Completing A Difficult Layout

If you a long time reader of my blog, you know I like displaying the boys' scrapbooks at their birthday parties.  It gives me a chance to share my layouts with our friends and family.  It is also fun to look back (together) and remember when.  Hudson's first birthday (gasp...next month!) is quickly approaching; therefore, I have been giving his layouts all of my recent attention. 

His NICU photos and I have been staring each other down for months.  For the longest time I have been utterly clueless as to what to do with them.  As I look at them, I am reminded of a difficult time in ALL of our lives (therefore shying away from them).  The combination of color and b&w photos had me at a loss as well.  What's a girl to do? 

Keep it simple...

I have said it before (and I will say it again), for two page layouts I like to line up my photos...that became my starting point.  After laying the photos against a few pieces of patterned paper (and shaking my head), I reminded myself (again) to keep it simple.  Enter the kraft and white cardstock.  Add in a little bit of inking, some twine, staples, brads, chipboard hearts, and alphas and the finished layout became one I LOVED.  The layout is not overpowering so truly the photos take center stage.  Mama is happy!

The chipboard hearts were originally pink...I painted them a light blue and lightly inked them as well.


Where is your journaling?  You are asking that, right?!  The journaling itself presented me with an additional hurdle.  I had A LOT I wanted to say.  After debating over a few options, I simply opted to give my journaling it's own layout.

I wrote a letter to Hudson detailing my thoughts, emotions, and the details of his NICU stay....

I am relieved to have these photos scrapped.  Now to conquer his birth story and hospital stay for IVIG treatment...oy!  Indeed these stories are not completely joyous ones; however, they are a part of Hudson's beginning and I wish to share them with him.  Happy Scrappin'!