can you believe it?

I actually scrapped!

Last summer I had occasion to dabble in some digital scrapping (for the life of me I can't remember why), and I discovered that there were some real benefits to the digital life. Like the fact that I don't have to worry about running out of paper, embellishments, or anything else that I like because they can be used over and over again. There are a whole variety of other tricks of the trade that are possible to create the images and finished products desired as well, but I am far from being anything but a novice in the area. The technical aspects are a challenge since I am not photoshop or other-editing savvy, but bit by bit I am learning. And finally, I am creating.

I had a bonus day at home yesterday and decided to seize the opportunity to work on a couple of layouts. The one above was based on a "sketch", which I more or less followed pretty precisely. The one below, of Cross in February (I just realized that I mistakenly identified it as Thanksgiving: oops!), features a favorite picture. The design is my own and pretty generic, but I admit that I am pleased with it. I have concluded that I lack imagination when it comes to design, and rely heavily on the work of others for inspiration. I am beginning to develop a sense of placement and utilization of things I wouldn't have thought of (like the gray circle), and taking some risks with patterns and color, but I have a long way to go before I am churning out distinctive and eye-catching (and pleasing) layouts the way some of my friends do.

All of that aside, I am happy that I finally produced something. I have plenty of pictures with which to play, and inspiration to keep me on that sharp, learning edge. One technique at a time, perhaps, and before I know it I'll be a rock star. Maybe.