Shell Seekers ~ Layout

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.