MME and Gossamer Blue

My Mind's Eye and Gossamer Blue have joined up to offer an incredible challenge - the winner will get a guest designer spot!  The challenge is to create a layout featuring My Minds Eye products.

I was really excited by the opportunity, and of course, had lots of MME products in my stash - which was a bad thing.  I couldn't figure out what papers I wanted to use.  So I picked a picture instead.  I love this picture of Stephen at his grandparents house.  He was 18 at the time and swinging just like he did when he was 8.  I love that he still has that sense of fun.

After I picked the picture, I realized the new Collectable line was perfect for my layout.  I had an assortment of patterned papers and the enamel dots from that line and My Girl and Boy Crazy sitting on my desk.  (I've never seen a package of enamel dots I don't have to have - they might be my favorite embellishment.)

But I was still having editing problems - I loved all the papers and was having a hard time choosing.  Then the Sunday Sketch was posted at Studio Calico.  I loved the grid design and it gave me the chance to incorporate lots of the great papers and embellishments I had accumulated.  Here;s what I came up with.

First I mounted the picture and placed it on the page.  Then I cut squares and rectangles in different sizes out of a variety of papers and moved them around til I got a placement I liked.  I used brown chalking ink about the edges of each paper piece and the mounted picture to add a little more depth.  Then I added the title, placing the word "swing" on the picture to draw the viewer's eye.  Finally embellishments - I added the largest pieces first and then filled in.  I relied primarily of chipboard and stickers from the Collectable Line but also added sequins from SC kits, enamel dots, and some wood veneer.  I used foam dots to vary the height of the embellishments and layered small pieces with larger pieces.  A little journaling explaining why the picture (which is not a great photograph) is important to me and the layout is done.

I love this line and suspect I'll be replacing all the things I used.  It was the first time I played with new CHA releases and it was so much fun!  Hope you're having a chance to enjoy your stash too.  Have a great weekend!