Shell Seekers ~ Layout

Friday, June 11, 2010
This layout marks my second one of the year.  That's one per season!  I've had this photo since our holiday to England in July 2005 and have wanted to do something with it since.  How embarrassing!  There are a number of photos that I would like to scrap (the crafting way).  Anyway, I'm one ahead now.  This photo was taken as my three children dug in the sand at a beach near Bournemouth.  The Isle of Wight is just outside of the photo's view.  (Sorry about the glare.  It's from the photo of the layout and not the photo used for the layout itself.)
This layout is absolutely nothing like my original design.  I had cut some waves from Zooballoo and had chosen completely different paper for the background.  I just didn't like the look and finally chose a "sand" look for the entire page, with a more vibrant blue to mat the photo.  I am so happy with the way it turned out!  I ran the blue mat through my Cuttlebug, but it made the cardstock rather flimsy.  As I wished to pop the photo and mat, I ended up cutting a thicker piece of cardstock and adhered it to the back of the blue.

The sun was cut with Doodlecharms and I ran the top layer through my Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots.  I used the same paper for both layers.  I like the effect given that the paper colours are uneven.  The shadow is glued flat to the layout mat but I popped the top layer.
The "beach" at the bottom of the page was cut using a Creative Memories decorative trimmer.  I then added a strip of sandpaper just to add a bit of emphasis/division between the "beach" and the photo mat. 

I computer generated the title and date and printed them on vellum.  I had to be quite strategic in my placement of adhesive and added an extra shell to the main title to hide a glue spot.  I like the shell there though so I'm not the least bit disappointed.  I lined the titles up with the edges of the paper for a tidy look as I did not wish to compete with the shells.
As I was attaching the shells, I decided it was the most ridiculous idea I had ever had.  However, I continued on my way and am glad I stuck it out.  After letting things dry, I crossed my fingers, held my breath and said a prayer.  Only one shell moved!  A bit more adhesive and it was secure.  Success!
My the time my husband returned home from his soccer match, I was putting the page into a shadow box.  I did take a picture, but the colours look so dull.  A photographer I am not!
I'm entering this layout at a few blogs.  Canadian Nickel Scrap'n is having a offering "Summer Vacation Seasonal" to the winner of their challenge: a summer inspired project.  Scrap Hut, a Canadian online craft store, is sponsoring the challenge.  I just discovered that they sell A2 envelopes!  I'm so excited.  I usually have to buy cards with envelopes just to get the envelopes.  Bitten By the Bug 2 challenged us to use the sun from Doodlecharms and Peachy Keen Stamps challenged us to create a layout for a shadow box.  At The Sisterhood of Crafters, the challenge was to celebrate our children.  I don't have many candid shots of all three together and knew exactly which photo to use for this challenge!

Just a little aside:  There is a book called "The Shell Seekers" by Rosamunde Pilcher.  If you haven't read it, you should!  Apparently there is a movie out now as well.  I haven't seen it, but usually the book is best.

18 comments

Turnedgypsy said...

You did a great job. I will stop in often

http://turnedgypsy.blogspot.com
chris

Nicole Wright Designs said...

UMMMM WOOZERS!!! This is stunning Kate. I'm happy you were able to scarp somthing you were wanting too. And WOW did you scrap the BEEP out of it. I still haven't scrapped Disneyland, and that was 2 years ago! I even have all the books, paper, punches, stickers and even the CART! I bought the cart 6 months before I got my Cricut. Way to go!

Leave a seperate post for each thing. If you leave it all in one comment, that's still only 1 chance when I go to do the draw! Happy you've found SCRAP HUT, it's awesome!

Kel said...

I love it.. We are big beach people and there is some nice inspiration..thanks for sharing

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

Kate, this came out amazing!! I love the sand and the shells! And the DoodleCharms Sun fits in perfectly! What a great photo to scrap with!

Darlene said...

WOWSA ... this layout is fabulous! LOVE how you made the SUN and the seashell border is awesome! What a treasured memory ... time goes by so fast doesn't it!!! Thanks so much for joining us at The Sisterhood ... I do hope you come back and play again!!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful LO and photo. (To get on an English beach and hit blue skies and warm weather is a rare event over here)! You did a cracking job and the shells are brilliant! Thank you for playing along with us at Peachy Keen. Good luck! Viv xx

Jeri said...

Great layout. I love that you added the shells and then framed it in a shadowbox. Thanks for playing along at BBTB2.

**Treefrog** said...

Oh Wow Kate I'm Lovin this! And don't feel bad for waiting so long to scrap this photo, I'm sure we all have tons of photos we are going to "get to" but never do LOL! I know I have TONS! Love the soft colors and how you added the shells to the page, it's just what it needed! Thanks for sharing it at BBTB2!
((Hugs)) Theresa
(Also, Thanks for ALWAYS stopping by my blog with such sweet comments, I may not say it enough, but THANK YOU!)

Janice W. said...

Nice layout! I like the closeups so we can see the textures you have added. It looks great and the ocean looks so blue! Thanks for playing along with us at PKS! Good luck!

Samantha Casey said...

This turned out really well! I love how you used the cuttlebug embossing folders.The sea shells also create a nice dimension. Good Luck on the Peachy Keen Challenge!
-Samantha

Terri's Cards N More said...

Fantastic layout. Love the embossing on the sun and background for the picture. Very creative job on the sun. Also love the sea shells. Thanks for playing along with the Sisterhood this week.

Valerie said...

What a fun layout, I am so glad you stuck with the shells! Your sun is also adorable!!

DonnaMundinger said...

Kate this is so beautiful! The simplicity iof the layout let's your picture and the details shine! FABULOUS! Thanks for loining us at BBTB@ and you rocked the other challenges as well! xxD

Lori1brat said...

FANTASTIC !!!!!!!! I LOVE what you did here with your layout .... the sun is perfect, the background color is sooo pretty and I LOVE the shells you used ! GREAT page ! Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us at BBTB2 this week ! Hugs - Lori

Lisa B said...

WOW! The first words out of my mouth were Oh My GoSH! when I saw this layout. I just love it!! It is very crisp and clean yet it has so much detail.

Thanks for playing along with us over at Peachy Keen Stamps. Hope to see your work in the future challenges.

Besthobbyeva said...

I can't believe this only your second page. Fantastic. I was laughing when you said you had second thoughts putting the shells on! I love it!!! Great work!!!!

My Creative Time said...

I JUST LOVE THIS!! You did a great job w/the challenge! Thank you for joining us @ Peachy Keen!
Big Hugs,
Emma:)

Lorie said...

Awesome job with this challenge! I'm so happy you could play along with us at Peachy Keen Stamps!

Hugs,
Lorie

Former Design Team Member at My Craft Spot (2011-2015)
My Craft Spot


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