I had SUCH a great time with this blog series this month.I might just have to do it every year.
Thanks to all of you for reading every day and thanks for all of the encouraging and lovely comments. 🙂
I wanted to close out this series with a new layout. I’m still committed to my 2012 scrap resolution…having fun. I am making things that are authentically me. Not worrying about whether I am doing the latest trends or keeping up with what is “in”.
Right now there is a very specific trend in scrapbooking. I LOVE looking at these pages…ink blots,beautiful layers,controlled mess. sewing,ink,etc,die cut machines…lots of really cool stuff.
Unfortunately…I couldn’t pull off that look if I tried.And I HAVE tried. I would love to have the naturally cool style of Marcy Penner or Jen Johner. I’ve admired it for years.haha!
But you know what? I’m okay with that. Today’s *love*ly thing?
Being okay with NOT being on trend. 🙂 If you look back at my pages over the years, they kind of all look the same.
I do girly. Florals,mismatched colors and patterns,doilies,butterflies,lace,ribbons. Always have,probably always will!
Now and then I’ll get emails that all of my pages are the same. Or that my pages are messy (I don’t really get this one as much),or that I am boring b/c I don’t do many techniques.
And I am okay with that.
I am not the worlds most complicated scrapbooker. I am not the world’s most inspirational scrapooker-technique wise.
But I put my heart on every page. And i LOVE this hobby.
And I am more than okay with that.
In the past there have been times I’ve tried to fit in. See the tiny photo debacle of 2009 or the misting disaster of 2011. I don’t have fun when I do that. Those pages don’t feel authentic to me. If I’m not doing what comes naturally to me,then I don’t enjoy the process.
I finally discovered that I have to take trends and adapt them to make them be more me. Washi tape for example. Using it in traditional ways doesn’t work for me. But cutting it to look like ribbon edges? That worked. Misting. I can NOT for the life of me pull of that cool “casually misted”look. But using a doily as a template? That worked for me.
So here’s to a lovely,lovely thing.Being okay with being vanilla.Being okay with doing what makes me happy.
Being okay with my pages looking like “me”. And frankly? I am okay with them all looking similar. Because in the end? I will be the one looking at them. 🙂
And hopefully someone will appreciate and want them somewhere down the line. That’s the good thing about having four girls. Hopefully ONE of them will want the albums. HAHAH!
Happy Wednesday my sweet friends. I hope you spend today doing what makes you happiest.xoxo
cardstock-core’dinations;patterned paper-studio calico (new take note collection);washi-freckled fawn;ribbon,jewels,butterflies,doily,stickers-studio calico happy little moments kit;cardstock doily,flowers-crate paper;tag-martha stewart;butterfly-studio calico daydream believer kit
photo by carrie crowder
love.. love.. love.. love.. love
your work, photos etc name it!
=}
I have really enjoyed your “love*ly” posts this month, and closing it out with today’s post seems very fitting. I don’t know why people would criticize someone else’s scrapbooking style..?? I just don’t get it, I guess. I personally love your scrappy style, and the fact that you hand-write your journalling. Your girls will cherish your pages all the more because of it!
Love your work, and this layout is no exception! Keep doin what you’re doin, if you love them that’s all that matters!
oh my, that page is just gorgeous and those eyes are amazing. Thanks for sharing lots of loveliness through the month of Feb. I totally agree with you – I’m not up with the trends but I love what I do and so do my girls and that’s all that matters xx
you know what my favorite ice cream is???
vanilla. REAL vanilla.
the kind that is real and true and just so perfect.
so to be vanilla?
is pretty amazing.
love you.
xoxooxo.
I love that you are you. You are girly. I love that about you. I am not so girly, but I try. I wish I was more girly. Every time I dress up girly or get my nails or hair done, I always get ‘what is the special occasion?’ Sometimes I feel that I am in a rut and I just need to feel pretty. Maybe, I am a bit too casual or ordinary most days, but like you say ‘I am okay with that’. We are who we are.
Well, I have always loved your layouts because they were a distinct style. I remember layouts you did years ago and they are still “current” today. I actually like the real you pages the best. I think a lot of people get caught up in scrapbooking with most current techniques & put pressure on themselves. Thanks for the post!
