live. photograph. scrapbook.

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Scrapbook trends change just like fashion. I love trying new techniques and eager to learn by watching videos and tutorials. I just started my Etsy store and I am really excited; check it out on the right side bar or at chiayuan.etsy.com.

Here are some of my favorite items that I keep close at hand:

Studio Calico Monthly Kits come with a lot of great coordinating products.  Every kit comes with exclusive patterned papers that you can't purchase anywhere else.  They put a lot of thought into each kits and I love all the products.

My newest purchase for my stash is Martha Stewart's flocking powder.  Now anything can be fuzzy!

I can create the look of splattered paint on purpose by using Mister Huey's mists.  This is a great new way to dress up your scrapbook page.

Divine Twine's baker's twine, look at all the wonderful colors!  I think that this is a great addition to any scrapbook page or card.

Layout: a good day to turn 30

My goal in 2011 is to document more of the special moments in my life. To get inspired with new ideas, scrapbook more regularly, and have on-hand great products to work with I joined the monthly kit club at Studio Calico. I love their products! In order to reduce my spending on scrapbook products, I have limited my visits to Michaels, utilize supplies I already own, and will only buy essentials (i.e. adhesives, card stock, and ribbon). 

I created this layout of Shaun's thirtieth surprise birthday party. I couldn't stop laughing at him as he tried with great difficulty to blow out all thirty trick candles on his cake, but I was able to take these awesome photographs.  I love how this layout came together.  The products used on this layout are from Studio Calico's December Kit (Metropolitan).

Supply List
Patterned Paper | Exclusive Designs (Sassafras), {Digits} (Studio Calico), Lagoon Calendar (KI Memories)
Embellishments | Entwined Blooms Turkish Turquoise (Sassafras), Weekdays Black Scribbles (KI Memories), Parisan Anthology Tickets (Pink Paislee), Chipboard Frame, Mister Huey's Lunch Tray (Studio Calico), Tiny Type - Yellow (Cosmo Cricket), Velvet Pleated Ribbon - Cream (Maya Road), Green Grid Mixtape (American Crafts)

Reveal: Christmas Present Album

So without further ado, here is the album that I made for Shaun of our New England road trip. (Please note: There are a lot of photos so it may take a little longer to load.)  Enjoy!

Thanks for looking!

Sneak Peak: Christmas Present Album

It really takes me a while to complete a project but when I do I am absolutely thrilled with the resulting product.  Scrapbooking is quite a process (sometimes relaxing and stressful) and I like to take my time to really think out a project before permanently gluing anything down.  For 2011, I am going to try to be less of a perfectionist, try new techniques that make a mess, and complete more projects.

This sneak peak features my Christmas present to Shaun.  The album is of our New England road trip that we took this past summer.  It was the best trip and I hope that I expressed that in my album.  Stay tuned for photos of the complete album after Shaun receives the album.

Happy Holidays! Warmest wishes to everyone!

Reveal: Two Year Album

Finally, after months of working on this mini album, I gave it Shaun for his birthday instead of our two-year anniversary.  However, this album does reflect our two years together.  Enjoy!

Thanks for looking! I hope you are inspired to try making your own mini album.

Sneak Peak: Two Year Album

Can you believe that year two is fast approaching?  I can't, I feel as though it was just yesterday we started dating.  This year I decided to tackle my project early and rather than purchase all new products, I am using products I already have and only purchasing a few new items.  My collection keeps growing and I need to use it instead of collecting it!  Before starting this project, I looked at all the past albums that I made for Shaun and tried to come up with something completely different.  Well, I hope I succeeded, but I'll find out in a few months when I present it to him.  For me, the cover was one of the hardest part to put together because it's the first impression of the rest of the album.  As you can see in the photo above, my theme is: you. me. {us}  Now, the suspense begins...

One Year Album

I created an album for our one year anniversary using Fancy Pants Designs Mixed Media Half Bracket 8x8 album.  The majority of my embellishments and patterned paper are from the Fancy Pants Designs Delight Paper Kit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sneak Peak: One Year Album

I have been working diligently to finish this project for our one year anniversary but sometimes you just need more time.  Luckily, I have the rest of today to finish my project.  Here is a sneak peak at what I have been working on.

January KOTM: Project 365

Taking a photo a day for a year is one of the things in my list of 101 in 1001 days, and Becky Higgins has come up with a great kit with all the supplies included to create a scrapbook of the 365 days.  Check out her blog as she gives us previews, tips, and what you can do before the kit goes on sale.  Then check out the Creating Keepsakes website on January 1st to purchase the kit, I know I will be.

My first mini-album

Photo Source: Amazon

A while ago I blogged about Ali Edward's new book Sharing Your Story: Recording Life's Details with Mini Books and I finally got the book!  I devoured the content the same night and was filled with inspiration from all the different types of mini albums that I started my own.  I also posted a sneak peak of the cover here.  Mini albums can be any shape, size, or material you want and there is no right or wrong way to put together a mini album.  As I am creating my project I consistently refer back to Ali's book to see what other ideas I might be able to incorporate into my own project.

Shaun and I have been to so many places over the last five months that sometimes it is a little difficult to keep track of when, where, and what we have done so far.  I decided to put together a mini-album for him of our last four months together; something he can flip through whenever he feels like it or when he forgets what we did when.

I mainly used the September monthly kit from A Million Memories "Little House in the Woods" (designed by Jennifer Findlay), which includes the following products:

Photo Source: A Million Memories

Papers:
3 Cosmo Cricket Mr Campy Papers
1 Pink Paislee Vintage Moon Scalloped Paper
4 October Afternoon Papers

Embellishments:
1 American Crafts Thickers Vinyl Alphabet - Sunflower
1 Jenni Bowlin Brown Chalkboard Alphabet Stickers
1 pack October Afternoon Rub-Ons
1 pack Sassafrass Lass Chipboard Pieces
1 pack Scenic Route Chipboard Houses
2 October Afternoon HOMETOWN Journaling Cards
5 KI Memories La Di Dah Buttons
1 Jenni Bowlin Chipboard Label Mini Book
1 yard Cream Crochet Trim

I especially love the owl rub-ons that come with this kit, they are so cute!

Here is a list of the products that I used which were not included in the kit:
1 pack Daisy D's Chloe Marie Ornate Elements Rub-Ons Transfers
1 sheet of Carolees Tiny Whoopsy Alphabet - Teal

The front and back cover of my mini-album

The inside cover and title page