scallop Circles

Embellishments: Very Vanilla 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Small Brads

Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…

The Circle Scissors Plus is a Superman of Tools! Able to produce circles ranging from 1″ to 6″, it can be combined with the Scallop Circle Die to provide quick, yet visually stunning cards. Add your favorite Designer Series Papers and coordinating card stock and “ta-da”…you have the foundation for a card that can’t miss!

• Using Kiwi Kiss, make a 5.5 x 4.25 card.
• Next center the wide side on top of the Scallop Circle Die, leaving four scallops uncovered to form the hinge. Run this through the Big Shot to form the scallop circle note card.
• Run Rockabilly “Cherries” Specialty Designer Series Paper and a 3-1/2″ Nestabilities Scalloped Circle die through the Big Shot to form the middle circle. Position and adhere to a Riding Hood Red circle which was cut with the Circle Scissors Plus. Tip: I adjusted the Circle Scissors Plus to produce a circle approximately 3-5/8″, and it was a perfect fit!
• Layer a snippet of Whisper White 1/4″ Grosgrain ribbon. Attach this to the note card.
• Ink the “Friends” sentiment from the Garden Greetings stamp set with Kiwi Kiss, and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch out using the Word Window Punch, and layer onto Riding Hood Red. Position and adhere to the ribbon.
• Punch a pair of cherries from the Designer Series Paper and layer onto a Riding Hood Red circle which was cut using the small Nestabilities Scallop Circle Die and the Big Shot. Adhere next to the sentiment.

I love the Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper! It is one of the papers that I purchased using Stampin’ Up!s “Buy Three—Get One Free” promotion. For every three Designer Series Papers or 12″ x 12″ Textured Card Stocks that you purchase, you can select one for free! There is still time to take advantage and stock up on your favorites.
If you love Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red, please remember that they are “In-Colors”. Along with Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Pink Pirouette, and Pacific Point, these colors are only available through June 30th. If you are like me, and sad to see them go, order some today. You can always order from me, 24/7!
Email me today if you have questions on how to make this card or about ordering!
Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!
Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Garden Greetings (113716)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss (111835)
Designer Series Paper: (Rockabilly 114039)
Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss (111353), Riding Hood Red (111348), Whisper White (100730)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Bigz Scallop Circle (113468), 1″ Circle Punch (109046), Word Window Punch (105090), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Nestabilities Scalloped Circles (Non-Stampin’ Up!)
Embellishments: Whisper White ¼”Grosgrain Ribbon (109025), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…

• Prepare a card base from “Brown Dot” To the Nines Designer Specialty Designer Series Paper. Use a Corner Rounder on two of the corners.
• Using the Big Shot and Oval Scallop Frame die, cut a frame out of Sage Shadow “Herringbone and Dots” To the Nines paper.
• Ink the Tree image from the Branch Out stamp set with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla card stock. Once the ink has set, use a variety of Stampin‘ Pastels to create a soft background. (Tip: Although Stampin‘ Pastels come with applicators, for this particular card I used my fingers.)
• Ink the “Tire Swing” image with Basic Black for the tire and Basic Brown for the rope. Stamp onto the tree branch of your choice.
• Attach an oval of clear Window Sheets to the underside of the frame. Place over the chalked image, adhering with Stampin‘ Dimensionals.
• Add a snippet of 5/8″ Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon to the card base. Then position and adhere the framed image to the base.
• Ink the “Thank You” sentiment from Garden Greetings with Basic Brown onto Very Vanilla card stock. Layer this onto “Brown Dot” and adhere to the bottom of the frame. (Tip: Use a Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement every time!)