I Absolutely Love You Page

I recently spent a bit of time creating some pages to apply for the Bella Blvd design team. I only had a few hours to spare and a few of their products to create with, but I was pleased with my submissions. I didn't make the team, but that's okay. Other opportunities will come.

PS: I can't believe that photo is already over a year old and Mr. Lincoln is so grown up now!

L

Lovely Cupcake Card

Cupcakes: can't eat 'em... still love 'em. (if only for their aesthetic value)

Just a happy little card I made to say thank you to my in-laws for sharing some of my sister-in-law's beautiful gourmet cupcakes with my family. Aren't cupcakes just the happiest treats?!

Makes me want a gluten free cupcake right this moment!

All products from Bella Blvd and Close To My Heart

L

Birthday Party Page

Remember my 30th birthday bash?! I made some cute little pennant flags as favors and thought it would be fun to include one of them on a page in my birthday album. I love playing with pretty paper and embellishments! For product details click here.

Photo courtesy of Peachie's Photo Parlour. I love these guys!! Having Peachie's at my party was so much fun!! Everybody loved dressing up, smiling for the camera, and getting to take a photo home with them! Thanks again to Peachie's and all my friends and family who made it a special day!!

L

Prom... Scrapbooking Page

I took a short break from posting scrapbooking pages... but I'm back at it again and feeling more creative and inspired! This page was so fun to make!! Pulling from the neon trend in fashion and design, I went for a bright and bold color scheme. Perfect for that good looking photo of Danny from the 1980's Prom themed birthday party we attended. I started out with just the teal, grey, and pink, but got brave and threw in a little yellow to spice things up a bit! I even used a regular old highlighter to add a bit of embellishment to the white photo mat. For product details check out my scrapbooking blog, here.

L

Reading, Writing, (No Arithmetic)

I've been busy working away on my latest album for Peachie's Photo Parlour. It's grey and yellow with a vintage theme... secretly I want to keep it make a similar one for myself to have at my birthday party--we shall see about that;)

With all the work I've been doing for Peachie's, I've been itching to scrapbook something for myself!! So as I've been putting together my album, I managed to work a little here and there on this happy page about Miss M. I love the teal, pink, and grey color scheme ever so much! That small grey chevron by Bella BLVD is my favorite paper of the moment; and that pastel plaid may or may not be ten years old... (My name is Lynley J, I am a scrapbooking supply hoarder.) I'll post more details about this page later today over at my scrapbooking blog.

While this page is all about Miss M's love of reading, as I was creating it, I was thinking all about writing--more specifically, my handwriting. I'm rather insecure about my handwriting--I've think it's kind of messy and unpredictable. We weren't allowed to hand-write on anything as studio artists at CTMH; typed journaling was mandatory! I got in the habit of thinking that my handwriting did NOT belong on my scrapbooking pages. While I like the polished look of printed words, there's also something a bit stuffy about it. There's something more personal and sincere about taking the time to record our stories in our own personal handwriting. So... despite my insecurities, I've really been trying to force myself to embrace my own handwriting and use it more on my artwork.

Yesterday as I was outside photographing this page, my neighbor walked by and stopped to comment on how much she like my handwriting! Really?! I was blown away and completely encouraged! I thanked her and told her I'd probably write that in my journal, as it was such a surprising and welcome compliment. Noted.

PS: The lovely Shimelle just posted a great little video all about using your own handwriting on scrapbooking pages here. Check it out!

L

Love, Bike Rides, & Instagram

Since I love this Instagram shot of Danny and I on our tandem bike so much, I printed it as an 8x8. This page came together rather quickly and it makes me so happy! It's cheerful and fun, just like our bike ride adventures! I think perhaps all you really do need is love, bike rides, and Instagram;) For details about the products used on this page, visit my scrapbooking blog, here.

Want to see the cutest project this photo inspired? Hop over here to the Silhouette Blog where my friend Jeana shared the darling pillows she made with her nifty Silhouette Cameo (a fancy cutting system I've been saving for to give myself for my 30th birthday next month!!) Thanks Jeana for the shout out over at Silhouette! I think I need those pillows in my life...

