A year of JOURNALING prompts

Journaling allows us as scrapbookers to express our thoughts and feelings of the day, the event, the party or whatever is happening. It allows us to express the emotions that we are feeling the things that we see through our camera lens. Don't forget to ask those around you for their thoughts and feelings so you may also record other versions of the day. Journaling is hard for many to do so this year yes for the next 52 weeks I will post a journaling prompt and ask fellow scrappers to use the journaling prompt in a page any size you like (make all 52 pages the same size and next year for new years you will have an awesome gift to give or just keep for yourself). A prompt will be issued each Friday link your creation back to the blog so that others can see your awesome creations and get some inspiration.

Challenge 52 - Make your own embellished Ribbons

Challenge 52 - Make your own embellished Ribbons


Who can resist ribbons they are so pretty and versatile and there are hundreds of different kinds to choose from. Plus it's really fun to design your own ribbon. Here is how to make your own ribbon. 1) paint white ribbon, twill tape, or rickrack with acrylic paint 2) add fun embellishments, such as stitching, buttons, flowers, jewels or polka dots

Challenge 51- Fill a Background

Challenge 51- Fill a Background
There's just something I love about covering an entire background with handwriting, circles, buttons, or other embellishments. It's a great way to add your personal style to a layout while creating a look that's warm and cozy all at the same time. Choose something you love and use it to fill the entire background of your page.

Challenge 50 - Just tell a great story

Challenge 50 - Just tell a great story
Scrapbooking. It's about making a home for those fantastic stories that just beg to be told about your life. Whether it's a time when you surprised someone, a time when you set a trend or a time when you had a blast helping someone else, your stories deserve a place in your scrapbook. Elsie knows that we often start with the photo but once in a while just listen to the stories you find yourself telling your friends over and over again. Then ask yourself Hey is that story in my scrapbook? If not, now's a good time to give it a home!

Challenge 49 - Make your own Photo Corners

Challenge 49 - Make your own Photo Corners
Embellished photo corners are awesome. They help draw attention to your photographs, but they're also little "mini canvases" where you can be artistic and express your personal style. You can make your own photo corners in so many ways.
Here is Elsie's quick and easy way. 1) Sketch or trace the shape on patterned paper or cardstock 2) cut the shape out 3) add embellishments

Challenge 48 - Find Inspiration: Fashion

Challenge 48 - Find Inspiration: Fashion
Elsie loves fashion as a scrapbook-page inspiration. The colors, the textures, the details you find in clothing and accessories make for beautiful patterns and wonderful color combinations for pages.

Challenge 47 Find Inspiration: Home Decor

Challenge 47
Find Inspiration: Home Decor
Guess what? Home decor is one of my favorite places to find inspiration for Elsies scrapbook pages. Why you ask? Well if she loves it in her home she is sure to love it in her books. Her challenge to you is to find something in your house and use it for inspiration.

Challenge 46 Play with Paint

Play with paint
Acrylic paint - it's not just for backgrounds anymore. I think acrylic paint is one of the most versatile supplies out there. For one it come in hundreds of beautiful colors. And you can use just a little on your layouts to create impact. You can use it to make lines for journaling, stamped with it on transparency to make a custom accent, and hand-painted journaling right on top of a photograph. Elsie's challenge to you is to play with acrylic paint and find a way to use it within your own personal style

Challenge 45 - Add an Arrow

Challenge 45 -
Add an Arrow
Elsie loves the arrow as a design element. It has such an easy way to direct your reader's eye exactly where you want it to go. And the really fun thing about an arrow is that you can make it out of so many different things, including your leftover scraps of patterned paper, ribbons, photo corners, chipboard, triangle shaped embellishments, stitching, floss, ric rack and more.

Challenge 44 - Create a FUN photo mat

Challenge 44 -
Create a FUN photo mat
Mellette (a contributor of pages to elsie's book) took photo mats to a new level. She used 5 different patterned papers to to signify the five people in the photo. Elsie challenges you to take this idea and experiment with it on your own pages!

Challenge 43 - Scrapbook your favorite food

Challenge 43 -
Scrapbook your favorite food
What foods do you crave? What foods fit your different moods? Is there a food you just discovered and can't get enough of? The foods we love tell us so much about who we are. Elsie thinks it is really fun to take a moment and scrapbook a favorite food or snack. She encourages you to create pages that share the little thing in your life RIGHT now!

EXTRA challenge! Scrap the food you least like right with a brief reason as to why ... maybe someday you will like it!

