Scrapping!

I am getting back into scrapbooking after taking a break for awhile - I had surgery and other things competing for my focus over the past year or so.  I miss scrapbooking and was disappointed I could not jump right back in - It's harder than you think!

So much changes quickly in the scrapbooking world.... techniques, products, and trends.  It is really interesting to also see how "older" techniques make a comeback as "popular" again!

There are some things that never change, however, like stitching on your pages.  If you don't sew on your scrapbook pages yet - you really need to try it.  It adds texture, color, pattern, and so many other qualities in a really interesting way!

I am posting a couple of new layouts today... I have a new sewing machine, so I was excited to sew on the pages again!  If you don't own a sewing machine - try hand stitching.  My advice for sewing by hand:  pierce your paper where you want to sew first - it makes it a lot easier to sew.

Hope you enjoy these new layouts!

Gift From Afghanistan:

Although I have used this photo before, I wanted to scrapbook it again for a contest about clothing/style.  I really wanted the beautiful fabric used in the clothing to "pop" off the page.  I used patterned paper by Bo Bunny and gems by Prima.

Easter 2009:

I loved these spring papers by Little Yellow Bicycle!