Thank you for the lovely post. I love your work and your blog. I don’t find anything vanilla about either. 🙂
*Love*ed the posts this month. And seriously – who in the jose would take their time to email you or write a comment on here to tell you that your layouts are all the same or messy? that just seems so CRAZY. i know there are rude people out there – but, oh my goodness, people just continue to shock me. All my pages look the same because – and now this is EARTH SHATTERING – I made them. Anyway – rant done. Beautiful page!
Beautiful layout Stephanie. Your style are SO NOT vanilla!! One of my goals this year it to not worry about what everyone else is doing. Do my own thing. And this post is awesome, I love it! You rock! 🙂
This page is beyong LOVELY, so stunning. One of my all-time faves of yours! Have a lovely day.
so much of this resonated with me. i think for years i tried to fit myself into the trendy molds of scrapbooking and did NOT enjoy it one little bit! i have found that the crazy imperfect way i like to scrap is PERFECT for me and i can only spend about 30 mins or less on a page or it drives me NUTS!! haha! isn’t this the lesson of life? be true to who you are and quit trying let comparison steal your joy or be someone who you weren’t meant to be. God made each and every one of us an original!! Blessings today, sweet friend!! xoxo
Dear Stephanie,
I think if your LOs are similar this means that you have already your own style. That’s why the LOs of beginners normally look all different – they are trying out various techniques, trying to find out what is best for them, for their future style. You know already what is good for you, what you can do good, and that’s the main thing.
I would really be glad to can make such pages like you do… So keep on doing what you like, and don’t worry about what people having too much time say.
Your regular posts are also great !
Have a nice day and week !!
VANILLA!?!?! Hardly, but if you insist, then may I say that you’ve got some seriously lovely sprinkles on top with a side of pretty pink strawberries! I think your style is *lovely* and I’m glad you’re okay with it…I’m more than okay with it, that’s why I keep looking. 🙂
The great thing about scrapbooking is that we can each have a different style as we document our memories. I don’t think you can find two people that scrapbook the same.
I think your pages are beautiful – they are YOU – and should be celebrated. Poo on the ones who are snarky and insulting about YOUR (not THEIR) style.
🙂
Thanks for the lovely month of February! Your life, your scrapbooks, your style … that’s the whole point, isn’t it? And you are right, that.is.ok. Especially when you are having fun creating and keeping yourself open to new things, even if it is just to confirm that they are not for you. TFS 😉
I LOVE your style. Don’t try to change anything. Always keep doing what you love and feel is authentic because like you said, in the end it’s for you and your family. You inspire me with all your layouts so don’t stop!
I too love ALL of your layouts! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for all the posts this month and especially the one today. I see all the cool new stuff and want to try it but don’t feel like I can pull it off. Thanks for reminding me that its o.k. to have your own style. The cool thing about scrapbooking, I think, is there is no wrong way to scrapbook. What fits you and your style is great and I love it.
“I am making things that are authentically me. Not worrying about whether I am doing the latest trends or keeping up with what is “in”.”
I think this is so important!! I like to experiment and try different styles with my scrapbooking, but I somehow always manage to come back to me and what I do well. And you are right. It is ok.
I guess what I don’t understand is why people feel it’s necessary to email you and say such negative things. It makes me wonder why anyone would feel that is a good idea. I think what I enjoy most about your pages is the beautiful journaling and photos. I don’t generally look to you as a technique person (and that is OK)I have scraplifted a few of your “ideas”. And those are some of my favorite pages 🙂
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful posts this month! 🙂
just do you, no one can do what you do true!
My favorite ice cream is vanilla – as is my style. I, like you, have tried to be “different”. Finally decided it has to be what is in my heart. Love your work, your blog and vanilla!
So many great posts this month. Thank you for putting this series together for us. You are the most amazing scrapper! I love your style, everything about it! I am still trying to find my own style and what works best for me. Right now I am loving project life and mini books. (I know you have mentioned mini books in the past, would you ever share some with us?) You are a constant inspiration and I honestly hope I will one day be as good as you are. Its so hard, we are always our own worst critics. Seriously don’t ever change your style bc I think it’s so you, I love the simplicity, beauty and girlie touches to your pages. Trends come and go, but the classics last forever and are timeless. Thanks for sharing and for reminding me its ok, to find my own style and not pressuring myself to try every new trend out there.
