jessica*bree

Sharing some cards

I have really been into card making in the last few months and realized it might be nice to share some on my blog.  One thing I recently did was to create a few of my own printables to use on my cards.  I made a 4x6 sheet of hearts that I then created in various color combos I had pinned.  I printed them onto everyday photo paper and then cut circles and clouds out of the paper.  The reason for using photo paper is because the colors are so rich and vibrant.  

By making my own printables, I was able to pull together colors that I didn't have in any one paper line.  I used the color combos of the hearts to then gather papers from various lines for my cards.  It was a great way to use up left over papers :)

I have also been into layering, as you can tell from these cards!

The two cards above were both inspired by this color combo I pinned:

The one above is MY FAV colors lately, but I also played with some other combos...

 

I will share more cards soon!  Thanks for looking :)

 

Weekly Update

Okay trying to get back into updating my blog...

 

First an annoucement that I am now officially part of Scrapfreak as a DT member.  Come check it out!

www.scrapfreak.com

Now for my weekly update:

What I have been doing: Work took over my life for a while there.  Just so much travel and so much going on.  But this last week was my vacation and we just stayed at home.  I have LOVED every minute of it.  See scrappy page (bad blurry photos) about it at the bottom of this post.

 

What I have been thinking about: About getting balance back in my life.

 

What I have created: I worked a lot on my on-going smashbooks, creating several pages and doing some challenges for the crop over at scrapfreak.  I also knitted a bit.  I am almost done with my shawl I am making.  

 

What I have planned: NOTHING... its kind of nice.  But I am thinking about trying to do some of the knitting meet ups around here that I never made it to in the fall.

 

What I have been into: watching Felicity re-runs, eating too much cake from Nothing Bundt Cake, smashbooks, and buying new tops for work.

 

What I want to do: I want to be happy... to stress less.  This seems to be a theme lately :)

What things are part of your "style"?

Today I visited a scrappy blog that is pretty new to me and I started to notice that this particular scrapper has used some the exact same embellies, colors and shapes over and over on her last 15 pages or so.  I am sure this is something we all do... whether we are aware of it or not.  And over-time, what we are "into" on our projects probably changes some.  

 

So I decided to take a look at my own stuff and see what things stay the same and what has changed.  A few observations...  First MY PATTERNS. 

 

Everyone knows I LOVE to doodle

And I totally embrace the no photo layouts

I tend to love bold colors with neutral backgrounds

 

Lately, I keep doing pages with a block down one side of the page

 

I also really like grid designs...

 

BUT I do try some new things... I can see how I try to break out of routine here and there :)

I have noticed that I am trying slowly to get messier and experiment with paint and ink more...

And every so often I manage to use white space (something I am still trying to embrace)

So my CHALLENGE to YOU... blog at least TWO trends you see in your work and at least ONE thing you have been trying out that is new :)

j*b

My Banner Obsession

For some reason, I seem to decide to be into something AFTER everyone else.  I guess its part of what makes me unique!  Like I am in love all of a sudden with this band Whiskeytown.  I manage to "discover" this alt-country band AFTER they have already broken up... how sad.  

 

Well I know banners were the super hot thing months ago, but I have been on a big banner kick lately!

 

I made a banner for my good friend Mara for her bday.  Here is a little shot of the end of the banner.  I made it using scallop circles of patterned paper.  I love this paper from Graphic 45.

 

This week's sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches features banners!  So cute.  My take on the sketch.  This also serves double duty for the Mojo Monday challenge over at Creative Soup.

 

And a sneak of a banner I can't share until I give it away :D  

 

I'd love to see links to banners you have made or love :)

 

Happy New Year...

So its now officially 2011!  I hope some of you scrappy people will have some time tomorrow to come and play...

 

There is a launch party over at Creative Soup (we already have a challenge up!)

www.creativesoup.forumotion.com

and I will be sharing a new project tomorrow that I will inspire some of you to document more of your 2011!

Withdrawal

Were only gone Wednesday thru Monday but I was seriously experiencing some major scrapbook withdrawal!  So as soon as we got home and got settled I starting scrapbooking and ended up staying up to 3am.  I don't know how people go months without creating in some form... for me its just such a part of who I am to be crafty that I can't imagine going so long!

I am also now obsessed with washi tape.  I know I am bit late to join the obsession.  Mara bought some super skinny tapes (by accident - she thought they were wider) and they are PERFECT for my mini album I am doing for my class at Creative Soup in February.

and I loved using the skinny washi tape to create a journaling spot for my last Who's That Girl layout.

Today I will be working on a new year long project that I will reveal on Creative Soup during our launch party on the 1st! Be sure to join us :)  

Recent-ish Projects

I realized I often forget to share my projects on my blog!  So here are some Q4 items.

For Who's That Girl blog - I love the bold patterns... I was in a pattern mood for some reason.  The journaling is written on a series of card and flaps that I put together to create a fold out kind of journaling book.

 

For Sassy Lil' Sketches

Photo of me and my cousins as kids.  I just love this photo!

For Scrapfreak DT work

I used a calendar type of paper as the background and played with paint on this one.  I don't usually paint on layouts and it was a bit awkward for me :)  But its fun to try new things!  I did like using the paint to add some depth to the scallops I cut out of the paper.

Sassy Lil' Sketches "Hidden" Treasure Blog Hop!

So if you are scrapper, I have something fun for you this week :)  We are having a Blog Hop… Sassy Lil’ Sketches  style! We want you to get to know the new Sassies (and some returning Sassies like me are included too!)  In addition to seeing some great projects on each blog in the hop, there are some pretty fabulous prizes to win!  Inspiration and free scrappy stuff, what more could ya want?

