October Afternoon

Kim Watson Guest Post - 9 to 5

Hi Kim here,

Today I thought I'd show you how you can look beyond the theme of a collection & use another point of inspiration for a completely different result.

I used the '9 to 5' collection which as you know has a funky, retro office vibe.

I chose to focus on color. By using a limited color palette like the one below, I was able to transform the collection from 'vintage stationery', to a cool beach inspired theme.

Sometimes thinking out of the box can really stretch your scrapbooking products. I hope you feel inspired to look at things a little differently.  If so, we'd love to see your projects! Be sure to post your layouts in our Flickr gallery so we can all admire your work and be inspired by your creativity!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Happy Friday and the weekend ahead!

Kim Watson Guest Post - 9 to 5

Hey! Hey! It's Friday! It's Kim here, and I am happy to be blogging again here at October Afternoon.

I have a page to share you today using some of the sexy new 9-5 products. I love how they are 'vintage office' inspired which is actually what sparked off the page theme I settled on. In my box of goodies, I found a bag of Here & Now Chapter sheets.

One of them has a great close up of a typewriter on the back which made me excited, then I had a look inside the Miscellany bag & found a bunch of cute cards with typewriter references on them.

I took it as a sign and had a ton of fun creating this page. (Collection by Kim Watson)

Notice how ones eye is drawn to the pattern that appears from the 'keys' of the photographs, then again from the yellow vintage card & also from the thin strips of the black chevron.


These repeated elements create a visual triangle within the page, but the page is busy is it not? Yet it is somehow not chaotic?


I created calm within the storm by using both horizontal & vertical linear elements.



Yes I love my typewriters, they hold a very dear place in my heart :) It went without saying that I would use one of them to add journaling to the page. My 'abc 2000s' has a smaller font size which allowed me to comfortably attach the journal blocks & strips to a plain piece of paper before typing my thoughts.

As a little bonus I created a title banner for you with the word 'Collection' on it.

I made it made for most die-cutting machines, you will find the links here. Feel free to use it for your own personal use. If you do get a chance to use it, remember to upload your page to the October Afternoon Flickr gallery for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for joining me today. Have a GREAT Friday & weekend!

Kim Watson Guest Post - Sasparilla

Hi Kim here... I am so stoked to be guesting here at OA for May. I have always been a fan of October Afternoon, not only because as a company they always generously support the Creating Keepsakes magazine Dream Team but they have a fabulous mixture of product lines & designs as well as awesome quality too. These qualities make everything so easy to design with. I have a project to share with you today designed with the super fun Sasparilla collection.

Being specifically themed means it was the perfect choice to capture thememory of my little boy living out his wildest cowboy fantasies on this huge white horse.  I have to say I don't know how he could be so calm riding so high up... I was nervous just watching the little guy from a distance. When designing the page, it went without saying that I would need to use the cute map paper.

Together with bakers twine & brads I created a 'map of his Cowboy adventures', (which incidentally were all yelled to passers-by as he rode around the fair). I also used some bits from the Flower Sack mix and Miscellany packs, plus some stickers from the Word Sticker
sheet to add to the cowboy vibe.



I love how it is the repeated circle shapes in the form of buttons, stickers & chipboard accents help the page cohesion? My most fave by far of all the accents, is the bright yellow Sheriff's star which stands out as a strong focal point.

I was so happy with how the page turned out, I created this sketch of my page. Please feel free to use it. If you do, remember to upload your page to the October Afternoon Flickr gallery for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for joining me today. Have a GREAT Friday & weekend!

Introducing our May Guest Designer - KIM WATSON

 

Hello! My name's Kim Watson. I live in the beautiful city of Cape Town-that's on the very tip of South Africa—with my delish husband, two of the sweetest kids & a cat who runs our home with his evil stare. Designing for *Creating Keepsakes* magazine as a Dream Teamer for 2010, 2011 & 2012, Fancy Pants Designs & Cocoa Daisy kits, as well as a busy Mum & part-time Graphic Designer means I keep busy. I make time for myself, walking on the beautiful beaches or mountains that surround my home. Secretly my fave hideout is my (almost revamped) craft room surrounded by all the things that I find most beautiful: photographs of my cute family, color, texture, paper, fabric, wool and paint. Scrapbooking my life & thoughts through a medium I love, makes me so happy.  You can read more about me on my blog, at
http://kj-starre.blogspot.com/
and Pinterest http://pinterest.com/KimWatson/
and Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/KJStarre

Looking back I have been scrapbooking for 8 years ... I cannot believe it been that long..wow! It has been a fun journey of self discovery on an artistic level. I find that my career as a fashion designer definitely influences every thing I scrap whether I realise it or not so one can always find crazy color & pattern mixing on my scrapbook pages. I think my 'signature' would be scrapbooking everyday events using multiple photos, machine stitching and layering.

