October Afternoon

Family Love with Saturday Mornings

Hello, there!  Jennie McGarvey back with you again today to share a page that I created using the Saturday Mornings collection.  I am having so much fun with the whimsical images and the color pallette of this collection -- it's hard to set it down and move onto something else.  (Something else meaning, driving the kids or taking out the trash!)

I was shuffling items around, lining things up and I decided that I really wanted to have fun with the patterned papers in this collection.  So, I decided to forgo the usual cardstock and here's the result.

I really don't have to play favorites, but I love that Omelette paper.  The clouds are the perfect shapes and the color is fantastic.  

It's great to use patterned paper as the background paper, I think we can all shake our head yes in agreement.  But, what about using a fun patterned for the die cuts, as well?  

Let's add a few of the fantastic Pop Drops + SprINKlers and you've really got something special, wouldn't you agree?  

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out the page I created with Saturday Mornings!  Check back Monday for more inspiration from the October Afternoon Design Team and next Friday for another page from me!

Thursday Sketch

Hey everyone! Roree here with today's Thursday Sketch Challenge.

I created this sketch while playing around in Photoshop:

It is sized for an 8 1/2 x 11" page, or it will work just as well for a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card. 

No surprise, I decided to use it for a card:

I was inspired to create this baby-themed card because of the adorable little teddy bear sticker found on the Word Stickers sheet in the all-new Saturday Mornings collection. Don't you just LOVE this new collection?!!!

To coordinate with the stickers and paper from the new collection, I created the title/sentiment using the Strawberry Ice Cream Sign Board Alpha and Stars & Hearts Flash Chip from Daily Flash and a Flash Blurb from Girl Talk.

I finished the card with some trim from the Sasparilla Wrap Pack and a few more stickers and chipboard pieces to use in place of the photo boxes and stars in the sketch.

I hope you enjoyed today's sketch and the sample I created using it. If you get a chance to play along, don't forget to post your project in the OA Flickr group.  We can't wait to see how you interpret it.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Work It Wednesdays | Shanna Noel

Hello there! Happy 2015! I hope this year has started off leaving you inspired and wanting to see things in a new light, and that is exactly what we are going to do here today! 

One of my favorite October Afternoon products in all the world is the alphabetical order background stamp from the Public Library collection, so of course this had to happen.....

I know I know, but BREATHE it's going to be OK, I promise!!! I love this stamp, like to a million bits (ok maybe that isn't a good term here) I really do, I use it over and over again. That being said I love it so much I wanted EVEN MORE ways to use it and I thought HOW FUN it would be as an alpha stamp. I was right folks, its just amazing! 

So now I have this lovely wonky, cool, unique alpha stamp and my lovely handmade journal, I am a happy girl! If you do decide to cut up your stamp keep in mind that this is intended as a background stamp so its a bit of a messier look, but that was EXACTLY the look I was going for! 

For my journalI wanted to use it as a quote book, I love writing funny things that my family says and we can go back and reflect (ok laugh hysterically at) on. 

 

So I challenge you to take one of your most used October Afternoon goodies and find a NEW way to work them!! I promise you, there's no looking back!!! I can't stop using this alpha set now!!

 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Shanna

Tuesday Inspiration

Hey y'all! Mandy Koeppen here with this week's Tuesday Inspiration piece. If you know me or take a look at my previous work you'll see one thing in common with every single thing I create... simple shapes-circles, squares, and my love for triangles. I tend to stay in my comfort zone which can be both great and irritating. I had an awesome inspiration piece picked out to share today but I couldn't get it to work on paper the way I saw it and planned it in my head so today I give you plan B.

I found this photo on pinterest and it can be seen HERE.I 'm sure you can see why this popped out at me and worked. SImple design working from left to right with circles and squares.I hope it inspires you too. I tell you it took no time at all once I gathered my supplies to create the layout below.  

 

My daughters and I went to see Annie this weekend (Y'all it's a must see) then my youngest got her Annie gear (Annie Clothes) which included this cute tag so I had to scrap because we had so much fun! I used a mix of Pop Drops and sticker hearts to create the flow on the left just like in the inspiration piece. The rope on the tag reminds me of the glassware on the table. Although I didn't make it a point to move items all the way over to the right edge of the page I think the October Afternoon pattern paper from Public Library was already doing that job from the start. I swear OA makes this creating thing easy! 

I hope you leave the blog inspired today. Thanks you so much for joining me!

We would love for you to play along! Upload your layout to the October Afternoon Flickr gallery, post it on our Facebook page, or connect with us on Instagram via #octoberafternoon. 

Monday Challenge : Scrap Yourself!

Hello everyone!!

The very first monday in 2015 and I want you to focus on you! Yup, that's right. No kids, no pets and no significant other. You think you can do it? I'm sure you can! Here's my take ↓

I kept it simple because really, underneath all that make-up, that's what I am. Took the journaling from my instagram post for this very same photo. 

