Scrap Challenge #1: Scraplifting

As I've thought through this there are several different categories I'd like to encourage you with in the area of paper arts. The first is

Scrap Challenges

These are opportunities for you to stretch your current scrapping style by trying new methods or techniques. Think of it as a different way of looking at your pages.

Your first challenge is to give Scraplifting a try. If you're not sure what this is, allow me to explain. As you're looking through your favorite scrapping magazines or browsing the galleries of your favorite websites you are bound to have your attention captured by certain pieces of artwork. Within this art medium not only is copying encouraged, but it is a great compliment when your pages so inspire someone else that they want to CASE ("copy and steal everything") your artwork or certain details of it. This is also such an excellent way to train your eye to the artistic principles of arrangement, color theory, triangulation, and so many other wonderful tools for creating stunning artwork.

So, above, on the bottom, is the original layout that I liked. As I appreciated the overall layout I decided that I would lift almost the whole thing as is, but with my style. The photo above the original is my version. I liked the printed ribbon (I stamped mine with Stazon,) the large photo size, the decorated slide frame and the small journaling box at the bottom. I added a quote, though, instead of journaling, but I hinged my photo and wrote the journaling underneath. I didn't pay attention to my margins under the photo (oops!) so some of my journaling spilled out; I just doodled the white edges to "hide" my mistake. I don't like a lot of white space on my layouts, so I "filled" up my pages a little tighter than the original. I'm also not real big on paper-piecing, so I used stamps and words to decorate my tags (things I REALLY like!)

So, give it a try this week! You can copy the photo above step for step or you can try one of the following inspirational variations:

• Copy only the monochromatic color scheme
• Choose one thing you like from the layout (i.e. the printed ribbon) and translate it onto your next page.
• Sketch the basic layout of the items on this page and then copy the layout using your own theme and colors.
• Use the theme of this layout and make your own page interpreting it.

The key is to TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

As I prefer to scrap 2 page layouts and use lots of photos, on the next post you can view the second page as well as some close up shots of the details from my pages.

Also remember to PLEASE POST your final project as the true key to improving your work is to share and learn from each other!

HAPPY SCRAPPING!

tonya renee

"Bless [her] skills, O Lord, and be pleased with the work of [her] hands." Deuteronomy 33:11a