Third Thursday Scrapbook Stories: Jan 2014

As promised when I actually posted yesterday, Katie is here today.  She is mixing things up a bit and instead of a layout she is sharing tips on how to mix tabletop frames, but obtain a cohesive look.  Take it away, Katie!

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Happy 2014 everyone!

I know I usually share a scrapbook layout, but I thought it would be fun to share something a little different today.

Most of my photos get put into albums through layouts or Project Life. But that doesn't mean I don't have photos all over my apartment!

One of my favorite places to display photos is on our built in bookshelves. We have one shelf full of matchy but not matching frames!

And since that might not make sense to anyone but me...here's a collage!

Recently, a friend asked me how to decide which frames to mix.

There are a few basics that I (think) I've figured out to mixing up a bunch of random frames without it looking like you mixed up a bunch of random frames! At least, I think they look nice together :)

The first is to chose a basic style for a majority of your frames. One day, Michael's was having a big frames sale, so I bought a four pewter finish frames with little crystals on them. That became my "basic". In time, we added the "Chicago" and engagement ring frames.

But this could be anything - clear frames, black frames, wooden frames, etc.

Then, I sprinkled in some different frames. They each have an element that ties them all together. The silver writing on the white frames ties in to the pewter finished ones, the black frame ties into the darker portions of the pewter frames, and the wooden frame adds a nice pop of color + the white on it ties into the white frame.

Some of these frames also match other things in our apartment. For example, we have another blue beach themed frame in the living room (near these bookshelves), so it creates some continuity in the room.

All in all, I'm really happy with how these frames all look together!

I know wherever we move next, I'm going to need to find a bookshelf to display my pictures!

Do you have lots of pictures in your home too? What are some of your favorite ways to display them?

And Then....I Tackled the Beast

To put things in simple terms....my blogging mojo has been seriously MIA.  This has also seeped into my crafty mojo as well.  I don't like it....it is no fun at all.  Good news is, I feel it coming back!  I know, I know...you are having a difficult time containing your excitement.  I have been copiously making notes on posts that I want to write....some are even started.  And then, last night to jump start the crafty mojo...I tackled this:

No doubt about it, this was downright crippling.  During my long holiday break, I had every intention of finishing up two scrapbooks that I have in the works.  Then I would walk into my room to face this scrappy landfill and all the motivation flew right out the window.  I went from pure insanity to this, in one evening....

I am not going to fib and tell you that there is not a healthy pile out of this shot that needs to be sorted through...some things trashed and others filed and placed where they belong, but there is a pretty awesome work space just waiting to be used, and I am welcoming the inspiration!  In tackling this project I feel renewed to start the blogging back as well.  My hope is that in the VERY near future you will be seeing my long overdue December recaps (I had the big girl camera out A LOT) as well as the culmination of a couple of scrapbooks...oh yea, and the start of my 2014 Project Life album - notice Becky Higgins is front and center on that uber tidy work space. A new gadget as well as getting a little png. file learn on have renewed my resolve and PL will be happening this year even if I get a bit of a late start.....mark my word!

For those of you that have stuck with me and are still here...thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I am looking forward to getting back in the swing of things with more scrapping and more regular posts.  Check back tomorrow when Katie will be here with the first installment of Third Thursday Scrapbook Stories for 2014.  Thank you so much for stopping by!