Creative Juice

Super Papa | A Layout

THE STORY If Thierry is in the room, no one else matters to Lucien. It's adorable. Don't get me wrong, Andrea and Maxi love to hold Thierry's attention too, but with Lucien it's been this way since he was very young. So when the soon-to-be-released father-themed Kesi'art stamps came in the mail last week, I knew I'd make a layout about these two.

THE PROCESS Like I mentioned, this page began with a stamp. Although I didn't set out to do it on purpose, I made a collage-y and shabby style page all because of my terrible stamp skills. I used to be much more accurate about my stamping but lately it's been a lot of fails. Anyhow, I messed up on the bottom left corner of the page. Since I was set on using the background paper, instead of starting over, I decided to go with it.

First I placed the photo and blue folder (which serves as a journal spot) strategically to hide to main part of my messed up stamp. Next I put together the elements that make up the border between the photo and the journaling. Then I finished the stamping and journaling on the blue folder. 

Next I put together the little clusters. I can get lost in time looking around my table for embellishments that look well together. One of my favorite things to do! Funny story. See the metal-rimmed tag? Those were one of my first scrap purchases back in 2002 or 2003! They've been making their way onto my pages. Last I added some white paint to the background and called it done! We can't win them all. That's what I think when I see this layout. I don't love it (even though I do love parts of it!) and that is OK with me.

Seriously, isn't the Super Papa stamp awesome?

7h | A Layout

The story : Looking through iPhoto I noticed the pattern of early morning self-portraits. Five days out of seven it's me that jumps out of bed when Lucien wakes up. Even I, a certifiable night owl, can see what a special time of day that really is. 

The process : Once I printed the photos, this layout came together quickly (less than an hour). I knew I wanted to use some Hambly. I was sad to read they are closing and felt like paying homage to a brand that is a personal part of my scrapbooker's story - I served on their design team from 2009 to 2010. Next, I typed out my thoughts onto white cardstock and laid it all out. This layout is a variation of something I love doing - an end to end row of photos.

Then came the yellow Kesi'art flowers and Douceur De Vivre tag. That tag has been cut and waiting to be used for about a month! I love those bunnies. I used them on the last layout about Lucien too. The little flag hold a date stamp. (That too has been making an appearance on just about every layout from this year!)

To finish, a quick heart stamp and signature. I love to sign layouts I make for my boys. Part of making this layout is a creative outlet, but another part is about having a conversation with them. For me, signing makes it legit.

So that's that. I'm pleased with this layout and I don't think I'd change a thing.

 

Hi There!

Thanks to Design Mom for posting a link to Lucien Henry's birth story this week. And welcome to readers who found their way to my blog through her link. Lucien is sixteen months old now and his birth story is one of my sweetest memories. I still love reading birth stories and think I have read every one on Gabrielle's birth stories series.

Firsts | Halloween

This year the boys got their first taste of Halloween. There was a lot of anticipation at our house. Thierry helped the boys carve their first pumpkin. It was a collaborative effort - Andrea drew the nose and mouth and Maxi chose the eyes. We decorated the outside of our house. On Monday, the boys went to school in costumes (Maxi as an Indian, Andrea as a skeleton). In the evening we went trick or treating as a family of skeletons. Loved dressing up as a group and can see it becoming a tradition.

After the first few houses we realized we needed to teach the boys a few ground rules. One, do not enter people's houses when they open the door. They kept stepping into the houses as if they were being invited in. Also, no fishing through the bowl for the candy of your choice. Maxi would turn to us and yell "how many pieces can I take? One?" 

Our neighborhood has lots of houses that decorate with lights and scary sounds and black lights and greeters dressed in scary costumes. It was a lot of fun. This year we left a bowl of candy on our doorstep so we could trick or treat together, but we can see the fun in staying home and handing out candy too!

What about you? Do you have any Halloween traditions?

 

Blog Post Styling Sources: Vintage Polaroid Brushes, Yellow Striped Twill Tape 

Lucien Henry :: One Whole Year

Lucien,

A full and wonderful year of you. It seems so long ago that you were born.

It has been special to share all of your joy with our friends and family in Panama this past month. You are still the king of smiles but have mastered new skills too. Like your three-legged crawl or trying to eat with a fork or pulling yourself up steadily. You say au revoir, maman, papa, nana, blanco, rosé, maqui (for Maxi), anea (for Andrea) gracias, más and coucou. You have a piercing cry when you are in protest of something. You like to rough house and put little lego pieces in your mouth. You like to eat. Everything.

I continue to adore you. Happy (belated) birthday!