My faux traveler's journal

I thought a lot about a journal mostly because

I'd start and stop one almost in the same breath.

But I became curious about the travel journal so I checked them

out of course.

And I really loved the concept - but I didn't want

to spend the money - especially with my track record

of incomplete journals.

So...I happened to be in Michaels where I did rearrange

their products because of indecision.

I did pick up a travelers journal- well actually three, I'd put

one in my cart, find another, switch them out, etc, and then

decided I really did not want to spend $40 for one.

So I happened to sashay by the art dept and there were 

art journals for $5.

Shazam.

I figured no harm no foul if I dumped this project after awhile.

However, since I'm already on a cut down on

some pages kick, this works out perfect for those

photos you want to scrap with a story to tell but don't

quite need their own 12x12 page.

 I have been tentative with stuff at first but I'm

really getting the hang of it and I think this one may

actually become a finished project.

 I'm trying to decide how much and what to put in there.

Because its not exactly a "private" journal if you know what I mean.

 And some days its an everyday thing and somedays not.

And I like that.

 Then some are goofy "filler" pages because 

it was fun.

 I'm liking the random, fun, goofy things.

Like getting ahead with the kids cards.

 I'm also getting a handle on the white background.

 And highlighting an adorable trinket a friend made

or just a note about missing mom.

 No explanation here.....

So far, that's January.

It's a great way to use up them PL cards

that mutate like bunnies, and its

a great way to highlight the little things that

make my day rock.

I sense a pattern here

In more ways than one -

getting photos out of the box

another pocket page

using up those PL cards that seem to

mutate like rabbits.

The more I use the more I find.

Favorite eldest son home on leave and mom

caught pictures of him relaxing.

I'm also using up a bunch of bits and bobs too 

which is wonderful.

Have a great weekend!

Grandkidlets in a Pocket Page

I'm kinda getting the hang and liking pocket pages.

I've used a bunch of PL cards and

then found more 😕.

I printed a bunch of photos in different sizes. 

Why? I'm really not sure.

Based on that indecision I broke out a different

design pocket page and started

laying them out.

Decision made!

It really worked out well having a bunch of 

random photos - especially when

its all the same family

but hey, it could work for all grands too.

Scrappy supplies packed and ready to go

Heading out for "The 2016 Leaf Peeping Tour!"

I was hemming and hawing about putting something together

to scrap on the road because it'll only be a week.

Then I remembered I had this smash book and thought

"how hard can that be" you just smash.

I did start out thinking - washi tape, adhesive, that should be easy.

But then punches, stamps, stickers, enamel dots 

sort of jumped into my zippered bags.

 I did start out with these cool bags from Studio Calico

and they kept getting bigger and BIGGER.

Of course I neeeeeed PL cards, alphas, words, tags, etc.

So silly me - TWO bags.

Can't have too many stamps.

Believe it or not it ALL fits in this box and of course, I've been

throwing last minute, can't live without odds and ends in.

So I noticed the de-embossed cover and

decided it was kinda plain.

I therefore, took different inks and smooshed them around

to bring it out and of course leaves I had in my stash.

There is a plastic cover that I put back on - which was like putting

a cat in the car, but it does protect everything.

 And since the first photos were blurry without the cover

I really REALLY didn't want to take it off and put it on again.

I did get carried away with the leaves on the back - but what the hey.

Had issues splatting white paint about - but if we run into snow

we are good to go.

The inside has papers that are really not conducive for leaf peeping

so we'll see how that goes. I did bring enough stuff to

cover things up.

I doubt I use the whole book - but ya never know.

We are headed to NC, TN and we'll see where that goes.

Going to be another fun trip.

A crisp, white look sortof

with pops of red and other colors

made me swoon.

Although,

I was really torn on this paper because I really

liked the B-side which is really

cool ledger looking.

However, when I tossed this photo on this polka dotted paper with 

the fun, colorful numbers as a mat there was no debate. 

 And I didn't want to overwhelm everything either.

So I kept the embellies light.

And believe it or not, I love mists, I adore mists,

but I was really going back and forth whether to include 

mists on the page.

 I have also been trying to use that red striped bag

forever. It does have a gold heart emblazoned on it and

I think that was my problem because I have 

issues covering up cool things like that.

 I also doodled the outline.

I know.

I'll give you a minute to recover from your shock.

So Lou's sweet smile is front and center and

that was the goal.

I also love the PL card that I cut down.

I KNOW - I'm just breaking all kinds of issues

that have been plaguing me.

Studio Calico, Spellbinder leaves (I think) from my die cut box.

Those hearts match the card better IRL.

And the mist really added that something extra.

But I do love the crispness of the entire page.

OKay - so if you follow me, you know I have been extremely annoyed

with apple no supporting aperture anymore, so I stumbled

upon Aftershot Pro3 and after viewing a couple

of videos - took the leap.

Anyone use that photoshop? If so, let me know.

Aperture does so many things behind the scenes that don't

need thinking about and keeps a lot of hoop jumping to a minimum

that is causing a great stumbling block for me to

be able to move on.

However, there is going to come a time when Aperture is

going to cease to exist and I need to be ahead of that disaster

so I can access my photos in the future.

I think Aftershot is the closest to modeling Aperture.

Fingers crossed I didn't waste my money.

A rainbow of colors

That is just too fun.

Love the stripes - it reminds me of fruit strip gum.

Is that still around???

I don't chew gum anymore. (sigh)

Anyhoo, used a bit of bazzill with punches, lots

of star punches as you will see.

 That tree die cut has been in my die cut/punch stash forever,

so glad I got to use it.

In full disclosure I did dither about with the title.

I just couldn't decide.

I did die cut a couple of titles that hopefully I'll use later.

One was one of those little alphas that you can do all the letters

in one couple of turns by Sissix.

They were too fat and chunky - but adorable all the same.

In fact the 2 is that alpha set.

The other is lemonade by QK.

Majority is Studio Calico stuff paper and PL cards and that 

yellow transparency.

Aren't those two adorable. 

As you can guess

I keyed the colors from their colorful jackets.