First Birthday Party

Today I have a layout to share with you that I actually created quite a while ago. I created this layout back in 2010, if I remember correctly. It features a MyMindsEye collection that was an all time favorite of mine.

The reason I am sharing the layout now, is because it has taken me that long to get journaling on this page. As part of Simple Scrapper's Bucket List Project class, I finally figured out how to get some words on the page! Jennifer Wilson shared a birthday layout of her daughter that used this stamp, "I want to remember", as a jumping off point. I thought it would be an easier way to document this story where so many ideas and areas of focus could be used.

I knew I wanted to use the stamp as a jumping off point but struggled with how to add it to the page since it was complete....well mostly.

Once I decided I would place different journaling spots around the page to add some balance, the next step was to physically add it to the page. 

The next problem I encountered was what color to journal in. The page had no black anywhere and I was afraid to use black that it would be distracting, having too much contrast.

The layout was based on a sketch, but being created so long ago, I don't remember which, but I am guessing from PageMaps.

I decided to go with my old typewriter to type the journaling. Hoping it would create less contrast than my handwriting with a pen or another font on the computer. I also had my journaling prewritten and I was worried if I hand wrote, it wouldn't fit in the space I had left to play with.

Another update I made to this layout was the stamped title. I used the blue ink on the journaling prompt and I wanted to repeat that color other places on the layout so I decided to use the First Story Stamp set from Ali Edwards to complete the title. Using that stamp also allowed for an awkward gap to be filled. Love how it turned out.

One of the techniques I love that I had used was cutting out duplicate lanterns from the patterned paper and popping them up for some added interest and texture without being distracting.

Also loved the pennant die I used with different patterns from this collection, adding the number 1 on some for more repetition.

Last touch was a date label from Elle's Studio with the date stamped.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my layout. Hoping to share another soon!