Graphic 45 Layout Tutorial

Happy Monday to all my wonderful readers! Today on the Graphic 45 blog, they are featuring my "Joy" layout which includes a step by step tutorial on how to recreate this page should you wish! Let's get started shall we?

Graphic 45 Supplies:
Staples: Envelope Tags
Staples: Flowers
Staples: Buttons
Staples: Stickers
Staples: Alpha Stickers
Botanicabella Collection: Botanicabella
Le Cirque Collection: Flying High, Greatest Show on Earth, Magnifique, Circus Parade
Other Supplies:
Stampin' Up! Build a Brad
Stampin' Up! Mini Circle Punch
Glossy Accents, Distress Ink and Blending Tool by Ranger
Edge Scraper by Making Memories
Permanent Tape Runner by Tombo
Tacky Glue by Aleene
Vintage Newsprint
Twine
Precision Scissors
Paper Trimmer

My supplies are organized and I am ready to begin my layout. I often save different shaped die cut pages for future projects. For example, I've saved this beautiful die cut page from Little Yellow Bicycle and have used numerous times to created my own shaped layouts.

Flip your desired page over and trace your die cut onto your page.

Once traced, proceed to cut the entire shape out.

Your background page should now look something like this.

Position your next page so that there is approx 1 inch of your die cut page showing all around. Mark where you will be cutting with a pen/pencil.

After trimming with your paper trimmer, your layout should look something like this. Continue to layer your papers, using the previous step above, so that there is a favourable amount showing under each subsequent layer.

Your layout should now look something like this. Keep in mind that once you add your photos and other desired elements, you may choose to add or eliminate layers of papers.

Using the leftover strips of paper from the pages you've trimmed to fit your layout, add additional horizontal layers to the bottom half of your project.

My favourite part: distressing! Using your edge scraper, distress all edges of all pages. The rougher you are, the more distressed your pages will appear. Don't worry if you rip a page, it simply adds to the overall appeal.

More layers!! I found this vintage children's book at a local thrift store and have used on several of my layouts to add character. They are perfect for layering under photos and pages of patterned papers. See what treasures you can find!

If you would like to further distress your project, you can do so by inking all around the edges of your pages with distress ink and an ink blending tool as I have done on my layout.

You are now ready to start adhering your project together. I've used a permanent Tape Runner by Tombo for my photo and papers. I prefer to use tacky glue for more dimensional elements such as flowers and butterflies.

The embellishments I've chosen for this project include Graphic 45's Staple flowers, buttons, envelope tags and other fussy cut paper elements. I've chosen to ink a few of my flowers for added contrast.

I've also fussy cut some coordinating butterflies from the Botanicabella Collection as well as used some of the reverse side of this paper for the centre of my vertical strip on my layout.

Add and arrange embellishments as desired. You can further compliment your page by adding finishing touches such as glossy accents, twine and lace.

Here is my finished layout. Lots of layers, lots of embellishments - a very lush layout indeed!



Thank you so much for the visit today! If you've been inspired by this tutorial and would like to re-create this layout, I'd love to see your projects! Post a link to your creations and I'll feature some on my blog in the next few weeks! Happy Scrapping!

Mother's Day Tea

Oh my goodness! I had the most amazing day today with my sweet son! All the mommys were invited to enjoy a very special Mother's Day tea party at his preschool.

We enjoyed some yummy strawberry shortcake, 'ice' tea and even cookies!

Check out these adorable clips I shot of my prince singing his "Happy Mother's Day" songs.... MELT!



I had to hold back tears on more than one occasion - it was just SO sweet!



Hope all you moms out there enjoy your special day with your family!

Le Cirque Projects!

Have you seen the Graphic 45 blog today?? My first ever projects, as a Design Team Member, are up on their site today and feature the newly released Le Cirque Collection.

I totally fell in love with the bold, bright colours and whimsical designs in these gorgeous papers. Graphic 45 is always so good at mixing vintage images with modern flair.



I'm not much of an altered item gal (although that may change in the upcoming months) but it was fun to transform this stagecoach with the Le Cirque papers. As soon as I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!! I'm actually working on another altered project and cannot wait to show you all - hint: it involves some more Graphic 45 goodies!

My layout has lots of fussy cut elements as well as some popped up elements which I thought added to the overall feel. I didn't want to add any 'flowers' or many other embellishments to the page as the patterns and colours were already quite busy.

I also added some gorgeous butterflies from the Steampunk Collection - of course they match wonderfully!

The metal tags are also by Graphic 45 - so fantastic! I LOVED the touches of blue painted on them (they come this way).

Be sure to hop on over to the Graphic 45 blog for more project and cards featuring this gorgeous new collection!!

Thanks for stopping by today! A demain!