November is here and that means another DCWV sketch challenge. Check out the sketch.

I was inspired by the triangle layers and decided to use them to draw focus to photos on a two-photo layout (instead of the three in the sketch). I added in more arrow type elements to keep the eye flowing around the layout. I used the Blue Citrus stack, a 6×6 Printed Cork stack and a mat stack from DCWV to make this layout. Hint, that white paper is just the backside of a print from the Blue Citrus stack. This is a great use for those prints that aren’t your favorite. The solid white adds a calm foundation to a busy mix of pattern and shape.

If you don’t know what scoliosis is, it is an abnormal spinal curvature. There can be known causes for this condition, but more often its onset happens in adolescence and is of unknown cause. A simple bend-forward test can be done to check for the typical hump of the back of scoliosis patients. Two of my children now have this condition, which isn’t surprising since there is a genetic link. You should have your children’s backs checked for scoliosis, especially daughters as this condition is far more likely to become severe in girls. For more information on scoliosis, please visit  The Scoliosis Research Society.

In this class the approach was simple, spice up some pocket sized cards and use them in some pocket pages. I’m not a pocket scrapper and didn’t pre-register for this class. I ended up adding it because, like I said in an earlier post, the convention was small and the vendor fair didn’t keep me busy between classes. I’ve been keeping pocket page ideas in the background with the thoughts of adapting them to traditional layouts. The reason I don’t like pockets is that the page confines me to specific photo size & orientations and I don’t want that limit. But adapting the pocket products to traditional layouts certainly seems easy and can make scrapping faster to get more stories told. So that is what I did.

But first up, what the class shared…
There were ideas on small embellishments, inking, doodling, journaling tips, hiding elements that don’t fit the theme & still being able to use the cards, storage & organization and of course how to bring them onto traditional 12×12. Of all the classes I took, I am likely to really read the instructions from this one to get those last couple of tips a good look.

And the two layouts that I pulled out of the pockets…

Okay this one I admit I just used up some cardstock base that was leftover so the color isn’t the best fit and I tried to connect it in with a few sequins and one pocket-card of similar tones. It is a stretch, I know, but sometimes you have to put things together and call it done!

(Look closely there is a spider near that sticky note. The overlay reflection certainly didn’t photograph well!)

Of course this being a pocket page class, I didn’t pull the layouts together in class. Instead I spent time at the crop playing with the materials & ideas provided in class to put these together.

This class (visit their YouTube description for more information) was sponsored by CKC and as usual, their class kits & print instructions were generous, modern and trendy. I’m happy with the  results of the pages that I came away with but the class format could use some improvement. The class could have been called “spend all your time misting things.” Our class was large and we had to work in groups to take turns with the materials. It took a long time to get through misting all the elements. And that was the end of the trendy techniques, or rather technique.

If you have experience with mist and dripping, then you may want to skip this class. Even though I get misting and use it often, I am still glad I took this class because I wasn’t very familiar with Gossamer Blue as a company and I found I liked their products (loved the printed transparency overlays in gold on one side and silver on the other for color options! And I have plenty leftover to play with).

My take on the top layout: I didn’t have as many photos as the layout so I just used what I had. I think this layout may have been better with the higher number of photos. As is, it is a little too busy for my two photos. But that is okay. I’m happy anyway.

And my take on the bottom layout: For this one I had a huge amount of photos I was trying to squeeze in to one layout and I managed to do it. I took the flag/banner border pieces and drew them together across the layout to create an upper and lower section to fit all these photos. I think the layout works well. But I think the style & color of some of the elements didn’t fit (the woodgrain card? Where does woodgrain fit in ). The misted scallop journal card was particularly unsuccessful. The outlining the scallops with black pen was too overwhelming; I would have left that off and used a lighter misting for a less busy journal card.

So there you go, my thoughts on that class. Watch their video (linked above) and see if you are up for this mist-tacular class.

