Monthly Archives: July 2011

Positive thinking…some days positive thinking is like a foreign language. I don’t even understand when someone strings together a group of words about my day or my life that provides a positive slant or perspective. I’m just not mentally capable of going there. But most days I’m all about the positive slant. Some days I even refuse to admit there’s anything but a positive slant (it’s a problem with extremes that I apparently am going to continue to indulge in). But this ING Words 12×12 layout from Francine reminded me that positive thinking is always a more active form of addressing life in all its forms than any of my other chosen reactions (i.e. to mope, to pout, to deny, to ignore, to stick my tongue out at, etc.) And I’m going to remember to make a list of positive ING words the next time a yucky day calls for a mental roundabout!

The ING Words 12×12 layout by Francine Clouden:

I always love to read all the words on Francine’s pages. Words are sort of my thing and I love that there are always plenty to draw me further into Francine’s layouts. And I love LoVE lOvE LOVE that this layout is, pretty much, all about words!

Love layered effects that jump off the page like this butterfly and this flower. and I love the pearlescent quality added with the cream floral embellishment on top of the fabric yoyo flower (both from the July I Feel Pretty monthly kit).

LOVE the American Craft Thickers and particularly love the Letterman; such a GREAT color and design!

What are your favorite ING words?

I like being at the zoo. I like taking my kids to the zoo. I know a lot of people who feel the same. I think I like being there because it makes it very clear to me that no matter how poorly my children behave…they aren’t ACTUALLY acting like animals no matter what might be muttered in the heat of the moment. What makes the zoo a scrappable moment for you and yours? We’ve all got our reasons and they’re all going to be different.

Here’s a look into Francine’s feelings on the zoo. At the Zoo 12×12 layout by Francine Clouden:

In short…LOVE the journaling. LOVE the Thickers (again…I’m obsessed with this fun shade of yellow from American Crafts). LOVE the layering of papers with the grid on the back. LOVE the huge photo matte. LOVE the layering of embellishments with the Admit One (and can I admit that I sometimes with that even in our technologically advanced, digital age we still got cool looking tickets like this for zoo and carnival admission?) LOVE the layout of the photos and page elements. Francine is not just a scrapbook designer. She’s an amazing paper architect. I always love her arranging skills.

Check out the closeups!

How many times have you scrapped a great zoo experience and what’s your favorite memory of the zoo?

It’s hard to plan a “best day” but now and then you just HAVE one. It pops up like it’s normal when really…it was simply amazing. You think about how great it was when you’re falling asleep and and if you’re lucky you’re still thinking about how great it was when you wake up the next morning. They don’t happen all the time and they don’t happen consistently. And that’s why it’s all the more important to make sure you scrap the ones that do come around. It doesn’t matter what makes it the best day for you. The fact that it falls into the category of “best” is enough to make it deserving of its very own layout.

Check out this layout showing a “Best Day” Leslie style:

Notable pieces of the layout: BoBunny Timepiece clockwork Diet Cut, Glitz Design Afternoon Muse Cardstock stickers (Best Day Ever, Be Silly, Let it Be, Have fun), Anna Griffin Carmen Collection Die cut embellishments. I love the one rounded corner of the photo, the teeny butterfly cutouts, and the subtle color, inked edges and scalloped top of the photo matte paper.

Here’s the closeup:

What’s your Best Day and when are you going scrap it? Not sure where to start? Scroll through all our blog posts and you’ll find a layout that you can use to get ideas/get started!

And if you haven’t yet…visit us on Facebook!

Graduation…I can hardly remember what it felt like. But that should not be taken as an indication that I’m old or anything. I simply have a bad memory. And again…that’s not to be taken as an age indication. I’ve always had a spotty memory. But one thing that I do remember is that feeling of complete and utter satisfaction. That happy that was so complete that I just couldn’t keep it off my face and couldn’t think of a reason to even try to keep it off my face.

And I love that Graduation Happy, Tina’s 12×12 layout, shows that to perfection:

Tina used the Little Black Dress Kit Club July I Feel Pretty Kit to put together this layout.

I love the use of the bright blue for the entire background and how Tina left most of the blue on its own. It’s got a great pattern that holds it own without detracting from the photo. And I love the “block” focal point. What a greta combination of photo, journaling, embellishments and all.

I love the stitched down paper cut outs that are meant to curl. The double layer with inked edges is a great touch. And I love the layered banner “be yourself” and “be true.” It’s a great little journaling addition in a way to is totally intrinsic to the overall look of the page.

Another look at that awesome banner idea…and check out the stitching.

A fun idea for the buttons and trim that are often included in the kits; the finishing touch to a smattering of layering.

Can you remember your graduation? Have you ever scrapbooked it? Maybe today should be the day!

Check out more of Tina’s projects here on the LBD Blog or on the LBD Facebook page!

Whenever I think of the Crazy Aunt I think of that movie with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, Practical Magic. Now THAT’S a Crazy Aunt or two. LOVE it! I’ve got a Crazy Aunt of my own. And while I’m pretty sure she’s served me brownies for breakfast a time or two and most likely initiated her fair share of midnight margarita calls, she’s never been contacted for a love potion or to have a spell cast like the 2 crazy aunts in the movie. But that’s probably just as well. Let’s keep it simple and focus on brownies for breakfast. I’m all for that!

Here’s a layout that LBD Design Team Member, Tina, put together featuring a “crazy aunt” in her family:

The Crazy Aunt 12×12 Layout:

Have fun, let it be, enjoy yourself and pay them no mind…typical phrases that can all describe the typical crazy aunt. I love how well this layout worked with the Little Black Dress July Kit, I Feel Pretty. My favorite pieces of the page? The oh so fun flower made from sheet music and an orange flower embellishment, the awesome thickers, the popped arrow in the middle of the page that give it that extra kick that always comes from dimension, and how Tina bordered the photo with stitching.

Check out a few close ups:

Love the green and orange at top and bottom of the photo!

I couldn’t help but feature Little Miss Crazy Aunt herself. You go, girl! And while we’re at it…don’t you just love the banner style addition of embellishments leading the eye from the left of the page straight to the photo?

Here you can see a closeup look at those bannered embellishments. It’s a fun idea…make it your own on your next layout!

Missed out on the July kit? Order scrapbook kits here while supplies last.

Not sure where to find random ideas and fun pics of past projects? Check out the Ideas page or previous Blog posts or Facebook. We’ve got you covered.

Watch for more projects from Leslie and the other designers…coming soon!