L

Happy Crazy Love

Sometimes life is crazy, but mostly it's full of lots of happiness and love. As you may remember, we've been hoping to take photo booth pictures forever... I was super excited to scrap them! Turns out neither of us really knows how to do the standard silly photo booth poses, but we're pretty good at those cheesy smiles;)

All you need is love, and photo booths! Speaking of photo booths, my little job with Peachie's Photo Parlour has really taken off!! That means lots of scrapbooking going over here! Wahoo!

Read about where I got my inspiration for this page here.

L

Scrapbooking A-Fair: Good Sport

Another happy carnival page! My Danny is such a good sport... always willing to pose in front of a good backdrop. He's truly the best! We have so much fun together on our little adventures! Disneyland, you better watch out, cause we're headed your way soon! Pretty sure there is going to be an entire Disneyland album in our near future;) I am planning on taking a darling little Amy Tangerine Daybook mini album that I can add little bits to along the way... I can't wait!

Details about this page, here.

L

Scrapbooking A-Fair: Carnival 2010

This page uses the design principle the Rule of Thirds to create visual balance and interest--you can read more about that over on my scrapbooking blog, lynleyjscrapbooking.blogspot.com. Hope you'll take a look!

Carnival season is coming soon, and I can't wait!! Also, Disneyland is just around the corner, and I'm pretty sure it will be like one big happy magical carnival.. so I'm pretty much like a kid counting down till Christmas! So excited! Oh, I love the adventures Danny and I have together!

L

Project Life and My New Project

I'm really enjoying creating my Project Life spreads! Still working away at last week-- with our anniversary and Danny's birthday, there are lots of pictures and fun stories to share.

As you know, I've been rather busy working on a new project for the last few months. It's finally starting to come together and I'm really excited to share all about it with you! I'll be creating custom guestbooks in collaboration with Peachie's Photo Parlour. Perhaps you've attended a wedding with a photo booth? Greg and McKenzie Deakins of Peachie's have created the premiere photo booth experience. McKenzie has such an eye for detail... everything from the vintage inspired props, backdrops, custom guestbook, and on site printing is perfectly pristine. After posing for the camera, guests will be able to take one 4x6 photo home and place another in the album I've created. Along with a detailed 50 page album, I've designed personalized journaling spots for guests to sign in and leave a message for the bride and groom. For a peek at Peachie's, check out this darling promotional video. It is too cute! More product shots of sample pages are forthcoming, but take a look here for a sneek peek... (secretly some of the pages are in reversed order... so hopefully we can fix that;)

I've been working on a new scrapbooking blog, lynleyjscrapbooking.blogspot.com where I can focus more on scrapbooking tips, trends, and tutorials. Right now it's still rather under construction, but I'm working on learning how to get it just the way I want it. Take a look and let me know what you think:)

L

Right Now

I applied a paint splattered look on the base page of this layout. Part of me likes it, and part of me, not so much; nevertheless, it's good for me to try different techniques and share pages even when they aren't my definition of perfect... Funny thing is, this page has gotten better feedback on Two Peas (a scrapbooking gallery where I post my work) than a lot of pages that I thought were much better. The thing is, art is always subjective. What I consider my best work may be far less interesting to others who are influenced by different trends and preferences.

While working as a professional scrapbooker, much of the work I did was dictated by someone else... Use these products, apply this technique, remove this, add that, etc. After several years of working that way, it's been a battle to let go of the voices in my head and simply create. I often struggle to feel like a page is done, because I don't have someone telling me it was passed off in an official approval meeting. I hated those constraints while working within them, but at times I still find myself bound to them. Really, I know it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks, but I'm still working on that. I still feel desperate for approval and acknowledgment much of the time. I'm learning to let go and create because it makes me happy; create without concern about what anybody else thinks; create without constraints.

PS: Handwriting and the color yellow were never acceptable on artwork and wouldn't ever make it through an approval meeting... Just goes to show how SILLY it is to let someone else tell you what is or isn't good. I rather like the color yellow, and I'm learning to like my handwriting too...

L

Scrapbooking A-Fair: A New Look

It's about time I posted all the pages I've been creating over the last little while! I'm working on creating a separate scrapbooking blog where I can focus on tips, techniques, and all things scrapbooking! I'm pretty excited about it!

