4 on Friday (1)

The finished simple page
Here goes ... The first of forty scrapbook pages using the same basic design, one a week, beginning today. (For anyone popping in today for the first time - and you are most welcome! - the basic template using four photo/journalling spaces is in the post from Friday 23rd, and a pdf. on Monday 26th). The little chap below, we discovered on Monday, pootling past our door and round the back; and we've seen him twice since. So without more ado ...

 

The simple process
You may remember that I set myself some questions to muse upon:

• How much creativity and variety can be brought to one simple design?
• Does it simplify the process of putting a page together?
• To what extent does it enhance or hinder enjoyment?
• How does it affect the reasons above for not finishing, or getting on with, a page?

The first one, I can't really answer yet! Secondly, did it simplify the process? Yes, it did. I knew, looking at the photos we'd taken, that the one on the left was going to need a long rectangle. Although I hadn't formulated at all what I wanted to say at this point, there was something about the small figure at the bottom of those steps looming above, which I didn't want to lose by cropping it to a square.

That left two spaces: although the bottom right photo is not very sharp, I loved the fact that the small figure was some distance away, that we hadn't gone after him, that we'd let him go on his way. There was also something about his getting to the top, too; and a slight trundling look, head down near the ground, that suggested tiredness. (The photos of him getting up the steps were too blurry to use, alas.)

That allowed one space for journalling, so I knew it had to be brief. It also prompted me to use a subtitle by way of linking the title and the main paragraph, and also, pragmatically, getting in more text! Magazines often use subtitles, and text in the margins - something I'm going to explore more. The font is, appropriately called 'Prickly', and to mirror it and frame the page, I simply used a row of 'x's. 

The journalling just seemed to unfold, as I got in touch with some of my own prickly feelings this week! I do actually love my family deeply :).

Did following the template hinder my enjoyment? Not at all. I suspect that as the weeks pass, the enjoyment will be in the challenge of working out how not to repeat what I've already done. This week, it was simply fun not having to design all aspects from scratch.

If anyone else is trying out 4 on Friday, I'd love to know, so I can pop in to where you are posting! The sheer inventiveness of our scrapbooking community is always energising and exciting, and needs honouring! If you have any thoughts, or observations, on your own pages or the concept of 4 on Friday, I'd love it if you would share them below.

Hoping you have a happy and creative weekend!

Comments

[Karen Cass]

AW BLESS. Love that journalling Alexa.

[Alexa]

Yes, my heart went out to him too, Karen!

[Amanda]

I've taken the plunge Alexa and joined you on 4 on Friday :-)

Love the hedgehogs by the way and the font is perfect.

[Amanda]

Sorry I didn't leave you a link did I? Ooops

Here you go
http://all-kindsofwonderful.blogspot.com/2010/07/4-on-friday.html

[Alexa]

I am delighted, Amanda, to have a fellow-traveller in this venture - thank-you! Off to find you!

[Alexa]

Do go and look, everyone - it deserves a show-place on a wall! Just lovely, Amanda. :)

[Michele]

Fab LO Alexa! I love the 'prickly' font - it couldn't have been any more perfect for the LO!

[Lizzie]

Alexa, that journalling story is lovely and made me smile! Have you seen Amy's pages (at http://overatourplace.blogspot.com/)? She makes quite plain and simple digi scrap pages, with lots of journalling/stories on too. You may like her style and find it inspires your efforts to make simple pages.

[Alexa]

Glad you like it, Lizzie! Yes, I do know Amy's work - I am a frequent visitor there already, and love her style too. :)

[Alexa]

Thank-you, Michele! It was a lucky find, and it's here: http://www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/Prick.htm

[Alix]

oh i just love this alexa!!
the journalling is wonderful
:0)

[Alix]

trying again

[lin thomas]

just working on mine Alexa I thought I'd finished it but then started tweaking it here and there!
Love the hedgehog photos , we disturbed one by accident in the garden the other afternoon and I was surprised at how quickly he disappeared.

[Alexa]

They can move quite fast, I believe. :) Thrilled you are giving 4 on Friday a go too, and looking forward to seeing it when you are happy with it - do keep us posted, Lin!

[Youngandcrafty.blogspot.com]

Wow that looks like a good challenge, I like your first page :) Hannah M

[Sian]

Alexa, truly this has been a blog reading feast! More than one post at a time has equalled more than twice the pleasure. You have been so creative while I've been away: your 4 On Friday is an inspired plan! And I loved the look round your creative space and all the little side-stories it created (your Mum's beautiful whitework!). Great stuff!

[Alexa]

Thank-you, Sian, and glad you've enjoyed reading along here!

[lin]

Finally got round to finishing off and have uploaded to my Card Inspirations gallery