I made a layout today that I actually really like - this does NOT happen often. So I thought it would be fun to talk about how it came together. Unfortunately I didn't take step by step shots, so hopefully words will be enough for a layout tutorial.
I started the layout by using a turquoise Neocolor II directly on my photo backgrounds to brighten and add color to the ocean (see last post for a tutorial on this part).
Next, I stamped the outside frame from the stamp set in the Merlin add-on kit - WHICH IS STILL AVAILABLE - SHOCKING! I cut around the outside and inside edges of the frame and placed it over my photo. Once it was in place, I cut the photo out around the edges of the frame. I used the same process for the larger photo (which is 4x6), but this time I stamped one side with a piece of scrap paper blocking the other side. Then I restamped it with about 3" between the sides, this time blocking the other side. The stamp can be bent any way you want, so I bent it so I had just a straight strip to stamp the top and bottom of the "frame" (blocking the ends with scrap paper). Once I had it stamped, I cut it out and placed it over my 4x6 photo. I colored inside the frames with a pink Neocolor II.
I used 12x12 Thin Letterpress paper for the background of the layout. I love using that paper as it is thick, works perfectly when you are using paint or watercolors without warping, and is a true white (more so than watercolor paper). I used the Sping SKY Ink Dauber from the Camelot Scrapbook Kit on the background of the layout. Use it as dry as possible for the best control and so you can do it it transparent splotches. I also used the pink Neocolor II crayon again. I added some Mary Mary Mister Huey drops as well. That is my favorite Mister Huey as it is more of a coral pink than a bluish pink. I also used the Patterned Brayer Set Small with hearts on it and pink ink rolled onto the background.
I added a lot of stamped images using several of the kit stamps. I used the set in the Merlin add-on kit for the frame. I used the set in the NSD Scrapbook Kit (again, why that one is still in stock, I have no idea - that set is so cute!). I adore the little scallop border and dot border in that one! I used the heart and the word LIVE from the NSD Stamp Set which is another one of my all time favorite sets from SC! Last, I used the roller stamp from Wanderlust for the little diagonal lines - the Phrases Roller Stamp. I used the Color Theory Inks in Well Red (stamp first on scrap paper to get a lighter pink shade), Something Blue which is a turquoise, and Clean Slate.
The background of this layout was so fun to create. I can't wait to try more layouts using some of these techniques. I'm really trying to change up my scrapbook style to be more artsy as I was starting to get really bored with how I scrapbooked. It is hard when you have been doing it for so long to keep up with the trends and still be true to your style. So I thought it would be fun to try and "reinvent" myself. This is my first attempt - more to come! Thanks for visiting! Suzy
LOVE how you used those frames on the photos! Fantastic!
Posted by: Miriam Prantner | May 13, 2014 at 11:29 AM