Growing up, I played a lot of sports. You name it, I played it. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, curling, cross country running …the list goes on. Although being an athlete is an influential part of my identity, I realized that being creative is an important process that I wanted to include in my adult life. It’s no wonder I gravitated towards photography and scrapbooking as well as married a man who is interested in being creative too.
This picture serves as a reminder that I am becoming the creative adult I always wanted to be. That I am, some how, an artist making art. I thought I would create the layout to help me remember that fact when I am discouraged artistically or feeling like I am in a creative rut. Eh Viola:
A cute page to inspire my creative juices!
Don't get me wrong; I didn’t become creative overnight. This process has taken a long time.
To help me find my design style, I have consulted many resources including some of the video tutorials at Paperclipping. Specifically for the above layout, I use the principles outlined in episode 40, “Designing with Lines”.
To start, I placed the photo down on the blank piece of kraft cardstock.
Next, to create a strong, coherent design, as outlined in the video, I visualized my page was broken up into segments with horizontal and vertical lines.
Using the lines as my guide, I added a quote from Ansel Adams, one of my all time favourite photographers.The quote reads: Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is creative art. I left out the words "photography" and "art" so that I could highlight them with stickers to create texture on the page.
Next I added a dotted border from Cathy Zielske, to help establish a clean graphic design look. I wasn't concerned about going outside the lines. I knew that the border would establish a space to collect the elements I wanted to highlight.
From there, I printed out the picture separately and then adhered it to kraft cardstock with the quote and the CZ border. I added the "photography" and "art" lettering as well as small embellishments at the top and three brads at the bottom of the photo all in red. Finally, I added some Jenni Bowlin paper and a black scalloped border.
There you have it, a layout that reminds me, in addition to being an athlete, that I am also a creative person.
How do you inspire yourself to be creative? How do you cope when you are in a creative rut?
Have a great weekend!

So simple, yet so powerful! I think I could change out the picture of you and put me in there! Love photography, love scrapbooking! Always trying to figure out my camera (LOL).
Posted by: Angela Ladeau | 06/22/2010 at 07:22 AM
I love your clean graphic design look and the explanation of your design process!
Posted by: Sue Althouse | 06/22/2010 at 10:17 AM
Oh my goodness. This is so lovely. And posting your design process was a wonderful idea.
Thanks so much.
Posted by: Susie Moore | 06/22/2010 at 10:39 AM
Hi Angela, Sue, and Susie,
Thanks for your comments! I'm glad you liked the page. It's fun to share what goes on inside my head.
Posted by: Jess | 06/22/2010 at 05:19 PM
This is a very pretty page! I wish I had a photo of me with my camera! I carry it around everywhere, yet of course its never in the picture. :)
Posted by: JennV | 06/23/2010 at 04:06 AM
Wow, your post is like a tutorial itself...thanks for sharing! It's great to see another Paperclipping member's work. I love how clean and neat your page is!
Posted by: linda | 06/23/2010 at 04:34 AM