Layout Love Linky - August 2012

We have reached the end of August and you know what that means? Fall is just around the corner AND it's time for another Layout Love Linky! What's this, you ask? Layout Love Linky is a place for us all to say, "hey! look at this! I made it and I love it!" I use this as a place to post layouts from the month that aren't getting their own blog post. You know... so they don't feel left out. But, if you have a project you love and you want it to get more love... link up! We are not limited to layouts, anything goes. And, there are even surprise prizes each month. YAY!

Did you win some fun new CHA goodies for linking up last time? You will have to scroll to the end to find out.

But, in the mean time... here are my unblogged layouts for the month of August.

This past month, I ended up focusing quite a bit on my albums and their continuity. I use Shimelle's system, one that she goes into great depth on in her class, Cover to Cover, so I am always thinking about this. However, this month seemed to be more focused on making divider and intro pages and such. Wondering where to get 12x12 prints that won't break the bank? Persnickity Prints! They are the best!

Here goes:

As usual, many of the layouts you see here were also scrapped for various challenges and/or sketches. Click on soapHOUSEscraps over there in on the right to see all the details in my Two Peas Gallery.

Thanks to everyone who linked up last time! I hope your layouts received some love. If you haven't checked out the gorgeous link-ups, click on over here to take in some of this beauty: 
Wondering why the Times Square layout is on there twice? Because that is the randomly chosen winner, that's why! Well, and because my collage creator software has some more specific ideas... which is also why Dawn's gorgeous chevron layout is on there twice too! But, at any rate... CONGRATS Laura!

Laura, I have emailed you for your address and will be sending you some goodies soon! And, if you haven't been over to Laura's blog: Who Is This Chick?... what are you waiting for? She rocks!

So, go ahead and link up your projects and let's share some love! You have an entire month to enter and I can't wait to see all of your creations. And, all you have to do to be put in the random drawing is Link up and include a link back. Easy Peasy! Wonder what the prize will be next month? Hmmmmmmm....

Have Punch, Will Scrap

I have been coveting a certain punch. A certain punch I have seen at my local Archivers. I saw it, but didn't get it and then every time I went in after that to find it, it was sold out. Which of course made me want it more! So, how lucky was I that they had just restocked them the other day when I had my 43% off coupon in hand? WHOOT!

I do believe this is meant to assist with creating flowers with punches. But, I just love the shape! It can be a nondescript accent, a firework, a snowflake, or yes I suppose it could also be the center piece to a flower.

But for now, I see it as a lovely way to make something out of all of my scraps. Let's get to it shall we?

Punch, Punch, Punch... A rainbow of pretty scraps!

I am thinking a bit of kraft will set this rainbow punch party off nicely. But first, we must mist. I do love Mister Huey's but it rubs off and that irks me. So, what's my solution to this? After it is dry on my page,  I give the entire sheet a very light mist of Krylon sheer coat. This works wonders but smells REALLY bad. If you are smarter than I was, you will take your paper outside to do this. But, I was too lazy for that step...so, after intaking some lovely fumes, let's move on...

I see a central design with the photo below the rainbow scraps:

Tombo should do the trick of getting those little bursts on the page:

A bit of washi at the bottom to serve as a transition from the delicate punched pieces to the rectangular photo:

Ah yes! I like it, but now is when I realize that this is in fact NOT centered. Oh joy.

OK, no worries! I have the perfect piece of Jillibean Soup Staples and it's even more appropriate after it get's the same Mister Huey treatment:

There we go! Centered and stitched on:

I believe it's time for a title:

And some pen work:

And after the usual finishing bits and pieces, there we have it!

Believe in Bliss AND... happy accidents. I do think I like it much better cut and stitched onto that dark paper. YAY!

Now, off to play some more with my new punch :)

See you next time for August's edition of Layout Love Linky!

This is So NOT Distressing!

Oh look, here's that adorable little dog Simon, once again! You know why he stops by every Monday? To remind you that you have a chance to win $50 from simonsaysstamp.com, that's why! How cool is that? Winners are randomly chosen each week. Just head on over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge blog for all the details.

This week, we are pulling a bit of inspiration from Tim Holtz's Summer Distress colors. Don't have this set? Not to worry! You can use the colors as inspiration, or simply as a jumping off point to see where your creativity takes you. All the details are here. Although, I must say these inks would be a worthy addition to your collection!

The first thing I do when I get any new ink, is just play. You can see evidence of that below:

After blotting, blending, rubbing and spritzing... I decided my scrap pieces were too pretty to just toss in the bin, so off I went to select some photos while my distressed scraps had some drying time.

This chip board lettering from Crate's Random collection (one of my all time faves) ties the colors from the photos and the distress inks in perfectly. See, it's like I planned it or something! HA!

After grabbing a gorgeous pink patterned paper for my background, I lay out my photos. With this many pictures to fill the page, this should come together rather quickly.

 Tucking in a bit of scraps for layers of dimension and texture:

Now for those inky scraps! I think some banner action will do these justice! Just a simple fold and staple over some twine...

 And repeat....

 Oooooh, some pen lines tie them all together.... Pretty!

 A bit of washi to ground the title:

The banner element gets layered on a scrap of old Ikea curtain that has been fringe cut:

 A little sparkle never hurts, right?

Layering on some beautiful details:

 Oh, this does make me happy!
And... there we have it!

A happy summery layout inspired by some beautiful Distress Inks. Which, incidentally are so NOT distressing :)

Feeling Inspired?

It's super easy to enter! All you have to do is link up with our theme of the week and include a link back. So, show us how you are inspired by these gorgeous colors on a layout, card, or any project and link up for the chance to win!

Perhaps you would like to try a similar layout of your own? A complete supply list is below: (affiliate links used)

InLinkz.com