GD: Pam Thorburn #3 Chatsworth Collection

"Hi, It's Pam again, back with another scrapbook page using the gorgeous Chatsworth 12 x 12 papers. For this layout I decided to limit myself to the brown toned papers in the Chatsworth collection, and  I wanted a fresh, modern feel to the layout, I decided to use white cardstock and blue paint. Blue and brown are always a winning combination in my eyes! I actually used smooth water colour paper for my background as I knew I was going to use watered down paint, and needed a surface that could handle the wetness". 

Here's my layout:

So, here's how I went about making this layout. I wanted to add some colour and texture to the background.

First I got out the Stencil Girl Striped Circle stencil. I used an embossing pen to trace through the stencil, placing the circles randomly over the page. Then I poured over some clear embossing powder, and heat embossed the lines.

Then, using watered down Fresco Paint in Sky Blue and Beach Hut, I painted the colour on loosely, revealing the embossed circles.

After that it was time to get out the grunge paste which I mixed with Fresco paint in Sky and Baltic Blue, and spread it through the Crafter's Workshop circle stencil. I used to use an old credit card for jobs like this, but I now use a Number 2 Palette knife which makes the job about a zillion times easier!!

So this is the result:

After that I cut some strips of the brown patterned paper. As you can see I used a small circle punch to punch holes in one strip, then wove a thin strip through the holes, and used a Martha Stewart scallop lace border punch on another strip. It's little details like this that add interest to a page. These were all attached using my trusty sewing machine.

I thought I would add a little more texture by adding some brown stamping using French Roast Fresco paint.. I used the mesh stamp from Frames Plate 2. As soon as I had done this I knew I didn't like it. It felt a bit too grungy for the look that I was after. 

So now we are on to the photo. I am really pleased with this next bit! The photo that I wanted to use was taken in an animal park and although it's a lovely photo of my daughter and her cousin, it is rather spoiled by all those legs belonging to strangers! 

I decided they had to go!

Here's what I did. Working on a small section of background at a time  I took a small paint brush and lightly painted water on to the parts of the background that I wanted to change . Then I sanded those strangers right out of the photo with fine sandpaper! I quite liked the sanded background but decided to go ahead and paint in my own bush background.

I just painted the background green using Fresco Paint in Hyde Park and Tinned Peas. Because it was painted on gloss photo paper it took a little longer to dry, and that gave me time to draw vertical line 'trees' into the wet paint with the end of my paint brush. I also painted in some trees using French Roast Fresco paint.

I have to say I am really chuffed with how the photo foreground merges into the painted background. And also now the girls and the kangaroo really stand out in the photo!

Next I set about disguising some of the brown stamping I did earlier. A banner across the top distracts the eye somewhat, and a painted and stencilled tag adhered across the bottom takes care of that part!

And finally the layout was ready for the finishing touches: Some Prima Wood Bellies, painted with Tinned Peas, a Prima Flower, Vintage trinkets, Eclectica Shapes 3.

I'm really happy with how this layout turned out. I think the strips of brown Chatsworth Papers look a bit like planks of wood, which helps support the outdoor subject matter of the layout. I love the watery look of the background painting, and I love how well the Fresco Paints helped to alter the background of the photo! 

Leandra Says: I love how the blue really lifts the colour palette to a different level. I adore the fabulous stitched strips too! Thanks for another great round of projects this week Pam. You are really bringing something new to the blog this year.

Gillian Says: Blue's and Brown's always a winning combo in my eyes, love the definition it gives to the textured background. Another beautiful layout Pam, thank you.

If you would like to join in this week's challenge and play along with Pam's techniques, then do link up your creativity here, and go in the draw to win some PA stamps of your choice! You need to link your entry by 17:00, Sunday March 30th 2014