Family Story Layout by Tonya Gibbs

Hi everyone,  Mother's Day is around the corner, and today I thought I would share a layout of my family. My kids are turning into young adults right in front of my eyes. They are both in serious relationships and I thought it would be nice to document the time we have spent with them. I love spending time with all of them. For those of you who know me personally you know that Family is everything to me.  I wanted this layout to show them all how much I love them!  It is the highlight of my day when I can see all their faces! 

My friend pinned this layout sketch from PageDrafts.com yesterday and it totally inspired me. 

I selected Teresa Collin's Family Stories collection for my layout. I loved the soft aquas pinks and Navy blues in this collection and thought it would be great with my photos.

I also used the Teresa Collins Stencil 

Tattered Angel's Bubbles Glimmer Mist and little Modeling paste added the perfect texture to my background. 

I decided to use some Cosmo Cricket Glitter paper for my flags and wanted them to match my layout colors. I grabbed my Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist Pens and colored over the silver glitter. I think I'm falling in love with glitter thanks to Cosmo Cricket and their shed proof sheets!  

I had a few extra Bloom Sparklers from Webster's Pages on a card. You guys know how much I love to use extra piece here and there.  I decided they were perfect for the centers of my flowers.  I also spritzed the flower clusters with the Tattered Angel's Bubbles Glimmer Mist. This is the perfect minty blue color with silver glimmer.

Die-Namites Dies Leafy Branch die was the perfect addition to finish off my cluster.  Since my family is my anchor, I decided to nestle the Anchor charm from the ephemera pack into the flower cluster. 

I used one of the note cards in the collection to die-cut butterflies using a Martha Stewart Punch, and the Tim Holtz mover's and shapers die.   My photo was matted on the Spring Doily from Die-namites to give it a nice petite scallop border  then double matted onto a pastry doily for added texture and depth.  I used lots of the snippet titles from the Teresa Collins Ephemera pack around the page as my title, and used the title area of the sketch for my journaling. 

My kids are growing so fast and I know they are going to start leaving the nest soon. I want them to spread their wings and fly, but when they do this Momma is going to probably fall apart. No matter where life takes them, or who they pick as their life partner,  I hope they always treasure family time, and remember how much they are loved! 

Thanks for stopping in today, 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomoms.com 

Persimmon Layout - Grandson

Fall is probably my favorite season, we are coming off the hot days of summer, and the air starts to turn crisp and cool. The kids going back to school are full of excitement. Rich vibrant color pallets are everywhere. Even the sunrises have more drama.  All of these are great, but the best of all...it is FOOTBALL season! 

 

My son, Brighton, has played football since he was 7 years old. This year starts his second year at Varsity.  I'm going to miss those Friday night lights soon!  Every football game, my entire family rally at the game to cheer Brighton and his team mates to victory.  But the part that really just steals my heart is after the game, when everyone approaches the field. MY SON - always takes a moment to kiss and hug on his grandmothers!  ALWAYS without fail - in front of all of his friends.  Now trust me when I tell you that he does not smell like fresh linen or even roses, but it doesn't matter!  There is NOTHING better than a victorious SWEATY HUG.  I've never turned one down, and I never will!   

 

 

These moments happen fast and we often take them for granted. However, lately I've been reminded rather abruptly at how fast life moves, and those small moments can never be captured once missed. These women are the backbone of our families.  They are ALWAYS there and I mean ALWAYS! I love them both dearly, and to see that public display of affection from my child extended to his grandmothers - well I don't have to tell you about the tears that are rolling down my face, just typing this!  

 

 

 

The photo above is my Mother, Nama and the photo below is my Mother In-law, Nannie.  I have very few photos of these women less of my mother than Nannie, because she hates having her picture taken.   I uploaded these photos to Instagram and printed them from the gallery prints on Facebook.  So I decided to make them "insta" frames on my layout. 

 

 

 

 

For the layout, I wanted to use up the scraps of papers laying on my desk - reminants from last Monday's Ustream.  As you can see nothing on the layout is larger than 3x3. Most of these pieces many  would have tossed.   An interesting way to use up those tiny scraps is through your punches, die cuts, and electronic cutters.  Even the less than perfect punched pieces get used!  Layers are the perfect way to hide those imperfections, and when pooled together, the smaller pieces really make an impact.

 

 

 

 

Basic Grey's persimmon line really helps me capture the essence of fall! I love how the elements are bright colored and gender neutral.  I also love how Cosmo Cricket's new Glitter Adhesive sheets add a little sparkle without a mess!

 

I have recorded a process video showing step by step how this layout came together.

 

 

Thank you for stopping in today. I want to leave you with one bit of advice. Remember that you can never have too many photos-  Good lighting, raining day, doesn't matter - SNAP THE PHOTO!  You can never have too many, and 20 years ago we will look back at the fun surrounding that moment and not be so critical of the quality of the picture.

 

Tonya Gibbs

http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

 

Resources:

• BasicGrey - Persimmon - 6 x 6 Paper Pad
• BasicGrey - Persimmon - Die Cut Cardstock and Transparency Pieces
• Cosmo Cricket - Glitter Adhesive Sheets - Crystal Lake
• American Crafts - Ribbon Value Pack - Jute - 24 Spools
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Visual Artistry CITY CENTRAL (Ticket)
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Seamless Experience (Stitch)
• Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Tiny Attacher
• Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
• EK Success - Paper Shapers - Slim Profile - Edger Punch - Zig Zag Chain
• EK Success - Paper Shapers - Nesting Punch - Scallop Circle 1 1-2"
• Fiskars - Limited Edition - Squeeze Punch - Large - Leaf it to Me, CLEARANCE
• Jenni Bowlin Studio - Feathers - Vellum
• Lindy's Stamp Gang - Starburst Color Shot - 2 Ounce Jar - Glory of the Seas Gold
• Faber-Castell - Mix and Match Collection - Gesso
• ColorBox - Surfacez - Multi-Surface Inkpads - Dolphin
• Sizzix - Originals Die - Jewelry - Die Cutting Template - Large - Hearts, Primitive 3
• Heidi Swapp - Stencil - Honeycomb 6x6
• My Favorite Things Stamps - Dizzy Doily Die
• Kraft Cardstock
• Hymnal Pages
• Buttons
• Pale Blue Cardstock
• Prima Marketing Inc.,  Chalk Ink - Farmer's Jeans
• Liquitex - Yellow Oxide Ink