a li'l scrapookin thoughts...kiwi lane, anyone?

Did get to spend some time in my scraproom...but it was more of an organizing (and unpacking) than actual crafting.  I came across this layout from the last crop at Scrapbook Expo.  I was really struggling with it at the Expo.  I was inspired by a layout in the Kiwi Lane booth...if you are familiar with Kiwi Lane, they sell templates (the wavy layers) that you layer to create pages.  Most of my scrapbook group use Kiwi Lane, one of the gals pretty much exclusively...at the booth they gave us an 'inventory' sheet and she found she did not have like 4 of the sets. I use it much more sparingly, just an ocassional page...  I have about 60%...but last year I worked their booth, and as a thank you rec'd product.  Their idea books are fun also.

Anyways, I really struggled with  the layout as below...it just did not look right....

Then I brought it home and realized, the picture is too small...I think it works better with the larger picture and needs white, to offset all that color.   This is not the final, it is not glued down.  It is the 'working' model on my desk right now.....

I use jewelry storage for the templates,  hanging for the 12" borders.

And a revolving holder for the smaller accents and such...It works for me. when I go to crops, I put them in a plastic shoe box...the friend I mentioned uses a pocketed binder and has hers at hand. And seems to have a great organization, because if any of us need one...she has it. and she can find it.

My addiction started  3 or 4 crops ago..I was putting together a page and just felt a wavy line would help offset things.  A gal at the table offered me her Kiwi Lane..and it became a 'thing'.   I do have  a cricut...but sometimes for a single item, it is easier to pull out a stencil, trace, cut  and use. 

Ya'll should look it up and see their "layer' system.  How to think out the layout before you start cutting...  here is another layout from my dgd's book...I incorported a border on the pocket page,
(I know I need to do something with that blank spot....any ideas?  thinking maybe the word, "HELPER" or even "MENU"...just not sure)

to lead to the regular page... I realize the pp's used are a little too subtle...

So, I included this page...with the bright colors (DCWV Fiesta) so you can really see the play of the layers.   I did this entire album using Kiwi Lane and that stack.  It was my mom's last visit to CA and the family photo session we had....as you can see in the final photo, my mom is a 'pistol"

So if you are ever at one of the Northern CA Expos, and see the table with a bunch of Kiwi Lane addicts...that could be us.   I'd say stop by, but this year I am only going (went)  to Pleasanton.  Skipping Santa Clara or Sac...maybe stop by to shop Santa Clara...but not going for cropping.  (sad)

Oh, and I am not a Kiwi Lane rep...  just an afficianado. (insert winking smiley face)     !!!