Today we're talking trends and how you can incorporate the latest trends while still maintaining the simple stylings of Simple Stories. Sometimes a trend is a design style such as when doodling was all the rage, and sometimes a trend is the use of a particular font such as when Heidi Swapp's handwriting was turned into a rub on. One trend that I see snowballing currently though is seeking out other people's inspiration. First there seemed to be Stumble Upon and you would randomly find interesting items by clicking a button - these may or may not have been relevant to design or scrapbooking at all. Then along came Tumblr, with the ability to follow other people's accounts. With Tumblr you could create a dashboard of various photos and links of items or tutorials that you found inspiring. It was a consolidated way of bookmarking things you wanted to remember. You could also "follow" other people's accounts if they weren't private. So I could find a cool color combo, put it on my dashboard, and you would see it too if you were following me. But the trend of following other people's inspirational finds really took off with the onset of Pinterest. Have you heard of it yet? Think of your own personal inspiration board multiplied exponentially, and you have Pinterest. People are "pinning" quotes, designs, home decor, photo ideas... you name it, people are pinning it to their virtual inspiration boards. Scrapbookers have really hooked into Pinterest too, finding a wide variety of ways to use it to spark their creativity.
I've been using Pinterest to save inspiring ideas for about a month now. I love how there are so many different types of inspiration that can all be gathered and used in my scrapbooking. Recently I pinned this image (found at http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/) to my "Cool Design" board. I knew that I wanted to turn this fun board (and if I had younger kids at home, I'd make one like this too) into a layout about my plans for the summer.
Cool, no?
So, here's how I turned it into a layout. I snagged my 100 Days of Summer line and went to town:
(OUT FOR PUBLICATION)
I didn't have photos for every "to-do" item, but I didn't really feel I needed them either.
I loved using the mini alphas from the sticker sheet to create partial captions and the cardstock stickers were great for decorating the non-photo activities.
(BE BACK SOON)
So, where are you finding inspiration these days and how are you organizing it?
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I love this layout! Hope you enjoy your summer! Now I'm inspired to get out my Summer kit.
Posted by: Lynn D | June 08, 2011 at 06:22 AM
I LOVE how you turned it into a LO! I'm SO doing that with our Summer Fun list!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Deanna M | June 08, 2011 at 07:19 AM
what a fun idea and love the layout!! thanks for sharing and thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Lacey I | June 08, 2011 at 09:59 AM
You're very welcome, everyone! Glad you are enjoying it!
Posted by: Ally | June 08, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Ally, I loved it so much I pinned it to Pinterest! :)
I saw that board on Jenni H.'s blog and had pinned that, too. But I love how you turned it into a layout :)
Posted by: Mary Jo | June 08, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Ally, this is an awesome idea!!! Thanks so much!!! I can't wait to make this layout and the board!!!
Posted by: Jodi | June 08, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Awww, thanks Mary Jo and Jodi!
Posted by: Ally | June 08, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Great idea... love it. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Janey | June 08, 2011 at 03:37 PM
I actually just started a mini book with this line yesterday to document pictures of our summer bucket list!
Posted by: rkokes | June 08, 2011 at 04:40 PM
This is such a fun layout. Love your grid design and how you incorporated so much jouranling.
Posted by: Lisa | June 08, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Such a great page! Love the idea and will be cleaning my garage too :)
Posted by: Liz Qualman | June 09, 2011 at 04:16 PM
this is absolutly stunning i LOVE it
Posted by: caroline hancock | June 10, 2011 at 03:08 AM
LOVE this layout Ally!! I think I might have to lift it!!
Posted by: Beth Ann | June 10, 2011 at 05:58 AM
I love the crafty nature of your summer to do list, I'd already drawn up my list, now I want to make it visual!
http://whispersweetnothing.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/make-it-visual/
Posted by: Amy | June 11, 2011 at 04:50 AM
love this Ally! Definately will lift this idea!
Posted by: Karen P (kphike) | June 15, 2011 at 06:29 AM
I see something truly special in this internet site.
Posted by: franciszka | January 28, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Thanks for the article, how can I make is so that I receive an email sent to me whenever you publish a fresh article?
Posted by: Damian | January 31, 2013 at 01:50 PM