I love your work!!!I always check yours first when theres an update on `studio Calico
I don’t think you follow trends but you rather you set new trends! The first time I saw initials made out of buttons was here and misting the dollies was a fab idea! So many times the first time I see a new inspiration has been on one of your layouts! Your girls are going to be fighting over the albums!!! Hopefully by the they will have a pretty cool 12×12 printer! all the best siggy
I love your layouts. Like I have commented before, you give this mother of 2 boys such inspiration to make frilly, girly all about me pages. I have also started to make cards to sell at a local shop in my small town. It is called ‘uptown vintage marketplace’. Don’t you love the name? On another note, I’m doing what I love today. At home with the 2 boys because we have a snow day!!!
No way are you vanilla – more like vanilla with lots of sprinkles& maybe a few nuts served in a beautiful vintage dish on a doily. Love your work!
I needed to read this today – thanks Steph. Your LO and your adughter are beautiful.
I love this post. I’ve also really enjoyed you coming back to your scrapbooking “roots” – I enjoy every form of your scrapbooking!!!
Also…VANILLA?!? Really? To you that may seem right (we’re always comparing ourselves – even when we don’t even know it – but you, girlfriend, are a far cry from “vanilla”. I love your style, and I’m sure so many others do too. Not because of what techniques you’re using, or because you’re nailing the trends, but because you obviously love your subject matter – that’s what comes through. That is what makes you special. Your honesty and thoughtfulness in your layouts! Thanks for being you 🙂
I have to tell you, I started with scrapbooking about 7 years ago. But have (over the last year) mostly been creating cards & mini books (instant gradification and happiness) because life had taken a few unexpected turns for me this year and I haven’t wanted to “feel them all out” – which is what I do when I scrapbook my memories, I’m chickening out for now. I’m about to start Project Life and go from here. I’ll work on the last year soon enough. But for now I’m cool with that :).
O.M.G. Look at that layout. Gor-gee-ous! I think that you’re forgetting that those people who don’t follow the trends, end up being the trendsetters.
Truly, there is no one youer than YOU! (and how lucky are those in your life for that)
love your style and your pages, you do such amazing work, and you have such a beautiful family
I love your style and your layouts! (But if I didn’t, I surely would be well-mannered enough *not* to email and say so — good grief!!!) Happy Wednesday.
i love this post steph! i think a fun “challenge” in scrapbooking is taking current trends and making them fit your own style. it’s always fun to think outside the box…but still be true to what makes you unique. (and that “you” is a general you!)
this page of harper is gorgeous. i haven’t gotten to play with my feb. kit…but i already know i’m going to need more of those butterflies. (especially when i opened the kit and hadleigh said “can i have one of those butterflies?!?!?) 🙂
I for one LOVE your style! That’s why I come to YOUR blog. every. single. day! (in a totally nice stalker kinda way…i swear 😛 ) I always say that every trend will be “out of style” eventually so WHO CARES?!? I don’t! Keep doing what you do, girl because only YOU can rock being YOU!! *E*
This is why you are one of my favorite scrappy ladies! You are classy & timeless. You do what you love & you are true to yourself.
xo
Amen sister! Your work is beautiful and your girls will CHERISH those albums because they are made by Y.O.U. –and they’re beautiful! 🙂
I so appreciate your post this morning. I so resonate with where you are. Thank you so much! By the way, I also loved your use of punches yesterday. What fun! It made me want to go do some for my page!
Just want you to know, you’re NOT vanilla! You’re very inspiring. Art may be in the eye of the beholder, so where some people may see vanilla, I see a mom of 4 still trying to capture family memories as well as a little bit of time for herself. And THAT is love-ly. 😀
I was thinking about you this morning, which is probably an odd thing to say about a person I’ve never met. But here’s how it went…I was thinking about the SC stamps I ordered last night from their Last Call sale, and how disconnected I have been feeling from the scrapbooking community in general for many reasons but one of them being that I can’t really manage the “look” that is happening right now. It isn’t me. That’s when your layouts popped into my head. Your blog is one of the very, very few scrapbooking blogs I read with any regularity, and I read it because you seem authentic. You seem like you take the products and make them yours. And, to my eyes, your layouts ARE what is current or on trend or whatever. But they accomplish both things—the trend and also you being you.
