Articles : Creative Team Spotlight

CT Spotlight Vol. 16

Putting the Spotlight on Superior Layouts

Welcome to the CT Spotlight, a monthly feature in which the Creative Team puts the spotlight on superior layouts that have caught our eye in the gallery.  We'll show you the layouts, tell you who made them and why we love them.  The first CT member quoted is the one who chose the layout for the Spotlight.

Fall will be arriving soon, thank goodness!  Fall is my favorite season and I often experience a rush of energy and longing for fresh starts at this time of year.  Something about the new school year, the change in the weather, and pumpkins in the patch bring this about for me.  In that vein, this will be the last time I will be producing the CT Spotlight column.  It has been a lot of fun doing this column and I sincerely hope someone else picks it up and keeps it going. 

Congratulations to all the scrappers in the spotlight this month and since the beginning of this feature.  You are all among the best of the ACOT scrappers and you help make this site the inspirational place that it is.

"Words of Wisdom from You"
by amtmhj



ElsieB says:
"In this layout, Amy has done one of my favorite things to do in scrapbooking: she captured the actual words spoken by her daughter.  I love it!  This layout will always be so meaningful for both of them because of that.  I also love how she journaled on the stems of the flowers and I love the look of her title and chunked up subtitle.  Fantastic layout!"

scrapsakes says:
"I love the dark background, the oversized flower chipboard and how she journaled on the stems too."

MamaK321 says:
"I like the tall flowers and how the title leads into the journaling.  A beautiful page!"

clairbug says:
"Ok...this is just ADORABLE!  The cut out flowers are just so creative and I adore the journaling on the stems!!!  What a great reminder of the finer things in life!"

FairyMouseMom says:
"Love the effect with the black background and the writing on the flower stems!  Cute journaling."

nun69 says:
"I LOVE her unique flowers and how well the colors of her layout compliment the colors in her photo."

janello says:
"My favorite is the journaling on the stems.  So clever and I love the dark background with all the flowers on it!"

Janet says:
"What a striking page!"

"Strength"
by jos



FairyMouseMom says:
"What a pretty picture she used.  I love the effect of the white paper with rounded corners and all of that layering!"

ElsieB says:
"The colors in this are amazing!  I love how the gold center on the flower and the gold and yellow in the patterned paper background pick up the gold in the sunset.  Beautiful!"

scrapsakes says:
"Nicely rounded corners and this gorgeous photo is perfectly framed!"

MamaK321 says:
"A stunning photo and creative cluster of embellishments is all this layout needs to be awesome."

clairbug says:
"The embellishments chosen for this layout couldn't be more perfect.  The colors are so vivid.  It's just layer upon layer of amazing talent!"

nun69 says:
"Absolutely stunning, and everything in the layout takes your eye straight back to that beautiful little girl's blue eyes and I love the use of white space in this layout."

janello says:
"The elements look like they were hand made for this photo.  Just stunning and well thought out!  I love it."

Janet says:
"Beautiful design that highlights the beautiful photo!"

"My Angels"
by ScrapNSister1"



Janet says:
"This page by ScrapNSister1 is fabulous!  The design is so creative and the simple color scheme really makes this stand out!"

scrapsakes says:
"What a unique design and the black and white photos also add to that statement."

MamaK321 says:
"A great design and I like the title centered on the page with those cool wing accents."

clairbug says:
"Love the flower shape!  So neat to see so many photos on one layout and it not look too 'busy.'"

FairyMouseMom says:
"Neat effect of the pictures in the flower petals."

nun69 says:
"Love the unique way she created her title in the center and anchored it with those adorable wings."

janello says:
"Such a creative idea and I love that the dog is also an 'angel' too!"

"First Day of School"
by Jeanie

CamsMomma says:
"Love the colors, the tilt to the scalloped and stitched mat, and all the layered elements.  It's very detailed, but not cluttered.  And that picture is too cute!!"

ElsieB
"I adore these colors.  What a fresh fall feeling!"

scrapsakes says:
"I love the bright splash of orange in this beautiful and lovely vintage layout!"

MamaK321 says:
"I really like the many elements peeking from behind the photo and that bright ribbon helps draw the attention inward."

clairbug says:
"This is just BEAUTIFUL!  Love the colors and all those incredible embellishments!!!  The stitching is a great, soft touch!  Such a fun layout with LOTS to look at!!!"

FairyMouseMom says:
"Neat use of the black and white photo...and the clustering right by it!"

nun69 says:
"I LOVE the colors of this layout and how the tie in the big ribbon brings your eye right to the picture"

janello says:
"I love that this layout looks like a package all tied up with love and finished with one adorable picture!"

Janet says:
"This has such a sweet, personal look to it!"

"Champion Cupcakes"
by mk-mom



MamaK321 says:
"The design, the colors, the fun fonts in the title and the awesome photos all come together to make the perfect layout!"

ElsieB says:
"Mmm—I love that detail shot of the cupcakes!  Makes me hungry!"

scrapsakes says:
"I love everything about this... the photo placement, the mix of black and white and color photos, the fabulous design, the paper, and I can never resist cupcakes!!"

clairbug says:
"Love the title....love the pictures....love the design....shoot, I love it ALL!"

