Monday 13 December 2010

Scrapbook Challenges Next Top Scrapper Round 3 {Evidence of a Full Life}


Yes!!!  I made it through to the next round!!  Woo Hoo!!!  Our challenge was to come up with a layout about our everyday life, using paint and/or ink, at least 3 photos, journaling & all backed onto craft/neutral cardstock...

The layout itself came together quickly & easily.  It was the concept that took me days to come up with lol... Originally I had another title thought out, journaling printed & photos printed too - 3 strips of "photo booth" type photos, but somehow, when I came to assembling everything together it just didn't seem "enough"...so I changed tack completely...I can always use that layout just for me!
I decided that it would actually be best to cram as many photos as I could onto this layout, all in full blazing colour, to indicate the colourful busy-ness that is my life.  It was a really cathartic journey for me too...because it made me realise that I am so blessed & so happy & I know that one day I will have a quiet house & I will miss these crazy, messy children of mine!

If you right-click the above photo you can read the journaling.  It's worth a read as I poured out a bundle of thoughts as I was scanning the images from left to right, top to bottom & if you do that yourself you'll see that the words tie up with the pictures!  I tried to sum up what it means to be a mother, as you can see it involves a lot!
I didn't take one new photo for this challenge, simply because I've been documenting my daily life since I bought Ali Edward's Life Artist book many moons ago.  Of course my first thought was to go through my day, snapping away, and have a diary kind of page, but then I realised that that would be very one-dimensional for me, as my days are always varied.

I created the collage in Picasa free software using the A4 size portrait orientation option.  This is a great size for doing these "year in review" type layouts, as you have a bit of space around 3 edges & enough space for a nice big journal block below & ample titling space.  Perfecto for me!
Supplies:-  Backing cardstock - Pizza box lid cut into with
                   craft knife & torn/distressed.
                  Yellow paint - Making Memories
                  Yellow ink - Colourbox
                  Printed paper - Crate Paper Restoration "Fringe"
                  Border sticker - Crate Paper Restoration
                  Epoxy roses - Maya Road
                 Glitter Alphas - My Little Shoebox
                "Rainboots" Thickers - American Crafts

I cut down a pizza box lid to 12inches (slightly smaller because you should always reduce a teeny bit to allow for the bulk) then dug into it with my craft knife (be careful - I nearly cut myself!) then pulled up the bits that were cut, to reveal the corrugated filler board.  I dabbed on the bright yellow paint in 3 visual triangle spots then stuck down the collage.  Then I cut the p/p to fit across the entire width of the bottom, except for a narrow border to match the rest of the page. 

I really wanted the title to stand out so I stuck a border sticker below it - slightly overlapping the collage & measured out my title by lightly adhering the alphas to the edge of my metal ruler before finally positioning them.  I had little space for embellishing but had just received some happy mail containing the gorgeous resin roses, so I positioned them very intentionally to create 4 separate visual triangles, in the hopes that none of the images would be overlooked. 

I'll only find out whether I've made it through to the next round {choosing the top 5 scrappers} on about Tuesday/Wednesday (the US being about 8 hours behind), so if you're as keen as I am to find out who's "in" then keep checking here like me!



11 comments:

Marilyn said...

This is Very LOVELY!!!! and your photos are ANMAZING!! I love the bright colors in your page and your Journal is Fabulous!!! Great Work!!!
and Good Luck, Dear!!! Take Care!
XOXO,
Marilyn

Lynette Jacobs said...

Wow...this is great...I have never seen so many photos on one layout.

Shayne said...

Stunning Helen.

I love it.

The colours pop, the title is awesome. You did a fabulous job with this. Well done. Hope it takes you through to the next round!

xx

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

That is one brilliant layout Helen, I love it, love the colors, love the fact that the photo tells the family stories... just too cool! And congrats for making it through another round, all the best for the final round!

topkatnz said...

Well done! whether you make it thru or not, that is a fantastic 'slice of life' Very cool!:)

Sabrina Scrapbook said...

Helene, this is hard work and I can see how well it is done!! A stunning page!! I wish you good luck, yeah!! Hugs! :)))

tania said...

love every bit of this layout:)
well done on making it to the next round!!

Ella Swan said...

Thanks girls! Hope you're all enjoying the festive season xx

Diana said...

Amazing LO Helen.
Sorry I'm so late.
I have no idea what has happened to my time! but I don't have any!

Hayley said...

Oh wow...I love this Helen!

Ella Swan said...

Yhanks Hayley! You should try it in Picasa (free software) - it's easy to make & print any size photo collages ;-D