(I hope that makes sense. And doesn’t sound strange!)
OK, first, I can’t believe people email you such nonsense…and second, as a new scrapbooker, I LOVE your pages and find lots of inspiration in them. And your blog is YOURS, so you can do just about whatever you want to do. And, your girls won’t care that the pages are similar, they will just love that all of those little parts of their lives are documented in such a love*ly way…
I SO don’t think your pages all look the same! I SO don’t think your pages are boring. And I SO do think you use more techniques than I do. 🙂 I cannot believe that people give you criticism like that! Thank goodness my blog has no followers or I might need to find a way to return a virtual slap in the face. Golden rule people!!!! (which I guess would negate my ability to send virtual slaps in the face) Anyways, I love your style but I am happy for you that even if I didn’t you’d still be happy with it.
I have never commented before, but I have no idea how anyone could ever have a negative comment about anything you make. Everything is so beautiful and flows together so well and is made with so much love. It’s all so inspiring and just looking at the things you create gives me my fill for the day! Keep doing what you’re doing! You’re a wonderful artist and person!
I’m right there with ya…can’t always do (or even like) the trendy stuff. When I try it and it’s not ‘me’ I fail. But ya know what? Everyone can spot your layouts in a magazine before seeing your name! And this layout is **lovely** 🙂
I enjoyed this lovely series so thank you for taking the time to do this. I love looking at your layouts. They may not be my style, but I still like them. It is okay to appreciate something even if that something is not what you would do. Hey, we are all different and that is not just okay, but how it is supposed to be. Keep up the great work, really love the inspiration that you bring!
Who doubts your mad scrapbooking skills?!?! I’ll punch ’em. POW.
I am so sorry that people are so mean! It’s just crazy! Your layouts are gorgeous and this one is WOW!!!! And more importantly…they tell the story of your family. You are a wonderful scrapbooker and you inspire me.
You’ll never be vanilla Steph! Your style is beautiful and you precisely because you scrap from the heart/soul! Loved your *lovely* month!
Goegeous layout!!! I LOVE that quote from Dr. Suess…..so TRUE!
i love to see it when a woman knows who she is… and i do believe that dr. seuss knew everything…
boy, did you hit the nail on the head with this one! isn’t that what this hobby is all about, expressing our creative side for ourselves? yes, I do believe so, nice page by the way, gosh she is gorgeous, those big brown eyes 🙂
I could NOT agree with you MORE!!!
I used to try to get that clean look like Cathy Z. with typed journaling and finally realized,that’s NOT me! and those are the pages I just want to toss into the garbage. My handwriting is sloppy, messy , but it’s so ME> that’s just who I am. My pages just come from my heart too and I LOVE this hobby even after doing it since I was 17-18 years old, still love it and I hope to love it for the rest of my life!
keep being YOU, I LOVE the heart of your pages and someday your 4 girls will be FIGHTING over who gets what pages LOL!
love,
tara
Why do we all come here everyday to check in?! Because we love your work, your words, and the way you do your blog. It is high entertainment to many of us. I just don’t understand why people have to comment on not liking this or that. Is someone forcing people to read this, people I don’t know about? Why read it if it isn’t your preference? And, who are we to judge what you do for you and your family?!
Keep chugging along and thanks for allowing us to see into your life.
I am embellishment challenged and learnt a long time ago to just give them up and enjoy the parts that I love about scrapping, stories and photos. Each to their own, it’s all a bit of fun and your pages are always lovely to see!
That LO is stunning! Beautiful photo, beautifully showcased in your style. Love it!
You’re right, Stephanie. No one is “youer than you”! But I don’t agree that you are vanilla. You are anything but. You are the sprinkles and the maraschino cherry. There are zillions of blogs but I come here for my inspiration. Every day, since Sadie was a baby. And for the record, yesterday’s love layout with all the butterflies literally took my breath away. You don’t need mists and paints to do that. It was stunning as is today’s! So thank you, Stephanie, for a lovely series and for always being one of the lovely things in my day!
First of all, this scrapbook page is STUNNING. It is beautiful. Second, I don’t know how anyone would say your scrapbooking is boring. It is the exact opposite!
Thank you for always being genuine and inspiring. This is my FAVORITE blog. 🙂
I just discovered your blog this month. I’ve enjoyed every post I read. Your scrapbook page is lovely.
