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I'd been stuck in a layout rut and needed a change.  I took a 'layout challenge' from From Here 2 Scrapternity and I tried color blocking.  I not only have a fresh new layout.  I have a new technique that I love!  I won't shy away from challenges now.

Giant letters or monograms are very in right now.  Therefore, they can be very pricey.   I bought a set of giant chipboard letters at a discount store and used the cutouts as a bonus.  By filling in the cut out with a complimenting paper you have instant two for one monograms.  Yay!

If you browse through the stickers at a craft or scrapbook store, you might find some poetry stickers.  I thought it would be great to use this instead of trying to come up with my own words.  Just another shortcut for your to try.

Crop your photos to make a large "filmstrip" border for you layout.

Because I just had one picture to put on this layout, I was able to use large letters for a title. Try this! Mount your letters on tags for a creative whimsical look.  
 

I used white letter stickers on a light background. To make them stand out, I stuck them on a darker paper first and cut them out so they would stand out better. Try this! Get out your old paper punches to add a little flourish to subtle patterned paper  
 

I LOVE word stickers. I collect and use them all the time. I took a bunch of words that I felt described my grandma and lined the side of the picture with them. Try this! Write your journaling line by line and cut them out and line them up at different angles. 

I used a sticker with a sweet sentiment about Grandpa.  I couldn't think of any other journaling so I stuck with that.  The bare minimum of journaling should included who and when.  The rest, whether it be a title, a poem, a journal entry, etc.,  is up to you.