Thanksgiving 2 page layout

I've been wanting to use the Pink Paislee Amber Road line for a while, but when I saw

the beautiful fall layout Deanna created and showed on her blog,

 I was inspired to use it right now. Couldn't wait any longer.

First I used some Distress Crackle Paint Black Soot to add bark to the Maya Road chipboard tree. Then decided it was too dark for the look I was going for and softened it with coffee colored Shimmerz, later I also added some Distress Stickles and a little Flower Soft for a touch of color.

I cut up one sheet of the charcoal background paper and layered it on 2 sheets of Kraft Bazzill cardstock to ground my collection of photos.

Then, started arranging the photos and accent papers.

I used rub-ons for my title "Thanksgiving" and black chipboard numbers.

Along with strips of paper, I added velvet ribbons for dimension - love those colors together.

I chose my favorite photo from the collection to be set aside on it's own to draw attention to it, then added the accents and the rest of the layout title. I inked the tops of the corregated letters to really make it show up.

I popped the letters out of the graphic 45 diecut sheet for the main, accented photo.

Please excuse the shadow on that one.

Melanie

Shop Hop Layout

I have had customers ask what they are supposed to do with their passports when they get them back. So, I created this layout today to show how to use it as an embellishment on a page. I selected 9 of my shop hop photos and attached them to a mat. Then made sure I left a pocket area to include the passport when I attached the mat to the background piece. I cut some of the flowers off of the lei and used them for embellishments. Then I inked my chipboard letters to fit my color theme.

I can't wait to see some other layouts created from this years shop hop event.

2 page layout with Melissa Frances papers

It started with this shimmery flower that LaDonna made the other day. (We have these available in the store for just $1.79). I knew I wanted to use it on a layout, so I started looking for coordinating paper, then appropriate photos. It doesn't always start with the photos for me.

I knew I was going for a distressed look on these pages,

so I started by sanding the edges of the photos.

After double matting the photo, I used the

Heidi Swapp edge distressor to grunge up the matting.

Then inked the edges with the Colorbox chalk ink in Chestnut Roan.

I peeled the backing off the felt fusion strip and used two pieces in the corner, slightly overlapping the photo.


I ran some burgandy Distressed Stickles along the torn edge of the matting background.

Then added this My Mind'e Eye rub-on to the Tim Holtz journaling ticket that was just the right size.
I like the large chipboard letters and decided to cover them with coordinating paper.

I sprayed the back of the paper for strong, even coverage.
Adhered the paper to the back of the chipboard letters

and trimmed then filed around the edges.

Sometimes I ink around the edges of covered chipboard, but with the small center openings, I decided to use a tombow marker. I strongly recommend holding the marker behind the letter and running the tip around the edges from the back side. That way when the pen slips, (and it occasionally will) you will only leave a mark on the back of the letter.

The rest of the letters were cut with the Cricut from coordinating paper.

The papers were too similar and the letters really faded into the background.

So, I traced around them with our favorite white pen (Signo).

I attached the clear butterflies with brads and added self adhesive pearls to their wings.

Used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the tickets and added

my favorite Maya Road sequined ribbon.

After all of that I took the photo and realized that the letters still didn't show up enough.

I got out the green glaze pen and colored in each letter.

See how the design of the paper still shows through the green.

To finish the layout dark green tags from the Melissa Frances line were added and a couple of those butterfly rubons from Chatterbox.

Looking back at the steps, it kind of seems like a lot for just one layout, but I wasn't in any kind of hurry, just having fun along the way.