If you look closely, I even used some Saturday Mornings here. I made the single, somewhat-oversized banner I used as my photo mat by cutting up Toast PP and covered the rest of the 'Shhhh...' Word Sticker so it's suitable for my layout. I love that 'the good life' tin pin because really, I'm wanting to be more aware of my blessings and yes, indeed I have 'the good life' :) And how cute is that vintage cameo brad from Public Library? I will never be able to carry that 'Downton Abbey~ish' style, but a girl can dream!

I hope you'll play along and share what you make with us in the OA Flickr Gallery.  You can also share with us on Instagram. Use the hashtag #octoberafternoon and tag me @sashafarina as I'd love to see your beautiful layout. 

And I hope it's not too late to wish everyone a very happy new year!! :)

JANUARY'S GUEST DESIGNER | JENNIE MCGARVEY

Hello, there!  My name is Jennie McGarvey and I am so excited to be here guest designing for October Afternoon!  I have been crazy for October Afternoon since I first laid my eyes on Cherry Hill and it's one brand I love to use and hoard!  

I am a stay at home mom to 3 boys, aged 13, 11 and 7,  that keep me very busy!  They are involved in all kinds of activities (mainly sports) that keep me and the whole family on the go. I've been married to my husband Andy for 14 years and we've lived in 7 locations (IA, KY, OH, NJ, CA, IN and back to CA) since 1998.

I've been scrapbooking since I was 12 after a trip to California, but in the current style since right before my eldest son was born in 2001. In January of 2011 I decided to get involved online, add my projects to galleries and submit for publication. I've been so fortunate to be on several design teams over the last 4 years, including the Scraptastic Club where I am a member of the design team and also serve as the Design Team and Social Media Coordinator.  

Q: Are you a layout person, a card person ... or both?

A: Absolutely, positively, both!  I create lots of 12x12 pages and pocket pages but i love cardmaking, as well.  I don't know that I could choose between the two!

Q: What is on your scrap desk right now?

A: Lots of pocket page supplies -- I'm finishing up 2014 this week and I am not cleaning my desk off until it's complete.  Oh, and some October Afternoon Saturday Mornings that I'm considering hoarding...

Q: What is your favorite October Afternoon line or product?

A: Here's the thing.  I've been loving October Afternoon since Cherry Hill.  So, this is hard.  Really hard.  However, I think it's either the Tinsel SprINKlers, a sheet of paper from the Schoolhouse Collection (Pink Eraser) or the alphabet stickers from the Midway collection.  No, wait.  Any of the Christmas collections.  Yes, that's it. I really, really love all of those. 

Q: What can you NOT scrapbook without?

A: I really like alphabet stickers.  I have a Silhouette Cameo but I find I don't use it often enough.

Q: What is your favorite source of inspiration?

A: I'd have to say Pinterest.  It can send me running to my craft room faster than you can say paper trimmer. 

 

Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?

A: As far as TV is concerned, I'm a HGTV and Criminal Minds junkie. Movies?  Stupid humor all the way.  Anything Will Farrell (Anchorman!) is a sure thing.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Spaghetti

Q:What is your fondest childhood memory?

A: Being with my Grandma.  I remember sitting next to her on the couch or across the table from her.  She was a very special woman that I learned a lot from.

Q: If you were a superhero, what would your name be and what power would you possess?

A: I'd be the Time Machine.  I would beat time and put it on my side instead of allowing it to run away from all of us.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

A: Can I pick two?  Okay, thanks! Jimmy Carter because I am inspired by his humanitarian and peaceful efforts. I truly believe he was ahead of his time and has done so much good for the world and those who live in it. I'd also choose my grandma from the mid to late 1980’s- We were very close when I was a child and I miss her so much. I would love to give her a hug and just talk to her about nothing important at all.

You can find out more about me and the creative work I do here:

Blog:  Jennie McGarvey

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/ajmcgarvey Username: @ajmcgarvey

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jennie.mcgarvey

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniemcgarvey

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/jennie_mcgarvey/

Galleries:  http://www.scrapbook.com/galleries/823117.html

Happy New Year | 2015

2015 is here already!? How is that even possible?!

On behalf of October Afternoon I (Suz) would like to wish you a happy, healthy, properous and creatively productive new year! 

With that being said, I set to work today being creatively productive by playing with some newer and a few older OA lines. Here is a little card that fit the bill for celebrating today. 

 

 

The background paper is from Public Library and the woodgrain paper is Board Room from 9 to 5. I used Pop Drops from the Eggnog collection and the stamps from my December Story Add-on Kit (2015, Joy, and the crossed wreath image). The "Happy" alphas and the gold star patterned paper are from the December Story kit as well. The new year banner and sentiment are from a set I had on hand from an online kit club.

 

So what are you up to today? Any creating going on while watching parades and bowl games?! Whatever it is, make it a great FIRST day of 2015!! 

Happy New Year! Be sure to stop back in tomorrow to see who our JANUARY GUEST DESIGNER is!

 

Suz

A December Dozen | Suz's December Story

Hello everyone! Suz here with you today. I hope you have been enjoying the holiday season and what remains of it. (Happy 2015 to those in the eastern hemisphere who are already celebrating!) 

We are finally home for the holidays after a month filled with Christmas details and travel. Yesterday, I managed to squeeze in some creative time to play with October Afternoon's fabulous December Story Kit! 

