Thursday, April 3, 2008

Tale of Two Layouts...

The digi class I'm taking at Jessica Sprague is SO much fun, but also very challenging. I created a layout yesterday as part of this week's assignment for Lesson 1, but ultimately, I just didn't like it and decided not to post it here. While others may think I am being too hard on myself, I just wasn't feeling it with the layout and it bugged the heck out of me. We were supposed to use skills we learned in the first lesson to create a new layout. Which is all well and good, but I don't do well at all coming up with things from scratch. I am a complete lifter of ideas. The one thing I wanted to try that I liked was making a scalloped circle. But after that, I honestly didn't know where to go. The rest of the layout felt off to me. But the gals from my class were very complimentary of the layout. So after a little retail therapy at Kay Miller Designs and at Nitwitcollections, I felt a renewed sense of inspiration and since it was bugging me so much, I re-did the layout. I am MUCH happier with the new layout.
First attempt-above
Second attempt-below

The first layout uses paper from Love Bug, a kit from Kay Miller. The rest of the supplies are from the folder we got for class. Fonts are One Fell Swoop (dafont.com) and typeright! (not sure where it came from).

The second layout uses Simple Pleasures, a new kit at Kay Miller Designs. The fonts are Vintage typewriter (simple), CK_Alis_Writing, and New Times Roman. The hemp and tag are from the supplies I got for the class.

Thanks for visiting. I feel better now that this is done and I can move onto other projects for this class. She's giving us a lot of opportunities to practice, practice, practice!

my signature 2

8 comments:

Kathi Carlson said...

I've been stalking your blog waiting for your next layout. The first one contains some very cool elements, like the photo in the background. I like them both. I LOVE your makeover. The story hit home. Bjorn likes to "read" the flyers to and tell grandma what she should buy him next. LOL. I can't wait to see what you come up with next. Enjoy!!

Barb said...

I actually like both layouts. I like the the photo in the background, too, that is such a nice touch on a layout. Your do over is my fav, though, I like the colors and your choice of fonts. Thank you for sharing! I will be back! :-)

Kim Burmeister said...

Jeanne, you are too hard on yourself. I really like both layouts! The colors in both are great! I always like your artwork! Have fun!

Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs said...

Oh my gosh! No kidding! I LOVE the second layout! Wahoo! Awesome job. Off to leave some love in the gallery!

mE said...

Girrrrrlllllfrrriiiieend!

I TOTALLY TOTALLY love the second layout... It SINGS to me. LOL! It is so happy and fun and I love your combination of elements. I hear you with the not knowing where to start.....

LOVE these!

:)
E.
PS... Don't be so hard on yourself!

Carol said...

Jeanne I am very much like you. I am great at scraplifting but to start from total scratch is near impossible.
Having said that, I love your second layout, I think personally it shows more design skill - I think you have made that extra step. Now for me to follow lol.

Angela2932 said...

Oh, Jeanne, I totally love your 2nd layout! And what's so cool is now I know more why it would sing to you (and me!) more than the fine, (but not as fantastic!) first one; it's the repetition and, well, all the things Jessica said: the proximity; the focus and hierarchy, and order. I've been thinking about Jessica's pdf on design all weekend (while away on a trip to see my son). And I think her 2nd point (the focus and hierarchy) is the thing I'm really trying to wrap my mind around. To me, this part has to do with what I'm trying to say with a lo, and especially, using all the cool tools and gadgets she gives us to really crystalize the message. I think you're 2nd layout really shows it, especially with the repetition (order; hierarchy) of the photos. I hope everyone at Jessica's comes over and sees these two layouts; and I'm so glad you listened to that voice inside of you that said "no, not quite" so that you reached to make the 2nd one. Bravo!

Jackie said...

You did a great job with both of them...love the blended photo in the first one...and the second one how you faded the photos is great too.