FairyMouseMom says:
"To me, this layout is all about those awesome photos!"

nun69 says:
"This is just so cute.  I love the collage of photos and all the different fonts that were used in her title and how she used black and white photos mixed with color photos on the same layout."

janello says:
"This looks like it belongs as an ad in a Martha Kids magazine!  I love that the pictures tell a story, this one caught my eye in the gallery right away."

Janet says:
"Besides making my mouth water, the photo placement and title box are fabulous!"

"Nerd Power"
by sarahwhithers



janello says:
"Love the non-traditional use of white space here with the circle layout!  It's really, really fun, bright, and a super cute layout!"

ElsieB says:
"This layout looks fantastic, but I especially love the theme!  It's original and fun!  Nerds unite!"

scrapsakes says:
"What a fun circular design! Love the added stars and stitching to this!"

MamaK321 says:
"I love how the stitches, frame and bent frame all help draw the eye spiraling towards the center.  Great design!"

clairbug says:
"Go Nerds!!!  This layout is just FUN!  The circle is great and I love the bright, bold colors!!!"

FairyMouseMom says:
"Love the use of the circle shape as the focus to the layout."

nun69 says:
"LOVE the circle layout and how she managed to pull together the square pictures to work with it."

Janet says:
"The circle really keeps your eyes moving from photo to photo!"

"{U} Inspire {Me}"
by pne123

bamablue says:
"I really like all of pne123's work, and this is no exception!  I love the repeated pictures and the fun random stitching.  The stamped letters are the best!"

scrapsakes says:
"This is bright and fresh... just love that date stamp and sprinkling of bling stars!"

clairbug says:
"First of all, that photo is STUNNING...precious with a capital P!  And I LOVE how the blues in the paper and the dark embellishments really make the child's eyes and jeans pop right off the page!"

FairyMouseMom says:
"I love how she used the same picture...but angled each one a bit differently for a neat outcome!"

nun69 says:
"The simplicity of this layout is just stunning.  I LOVE the use of different elements for the title and how well the blue background works with her daughter's denim jeans."

janello says:
"The softness of the papers and elements only add to the beauty of this photograph.  I love the gentle feel to this beautiful layout."

Janet says:
"I love the repeating photograph!"

"Seek"
by DawnDawn



Lillpop says:
"First of all, I love the funky nature of the layout.  It just screams fun!  I love the product line used too.  Awesome, awesome job!"

scrapsakes says:
"Definitely my kind of layout! It's freestylin' fun with the Love, Elsie line and I just love the circles framing around the photo!!"

MamaK321 says:
"I'm diggin' the circle border and the cool lettering on the photo.  Awesome design!"

clairbug says:
"Ok...no doubt...I love me some doodles!  And this layout puts me in doodle heaven!  I love it when scrappers let go and have fun with scrapping!!!"

FairyMouseMom says:
"Love the turquoise color she used...as well as the look of the journaling!"

janello says:
"This is full of great energy and I love all the doodles and journaling strips."

Janet says:
"Awesome photo and great color scheme!"

"Summer Fun"
by LKappy

nun69 says:
"Even though she (LKappy) is new to digital scrapping this layout totally caught my eye because the circle of brads takes your eye right into the little girl's foot in the sand and I really like that she was able to use a stripe patterned paper with a floral patterned paper."

ElsieB says:
"The circle of brads around that cute little foot is perfect!  It draws the eye in toward the detail of the photo and really hits the theme of the layout home."

scrapsakes says:
"The pastel colors brings freshness to this summer layout and the circle of brads perfectly highlights her photo."

clairbug says:
"Ok...forgetting my foot fetish for a second....this layout is so CUTE!  All the 'metal' embellishments really add to that cuteness!  The brad circle is a great way to add focus and interest to a photo."

FairyMouseMom says:
"Love how the foot photo is made the focus by the use of the brads."

janello says:
"I love how she captured all the fun details of summer with the sand in the toes and all the fun elements!"

Janet says:
"Love the circle around the foot!!  Wonderful page!"

"My Three Sons"
by ScrapGoo



clairbug says:
"I totally fell in love with the layout during the crop!  It is so amazing!  The felt embellishments go so well with the scalloped circles!!!  The mix of patterns is FABULOUS!  She gets an A+ from me!"

ElsieB says:
"Again--a fabulous color combination!  The colors used here work perfectly with those orange kitties.  Beautiful job!"

scrapsakes says:
"The title makes me smile and the design is well executed with just the right amount of embellishments."

MamaK321 says:
"A great use of threes with the photos, accents and title blocks."

FairyMouseMom says:
"Love the colors used for this layout with those cat pictures!"

nun69 says:
"I love the colors and how well your eye walks right across the page with the order she put her pictures in on the page."

janello says:
"What a well designed layout.  I love the colors and the embellishments, not to mention these are great shots!"

Janet says:
"I keep looking at this one!!  It's just awesome!"

One last thing—I'd like to specially thank those members of the CT who, month after month, contributed to this feature and helped make it a reality.  Without the nominated layouts and heartfelt comments from those women, this article never would have come to be every month.  To those of you who were always there to help: thank you!!

About the author ...
Elsie has been a member of the Creative Team at ACOT since January of 2006. Scrapbooking is her creative outlet. She also scraps because she fears death and a meaningless life. She teaches Spanish and ESL at a local college. She has been married for ten years and is mom to 8-year-old Thomas and 5-year-old Rose. She lives with her family in Southern California.

Published on 08/20/2007. Submitted by ElsieB