August 09: Layout with handmade embellishment

[Moi]

The layout is an 8.5x11 layout, featuring a single 4x6 landscape oriented photo, but could be adapted to 12x12 size and depending on photo sizes could also be made to work with two or three photos.

What you will need:

1 piece base cardstock
1 piece matting cardstock (large enough to matt photos generously - you'll need space on this matt for a title below the photos, and large embellishment and a little journalling on one side)
2 strips patterned paper - about 1 and a half inches wide
1 photo corner
At least 2 small embellishments - e.g. buttons, small chipboard shapes, medium to large brads or similar
2 scraps of ribbon
Scrap of cardstock for journalling

Scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock to make an embellishment
Coordinating brad for the embellishment

Border rubons (don't worry if you don't have this either)

Leftover thickers and/or letter stickers

TOOLS:
Paper cutter/ruler and scissors
Distressing tool and/or sandpaper (don't worry if you don't have one)

[Moi]

Step one:

This is the layout we will be creating!

Gather your supplies and tools!

[Moi]

Step two:

Trim base cardstock to 8.5x11.

Of course you can leave it 12x12 if you wish, but be aware you’ll probably need to make other adaptations too. :)

[Moi]

Step three:

Now we are making our handmade embellishment (steps 3 and 4).

As my embellishment paper was a long strip, I cut it into two 1.5cm strips. This might work for you too.



If you have the long strips, cut them into these shorter strips. If you are using up different scraps, cut eight strips approximately 1.5 cm/ three quarters of an inch wide, and in varying lengths below.

4 x 3 inches long
2 x approx 2 inches long
2 x approx 1.25 inches long

OPTIONAL: Sand and/or distress the edges of these strips.

[Moi]

(Short break in transmission)

[Moi]

Step four:

Layer your strips with the longest strips forming a star on the bottom, overlaid with the medium strips, and topped with the shortest strip as per the picture.



Secure with a brad.



And now your embellishment is ready for your layout.

[Moi]

Step five:

Now let’s get to the layout!

Crop your photo, if you wish to. Sometimes it helps to crop out distracting things in the photo, or cropping the photo results in better composition.

Now lay your photo on your photo mat, and lay it on your photo mat cardstock. Don’t stick it down just yet.

Work out how you would like to place your strips of patterned paper on your layout. Distress the edges of your patterned papers, if you like (I did).

You might also wish to trim your photo mat cardstock a little – but remember to leave space underneath for your title, and on one side (mine is the left) for a little journaling space.



When you are happy with your arrangement, stick down your strips of patterned paper and trim any overlapping the edges of the layout.

[Moi]

Step six:

OPTIONAL: Sand the edges of your photo. If you are using rubons, don’t worry about this step. You can also sand your photo corner, if you like.

Add the photo corner to the top right of the photo, and stick your photo to your photo mat cardstock.

Adhere matted photo to your page as shown.

[Moi]

Step seven:

OPTIONAL: Rub rub-ons around the edge of the photo (if you didn’t sand the edges).
Apologies for the terrible photo!



Now, adhere your handmade embellishment to your page, overlapping your photo, on the side which is most appropriate (probably the side which has more space – mine is the left side).

Note: You’ll notice I replaced my black and white brad with a small red brad and a little red circle. I thought the black and white brad was too big – it was bigger than the heads in the photo! The red circle is less distracting.

Also adhere one of your small embellishments near the top right corner of your photo.

[Moi]

Step eight:

Now it’s time to add the title.

Use up your leftover letter stickers and thickers. It doesn’t matter if they don’t all match perfectly (though I have to admit I like to coordinate mine if I can). As long as they coordinate with your layout in some way, it looks whimsical!

I like to do mixed colour/mixed font letters a bit higgeldy-piggeldy and overlapping a bit, to emphasise the 'mixed up' look.

For an added touch of whimsy, replace one of the letters with the other of your small embellishments. This is especially handy if you don’t have enough of a particular letter!

[Moi]

Step nine:

Add your two scraps of ribbon to the bottom right of your page, overlapping your paper strips. If you’re using double-sided tape, it’s easier to adhere the tape to your layout first, before adding the ribbon!

[Moi]

Step ten:

We are going to use journaling strips for our words. Write your words on a scrap of paper or cardstock. Add double sided tape to the back.



Cut your journalling into strips and place onto your photo mat, slightly overlapping your photo. When you are happy with the arrangement, peel of the double sided tape and stick them down. This way is much easier than adding tape to each of your little strips at this stage!

You might also want to add a place and date somewhere else on your page, on one of the strips. I added mine below the title.

[Moi]

Step eleven:

We’re in the home stretch now!

Now take a look at your layout and work out if there’s any other little touches you’d like to make.

I usually squint my eyes and look to see where the colour balance of the layout is. I might decide that I’d like a little bit more colour here or there.

So, I added another three buttons here and there on my layout, and an extra little loveheart.

Add any of these extra little touches, as you see fit.

[Moi]

Step twelve:

Now give yourself a pat on the back, because you are finished!

Thank you for doing this class with me! I can’t wait to see your layouts!

[karennarelle]

How did i miss this???? COOL, I love step by steps!!! Thanks Moi

[Moi]

Karen, I actually transferred this from the old forum.
Looking forward to seeing your layout!