Scraplifting Challenge
Scraplifting is NOT the same as cheating -- at least, not unless you copy someone's layout piece by piece and then try to pass it off as your own in public!
Scraplifting, to me, is merely gathering ideas. Rare is the time when I sit down, leaf through an idea book or magazine, find a layout I like, and then copy it in the exact same products shown. Fuggedaboudit! Where's the fun in that? What I find fun is attempting to create a look someone else has pulled off, using the materials and supplies *I* have on-hand. It's much like seeing Kate Hudson on the pages of InStyle wearing an adorable boho-chic outfit, and then trying to recreate it at home with your Target budget and H&M heels.
THE KEY IS TO MAKE IT YOURS! By using your products, your photos, your colors, your eye for design, your journaling (can't forget that!), you take one idea and make it into something new, something original.
Of course, there are those times when you just want to lift a layout as close to the original as possible. This is okay, too! Why else do you think all the magazines include product information for each layout they publish? Disclaimer: IT IS NEVER OKAY TO PASS SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK OFF AS YOUR OWN. If you lift a layout, don't submit it for publication. And if you put it on your blog or in an online gallery, a simple credit ("scraplift from Tia Bennett") is sufficient.
I started with this adorable layout from Scrapbook Trends magazine:
Here I am, blowing my own rules... I don't know whom to attribute this layout to! I ripped the page out because I thought it was so cute, but the credit was on the opposite page. And I cannot even tell you what issue it was in... ARRGH! So if you are the designer behind this adorable design, please accept my humblest apologies and let me know so I can give you proper credit! EDITED: Thank you, Michelle, for letting me know that this page was designed by Celeste Smith, one of our own Simple Gals!
Anyway, here is what my lift came out like:
I am sure you can immediately spot the similarities. (Ignore the fact that mine is cut off at the knees... hate my scanner!). This is a much closer lift than I would usually do. I might pick one element -- like the button border -- and then change up everything else to make it more "me."
materials: Patterned paper (Me and My Big Ideas) + buttons (Foof-a-la) + plastic letters (Heidi Swapp) + rub-on stitches (Kaiser) + hemp thread (Darice) + waxed thread + string
Now, for last week's winners...
Bec and Lisa! I love how they both did their own interpretations of one layout. Great job, ladies! Send me your addresses and I'll get you some goodies. :)
What are your thoughts on scraplifting? Is it a regular part of your scrapbooking? A necessary evil? Does it make you uncomfortable, inspire you? What are your rules, if you have any? Do tell!
And for next week, how about a 30-minute layout with felt, fabric, or some other "sewing" type of material? Show me what you have. Leave your link in the comments and we'll all "ooh" and "aah!"
I have that copy of Scrapbook Trends right here on my desk, ready to scraplift a couple of the layouts in it! The "nursery" layout is by Celeste Smith, according to the credits. VERY cute page of Callie! You have inspired me to get scrapping today ;-))Thanks Lain!
Posted by: Michelle | July 03, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Holy cow!!!! How cool is that!!! Thanks, Lain!
Posted by: Lisa | July 03, 2008 at 10:27 AM
how funny is that? turns out you've even met me in person. :) one of my favorite layouts of myself. that photo was a shock when I found it in the pile of photos I have from my childhood. I have no idea who took it or why - my mother would know, but no way to ask her. I'm going to have to ask my father.
Posted by: Celeste | July 03, 2008 at 10:32 AM
LOVE LOVE to scraplift (when i actually get around to creating!) It just helps to get me started, and sometimes it does end up sort of the same (like yours) or takes on a life of its own. I have so many ideas that i want to do- i'm not sure where to even start...so I thought maybe what i'll do is, just pick 1 design for each layout ( i tear out pages from a mag or dog ear them)- and go onto the next. Hmmm, you'd think I would have alot done by now... (if i would just quit MOVING all the time, that would help!! lol) Thanks for this post today Lain! I think i'm going to go get my scrappin mojo on! :) ps- on celeste's lo, is that paper or fabric? Do you know where I can get the info of the products used?
Posted by: lacey | July 03, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Heck! I got so excited, I forgot to answer your questions. lol
I probably scraplift almost as much as I come up with my own designs. And, I guess there are many things behind that.
First, how can you not be inspired by all the great work out there?! And if not inspired, certainly influenced - after all, none of us live in a bubble.
I think it's a great way to reach out of your comfort zone and try new techniques, colors, compositions, and materials. Lifting helps you to build and expand your own style, for me, it's part of the growth process.
And, yes, it helps to kick your own creative juices in when you are in a slump. It's part of the discipline of art.
Rules? I always, always credit the person I lift. I try my best to link to the inspiration. And, when possible, I let the artist know what I've done.
Necessary "evil" -- I think not!
