Gauche Alchemy Goodness- color, pages, messy fun-ness

Once again I am struggling with lack of mojo.
Not because the ideas aren't there but because when I approach the table, my mind goes completely blank!
How could this be?

In bed? GENIUS IDEA! OMG can't wait to wake up tomorrow and get started!
In the park with Miss Lola? AWESOME motif and journaling ideas! Can't wait to get home and KICK PAPER BOOTY!
In the shower. woo hooo paper pattern combo to die for!!! Lemme just finish washing my hair...
While I'm walking. Oooo! PHOTO! PHOTO!!! layering technique madness!
IDEAS! Flow! Excitement!
Step up to the plate?
blankness
seas of white
tv static- brain ones

The secret to get over it (I've heard and have started putting into practice) is to work through it.
NO! Don't throw away that perfectly hideous piece!
Stop
Look at it.
Why did you feel the need to add that color?
Why did you choose that photo?
The papers or embellishments?
If you find your temples thrumming take a step back.
Ok walk away entirely and do something else for a while.
But try to come back, ok?
There is a reason for everything.
You may not find out why you made that first version of your project but you may dig up a kernel of something you can work on next time.
So here are 2 "first drafts" (which I really like)

Why is this a first draft?
 I love the color and that I used a photo that was printed on the wrong side of the paper by mistake (hence the title) but the design is lacking (or frankly, non-existent). I thought I should paint a window in the Hambly transparency but soon realized I would have to use a craft knife to make a blank space for the photo but my hand cutting skills are severely lacking so I chickened out. Next time I'll take this to the next level and cut that window out.

A page using the Gauche Alchemy Monstrous Mutant Robots from Outer Space Kit and some blue punchinella.
This is up over at the Gauche blog today. I've used washi tape on both these pages to make random lines- I love that design element. I also love triangles and arrows so they go in. This is actually a SECOND draft. The first one was too strange looking. Here I ignored the crowded print and decided to just flow with the robots and add as much color to the page as I could. There is a more effective design solution for this- I haven't found it yet.

WHOA! Now that I see the pages together I see I've scrap lifted myself! That happens a lot lately- I really need to start making sketches in advance.
Also? LOVING the strips of circles or arrows!! Will be doing that more!
See? Already winning!

And you?
What are some mojo kick starters or pages you think are "almost there"?
Leave a comment!
 I can swing by and help you out (or most likely- leave raving love all over your blog)

Street poster- so cool!!!

Thanks for spending time here!
Michelle

My Girl Hugs!

Studio Calico Sketch challenge due April 18th.
Materials: Singing in the Rain kit and Tap Dance Add on. Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe papers and chipboard. Martha Stewart 3 in 1 butterfly and Monarch punches.

Lola has learned to hug. She's hugging her plush toys, her Aunts, her Daddy, her grandma and occasionally even me. Spontaneous baby hugs. 

Best medicine ever.

This really happened. 

Lola was playing with some bright colored blocks when this taller (but younger) kid pushed her down to take it away. I looked over at his caretaker but she's on the phone. 

I was ANNOYED.

Here was this kid pushing my lil' bit around! Lola is confused- she looks like she may cry! OOO I'm starting to get my Hulk on!! What should I do? I can't yell at a baby! He's not  my baby! 

Besides- he's a BABY!

Before I open my mouth to firmly tell him to share and not push, Lola gets up- goes towards him- looks him in the eye AND GIVES HIM A HUG. !!!!!!!!  

Whaaaa? 

Oh!

Wish I had the photo! 

That little boy ran away crying. He was tired and cranky and needed a nap. I don't know what Lola was thinking but she blithely skipped any of my expected reactions. I gleefully noted- she got revenge AND played nice. Not that she meant to. I'm the evil person who's glad she confused him right back. So Lola is 19 months and already a better person than her Mom.

My face, it's beaming.

Magnolia on a 80 degree day- I'm in heaven.

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle