Friday 8 January 2010

I promised you...






The photos of my layout using the other colourway of the My Mind's Eye Ooh La La! paper so here they are. I only did one layout with this colourway {not 2 like I did for the other one} because we were away & I didn't have any more suitable photos. Hope to get one done this month to use up the paper. I really want to try to get through my kits/prizes/stash in that order {ie:- from best to worst...not that I would ever own anything too gross lol...}
this year - one of several scrappy resolutions {will share the rest soon}.

I based my layout on Sketch 52 from 52 Weeks...52 Sketches below {rotated to the right obviously!} I'm totally over my "thing" with sketches. I used to think using one was "cheating" because I am quite capable of NOT using one, until I realised that just because I sometimes buy convenience food it doesn't mean I can't cook! I am a very busy person so at times I am going to use a sketch so there...















The line came with a sheet of die-cuts so I used a number of them on the layout & raised some of them for dimension {like the bracket shape the title "Jack" is on}. I inked quite heavily with grey & butternut & added some loose bling adhered with glue-dots to give the title a bit more impact. The alphas are Doodlebug & were initially white. I often buy white letter stickers & recolour them myself with my inkpads {tip* SAVE a sticker sheet - the BACK of one of your alpha letter sheets - when you have finished using up the stickers - & use it to transfer the alphas onto temporarily while you recolour them - that way they won't stick until you are ready for them to}.

This paper has a school-feel to it because of the lines - which made it simple for me to hand-journal quite extensively {I had no access to a pc while we were away or I probably would have computer journaled in keeping with the formal theme} but at least now Jack has a hand-written "note" from me! I cut out the design behind the photo by hand - it was one of the elements on the patterned paper. I often do this if I find a print too overwhelming to be used in it's entirity.

I double-matted the photo for a more formal feel & raised the matted photo up on some foamcore.

I've taken some close-up shots of the journaling but blotted out the details for privacy...you know "the internet is full of weirdos" {according to all non-bloggers anyway lol...}

I enjoyed creating the little cluster {collage} of embellishment's below - all die-cuts from the sheet supplied - bar the bling crystal & the recoloured date numbers. I inked the tickets in dark brown & chestnut roan for an antique look.

I specifically did not ink the large cut-out behind the matted photo - for the sake of clarity & simplicity as it is already a busy image.

I also won these Pink Paislee Amber Road papers here in November but only received them a month later {that's how long the post takes from the US}. I really liked this line "online" but when it arrived I realised it was Fall-themed, & as we have no Fall to speak of here I used the reverse of a number of the papers, which were very suited to a masculine layout. I used this sketch from What's Old is New but didn't get to entering any of these layouts in the challenges because of the craziness that preceeds Christmas. No matter...








I wasn't crazy about the sketch but the martyr in me often makes me take a risk to keep me on the edge of my comfort zone. I decided on a distressed layout because a slick one looked like it would be too unchallenging lol! I used a metal edge {top left} that I had previously soaked in pool acid {I have a small container of them - presoaked ;-D} The acid does a marvellous job eating away at the shiny finish & IMO as long as you thoroughly rinse it afterwards it's fine on your pages - provided as it's not actually directly ON your photo}.

I think the tearing looks very effective against the black background & echoes Jack's outfit. I blotted out a detail there on my journaling {on the photo} - no that black splodge is not on my actual layout! I used T!ms film-tape down the side's there {look on the left-hand side of the photos below} BTW you get a good view of the acid-washed metal corner there too I see...I used White Glitter Thickers {AC} & the gold "underlining" is actually the "I" from a set of locally available "no-name brand" alphas.

I wanted the title to be "Incredibly Handsome" but you know what it's like with these poxy alphas - you never have enough vowels...ever!

The flowers are Prima - as are the jewelled centres & the key is from Making Memories {awesome} Vintage Findings Collection.

I sanded the photo because it was printed by the school on high-gloss {no thank you} & we weren't given a choice of what finish we would prefer & it was GLARING OUT at me on the layout & I couldn't stand it. I also sanded the red mat around the photo. I inked the pale green printed paper with dark brown to grunge it up as it was a bit pepperminty against it's counterparts. Please do not listen to anyone who tells you you can't use flowers & bling on a masculine layout - you totally CAN...

Looking at it it needed an extra "something" so I channeled my inner Iris & managed to tweezer in {& adhere underneath with the help of a wooden rub-on stick} a couple of offcuts of mesh. Voila! You can see it in the photo below...It's not meant to be straight/parallel btw...notice how it echoes the design on the patterned paper below.

Phew! - that's me for the week - enjoy your weekend everyone & tune in again on Monday. I have a busy weekend planned & hope to fit some creating in aswell!



12 comments:

Bernadine said...

I am also trying to use what I have. Very very hard as I am after all a addict. Embellishments are my biggest weakness. :)

A lovely layout Helen.

Stefanie said...

I love the Jack one.
Simple and striking.
Great handwriting and congrats on all his hard work and adjustments.

tania said...

Great layouts helen, great photos too!!
you are on a roll!!
will catch up with it all next week!!

Shayne said...

These are both incredible LO's Helen. The one of Jack jumps right out at you tho - perhaps it's because i like the colours you have used?

I really need to find my mojo and get scrapping. Thank heavens for sketches because I've got a whack to get to!

Thanks for sharing so much detail and info. xx

topkatnz said...

Great work Helen - a very good goal to get your kits used up.

Pearl said...

love your take on sketch 52 of 52sketches, Helen ! Hope you are checking on on Julie Bonner's sketches on her blog too !

& your Jack looks soo handsome suited up ! fab layout too !

Desire Fourie said...

Great layouts once again Helen. Love the journaling which will definitely be treasured years from now.
Hugs
Desire

Michelle Ramsay said...

Stunning layouts Helen.

Andrea said...

Stunning layouts Helen, makes me miss scrapping so so much.....maybe someday sigh
xxx
A

Ella Swan said...

Thanks girls! My router is playing up & I am having difficulty getting a new one out of Telkom {Internet provider here} so I have been off the airwaves for 4 days & will still be off tomorrow most probably. Keeps losing the connection midway so hope I can get through this comment & get it posted! {just in case you're wondering why I haven't checked up on all your blogs!!} Have some absolutely brilliant news to share in my next post but will keep you all in suspense for now ;-D

Cardmaking Galore said...

Love your layouts!

Helena said...

Gorgeous layouts!!!


ps. could you put other blogger options than Blogger?