Mini Album Part 2

Previously, I wrote about beginning work on a Halloween-themed mixed media Mini Album based on a YouTube tutorial by Anne from Anne's Paper Creations (xannero1 on YouTube).

Cover

Embellished Pockets

Even though I am taking a break from crafting jewelry, I still love bling!

I had one of those weeks where all sorts of small things go wrong, so I was so looking forward to my art day today in my studio. I completed the cover and first page. So far, I am really liking it!

Within all these cute pull outs and pockets, there are many places for hidden journaling and also photos, though I have not added them yet. I hav been using a combination of  Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells collection and my Scraps of Darkness Gothic October kit.

Working on a Mini

I have been hard at work on a mini, mixed media Halloween album/journal based on a wonderful tutorial by Anne from Anne's Paper Creations (xannero1 on YouTube). There are many pages, pockets, tags, and other pull outs (what is not to love about all these adorable details??).

I plan on using a combination of Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells collection and my Scraps of Darkness Gothic October kit. Once I have completed it, I will be posting many pictures, I promise!

Dimensional Art Journaling

Scraps of Darkness challenge

Lately, I have gotten more into using dimensional embellishments in my art journaling. I have begun taking part in the Scraps of Darkness  discussion forum challenges. In the example above, I was using a layout by scrapbooker Renea Harrison as inspiration.

I built up a small amount of collage and stenciling on the background. I have a small collection of antique First Communion pictures so I matted one onto coordinating cardstock for this page. I also used some cross embellishments, butterflies, and flower stickers.

Gender and Color Choice in Crafting

One of my addictions is listening to craft-related podcasts. Among my favorites is the Paperclipping Roundtable hosted by Noell Hyman. I was listening to two older episodes (Booth Worthy and The Cake on the Page) where the discussion of color and gender came up. Mainly in a discussion about the color of paper and scrapbook embellishments related to the pages done about boy and girl children, but also on pages about men. Some said they will use things like flowers even on pages about boys. The shows discussed different approaches, but did not say one was superior or another inferior, but that it is up to each individual.

The topic got me to reflect on my own use of color in pages about my son. I do not have strong feelings in terms of certain colors paired with pages about men and boys. For me, it is not so much about using more gender neutral, or boyish colors and embellishments for my pages as it is using colors my son likes. This is because he looks at and reads some of the pages about him. I want the pages to reflect his current personality and tastes.