The details:

Sassy Lil’ Sketches “Hidden” Treasures Blog Hop 
August 23rd through August 30th, 9 PM. EST. 

The Sassy Lil' Sketches "Hidden" Treasures Blog Hop starts at Sassy Lil' Sketches (http://sassylilsketches.blogspot.com) where you will find two sassy sketches and the rules for the blog hop. 

My layout for the hop, using the second sketch.  I really had fun with this and used this new Kaiser Craft line for my DT projects for my fav LSS Sweet Memories.  I chose to replace four of the squares with a larger focal photo.  I really had fun with this sketch!

 

 

 
The Sassies, in order of the blog hop in case you get lost at any time: 
Aimee (http://optimisticscrappiness.blogspot.com)
Amanda (http://amandajonesblog.blogspot.com) 
Amy (http://gebmom.blogspot.com) 
Brenda B. (http://brendasscrappyblog.blogspot.com) 
Brenda R. (www.roseblossomlegacies.blogspot.com) 
Carla (www.carlarausin.blogspot.com) 
Cherie (http://boywouldntyouliketoknow.blogspot.com/) 
Cheryl (http://cherylswindow.blogspot.com) 
Christine (http://scrappinshimano.blogspot.com/) 
Deanna (http://momentstocherish-deanna.blogspot.com/) 
Debbie (www.scrapenabler.blogspot.com/) 
Denise (http://lalasworldblog.blogspot.com/) 
Isabelle (Zabou) ( http://zabouscrap.canalblog.com/) 
Jessica Bree (www.jessicabree.typepad.com) 
Katie (http://scissorsspatulasandsneakers.blogspot.com) 
Kelly (www.meluv2scrap.blogspot.com/) 
Laura (www.findingthejoyineachday.blogspot.com/) 
Martine (http://scrapcatslove.blogspot.com/) 
Nancy (http://homesclscrapper.blogspot.com/) 
Rebecca (http://houseofhenrie.blogspot.com/) 
Sandra (http://buttonsandbowsandmore.blogspot.com/) 
Shana (www.yayaprincessblog.blogspot.com) 

Our awesome, amazing, and completely generous sponsors for Sassy Lil’ Sketches “Hidden” Treasure Blog Hop: 
Xyron (www.xyron.com) 
Thoughts 2 Paper (www.thoughts2paper.com) 
Scrappy Jo (www.shopscrapbooksupplies.com) 
Crop Stop (www.cropstop.com) 
Apron Strings ( www.apronstringsdesigns.com) 
Crop Chocolate (www.cropchocolate.com) 
BoBunny (www.bobunny.com)

Sugar CRASH

This past weekend I went to Sugar Rush!  A birthday celebration for my fav LSS Sweet Memories.  It was a really cool event, lasting all weekend, with lots of cropping, plenty of shopping (Erin had new CHA product in!) and 3 adorable classes by the super talented Debby Shuh.  True to the name, Sugar Rush was full of delicious sugary treats as well.  I had rock candy, birthday cake, chocolate, coke, sweet tea, and some much other sugary goodness that its no surprise I am now crashing!  :)  But it was the most fun I have had in a long time and I am glad I went.  I can't wait for the event next year!

A few snapshots I took:

Total silliness at the onsite "store" 

 

I loved these candies!  Erin & I both say they taste just like sixlets... a little taste of my childhood.

Megan with all the tools and machines we had to play with

One of Debby's amazing classes!

 

More sugar :)

Um, what is wrong Jenn???  I swear she looks like a toddler in a timeout in this pic :)

One tiny shot of all the incredible new CHA stuff Erin ordered!  Sweet Memories has the most amazing collection of Prima!  Worth stopping by the store for sure!

   

Now this is much better!  The infamous Jenn & Jenn.  

   

And proof I scrapped :)

AND...

Be sure to come back tomorrow or Tuesday to check out the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog hop and see what I made for it :)  

Rituals & Routines in Your Life

When it comes to scrapbooking and capturing the little details of life, I have this sort of obsession with rituals and routines.  You know, those little things we all do over and over, like our morning stop to Starbucks, or our annual trip to pick apples with family.  I love to scrapbook about my rituals, documenting the details of them and what they mean to me.  I encourage others to record theirs.  I can scrap about this topic endlessly.  So today, I asked myself WHY?  What is the allure for me?

I think for me, my personal rituals are what make up the fabric of my life. I am shocked as I get older how fast time goes by.  And things are always changing.  Change is good, but can be stressful as well. And in the middle of all this constant change, there are these moments in time when we participate in our little rituals... the simple repetitions in our life.  Our rituals are easy and expected.  We do them without even thinking about it.  And the fact that we know what to expect can be a gift.  I take great comfort in knowing that Christmas Eve dinner at my mom's will be prime rib and mashed potatoes.  I look forward to each year.  Its a constant.  And just as importantly, rituals are often part of how we connect with others.  Sharing that same meal each year with my family makes me feel connected to my family and reminds me that we have these shared experiences that I will always cherish.

I have done challenges to document holiday rituals before, and had people tell me they have none.  And this I find hard to believe.  We are creatures of habit.  Most of us have these things we do over and over, virtually the same way each time.  Take time to capture a routine you or your family has.  It can be an everyday routine or a special routine.  Take pictures of the routine or objects that are part of the routine.  Think about how the ritual started and how it has evolved.  I challenge you to do this AND BLOG about it.  Link back to here when you have and may just have a little gift for one person who does so :)