symbolism through motif + masterful scrapbook design

So how do you add energy to your pages? Is there more than meets the eye? Have you ever thought about why you chose the colors you do or why some motifs better suit a page theme than others? 

This page was an assignment for Papercrafts & Scrapbooking where I had to interpret a digital page into a traditional scrapbook page. To me this page is more about the message & emotion of the moment than the techniques. Yet the design techniques are what bring this page to life.

Let's look at my thoughts behind the page:

• Arrows help create movement. They speak of busy-ness, activity,  action, life according to an 8 year old.
• The zig-zags speak to me of frenetic directional changes & contrast. The unpredictability of a growing boy who is discovering himself and the world.
• The underground map mask, I used as a background, speaks of being a city boy.
• All the different layers I have used speaks, of life here as we know it. A collage of bits that help to mould & shape him. The things that make him happy, like visits to museums, art galleries....yet his innocence allows him to find complete joy in chasing pigeons or flopping down on the grass, arms wide embracing his world. 
• The title speaks loudly about the carefree trusting attitude of a little guy happy in his own skin. A boy who loves his life and is excited by what the future holds. A person untainted by cynicism. 
• Using yellow teamed with yellow as the accent palette,  gives the feeling of warms, happy energy mixed with a hint of cool anticipation. 
• Lastly the x2 arrow shaped journal blocks are part of the grounding elements. By facing them inwards towards the center, they are indicative of how, no matter what our circumstances, our lives are mapped out & will follow the path pre-destined. That each moment is to be treasured, each decision a privilege.

This Life by Kim Watson

 (This page, as seen in the Nov 2013 issue of  Papercrafts and Scrapbooking. Posted with prior permission by the Creative Crafts Group) 

Supplies: Simple Stries, +Crafters Workshop, +Technique Tuesday, +Thermoweb, +Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, Typewriter. 
So I urge you to delve deeper into your processes behind your pages. You will be surprised at the subliminal crafting going on without you even realising it. 

+Debbie Hodge  says: 'Motif, typeface, and styling are essential to cuing obvious story elements and for enlarging on character, setting and theme and for evoking the mood that will get your viewers to identify with the reason behind your scrapbook page".

Remember to join us at 11am ET for a live interview with myself, Debbie Hodge & the team @MasterfulScrapbookdesign. I look forward to chatting with you later.

Photos with meaning.

I really enjoy taking real-life photos with my iPhone.

I love the freedom and spontaneity of capturing a moment on the fly. No fancy photo shoot, props or coiffed hair, just something I want to remember, poised in time just as it is. So when browsing through my photo gallery looking for a photo for my next page, I was instantly drawn to this one and the explosion of emotion that accompanied it. It spoke to that special place in my heart brimming with gratitude. Living in 3rd world Africa with poverty as my neighbor, I find myself increasing grateful for the life although not fancy, it privileged.

Collection used: Fancy Pants Designs- As You Wish

Serendipity by Kim Watson

Serendipity by Kim Watson | Supplies: Serendipity by Kim Watson | Supplies: Cardstock by +Stampin' Up!; Patterned paper, Corrugated card, Die cuts, Stickers, Buttons, Cork arrow, Chipboard, Decorative bag by +FancyPantsDesigns, Wood veneer, Enamel dots, Sequins, Cork chevrons by +Studio Calico, Adhesive by +TombowUSA , +Thermoweb, & +Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L , Sewing machine, Font: Veteran Typewriter

Amazingly I didn’t have to edit this photo taken into the early morning sun. The usual blue silhouette effect beautifully catches the drama of Max and Luma (our Schnauser cross Staffie pup) running free, on the endless stretch of wet sand, against the mountain backdrop. 
I wanted to ensure it remained the focal point of the page so paid special attention to the placement of the title and page accents. Maximizing ‘white space’ within the photograph was my solution, keeping the page design uncluttered. 

Blending the journaling directly onto the photograph and using asymmetrical placement, simplified the design perfectly.  The repetitive use of double cork chevrons, creates directional anchors and visual symmetry. 

For a more in depth look at my creative process behind the page, check out the Masterful Scrapbooking class. Remember you have to be a subscriber in order to see the full class. 