I do not feel that all your layouts are the same. You just have a particular style. One that I have tried to scraplift to no avail! Therefore it is not my style. Most “famous” scrapbookers have their own style and their work is known for that style. Like Heidi Swapp, Teresa Collins,Kiesha Campbell and on and on. What I love about your layouts is the stories you tell and the love you put into them. Your girls will cherish your albums someday,if not already. keep up the great work. I love seeing you published in Scrapbook Trends!!!
I love this!! And for the record, I love your style. LOVE it. Please don’t change it on us! 🙂
you know what? a part of me really wants to punch in the nose anyone who would take the time to tell you that your layouts are boring or that you’re not inspirational. UMMM. WHAT. The HECK?! if you dont like someones style, then CLICK OFF SISTA!! go look somewhere else! Jeez.
Personally, I couldn’t pull of your kind of layout in a zillion years (I’ve tried a few times and I just shake my head when I look at them now lol!) but I still love love LOVE your work.
And you know what?! Vanilla is MY flavour. Doesn’t matter what I’ve eaten for dinner, I’ve been to some of the most expensive restaurants in the city I’ve lived in at the time–and I still always order vanilla icecream for dinner 🙂 because it’s awesome.
And so are you 🙂
It’s awesome that you’re making the time to scrap and play just for you! I’ve been doing that too…making sure I create projects that are not design team assignments. It’s been a lot of fun and I find that some of my best work results. Love your page!
I think your layouts are wonderful and full of love for your family. Your style is perfect the way it is, beautiful and full of fun and girly things. This layout today is gorgeous, love all the goodies you use and make it look perfect. I couldn’t pull of your style for the life of me. Staying with the trends is not my thing at all, I tried it once and it sucked all the fun out of scrapping and felt fake to me. Now I just do whatever feels right and makes me happy!!
Thank you so much for all the fun this month, I’ve enjoyed each day! I know it was a lot of work on your side and I appreciate all the work you put in it.
Thanks the most for your rainbow birthday that inspired me to do one for my daughter. We still talk about it!! I’m even going to scrap a page for her using the leftover streamers.
See you again soon!
wonderful layout… thought it was funny that you were saying you wished you had a certain fluent style like certain other scrappers cause i’m sure there are tons of people wishing they scrapped like you!..but you nailed it on the head that you like your style and it’s who you are!…as scrappers i think we all need to realize that and embrace who we are and love that about ourselves…
A little late here, but just wanted to say what a GREAT post. For those who adore your *love*ly style, we are pretty darn glad you just do what makes you happy! Loved this series! Thank You!! Oh … and one more thing … THOSE EYES!!!!! ohmygosh! 😉
Well I, for one, love your style! And yes, I too have tried to go with what is popular. Sometimes it works, and sometimes not, but you’re right–it usually doesn’t feel like ME, so what’s the point?!? I do try to stretch my style a bit, but if I go too far from my comfort zone, I end up not liking it. Here’s to embracing our style!
Just remember where vanilla comes from– the seed pod of a tropical orchid. 🙂
Amen to that!! You go girl!! You are beautiful!! (and I like to use exclamation points too much. I don’t care. It’s who I am.)
I love your page today and it is the first time I have every visited your blog…I came via the scrapbook update post from today….your words warm my heart because I think that is what I do…I just do “me” and that is all I am good at. I love what others do but when I try it I get lost…I have to make things “me” for them to work. Way to go! And I think you page is stunning! And having fun documenting the big and little moments of life is what it is all about! Your daughters are lucky to have such a special Mother! Happy Scrapbooking!
I’ve just found you today. I don’t know where I’ve been, but in the last couple weeks I’ve found Pinterest, Twitter, blogs, and a world of stores. I do know where I’ve been, but that does not matter. Pinterest lead me to you. I stuck around your blog, and I liked what I see. I saw the picture you used all those cut outs in, and I had to know, who had the patients to make that.
I don’t know why people have to be so negative. If they don’t like what they see, move on. They don’t have to be unkind. Life would be so boring if we all thought and did the same things. I appreciate what people have to share. If it’s not my cup of tea I say thank you for your time and sharing, and move on. I love that you are okay with you. Me, I’m still working on being okay to me. With that, thank you for your time and sharing. I will be back.