If Im not pleased with something, I try to figure out and analyse what that is. I also try to do more than one layout for each challenge so I have a chance to experiment and change something using the same design or sketch to see whether that was indeed the problem.
This particular challenge was about using up stickers. I loved Shimelle's example. She used papers which were mostly neutral (except the vertical stripe) with bits of colour from her colour scheme and I think this is where things went wrong for me...at least with the first layout.
When Boys Are Left Unsupervised
The thing is I really REALLY wanted to use that acid yellow/green background paper from Glitz Design. Its kinda ugly and looks as though someone naughty painted over a more demure black polka dot which suited the story.
The other issue I had was finding just the right layering papers. They should have been more neutral and while I have a sticker stash rivalling a rather decent sized scrapbook store, I simply couldn't find exactly what I wanted in terms of size, shape and wording.
I also really wanted to use those blue rubbery thickers for the title. They really looked and felt like Godzilla's skin! Unfortunately they were not the easiest to arrange on the page.
I was a bit happier after adding some dimensionals/pop dots behind some of the stickers and the chipboard elements, but it isn my best work. Still, I'm really happy to have my story told and in my album...and I used a patterned paper I would normally not choose.
The Teta Touch
I'm not overly pleased with this one either. The photos are portrait orientation so that in itself makes it a bit harder to work with, but they ended up quite a bit smaller than 4x6 because I printed thewm with borders. Not sure whether this helped or hindered.
I was getting tired and despairing by this stage. I wasn't as determined to find the perfect stickers. I pretty much used what I had around me. Maybe there is too much turquoise? Too pastel? Does it need some darker colours for contrast?
I just dont know. At least the softness of the colour (and gentle fuzziness of the thickers til I ruined them with glue) evokes a soft, gentle, sleepy baby feel.
Speaking of the title...the adhesive of the thickers wasn't holding, so I went to glue them down and got the positioning wrong. Which left small tears on the page. Which had to be hidden under sequins. UGH!
Selfie Under Duress
In addition to the weekly Glitter Girl series, Shimelle has a weekly challenge on her blog at Shimelle.com. Each Monday, Shimelle and guest designers present work based around a specific theme or challenge.
The first challenge was to scrap a selfie. Photos I rarely take (mainly due to how I look). I did find a selfie...an actual selfie even! Not a photo snapped by someone else.
I used the same layout Shimelle created for this challenge. Partly because she used a 5x7 photo and I rarely work with anything larger than 4x6 and I wanted to get more comfortable with larger sized photos.
I have been waiting for the right photo and layout to use that gorgeous bold floral from Shimelle's second collection - True Stories. The photo itself doesn't have much detail so I thought it would work. It's busy, but it did I think. I used a lot more from True Stories and also Shimelle's first collection because I knew I would get something that matched well.
I really wanted to use pink and aqua as accents since they feature in that background paper but only in small amounts (And I always want to use more pink!). Navy ended up playing a larger role than I expected, but probably for the best since it needed something darker I think.
I tried to make choices based on the story even if not directly told or seen in the photo. Shimelle's layout featured coffee cups but I used tea cups because after dinner, I plop on the bed and watch catch up TV on the laptop or mobile device and drink tea.
The small strip of grey paper from October Afternoon's Saturday Morning collection has TV themed words on it to reflect this.
This particular black kitty: Other Crafty Cat (Fossett) plops on my lap but he tries to climb up onto my chest if he can. At some point in the evening, my gorgeous NotPinkCraftyHubster brings me a cup of tea. Ahhhh!
So please...tell me what you think. What went wrong? What could have I done differently?
The softness of the colours in the Teta Touch appeals to me, & I thought you did a good job of covering problems with sequins. By the way, what does Teta mean? I loved your reason for using the yellow paper in the first LO. Cheers Judy from Nth Qld
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Judy! Teta means aunty in Ukrainian. My side of the family speaks Ukrainian to my 2 lovely nieces and their dadś side speak to the in Vietnamese.
DeleteThe first layout is busy, but I think it fits with the photos and what you have to say. I think maybe that when you come back to it in a few weeks you will like it better. Teta touch is a beautiful layout, so soft and pretty. And I have never been brave enough to use such a highly patterned paper as the background as you did on the last one, but it works really well. (We are always our own best critics I think!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lythan! I thing generally each layout reflects what I was trying to get across with the story even if its a bit clumsy. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting!
Delete