Monday, July 4, 2011

I Love You Layout



Bolyer's Little Swimmer Layout
Today on the Cricut Blog they are featuring this wonderful layout by Aphra Bolyer. It is called Little Swimmer. I love a lot of things about this layout: the colors, the solid border frame and the fact that is uses just one photo.

I had a 5x7 photo of my daughter taken when we were getting reading to send out our Valentines. You see I am super busy at school during the winter holidays and while I often try to get Christmas cards out, I just never am very successful. A few years ago we started the tradition of sending out Valentines instead (so cannot take the credit as a family friend started this). We always do a photo card of some type and my daughter is usually the star.

I have been meaning to use this year's photo on a layout and decided I would scrap-lift the layout used on Little Swimmer to create my own page. I wanted to be very close to the original with the exception of colors and theme so I started by picking out my papers.  I got most  of these from my random paper bins, but a few came from some of my stacks: The black and white polka dots are from DCWV Alphabet Stack, the solid looking black is from DCWV Black Currant Stack and the lighter pink polka dots is from Me & My Big Ideas Fashion District Big Paper Pad.

Creative Memories wave
I followed the layout from the inspiration page very closely. My photo was a 5x7 and I think the Little Swimmer photo may be 4x6 so I made adjustments as needed. I layered all  the papers and the photo first. Once those were where I wanted them I focused on the different cuts I wanted to make. I started with the long vertical strip. I used my old Creative Memories wavy edge cutter to cut the pink layer and I cut the sliver layer using a frame from Create-A-Critter stretched wide on my Gypsy.

For the oval and circle bases I wanted something other than a straight scallop edge so I went searching and picked out an oval tag off the very first Circut Circle cartridge French Manor. I changed the measurements on the oval  to create the two circles.

For the title and images I used the following carts:
- Girl: Playtime (girl & dress), Everyday Paper dolls (hair bows) & Paper Lace heart.
- Heart: Calligraphy Collection
- Title: I love you from Paper Lace
I felt pretty good about what I had created but wanted to add the string bow as well. I have never used that type of material on a layout. I used this braiding cord I had bought a while back and tape it tight to the back using some photo squares as I did not seem to have anything else that would work.  I also used my Peachy Keen Dolly Dumplins stamps for the little face. I can not tell you how long it took me to complete this layout...a long afternoon...BUT I LOVE IT! Thanks for the inspiration Cricut Blog and Aphra Bolyer!

One more thing: I added this to the Card Creations and More Challenge. The assignment: Create a project inspired by a blogging friend. SO TRUE!!

7 comments:

  1. Aphra is the best isn't she! I LOVE your layout! Such a pretty girl layout! I love it. Nice photoshopping the pic too! Love the different colours and patterns you chose. Great work!

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  2. LB! You need to post a link to this in their comment section! They will LOVE it. xx

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  3. If you need a challenge:

    http://scrap-the-girls.blogspot.com/2011/06/july-challenge.html

    This would be perfect!!!!

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  4. Oh my goodness . . . LOVE your girly take on my layout! Too, too cute! And that wavy ruler is genious. Thanks for sharing with me!!!

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  5. You did an awesome job on this LO. I love that Aphra came here to see it too! How cool is that! Adorable LO and what a cutie in your photo!

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  6. Lovely layout! I love the black & white pic with the shot of color on the heart! The colors you chose for the rest of the LO is perfect! Thanks for joining us at Card Creations & More!!

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  7. Very nice job! Thank you for joining in with us :)

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Inspiration & Smiles from you are so welcomed.