Smashbook: I Heart Washi

Hello! I hope you're having a great week :) Mine? It's been very productive! Helping my family recuperate from a cold bug this past week, has also given me lots of free time at home to work in my books. Yesterday I showed my up-to-date layouts in my Project Life album, and today I'm excited to share a new spread in my pretty pink SMASH* book!

I haven't been able to SMASH* much this year because of my obsession with Project Life and staying current in that album. Now that I'm all caught up, I was finally able to create a new spread in my book! It felt so good to SMASH* again. I didn't lose my mojo afterall! I just needed some extra me-time...

Creating a "Washi Tape" spread in my pretty pink book has been on my to-do list for over a year. I really can't believe I waited this long to do it. It was super simple to make... but has a huge impact! And it only required TWO supplies! You can play around with different tapes in your collection, and have some fun with cool thickers. Even the way you layout your pages has endless possiblities...

SMASH* Book: I Heart Washi

I started out by choosing pages in my book that had a simple and basic design and pattern. You don't want anything too detailed or with too much color. Paper washi tape is semi-transparent, so you don't want to detract from the designs on your tape. The pages I used have a simple and small pink and white design, hardly noticeable through the tape.

I guess it's kind of a good thing that I waited a while to start this project. Over the last year I was able build a wonderful collection of washi, paper, and deco tape. I loved digging through my storage bin for some new designs, my favorite rolls, and even samples gifted to me. There were so many rolls to choose from that I didn't have enough room to use all of them! No problem for me, I wouldn't mind doing another spread like this in my next book :)

When it came to using the different tapes to lay out the design, I just played around with it. The best thing about washi tape is that it isn't permanent! If you don't like the placement of a particular tape, just take it off and move it wherever. Mix up different colors, patterns, and widths of your tape! I also varied the length of my tape strips, and didn't use a scissors because I like the look of torn tape. You can even see that some of the tapes overlap. It very much reminds me of a quilt.

SMASH* Book: I Heart Washi & Thickers

I couldn't leave this spread as just tape. It needed a title. So I rummaged through my stash of Thickers and found one of my favorites. "Umbrella." I used these puffy stickers to spell "washi." I purchased them over a year ago at Big Lots, and have only used it once before now. The font is the largest of all my thickers [it's HUGE!], so it isn't desirable on my Project Life cards. But they are great for my double-page SMASH* Book spreads. And they're the perfect alphabet stickers for this layout! I also used another one of my larger alphas for the "I."  The black heart is a cutout.

A majority of these tapes came from two of my favorite online shops: Paper Addict and The Beary Scrap. The owners Cathy and Kimm are amazing! I've known both for over a year, and have been a loyal customer since Day 1. Check them out!

I've also snagged some fabulous designs online from Downtown Tape. Walmart has great tape for $.97/roll, visit Michael's for their Recollections brand [lots of variety], JoAnne's carries cute little Studio G packages for $.99, Target stocks Scotch and SMASH*, and even Big Lots and Tuesday Morning have sets of designer tapes. I was lucky enough to pick up a Cosmo Cricket "Hello" set from T.M. and a set of Elmer's designer tape at B.L., for only $3- each.

SMASH* Book: I Heart Washi | Close Up

I really love the way this spread came together... It looks fabulous! I'm so happy to be SMASHing again :) I hope you enjoyed today's post and leave here feeling inspired to create something beautiful in your book! If you would like to take a peek at my pretty pink SMASH* Book, you can find it here. If you're looking for more SMASH* inspiration, check out my "SMASH* & PL" pinboard on Pinterest. You'll find links to hundreds of DIYs, free printables, How-To's, ideas, tips, and inspiration for everything SMASH*. Be sure to follow that board because I find new stuff daily!

You also can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, and by "liking" my new fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Do you SMASH*? Have you made a spread like this yet? I'd love to see it! Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? Please let me know. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smashbook: My Name Is...

Happy Wednesday :) I hope you're enjoying your week! I've been so busy with so many other projects, that it feels like forever since the last time I shared a spread from my pretty pink SMASH book. I know with this crazy year and my current obsession with Project Life and Filofax, I've been neglecting my SMASH books for quite some time. I figured since I haven't had the chance to work in them lately, I would share some old spreads I created last year.

