In Depth: Becoming Jane

I've decided to start a new occasional series on my blog called "In Depth."  Basically, every so often, I'll take an art project I've made and pick it apart a little bit more.  Not a tutorial, really, but a chat about process; the thoughts behind each element.  I'd love some feedback on whether or not you like this and the other kinds of things you'd like to know about!

We're starting with this page:

I made it from the October Label Tulip kit:

For me, scrapbooking is usually about two things: telling a story and expressing myself artistically.  This layout is a perfect example of both. 

I teach a journaling class at my local scrap store, in which I emphasize and over-emphasize and then emphasize again, the great importance of telling your story.  I always say:

"A picture is worth a thousand words, but everyone's thousand is different.  So, tell yours!" 

I start most layouts with my journaling.  For this one, I knew that I had a lot to say.  So I figured that typing the journaling was the best idea.  However, my beautiful blue scalloped paper (you can see it in the kit photo above - blue cloud-like scallops around a white center) would not fit into my 8.5x11" typewriter.  Well, what's a girl to do? 

Here's where the artistic expression part comes in.  I chopped out the center of the blue paper (using an exacto knife, glass mat and no ruler - I wanted a wavy line).  Once I had the correct size paper, I set to creating the photo cluster.

Every layout has constraints.  It may be the colors in the photograph you're using.  It may be the product that you either have to or want to use.  It may be how much time you have to work on it.  For this layout, I knew that whatever I put in the center of the layout had to fit through the rollers of my typewriter.  So, I knew that I wanted to use very flat objects.  Therefore, the center collage consists of two strips of patterned paper, a large round sticker, several flowers cut from a piece of patterned paper, and a title made from stickers inlined with a white pen.

The danger of creating a totally flat layout is that your layout loses its sense of oomph.  To ensure that I still had oomph, I chose bright colors and objects that had a frisky and energetic line (like the wonky flowers).

The white pen on top of the letter stickers...

...and the Shimmerz ink drops...

...also add an energetic line and a sense of texture and movement without a lot of bulk.

Once my inside collage was complete, I set to typing my journaling, which I also kept irregular.  Thus bringing even more movement to the page.  Now, it was time to re-insert the center section into the blue scalloped outside.  I could have Frankensteined the paper together.  Nobody would have noticed the seams.  But instead, I decided to take advantage of the design opportunity by cutting the center section down and placing it on top of a piece of red cardstock.  When I reinserted it into the center of the blue scallop paper, I was left with a funky red border around the page. 

One of the things I always do when a layout is "finished" is step back and take another look.  Well, when I stepped back from this one, I could see that the inside didn't match the outside.  The inside had life and energy and the artist's hand was visible.  To rectify the situation, I doodled around the outside edge of the blue scalloped paper - a thin white line on the outside and a series of small dots on the inside of the edge.  

 Ah, bliss.  The two parts now matched in style and feeling!  How perfect!  And here's the finished layout, once again:

I hope you enjoyed this peek into my creative process.  Thanks for stopping by!

Comments

[Yvonne Y]

Really cool Julie! Thanks for a peek into your creative process...I like this idea of going in-depth on a layout...Have always enjoyed your unique style! :)

[nat]

such a cool idea to write this down - love the progress and ideas!!!

[sue brown]

I love how you are breaking things down, this really gives us an insight into your process.

[Cristina Tronco]

Love this new section of your blog! it really adds to scrapbookers who love what you do but dont even know where to start to get that vibe you always have on your pages! thanks a lot for sharing you creative process with us!

[Ania]

I for one enjoy reading chitchat about layouts, so sure, go ahead :) Maybe I´ll be better at sharing my own process too whenever I feel like actually having something sensible to say :)

[Vel]

I love the in-depth feature and I love this page. It amazes me how much work went into it...but it's just fabulous! Can't wait to get my kit.

[mariam]

hi Julie,

what's your opinion about shimmerz? are they the same as glimmer mist?

I really love this LO the last time u revealed it, and its such a treat to know more about it esp the thought process! love the details and all. thanks for sharing

[Melanie K.]

Keep it coming! I love your funky, artsy edge ... and have no idea how to do it myself. So any tips, tricks and "this is how I see it"s is more than welcome!

[Mandy]

Showing, explaining & sharing the PROCESS of how to make the kind of layouts I want to be making.... YAY! I am SO extrememly pleased about this!!!! THANK-YOU. Seriously. Taking your class feels like I now have a big bunch of cool 'tools' but I was still unsure of the 'blueprint' of making a page. I think I'm getting it!!
Thanks,
Mandy

[angie]

i love this! the process is so much more interesting than just knowing where the items come from. i hope you keep doing this - you are so awesome to share!

[Carol]

Love you sharing the "story" behind the "story". You're so creative and I'm glad you like to share your creativity with us!!!

[Sue Clarke]

I like to see "inside your brain" for the making of a LO. It helps me to develop my own style. I love your use of white ink and find that folks often comment they like my titles when I outline my letter stickers with the white gel goodness;)

[Karolynah]

This has been VERY helpful Julie. Seeing how those wonderful layouts are conceived and then tweaked as you go along make sit look so simple and easy to do. It's always so inspiring to stop by your blog!

[Renata Pacheco]

Love this new section! It's a big class about your creativity proccess. Thank you for sharing!

[Lydia Jackson]

Great layout, love all the unique touches, the ink drops, the penwork. Wonderful!

[amy lapi]

i LOVE "in depth" :)