Did you notice the "Link with Love" blinkie in the sidebar? There has been much chatter on some online forums in the last while about copying/stealing ideas and when does a scraplift stop being a 'lift' and become theft. It's a wide open topic that is not easily summarized in a sentence or two. But what I think it comes down to is, if you knowingly are inspired by something while creating your project, simply give credit where it is due and never submit a project for publication or DT work if you've done a major 'lift' in the piece's creation. Stay tuned to Practical Scrappers as we plan to share some great inspired lifts this month.
When I decided in mid-January to do this TEA endeavour this month, I had decided that I would have a few layouts from scrapbooking stars printed off for inspiration, along with some sketches and challenges, much like Karen Grunberg did back in May 2010. So while the first 3 layouts were inspired by sketches, this layout was inspired by this beautiful layout by Amber Packer for My Mind's Eye. I loved that she layered the punched borders, her gorgeous handcut flowers, and her little tucked in journaling spot. When I was shopping in January, I had selected these papers to go with this photo - they happen to be My Mind's Eye, though not the same collection that Amber used.
The photo is one that Sarah took of herself in the mirror when she was experimenting with her new camera. She made many faces, some very silly, but this one, with its slightly serious, slightly introspective expression captured me - I knew I wanted to scrapbook it.
It is not unusual for me to devise a long title. This one is an adaptation of a novella by James Joyce, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
She is a young artist - so creative and expressive. She snaps good pictures - I've scrapped several of them. She's a beautiful dancer, and as we have recently found out, she has a very animated narrative style of giving her character a voice when she's writing a short story.
Using my Bigz Fun Flowers die, I ran several sides of the patterned paper through the Cuttlebug, and then got to work creating these gorgeous multi-layered flowers. I used the distress tool and ink on them before adhering them together.
The flower centres are epoxies I created using a system created by Epiphany Crafts. These remind me of the Build-a-Brad system I used to use with Stampin' Up, but it's even easier! Epiphany has created an all-in-one punch tool, so you simply slide the paper into side of the punch, place the bubble in a hole in the top, slide in the plastic lever, close the top and push down! No more fussy with tiny punch outs and trying to get them lined up with a bubble. Yes, I love this tool! Don't those flower centres look gorgeous? And don't you love the metal setting I then placed the round epoxy in for one of my flowers.
Epiphany Crafts is doing a design team call, and since I love playing with buttons, epoxies and brads, I thought I'd submit for the team. Wish me luck as hundreds of scrapbookers apply for these things!
One more shot to try to show you the depth of layers I was able to accomplish - love that adhesive foam. Wish I had invented it!
For the journaling card, I ran the packaging that the MME pearl flourish came on through the Cuttlebug with the Bigz Top Note die. It already had lines on it, so I just distressed the edges and inked and started writing. I'm trying to get past the "this was taken in December a day after you got your camera" to something more meaningful, so the journaling reads:
"You took this shot a few days after Grandpa gave you a new camera. I hope when you look in the mirror ou see what I see - a beautiful person inside & out! You're so creative, whether it's writing a story, taking a photo or dancing. I really hope you see what God sees - his poema, His work of art, for His purpose. (Eph. 2:10)"
I'll be back with another project soon - so far I'm staying on schedule with my creating, and I'm almost caught up with the blogging about it!
How are you enjoying my February TEA (Treating myself Everyday to my Art) so far?
Blessings,
Ann