The first class I took at the CKC convention this year was Heart of Gold sponsored by CKC and designed by Megan Hoeppner. Megan was also on location teaching this class. I love taking classes with her. As a teacher she is mellow & sweet. She interacts with the class to encourage sharing ideas and ways students like to mix up the kit/class to make it more personal. Plus she has a lovely design sense.

This class focused on a large 12×12 wood veneer heart piece and using it in different ways to spice up pages. We used it as a stencil, as a misting mask and then as an actual page element using varying techniques to dress it up and make it pop.

Below you can see the intended layout designs (from the actual instruction sheet) and what I ended up doing with it. Please do click the class link above to see their YouTube video that shows more of the product you get in class. CKC classes have generous product included, clear instruction sheets, and modern, sophisticated design & techniques.

You can see two layouts here in the instructions. I’ve only finished the first.

I shifted the layout only slightly to make room for one more focal photo and shifted the title. To give a landing place for the title I added some strips of paper that span both pages of the layout.

This was my favorite class. The combination of that unique wood piece and the techniques you can do with it were exciting. And the rest of the product kit was lovely. I recommend this class for sure.

I attend the CKC Scrapbook Convention event each year in Portland, Oregon since it is near enough to me that I don’t need to travel and get a hotel room. That leaves more budget for classes & shopping. This year the event, especially the vendor fair, was very small. It turns out that the Scrapbook Expo was hosting their event at the same time in California and many of the vendors and likely teachers were there instead of here. I was quite disappointed with that. However, I did manage to take some nice classes. Over the next few days I am going to highlight the classes I took and show you what I came away with out of the class. That way you have a better idea if the class is right for you (should you happen to have the chance to take it). Our show starts of the year of conventions so we as students are often the guinea pigs for the teachers to see what is right and wrong with the kit contents, instructions and flow of the class! We get to give tips and suggestions to the teachers so all you later students get a better experience. You’re welcome. 😉

Stay tuned for later posts highlighting those classes. But in the meantime, here are some projects I worked on during the crop time.

Layout 1: For this one I found some selfie photos on my phone that my daughter took of her cosplay (costume/fashion playing for those not in the know). I just couldn’t stop smiling when I found these little gems. So sweet. Tips: print low quality phone photos in a small size and use a grid layout. Extend the page design using vertical and horizontal elements to create flow across the page.

Layout 2: Here we have same daughter and sister getting ready for their first day of “school”. We homeschool but they take classes at a non-profit school for homeschoolers in our area. I had just picked up a 6×6 pad of paper from Authentique called Curiosity. Tip: Messy layer 6×6 papers in the center of the page and top with a couple of prominent photos. Keep the eye focused on the photos by adding border strips of pattern paper to the photos. Top with embellishments with a little pop of color (here yellow) to make just a few, small embellishments have bigger impact. I love pulling simple layouts together quickly.

I’ve been having a really good time playing along with the DCWV monthly sketch challenge lately. So far this is my favorite result. I wasn’t excited about the sketch at first and was having a hard time with it as I was working. But in the process I figured out a few things. Matting the photos with enough contrast made for a much better result. Adding in a really unexpected pop of color (the pink journaling tags) gave it something extra. I used the Day to Day Photo Real stack for this and threw in some washi tape, a transparency & some wood veneer. Clean and simple.

The Sketch

My take

I encourage you to give it a try. They don’t have many entries each month, so your chances of winning some goodies are high 😉

I like to play along with the DCWV blog monthly sketch challenges. For the January sketch I entered both the card sketch and the layout sketch and I was highlighted as one of the Top Ten entries for the layout sketch. Here are the sketches and my takes.

And… the layout

I was excited to be highlighted for sure. But the most fun part? They also give away goodies for entering and I was selected as one of the winners of a goody box. It arrived yesterday and it is wonderful. They sent six 6×6 specialty “paper” stacks– Burlap, printed corck, embossed papers, glitzy (glittery), foiled velum and chalkboard. Check it out…

There is still time to entry their February challenge and you might win some lovely goodies like these! Now I am off to make a thank you card to send to Megan, who organizes the entries for the challenge.