Lessons Learnt - 16 - Shhhh! Can I tell you a secret? A Magical Secret.

Dear Scribblers

Here's the final layout I'm showing you from my journey through September 2011 on Shimelle Laine's Learn Something New Everyday course.

I think it's probably my most art journal-y layout of the lot. What do you think?

The wording reads, "Sssshh! Live A Life Less Ordinary. I believe in Magic, Fairies, Spirits, Enchanting Dreams, Dragons, Spooky Ghosts, Angels and all things Fantasy."

I began by painting the background quite thickly in acrylic paint and, once it was dry, painting over the whole thing with Glitz It Sparkles glitter glue, writing in the glittery word MAGIC at the same time.

I used a lot of pieces from magazines, the lips, the main title, the black wings, and the roses, even the girl came from a Vivienne Westwood advert! Although the wings were added separately, her wings was a butterfly from a clothes label cut in half, the full butterfly can be seen in the top left hand corner.

There's another fabric butterfly label used linking the Creative Imaginations Narratives by Karen Russell Journaler's Notebook journalling sheet to the top most rose. I then scattered various stickers throughout the layout including a princess chipboard, 'fantasy' word, and word rub-ons from DCWV's Once Upon A Time range, and a dear little witchy cat from Daisy and Dandelion's Pumpkin and Aubergine Halloween range. I then added more glitter glue and highlights with Sakura's gelly roll stardust pens. It's all about the sparkle.

I wanted it to be a fun page, so I hope the whimsical nature comes across.

This may be the last page, but please come back tomorrow for my closing thoughts on LSNED.

Happy Scribing!

Lessons Learnt - 15 - The Chicks Do The Hen Party!

Dear Scribblers

One of those modern day rites of passage is celebrated in this LSNED 2011 page.

The Hen Party!

My sister-in-law married the boy of her dreams last October, which meant there was much fun to be had at her hen party a fortnight before.

I began with the photos, taking a selection of my favourites and printing them out using my tiny Polaroid PoGo printer, which is fantastic as the 2 x 3 inch sheets are sticky-backed. Great for scrapbooking. 

As the photos were quite dark as they were taken in a restaurant/nightclub, I decided to make the background colourful, taking the colours from the waitresses psychedelic Pucci-inspired dresses (as can be seen in the photo third from the bottom). 

I used a glittering balloon theme, as balloons and glitter balls were shown in the photos. Of course, birds needed to be added. We were 'chicks' out on a hen do after all!

Draw the balloon background free-hand, using Whispers Strokes pens, and Sakura Gelly Roll glitter and neon pens. Before I stuck each photo down, I drew around it with an orange neon pen to make them stand out from the background a little more.

The die-cut birds and 'A little bird told me' label came from a free kit from Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine. The title journalling card came from Creative Imaginations Journaler's Notebook - the Narratives by Karen Russell Collection. WeRMemoryKeepers Promenade Foil Glitter and Flock Adhesive rub-on kit provided the green glittery 'Birds of A Feather' transfer. 

Unfortunately I can't remember where the lovely glitter balloons and celebrate banner came from, but it was all from one sheet. If anyone remembers, please let me know.

The finishing touch was the big Hen Party button we all wore on the evening, and a good time was had by all the chicks, especially the Hen herself, Julie, as can be seen in the photo second from the bottom. She's loving married life, and coming round to her first wedding anniversary in October. Time does flies, especially for the birds!

Happy Scribing!