Kellso Collage

All-American Design Team project!

What a treat it was creating this project!  I knew once I saw the patriotic paper from Cosmo Cricket, with the nice, long Memorial Day holiday to spend creating in a cabin (decorated in Red, White, and Blue, incidentally) in the woods, that the opportunity was ripe for inspiration!  I had been wanting to set aside a time to photograph Jonathan, Noah, and Eden and I knew a weekend in Pine was the perfect time to take pictures of my ‘All American Kids’!!!

Each page of my book is made from a paper bag.  I used the great striped ribbon from my packet to attach the bags together, but instead of keeping the bags flat, I folded each ‘flap’ down, and stapled scrim (the leftover outline after punching sequins out of metal) between the flaps.  I love the explosive, sparkler look it gives to the book!

Each child was given their own page, a bag and an insert.  Jonathan is always such a good sport with pictures, and he photographs well.  However, he is still 8 years old, and I actually love the 2 pictures taken near the end of the session where he’s goofing around and making faces for the camera.  He wasn’t complaining or being un-cooperative, he was just entertaining himself during a not-so-exciting activity.  He always makes me smile!

Noah was pretty quiet during while I took the pictures, but his innate ‘Noah-ness’ still shined through.  Noah recently got glasses, and he chose his hair style himself.  When I say he is a unique little boy, I mean he is truly one of a kind:  His humor, his cheerful attitude, his sweet nature, and his interest in God and the Bible never cease to amaze us!

Eden looked so sweet in her polka dot skirt and red headband, but I think my favorite ‘look’ of the day is what has come to be known as her Silly Face- basically, crossed eyes and tilted head.  Matt and I have started catching people from church, such as her Sunday School teachers, asking to see her Silly Face!  When I took the picture (on the ‘Eden’ page insert) I just cracked up laughing, and the next 2 pictures in the sequence show the boys looking at her, then laughing, too.  She is such a funny, sweet little spirit, who desperately needs a savior (they all do)!  As Matt commented this week about Eden- “Your words are polite, your attitude-not so much!”  We pray for God’s work in her life!

I had so much fun putting this book together.  I especially loved taking objects (such as paper bags, and the cardboard ‘buttons’ that didn’t even match the color scheme) and turn them into a beautiful, coordinated project.  (The updated buttons are visible on Eden’s page).  I am always looking for things of beauty-found even in the every day and mundane.

Of course, there is, IMHO, no better place for inspiration in the everyday, than (where else?)  Mystic Paper!  Does anyone want to visit with me next time I pick up my packet?  Let me know!