Inspiration Station - Rethinking the way to buy products!

Hello, everyone! So happy to be here with you today with another instalment of Let's Capture Our Memories' Inspiration Station - where I show you how I'm inspired and what I do with that inspiration. In return? A little inspiration for you... I hope! Hee!Hee!

Do you remember when you first started scrapbooking and how overwhelmed you sometimes felt when you were in a scrapbook store gawking at all that scrappy loot? For me, I honestly had no idea where to start - I think it's one of the reasons it took me so long to start scrapbooking in the first place. And looking back on it, when I finally did start, most of my purchases solely consisted of pretty things. Uh, yes, I do still only buy pretty scrappy things (or at least I think I do! Hee!Hee!), but now, after  seven or so years invested in my scrappy habit, I have learned what products I do find pretty, but also love to use the most, that work best for me and my current style. And for me, that's PATTERNED PAPER!! Of course, I have tons of complimenting products, but for me, patterned paper remains my go-to supply. 

Now, when I first started (and for quite a few years after!), and bought a collection, I would buy 2 pages of each available 12X12 patterned papers - just in case I might need the second one on another project. My paper stash is indeed quite beautiful to look at... ;) But for a few years now, many scrapbooking companies have been releasing 6X6 paper pads that coordinate with the 12X12 collections. They actually consist of the same designs as the 12X12 papers, but in a smaller print. At first, many used them solely for cardmaking - I actually thought that was the only thing you could do with them. However, slowly, but surely, these mini-pads have been embraced by all kinds of scrapbookers, including myself. You see, instead of buying every, single piece of 12X12 patterned paper twice from one collection, I now purchase the less busy 12X12 pieces of the collection to make my backgrounds, some 12X12 pieces for fussy-cutting purposes and get the 6X6 paper pad to match it. That way, I get the whole collection, but in a different way! More scrappy cash for me!! WOO!HOO! No, but seriously, the smaller prints are indeed perfect for cardmaking, but are absolutely amazing for layering small pieces of patterned paper on a layout. With them, I never lose the integrity of the print as I sometimes did with a 12X12 piece of patterned paper. Wanna see what I mean? Here we go!

Used TONS of My Mind's Eye Cut & Paste - Charm collection (12X12 patterned papers for the background and the fussy-cut flowers - I was definitely inspired by Jocelyne's fussy-cutting right here), 6X6 paper pad, tiny word stickers, and enamel dots), but also sprinkled some Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze, used Jillibean Soup Beanboard alphas, and stitched me those X's using my faithful Bazzill Basics stitching template and some DMC floss. Oh! And I can't forget the fabulous Laura Whitaker sketch I got from the LCOM design team reveal just this past Saturday (for more information on the reveal, hop on over here!).

And there you have it! Please join us again on Thursday when Jocelyne will be here for another round of Product Shuffle.

Happy scrapping!