Just Treats

Just a quick post tonight to share a Halloween layout that I did a while back. I have spent the last two days at the hospital with my fell. She fell and fractured her hip. However, I've been saving this layout to share with you on Halloween so here it is:

To create this layout, I used a technique that Kristina Werner highlighted a while back on Basic Grey's blog. As you can see, my page is a scraplift but I certainly plan to use this technique again. What a fun way to use up scraps or 6x6 pads!

Here's a closer look at the title and yes, I even hand wrote one the word "Just"!

Here's a closer look at some of the embellishments.

And, a peak at some quick journaling with the "who" and "when."

Supplies:

Pattern Paper: Basic Grey (Basics Manila); Cosmo Cricket (Matilda);

Stickers: Basic Grey (Urban Prairie letters); October Afternoon (Farm Fresh Journaling label);

Stamps: Making Memories (Spellbound);

Ink: Ranger (Jet Black);

Embellishments: Jolee's (candy and pumpkins); EZ Designs die cut; Recollections ribbon

Adventure in the Everglades

Today, I have a hybrid layout to share. I made it using a digital collage that I created on Riteaid.com. While I found the site a little more difficult to navigate than Shutterfly or Snapfish, I thought the collage mode was great since it allowed me move pictures around once the original collage was made. It was printed on Fuji paper and the quality is good. The cost was $2.99 which I thought was reasonable. I got it for free with a coupon which is even better! Anyway, here's my layout:

Since the photos were all together on one 8x10-inch collage, the rest of the page came together pretty quickly. I tore the edges of my patterned paper strips to make them look more natural and fit in with the theme of the page. After adhering those to the background paper, I affixed my collage. Photo corners in the upper and lower right-hand corners keep the collage mat grounded. Because there was a lot of white -- or in this case blue -- space in the lower corner, I stamped some greenery and dragonflies using Hero Arts stamps.

For added emphasis, I cut out two dragonflies and popped them on the page. I ran my title across the bottom photos for added interest. I've always wanted to do this but never had the right photos.

Journaling reads: The thrilling fan boat tour of the Florida Everglades was a highlight of our trip to Marco Island. Skimming the surface of the water as we raced through mangrove creeks was just like a scene out of CSI Miami!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee (Captivating); Basic Grey (Mellow); My Mind's Eye (Quite Contrary); Making Memories (Passport)
Stamps: Hero Arts (Real Flowers; Antique Engraving; Trees, Birds & Messages)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Shabby Shutters, Walnut Stain)
Letters: American Crafts Thickers (Rocketeer/Leaf)
Canvas Embellishment: Making Memories (Passport)

Snow Predictable!

Ever since Melissa was a little girl, the first thing she would do when she went out to play in the snow was slide down the snow-covered slide. Since she is outgrowing the slide, I thought I would capture the moment from the December 2009 snowstorm in a layout. Here it is:

This is my first attempt at a hybrid layout if you don't count the journaling I have done on the computer in the past. I used snapfish.com to create the photo collage. Easy peasy! Well at least that part was. The time I saved on laying out the photos was spent on creating the background paper. I created several snowflakes masks using my Cricut, affixed them to the page with temporary adhesive and then sprayed the page with Glimmer Mist. I let the mist dry before removing them and Voila!... custom background paper. Here's a close-up of the paper:

To add a touch of whimsy to the page I swapped out the "o" in snow for a snowflake. You'll also notice that I took advantage of some of the white space in my pictures to place the title and draw the eye across the page. Three scalloped borders anchor the photo collage.

Supplies:

Card Stock: American Crafts

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up!

Ink: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Frost)

Die Cuts masks: Cricut (Winter Woodland)

Chipboard Letters: Heidi Swapp

Embelishments: Me and My Big Ideas

Bling: Recollections