Thanks for stopping by!

The beauty of the hand Inked font.

I designed this page for the class Process Play for Masterful Scrapbooking.

When planning this page, I thought I’d tackle it from a different angle. I knew I wanted to use a large, show-stopping hand painted title I’d seen on Pinterest by Kal Barteski. Her distinctive hand painted quotes have been trending in the art world for some time now. 

Being dominant and larger than my usual title sizes, it determined and influenced the division of the page and how I incorporated the other page elements, as well as the overall composition.

There is something to organic and authentic about the hand font in black like this to create a focal point. 

Do Incredible Things by Kim Watson

Do Incredible Things by Kim Watson | Supplies: Cardstock by +Stampin' Up!; Patterned paper, Flair by American Crafts, Decorative Envelope, Vellum paper by Fancy Pants Designs; Cork Accents, Vellum Die Cuts, Wood veneer by +Studio Calico, Enamel dots by Close to my Heart; Wire house by Maya Road; Cork paper by +DCWV Inc.; Stamps, Journal card by +Technique Tuesday; Ink by Close to My Heart; Spray Ink by Tattered Angels; Pen & Adhesive: +TombowUSA; Adhesive by +Thermoweb & 3L, Sewing machine, Die cutting machine by +Silhouette America; Digital brush by Ali Edwards; Other: Neon Construction paper.

For a more in depth look at my creative process behind the page, check out the Masterful Scrapbooking class. 

Got the cover + Masterful Scrapping

Once again I am blown away by the talent & intellect of some of the wonderful people I get to work with in the Scrapbooking Industry.  

Yesterday Process Play ebook went live over at Masterful Scrapbook Design and I am very excited and honored to be invited back as one of the Guest Teachers! This issue is clever, informative & full of wonderful tips & tricks to help even the most advanced designer get the most out of her creative process. Once again +Debbie Hodge, +Tami Taylor & +Amy Kingsford have outdone themselves. Thank you for having me join you & the rest of the talented teachers once again!

The other teachers include +Carrie Arick, +Leah Farquharson, +Lynn Grieveson, +Sue Althouse 

If you aren't a subscriber...I recommend you reconsider & sign up. 
The content ROCKS!!

(PS: That is my page, 'Capture' on the cover...I'm stoked!)

SNEAKS of my the pages!

Many thanks to +FancyPantsDesigns, Elle's Studio & American Crafts for the amazing products used for these projects. 

 Happy Friday peeps!

Update & a FREE cut file.

Yes I know...I'm a revolting blogger!

What with assignments, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest...then all the important stuff too... like supervising kids, doing 'Mom-type' stuff, laundry (evil stuff) and making sure there is edible contents in the fridge.

I remain stumped how to do it all??!

In an effort to prove that I am in fact still alive, breathing & scrapbooking) I will post some stuff I did for (the super cute) Debbie Hodge's, Make it Mean Seminar, which went live last month :)

If you are a subscriber, you can hear my live interview here>> 

A Big Hairy Question by Kim Watson

(Used some super cute goodies from Bella Boulevard.)
Sometimes the most inconsequential moment can become a special memory. I showed the students how the 'type of font'can contribute to the subliminal mood of the page.

Spring Fever by Kim Watson

(Used American Crafts papers, Queen & Co & Bella Boulevard washi tape.) 

Here I showed the students of motif and color can create underlying meaning and set the scene without too many obvious markers.

Always laugh by Kim Watson

(Used Jillibean Soup goodies & AC thickers.)
Big conversational titles work so well to say what needs to be said!

He said... by Kim Watson

(A mixture of goodies...can't remember from who (errm!)
Capture conversation using a progression of photos...capturing the moment as it unfolds.

BONUS: You are welcome to use the cut file I made for my photo strips. NB: Personal use only.

<<download files here>>

Oh before I forget... I have a kinda cool new blog post up at Fancy Pants Designs... WAVE TREND! 

Check it out...

I will endevor to be more regular at blogging...:) pinky swear...

As a friend rightly advised..."write a couple of posts & schedule them!"Now why didn't I think of that!

Happy crafting friends!