You may have noticed that all of my Fair pages have some common elements: kraft cardstock, carnival tickets, similar patterned papers, etc... Because these pages are all going in the same album I wanted it to have an overall cohesive look. The similar papers and embellishments are really tying it all together. Carnival season is fast approaching, so I'm sure you'll continue to see pages along the same theme, but I'm also working on lots of other projects too. Be back with more soon, including my Project Life spreads for the last two weeks...

L

Project Life: April 1-8

I started Project Life and loved putting little bits and pieces together throughout the week. I'm keeping it simple and reminding myself that there really aren't rules--there aren't any scrapbooking police waiting to tell me that I didn't do this correctly;) The main point is to document the everyday details, the little moments that I might have otherwise forgotten. I already take so many pictures, it's nice to print them and document them immediately. I'm sure some of the photos will end up on traditional 12x12 layouts as well. I'm loving using the Instagram and Hipstamatic camera phone Aps for this project, as it allows for a more real look at life--the moments when I don't happen to have my DSLR with me.

Danny and I enjoy watching a local television show where the host randomly knocks on doors and tells the story of whomever opens the door. Inevitably, the person featured always says they don't really have a story, but in the end they do--and their story ends up being beautiful. After watching a recent episode, Danny looked at me and said, "What story do you think would we tell?" Such a thought provoking question. I hope this project helps us tell our story a little better.

PS: If you take a look, you'll see some details about my new scrapbooking business collaboration;) I'm so excited about it!! I'll share more on that later... Also, I added the little flag to cover the name of my friend's baby--as she hasn't announced it herself. I think I'll be adding a lot of hidden journaling or blurring things out here and there for privacy sake.

Also, the "currents" thoughts on the edited photo of me were inspired by Tina Aszumus of lifelovepaper.com who posts the most clever little "currents" lists weekly on her blog.

L

Scrapbooking A-Fair: Go Round

Sick of State Fair and city carnival pages yet? I hope not... cause I've got more to come. I love that these pages are all bright and cheerful with a vintage twist.. Something about a Merry-go-Round just makes me so happy! Perhaps because they remind me of carefree summer afternoons spent with my extended family at Lagoon; Perhaps because of the animals; Perhaps because of their vintage charm... I've just always loved them!

Miss M. also loves them... She thinks they are named after her--Mauri-go-Rounds. Last summer Brett and Jeni and I took Mauri to Summerfest during the day and the rides weren't up and going yet. I've never seen her so sincerely disappointed. Danny and Jeni and I took her back that night and she and I rode on the Mauri-go-round roosters. I made a journaling card telling the story of this particular day, but it didn't seem to fit on the page, so I just included it on the back.

Yesterday I was at Hobby Lobby and saw several of the books that I have artwork in for purchase. I've seen them there before, but for some reason yesterday I had a certain sense of accomplishment in it. Perhaps nobody else in the world knows or cares that those pages are mine, but it was a boost in confidence and a much needed reminder that I've had some great creative opportunities. I may just be a no-name scrapbooker now, but I can still develop and share my talents. Moments after seeing my artwork I happened to run into my good friend who I'm collaborating with on a new project. I got so excited for our project and for the opportunities it will bring. Good things ahead.

L

Scrapbooking A-Fair: Only at the Fair

This page documents this blog post, here, where I wrote about all the silly things we observed at the fair. Oh, the fair is a wonderful place for people watching! People do such amusing/embarrassing things in public! (ie: drunk wheel-chair races around the ferris wheel.) Somehow the state fair seems to attract many of the same characters who wander around Walmart for fun on a Saturday night--like the clever teenagers following us around the other night asking for a quarter or $90.00. Nevertheless, we like the fair, and Walmart too, for that matter. I like to think we're just spectators though. Perhaps my next page shall be entitled "Only at the Walmarts..." (They call it "the Walmarts" in the south.) Classy.

I'm quickly filling an album with pages about our adventures at the fair. More to come soon...

L

Scrapbooking A-Fair

I know I haven't posted any scrapbooking work lately... I've actually been rather busy working on a BIG project that I'm super excited to share with you soon!! I can say this much... I've been so excited to collaborate with some very talented people on a very exciting project! The BIG launch is coming soon, and it's going to be fantastic... so watch out for it!