~~

Here are Kim's responses to a few questions we asked her:
Q: Are you a layout person or a card person...or both?
A: I'm definitely a layout person, but enjoy the 'quick creative fix' that making a card gives.


Q: What is on your scrap desk right now?
A: A ton of unfiled paper.... it looks like a 'dogs breakfast' actually. Have you ever had those crazy moments of searching for 'that-thing' & turned your scrap table upside down to find it? Well my table is the result of one of those berserk moments. No I won't be including a photograph of it LOL.


Q: What is your favorite October Afternoon line of paper?
A: I really love everything, but one of my favorite lines is Farmhouse collection, with it's strong modern-vintage vibe & timeless influences. I really enjoy the color combinations...there is something so pleasing about yellow, blue and red thrown in together with happy neutrals. With the super mix of embellishments & page accents, the whole line is awesome.


Q: What can you NOT scrapbook without?
A: I can't scrapbook without  patterned paper...yes! Oh & my trusty sewing machine & little family of typewriters...and my precision scissors for fussy cutting & my die cutter...love that thing! OK my list is growing...I'll stop now.


Q: What is your favorite source for inspiration?
A: I admit I have become a Pinterest fan... a myriad of inspiration there on any and all subjects. I do however occasionally peruse the more popular scrappy web sites, but usually the 'assignment' or products I am working with inspire me the most.

Q: Favorite TV show?
A: I don't watch much TV but I really love Survivor, The Voice, Fringe & I have recently started watching Touch.


Q: Favorite 7th grade memory?
A: I had just moved to a new country so I remember feeling lost for a long time that is until I joined the dance & drama club, & discovered I had a love for the stage. I loved making people laugh and the club helped that happen.

Q: If you you have a dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be and why?
A: I'd love to have dinner with the man called Jesus... I'd love to spend face time with him, and ask his view on life, the universe & what it must have felt like as God, to leave heaven & have to live within the confines of this crazy mixed up planet.

~~

Please welcome to the October Afternoon Community - Kim Watson. 

Hi, October Afternoon readers!  It's Mandie here with my last post as the February guest.  Am I the only one who can't believe February is nearly over?!  Holy cow!  That went quickly.  I just have a simple layout today.  (I have more but didn't get a chance to photograph them this week due to kids being out of school all week and an out of town mister. Will share on my blog in the next week.)

For this layout I used Sasparilla and a cut from my Silhouette (incase you haven't noticed, I really love using that machine!)  I cut the pattern out on a few different pieces of paper.  (I actually used the woodgrain negative for another layout along with some Farmhouse because I couldn't bear to part with it - one of the unphotograped layouts!)  I arranged the different patterns until I got the look I wanted and then used mini glue dots to adhere them.  I considered not putting a photo on it and just framing it because I loved the way it looked.  But, I decided to add a photo but keep it super simple since there was a lot going on in the way of pattern paper.  I used a favorite photo of my little guy... one that didn't have a "story."  I think maybe I will still hang it on the wall after all!  :)  

Wow!  Thank you, October Afternoon, for having me as a guest.  It truly was a pleasure.  October Afternoon continues to be one of the brands I look forward to seeing and using!  It was truly an honor to be your guest.  Thank you, OA fans, for being welcoming & making a nervous girl feel not so nervous!  Have a great weekend!
Mandie 

 

Friday Guest Post

Hi!  Mandie here for another Friday guest post!  I hope everyone has had a good week!

I have a couple of layouts to share with you guys today.  

The View From Here:

I know!  I know.  The title is incredibly corny with the ViewMaster reels!  I couldn't help myself.  Fot this layout I used Sasparilla (plus a couple of cream buttons from Holiday Style.)  I made the ViewMaster overlay on my Silhouette and started layering on little bits and goodies from the collection.  I would like to put it out there now - I could use a ton of this gingham pattern.  I LOVE gingham, and the blue on this pattern is so gorgeous!  One of my favorite patterns from the Sasparilla line.  I had to force myself to use it because I just wanted to hoard it!  

(I adore that flower style button in the button packages. Seriously. Was so thrilled when they started putting that shape into the button packages, as well as the miscellany!)