Challenge 42 - Create a Stylish Photo Frame

Challenge 42 -
Create a Stylish Photo Frame
Who says all the pretty photo frames can't be on your scrapbook pages? Elsie loves creating her own photo frames with bits and pieces of the supplies she loves the most! This is a great way to add your own personal style to a page while using up leftover scraps of patterned paper and ribbon!

Challenge 41 - Scrapbook a major Accomplishment

Scrapbook a major Accomplishment

I know, it's sometimes hard to stop and scrapbook about yourself and your goals and dreams and what you've accomplished in life. But it's important. It's good for you to see where you've been and what you've accomplished - besides that, future generations will be proud to see that your broke a board in Tae Kwon Do or made your own rules about what to wear.

Challenge 40 - Use supplies unexpectedly

Use supplies unexpectedly - you've probably got tons of extra supplies that you sometimes wonder how to use. Elsie's answer, she challenges herself to use supplies in unexpected ways. It stretches her creativity and makes pages totally unique. Challenge yourself to create a circle with a line or stickers, or design an arrow from a photo corner and a piece of ribbon, or add jewels to your hair right on the photo.

Challenge 39: Go Mega

GO MEGA!

It's fun to do something unexpected on a layout-like surprise your readers with a title spelled out with mega letters! It doesn't matter if you choose acetate letters, die cuts letters, stencil letters or hand cut letters!

Challenge 38 - Start with a Number

Start with a Number
Need a fun way to start a page. It's easy start with a number. Make a top 10 list or look for a number-themed accents to build your page around. Numbers are everywhere! Build a page around a telephone number, a shoe size, an age, a year, a "good luck" number

Challenge 37 Make it edgy

Make it edgy
Decorative-edged scissors are cool. YOu can add pinking or a scalloped edge to just a small portion

Challenge 36 - Scrapbook a life long love

Scrapbook a life long love.
SOme memories and influences will stay with us forever.
Those things we hold dear forever deserve a place in our scrapbooks because they say so much about who we are.
***Another approach choose a personality trait you've had since childhood (stubbornness, hapiness, determination, creativity and trace it through your life on a scrapbook page.

Challenge 35 - Make it Sparkle

Challenge 35 - Make it Sparkle
Sparkly shiny rhinestones for this challenge add a bit of sparkle to your next page.

Challenge 34 - Add someone Else's Handwriting

Challenge 34 - Add someone Else's Handwriting

Our handwriting gives such a great glimpse into who we are as people. It's important to include our handwriting on our layouts, but also think its fun to integrate real and authentic notes from the people we love too. I know that writing notes may seem like a lost art these days, but if you have a handwritten note from a child or a loved one look for a way to include it on a page that celebrates that person.

the journaling on these 2 pages is done by tim. I was not with him when he went to colorado but i am scrapping the event so the deal is he has to journal it is so neat to see his writing in my books.

Challenge 33 - Document yourself

Challenge 33 - Document yourself
Who's the most important person you may be forgetting to scrapbook? Well, it could be you. Are you in your scrapbooks? Will future generations look through your albums and understand who you are today? My challenge to you is to scrapbook yourself at this moment in your life.

Challenge 32 - Play with photo proportions

Challenge 32 - Play with photo proportions.
Have a photograph you just love? Here's the challenge feature your photograph predominately on your layout by making it a larger portion of your background

Challenge 31 Celebrate a Great Person

"We all have special people in our lives - people who have made a difference. I think it's important to create scrapbook pages that help share the essence of who they are and what they mean to us. For this challenge, create a layout that celebrates a special someone in your life."


This is the man that i am going to marry in sept ... would i have thought that day would ever come ... NOPE i sure didn't but i am excited that it has yes .. as excited as i have been to share with all the wonderful things that have happened in our lives since we first met. So this isn't a tribute layout but the hidden journaling is sorta what is said above ...

These 2 young-ins plus one not in the picture have taught me unconditional love!

Challenge 30 Digitally Alter a Photograph

"I love taking photographs and challenging myself by doing cool things with my photo software. I'd like to challenge you to do the same. You can stretch the photos, give them an artistic effect... Whatever you choose, your challenge here is to digitally alter a photo in such a way that it helps enhance the story on your layout."

Challenge 29 Journal an Unexpected Turn

"Life is full of interesting twists and turns. If you've ever had a dream and then been surprised at how your life really turned out, you'll know what I mean. For this challenge, take a look at an event or a time in your life when you thought things might be a certain way but ended up completely different!"

