Unifying photo and paper

One thing I really like about digital scrapbooking is that you can "blend" your photo into your layout - creating a seamless look. However, I spend enought time on my computer during my day job that I really don't want to be spending more time on my computer for my hobby as well. Therefore, this past weekend I experimented on how to recreate this look on paper scrapbooking. I found that painting seams between the photo and the paper gives me the best results. After you adhere your photograph to the card stock, pick a shade of paint ( I used Claudine Hellmuth's Studio paint) that is somewhat close to your photo and the card stock and paint liberally on the seam. Blend out away from the seam to create a gradient/seamless look.

Here's a layout I did using this technique:




In the 3rd photo you can really see how the paint kind of "morphs" the photo in to the paper.

My Mind's Eye's sketch challenge #6!

Hello! I somehow amazingly found time just in time to submit for My Mind's Eye's Challenge #6! It's such a fun sketch~ it inspired me to pile on the embellies to no ends! Here's the sketch~

Here's my take!

All material used are from my beloved My Mind's Eye stash!

• My Mind's Eye "Celebrate" Die cut
• Bella Bella "French Flea Market" A Bit o' Dots Paper
• Bella Bella "French Flea Market" The Rouge Bird Paper
• Laundry Line Rub-on - Coastal "Authentic"
• Laundry Line Natural "Embark" Mini Die cut
• Laundry Line Natural "Encourage" Die cut

It was so much fun making those paper flowers...I tried several different techniques and settled with this one. Perhaps one of these days I will post a tutorials of my other attempts. Anyway, let's get this tutorial started first!

1. Things you need:
   • 1/2 inch by 4 inch strips - 3 or more (although 3 is my recommendation because otherwise your flower will get really thick and full)
   • 1/4 inch by 3 inch strips - 3 or more
   • 1 brad
   • A hole puncher
   • Mini Glue dots ( you can use other types of adhesives, but this is the most convenient).

2. Attache a piece of glue dot to one end of all the strips like this:

3. Then twist one end of the paper to form a shape similar to the Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon-Make sure the glue dot end up on top(we're going to attach the other end to this on the next step):4. Then do the same to the other end to form 2 pedals

5. Repeat 3 & 4 to all the strips of paper you have prepared from step 1.

6. Punch a hole in the center to all of the pieces above.

7. Finally, stack them all together starting with the smallest one on top, then put a brad through all the pedals and VOILA!

An instant pop to your page! It adds so much depth to your page like you wouldn't believe. So easy, and it's a great way to use up your scraps.

Well I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and please let me know if there are any unclear instructions!

Buh bye for now~

Love,

Annie

Create a color palette based on a photo

Sometimes, when you want a no brainer when it comes to picking card stock or pattern paper to work with, I have found THE tool you need.

I stumbled upon color palette generator recently. It creates a color palette base on a photo you selected. This is a useful tool because you can simply upload the photo and it shows you all the major colors that are present in your photo. Below is an example of a photo I tried with this tool and a layout I created using this palette:

A big majority of my palette were muted grays and blues so it's my primary shade on this page. I used dark browns as my accent color and everything came together easily.