There is no question that the economy is on everyone’s mind. I would hazard a guess that most people did not know that recessions and times of uncertainty have been historically good times for those in the crafting industry. It is not hard to connect the dots really….people decide to make stuff rather than spend dinero they do not have on bought things. Personally, I think some of the most amazing pieces of art are created in leaner times. Creativity has and always will be about using the stuff we have on hand. To tell a compelling story and document your memories, I encourage people to go shopping through their existing stash to find those lost treasures and use them in new and innovative ways. One of my favorite creativity exercises is to sit at my desk in the studio with a limited number of supplies (an adhesive of some sort, an India Ink or waterproof pen, one or two pieces of paper, and a good picture or two….) and think through all of the ways they can be used to tell different versions of a story based on the pictures in front of me. Not only are you forced to concentrate on the activity and exercise but, you aren’t hampered by too many choices that tend to distract. I liken it to wearing a uniform everyday as opposed to having to decide each morning what you’ll wear. Once you get rid of the variables, you are able to concentrate on the substance or content. Recessions force us to work within our means and get rid of (voluntarily or not) the extras. Through this sifting process, not only do you end up with a distilled and concise piece but, more times than not, a better story with more detail.
Have you read?
12 Fall “Grateful for Family” Scrapbook Layouts
Nathalie incorporated paper weaving with pink and polka dot pattern papers on her pretty Family layout. There’s also lots of clusters of pumpkins and Fall leaves, sweet sentiments with more layers of patterns behind. Take a closer look at the Simple Stories blog.
Thanksgiving will soon be here in the states and that means gathering together with family and friends and enjoying good food and great company. Even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving this is still a wonderful time to spend doing Autumn activities, cooking, baking and eating together, heading out and enjoying the cooler weather with family members. To capture all those wonderful memories today we’ll look at some inspiring scrapbook layouts that celebrate how grateful we are for our families.
Below each photo you’ll find a link, click it for more details like products used, process videos and tips.
Inessa used pretty chipboard flowers and die cut leaves backed with pattern papers to surround her sweet family photo. There’s also more dimension from puffy stickers, a tag tied with twine and gems. Notice how the photo and title are offset, it adds extra interest. Learn more at the Paige Taylor Evans blog.
Becki added color, pattern and texture to her Thanksgiving layout by stitching down strips of pattern paper for her background. She also added the title on a vertical along the edge and included some room for journaling and a few scatterings of embellishments. Take a closer look at the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog.
This beautiful layout from Noreen has a wreath of leaves punched from pattern and vellum papers around the family photo. There’s also a list of things she’s thankful for, wooden title and a Fall word pattern background. Find more details on the Creative Memories blog.
Kirei created a wonderful, colorful background with distress edged strips of pattern papers. Across the center horizontally she created a border made of Autumn elements in colors that match each strip for a bold design for a family dinner. Learn more at the Bella Blvd. blog.
This beautiful botanical page from Rona has plaid and botanical pattern papers with torn brick paper that was created with stenciling and gold paste for the background. There’s also loads of flowers and leaves with several cute dimensional buttons. Find a link to her process video on the Pretty Little Studio blog.
This groovy family page has a retro feel with funky die cut flowers with button centers, woodgrain and floral pattern papers in teal, brown and orange. There’s also touching family themed sentiments with the photo tilted for some extra interest. I spotted this idea on the sweet scrapbook girl Instagram page.
This darling Father and Son layout has die cut and dry embossed leaves, die cut circles and zig-zag background. The photos have frames with tabs along with hand written journaling and die cut title. Find step by step directions on the Cardstock Warehouse blog.
This yummy baking themed layout uses digital scrapbooking with fun pattern papers along with large clusters of flowers, leaves and baking elements. Going digital gives the look of dimension without all the bulk. I came across this page by Evelyn on the PickleBerryPop gallery.
This beautiful design from Sue has amazing texture and dimension from a paper doily, gauze, burlap heart and other fun details like typed journaling and rubber stamping. There’s also touches of gold with paint splatter and foiled titled. Take a closer look at the Cocoa Vanilla blog.
I’m in love with the pink and orange color combo on this fabulous Fall family layout from Stephanie! She added a diamond of plaid paper over her graphic background paper along with a large cluster of pumpkins and several sentiments scattered around. I came across her idea on the Fancy Pants Designs Instagram page.
This tall Traveler’s Notebook style double page spread by Ronnie has lots of room for journaling with flower edged lined paper and 5 stacked photo with floral clusters on the other side. These designs can be used digitally or printed for traditional style scrapbooking. Learn more at Traci Reed Designs.
I hope this Autumn you’ll be able to get together with your family and enjoy have some quality time and make some lastly memories!
-Heather
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