Inspiration Elevator #3: Exploring the Double Page

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 Audrey Yeager. Audrey noticed (as you may have too) that all but one of our members is a single page designer. Our default design is a single 12x12 design! That's why we love IE..so many styles and we all approach it differently! In fact, we have invited a valued guest designer to join us this month; her name is Scarlett Salamone.

Here's a bit of what Audrey had to say in her challenge this month. She even gives us a few tips and a link to a great blog for inspiration! 

" I take a lot of photos.  Right now, I have been using 2 or 3 smaller photos on my layouts.  But truth is, I have a lot of events where I would like to include a lot of photos on a larger spread so that you can see the details in the photos to.  So I print out the photos with the intention of putting them on a 2-page spread...

I just can’t get it.  I feel like I have a certain style, yet when I sit down to create a 2 pager, it feels nothing like “me”. 

SOOOO, your next challenge is to create a double page layout.  And I don’t mean just any double page.  I want you to really think about your style and your design practices for single pagers (the first assignment helped us define our style, so think about those elements).  Then take those ideas and try to apply them to a double pager.   

Here are some ideas:

*Start by thinking of your canvas as a 12x24” size.  Before you even print photos or pick papers, try to envision (or sketch out) a design that feels like “you”.

*Once you have a basic design, think about the techniques that you love and where/how you will incorporate them on your page.

*Choose products that you would use for a single page layout.  If you use white cardstock as a base a lot of times, then use it on your double page.  If you mostly use patterned paper, then use that.  And if you don’t have 2 of the same sheets of patterned paper for your background, I REALLY challenge you to use 2 different 12x12 sheets for the base of your spread!  (Kim Watson does a superb job of using 2 different sheets for her backgrounds…if you have CK magazine, look at some of her pages.) http://kj-starre.blogspot.com/

*Another way to approach this, (which I personally want to experiment with more), is to create 2 single pagers, but use the same papers in the same ratios.  The papers and the photos will help tie your design together.

You might do this challenge and not be happy with your first result, so I challenge you to KEEP TRYING!  Do a 2^nd , double page layout and try to learn from your “mistakes” on the first one.

Also, if you typically DO create 2 pagers, then apply the same ideas to a single page spread instead.

As we create this month, if you have thoughts about your process or are struggling, OR you are loving what you are creating, share some of your ideas with us!!!

I can’t wait to see what you create!"

 I admit it, since I have been seriously scrapbooking, I have taken to creating single pages. I struggle, as Audrey says, to make a double page design seem like"ME". In fact, I cursed my dear friend Audrey several times during this process and it took me ages. AGES, I tell you.

I struggled. I tried this and that and changed it over and over. I even debated in settling..to go..old school and just LIVE with it already. But that didn't seem to be the goal of this Inspiration Elevator idea. I wanted growth, darn it. Even if it killed me!

 So, insert more cursing ...then I did what every other woman does when things aren't going her way: I complained loudly to my friends and they came to my rescue with encouragement and ideas! Audrey suggested I look at my single page designs and make a list of commonalities. I did that and then compared it to what I had created, guess what? There were elements missing!
Here's what I ended up with and I must admit to being pleasantly surprised with the end result. It has all the "Christa" elements:

1. Paint
2. Trims
3. Buttons
4. A large photo
5. A multi font title
6. Machine Stitching

The colour palette here comes from the photos and the papers are a mix of Jillybean, MME, and Bo Bunny from my stash. I am especially fond of my hand stitched Mickey Mouse head that frames up my title. While I usually don't hand stitch I have been know to have a large element peek out from the side of my layers.

I also added a few buttons and what my BFF , Ann likes to call a "confetti" array. It is made of cork bits and a few flower brads. I placed a matching (balancing) array in the other left corner.

I finally added my strip journaling to finish things off.

A final look at the finished project:

I am not sure I am in love with it, but I think I like it well enough to post it here and maybe keep giving this process a try. I can't thank Audrey enough for her encouragement and for this truly challenging challenge.

I hope you will stop by and see what the designers on this adventure have created:

Audrey Yeager 

Lisa Moen 

Laurel Seabrook

Cathy Harper

Sue Sykes

Lisa Spiegel

Joanne Burton

Ann Jobes

Christa Uttley

Laura Whitaker 

Scarlett Salamone - July Guest Designer 

I invite you to play along with any of our challenges. You can see the first two challenges: #1 is here and #2 is here. We would love to see what you are inspired to create. Add your comment below with a link, I will be sure to drop by and say hello.

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

Christa