vacation [scrapbook] starters.

Ok, you took a fantastic trip. Maybe it was just overnight, or perhaps it was a two week long trip of a lifetime. Either way, you’re home now and you want to scrapbook a lot of the photos… but you don’t have a lot of stories, or you’ve been to this place before and scrapbooked it in the past, or maybe you’re just overwhelmed. Today I’m going to share my favorite vacation scrapbooking starters – tips and page ideas to get things moving and get pages scrapped.

At the heart of my scrapbooking? I started with vacation albums, and I still adore scrapbooking those pages and making “look at the cool stuff we did!” albums that are always the favorites for my family to look back at.

Page starter ideas:

  • Talk about a specific incident that was embarrassing, funny, or otherwise memorable. Something that comes up when you talk about the trip to other people.
  • Talk to people about the trip, make note of what you talked about/what you were most interested in sharing. THERE is some prime material!
  • Refer to your vacation journal (if you made one) and pull stories from it directly, or just use as inspiration.
  • Make a page about the trip itinerary.
  • The favorite ___(ride, restaurant, place, moment, thing, hotel, etc)___
  • Talk about where you stayed
  • Page about inside jokes/incidents that will become legend in your circle of family/friends
  • Who went? Talk about them
  • Let others contribute journaling. Give them some journaling paper options, let them write, then you incorporate that into a page.
  • don’t be afraid to make pages that don’t have a lot of story or emotional depth. Simple title + no journaling or little journaling is ok too. There aren’t rules here!
  • Make a title page!
  • Interview everyone who went with you, use in whole or part their interviews as individual pages or one group page. Ask about what they remember, loved, hated, enjoyed, want to do again, favorite meal, etc.
  • make a title page, something to start your book/start the pages of that trip.

Here’s my title page for my Maui 2012 book. I used a badge button + journaling tags and things from Evalicious that I am absolutely addicted to, and I threw in some pink thread, ink, and gold paint, scallop edge punch into play as well. All of the patterned papers, letter stickers, and other embellishments are from the Webster’s Pages Palm Beach collection (which I ADORE):

Interesting enough, my Hawaii pages have stalled out… know why? Each day we got up. Had in-room breakfast. went to the beach. went to the pool. had lunch at hotel. went to the beach. went to the pool. had dinner at hotel. back to beach. bed.

Ok, we mixed it up a bit more than that – but seriously not a big “Stories” vacation. Just relaxation in paradise at a beachfront resort where you don’t need to leave.  I’ve already told the main important stories in my pages so far. That just reminded me of rule #1:

There are no rules.

If I want, I can just make lovely paradise pages with titles… or no words at all. THAT IS OK.

Sometimes, I think there is too much pressure on scrapbookers to hit all the notes. To have good photos, title work, tell an awesome story… ok yes. I do like photos + stories and that is the heart of my craft. But a little fluff thrown in never hurt anyone. Telling yourself that making pages just for fun that don’t tell a story is ok once in a while too.

I think of them like I do dessert- not the base of my diet, but an occasional treat.

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on getting vacation scrapbook layouts jump started, and I hope you’ve been inspired by mine as well.



today’s post is sponsored by Evalicious

Evalicious offers art journals & pretty handmade scrapbooking embellishments including a wide assortment of cool tags and badge buttons. Her shop has long been one of my favorites – and you don’t want to miss out on her kits either. Her products work great for all kinds of paper crafting and scrapbooking projects. You can visit the shop at www.evalicious.bigcartel.com

Special offer: Eve is offering camp scrap readers 10% off with code: camp10 (valid until end of July)

kit-spired | Scrapbook Circle

Hello Monday, aren’t you looking inspired! So here is what happened with me today. I sat down and pulled up Scrapbook Circle’s website for kit-spiration. Oh what a lovely kit! As I was looking at the kit and thinking about trying to mimic a similar kit I got distracted in the ‘pull things together’ phase. You see I noted that they had both Jillibean Soup and Studio Calico Heyday in the kit, and once I had my stash of papers out well, I just started playing!!

Now you could be more disciplined and stick to a plan and be more strictly inspired but here is the problem with that. You might lose your groove. Your mojo cup might go empty. Your muse might take a break.

It is true!

If I have the choice, I always follow my inspiration. That’s where the fun is at, and where new ideas are usually found too. So first I made this quick card:

The background is distress stain covered, then squirted with water. Yes, that’s it. SO easy. This is my #1 go-to card design.

Then, I wanted to use the remnants of that 6×6 Heyday paper, but I also wanted to break out this Jillibean Soup paper that I noticed (and have been saving)… it’s just too perfect and must be used.

Supplies Used:

  note: Jillibean soup alpha stickers, green, and yellow papers I couldn’t find links to.

Something about that yellow wood grain just screamed “do a giraffe feeding page!” Love how this turned out, and SO glad I remembered to whip out my leaf stamps! I’ve gotten SO much use out of them.

Ah Monday. A fresh week, some creative play, and feeling inspired. What could be better? I hope you’re having an awesome week too!

 


Today’s post is sponsored by Scrapbook Circle

Scrapbook Circle has been creating monthly papercrafting kits for 6 years and have been loving every minute of it. The kits are available to anyone without a monthly commitment. If you would like to receive a discount on our kits, then you have the option to sign up for a 2+ month subscription. This option allow you to receive at least two consecutive kits at a discounted price.

Scrapbook Circle is offering 15% off any new order to Camp Scrap participants. Just use promo code MayF15 to receive your discount at checkout. Offer valid through 7/31/12.

