CropChocolate Challenge #1

CropChocolate.com is having their online crop this weekend and I have been feverishly trying to complete the projects, update it to my blog and give my DS some mommy time. It is a lot but I think I am doing ok. 

I have two completed projects and would like to share them here.

Challenge #1 was to complete a layout based on an advertisement. 

I have to admit that upon first glance this layout did not inspire me to do anything but wait for the next challenge. Since I had planned to participate, I decided I had best get my thinking cap on. I had some fall photos of DS from 2005 that  I had been planning to scrap for Lyn's fall challenge (never did) so I thought it is now or never. This is my take on the inspiration piece. 

The paper I had planned to use was from the Karen Foster Designs Autumn pack. I selected the paisley print as my background although it is paper weight. 

 

I took that to the ScorPal to imitate the grid lines on the inspiration piece.  I started with a half inch border on all sides and then divided the sections. I edged all of the lines using Memories Direct black pigment ink cube. 

The inspiration piece had what appeared to be a watermark title in the background and I decided to imitate that by stamping AUTUMN. I used the KI Memories alphabet stamps along with Tim Holtz Aged Mahogany Distress Ink which I embossed with clear embossing powder. This was my first time using the Fiskars stamp press and I think I like it. My entire word would not fit so I had to stamp the U and the N separately. Then I took the entire piece and misted it with Glimmer Mist Red Suede. While I was at it I misted the two mulberry leaves.

Next I needed to prepare my photos. After measuring the inside squares and rectangles I cut my photos down to size. I decided to mat only one of them. I cut the striped paper, distressed the edges with my scissors, inked them with Memories Direct red ink cube, dipped each side in clear embossing powder and heated it. I cut a complementary circle for the geese and sprayed with Red Suede. I then edged the circle with Aged Mahogany.

After affixing my photos I went back into that same fall stash to find embellishments suitable for the layout.

The rubon letters were perfect for this piece. I used the corner photos to bring cohesion to the date. Speaking of the date I used the black sticker letters that came with the kit. The glittery stickers are from Miss Elizabeth's (the brand sold at the Dollar Tree). I added red rhinestones to the page title and the flower and acorn cluster.

 

The rest of the rubons were placed where I felt they had the most impact. I love this set from Karen Foster. This is a well-put together kit. I really did not have to go outside of what was available to make a delightful fall layout.

I love this quote:  "Mother Nature's favorite season".

I love this challenge in that for no other reason, it got me to crop those fall photos from five years ago. That is the beauty about not doing chronological scrapping. I can scrap whatever photos suit the moment. Out of the hundreds that I take only a select few are actually printed. From that I narrow it down to five for a page layout--one or two page. 

Well, I am off to work on the next challenge. It is an Easel Card. Sure wish I could have submitted the one I did over the summer. It was a Shaker/Easel card. Oh well, this one will get me thinking outside of the box also.

Of course it will be lovingly done in ink.

Until then.