Creating With Grids With Missy

"Moments", by Missy Whidden. 

Hey there! Missy back again today. How often do you find yourself in a creative slump? No matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to come up with a design idea. I have found that one of the easiest ways to get a mojo-less layout going is to create a grid. Grids are a great way to start organizing where you want your photo, your papers and your embellishments. When I create a grid, I usually break it down into four sections. Since each section is small, you can focus on just one small area at a time instead of the whole page. This definitely helps me get my ideas flowing and starts helping me know where to start placing things. I love to incorporate inks and paints onto my pages. Once I decided on a color scheme, I used watercolors to create an artsy grid before laying down my papers and embellishments.

Once I had my areas colored, I knew exactly where to start putting everything. Instead of using squares, I used circles. I chose papers from the Fresh Market collection and a 3.5 inch circle punch. I layered two circles together for each section and sewed around the top circle. I went through the patterned papers and sticker sheets to find fun embellishments for each set of circles. The center of the layout was the perfect area for the title, and I used one of the large Ciao Chipboard words. I first colored it with spray inks and gelatos and it blended in too much with all the background colors. So I decided to cover it with solid blue acrylic paint which makes it stand out a lot more.

Here you can see the painted title up close. To make it stand out even more and to add texture (and more color!) I added a rainbow array of tangled thread under it. I also added a few stickers from Color Chaos to complete the title area. It was really fun to mix and match all those fun colors in all the grid spaces. I tried to spread all the colors around into each area.

I decided to go with the “sweet” aspect of the Fresh Market collection. I used lots of fun stickers, and I fussy cut a few hearts from patterned paper as well. I used some of the larger enamel dots in each area, too. They make the perfect little pop of color. And the watercolor peeking out from behind each circle also adds another layer of color.

Here’s another grid circle. That pretty pink flower is from a Color Chaos patterned paper. I love how easy it is to mix and match Bella collections! I added in some black here to echo the black in the photo.

I decided to use a cut file here.  I used white cardstock to cut this cute citrus slice and then I colored it orange with some paint. I like how it emphasizes the whole idea of “sweet” on this page. I layered stickers and thread over it to add more color, interest and dimension.

And last but not least, here is the area with the photo. I placed it in the lower left quadrant since she’s looking up to the right. I raised it up with foam adhesive, added some thread and a cute apple that I fussy cut, and a cute label sticker. I really love how the black & white photo pops against all that bright color everywhere!

So the next time you find yourself stuck in a rut, try putting together a grid layout.  And remember, you can think outside the box and try circles or hexagons or hearts…once you get the basic design down, the ideas should start to flow.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Fresh Market: Daily Details, Borders, Fruitful, Tutti Frutti, Freshly Squeezed, Whole Lotta Seeds, Treasures & Texts; Just Add Color: Daily Details; Color Chaos: Treasures & Text, Trinkets, Little Bits Pickle Juice; Ciao Chip Scripts: Family; Enamel Dots: Guacamole, Cotton Candy, Ice

Comments

[Michelle Salazar]

What a great tip I have never thought about breaking my page down in grids and just worrying about that section. I am going to try this the next time I am looking at a blank sheet of paper!