-----pauline's journal prompt will start with a blog entry from a little bit about scrappinauntie
--------Back what seems like a few years ago, i was working in daycare when this wonderful couple walked in with a very unsure little girl. Whom they decided to leave in daycare with me. Her name was Ryann. Mommy was pregnant with brother and was on bedrest. When brother (Dylan) came into the world i not only became Ryann's preschool teacher but a babysitter. Within a year i had met Tim and would often take him with me on babysitting duties. We became a part of the "family" and a friendship was set ... fastforward a few years and Ryann is graduating from Dana Hills High School. (now to print the pictures)

Challenge 28 Document a Day in your Life

"How do you spend a typical day? I know you might think your life is just the same old thing all the time. But your children and grandchildren will be fascinated to know the details that make up your daily routine. Believe me, it's worth it to create a page that chronicles a day in your life. You're worth it!"

Challenge #27 - Scrapbook those Silly Photos

Scrapbook those Silly Photos "I know you have them. Well, at least just one. You know what I'm talking about - a silly photo. If you don't have a silly photograph to scrapbook, go and take one. You might be surprised at just how much fun it can be!"

Challenge 26 - Make your Own

Clear Flower Embellishments 1. Draw or trace a flower shap on clear plastic (like a transparency or sheet protector). 2. Cut the shape out with scissors. 3. Paint the edges to add definition.

Challenge 25 - Album - Inspiration Journal

Album - Inspiration Journal
"What better place to keep track of the things you love and are inspired by than a personalized inspiration journal? Remember, it can be any shape, size, or material - whatever works for you!"

Challenge 24 - Design with White Cardstock

Challenge #24 -
Design with White Cardstock
"Think of it like this: a plain white background is the little black dress of scrapbook pages. Always there when you need it, always simple and elegant. I sometimes forget about white cardstock... I love the results!
Go ahead and take the challenge - see what you can create with a not-so-plain white cardstock background." (And if you have the book, check out the example of Elsie's adorable bachelor brother, Kyle!)

Challenge 23 - Make your own buttons

Challenge #23
Make Your Own Buttons!
1. Roll out paper clay (you can use your hands!)
2. Cut a circle out with a small cookie cutter.
3. Add holes to the buttons
4. Add details (paint and decorate!)
How fun!

Challenge #22 Scraplift a Journaling Style

Challenge #22 Scraplift a Journaling Style. Choose one word that summarizes your layout and repeat it several times in your journaling. You'll see it can make a powerful impact!

Challenge #21 - Mini Album

Challenge #21 - Mini Album (Elsie's is a "cute tin" with flowers and ribbons)

Challenge 20 Make your own Patterned Paper

Challenge 20 Make your own Patterned Paper (by painting or stamping)
***WOW this will be a real challenge for me***

Challenge 19 - Scraplift a Layout Shape

Challenge #19 - Scraplift a Layout Shape
Link back!
Have fun!

Challenge 18 - Scraplift a Page Design

Scraplift a Page Design --- share where you got your page design from!

Pauline - I believe that i got the sketch from Chris G!

Challenge 17 -Scraplift an Alphabetical Approach

Scraplift an Alphabetical Approach This is using alphabet letters in some way on a page as you have seen someone else do. (Try and post a link to whom you scraplifted)

Pauline - In the title bug .... can you see the little flower eyelets. I got this idea from a girlon my pif group. She used eyelets to spruce up her alphabet and since the first time i saw it i feel in love with the idea and use it every chance i get.

Challenge 16 Scraplift a Topic

Scraplift a Topic
Pretty easy this week ... link back so we can post your awesome layouts.

Challenge 15 - Scraplift

Scraplift a Layout Idea ... remember to share who you scraplifted!

Challenge 14 - Scraplift a Technique

Scraplift a Technique - Adapt a design you see and do it yourself
I love the way sewing looks ... but i can't do it .. so tonight i gave it a whirl .. i hand sewed the border around the pictures .. i am amazed you can't see the little droplets of blood .. the battle wounds of my sewing adventure!

Challenge 13 - Favorite Sayings

Favorite Sayings Make a mini album - or just a layout - of favorite sayings within your family or group of friends

Pauline - well HUBBA HUBBA is a word that Lori uses when she talks to Tim ... what dorks huh!

Challenge 12 - Scraplift a Layout Shape

For this challenge, look for a layout with a shape you love and challenge yourself to scraplift it as a central part of your page by using it repeatedly on the page.
My shape was flowers. (this layout was also used as a challenge to use 25 flowers)!!

