Layout Tutorial

I created this layout, and the associated tutorial for the May Arts Design Team call. I used Crate Paper Emma's shoppe papers, stickers and chipboard, Bazzill cardstock, May Arts ribbon, My Mind's Eye brads and die cut, Tattered Angels glimmer mist and clearsnap ink.

The first step for this layout is to mist the background. I wanted just a little bit of color, so I lightly misted sort of behind where the main cluster was going to go, and added a little bit of splash on the right side.

While that is drying, you can make the ribbon flowers. I created a little video tutorial that you can see here on how to create these flowers. You will need one lace flower, one teal, one brown striped, two small cream and two small yellow. For the lace flower, I tied the thread onto the end of the lace, because obviously the large holes of the lace would not hold the knot from slipping through.

Once you have finished the flowers it is time to assemble. You will want to cut that floral paper down to about 5 ¾ of an inch by 9 inches. You want it just a little more narrow than the photo, mine was 4x6. However you also want to punch the right edge, so I left a little extra space for that. Punch that edge, then ink the edges with Chestnut Clearsnap cat's eye ink.

Next you want to machine stitch around the edge of the floral paper and the edge of the background paper. Then add the lace and ribbon to the floral paper, by wrapping it around the top and bottom edge and securing on the back. I used more of the same glimmer mist to dye the cream ribbon to a light brown color.

Now you want to move on to the title block. I built the title block almost as it's own little layout, adding more detail as I went along. Make sure to cut the top off of that blue journaling spot because we will use that piece later to complete a visual triangle. I ended up using the pink chipboard flower on this part though, so note that the yellow flower in the image below is just sitting there, and won't be used here.
I also inked the edges of the yellow card, the letters in music, and both stickers with more Chestnut Clearsnap ink.

This is how the title block looks when almost finished.

Now you want to start assembling everything. I worked on assembling it all together as a complete unit before adding it to the background, so that I could make sure it was placed the way I wanted it - slightly off center. I added the matted photo, the 'cards' that were cut from another Emma's shoppe paper, and the chipboard flowers. I also inked all the pieces except the photo mat, with more Chestnut Clearsnap cat's eye ink. I also added a ruffled pink ribbon to draw the eye from the title to the ribbon flowers.

Finally you will add the finishing touches. The blue ribbon flower, along with the two pieces of the die cut circle create a visual triangle with the blues. The two small yellow ribbon flowers and the yellow chipboard flower (and the brad) complete a visual triangle with the yellows. Finally, the two pink stickers and the pink chipboard flower complete a visual triangle with the pinks.

Supplies:
Ink: Clearsnap Chestnut Cat's Eye Pigment, Patterned Paper, Stickers and Chipboard: Crate Paper Emma’s Shoppe, Letter Stickers:American Crafts Thickers and Adornit by Carolee, Journaling Spot: My Mind’s Eye Lush, Brads: My Mind’s Eye Stella Rose, Mist: Tattered Angels Latte Glimmer Mist, Punch: Fiskars Apron Lace, Ribbons: May Arts NR22 (1.5” textured two-tone pink), 376-1-94 (1" grosgrain satin edge teal), ME 33 (3/4" solid/reversible stripes brown), EA09 (1/2" solid/wrinkled cream), EA27 (1/2" solid/wrinkled yellow), NP09 (1.5" lace cream)

I made the DT at Scrapdango!

Check it out! I made the spring 2011 Design Team at Scrapdango! If you haven't been there, you need to check it out anyway because there are awesome kits - TWO choices every month! and an awesome community!

Scrapdango

My Mind's Eye card sketch

I used the My Mind's Eye card sketch this month to make a shaped card. Instead of putting the bracket design on the front, I cut it into the card. I created a easter card for the april showers theme because Easter is in april, and I added some teal for the showers (water color).

Scrapdango GDT reveal

I was lucky enough to be the guest designer this month at Scrapdango, and get to work with the gorgeous Sugar kit featuring Echo Park -For the Record.

Here is one of the layouts I created with the kit - you will have to check out the reveal thread at the forum for the rest.

My Core'dinations Creative Frenzy

When I saw the Design Team call for Core'dinations, I knew I had to apply because I love their cardstock! However, due to being sick and out of town, I almost missed the deadline. Some under pressure scrapping got it done just barely though.

This first one is the one that I just finished. I was thinking about this one for a while. I used a sketch from CK. One of the things that I love about Core'dination

s cardstock is the texture. It shows especially well on the vintage collection. When I showed this page to my husband he said, "I really like that background paper, the texture makes me just want to reach out and touch it". He is hard to impress with my scrap projects, so that is high praise indeed! I also love how the two sides coordinate, but contrast. I used that to my advantage on the title block area. I dry embossed it, then lightly sanded the darker side to make the embossed dots stand out. Then I punched circles, inked the edges, cut them in half, and tiled them to make it look a little like a gingerbread house roof.

This next page I went simple with the Core'dinations. Again I used the vintage collection, but here I used it as-is. I love it that I can use it as-is and still get a great texture. It is a real time saver!
And finally, I created this card with some of the Black Magic collection. Again I used both sides. I love that I can do a little sanding on the front, and then have the back as a great matching contrast color. I also love sanding in lines for a quick easy border. I just folded the edges and ran a nail file along the folds.

Project 12 March page

Here is the page that I created for the March project 12 sketch, provided by becky fleck, over at Scrapbook and cards today.

Sketchy Thursdays Layout

I was really inspired by the layered borders on this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch challenge. I used some of the We R Memory Keepers papers that I won from them, during their 'lucky' promotion.