She Reads:

My girl LOVES to read.  I love that about her.  She devours books.  Lately it's been anything by Rick Riordan.  Last weekend she started the 1st book in the Kane Chronicle series.  She read the book in the car on the way to church, on the way from church to lunch, at the restaurant, at the park and in the craziest (& most uncomfortable looking positions!) I have ever seen.

 I loved the die cut sticker sheet from Farmhouse.  And, I especially loved this bookplate sticker.  It was the inspiration for this layout.  When I saw it, I knew I needed to use it for a layout about my little (or not so little, as it turns out!) book worm!  

Well.... That's it for today!  Thanks for joining me.  I look forward to my post next Friday!  I hope you all have an awesome weekend!

Mandie 

 

  Hi there!  Mandie here for my first guest post.  I am so excited to be here this month!  (& a little nervous too! lol!)  I've made a couple of layouts to share with you all this week.

 The first one uses several lines from my stash.  If you are like me, you have a TON of lovely October Afternoon product lurking in your stash.  Waiting to be used, but you just love it so much you haven't cut into it!  

I used product from Schoolhouse, Report Card, Holiday Style, Campfire, Sidewalks & a smidge of Farmhouse.  I love how all of the lines coordinated nicely with one another.  Bust those papers out and use them!

 

My second layout uses Sasparilla (oh my heart, this line is ADORABLE!  can't wait to use it some more!) and a bit of Farmhouse.  Again, the patterns in these 2 lines mix so well!  I encourage you to mix them up a bit!  They yellows, blues and greys just mesh together so well!

This is a very simple and quick layout.  But, the photos just steal my heart.  I found them the other day when going through some boxes of photos that had not been scrapped yet.  (Seems like I've been doing that a lot lately.  And there are a ton in those boxes!)  My little guy in those photos is 7.5 now!  Yikes!  (and how funny is that second photo?  I mean, that is classic Noah!) 

I am totally loving the blues and greys in Sasparilla!  They are such a pretty shade!

That concludes my post for this week!  Until next time... Have a great weekend!
Mandie 

Introducing our February Guest Designer Mandie Pierce

1} Tell us a little bit about yourself:My name is Mandie Pierce.  I grew up in Tennessee; but since marrying my husband (Troy), I've lived all over the place- as far north as Alaska and as south as Texas.  My husband is in the Air Force; so we move every few years.  Right now, we are living in Northern (ish) California.  We have 3 kiddos - a girl & 2 boys. They keep me quite busy!  I enjoy scrapboking (obviously), photography, reading & clothes.  (I would SO dress cute if I had the figure!)  I am a helpless iPhone addict.  I love tv.  Way more than I should...  Big Bang Theory, The Middle, Dexter & Homeland are favorites here.  (Okay and I'll confess it... Jersey Shore too.)   

2} Tell us about your scrapbook style and how long you have been scrapbooking?I've always been a collector of stuff.  In high school, I had magnetic albums with photos, cards, ticket stubs, etc...  I've been scrapbooking in the way we think of it now, since my daughter was a baby - so 1999.  I feel like my scrapbook style is a little all over the place.  I like a little of this & a little of that.  There are so many styles I adore and wish I could replicate.  I think I often start out at a simple layout - with clean lines and then end up adding fun bits in!  Is that a style?  Simple with extras?  I'm going with it. 

3} Are you a layout person or a card person...or both?
I am definitely a layout person.  I dabble in cards and other things, but most definitely a layout person!

4} What is on your scrap desk right now? My paper trimmer, typewriter and sewing machine.  Getting ready to pull some things out to play.  :)  But, it's pretty clean right now. 

5} What is your favorite October Afternoon line of paper?
This is a hard question because I love so many!  Every time a new one comes out, I think, "This one is my favorite!"  Okay.  So, the one I've bought the most excessive amount of lately would be Rocket Age.  I absolutely ADORE that line.   I tend to buy lots of girly, feminine products because I am drawn to them.  But, as a mama of boys, I need more boyish stuff and haven't found a ton I love.  But, Rocket Age.  I loved every pattern, color, product in the line.  (& bought it to prove it!) 

6} What can you NOT scrapbook without?
Hmmm....  Aside from the obvious answers like adhesive, pens, etc....  Sewing Machine.  Pattern paper.  Buttons.  Those are my most used items, I think.

7} What is your favorite source for inspiration? Another toughie.  I rarely actively seek out inspiration.  (I probably should!)  But, I am often inspired by color combos I see in catalogs or store displays.  I love magazines.  Scrapbook Trends is my favorite to pick up and flip through.  I like to visit the gallery at Studio Calico.  The member gallery is always full of beautiful things!

