Tutorial | Kelsey McEvoy

Hello! Kelsey here, with a quick step-by-step process post on how one of my August Documenter Kit projects came together. Whenever I get new memory keeping goodies I always, ALWAYS try to make them work for a lifting related project. I'm not always successful—but this time I was! A few days before the Young at Heart kit arrived on my doorstep I hit some long-standing gym goals, and the goodies in the Documenter kit and add-on were just perfect for documenting my recent gym success.

First, I pulled out the cards from the kit and add-on whose vibe fit what I was going for—happiness and excitement. I also pulled out that incredibly fun One Little Bird meter stamp, and a few Studio Calico and Ali Edwards bits from my stash, all of which conveyed the same happiness and excitement vibes. Then, I printed the photos I wanted to include: My deadlift PR and my snatch PR, and a post-workout timercam selfie. Here are all the bits that I started with:

The next step was to play around with different configurations of bits from the kit. 

I loved the "HAPPY!" card, but I really wanted to use that "YES" card, and as awesome as the meter stamp is, I wasn't sure that it worked for this page, so I played around with some more photo configurations.

Here I pulled out that "NOTABLE" card from the Vintage Add-on. What I documented in this layout certainly is notable, but the card just didn't work. Visually, it was too heavy for the layout, and the woodgrain pattern and color weren't quite right.

More messing around, moving photos and cards around. At this point, I bit the bullet and cut that 4" x 6" "YES" card into a 3" x 4" card. I also pulled another card from the Vintage Add-on Kit—that "TODAY" tag one, although I wasn't yet sure where it'd go.

Finally, a configuration of photos and cards that felt right, which took a lot of trial and error since I was working with "heavy" photos. In order too keep a balanced look and feel, I needed to make sure I spaced out the photos. And I needed to keep in mind that the two journaling cards would be filled with typed text, which would add more heaviness and busyness to the layout. I kept this in mind as I settled on this configuration of photos and cards.

Next, I added in a few woodgrain star sequins to the top right pocket, affixed that "YAY!" banner on top of the pocket holding the "YES" card, used the "CURRENTLY" stamp in the kit in the whitespace on my timercam selfie, and typed up a note about my deadlift PR.

I loved the "GOOD STUFF" label centered on the floral card, but I felt like it was missing something, so I added some stitching across the top. Perfect! I also typed up what I had to say about my snatch PR on the "PURE BLISS" 4" x 6" card, stamped it with my date stamp (and then totally smeared the ink, #yaylife), and called it good. I was very happy with how this project turned out... except for that major smear from my date stamp! You win some, you lose some. C'est la vie.

I arranged the star sequins just so, and voila! A bright, happy layout documenting some fitness milestones I've been chasing all year. Really, really happy with how this project turned out! To me, it has the ideal balance between whitespace + busyness, as well as the ideal balance between pretty stuff + meaningful context (via the typed journaling).

I really wanted to fit in all those little embellishments—because they're all so cute!—but sometimes all the extras aren't necessary. This particular layout was busy enough between the heavily patterned floral card in the center, the darkness of the lifting photos, and all the typed text on the 4" x 6" card—it didn't need any more busyness. So, I left all those beloved little bits for other projects.

Here's a peek at the whole thing:

And some detail shots:

Supplies: Journaling/filler cards, "YAY!" banner, "GOOD STUFF" label, "CURRENTLY" stamp – Young At Heart Documenter Kit + Add-On; star sequins –Color Theory Sequins Pack in "Woodshop"

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1 comment

  1. jendcnguyen says…
    08/04/2016

    Amazing! Also wish that floral 3x4 card was a full scale 12x12 pattern paper sheet! LOVE IT! =)

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