The Graduates

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For the last three years, I volunteered to take group photos of graduates at my kids’ preschool/kindergarten. This is Kyle’s last year there and I wanted to make something special for his graduating friends. I came up with this black and white portrait display idea while I was taking the photos of the graduates last year.

Kyle’s spring program/graduation was last Friday. And with help of few moms, I put the photos on the wall outside of the reception hall.

While editing the photos, I was amazed how much everyone looks so grown up. So, I thought it would be neat to display their toddler year photos next to the current ones to show their growth. I asked parents to give me their kids first preschool photos and write some notes to them.

I decorated the photo layout with kid’s favorite color, and school logo.

Papers: A Muse Studio Polka Dot papers. and Solid papers.

Stamps: a muse studio congradulations

Note from parents on the card.

Can’t believe my oldest is going to be a first grader this fall. *sniff*

There are 16 kids graduating this year. I went to school 3 or 4 times to take the photos of all of them. I had the photos printed at Costco (About 30 min. away from my house). Some of them had line scratch, so I had to go back there to get it re-printed. It was a long process, but I did learn so much about taking photos of kids and post-processing. I received many compliments form parents and teachers, so I’m happy.

Here’s how I foam mounted the photos.

I took the pictures at the end of the school hours, and most of the kids’ cloths were messy. Hehe. I thought it was more memorable and cute to see them as is.

Photos were edited with Flora Bella Photoshop Action (Luxe II – BW Film)

I wanted Kyle to draw his famous trains on the back of the each foam boards. But, he was so meticulous with his work (hehe), and was taking too long. Since we didn’t have enough time, I asked him to just draw a simple train w/o any coloring and write his name.

I scanned his illustration, created stickers and attached on the boards. He was so impressed how his drawing ended up on the stickers.

This was the most challenging part. I wasn’t sure how to mount the photos on the wall at school. It was to be displayed for few hours and I needed to find an easy way to un-mount without creasing the foam boards.

I cut small strips of papers, fold it in half. Attached it to the back of the foam boards. And added 4 Command Damage-Free Hanging Strips on top.

Bailey was so excited to see her brother’s big photo on the wall.

Six

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On the last blog post, I complained about how much I do not like writing. Well, yesterday I was a co-speaker for a photo organizing event. Can you imagine that! I turn red just talking with a group of my friends if all eyes are on me. But, I was talking in front of people last night! Eeek~!

We had about 16 attendees, and they were all friendly so I wasn’t shaking too much, hehe. Jody, a professional organizer, talked about organizing photos, and I talked about creative ways to display/save them.

All attendees were moms with young kids, and I wanted to share this layout that anybody can easily create with their munchkins.

I drew lines in Photoshop and printed on 12×12 cardstock. You can also freehand draw the box if you don’t have a software nor a large format printer. The box will fit 4×6 photo which is a standard print size from a photo developing places.

I asked my son to write things about him on his 6th birthday. I asked him to write who he is, what he likes, and likes to do on the paper outside of the box. But, he being my son, was not interested in journaling. He was drawing trains instead. But, he is crazy about trains and drawing trains is his everyday life. So this doodling represents him so well. He was tired at the time and didn’t want to bother with this scrapbooking project and was rushing to finish it.

In the end, I had to threat(?) him to write. And he did. Hehe. He wrote with light yellow marker. He insisted on yellow since it is his favorite color.

He wrote, I like popsicles. I have one sister. I like yellow. I live in Virginia.

If your kids are too young to write, ask them to doodle or you can write for them.

It was so hard to pick just one photo from the mini photo shoot we had at home on his birthday. I picked another 9 photos, printed on 4×6. Cut the sides to 4 inches.

Collaged it on 12×12 cardstock.

Display it side by side on a wall, or store it away on a scrapbook album.

Too Cute

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Ugh~! I hate journaling!

Heehee.

Hate is a strong word and I keep telling my son not to express his feelings with that word, but that is how I feel about writing. I cringe whenever I write.

When I started scrapbooking, I had no plan on doing any journaling on my layouts except putting event name, location, and date. I didn’t see the needs. So what my kids don’t see the stories behind the photos? They could imagine and make their own stories. Hehe. But, I read and hear about the famous scrapbookers talking about the journaling, and I’m trying to overcome my fear. So what that my writing is not perfect and I’m embarrassed about my kids reading it! I’m sure they’ll be used to my broken English by the time they are able to read it. =)

I used supplies from PaperWorks Co. PaperCard Kit – October.

I’m a sketch challenged, so I used a digital template by Scrapping with Liz in Photoshop. This template was part of theDailyDigi Digi Files (May 2010).

Printed the photo blocks and journal on the Kraft cardstock. And, the photos separately on a 8.5×11 photo paper (Red River Paper – 75lb. Artic Polar Luster).

Stamp: The Pumpkin Patch by Rachelle A Miller
Coloring: Colored pencils.
Inks: Staz-On, Memento

Birthday Cake Hat

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12×12 scrapbook layout created for PaperWorks Co. blog.

The photo was taken last December for my daughter’s 2nd birthday. I don’t remember why it was only a frosting-less cupcake instead of a nicely decorated cake. I’m sure I bought her the one with frosting, but can’t remember what we did or didn’t do for her birthday. *sigh* Why is my memory getting worse!

Stamp: A Suprise Cheer by Rachelle Anne Miller

A cute birthday hat, huh! =)
Photo was printed on Printed on Red River Paper (Artic Polar Gloss)

Cute stamped pin came with my Paper Works Co. DT goodies. =)

Cupcake images were cut out from BasicGrey Nook and Pantry pattern paper.

Don’t forget to check out Ultimate Summer Challenge at PaperWorks Co. blog. Fun! Fun! Fun!

little monsters in the closet

Number of View: 610

Hehehe.

It’s a 12×12 scrapbook layout featuring my little monsters, Kyle and Bailey (K.B.) and DoodleFactory Creatures. Inspired by the movie, E.T. in the closet. =)

I used the entire roll of foam tape on the base layout. A long lollipop stick and eyelet stickers for the closet hanging rod.

For frames and the wall panel stamps are from Classic Decor (DoodleFactory Collections from Starving Artistamp)
You can find how to create the silhouettes on Nichole Heady’s blog.

I made this silhouettes of my kids with the black découpage paper that my friend, Marie-Pierre sent me. I’ve never seen anybody who can hand cut as well as Marie-Pierre. I’ve bought many detail scissors, but I can’t get to no where near her skill.