i've just posted my new favorite, "leftover" mini books, up on the kenner road blog. hope you like it! i'm having so much fun doing this sort of mini project. using the tiniest bits of scrap patterned paper that is left from my cutter. it's almost like creative puzzle making, i just play around w/ all the little bits & bobs around my craft desk until i get something that makes me happy. you know, it's kind of weird. i think i create better when i'm given the most crazy bit of mix in tiny scraps & bits of this & that. sometimes cutting that 12x12 piece of paper or peeling off that 1 sticker from the whole pack just totally freaks me out. i'm much happier with a bunch of little slivers of 1/2" x 3" patterned paper, bits of ribbon or fabric & some pinking shears. lol!
i'm also finding that by doing these sort of little piece by piece projects, i'm broadening my color sense. sometimes i get stuck in certain color ruts & use the same color combos over & over. or sometimes on a bigger project color seems overwhelming to me & i gravitate toward a soothing neutral. on these little thingamajobs, i'll recklessly throw kelly green with an orange-y red & then pop on a purple or yellow flower. and i love it! just grabbing what is at hand & trying this & that. it is SO fun, so relaxing, such a creative rejuvenation.
do you get the feeling i'm having fun? lol!!
here's what i'm talking about:
i think also what has been really fun w/ this sort of project is my releasing myself from that self imposed responsibility to SAY something all the time. sometimes the burden of telling a story is just that, a burden. my mind is so cloudy these days w/ the kids & the pool & football & mike's overtime & what's for dinner & too much laundry & bills that need to be paid, & the floor is dirty, etc., etc., etc. sometimes i just want to paste & glue & cut & then pop a little butterfly or birdie on it & call it a day.
and you know what? that is just fine w/ me. i'm liking it just fine & i'm finding that by allowing myself this creative exploration, i'm finding more "me" ways to express myself. more things i DO want to say & stories i want to tell.
like i said, this is FUN :) give it a try!
happy monday!!
xoxo
gi
Beautiful and fun, love this!
Posted by: Traci G | August 24, 2009 at 05:13 PM
stunning little book - thanks for sharing - i tend to do ones like this for holidays - lots of photos, a few descriptive words and some bits of PP and embellies - it enables you to get the book done quickly and a few, key, evocative, words will bring the memories flooding right back in years to come, so there's often no need for a ton of journalling. love it!!
Posted by: Helen | August 24, 2009 at 05:19 PM
wow what a wonderful little book! looking at your work always makes me want to scrap! have a wonderful week
Posted by: amy welch | August 24, 2009 at 08:03 PM
dirty floors?
what are those?
;-)
i'm all in favor of the cut, paste and pop on a flower/birdie accent way of doing things. your mini album is so beautiful and colorful - two snaps up in a cirlce, gi!
hugs, patty :-)
Posted by: Patty S | August 24, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Just saw it over at the KR blog. Loving it, my friend.
Posted by: Beth Perry | August 24, 2009 at 09:32 PM
U are seriously the most amazing girl!!! I loveeeeeeeeeeeee this!!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):)
Posted by: Julie | August 24, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Hey girl. . .I love this post! I am totally feeling that these days too. Sometimes I just want to create for art's sake - as a release and not always feel guilty that my lo isn't meaningful. If it makes me happy than it IS meaningful! Love the mini. =)
Posted by: Amber Zimmerman | August 24, 2009 at 11:33 PM
hello ms gigi,
this is adorable! and how inspiring to reach for scraps v. a new 12x12 each and every time.
love this.
love you.
love your style.
happy to be you!
xoxo + blessings,
erin
Posted by: erin | August 26, 2009 at 01:38 AM
I love that little book! Thank you for inspiring me to make one to :-)
Posted by: Silvita | September 13, 2009 at 05:35 PM
hi GiGi
thanks for sharing your cool summer mini. i have all these fun summer photos of my grandson that i have been saving to make a layout. i'm going to do this instead. i love the smallness of it but how creative it is.
i also have just some favorite photos of him that i might do the same with.
love it!
Posted by: Sandra Lomas | September 20, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Absolutly lovely! Great album! Love it!
Greetings from Germany,
Bianca
Posted by: Bianca | October 19, 2009 at 03:13 PM