Around this time last year I was fairly new to SMASH books. But I have been documenting memories this way since I was a child. I still have my old altered composition books from 20 years ago filled with doodles and journaling, photobooth pictures, clippings from magazines, ticket stubs, fun tags from my favorite products. I guess that you can say I'm a natural SMASHer that was SMASHing before there was even a name for it! Not much has changed now that I'm in 30's, except that my style has grown and evolved.

Today I'm sharing a spread that I created around the end of Summer in 2012. It was one of my very first layouts, and I was slowly starting to develop my own style. Many of the techniques I used in this spread, I continue to use today. It has a little bit of everything, and is filled with many of my favorite elements.

Smashbook: My Name Is | Full Spread

This spread originally started out as a test page for some new ink and stamps I purchased, and some homemade glimmer mists I was trying out. [You can find my Glimmer Mist DIY here.] I really loved the way it looked when I was done, and thought it would be the perfect background for a whole new layout. 

Smashbook: My Name Is | Left Page

The images from my stamps, and the colors from the new ink and spray mists were totally me. So I decided to do a sort of "About Me" using acronyms from my name. I chose upper case alphabet stickers to get me started, and used my love of handwriting and penmanship to spell out specific traits for each letter of my name.

Smashbook: My Name Is | Confetti Envelope That Holds a Selfie

I also thought it would be fun to add a photograph of myself taken during that specific time in my life. I've used confetti pages many times in my handmade Daybooks, and thought of a way to apply this techique in my Smashbook for this spread. Combining the cellophane packaging from a sheet of stickers and some fun washi tape, I was able to create a see-through envelope which I attached to the page with a washi-tape hinge. I added some confetti (the negatives from my different paper punches) and an instagram selfie. Being a "green mama," I love that I was able to repurpose things that would normally be thrown away.

Smashbook: Right Page

Magazine clippings are one of my favorite SMASH* supplies (going back to my childhood), and being able to use this potty girl image from my stash made it a perfect addition to this spread. A clear crown sticker is the finishing touch. I also love pockets. You can find all different kinds in the pages of my books. I thought it would be fun to add one to this spread too. This particular pocket was handmade using pretty patterned paper, and embellished with washi tape, a cardstock tag, and pink glitter alphabet stickers.

Smashbook: My Name Is | A Handmade Pocket Holds Journal Cards

Inside the pocket holds some small Project Life journal cards that are perfect for SMASHing. These are all free printables that I used to document specific things I wanted to remember at that time. I have a favorite quote, 5 Things That I Love, and Facts about Me.

For an added touch I used more washi tape to create little tabs on each card. The main reason I do this because my daughter loves flipping through my SMASH books and interacting with the different elements. The washi tabs makes it easier for her to pull the cards in and out of the pocket without tearing it apart. It's fun for her and makes me worry less about my book in the hands of a 4-year-old.

I really hope you liked my SMASH* post and leave here feeling inspired to create something beautiful in your book! Want to take a peek at my pretty pink book? You can find it here. Looking for more SMASH* inspiration and the printables I used in this spread? Browse through my "SMASH* & PL" or "Printables/Templates" pinboards on Pinterest. You'll find hundreds of links to DIY's, How-To's, ideas, tips, and free printables for everything SMASH* and Project Life. Don't forget to follow those boards because I find new stuff daily!

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my new fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Do you SMASH*? Have you done a spread like this yet? Have any favorite elements or supplies? I'd love to hear them! Any comments, thoughts or questions about this post? Please let me know. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thank you for stopping by!

Smashbook: "Rainbows"

Aloha! I hope you are having a wonderful week. As for me, I feel like I've been neglecting my SMASH* books a lot this year. I guess it's for good reason, since I'm slightly obsessed with Project Life at the moment. But it's okay... although I haven't been working in my SMASH* books for 2013, I'm happy to share some of my old creations from last year here on my blog.

What I love most about SMASHing is that I can do whatever I want in my books. They are a huge reflection of myself, filled with a mix of different spreads representing what I was feeling at that particular moment in time. Some of the pages hold photos and memories documenting everyday life or special adventures, but other pages have no photographs at all. Being able to step outside the box of typical "scrapbooking" to find new and different ways to spread my creativity is truly invigorating. 

