Get Outside and Explore

Happy October Everyone!

A new month, a new challenge and the start of retreat month for us here at Scrapbookit! 

It has come around so quickly!

Today I'm here to share with you our new challenge.
All you need to do is create a project to the challenge requirements for your chance to win a Scrapbookit Shop voucher.

So here it is...

OCTOBER CHALLENGE...

Use the PageMaps sketch (below)

Think Nature

Add texture, stencil/template, chipboard and circles

Here is my take on the challenge...

I received one of the new Kaisercraft collections 'Mountain Air' to create with this month. This is a great collection for those of us who have photos of the great outdoors!

The collection pack has some great patterned papers, a paper pad and a great sticker sheet for embellishing. There were so many options I could have used for this layout...and so many possible layouts from camping, scouting and fishing!

I decided to use some photos of my son on a Scout Hike.

I started this layout by creating my background. I used a piece of Snow White - Ultimate Crafts cardstock. I chose to use the non-textured side of the cardstock for a smoother finish.

I used my watercolours randomly around the cardstock to create what I was hoping to be the patterning that sometimes you see on the trunks of trees! I honestly think I just made a mess...but as you know...The beauty of mixed media, you can add some more and make it work!!

So I decided to use an older Kaisercraft template from the Flora Quarters 12 x 12 template that is like a tree/wood pattern....with some Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint ~ Metallique Steampunk Copper.

I then added my texture element of the challenge with some Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder ~ Vintage Photo through a Darkroom Door Stencil ~ 4.5" x 6" Circles.

To remove the stark white background I have used both Walnut Stain and Rusty Hinge ~ Tim Holtz Distress Ink. At this stage, I wasn't so sure this was what I wanted for this layout...but I soldiered on to make it work!

I thought this layout was a great one for an event like this hike...none of the photos were ones that I would necessarily use as individual photos...but they work together! I love using up some photos on one layout!

I have used the patterned papers to back the photos...I have raised the two photos of my son...so that they feature.

I have used the compass from the patterned paper and created a circular feature for the top left corner...I distressed the edges and used Colour Blast Shimmer Cube ~ Leather around the edges rather than an ink. I backed the compass with a thin border of the green pine patterned paper to complement the green of the trees and the tents in the photos.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut a bracket frame shape for behind the title and also for the date tab in the bottom right-hand corner. I used Kaisercraft Alpha Stickers ~ Black for the date.

I cut a lined index card into a circle for my journaling card. I added some Colour Blast Shimmer Cube - Leather around the edge. I was a little disappointed originally because the shimmer cube left a watermark as well. However, as I inked the card with the Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink I realised that this gave the effect of the layers in a tree trunk. I love how it turned out.

I fussy cut a wood grain, tent and little pine trees from the patterned paper to embellish my layout. I also used a compass die cut from the paper pad to complement the red in my son's hike pack. I used a clear compass embellishment from an old Kaisercraft collection, Pack Your Bags. I added a word 'Adventure' from the Mountain Air sticker sheet behind one of the photos. 

I added some brown cotton and some wood grain washi tape behind the Dusty Attic - Get Outside and Explore title.

Well, I hope that you have enjoyed reading the process of creating this layout and it gives you the inspiration to join in this months challenge and create a nature-themed project!

You have until the end of the month to enter our challenge...you can enter via our Facebook page @scrapbookitshop; via our blog link (in the right hand side column) or by emailing Jo joannecaird@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing your creations!!!

~Melx