a layout...step by step

i often get the question,

how do you scrapbook.

i know, as a scrapper,

it is always

fun to learn the process

that other scrappers use

to complete a layout.

so, today,

while creating,

i documented each step.

here is a layout...

step by step.

the first thing i always do is

pick my pictures.

i do not ever scrap in 

an order or rarely have 

a plan on what i will scrap.

these are some pics

of lu from disney.

usually, if i choose multiple

photos, some of them

may get left out by the time

the layout is done.

that was the case on

this layout.

i ended up only using 3 of these.

the next thing i always do is gather

a variety of papers

that i want to use.

i usually end up way overdoing

the amount of paper.

i also try to pick from a variety of

different brands and color schemes.

it is rare that my layouts are

very matchy matchy.

the next thing i do is pick some stuff

that i want to incorporate on my page.

again, some of this stuff will

get left out and some other stuff

that i haven't chosen usually

gets added.

however, when i have some special stuff

in mind, i want to make sure

it makes its way on the page.

again,

i just pick stuff i like.

no rhyme or reason.

the first thing i usually 

lay on the page

is the paper.

(unless the background

doesn't involve paper)

more paper gets added

and then the pictures. i try to 

use different textures on the

background to add interest

and depth.

then, i start to add some

embellishments where i feel

they look good.

this step usually takes forever

with way too much thinking.

i end up moving things around 100

times before i commit.

i like things to look balanced

with being totally symmetrical.

on this layout,

i added some mist.

usually, when i mist,

i cover everything else up

except exactly where i want the mist.

i do not like the unpredictability of it.

i want the control.

lol.

so, as you can see,

you don't always love what you

do and there are sometimes things

that just look terrible.

this mist is an example.

for some reason, it was

super watery. 

i hate the way it looked.

i went on to try and fix it

with some black paint

to add a touch of black to pull in the

border of the pics.

again,

i hated the paint.

it just looked like a hot mess.

i covered the top arrow up with

some more embellishments

and didn't quite mind the second one

after.

one of the last steps

that i always do is add my title.

i usually have one in mind when i start

my layout but it is one of

the last things to go on the page.

i do it last because

i like to tie all the colors

and styles in from the page

with the type of letters i use.

i used to never journal on my layouts.

i would either type my journaling

or have vera write it for me.

i learned to embrace my

handwriting. 

(even though i'm still

not crazy about it)

my wonderful friend

miss lily told

me once that my kids

will want to see my story

in my handwriting

and i agree.

and there you have it

the finished product.

i must add that the last thing i do,

before the title and journaling

is glue everything down.

i hate gluing down before

i am absolutely sure i am done.

it does create issues but that's just

how i have always done it.

commitment scares me.

i am so glad i finally had

time to scrap

and to put some effort into a blog post.

i gave the blog a little makeover

and i hope you all like it.

i am definitely enjoying this 

spring break.

i have so much time to catch

up on all sorts of random things

i have been wanting to do.

i plan on making lots more

things tonight.

hope you are all

enjoying your week.

ash...