So you like to make and/or buy scrapbook layouts, altered art, ATCs, paper piecings, ephemeral art, etc.?  So do I!  I'm an experienced artist who sells paper piecings, altered art, and premade layouts, etc. on eBay as button*box (click link to see my current listings.)  I also belong to a fun group of eBay designers and artists who call themselves PBSTR (stands for Proudly Building Scrapbooks to Remember).  Please check us out! 

I've been perplexed with the issue of whether to sew my scrapbook pages and mats or NOT to sew the pages.  If you have an opinion on the subject and would like to get in touch please do so by visiting one of my listings and clicking on contact seller.  I'll be happy to share your insights on my listings whenever possible.

Here's a sample where I did NOT sew the pages:

      

Sewn pages:

       

***My layouts are originals.  Please feel free to "pinch" anything you like for personal use but do not sell them!*** 

On the pink 12" x 12" layout I have pieced and sewn a background using 4 different papers to give the layout the feel of a sweet baby quilt.  Each mat has 3 or 4 layers which are all sewn before adding to the background sheet.  Some mats are embellished with button-shaped brads, ribbon, charms, Prima flowers, Chip Chatter letters, etc.  The large tree has been die cut using the Cricut Expression, for some extra bling the leaves were painted with Stickles.  The little bundle of joy is a petite tear bear holding a baby bottle who's lost her booties.

This layout took many hours of designing, sewing, piecing, etc.  Its lots of fun but I'm not so crazy about the additional work required with the amount of sewing I used.  After all, its about the pictures added over the layout that count and how much of the sewing will you be able to see once those wonderful baby pics have been applied?? 

Little green Frank is an original drawing with pieced black spikey hair...inspired by the fun boy's haircut that's so popular.  The spiders are Cuttlebug diecuts with applied google eyes.  I just love the pattern of the white dotted mats which mimics the spider eyes and jaw breaker candies I added with a chipboard "I want candy" embellishment on page 2.  You can't see them so well in these photos but the stripey decos on the mats on page 2 also have buttons that carry on with the same design element. 

The background on this layout a "whoosh" of 3 rows of Halloween paper that have NOT been sewn.  The time saved by not sewing allowed for more designing and drawing time for the cool little Frank.

This is one of my all time favorite layouts.  Mats are sewn, of course and it is all original artwork...no die cuts (except lettering) ,nor clipart...just original little mice drawn by me.  It is slathered with Stickles to add that "bling".  I feel like stars or snowflakes should have been added to the background which I may still do because I'm keeping if for my granddaughter!

**UPDATE - In my unofficial survey of what 's selling on eBay my sewn layouts have been outselling anything from the past.  Despite the extra work, it seems worthwhile and what everyone wants!

Backgrounds - I like using printed/colorful 12x12 backgrounds with my layouts because this is what is visible when the layout is full of photos.  My favorite combination is a tri-color background with printed mats that contain the 3 colors.  I think this creates a well-balanced layout.  It is the design behind the baby layout above.  In this layout I used pink cardstock over which I sewed pink, lavendar, & green geometric prints. 

Mats - The mats used in the layout are a juvenile print of baby shoes in pink, green, blue & lavendar over a coordinating green cardstock layer.  For interest I added torn pink polka-dot accents over the mats and sewed a border of pink zigzag stitching.  If a print containing the 3 background colors is not available, you can  layer mats with solids & prints to acheive the desired look.  For example - lavendar print, over green layer, with pink polka-dot accents.

Your opinions and interest matter to me.  Let me hear your thoughts on my guide sometime!  If you would like information or tips and techniques I'd be happy to add them to the guide in future updates.  Stay tuned...

A Little About Me...

I'm a freelance artist and designer with a background in design management, sculpture, and sewing.  I have managed and/or designed some very famous dolls and teddy bears.  Oh...the stories I could tell!  My original dolls have been featured in Dolls Magazine, Contemporary Doll Artist, Delaware Today Magazine, etc. 

Here's a trio of my favorite original dolls: