art of observation ~ in a nutshell

This is a continuing series recapping the Art of Observation.

In a Nutshell, Week9 of the Art of Observation Class by Heidi Swapp, was a prompt to encapsulate a person in my life by way of photo+words.

My subject was my oldest son, Seth.
And this project is one of my top favs from this class.
He is quite a subject.

I love exercising masculine papers and icons.
I love stretching myself to make the work fit this young man.
I love telling stories of him and slowing down to think on him.
He's not, after all, going to be around forever.

This project highlighted alot of Heidi's No Limits collection.
You will find insta frames and labels and rub-ons throughout this multi-folder work.
File folders were manipulated and papers trimmed to make way for a mini album, of sorts, within one of the NoLimits file folders.
Loved how it turned out.

Love how it captured him and made it so easy to tell his story.

In addition, there are pieces of 7Gypsies from my stash...
plus use of paper punches and trimming around Heidi's Clear Stamps to add those guy elements.

I used the Chevron mask from Studio Calico and misted it to create orange highlights throughout.

One of the negative pieces I had misted, and then die cut, came in handy as a background.

I also added his instagram pics. He uploads them to his facebook account, and I went in and took an assortment that captures him right now. A great way for him to tell part of his story. I know I will utilize this idea again to add to my part of documenting who he is.

The real highlight to this project, was how much he loved the layout.
He complimented it many times.
I could tell he was genuine.
And I found that extremely gratifying.

Is there someone in your life you need to document...
in a nutshell?