A Special Photo

Hi everyone! This is Madeline, Guest Designer for March, and today I’d like to share my first project with the Be Amazing Kit, along with a couple of techniques that I used in its creation. This picture was taken a few months ago at my niece's wedding...my dad in his spiffy suspenders, red boutonniere pinned to the strap. I wanted to do something unique for this special photo.

First off, I was thrilled to see 2 sheets of Kraft cardstock included with this kit. A favorite product of mine, it makes a great background paper, combining easily with just about any color scheme. BUT, I thought I’d do something different with one of the sheets, and cut a few shapes...birds and leaves, elements that might work well for the page(s) I was (half)planning.

The swallow image is a free printable from the Graphics Fairy. The birds on a line are a free download from Michelle. The free Honeycomb svg file can be found on Heather's blog, Miracles Momma Designs. (Source info for the leaf cluster is unavailable.)

PLEASE NOTE: You don’t have to own a die-cutting machine to make use of these images. Simply print in draft mode (or using a light color of ink) in reverse on the kraft cardstock, cut out with scissors, then flip for use on your project.

After cutting out my images I inked them all over with Nick Bantock Van Dyke Brown and a Tim Holtz blending pad. This helped them contrast with the My Mind’s Eye Kraft Unique patterned paper. Here’s my before, after, and how they look with the patterned paper. Sweet!

And then I rethought the swallows, deciding to print them on the grey/white houndstooth pattern, ink, and pop-dot them on top of the kraft for added dimension… like the layered stickers that came with the kit! Yep…I like that much better.

NOW, here's a fun little technique for making flowers out of baker's twine. Cut out small circles from adhesive backed paper. (I recycled the leftover packaging from the kit’s layered stickers.) Press and wind twine from the center out, until the entire circle is filled. Add a little additional liquid adhesive to secure the end and voila!

Here's my finished page:

Pssst...see those little flags peeking out from under the heart on the upper left side of the page. They are cut outs from the tear strip, you know...the part that shows what's on the b-side of the patterned paper. There's a use for everything!

Thanks for looking!