i sort of forgot about this layout. is that bad of me? lol! this was created for an assignment for an article in creating keepsakes. then it got moved to the online content part of the article. and then the article got moved out a month. so maybe that is part of the reason i sort of forgot about it.

Umpire_spread 

as seen in the online content for the July/August 2010 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. copyright creative crafts group. posted with prior permission from the publisher.

this was for an article called "cool scrapbook layouts for boys and men", written by mandy douglass. you can see the online part of the article HERE. my assignment was to create a layout about a man and his hobbies or job. so i figured a layout about joe and his hobby/job of umpiring was a perfect fit. the other half of the assignment was to use masculine products and textures on the layout. here's a closer look at each of the pages. can you pick out my masculine product picks?

Umpire_page1

Umpire_page2 

Umpire_detail1

i chose not to use any pattern paper for this layout. instead, i went with cardstock and cork paper. the self-adhesive cork paper (by karen foster) is a great way to add a fun texture to the page. and i also choose it, because it picked up the leather of his face mask in the photos. i added in some green, by stamping a background stamp (by hero arts) with green ink onto white cardstock, and then inking the edges with black ink. i used my finger to brush a little bit of black paint around the edges of the clear acrylic stars (by heidi swapp), and then added fabric covered brads (by making memories) to the centers. the metal word charms (by making memories) were tied around the stamped cardstock piece with some jute, and then the entire piece was adhered with pop dots to lift it off the page.

Umpire_detail2

for my title, i chose some large raw chipboard letters (by basic grey). i stamped versamark ink on each letter, and heat embossed with a distressed denim blue embossing powder (by tim holtz). the distressed embossing powder gives a very gritty, rough feel after heat embossed. which went really well on this layout. you can also see here, that i added a rough edged digital frame to each photo, before printing. gives the photos a grungey feel, and a matted look at the same time.

Umpire_detail3

along the bottom of the two page spread, i had a strip of black textured cardstock. i pulled out some older products to embellish these strips. first, i cut some strips from a metal mesh sheet (by making memories), that mimics the chain link fence in one of the photos. i adhered it to the black cardstock with some mini glue dots, and then added some screw eyelets (by making memories) to secure it. yes, i said "eyelets". there's a reason i keep super, duper old products sometimes. because there WILL be a perfect reason to use them again.

Umpire_journaling

and here's a closer look at my journaling. i printed it onto blue textured cardstock, and inked the edges. then i adhered it to the layout with pop dots. so, all in all, i would say that i did a pretty good job at using lots of masculine products and lots of textures. and i got a great layout to add to the albums, and documented joe's favorite hobby/job 🙂

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7 responses to “umpire – a layout”

  1. dawn Avatar
    dawn

    Hi Laura, you’ve amazed me again. I love that you write the details of how you do a layout. The cork paper and the black paper at the bottom with the mesh is so so perfect for this page. It reminds me of the chainlink fence and the mask he has to wear. Of course you would have eyelets like that they are so cool, i’ve never seen them before. how often do you get to one of his games, these are great pictures of him by the way. Thanks for sharing this with us even though you forgot about it haha lol!!
    I’m hoping my computer will be done next week, finally no more using the library’s. Have a good week.

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  2. Kathy (krolski) Avatar

    What a great masculine LO! Just perfect!

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  3. Sandra A Avatar
    Sandra A

    Love these two pages. I’m with Dawn; I love how you explain your reasoning for your use of the elements on your pages. Makes perfect sense. Now if only I could do this. I usually work on a page, see the empty spaces and try to think of my inventory, and go from there.

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  4. Shemaine Smith Avatar

    Love all the amazing embellies you used! Great layout and pics of your hubby!

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  5. Sierra Avatar

    Great photos of Joe! The products and “grunge” is so my flava! I love it! Really, really like the distressed chipboard. Cool stuff. 🙂

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  6. Carla Avatar

    This is a perfect masculine LO girl! I have those screw eyelets and love them. You are doing so many LO’s on Joe lately that I’m starting to think what a bad wife I am, lol!!!
    He is such a hard worker…I don’t know how he does it.

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  7. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    I LOVE these two pages. I have at teenage boy and have trouble coming up with “manly” pages instead of “cutesy”. Thanks!

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