Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Inspiration Elevator Challenge #4: Imperfectly Perfect

You may recall from last month's challenge that the purpose of this challenge group was to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow. 


This month our challenger was the very talented Lisa Moen.  Lisa, like most of us, doesn't always take the "perfect" photos. In fact, sometimes, the imperfect is all you have to tell your story. This month Lisa challenged us to use those imperfect photos to tell an story. Here's what she had to say about her challenge:

"I was digging through some old 1980's photos the other day and realized how bad some of the pictures were. Cameras have come a LONG way since then!

I have lots of pictures I haven't scrapped because they were/are poor quality pictures and I am sure you have pictures like that too. So let's dig out those blurry, bad pictures and tell the story behind them!  So my challenge to you this month is to use a bad photo and journal about it."

I must admit that I don't usually keep or print poor photos! Thanks to digital cameras and a huge PURGE a few years ago, I live in a happy, good, photo world. Finding a BAD photo was the first challenge I faced! Luckily I was able to find a photo a friend took when Adriane was only 4. I had blown the photo up to 5x7 and the quality turned out terribly. I couldn't bear to part with it though because her smile is so serene. Once I had my photo I was on a roll.

I began with white card stock and added water colour paint by drizzling it along the top of the page. I dried each colour in between with my heat tool. This prevented the colours from being muddied.


I also added a banner and used little bits from my "BIN OF NO RETURN" to embellish it.

Finally, I added some popped up clouds, and stitching for texture and dimension.


In the end, I loved how this photo made me feel. In fact, in thinking of when this photo was taken and how she has changed, I actually shed a tear.

 
Silly, I know. But thanks to Lisa's challenge I scrapped a photo that should evoke those memories for a long time to come. Thanks, Lisa! I hope you will stop by and see what the other designers on this adventure have created:


I invite you to play along with any of our challenges and add your comment below with a link, we would love to see what you have created..

Until next time, keep doing what you love to do.
Christa

14 comments:

  1. Oh my! Love, love, love this Christa! Love the fun summery feel to this page and the watercolors and banner are perfect in every way!

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  2. This is beautiful Christa!! I love that you paired the darker photo with such bright papers!!

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  3. I love the whimsy of this layout. I, too, have wanted to play with paint that drizzles down my page, and will soon. It's such a neat effect, isn't it? I love how colourful your banner is and all the bits and bobs between the triangle. It's another terrific page, my friend!!

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  4. Gorgeous...you are the master of water color. I have to give this a try. I am learning so much and I am constantly inspired by this team's creations.

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  5. Wow! I love love love the watercolor drips!! And that photo is so special...I'm glad that it brought out some emotion for you!

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  6. love the clean crisp look of this! perfect photo to scrap and remember sweet things about your girlie!

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  7. Christa, that watercolor technique is just beautiful! I love the photo...it may not be perfect but everything about this layout is!!!

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  8. fab job with what could be a terrible photo... done beautifully with amazing design and details... great page

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  9. One of my favorites!
    love the painty drips.

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  10. Love this layout. The watercolours look amazing and I really like how the cloud overlaps your photo.

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  11. Love this, Christa! The "drippage", (as Donna Downey would call it!), is perfect! And I love the banner made from scraps and "bits"!

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  12. Such a sweet layout Christa! I love the paint drippings and the whole feel of the design! Your banner is fabulous and your photo is just too precious :)
    Joanne xo

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