Cropping away...or will be soon.

Posting from a scrapbook retreat at Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland hosted by the awesome Christa Wildesen. The theme for this retreat is the Wizard of Oz, and I decorated my book table with a scene using vinyl and wine bottles. Decorating wine bottles seems to be a new hobby for me. I don't know what it is about using bottles as my canvas, but I like challenge it creates and trying to envision what new role the bottle can serve besides holding wine.

For the first time, I actually did pare down the amount of scrapbooking supplies I brought to the crop. I usually say I'll bring less as I only use about half of what I brought, but always end up with the exact same amount of stuff. This time I actually did and I have plenty of table space without feeling crowded. This weekend I plan to test the theory that with less stuff, I'll scrapbook more pages. (Once I get off the computer to scrapbook rather than catching up on messages and writing blog posts.)
Wish me luck!

Scrapbooking: A Mix of Traditional Pages and Pocket Pages Part II

Last week, I talked about one of my methods for combining traditional and pocket pages: the "sandwich" method as I called it. This is when I start the multi-page layout with a traditional page, add in pocket pages, and then end with a traditional style scrapbook layout.
https://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/2019/03/scrapbooking-mix-of-traditional-pages.html

The other method I use s starting with a title page in a traditional layout out style with the pocket pages following it, having the last pocket page (usually a "back" page) end that particular event. I usually use the last page to include any extra pictures that didn't fit into any of the main themes of the pocket pages and/or to include memorabilia.

This layout, Playing Torrey Pines, as a total of 11 pages so I didn't include them all. A few of the pocket slots have a muted color card stock that I will add journaling or interesting facts about the golf course on. I haven't completed the journaling yet as I need my husband and son to let me know what to write.

Title page for the event. I plan to add some journaling
in the "white" space underneath the top photos.

The guys took pictures of each sign for the holes and then a couple shots while
they were golfing. I wanted to include all the pictures that were important
to them which is why this event has 11 pages.

The beige card will have a journaling on it. Still debating between
handwriting or using the Cricut to write the journaling.

The end page. One of the pictures will be removed to add in
a scorecard. And seeing the photo of the page, I think I'll trim down
the middle photo on the left side so I can mat it. I'd like the
Torrey Pine sign to stand out more, which will help give it
more of the end page look I prefer.

Learning to Make SVGs

On my quest of "doing" this year, I wanted to learn how to make my own SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) cutting files. I love using my die cutting machines (Silhouette Came and Cricut Explore Air), and since I switched offices about a year ago, I find I'm using them more. The set up for my new office and craft room allows me to have the cart with my machines right beside the computer desk, making it easy to hook them up. I don't have to rearrange chairs or carry a machine to the desk to use it.  

There have been some files that I wanted for a scrapbook layout and wasn't able to find them in either of the design places for the machines, and the ones I found on Etsy or from SVG shops weren't the style I wanted. It seems a lot of the designs lean more to "cutesy" and some pages I'd like something more formal for my pages. I had wished I knew how to make them and when I saw a class was created by a crafter/blogger I follow, I decided to give it a try. It's an online go at your own pace course. Just my style as if I'm not getting a lesson, I can go back and watch it again.

The first couple of classes I wasn't sure if I'd make it through, my brain just couldn't seem to comprehend what I needed to do, and it seems I'm not coordinated to use the pen tool. It took me hours to make one small, simple flower petal. I don't know if something is off my my hand coordination or if it's just something I have to practice doing to get a better hang of it (my husband believes it's the latter). There's just something not clicking in my head in how to curve the lines. I've re-watched multiple times and I can never get it to curve in the proper direction and the instructor makes it look so easy. I might check YouTube for some more tutorials on how using the pen tool in Inkscape. 

End of last week, the lesson was using the trace feature. This option I like. It still took me a while but I love the pop-up card that I made. I need a little more practice as there was an extra cut on the image I made, but it was easier for me to figure out than the pen tool. I can't wait to create a couple more files through the tracing method. 

Crafting Away --Pooh and Friends

I have a crop coming up the first full weekend in April (5-8) and the theme for the weekend retreat is Once Upon a Time Storybook. Usually, I don't decorate my table (or myself) to match the theme but decided this year to give it a go. I choose Winnie the Pooh as I had a costume in mind, most of the required pieces I own and only need to make two items. Then there was the fact that I could make use my Pooh Cricut cartridge to create some characters.

At this crop, I'll have 2 tables (one cropping, one for my books) the theme for one will be scrapbooking mysteries and the other Winnie the Pooh. My first big decision was deciding on the main size for the characters I thought about going "big" but didn't want to just toss the die cuts away or have no real use for them so I went with six inches, big enough for them to be seen at my table but not so large they wouldn't later fit on a scrapbook page.

Today I've taking a break from writing to work on my decorations (the crazy weather also sets off my migraine and while I can craft with a lingering headache...writing not so much). I have a five of them done and still need to make Kanga, Roo, Owl, Eeyore, and of course Rabbit. I've looked in my designs and don't see one for Christopher Robin so unfortunately he'll be left out.