I love flipping through my book and seeing all of the different spreads. And I have to say the ones that don't hold a single photo are some of my favorites. From "100 Things" and "Words of Wisdom" to "Zentangles & Prompts" and "Our Love Song." Believe me, running out of photos or tangible things to SMASH* can be a very good thing... there are so many other ways to create something beautiful in your book.

Today I'm sharing my first mixed media art spread that I created last summer in my pretty pink book. In every SMASH* book, there is a single white page. I thought that it would be the best place to do an art layout. The one in my pink book is followed by an image of birds and clouds. It was the perfect inspiration for a spread about "Rainbows" using one of my favorite quotes!

I started out by drawing a sun, and used a Dear Lizzy chipboard cloud as a template for the cloud shapes, then I outlined them with my black Zig marker. I filled each cloud with different doodles and designs and added the chipboard cloud as another layer. Then I used a mix of Prismacolor Scholar and Zig markers to create the rainbow and add color to the clouds and sun. For the remaining white areas of the page I chose a grayish-blue shade of Pearlescent Watercolor Paint by Yasutomo.

The quote I chose for this spread couldn't have been more perfect. Since handwriting and penmanship is a passion of mine, I decided to write the quote by hand instead of using alphabet stickers. As another element, I used standard school glue with a bottle of Doodlebug Sugar Coating loose glitter to create some raindrops. I also added a few rain themed stickers.

I love using magazine clippings in my SMASH* books. As a matter of fact, I actually have an accordion file full of different images and words. When I came across these cute "Mommy and Daughter" rain boots, I had no idea what I would use them for. I'm so glad I snipped them, because they work great for these pages! I think they're the perfect finishing touch to my "Rainbows" spread.

I hope you enjoyed my post today and leave here feeling inspired to create something beautiful in your books. Remember, photos and journaling don't have to be the only things that fill them. Have some fun and mix it up a bit! I'm sure you'll enjoy the variety when you are flipping through them years down the road...

Want to take a peek into my pretty pink book? You can find it here. Looking for more SMASH*ing inspiration? Be sure to check out my "Smash* & PL" pinboard on Pinterest. It has hundreds of links to  DIY's, How-To's, free printables, tips, ideas, and inspiration for everything SMASH* and Project Life.

Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

Are you a SMASH*er? Have you done a mixed-media spread yet? What elements did you use? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? Feel free to drop my a line. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated!

Mahalo for stopping by!

Smashbook: Prompts & Doodles

Aloha! I would like to send Mother's Day wishes to all of the wonderful Mommies out there in the world. We are all someone's "hero." I hope you had a blessed day ♥ It's been a long time since I smash*ed in my pretty pink book. And feeling inspired by the love from today, I finally picked it back up and created something beautiful again.

As you can see, I spent my much needed "Me Time" during this Mother's Day weekend with writing utensils in hand. I don't know what urged me to turn the original "Top 10" prompt into a full spread, complete with a "Currently"  list and Doodles & Zentangles. As I worked, I kept having flashbacks from my high school days. Seeing notebook after notebook full of colorful journal entries and drawings. It's amazing to see how much my style has been consistent but yet evolved to what it is now.

Believe it or not, I was suffering from a KILLER migraine this whole weekend! I had to find something to get that awful pain out of my head... I turned to my SMASH* book. I remembered how relaxing and peaceful my last Zentangle session was. [See my "Zentangle Fairytale" post.] So I knew it was the perfect remedy now. I gathered my supplies, and let my thoughts and ideas flow... 

I flipped through the book searching for the perfect pages. I came across a set of lined "notebook" paper with a "Top Ten" prompt on the left side. If you know me and follow my blog, you know that I love writing and penmanship. I take full advantage of the chance to play around with different fonts. It's a passionate detail that I love adding to my books! Always starting out with pencil first, I freehand the various fonts using the lines as a guide. Then I go over the pencil using my black zig pen/marker, and erase all of the pencil marks. I usually make one more pass with the black pen to finish it off. I decided to leave each "fave" black since there was already so much color from the numbers and my doodles.

