Things that Make Me Go "I want one" - Santa Mosaic

First of all, let me say, I am NOT one of those folks who rushes Christmas.  I don't even love Christmas - I prefer the Fall!  I've been holding off on posting any Christmas pages, telling myself I would wait until Thanksgiving, at least!  However, I saw this layout over at http://www.outonalimbscrapbooking.com/ and thought "I want one!"  I liked it.  It spoke to me.  But it wasn't "me," somehow.  So, you know what I did?  Youbetcha!  I made it into a mosaic.

The Santa is a stamp that my sister owns.  (I love having her scrap stuff at my house!)  I stamped it on flesh colored cardstock, white, and red, then I cut out and layered the white and red layers on top of the flesh with foam adhesive.

I really tried on the belt, but looking back at the inspiration/sample, I'm thinking maybe I should also recreate the stitches on the belt?

This Friday, I Am Thankful for My Friends!!! - And Erika's Fall Layout

In the hustle & bustle insanity that is the rush of holiday shopping, I wanted to share this fall layout from Erika.  First of all, I love the paper, but more importantly, I just adore this left side center picture of her son, Johann.  Purely angelic, isn't it?  So, during the week of giving thanks, I want to thank Erika for letting me bask in the glow of fall for one more day!

Mosaic Moments SALE - Thanksgiving Weekend

http://tamipotter.typepad.com/newsletter/

Check out Tami Potter's latest newsletter!  She is having a HUGE sale on page kits this weekend!  When you're ready to make your purchase, please be sure to use the SnapNCrop link to the right to make your purchases so that I get "credit" for the sales!!  Happy Shopping!

Tuesdays Are for Techniques - Corn Maze Mosaic

Previous Corn Maze Layout

This Year's Corn Maze Layout

Way "back in the day" when I first started scrapbooking, we didn't have any of the cool tools or techniques that have come around in oh, say, the last 20 years.  I was a big fan of patterned paper, as the paper collection that fills my basement will surely attest.  (and die cuts, and ribbon, etc. etc. etc.)

We also used to rely heavily upon borders.  When I went to my first Creative Memories class, I learned how to make borders using paper strips and stickers.  Now, I make my borders using PICTURES.  Of course!  Why didn't I think of that?  It's one more way to add rich detail and texture to my layouts. 

For this layout of pictures from a corn maze, I used close-up shots (4x6 photos) of Indian Corn that I cut into 1" x 5 4/8" strips.  I used one photo for the border on one page, and another photo for the border on the second page.  This border brings a dimension and depth to the corn pictures and ties everything together. 

I also used a top/bottom border on the center picture on the left-side page.  For that border, I used a close-up taken of corn in the maze as we were walking (or should I say running) through. 

For the panoramic on each page, I used a series of about three pictures (6 total) that I mixed together using the "mending the horizon" technique from Tami Potter's "Designing Photo Mosaics" book.  You may recall that this is the same technique I used on my Niagara Falls layout, but it looks a lot different here!  It just thrills me to see how using different photos brings an entirely new context to each page pattern idea!

Fridays are for Friends - Erika's Lake Layout

Check out the frame around these pics!  As soon as Erika sent me this email, I knew I recognized the pattern.  This is a page pattern featured on the packaging from Mosaic Moments grid paper.  I've never tried it myself, but now I think I should.  I love all the little pieces of background scenery framing these fun lake photographs.

Another Quote Worth Sharing

"And I'll bury my soul in a scrapbook, With the photographs there and the moths."

Author: Leonard Cohen

 

I always joke with my sister that she has to promise never to let me be buried in the groundwhen I die.  I ask that she have me cremated and put my ashes in a Miracle Whip jar (not mayo) and then drive down the road (knowing my sister, it will be at 90 mph) and throw them out so that I will become the dust on windshields of cars that will carry me to all corners of the world!  My mother worries about my soul . . . I thought this quote provide the answers to that problem!

Tuesdays are for Techniques - Oh Canada!

Don't be afraid to use the same page pattern or technique a second time.  Unlike using stickers or die cuts or embellishments, because Mosaics focus on your PICTURES, every layout looks entirely different, even if you use a page pattern you've used before!  As you may recall, I mentioned previously that I needed some more practice on my framing a picture within a picture skills.  I tried it again here - the picture between the two maple leaves.  Still needs work, but I think I'm getting better!

Sorry folks, photos just don't do this one justice!  The little squares are pieces of a giant ferris wheel in Niagara Falls Canada.  The kids had so much fun on the midway.  We played video games and earned tickets.  All the while, Samantha was dreaming of this giant teddy bear.  Her big brother, Owen, gave her all of his tickets so she would have enough to win it!  Sweetest story I know about that boy!

Fridays Are for Friends - Go Tracy, Go Tracy - Woot Woot!

Tracy and her son, Aidan, went to Yo Gabba Gabba Live!  They got these rad shades at the show and Tracy used hers as a funky embellishment on her page.  To quote Biz Markie, who was a part of the show, "Oh Baby, you, you got what I need . . . "

Tami Potter's November 2011 Newsletter!

Here is the "official" announcement of my status as a Design Team Member!  I could not possibly be more excited! 

http://blog.tamipotter.com/newsletter/

Be sure to follow the Snap N Crop link to the right side here on my blog if you wish to purchase this month's specials - Pewter Grid Paper for only $5.95 and the Limited Edition Paper Tiles Trio in Plum, Deep Raspberry, and Spice! 

Tuesdays Are All About Techniques - Matting and Framing - Chattanooga Mosaic

Recognize this layout?  It's the exact layout from the matting and framing class I took at CKC Louisville this year.  As soon as I saw the water lily pictures used for the frames, I KNEW this was the perfect layout to showcase my pictures from our stay at the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel.  The small squares on the right page are pictures of the fish swimming in the pond with the water lillies.

The centerpiece pic on the left page involved cutting a 1/8" square out of the middle of my 4" square picture.  It's a skill that I could use a little work on, but I love the effect - the picture frames itself!

I'M A WINNER!

Throw the confetti, sound the horns, I've been chosen!  After what seemed like a reeeeeaaaaaalllly long 4-day wait to find out which applicants Tami Potter chose for her inaugural Mosaic Moments Design Team, I got my congratulations email today!  I've been selected.  :)
What does this mean, you ask?

Well, for starters:  "Designers will serve a 12 month term. We compensate generously with products and we will compensate well for published work . . . There will be supplies sent to all design team members who will be required to create pages for 2 challenges each month. Design team members will be responsible for preparing & posting their work." 

It's win/win!!!  I'll be getting supplies to feed my mosaic habit and I may have the opportunity to be published someday.  Oh happy day!

Fridays are for Friends - Erika's Build-a-Bear

I love the bright and playful colors dancing on Erika's page about the Build-A-Bear Workshop.  The tiles are a cool touch and they just tie everything together so nicely.

Techniques on Tues - Putting Mosaic Moments Page Kits to Work for You

At CKC Cincinnati, I got a great deal on some page kits.  I just LOVED this one, called "Seaside."  But, when I got to playing around with my photos, I kind of wanted to use an 8x10 mosaic tile format and focus in on the kids.

So, as you can see, I just fused the two ideas together.  Then, I used the "extra" space around the tiles I had punched out of the kit to die-cut the letters for my title.  Getting my money's worth on this one, for sure!