Recommending - November 2012

Instead of doing picks of the month, at least for awhile, I'm starting a new blog series called Recommending. I'll be sharing things that I think other paper-crafters will enjoy, and to get started, I'm recommending this book by Ransom Riggs:

The author collects old photos found at flea markets and antique malls and shares those with captions written on them in this collection that includes both funny and tragic images from the past.

I liked the little bits of stories captured in each picture. I liked that it inspired my curiosity to know more. These photos appealed to the writer in me, the young woman who used to want to make up tales to tell about people seen walking in the mall or driving by in cars. The possibility of stories always captivates me.

In the afterword, we are reminded that photos should be preserved, that a great deal is lost when we lose the stories our photos tell.

The book made me want to dig through photos myself, those that are still packed in a box in the garage, those that are still in slide form that my father gave to me, and those that belonged to total strangers that are now on the shelves of antique malls and other outlets where folks sell what they no longer want.

Wouldn't it be remarkable to spend an afternoon sorting through photos in a place like that and stumble upon someone you recognize?

Find more details or purchase this book at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or Powells. Check out the author's website, including the blog, right here.

12 Days of Autumn Album

Each season this year, I've been documenting twelve days in a mini-album, and it comes as no surprise that the one for autumn is my favorite so far.

An employee at Archivers showed me the new Snap album system from Simple Stories when it debuted a few weeks ago, and I instantly knew it would make the perfect base for my Twelve Days of Autumn. The word "autumn" is from a Technique Tuesday set, the alphabet stamps are from Studio Calico, and the leaf is from a Hero Arts set. The ribbon is from a roll I bought a few years ago from JoAnn, and the spray ink is from Glimmer Mist.

For the intro, I used a page from the Simple Stories Harvest Lane collection for the Snap album, along with some Snap letter, numeral and tab stickers, and a tag sticker by DCWV.

And here are some of the pages from the book, using a variety of supplies:

I had so much fun putting this album together, and the Simple Stories collection, along with the Snap system, just made it so easy. All I had to do is add a few autumn-themed embellishments that coordinated with the other supplies, and the album was done. I know I'm going to want to use this kind of album again because of its versatility and variety.

30 in 30 Scrapbooking - November 2012 - Number 9

Celebrating Autumn at Westborn Market

Supplies: Patterned paper by October Afternoon, Scenic Route, Bo Bunny, Simple Stories, Basic Grey and Bella Blvd. Letter stickers by American Crafts and Jilliebean Soup. Ink by Colorbox. Gems by TPC Studio. Leaves by Jolee's. Decorative tape by Glitz. Shimmer ink by Gelly Roll. Spray ink by Mister Huey.

Oh, how I love to play with autumn pretties...

This page was inspired by the material on layering in Shimelle Laine's Scrapbook Remix class, though I was a little more sparse with the layers. I like how everything works together well, even though the supplies are from several different collections and manufacturers. I really like that color of Mister Huey spray ink, called Pumpkin Spice, and I can definitely see it showing up on future layouts.

I have one more layout completed, but the gloom returned to Michigan this afternoon before I had the chance to get a photo of it. Hope to see some more sunshine soon!

30 in 30 Scrapbooking - November 2012 - Number 8

Mommy Time

Supplies: Patterned paper by Basic Grey and Echo Park Paper. Card stock and green washi tape from Studio Calico kit, unknown manufacturer. Floral brad by October Afternoon. Green brad by Echo Park Paper. Sequins from previous Studio Calico kit. Photo corners by Recollections. Grid washi tape by Pink Paislee. Patterned paper circle with glitter by My Mind's Eye. Dragonfly brads by Bo Bunny. Die by Spellbinders. Flower, unknown manufacturer.

These patterned papers were my favorites from the Studio Calico kit this month, and I love how they work together to highlight this photo of Olivia with her Mom. I based this page on a Shimelle sketch and totally dig how it turned out.

30 in 30 Scrapbooking - November 2012 - Number 7

Olivia and Her Dad

Supplies: Polka dot patterned paper from Studio Calico kit. Small white letter stickers by Jilliebean Soup. Large white letter stickers by Doodlebug Designs. All other supplies by Echo Park Paper.

This layout was inspired by one Shimelle Laine did as part of her Scrapbook Remix class, though I went a more matchy-matchy direction than the original did. That Walk in the Park collection from Echo Park Paper turned out to be the perfect one to pair with a piece of patterned paper from the Studio Calico kit and makes these two great photos of my brother and his daughter shine.

30 in 30 Scrapbooking - November 2012 - Number 6

Chillin' Out at the Detroit Zoo

Supplies: Kraft card stock by Recollections. Grey and light teal card stock by Bazzill. Patterned paper by My Mind's Eye, Basic Grey, Echo Park Paper, Studio Calico, and unknown manufacturer. Letter stickers by Basic Grey. Stamps by Studio Calico and Close to My Heart. Gems by Queen & Co. Dots by My Mind's Eye. Die cuts from a Studio Calico kit. Butterfly punch by Martha Stewart. Flower punch by Stampin' Up!

Originally, these two photos were included with a three others I'd planned to put on a 2-page layout, but when I started to look at these, I saw them kinda standing apart, and wound up doing three separate pages, rather than one 2 pager.

Again, the jumping off point was the latest Studio Calico kit, but I didn't limit myself to those supplies. I cut the hexagons from a piece of patterned paper in my scrap basket and gathered some other scraps as well. I used the back of two pinked circle die cuts, stamping on those to create embellishments I could use. I totally dig that camera stamp from Hero Arts for Studio Calico. One of these days, I'll use some of the rest of that set!

And on to number 7!

30 in 30 Scrapbooking - November 2012 - Number 5

First Hair Style

Supplies: Card stock by Core'dinations. Patterned paper by Basic Grey. Brads by Bo Bunny and O'Scrap. Letter stickers by American Crafts. Felt flowers and linen thread by Stampin' Up! Tape by Queen & Co. Sequins and badge from Studio Calico kit. Spray ink by Glimmer Mist and Mister Huey. Metal butterflies by Bo Bunny. Doily, unknown manufacturer. Butterfly sticker by Colorbok. Border punch by Martha Stewart .

After quite the hiatus with our bathroom being remodeled and catching up on everything I couldn't do while that was being done, I finally had the chance to sit down and do some scrapbooking. I jumped in with the November kit from Studio Calico, adding stuff from my stash, including a few bits from a previous SC kit, and some embellishments I've had for quite some time. Though these photos are not great quality, I love how adorable my niece Olivia is with that bright smile of hers.

I've got a few more layouts to post, so here they come...