Nov 2018 Blog Calendar

Nov 6 (due Fri 11/2): Stacia TUT/blog post SCHEDULED
Nov 13 (due Fri 11/9): Karen blog post SCHEDULED
Nov  15 (files for template challenge due Oct 15th - post should be in forum Oct 22nd): blog challenge (Rikki) (template freebie created by Rikki - just needs sample pages)
Nov 20 (due Fri 11/16): Hybrid (Geraldine) SCHEDULED
Nov  27 (due Fri 11/23): Pretty Pages GSO (Jenn) SCHEDULED

We are ready to rock and roll with the new blog team starting in NOV. I'm excited for the changes!
The calendar has been updated with who is doing what and also the absolute latest due dates for the posts.

Who is going to post the challenge post in the forum?? Are you going to do that Jenn??
If it is me I need to know what to do, :)

For now I'll just keep posting those and helping Mirjam with the Coupons on Blog post day.

Karen - just checking in to see how your blog post is going? Let me know if you need any help. You just put the post in here (in the forum) with the date it goes live and READY in the title when it is all set for Mirjam. I am around for 2 more days today and tomorrow ... and then I'm flying down to SC for son's Marine Grad!

getting it done today Jenn (hopefully) - Inspiration - using dark backgrounds - something simple to start with

Inspiration - Don’t be Scared of the Dark!

Over the years, I have come to embrace the dark background paper. It can add depth and richness to a page and certainly makes photo’s pop! I find a variety of subjects can suit a dark background – my favourite subjects tend to be photos that are taken in the dark - fireworks, concerts, birthday celebrations but I have even used it for a first day back at School Layout just for a change! Halloween is also a favourite and a natural subject for a dark background.
For a comparison, I have used this month’s BYOC from Pink Reptile Designs – You Can Do This! It is always great to use a template if trying a colour scheme or technique you are not confident with – it takes out one variable, so you can concentrate on extending yourself without worrying about composition. I firstly used a neutral background, which doesn’t look too bad but I think the photo appears a bit out of place.

By swapping the white patterned background paper for a dark background paper, the photo suddenly becomes more prominent and I also love how the elements also pop.

Black and white photos also suit a darker colour scheme. Cynthia has also used this Month’s BYOC for her stunning page. How deep and rich do the red’s and greens look when placed on a black background?

Dark blue works equally well, Marilyn used Mirjam’s October BYOC Pure & Simple along with a vintage photo to rock a patterned dark background. Notice how well alpha’s stand out on a darker background. Light/ White/ silver alphas also are outstanding, brilliant for Christmas pages.

This beautiful page from Mirjam has a minimalist feel that suits darker papers so well - I do not have the discipline for such restraint, to my detriment! It also highlights that even keeping the same tones with a darker background can result in a very memorable page. Love this effect so much!

Also from Mirjam, a grey/pink/green combo- notice her vellum work, especially with the cutouts - so good!  Vellum is much underused in digi land, such a standout on the darker papers. Again the white journalling is subtle but can be an element in itself. The page would appear to be unbalanced without it.  So many good things to be inspired by here!


Lastly I have to highlight my very favourite kit from Pink Reptile Designs, A Slice of Lemon– I go to it again and again. It has a limited palette of black, white and yellow.  To soften the plain black paper, I have used Gesso It 2 and paint splatters, balancing it with brighter patterned paper. To make the white journalling easy to read, use a bold text.


Just about all kits have dark papers included in them, so jump on in and make it a feature of your page. You will be surprised how often you will go to that option once you have given it a go!

I do believe that many people find a dark background intimidating. What a great idea to write a post about dark backgrounds!


I made a few myself. In case you would like more samples:

Yes! I do shy away from them and need encouragement to try this more! What a fabulous blog post out of the starting gate Karen! Love the idea and all the pages you shared/made ... and Mirjam shared are GORGEOUS. Makes me almost wish I wasn't traveling tomorrow AM and could stay home and scrap!

LOVE!

Almost forgot! Have a great trip Jenn!

mirjam wrote:

Almost forgot! Have a great trip Jenn!

thank you!! :) xoxo

Thanks! I went to bed last night thinking that I hadn't put in a minimalist page and that would work so well - then Mirjam's page pops up - just perfect! Will make the changes this afternoon.

have a great trip Jenn!

Black bakcground is so beautiful ! But it's true I don't use it, strange ....

For this month I will create an advant calendar composed of little pockets. I'm not very creative this month ^^ Each year I created an Advant calendar.
Is it OK Mirjam ? or do you prefere another idea ?

I loved your advent tree post and I am sure your advent calendar is goig to rock too Géraldine! I think it's a great idea to do something with a Christmas theme.

And if you are having trouble coming up with new ideas for the hybrid posts I am more than willing to help Géraldine!

It's time to prepare Christmas ! And for me, the first step is the creation of an advent calendar

I received an order in a box. I decided to recycle this box as box for my advent calendar.

I love recycling daily objet to give them a second life !

My son choose red, orange and blue colors : Pure and simple | papers and tales of spring | papers. My daughter choose blue and pink colors : Tales of spring | papers.

I cut 24 squares of papers


And I folded them to create a small envelopes. I choose this format to think to santa claus letters. Each day my kids will be open an envelope to discover their gifts


It's just a matter of patience !


On each envelopes, I glued a number : Countdown To Christmas | elements. I used them each year, they are perfect of Daily December or Advent Calendar.




Then, I glued each one inside my box :


My son advent calendar is done !



I added piece of paper slide inside each envelopes with the gift name. For example : one DVD


I prepare the calendar all year round by gleaning small toys from the flea markets.

The day after, I created my daughter's part with the same process :




To fnish, I decorated the cover of the box :


I choose a minimalist style : one woody decoration, one snowflake cut in blue paper from Tales of Spring | papers, and stamp printed from  Ho Ho Holidays | Wordart.

I can't wait to be december, 1st !

Another super cute project Géraldine!

i agree! this is so sweet!