Page Maps Sample & Blog Tour

Happy Labor Day! I hope you're having a great relaxing weekend with friends and family. I'm certianly glad that we're welcoming Fall!!! I love this time of year! I've got two fun things to share with you today.

1. A layout that I did for the Page Maps September Newsletter.
2. I was tagged in a blog tour.

Let's start with the Page Maps sample. First, I should tell you that I've been getting the Page Maps Newsletter for years. I've always loved Becky's sketches. Every time I open the newsletter I always thought "it would be so awesome too see my work featured in the newsletter"...well, that time has finally come. (kinda nerdy, I know.) I was given this sketch to work with.



I was a little panicked when I saw the sketch. It's not my typical style, I don't usually use 3 photos...or circles but I LOVE how my project turned out. See, sometimes it is good to step outside the box and try something new.

I changed things up a bit and instead of a patterned paper circle I hand stitched a circle to connect the two photo blocks and ground the title.

I used lots of product from Elle's Studio. All of the patterned papers I used are from Elle's Studio.

Now onto item #2 on the list. I was tagged by Jen Gallagher on a scrapbookers blog tour. I adore Jen! She's a sweetheart. For this blog hop tour you'll get to know me a little bit better. (You can also find out even more about me on my about me page.)

1. What am I working on right now?
There are a lot of Elle's Studio product on my desk right now and a bunch of Bella Blvd products waiting in the wings. I have a few videos coming up and another exciting project that I can't announce yet. (soon, I promise, you'll LOVE it)

2. How long does it take me to create a project?
It depends on the project but usually about 1 1/2 - 2 hours...but that's rarely an entire block of time. It's usually 15 minutes here...5 minutes there...20 minutes here. (I do have 6 kids around my house, they provide me with unlimited distractions.)

3. What are my favorite products to create with at the moment?
I'm loving all the Fall lines that are hitting the stores. Bella Blvd & Carta Bella are my current favorites. I'm also itching to create with Shimelle's new line as well as the new Christmas line from Pebbles.

4. How does my writing/creating process work?
I almost always start with product. It's a little backwards but I love pretty paper and embellishments. I start creating with whatever product I'm loving at the moment and go from there. I have a basket of photos and a notebook of journaling sitting on my desk waiting to go on layouts. When I get about halfway through the layout I add my photo and place my journaling.

5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?
I keep taking photos to stay inspired. I loved photos! I also try to scrapbook photos soon after I take them. I like to scrapbook a photo while the story is in my mind. If I know I'm not going to be able to sit down at my desk for a few days I write the story in a notebook and put it on my desk so I will remember it.

6. What is my signature style?
I usually describe my style as bold, colorful, clean, and classic. I think my signature is using patterned paper. I love patterned paper. Embellishments are fun but I'm always drawn to the patterned papers. I almost always use at least patterned papers on each layout...sometimes more. 

And now is the time I'm supposed to tag 3 other scrapbooking bloggers...well, I'm having a tough time finding 3 people who haven't already been tagged. I'm still looking but for now I haven't found anyone to tag :(