8} Favorite TV show?
I should have read these questions before answering the above.  hee. hee.  Love way too much tv to narrow it to one.  Favorite Comedy:  Big Bang Theory.  We've watched since the first season, and I swear it just gets better.  Favorite Drama: Homeland.  If you haven't seen this new show, it totally has me on the edge of my seat -at all times!  And, being a kid/ teen of the 90's, I love Claire Danes.  (My 12 year old is a Claire!) 

9} Favorite 7th grade memory?
I'd rather forget 7th grade.  Ha!  Actually.  I have a horrendous memory.  TERRIBLE.  I don't remember much about it.  I have a hard time with last year - let alone 20 years!

10} If you you have a dinner with anyone living or dead who would it be & why? My grandfather...  I never met my dad's dad.  (Well.  I did, but I was just a couple of days old when he passed away.)  I would love to get to sit down and talk to him.  I've heard so many great things about him and who he was.

Here are a couple projects from Mandie.

"Everyday"My boys are best buddies.  They like to do everything with each other and just like each other.  Even if that means spiking their hair and wearing matching, mis-matched pajamas!  I absolutely loved the Rocket Age line for my boys.  The colors and patterns were so perfect for layouts about these active 2!

"Tomales Trail"I LOVED the print on the "B" side of the "Hong Kong" pattern paper.  I just couldn't figure out how to use it!  I ended up cutting the exterior frame out with a craft knife and stitching it down as a border for the layout.  I love the result!

Please help me in welcoming Mandie to October Afternoon.

a happy day to you

Hi Everyone!  Niki here with my last post as the November guest designer.  Thanks so much to everyone at October Afternoon for letting me play along this month!  I had so much fun and it's been an honor getting to work with you! 

Today, I have a couple cards to share using some of the goodies from the Sidewalks line.

(You can click on the photo to enlarge the image.)

Have you used any of the stamps that October Afternoon offers that coordinate with their lines?  They offer some really cute sets and I love that they coordinate with their lines.  I used the stamp set from the Sidewalks line for this card.  I love those cute little vintage images!  I stamped the girl with the balloons, the boy with the banner, and the puppy on copic x-press it cardstock using tuxedo black memento ink.  Then, I colored them with copic markers coordinating with the colors in the Sidewalk line.  I stamped some masks and applied them to my image.  Then, I added some cloud masks and used a blue copic marker and my air compressor to spray the sky.

After removing the masks, I added my image to a red mat layer.  I die cut some white felt clouds and some grass using green felt.  I adhered the felt grass and stitched it in place before adhering the image to my card base.  I stitched the clouds to some white cardstock and cut around the edges.  This let me add the look of the stitching without stitching it to my image in case I messed up and it made it easy to adhere the clouds using glue dots.  I wrapped some twine (from the Sidewalks Wrap Pack) around the bottom of the card and tied a button (from the 5 & Dime button pack) in place with a bow.

And here's the second card I created.  It's been a while since I stamped an image on kraft cardstock and colored it with copic markers and I thought this little girl from the Sidewalks stamp set would be cute colored like that.  I used the Hide and Seek paper and the Red Rover paper on my card base.  I stitched the papers before adhering them so no stitching would show on the inside of the card.  I added a piece of crocheted lace from the Sidewalks Wrap Pack and then adhered the layer to my card base.  I stitched around the edge of my image and then stitched some felt grass in place.  I also added some die cut clouds and then adhered my image and clouds with foam adhesive.

Have a great weekend!

Niki

A couple Holiday Style cards

Hi Everyone!  This is Niki.  I'm delighted to be this month's guest designer.  I just love all the lines October Afternoon puts out.  Today, I thought I would share a couple cards I created with the new Holiday Style line.  I absolutely love everything about this line.

One of my personal favorite things about the new line is the Miscellany pack.  I just love all those vintage inspired images.  They are perfect for cards, scrapbooks, December Daily albums, tags, you name it.  I plan on using a bunch of the pieces in my Project Life album.

I used the 8x8 paper pad, the Miscellany pack, and the Buttons from the Holiday Style collection on both my cards.  Both of these images are just so cute!  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the pipe cleaners that come in the miscellany pack, but I decided to bend one into a bow and use it in place of ribbon.  I love the texture it adds!


On this card, I used another of the images from the miscellany pack.  (Love these images!)  The little snowflake also comes in the pack.  I stitched a button in the center before adhering it to my card.  The lace is from May Arts.

Have a great weekend!

Niki