Link to site * blog

Camp Scrap: entering week 5!

Well howdy there! I have a bunch of info to share – so be sure to read today’s post carefully!

First off, if you’re joining us from Paperclipping Roundtable because I was a guest this week and you were curious – welcome! Want to listen to the podcast? Here’s a link. I warn you, I was my own 100% unedited self. I love being on the show – this week we talk (mostly) color and what we see on the horizon.

What is “Camp Scrap Happy Mail” you ask? Well, Bazzill sent me a bunch of fabulous ribbons and brads and things to share with some of you, and so I’m making a challenge. Share a project in our Camp Scrap community [it’s FREE! join here!] or do a blog posting where you link back to my blog – and be sure to leave a comment here on my site someplace with a link – and you’ll be entered into a Camp Scrap happy mail drawing! One other way to enter – post about your Camp Scrap inspired creation and tweet me [@mayf].

How inspired by my projects does it have to be? NOT AT ALL! make anything you like. You know how I roll- no rules! THANK YOU to Bazzill- and good luck! I will draw winners next Sunday.

Speaking of seeing Camp Scrap around the web – here’s a link to Live.Teach.Create and her takes on some Camp challenges.

Oh I can hardly wait for you to see all the fun stuff I’m up to this week. Well, every week really! Before I go I want to remind you that yesterday’s give aways are still open [if you’re on my blog www.mayflaum.com, just scroll down to see them + enter!]

Watch closely because prizes are going to happen all week.

Oh and speaking of prizes, before I go…


I want to share all of the special offers available to Camp Scrap participants:

Scrapbook Circle is offering 15% off any new order to Camp Scrap participants. Just use promo code MayF15 to receive your discount at checkout. Offer valid through 7/31/12

InspirationEmporium has great camp scrap supplies – and you can save 10% – enter the code campscrap  when you check out. Offer valid through July 27, 2012

Pink Persimmon is offering 15% off all regularly priced stamps when you use the code:  scrap2012  (See sale page for even more savings) Offer valid through July 27, 2012.

www.shopellesstudio.com is offering free shipping on all orders over $35. Just use the code CAMPSCRAP during checkout – offer ends August 31st, 2012

Join The ScrapRoom for the first time and mention “CampScrap” in the comments section of your order to receive a FREE Layout kit in your first shipment. Offer valid through July 27, 2012

www.evalicious.bigcartel.com is offering 10% off with code: camp10 (valid until end of July)

Cara’s Creative Corner is offering  20% off using code: scrapcamp. Offer good until 7/20/12

click here to subscribe in July 2012 and save $5 on the 6-month subscription to Masterful Scrapbooking Design with coupon code MSDCAMPSCRAP

www.PaperTemptress.com is offering a Camp Scrap discount of 15% on all products not already on sale during the month of July. Just enter campscrap in the promotion box during checkout

All special offers are valid for new purchases, code must be entered at time of purchase, and if you have questions or want clarification on anything please contact the store/company directly before ordering.

How’s that for some special offer action?! I know. THANK YOU for joining in the fun here on my blog – and thanks to the companies who are supporting Camp Scrap! If you’ve got shopping to do I hope you check them out first!

creative play | get messy and enjoy!

Would you like to take a trip into the studio and see what happens when I decide to fit creating time into a busy day because I just really want to? I hope so – that’s what you’re getting today here in Camp Scrap. Here is the layout I made:

Inspired by: Anna (aka Finnabair)- though I ended up not spending more time layering and getting a lot of texture here, I like how she has mediums and layers things right into gel on her pages… so inspiring. I had her in my mind when doing this page.

How did I get this look? We’ll I’ll share that in a moment. Here are the supplies used:

How did I create the layout? Well you wouldn’t believe me if I told you I think… so I’ll just show you:

[link to youtube]

I have to tell you – I’ll be using more of that texture paste in the near future! LOVED it! I linked to molding paste in my supplies, but it was actually “texture” paste. Works the same, but texture paste is gritty. I found mine at Michael’s – most art or craft stores have some brand of “paste” in the artist section. It’s big fun – more coming with that soon.

and if you’re looking to add to your washi tape stash – I recommend checking out the deals to be had over at Cara’s…


Today’s post is sponsored by Cara’s Creative Corner:

Cara has a fun, colorful vision of cards and scrapbook pages. Demonstrator for Stampin’ Up, teacher for MyCreativeClassroom, and teaching in Newtown, PA. Cara is hoping you’ll take a look at her Stampin’ Up store, purchase some of her discontinued items (at a real steal!) and take a class or two with her. This month Cara is teach tatting for cards and scrapbook pages. She describes this as a fun technique that is portable and really pretty.

Cara’s Creative Corner is also offering a special discount to Camp Scrap participants: to receive a 20% discount, use the code: scrapcamp (Offer good until 7/20/12)

inky love [quick tag]

First thing when I get new ink or stamps, I’ve gotta play. Here’s a tag I made during the Camp Scrap crop in San Jose – testing out my new Tim Holtz distress inks for summer:

The how-to is pretty simple:

1. Blend the three distress ink colors into the background. Spritz with water and/or stamp with water for effect.

2. Stamp with archival ink

3. Fill in stamps as desired with dylusions (in water brushes) then mist with perfect pearls mist.

I told you today would be quick and easy! It took me maybe 10 minutes to do this tag.

If you’re thinking… c’mon May it can’t be so easy. Well, I promise it is! Watch for a video coming next week showing the techniques I did here. In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying Camp Scrap and your July! We’re off to a great start I think.

Supplies used:

Happy Crafting!