I used this gorgeous vintage floral paper from Crate Paper for the project I've been working on. Since I had all the supplies out and handy, I decided to take advantage of the scraps and make some pages with photos from the State Fair. The soft and dreamy feeling of this photo went so well with the floral paper, aged carnival tickets, and vintage lace. I told Danny that I think we could have an entire album just of state and county fair pages. I just love taking pictures of Ferris wheels, ticket booths, and all the lovely sights at the fair... Consider this the first in the series of my Scrapbooking A-Fair Album. Much more to come.

Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, Pebbles Inc
Cardstock: CTMH
Transparency: My Mind's Eye
Chipboard elements: Crate Paper
Paper Lolli American Crafts
Journaling Stamp: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday
Date Stamp: Dear Lizzy for American Crafts
Ink: CTMH and Tim Holtz
Pearls and Teal Ribbon: CTMH
Other: Carnival Tickets and Vintage Lace

L

December Daily: And the Countdown Begins

Once upon a December 2010, I started a December Daily album. I made all of the base pages and only managed to scrapbook about 3 days. Life kinda had some unexpected shifts at the time. It's been a sad little incomplete album on my shelf, taunting me all year long. Well, I decided to try again. With last years base pages in hand, I'm ready to document our December 2011.

I've already made a few tweaks to the the cover, although I still think it needs a little work... I'll post pictures soon;) Funny how much my style has changed over the last year! I'm scrapbooking more and more like myself again--(not so stuck in the old CTMH style anymore... which makes me happy! I feel more free and creative as an artist and ready to get back into the hobby that love so much.) Anyhow, I'm adding in more pink, teal, and silver to the album pages that were formerly a traditional red and green color scheme--much more fun and prettier to look at right?! Right.

Looking forward to documenting the little happy bits of our December! Hope you'll enjoy a glimpse!

L

I Camped Layout

Yesterday's page share was a bit... I'll say it, busy. I liked it though. Today I went for a nice clean design featuring Amy Tangerine's new American Crafts line. I just love her products! They are so on trend and easy to work with. Seriously, the vintage cameras--too cute! I threw in a few bits from Studio Calico to finish it all off. I LOVE how this page turned out! This photo from Girls camp is my absolute favorite-- Completely untouched but thanks to the smoke and mist in the air it has a nice vintage blur. Love it!

Who said those Dowdle's never did camp?!  (Inside family jokes...Those Dowdle's never did camp or marry--debunked, thank you very much.)

Enjoy!
L

Princess Camp Page

One of my new favorite scrapbookers, Shimelle Laine, hosts a sketch of the week on her cute blog. I've been wanting to do one of her sketches for a while, but just kept running out of time... I thought this one was super cute and simple so I decided to give it a go. I rotated the sketch and moved the title a bit so that my teal letters would stand out. It's bright and bold, with a touch of vintage whimsy. I quite like how it turned out.

Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, Pink Paislee, and My Minds Eye
Cardstock: Close to My Heart
Crown Stamp: My Minds Eye
Embellishments: Crate Paper and Pink Paislee
Thickers and Washi tape: American Crafts
Pearls: Close to My Heart

Enjoy!
L

Not all Days are Perfect...

One of my favorite scrapbook artists, Shimelle Laine hosted a little challenge over at Two Peas (an online gallery where I post my work). Basically, she gave this title prompt for a page:

{Not all             are           .} 

Here's what I came up with... Not all days are perfect... but this one came close! Live in the moment everyday!

I love this picture becuase it reminds me of a near-perfect day, April 22, 2010: Danny's 27th birthday, and our daytrip to El Quelite, Mexico.  We rode a cute little yellow scooter out to the most quaint little town. I remember being a bit uneasy on the scooter at first, but thinking to myself... "This is so fun, and beautiful! I feel perfectly carefree and in love! I better stop worrying and live in this moment!"  I knew that on some less than perfect future day, I would think back and remember that blissful carefree feeling... I was so right! You know what though, I'm learning to recognize these moments in real life too, I don't have to go somewhere else to find them. They come in small and simple ways, and I have to look for them or else they'll come and go unseen...

As far as scrapbooking goes, I've been dying to mix some stripes and florals on a page... It may be a fleeting trend, but I'm gonna enjoy it for the moment;) I really do love the mixed pattern vibe right now, it kinda makes me feel dressing myself as a kid again... Does this match? No, but I'm gonna do it anyway because it makes me happy;)

With Love,
L