Since I knew my December was going to be even busier than usual this year with two trips on the books and also because I have been documenting december in a daily type of fashion for probably 8 years now (Days 1-31), I decided I wanted to simplify this year. I am cutting the days I document down to a dozen days in December. And instead of documenting 12 days in a row, I am freeing myself from those constraints and simply documenting twelve days. (Rule breaker LOL)

TWELVE DAYS.

That's it.

Plain and simple.

The other thing I am trying to do is to focus on the journaling.

To focus on telling the story.

The story might be from a Christmas past.

An annual tradition.

A favorite meal.

A favorite holiday memory.

A favorite ornament.

A favorite gift.

A favorite Christmas Carol.

You get the idea.

But again, I really want to emphasize the story.

To emphasize the words.

 

Ok, I think that's enough on the back story of my design. On to my DECEMBER STORY intro page!

I used the fun 2x2 square grid page protectors included in my kit and set to work cutting down to size pattern papers and adding a few embellishments. The fabulousy fun and festivegold polka dot washi was used to cover up the chipboard zero. I then embossed (with silver Zing) the rest of the yearly numerals. (2, 1, 4). A little bit of stitching and stamping with the adorable sentiment and holiday icon stamps included in the main kit and add-on and I called it done!

 

I played off of Mou's cute little holly embellishment here and made one of my own with a bit of a twist - I cut the leaves to look like actual holly leaves. Quick and easy with a few snips of a scissor!

 

 Here I have used the Add-on kit stamps to create a happy little "gold wreath" and placed it on some of that awesome plaid patterned paper and a doily included in the kit.

I simply adore the little icon images included in this year's kit and add-on!! Here I used gold, silver, and green. The photo really doesn't do the images justice as they shimmer in the daylight in real life. 

 

How are you coming along with your December Story? I would love to see your creations! Please share with us on our OA Facebook home page or on Instagram. Tag me @suzmannecke and @octoberafternoon so we are given a heads up on your designs. Please use the hashtag #decemberstory #oadecemberstory so we can find them easily!

Have a very merry and safe New Year's Eve and a happy and healthy 2015!!!!

Suz

Tuesday Inspiration: Stitched Bits

If you, like me, are still in the process of working on your holiday album with your December Story kit, then you've probably amassed a sizeable collection of paper scraps by now. This week's inspiration piece invites you to put those bits and pieces to use in a colorful, creative, unified way. 

Source: Daisy Yellow ICAD (Index Card a Day) #6

So taken was I with the stitched scraps that I couldn't resist trying this approach on a few of my album pages. I am absolutely enamored with the results, and will be revisiting this technique for sure in future projects! 

Even though there are a lot pieces involved, the process is a simple one. I started by hand-cutting squares and rectangles of varying sizes from patterned paper, vellum, glitter cardstock, washi tape, a few of the papers that I shared in last week's post, and holiday ephemera, including receipts, wrapping paper, and greeting cards. 

I then applied a thin line of craft glue across cardstock, and assembled the pieces, adding more glue and more pieces row by row. After allowing the glue to dry for a few minutes, I stitched over the cardstock in wavy, loopy lines, turning the cardstock frequently to change the direction of the lines. 

While I was in a repurposing mood, I also worked in a Christmas tree gift tag on one of the pages and stitched a wrapping paper envelope to another. A red ribbon from a box of chocolates also found its way into the mix. Little treasures are everywhere. 

I've so enjoyed working on my holiday album this month! The spirit of play and experimentation that this album fostered will no doubt carry over into my projects in the coming year. 

If you're up for trying the sttiched bits technique or you'd just like to share your album pages, we'd love to see what you've been working on lately. Be sure to share your projects in the October Afternoon Flickr gallery.

-- Jill 

Monday Challenge: Goodbye 2014

Where did 2014 go? It flew by. Can you believe today is the last Monday of 2014? Crazy. In just a few short days we'll be ringing in the New Year but before you grab your party hats and bubbly lets take a minute to reflect on what's happened this past year. We all have stories to tell from this year: the good, the bad, the ugly, the fun & excited. You could document 14 things that happened in 2014, a photo from each month, it's a challenge so take it and make it yours!

I decided that I would document some thoughts on the ups and downs I faced this year and create a small layout without photos to go in the back of my December Story. 

I free-styled the journaling on the typewriter so it may sound like rambles when others read it but they'll get a view into my 2014. I love how quick this small layout came together with the supplies from the December Story kit.

The fabulous Mou Saha joins me today with this absolutely gorgeous layout.

Here's what Mou had to say about today's challenge:

"Mandy's challenge was perfect for me as I usually do a wrap-up kinda layout every year. This year was filled with big life events for our family. To document that I used bits and pieces from Our December Story kit and Daily Flash. Combining chipboard numbers and cardstock stickers with handwriting to create the title was fun. I matted my photo and attached it to the page with washi tape to create a hinge to lift it to reveal my journaling."

Thanks you so much for joining me today!

We would love for you to play along! Upload your layout to the October Afternoon Flickr gallery, post it on our Facebook page, or connect with us on Instagram via #octoberafternoon and #oadecemberstory.