Silly Boy | Elle's Studio Sketch

I've been somewhat of a scrapbooking slump lately. Maybe it's the cold winter, which makes me just want to curl in bed under poofy blankets with a book. Or maybe being back in school just drains all the energy from me. But then I recently received a small order from Elle's Studio with some of their new, gorgeous collections, which really got me right out of this and got me creating again! Woohoo for new scrapbooking goodies!

I thought it appropriate to put all these new goodies to use using a sketch, also from Elle's Studio. Here's a look at what it looks like:

I followed the sketch pretty closely, except that I used an 8.5x11 format, which I am still experimenting with these days. I like the challenge of the smaller space, and it's just so comforting to know that these will be able to store.

I loved that I was able to use this huge chipboard piece from Crate Paper, which I was having trouble thinking of a use for. It had some really girly articles of clothing hanging on the clothesline, so I just covered them up using some of my new pennant tags and clip tags (which I trimmed the clips off of).

Some of you might know how I like to alter items to fit my needs and style. And I'm also really not a fan of pink. There were some tags I got that were a bright pink that I didn't like, but I like the design/sayings. So I just took a red Copic marker and carefully went over the pink parts to make it a red color that matched my layout! Here's a before and after shot of a piece I did this with (that I didn't end up using on this page):

The red version is much better for me!

So many fun tags!

Maybe if you're in a bit of a slump, you can treat yourself to some new scrapbooking goodies too!! You know, as long as you don't go overboard and will actually be inspired ;) I'm definitely on a kick with these new products, so I'll be sharing more projects soon using them!
Until then, I hope you have a great start to your week :)

The Nutcracker

Last month, to celebrate the end of the semester, I went on a girl's night out with some friends to see the Nutcracker ballet. I wasn't sure how much I'd like it, with there being no talking and all, but it was really fun and quite a show! I was in awe of the dancers, especially since dancing is the one thing I wish most I could do and just can't.... at all, haha ;)

All it took was a new sketch up at Shimelle.com to get me inspired to scrap this awesome night! Here's a look at the sketch if you want to play along:

As you can see, I rotated the sketch to fit with my photos, and also added a little strip at the bottom because it felt too empty for me.

I finally worked up the courage to cut into this beautiful Maggie Holmes vellum. It's just so, so beautiful!! But that means it belongs on some pages instead of sitting in a box ;)

After the show, we grabbed dessert at Max Brenner's. If you have a Max Brenner's near you, and have never been, you MUST go. It was so heavenly and I dreamt of chocolate for the whole week after. And might tonight, too.... Mmmmm.

Note to self: Go on more awesome girls nights. Hehe :)

Things might be a bit quiet here for the next few months... the school semester just started two days ago for me, and it's already getting intense!! Wish me luck please <3

Hope you had a great start to your week, and thanks for stopping by!!

Life Right Now | Elle’s Studio Thursday Sketch

Recently, I’ve transitioned into making 8.5x11 layouts. I don’t think I’ll completely convert to this size, because I just love the freedom and space of a 12x12, but the smaller canvas is just a little challenge for me that I think is fun. It also means I can document lots of “smaller” things without fear of using too much stuff or taking up too much space (I’m legitimately afraid that within a few years, my scrapbooks are going to take over my apartment… tell me I’m not the only one who feels like this!!)

I decided to make a “Currently” layout. I haven’t done many of these before, because I include a lot of this stuff in my Project Life, but I just felt like showcasing it a bit more this time and making it onto its own layout. I’m also in a place right now that I really want to remember because I’m working my first co-op job, which will be over in just two months, and I want to remember the little things about life right now! Of course, I just had to take this opportunity to use the “Life Right Now” journaling card in my latest free printables. Then I decided to use this sketch by Elle’s Studio:

I really took to heart the advice that Glitter Girl gave in one of her most recent episodes to really use products you love on this page, as that gives another glimpse into your life right now. I cut into some of those beautiful papers from the Carta Bella “Hello Again” Collection, and finally used some cute chipboard from My Mind’s Eye “Cut and Paste.”

Instead of using mist like in the sketch, I decided to sprinkle little journaling spots around the page – love how Karen Grunberg always pulls this off so beautifully, so I thought I would give it a try. I think it works especially well for the bullet type journaling I had for this page.

So there’s my quick little layout of my life right now. Don’t forget to document yours! Life changes so fast and it’s important to include those little moments that make your life what it is. Sometimes, when I know I don’t have time for a full layout about it, I’ll still jot things down in my notebook or on my phone, so I can still look back on it in the future! Oh, and I'll be entering this into the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge, as anything goes this week!!

Before I leave you today, I also wanted to share some exciting news – I’m going to be contributing a guest post on the RUKristin Papercrafts blog for her Holiday Extravaganza!!! If you haven’t heard of this yet, be sure to check it out. It’s going to be fun and packed with awesome crafter contributors, so mark those dates on your calendar!!

Happy Monday, and have a great start to your week!!