Big Picture Classes: Stashbusters Anonymous

I finally got around to taking some classes from Big Pictures Classes. Oh my gosh I'm hooked!!(thank you Heidi). If you have the time to take a class from BPC i highly recommended it. I'm signed up for two more self paced workshops and just finished the Stacy Julian i.scrap class last week.While Stacy's style is a little looser, shall we say, than what I'm comfortable with i played along and did it exactly as it was designed. I'm so glad i did. It was different for me, definitely out of my normal crafty box, and i enjoyed the processes. It focused more on the introspective journalling than the page assembly (although i was lucky enough to have a Monday off and spent the whole day putting together my pages!). And when it was over i had a finished 8x8 album.

At the same time i was signed up for i.scrap i also started Stashbusters Anonymous.This class is taught by Aly Dosdall and the idea is to start using up your scrapbook stash. You know, all those goodies that you've bought over the years (and years) that are sitting in baskets and bins (and cupboards and iris boxes) just waiting for the perfect layout. I'm totally embracing this concept (across the board), I'm pulling out brads and buttons (and ribbon and stickers) that are probably older than my children (well older than Waverly at least). Dusting off papers that i had forgotten i had (DCWV textured cardstock is amazing!! And i found three pads of 12x12! ). It really feels good to be using up what i have and making the most of some of my scraps (from convention and kits). It's a four week class and we are through the first two weeks. I'm already looking forward to tomorrows challenge that will start off week three!

While the self paced classes are also good, these two workshops are interactive and I'm enjoying the message boards and the galleries. It's fun to see all the different takes on each challenge, there are so many talented people sharing their work.

Book plates (which i had a few of) and Buttons

Paper piecing a chevron pattern and a Monochromatic embellishment frame

Punches (i used my Cricut) and a Sun Burst pattern (that had to be traced and cut by hand, i was cursing it while i was cutting but the end result was worth it)