Spring Ahead

Spring has a way to making me feel alive and alert more than any other season. Every April, I start dreaming of sprucing up the inside décor of my home or redoing the landscaping outdoors. Spring screams pure joy as the birds can be heard chirping and everything is in bloom. That familiar smell of a May afternoon just awakens the senses. What effect does spring have on you?

The idea of capturing what makes you feel reborn this spring fits the category of everyday scrapbooking. It is not a topic you would typically think about recording, but why not? The more people I talk to, the more I realize how many folks share similar experiences. A certain buzz flies around in the spring and it deserves to be documented on a page.

Photos are important, but the real star of any page is the story. When you create your layout, be sure to describe what makes you feel refreshed and new. If you aren’t a fan of spring, no fear! Simply explain what part you hate the most. It is the rain, the increase of chores or allergies? Sharing small parts of your life gives insight to who you are. Don’t notice the journaling on some of the pages below? That is because it is hidden, another technique that can encourage you to scrap the words.

Spring Fever by Nicole Nowsad

Supplies: Paper: Echo Park, American Crafts, October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, American Crafts, Alphabet: American Crafts, Buttons: My Mind’s Eye, Specialty Ink: October Afternoon, Tattered Angels, Ink: Staz- On, Stickers: Cosmo Cricket, Pens: Martha Stewart Crafts, Glitter Glue: Ranger Industries, Thread: Singer, Floss: The Twinery, Other: foam squares, sequins. Tools: Stamps: Studio G, Other: sewing machine.

Editor's Note: Nicole used hidden journaling on this layout. It is okay if your words don’t fit on a given layout. Instead of leaving them out, think about tucking them under a page element or even writing them on the back of a layout.

Journaling: Spring is a time of peace and adventure...Everything is full of life... the sun makes me feel alive, happy and that anything is possible. It is a time of year when I feel reborn and any dream, no matter how small or extraordinary can happen. I feel like I am given a second chance to embrace what was once impossible. To take a trip down the road less traveled. To do something remarkable. To dance like no one is watching. But most of all, it is a new chance to believe in yourself.

We Walk by Jennie McGarvey

Supplies: Paper: American Crafts, Studio Calico, Cardstock, Pens: American Crafts, Die Cuts: Maya Road, Ribbon: Pink Paislee, String: The Stringery, Floss: DMC, Fonts: Pacifico, Specialty Ink: Studio Calico. Tools: Electronic Die Cut Machine: Silhouette.

Design Note: I love the photograph on this page and how the sun is captured to the left. Jennie used a large photo and surrounded it with interesting layers.

Journaling: Warming up to spring, feeling new and alive!

Our Spring Time by HelenTillbury

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet, Stickers: Crate Paper, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Paint: Making Memories, Gesso: Paper Plus, Inks: Colorbox (Clearsnap), Pen: Creative Memories, Other: doily, thread, staples.

Design Note: I'm loving mixed media at the moment. It adds such depth to a page. I started by blobbing on four different paint colors to the center of my paper. I then spread it out so that it provided some instant artsy appeal, even though there's not a lot of paint left showing once the photos and all the other elements are in place. It’s just enough to say "hey!” I stuck to just one paper line as that makes for quick and easy construction. Everything is designed to go together and it sure does, beautifully! I added a large doily and some Prima blooms, a sure-fire way to shout "Springtime!!" I added a thread flourish by cutting my stitching threads off then securing them in a wavy line using staples, something a little different. I hand-journaled on my page, no stress, no fuss, and it only took a minute!

Journaling: Once a year we get to the mountains. It's perfect weather, not too cold, but not yet too hot. We spend 2 weeks in the Drakensberg…relaxing, no internet signal, frustrating at times, but at least it's a complete break!