Inspiration Blog Hop

I first knew about the Inspiration Blog Hop on Pam's blog a week ago. I thought it'll be fun to participate & hoped that someone will tag me, haha!! So happy to be nominated by Nicole(of Scrappy Manila), her invitation is so timely, have you noticed that I'm on a blogging streak lately?! I've been meeting more people who are into Project Life and scrapbooking (yay for Project Life Philippines FB group)....I'm so excited to share my processes, ideas, projects, "obsessions" knowing that there are people who can relate with me! :)


What are you working on?

I recently completed a big project (a 50+ page Project Life album about my Baguio trip) so now I'm working on "smaller" ones when I have free time:

- Project Life August pages
- Pyromusical experience (pocket scrapbook spread)
- Highlights of our Calatagan 2010 trip (pocket scrapbook spread)
- Calligraphy and Creative Lettering workshop (pocket scrapbook spread)
- Spiderman 2 movie experience @ BGC (pocket scrapbook spread)
- 6x6 photobook about my DIY gifts (this is one of the 10 free photobooks that I got from Metrodeal/PhotobookPhilippines)
- Craft blog redesign
- Journal 52 layouts (just joined a free art journal group)
- The List Project (an upcoming project with my sister)
- Lettering (practicing almost everyday)
- Planning another "big" project - PL travel album about an Asian trip

I love working on multiple projects simultaneously so I don't get bored easily! (this list is overwhelming - in a good way! Hehe)


How does your work differ from others?

My design style has always been classified as clean and simple. My traditional scrapbook layouts often consist of just plain paper (white board paper's my favorite), patterned paper/washi, letters and photos:

I don't use a lot of embellishments because I want my photos to stand out. I'm really glad that the Project Life/pocket scrapbooking system was invented, it works for me! I can quickly create pages without adding extra embellishments:

Same as my photobooks, I rarely use busy backgrounds, I'm happy with white (I dwell too much on my font choices though - they make or break the design :) )

Even in my line of work as a graphic designer, I tend to lean towards the minimalist style & I don't use too many layers, shadows and textures (love flat designs!)

Handlettering is another style that I'm trying to explore - love that it adds a personal touch to my layouts. One of my design goals is to incorporate hand-lettered elements to my professional graphic design work. I need to practice first on my personal projects in order to 'perfect' my skills  :)

Why do you create what you do?

- To remember events, moments and details (If it's not printed, it didn't happen!)
- To be reminded of the blessings that I have (insert hashtag #blessed hahah)
- To take a break from the computer and other digital devices (I spend 9+ hours looking at screens everyday hehe)
- To improve as an artist (I'll become better when I practice and when I make more art)


How does your creating process work?

Like others, I look for inspiration first - on Websta.Me/Instagram, Pinterest, my craft&graphic design magazine collection. I jot down ideas and sketches on my notebooks.

My processes are different for each project:

Project Life travel, food and experience spreads/albums:
1) Choose color scheme, gather supplies that I'll use and place them in one container
2) Make a duplicate folder of my photos and then delete blurred shots, duplicates etc
3) Choose photos (the hardest part!! I wanna print almost everything haha)
4) Plan sketches and layout photos on Photoshop (actual size, 12x12)  - I tried using post-its but it didn't work for me, I ended up forgetting to print some photos
5) Slice the photos on Photoshop to 4"x 6", combine some 3x4's
6) Print photos @ Photoline
7) Slip photos into the pockets
8) Choose cards (the FUN part!)
9) Add few stickers, stamps, journaling

Step 4: Plan sketches and layout photos on Photoshop (actual size)

This step is really helpful for those who are making an album about an event or a trip

Project Life monthly documentation:
1) Try to write details/journaling on bond paper everyday  (one bond paper per month)
2) Print photos at Photoline
3) Slip photos into the pockets (no planning ahead, just go with the flow)
4) Choose color scheme
5) Slip cards into pockets
6) Add few stickers, stamps, labels

Travel photobooks
1) Decide on a look/style
2) Delete photos that I don't want to print (again, the hardest part!!)
3) Layout photos
4) Add titles and designs
5) Add captions
6) Proofread, brighten photos

Art Journal
I go over the prompts at Journal52, let ideas pop into my head and write them down on my notebook. I work with the topics that inspire me the most. I try not to overthink while working on my pages (I do too much thinking on my scrapbooks, photobooks and design work already so this project is kind of a breather hehe)

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I nominate my sister Ria, friends Tracy and Airees to participate in this bloghop. Interested to know your answers! :)