Kindergarten Graduation

I'm doing my best to incorporate more "white" space into my layouts, and not worry about trying to fill every inch of the layout. I used six vertical photos to cover an entire row across both pages, butted up right against each other. I used a solid color as the background, but found two fun patterned papers and one other solid to surround the photos. I originally made the title a lot bigger in bold colors, but felt it took away from the photos, so I changed it to a much more subtle and smaller title. Then I added flowers and buttons that matched the striped paper at the bottom for a fun, playful, and youthful look!

Tyrone Wells

I credit this great layout to the great paper I used! I wanted it to be hip and unique, since the event was a cool, hip private concert. I took the colors from the wall and couch in the photos, then found the large polka dot paper and solid green to match. The edges already had the inked look, so I made it my own by carefully cutting out the flower design on the red paper. I added the flowers and brads for more depth, and used grungeboard for the first time. The grungeboard I purchased was already cut into several different shaped sizes, and the diamond-shaped pattern is already on the pieces. I simply inked the sides and top, used a square hole punch for the edge, and attached some fiber. I think the material really worked with this particular theme/layout, so now I'm looking into using it in different ways. I used coordinating fiber and stapled it on the left side of the layout. I used sticker letters for the title, and attached the actual tickets to the layout. I love using personal items/touches from events to add to the layout- they give it a very personal, real touch. They don't always match or "go", but I say use them anyway- they're a great reminder of your event!

Preschool Princess

I loved this big bold, lettered paper, but I needed to find a way to decrease it's intensity, and not detract from the pictures. I chose to make a 1/2 inch border with it on the right side and just use a couple inches as a continuing background on the left side. I chose coordinating solid colors to back a few of my pictures with, make a journaling box, and make the title. Notice that they're different shades of blue, including the letters in the title. I just cut out different letters at random, and it turned out really well. The pictures on the right side in a tall column were three separate photos that I cropped to the same width and stacked as a progression of events. To soften it a little more, I rounded all of the edges of my photos and paper.

Our 2nd Trip to:

I always have lots of beach/vacation pictures, and want to maximize the number of pictures in beach/vacation layouts. I was able to use 8 pictures in this picture concentrated layout! I cropped a few 3x5 photos in order to make the pictures and patterned paper (Me & My Big Ideas) cover the entire top of the pages, them made another row to do the same. I used the "empty" space on the photos to add embellishments, such as chipboard and a stamped quote. Don't be afraid to attach embellishments directly onto your pictures! To get the wave effect, I used a curvy template, traced it directly onto my photos and then hand-cut them. Another option is to past the pictures to another blank sheet of paper, then draw the template on the blue paper and past on top of the photos. I chose a cute patterned paper and die-cut the sandals, added flower eyelets to each, and die-cut the 2 in. letters from Bazzill bling paper. I embellished the tag with coordinating ribbon, staples, and eyelets, and then added orange gems where needed. I think it makes a great eye-catching, monochromatic layout, with a little extra pizazz!