Three Things : Back To Basics

As I was working on my Studio A column for the May issue of Creating Keepsakes I was thinking about my basic supplies - those things I turn to again and again and like to have in bulk. I have highlighted some of my usual favorites (pens, albums, & adhesives) in Three Things in the past.

Threethings

1. Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D Foam Squares : I have found myself using these over and over the past few years. Great for adding dimension to photos and accents. I used them to pop-up the journaling blocks on the first layout below (as well as a couple of the half-circles in the third layout).
2. White Cardstock : most of the time I stick with Bazzill in both 12x12 and 8.5x11. Lily white is my favorite white but really anything with a bit of texture is what I work with most.
3. Circle Mini Brads : I tend towards silver most often with antique copper a close second.

I was also thinking a lot about the kind of layouts I want to create this year. SIMPLE + focused + creative more in their storytelling/concepts/documentation and photography rather than their craftiness.

And speaking of simple, here are three of my favorite creations from this past year:

From Creating Keepsakes Studio A in July:

Backthen_2

Also from July Studio A (CK):

Photostory

And from October Studio A (CK):

Think

Also, a quick note of thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and well-wishes on my post yesterday. They were really appreciated.


[ Three Things is a weekly product series : check out the archives here. ]

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45 thoughts

  1. Jen says…
    01/06/2009

    Ali,
    Thanks for being such an inspiration! You're in my thoughts and prayers. =)
    I really love that layout of Simon over the years...I may have to do something similar when my little guy is a bit older.
    Jen

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Caryl Hope says…
    01/06/2009

    I loved your October layout. The picture, the fun circles + the white alphas on white cardstock. Striking! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Amy says…
    01/06/2009

    That half circle layout of Simon on the couch is one of my favorites of yours! So simple, but the photo is great, the colors of the circles, the story. I love it all. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. HeatherC says…
    01/06/2009

    I remember when these were in the magazine -- actually I flagged the middle one of Simon through the years -- love it and plan to lift it! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. sue says…
    01/06/2009

    Great layouts! I especially love the one of Simon every two years. He's growing up so fast.
    Your basic supplies are some of my favorites also. It'd be interesting to see what 5 supplies scrappers would choose, wouldn't it?
    Sue

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Molly says…
    01/06/2009

    These layouts are so great. (love Simon on the banquette) I don't find CC in stores so haven't seen a recent issue. Thanks for sharing them.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. christen says…
    01/06/2009

    those are fantastic layouts! and some of my favorite things, too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Nicky from Canada says…
    01/06/2009

    Simplify - my word for 2009 - these do it!! Thanks for sharing Ali

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. janine says…
    01/06/2009

    I can't believe with another baby on the way and your own life to be getting on with you continue to inspire us through this blog! I love simplicity in my layouts as well, and totally meant to do a chronological one for each of my boys like the one you have here for Simon. It's going to be my CREATE for this week:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. jen watkins says…
    01/06/2009

    You take the most beautiful pictures of Simon, you are so very talented in many ways. I see you using 12x12 or 8 1/2 x 11 "kraft" type paper alot. It looks like it has flecks of different colors or fibers in it. What kind is it and where do you purchase it?
    Thanks!
    Jen

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Angie says…
    01/06/2009

    learning lots about how to crop photos to show their faces like in the july layout. Can't wait to try one of my own. Just startine in digital scraping and trying to figure out my "style" as well. I really want to be simple, simple, simple!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. melissa jensen says…
    01/06/2009

    i just love your blog and evrything you do!!! this is the 1st comment i have left but i do check in on you often!!!!
    i just wanted to tell you about one of my favorite things...it is Zip Dry Paper Glue..i love the stuff!!!! use it ALL the time!!!! it is made by Beacon Adhesives. beaconcreates.com is the info i found on the bottle. i am not trying to sell anything just wanted to share with all of you one thing that i found that works great!!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Linn says…
    01/06/2009

    I'm with you on doing simpler more graphic pages this year. They're more timeless and take less time to tell the story, which is my goal.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Angela Stewart says…
    01/06/2009

    Ali,
    Guessing you need those thoughts and prayers today as well. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm & creativity with all of us! Sending you healthful and positive thoughts!
    Angela

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Samara says…
    01/06/2009

    Oh, Ali. This makes me want to start a new page immediately. You're such an artistic inspiration. These are amazing pages. I can't say I like one over the other -- they're all lovely. Thanks for another great psot!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Gretchen Skovron says…
    01/06/2009

    Oh I just love that last layout with the circles.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Michelle says…
    01/06/2009

    That third one w/the half circles is one of my all-time favorite layouts EVER---I remember tagging that CK page a soon as I saw it. Fun to see it's one of your favorites, and glad to see it again as a reminder to scraplift it! *smile*

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Heather says…
    01/06/2009

    wow love those they are so simple but so beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Gina Sekelsky says…
    01/06/2009

    Just catching up on your blog today after the busy holiday season...you are certainly in the thoughts & prayers of many, including me.
    I am all for the simple pages--personally, I limit how many pages I do each year and cram as much meaning as I can into them (which results in simpler techniques in the end).
    Best of luck to you in the busy weeks ahead!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Alison Behan says…
    01/06/2009

    I love those pages too. I wish I had your ability **sigh**. My favourite layout is the last one too. Love the colours. And my my, what can I say about the layout of Simon. So simple yet SO effective. Love that second pic of him, it makes me want to just pinch those cute cheeks, LOL. He is such a handsome boy.
    My thoughts are with you again today. Praying it's all good.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. TracyBzz says…
    01/06/2009

    Love the 02 04 06 08 layout. I feel the exact same way "SIMPLE + focused + creative more in their storytelling/concepts/documentation and photography rather than their craftiness"
    I do love pretty pages and all the pretty embellishments. But the photos and the story are THE most important thing. And if I quickly throw down a few flowers or some bling, after the story is done, then it will just add to the pretty-ness. I'm really not into one photo + one word (like lovely, carefee etc) this tells NOTHING about the person, their personality or the event taking place.
    So I looke forward to more posts on photos + story from you :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. TracyBzz says…
    01/06/2009

    I hear yo on the "take an hour to read a book" Last year my daughter was in grade 1 and would read and I would ask my 5 year old if she was listening and she would reply "I can't understand what she is saying" All the sounding out is just alot of stuttering and muttering, doesn't make for good story comprehesion. I would often read the story back to my grade 1-er just so she could hear it. And of course I would read it in 4 mintues and it took her 40! Now her younger sister will sit with her while she reads, she's pretty smooth now.
    What a difference a year makes.
    Hey, I should copy my post onto a layout - in the spirit of more stories.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Leslie says…
    01/06/2009

    Ali,
    So many people have grown to love you and your family. We feel like we know you! I have no doubt there are thousands of women whose lives you touch daily that are praying for you...me included!!:)
    Les

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Sarah Mullanix says…
    01/06/2009

    THINK is one of my favs too!
    Thanks for all the inspiration...
    creative and thought provoking.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jill says…
    01/06/2009

    Oh, I am so using that middle layout over and over and over again. I take mostly vertical photos and just returned from Ireland with much to document. Absolutely love it. Absolutely. Thanks Ali. Best hopes to you with the melanoma diagnosis. Peace.

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