Photo collage tutorial

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share a few things I've learned to make my scrappy life easier. If you know these little tricks, you know what I mean. I've not really gotten on board with Project Life yet- I did write yet- as I haven't been able to take the time to streamline the process enough to get started. I have started scrapping some PL inspired grids lately and I do love the effect. What I also love from Project Life is the simplicity in scrapping a few smaller photos, with small journalling cards and a few embellishments- an amazing way to tell a story. One of next year's resolutions is to incorporate more grids an PL type elements into my scrapping.

One of the things I really love about Project Life is the smaller photos (more of them!) to tell a story. Sometimes it's so hard to choose the best photo of a same event. Why choose? Sometimes, they all have a little something!

My tutorial is all about how to print smaller photos on a single 4x6 photo. It's clean, no fussing, no cutting. The photos are seamless as they have been placed in the grid before printing... And they obviously can be cut for placement...

Here is how:


I downloaded the free photo editing software Picmonkey. You choose collage in the tools over the picture, just to the right of the monkey.

As directed, I imported 3 photos I had previously changed to Black & White with the regular editing function.

The photo size is ALL WRONG to print a real 4x6 photo, so the size can be modified with the releasing the small padlock under the grid. 

To print a real 4x6 photo with a grid on it, the measurements should be 1800 x 1200, not the initial square 2000 x 2000. You can incorporate either 2 or 3 photos. Just click the "x" over the unwanted photo element to remove it.

Then the photos that were downloaded can be dragged into each square.

Save, print and use on a clean line layout! Photo credit: Laure Handfield.

This layout was created with the November Main Kit at My Creative Scrapbook. Go check out their cool kits on their blog. It's a really cool place to hang out!

And here is the fun kit:

Obviously I didn't invent this process. This is what I found works easiest and fastest for a busy scrapper Mom like me, and I just wanted to share!

I also referred to this video where Monica Bradford sums it up really nicely on a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=047wIcUWD9I

If your link is "iffy"- you just search for "How to print a 3x4 photo for Project Life"...

Enjoy!

Some sightseeing stew for a biking layout-

It's already time for reveal sketch 99 at Let's Capture Our Memories and it's a cool one by Shirley Mijares Mascarina. I love how this sketch can be used different ways- the photos can be replaced by journaling elements, embellishments, there is tons to do with this sketch. And the background was begging for ink/ paint/ gesso... I'm not that comfortable with making a mess, and so I have lots to learn. I am however enjoying the learning process, and i actually broke out some gesso and a few masks for inking...

Here's the sketch:

And here is my take on the sketch. It's full of Jillibean Soup Sightseeing Stew.

I free stitched up the background after inking it up with some masks by Tim Holtz and Crafter's Workshop. I layered some of the 6x6 paper pad pieces under the picture and a cute Jillibean Soup placemat. I added a few brads and buttons and "Voilà!"

Here are a few details...

Hope you have fun with this one too!

Another beautiful sketch reveal!!

Happy sunny Saturday everyone! It's another sketch reveal at Let's Capture Our Memories and it's a really nice one! I just love Laura Whitaker's sketches- they always inspire me right away!

Isn't it beautiful? There's so much you can do with this one!! I knew right away which papers and which photo I wanted to use. It's been a crazy week here, and so I'm happy it all came together quickly!

I flipped it to suit my picture:

   And voilà!

It's a picture of DS#2 taken just before the first day of kindergarten, the journaling mentions his finer qualities- he's curious, helpful, happy, smiling, and lovable! I used just about the last of my Fancy Pants The Good Life collection. I've had an amazing run with this collection- it's just beautiful! I had no more solid pieces for a background, so out came the Jillibean Soup Staples III sheet! Hope you like it!

Guest Designer at My Creative Scrapbook!!!

A few weeks ago I was asked to be a Guest Designer at My Creative Scrapbook. Pam, the owner, puts together these amazing kits every month. In addition to being really cool kits, there is a ton of inspiration on the blog- http://mycreativescrapbook.blogspot.ca. It's an amazing place to find tutorials and examples of amazing layouts and projects.


I was assigned the main kit containing loads of papers and embellishments from Crate Paper- the Open Book collection by Maggie Holmes.

Here's an idea of how much pretty stuff you can make!

Here is what I came up with:

This is a September Photo shoot with the boys on the front steps, sitting on the wide ramp. It's getting to be quite the traditional spot for pictures. The journaling translates to "Sure our hands are full with a house full of active boys, but our house is also full of love.

These 2 pictures were taken at the Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, after our DS#2 got a birthday cupcake and a Winnie the Pooh card from the waitress. Piglet came along and as the other 2 kiddos were all enthused at getting their picture taken with Piglet, DS#2 hid under the table, overwhelmed by either the pink, or all the activity. Lol... The initial pictures are very hazy as it's extraordinarily bright in that dining room. I just couldn't resist scrapping them, as it was a day to remember...

And this one, I think, is the most feminine layout I have ever done. Ever. It's of me and my Mom, while on a camping trip. We took a selfie by the pool, something we should do more often, so we ladies get more space in the scrapbooks. We're mostly holding the camera, right? What better way to include ourselves and ensure our little ones will remember that we were there right along with them. 

And then, I found the perfect papers to highlight this soft muted picture of DS#2 being very sweet. He is generous, gentle, kind and all around happy!

Well that is it for now-

Go check out the rest of the reveal at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Creative-Scrapbook/130352440344752

Visit the the blog for cool inspiration! Interested in a kit membership? Pam has amazing kits for every taste and style! You can click here and visit My Creative Scrapbook!


There's some pretty amazing inspiration!

Last sketch for the present team!!!

Well, it's the last sketch of the term for this Let's Capture Our Memories Design Team. I was part of Team A and had loads of fun with the wonderful sketches and Aurélie's great coordinating job! Can't wait to see how much fun we have next term, as again, I'm part of team A... 

This is the last sketch, and both teams have united to create some layouts and cards based on this card sketch by Ana Castro. It's great! I loved it. It's so versatile. I can see myself using it again and again!

And this is DS#3 sleeping away on the chair. He had quite the morning jumping in piles of leaves, checking out his favorites, just general good clean autumn fun! The papers are from Echo Park, For the Record 2. The mask is Tim Holtz and I was surprised at the quality of ColorBok's white ink. 

Hope you enjoy this great November day!