planning ahead

i am in disbelief that i have been designing and teaching a layout a month for a year! i love to look through my album and see the whole year right there like a summary. there are still more photos to scrapbook...what else is new?! however, it feels awesome to have an entire year pretty much in one spot. some months you have to really think about what photos to use, and others could easily become 6 pages.

here is the last page of the year. December:



it was soooo difficult to choose the paper this month! just because there were many options. in the end it was Echo Park that solved the dilemma. it is mature. traditional. vintage-like.



how does one bring any kind of seriousness to a layout with a family photo like that?! it was taken right before bedtime and everyone was excited for Santa's arrival to our new home. we now had a fireplace...so it was all even more exciting! ha!



last year i came across a blog post that shared tips on taking Christmas tree photos. as a result i think i have about 50 photos of the tree from that night. i also tested it on the flames in the fireplace...Santa's treat. of all the photos i took, this one of our tree is my absolute favourite. the lights are all aglow and soft. i love the shadow on the wall and the reflection on the hardwood.

if i can find the post, or come across new ones then i'll be sure to share! please send any good links my way too, pretty please!



don't you just want yards and yards of this ribbon? Pat has the best eye for ribbon. i'll pass by the ones she pulls off. and they end up being my favourite!



i adore this rhinestone buckle. truthfully they really looked dull and cheap in the package. hidden treasure! put them with traditional Christmas colours and they sparkle perfectly.



my favourite technique using hearts. i also learned a bit of a new technique with the pearl pin. a surprise for sure.


i'm next working on a bonus layout for my monthly layout class ladies. we all have an album with pretty paper and stunning photos. but we're missing the front and back pages! not that the back of the paper can't look pretty....but it is lacking. i should be able to share that by the weekend. fingers crossed!


for now i am racing to finish our Christmas cards. very simple this year. i'll share once they're done.


the next project is to get set up for the Year In Review class next year. we are opening spaces for new people to join. this is what you can expect:

the first week in the month you will receive an e-mail with the completed layout.
a list of supplies and the cost will also be included.
the actual layout will be displayed at Urban Scrapbook for you to check out in person.
the class is held the last Thursday of each month. most months there have been enough interest for us to hold a second class for those who just want to sign up month by month. this year that class will be held the last Saturday morning of each month. this means, if the interest is there, you could come either Thursday evening or Saturday morning.
this means you have nearly 4 weeks to choose photos (or to set up your photos to coordinate with the layout).

some of the benefits the ladies have shared with me are:
a guaranteed night to scrapbook. 
a year summarized. 
new techniques learned {yes, some months have had several! a standing joke on what lesson i have in store for them!!}

from my viewpoint, i think we have all grown a lot through the year. January 2010 seems so long ago, yet it seems like just last week. i've enjoyed my new friends and am very glad that many of them have decided to come back next year.



here are the layouts we created this year if you are curious:



January: microbeads, acrylic and glimmer mist....what happens when you combine them?!



February: vintage music paper to create dimensional roses! {and some creative sanding}



March: dismal outside, but bright colours here. banner, paper rosette/pinwheels, rolled paper roses



April: another look at rolled paper flowers, stamping and embossing, mod podge, crackle paint...and glimmer mist! oh, yeah...can't forget the cheesecloth!!



May: roses for Mama! yes many, many flowers and butterflies. my favourite technique of image transfer on to canvas...oh, so fun!!!



June: some grunge to balance out the flowers! using stamps and ink and copper spray.



July: microbeads were back, this time combined with lovely tulle roses ribbon. another use for envelopes on your layout. as well as another way to use your distress inks.



August: sandpaper, glimmer mist and microbeads. and yet another easy flower technique.



September: leaves all coppery and falling.



October: burlap! not just to protect your trees outside, or to add to your home decor anymore.



November: a super easy pom-pom made from felt and embossing onto acrylic. the heat tools got a work-out that night!



December: mostly a summary of different techniques from the year, but used a bit differently.


of course i will share the FIRST and LAST album pages when they are complete. there will be 2 pages...but they will be single layouts taught in the one class.


the cost of the classes ranged from $25 to $50, with an average of $35 per month. it really is a good deal, when you factor in the number of techniques that are taught. as well as the double page layout that you get to keep and use! an agreement between you and the store, you agree to pay for the class at the beginning of each month - once the cost is determined. it is technically a year long class, where you pay monthly. it is a way to guarantee your spot, and not have to worry about waiting lists or missing the notice, etc.


{there are close-ups of each of the layouts in my archives. you can find them under the heading 'PROJECTS' up on the far right column in this page. click on either 'CLASS' or 'URBAN SCRAPBOOK' and that will help to narrow the number of entries you need to scroll through!}

maybe i will see you next year too?! i hope so!

Edited:
click HERE to view the 2010 "Bonus" layouts