Welcome to my clean and simple side with the Flying Unicorn Jan. KOM

Wow, it's the New Year, 2016. I can't believe it.   2015 was quite an eventful year, many ups and a few downs.  On the down side I lost my Dad, and that was tough, but he was quite sick so i know that it was his time to go.  He lived for 93 1/2 years and for that I am quite thankful and really he was in good shape most of those years.

2015 was full of highs beginning with making the design team of Graphic 45.  That was a dream come true and I still pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming!  If that ws not enough to excite this old gal, I made the Creative Embellishments design team about the same time.  I've definitely been riding in the clouds this year!  To finish off 2015 with a real bang, I've rejoined the Flying Unicorn Design Team and I am so thrilled for the opportunity to design for Alda again and work with some of my very best scrappy friends! Today I want to share my first Flying Unicorn reveal with you!

The scrappy world is so diverse these days, there's mixed media, paper layers, clean and simple and everything in between.  Where do you find yourself fitting in this pool of artists?  Myself, I feel like I hang on the edge of many styles not quite committed to anything.  Perhaps that is an eclectic style?  I don't know, what do you think?

At any rate, I want to start off with a clean and simple layout.  I think that many of us started out with this style only to abandon it to the artsy side of scrapbooking which to me, really isn't scrapbooking at all; it is a paper art form that should be appreciated for itself and so should "real" scrapbooking be appreciated for what it is.  So that begs the question, what is real scrapbooking?  I think we all have our own answers to that question but for me it is the preservation of photographs that illustrate the memories that are in our hearts accompanied by journalled stories telling about the events of the day. While the photographs may illustrate the story, they seldom tell the whole story with the who, what, when, where and why.  I fear that many clean and simple scrapbookers think that their work doesn't measure up to the more artsy forms and that really is a shame because that is like comparing apples to potatoes.  Really, what matters is how you feel about what you've done and have you met your intended goal?

So that whole little essay was to introduce you to my clean and simple side and this is something I hope to do every month with my Flying Unicorn kit.  Now this is just a generic photograph so I have not journaled BUT I plan a journaling spot if you care to lift this layout.

I used 13 Arts Secret Letters collection from the main Flying Unicorn January kit for this layout.  The flowers and leaves are from the Mixed Passion kit.  I added the cute little Creative Embellishments bird from my stash.  The small Art, big Passion kit included some Prima SIIC postal stickers that I took apart to do the beading across the top of the banner that I cut with a punch

Supplies- from the Flying Unicorn January kits unless otherwise noted
Cardstock - black (from my stash)
Patterned paper: 13 Arts Secret Letters Collection:

• A Letter to You - black print
• Remember Me - pink
• Little Secrets - journal card

Letters: My Little Shoebox mini alphas (from my stash)
Diecuts and punches: American Crafts Knock Out Banners punches, The Paper Studio scalloped circle (both from my stash)
Flowers: Petaloo Textured Blossoms black 1256209; Prima Royal Menagerie Patricia leaves 583378
Ink: Black distress ink (from my stash)
 FUL ribbon
Prima SIIC 560416

One of the great things, (and there are lots of great things!) about the Flying Unicorn main kit is that it always includes an off the page project.  I love these as they are a fun diversion from layouts and other flat surfaces.  The January kit includes a practical coaster set.  Another idea for this set is to punch the sides of the coasters, put a ring thru the holes and make a mini album.

I used Graphic 45's Gilded Lily papers from my collection to cover the surfaces of my poster set.  The gorgeous coral blooms are Petaloo Botanicas from the Mixed Passion Kit.  I added a few smaller blooms from my stash that came from I Am Roses to complete my look.  I think this is so pretty and feminine, perfect for a tea party, don't you think?

I fussy cut the lilies from the design paper.

 I used the 8 x 8 collection and the 6 x 6 Patterns and Solids paper pads to cover the coasters and adhered and coated with matte medium to protect the surface and waterproof it.   I'm not sure how waterproof matte medium is, guess I'll find out!

Supplies:

Wooden coaster set from the Flying Unicorn Main Kit

Graphic 45
Gilded Lily paper collection 

Matter Medium

ColorBox rose coral ink

Petaloo Botanica Pink Blossoms

I Am Roses carnations, daisies, and roses

Trim

There are still some January kits available in the store so hurry and get yours now!  The Flying Unicorn does not believe in subscription sales but we do have a presale every month on the 20th where you can order your kit(s) and that way never miss out on the kit.  In addition, we make a few kits available on the last day of the month which is reveal day.  Read all about our kit purchases here.

Happy New Year to you all, I hope this year is your best ever and the year is filled with love, friends, family and good health.  

Thank you for visiting my blog.   I'd love to know how you feel about clean and simple scrapbooking, and what are your scrappy goals for the year?