Posted by: Lisa | July 03, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Lacey, the layout was in the September 2007 issue of ST. Here is the materials list that appeared with the layout; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned paper: Daisy D's, Fibers: DMC floss, Paint: Heidi Swapp, Buttons: American Crafts, Buttons Galore and More, Stickers: Daisy D's (tag), Making Memories (alphabet), Pen: American Crafts. Hope that helps!
Posted by: Michelle | July 03, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Congratulations Bec and Lisa. Great Layouts! It makes me want to take my camera and take some pictures of my favorite coffee shop and restaurant. Thanks for the inspiration~~
Posted by: Michelle (from KY) | July 03, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Love both the original and yours! I'm actually kind of scraplifting impaired. I take bits and pieces of inspiration and incorporate them, but I have a hard time copying a layout exactly even when I try. It always winds up changing along the way.
~T.
Posted by: bcre8uv | July 03, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Oh, I am soooo excited. Lisa and I had great fun doing this. I just loved that LO so much and of course, I love Starbucks!
As to scraplifting, a good friend of mine likened it to when she started sewing. She did everything right down to the tiniest detail according to the pattern. As her skills increased, she started making alterations, combining patterns to come closer to a more designer look. As her skills increased, along with some formal instruction, she become a master seamstress.
I have had horrible block, great self doubt and all that perfectionism stuff many of us experience. This really helped me get back into making pages and other art stuff I love doing. Lately, I just seemed to stare at all my supplies and get no where.
Thanks for the boost and a big thanks to my best bud Lisa :).
Posted by: Bec | July 03, 2008 at 06:08 PM
I am a scraplifter of elements... I like to take an idea or two and use them on my pages. I am one of those people with an inability to follow a pattern (as in sewing and quilting) and I definitely see that come into my scrap life. Even if I wanted to lift a complete LO, I can't seem to do it without changing something LOL :) Love your blog, Lain!
Posted by: Rebecca | July 04, 2008 at 06:34 AM
I was so sad that I couldn't participate this week. Crazy busy! Anyways, I too find lots of inspiration in other peoples designs. Rarely does it turn out much like the original but I use it as a jumping off point. I especially enjoy seeing different ways of embellishing because I tend to get stuck in a rut. I don't usually have trouble placing my pictures or choosing a colour scheme but I need a fresh way of embellishing from time to time.
Posted by: CarlaR | July 04, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I have tons of scrapbook magazines and books and for the most part, I glanc at them rather than study them. I too take away color design and elements...I have scraplifted some layouts but I find scraplifts very very hard to do; I can't just copy...it always looks weird when I do it. I tried to do it today at a crop just to get a page "done" and just COULD NOT do it! Ended up with a mess of a page that I'm gonna have to go back and fix when I get a chance or, it'll stay in the unfinished pile.
Posted by: KateB | July 05, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Loved your scraplift and the original page as well ! I had one selected to scraplift but couldn't find the photo I wanted to use so it wasn't goinf to happen in 30 in minutes or less! Still planning to complete it. I found the latest issue of SS filled with layouts that I can do today so I'm hoping to have some time for that.
Also, do I see/hear a podcast in the near future?! Definately looking forward to one!
Posted by: Miss Niki | July 06, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Loved your inspiration page and your version too. Wouldn't mind lifting that one myself. Here's mine for this week...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/andiphant/SCRAPBOOKING/100_3097.jpg
Posted by: Andrea F. | July 07, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Here is my link for this week's challenge. I combined it with Funday Monday LO at Stacy J's BPS Have More Fun. One LO instead of two. I am not really sure how long it took me because I kept getting interputed but the little Xs I sewed on there took longer than anything. I had already played around with the picture before I decided to use it with fabric.
http://www.musesmecca.com/wordpress/?p=41
Posted by: Bec | July 09, 2008 at 06:31 PM
I forgot to say, if you go look at it on my blog, be sure and follow the link to the page on the Texas Tech site about the sculpture and the artist. It is very interesting.
Posted by: Bec | July 09, 2008 at 06:32 PM
So glad to see Bec having fun!
I got mine in - just in time!
http://www.timelesscrone.com/wordpress/?p=199
The floral is fabric from my quilting stash. A simple piece of green cardstock and scrap of some random lined paper.
Pagmap by Becky Fleck.
Posted by: Lisa | July 09, 2008 at 08:13 PM
First off - this took WAAAY more than 30-minutes. First, because I used my Cricut for the diecuts then I had to sort like crazy to find all the letters I needed. Still wanted to post though because I'm really glad you inspired me to get this song on paper. It's Bob Marelys "Three Little Birds" except I only have two "birds". The song to me is a reminder how much happiness they bring to me and even when they drive me crazy or its been a rough day I remember "every little thing is gonna be alright."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/andiphant/SCRAPBOOKING/100_3250.jpg
Posted by: Andrea F. | July 15, 2008 at 09:45 PM