I guess it was only appropriate to turn this fully lined paper into my "Currently" list. I started out with Amy Tangerine "Journal" thickers for the title. The simple and slim letters fit perfectly into the space next to the (date/time/place) label already there. I didn't want to use only my writing on this page though. So I used some large Hero Arts wooden alphabet stamps for the prompts. It's okay to have the letters and words look a little imperfect. I think it totally compliments the randomness of the doodles and zentangles :) I added some sparkle with journaling using my metallic purple sakura gelly roll pen.... *Don't mind the little white "splotches"...it's white-out. I had to fix a couple of things because my toddler kept bumping me. The joys of "Motherhood." ;)

I left the best part for last! As far as the doodling and zentangles go, that was all done freehand too.  After I knew how much space I had, I used a mechanical pencil and just started drawing. Working in sections and using a mixture of fun shapes and designs paired with simple repetitive patterns....my work came to life. I outlined each section with the black pen twice and erased all of the pencil marks. I started filling in the  zentagles with touches of black, and added pops of color using a set of really chunky art pencils with different colors blended into each one. I added the different elements and designs as I went, slowly filling in the empty spaces. 

I love the way it turned out! I really hope you enjoyed this post and feel inspired to create your own Zentangle pages in your books. Once you get the hang of it, it only becomes more enjoyable. I like how incredibly relaxing and peaceful it is. Did I mention it also cured my 3-day migraine? Yup. It honestly did. I had nothing to focus on but my art and the paper in front of me.

Interested in trying another fun SMASH* book entry? How about a "100 Things I Love" spread? I even provided a list I made to help get you started on yours. Click here for my "100 Things" post. Wanna take a peek into my pretty pink book? You can find it here. Looking for more SMASH* inspiration? Check out my "SMASH* & PL" pinboard on Pinterest. It's full of hundreds of ideas, inspiration, DIY's, and printables. I know you'll find something you like! Want to stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook! 

Do you SMASH*? Have you tried Zentangles yet? What do you think about it? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? Let me know. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks you for stopping by!

Smashbook: Zentangle Fairytale

Today I'm featuring another spread from my Pretty Pink Smashbook. What I love most about SMASHing is that your book can be anything you want it to be... because there are no rules! And I use mine in so many different ways. Some of the pages resemble a scrapbook with lots of photos, captions and embellishments. Other spreads are journal-like with mostly writing and little or no embellishments. I even love to use it as an art journal with mixed-media creations, collages, and in this case Zentangles. It's so cool flipping through my book and seeing all of the different spreads... each one capturing what I'm feeling at that moment.

I was a newbie to SMASHing when I first made this spread 9 months ago. As a matter of fact, this was actually the 3rd spread I ever created, and my very first Zentangle pages. Although it looks complicated, it's not. All you are doing is repeating simple patterns. If you're a doodler like myself, you should pick it up easily. But anyone can do it, all it takes is some practice.

I choose to do this Zentangle in a Love theme because I love SMASHing about Love. This was just another way for me to show it. I think the Pretty Pink book is the best book to use when it comes to the subject of love. It's chock full of sweet, romantic pages with touches of pink and "lovely" little details.

I flipped through the whole book to find the perfect background for my Zentangle art. The pages I chose were covered in roses and had a large "Memo" label on the left page and a smaller "Forget Me Not" tag on the right. These pages couldn't have been more perfect for what I needed...it totally screamed "Love"!

Inspired by the gorgeous images and patterns on the internet, I started out by drawing my Zentangles freehand with pencil first because I knew I was going to make mistakes. (Especially with my 3-year old sitting right next to me bumping me every 5 minutes!) And from there, I just let the pencil flow...

Then I went over the whole thing with a black zig pen and erased all of the pencil marks. I added pops of color using a red colored pencil and with a black calligraphy pen, I wrote a favorite quote and filled in the "Memo" label with a special sentiment. I finished off the spread with a couple of photobooth pics taken during that moment in time, over 14 years ago.

I know that another Zentangle spread will be going into my book in the near future. It may have taken me a while to do these pages (thanks in part to my toddler), but it was all worth it. Those few hours were incredibly relaxing and fun at the same time. It's definitely a great way to wind down after a long and hectic week.... you should try it sometime :)

[*Update 5/12/2013: You can find my recent Zentangle spread here.]

Would you like to take a peek at my Pretty Pink SMASH* book? You can find it here. Are you looking for inspiration to fill your books? Be sure to check out my "SMASH* & PL" pinboard on Pinterest. Wanna stay updated on my recent posts and projects? Be sure to "like" my new fan page on Facebook!

Are you a SMASHer? Have you tried a Zentangle spread yet? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? Feel free to drop me a line. Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Mahalo for stopping by!