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This morning I got a chance to scrapbook for the first time in a few weeks.  The kids were playing really nicely together (playing restaurant- making up menus, then serving each other and their dolls) so I scooted downstairs to start on a layout.  They were playing on the floor right above my head, so I could keep a good ear out on what was happening and come upstairs whenever some type of fairness intervention was needed (“Mommy, she won’t share the cash register with me!”).  I got a good start on this one while they were playing and finished it off later in the day.

Personaility
12 X12 layout

This layout features the lovely Sophie in her serious mood, and in her happy mood (with Charlie).  I love how Scott captured her happy closed eyes, as well as her staring right into the camera (she’s the master of the stare-down).  I used a piece of Sassafras for the background paper, from their Life is Beautiful collection.  I’m gonna miss their papers (sniff)… but I’m resisting the urge to hoard it.  Most other elements and papers are Basic Grey from their OffBeat collection.  The journalling tag is from their Life of the Party collection.

Personality closeup1

I made the title frame for the words “quite the” using Basic Grey and October Afternoon paper and my circle and scallop circle Nestabilities.  I luv my nesties, but hadn’t used them in awhile.  Three of the 4 fonts I used (Thickers and Sassafras) had glitter on them and the rest of the layout looked kind of flat compared to the concentrated area of sparkle, so I blinged out the bird and butterfly using my Stickles, which I also luv, but hadn’t used in awhile.  I used a few ribbon scraps to add some texture, as well as crinkling and gathering the striped paper strip.

Personality closeup 2

I sewed some buttons onto the middle flower sticker, added an epoxy brad to the orange flower, and a goggly eye for the birdie.  I used plant-related embellishments to go along with the theme of growth.

This was a fairly basic layout that makes use of the visual triangle.  There are 3 clusters of embellishments surrounding the photos.  One along the right vertical edge of the layout; one on the lower left corner of the photos, and a small one in the top left corner.  After choosing the blue letters for the word personality, I tried to add the same shade of blue to each of the three clusters.  Adding the ribbon scraps allowed me to spread the colour around the layout while also adding texture.  There are 3 plant embellishments, 3 of the scalloped paper strip, 3 of the coloured paper strip, 3 things with glitter (the letters, the birdie, and the bfly), and three sets of text (if you include the journalling spot).  Although I rarely plan out my layouts (I do occasionally use sketches), I always find that using the visual triangle on the fly helps me come up with a quick layout that looks balanced and planned.

And here is the process vid:

Mercy Tiara

Mercy Tiara

You may be wondering who is Mercy Tiara, and why the name? MercyTiara is an anagram of my first and middle names, Tracy Marie. I discovered this name in the 90's in grad school when we were all coming up with alter egos for one another in a lab one day. I've used it ever since, but you can call me Tracy or MercyTiara, or anything you want... just don't call me late for supper!

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