Challenge 11 - Scraplift a Color Combination

Scraplift A Color Combination - For this challenge, you can scraplift Elsie or anyone else in the book - if you don't have the book, simply pick a layout of your choice and challenge yourself to scraplift the color scheme

Kathy Carr

Challenge 10 - Be Real

Be Real
We are revamping this one a little.
In the book, it says to do a mini album, sharing "real thoughts" like a scrapbook/blog you write in once in awhile. You may either create this, sort of like a journal, OR you can do a layout on some topic where you show your genuineness or transparency.
Pauline - I was okaying doing the mini album with real thoughts. This is an altered chipboard book BELIEVE wherein i journal about opening Christmas Presents together and still believing in the magic that is Christmas!

Challenge 9 - Doodle on the photograph

Don't be afraid to express yourself by doodling right on your photos! (If you're worried about ruining them, doodle on a digital print.) Try using your own handwriting on an open area of the photograph - or use a doodled rub-on instead!





****this is a true challenge for me, every time i sat down with the intention of drawing on a photograph my pen wouldn't go there, so i will try again this weekend do you all have a layout with doodling to share****

Challenge 8 - Group of FOUR photos

Group Four Photos

I love creating one-photo layouts, but sometimes I have more than one photograph to feature on a page. I like to take four or more photographs and cluster them together in a group. This makes them appear almost as one large focal-point photo but allows me to display more images at once time. Try it!

Pauline

Challenge 7 - Take an Artistic Photograph

It's easy to capture photographs of family and events. But for this challenge, I want you to look through the lens of your camera as a photo enthusiast. Take a closer glance at things in your life that you might otherwise walk on by. Look for beauty in unexpected places, inside and outside of your home.

Challenge 6 Create a Ribbon Cluster

Ribbons are beautiful accents on a page - no matter what! But why not take the next step? Challenge yourself to create an accent with a cluster of ribbons. Just tie two, three, four, or more ribbons and cluster them together in the same area on your page. To finish the look, tie them onto cardstock, weave them through an embroidered border, or hook a tiny safety pin through them.

Pauline

Challenge 5 - Embellish a Floral Accent

Embellish a Floral Accent - No matter what your pages topic, I bet you can find a place for a flower accent in your design. But take it up a notch. Embellish the center of your flower with a mini clock, a tiny thread-tied button or patterned paper. and don't be afraid to turn a large flower shape into a photo frame! The First layout you will notice that i used the large flower to frame my picture, then i added stickles to give the flower some POP!
The second layout I carefully and tediously tied ribbon in the center of my flower!

Kathy Carr

Challenge 4 - Create your own chipboard

Challenge #4 - Make Your Own Chipboard Accents – draw or trace a shape on plain chipboard (cardboard or similar material will work!)
2. Cut the accent out with scissors or a craft knife.
3. Paint the accent a fun color.
4. Add details, like flowers, stickers, jewels... anything!

Kathy Carr
Layouts to follow - please link your completed pages back! I would love to see your work.

Challenge 3 - Customize a Ribbon Border

Customize a Ribbon Border "No matter how you turn it or what you add to it (think buttons, lace, eyelets, and embroidery floss), ribbon is a terrific page border that can be attached in so many creative ways - with eyelets, brads, staples, embroidery floss and more."

Kathy Carr

Pauline Flint

Challenge 2 - Focus on One Photo

Challenge #2 - Focus on One Photo - "Convert a favorite photograph into a black and white image, then use it as the focal point photo on your page. It will draw your viewer's eye right into the essence of your layout!" Kathy Carr

Tara Swagerty

Chelsea

Nik

Anne Kilburg

Pauline Flint

Challenge 1 - Work those WORDS

Challenge #1 – WORK THOSE WORDS - “Whether it’s a quote, a list of your favorite adjectives or computer-generated phrases, journaling on strips of cardstock is a great way to add visual excitement to your page. Be creative and cut a favorite quote into pieces to add to your design.”

BY KATHY CARR

Pauline Flint

Robin Bandong

First Post

Okay, I wanted a place to track my 52 challenges that i will be completing based on the Elsie Flanigan's 52 Challenges.
I originally started the Challenges in 2007 with high hopes and ambitions to do all 52, well even though i did over 500 pages i only did 1 Elsie challenge.
With that mind i am going to list a new challenge each week. My goal is to list these on Friday morning, so that you have the entire week to complete the challenge before the new one appears.
If you complete the challenge please post a comment in the comment section linking us to your layout (thus giving us permission to add your layout to the blog)

Please do not feel compelled to work in the order that the challenges are posted. Work at your speed and most importantly scrap because you LOVE to scrap and love your scrappin subjects!

Thanks Enjoy and much love
Pauline