Monday, September 29, 2014

The Scrapbookers Blog Tour

Good morning lovely people!

I for one love scouring blogs online, blog hops especially, as they are the easiest and richest source of crafty inspiration.

I was therefore delighted recently, when a fellow scrapbooker and all round immensely talented lady, Laura Whitaker asked if I would participate in the Scrapbooker's Blog Tour.....an honour indeed!

So what's it all about?

Well, basically it's meant to provide a little insight into the creative process of a wide and varied assortment of blogging scrapbookers, by answering a few simple questions.

Doesn't sound too heavy right?

So here goes:

1. What are you working on right now?

Well, over the weekend I had the opportunity of attending a local fundraising crop which meant I actually got a few layouts completed within the day.  This was the last page I started but didn't finish.


It's actually one of those rare 'selfie' kinda pages which would never have been scrapped back in the day!  Now though, my girls are growing up fast and take control of my phone or camera on regular occasions.  This means I'm more often found in front of the lens rather than behind it IE. more scrapbook pages of ME!

2. How long does it take to create a project?

Well this varies obviously, but I guess the honest answer is loooong!  Too long usually. I'm a self confessed procrastinator/perfectionist when it comes to my pages and only just recently posed a challenge to myself and fellow Inspiration Elevator DT members, to create a page in 30 minutes or less!

I landed a happy result with this page.......




but in reality I would say most of my pages take at least 3-4 hours.

3. What are my favourite things to create with at the moment?

Right now I'm really enjoying re-discovering 'old school' products - embossing powder, eyelets/brads and using them in new ways on a layout.




During the last couple of years 'backgrounds' have also become increasingly more important on my pages, so these days I find myself reaching for a variety of mixed media products.......gesso, texture paste, watercolours, mists, gel medium, stencils......the list goes on as I'm discovering new (to me) products I enjoy using.  Distress inks, stamps and stencils are a definite fave which is fairly surprising considering I was once scared to death to stamp anything on a layout!


4. How does my creative process work?

This generally depends upon the project.......if I'm working on samples for Two Scrapbook Friends then my starting point and inspiration will be the new paper collection I'm given.  I'd then choose photo's I think will co-ordinate and move on to a basic layout design and embellishments.

If my project is for the Scrapmuch? Sketch DT, then obviously I'm inspired by the provided Sketch, then move on to choosing photo's, papers etc.

For my own projects and challenges I tend to start with the photographs I'd like to scrapbook and carry on from there.

I create in a converted closet in my bedroom and I'm guessing unlike most, I scrap in relative silence......no music or TV, as I'm fairly easily distracted!  I don't even snack whilst creating - unbelievable for a self confessed life long dedicated snacker!  I get a little lost in the process I guess, and forget everything else.

5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

The Internet is a fabulous source for inspiration.  The blogs of fellow scrappers inspire me constantly and then of course there's Pinterest!!

Two or three years ago I also discovered a UK magazine called Scrap365 (I'm sad to say they have recently ceased publishing a stand alone magazine) and I think this probably changed the way I scrapbook!

I was and am totally fascinated with the fabulous mix of mixed media/scrapbook layouts and find this is still probably my biggest source of inspiration today.  Before starting a page I'll quite often flick through the pages of old issues, and before you know it, the adrenalin kicks in and creative juices start to flow.

There's always a notepad on my desk too where I jot down ideas for techniques and embellishments.

6. What is my signature style?

This is probably the hardest question of all because after 7 years of scrapbooking, I still don't have the answer!

I guess in recent years I've settled into a happy mix of 'light' mixed media backgrounds paired with a modern collaboration of scrapbooking designs.

In reality, I don't think I want to settle into only one style.....I get bored easily!

If I occasionally look back through my scrapbooks, my pages tend to jump from one thing to another and so on.  I'm not quite sure if this is a good thing or bad as I'm guessing like many other people, I quite often look at the work of other designers and wish my pages looked like theirs!  I think having a definite style would at least give me a little more comfort or confidence when starting a new page, instead of the labour of love they quite often turn out to be!

At least there is one good thing to be taken from this.......it does tend to keep things fresh, as I never quite know in which direction my layout will be headed!

Well I think you've heard enough from me, so now it's time to tag another scrapbooker.

I nominate Joanne Burton.

Most of my blog visitors will know her as the co-owner of a local scrapbook store Two Scrapbook Friends and believe me, she has quite the talent herself!

Her pages are a constant source of inspiration.....fresh, elegant, and beautifully finished just like the lady herself, so I know you will not be disappointed!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day,
Jayne.x.

3 comments:

Unknown

Loved reading about your creative process and space, I reads ally want to scrap now!

Dee

Jayne, you have been and will continue to be a source of inspiration to many. I have appreciated the encouragement and help you have given to me so easily and willingly. You are one special lady and I am blessed to know you!

Joanne

Great post, Jayne! It is wonderful to get to know you better as a scrapbooker and to find out what is behind all of the amazing designs you create! Thanks for the lovely nominations :)
Joanne xo

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...