UK Scrappers Blog Hop!

Hello and welcome! 

Today we are excited to be participating in the UK Scrappers Blog Hop. If you are following the hop you should have arrived here from Sir Stampalot!!  To be in with a chance of winning the UKS Blog Hop prizes you will need to comment on this post (and on all the blogs in the hop) and remember to mention your UKS user name in your comment. Finally be sure to reply in the UKS thread on the forum when you have completed the hop.

After your visit here hop on to That's Crafty and if you lose your way or you want to start at the beginning of the hop you can find the complete list here!

We are also offering 20% off all orders placed via our online shop with the code UKSBLOGHOP entered during checkout.  The code is valid right up until 11pm on Thursday 5th July.

Our project for you today is a fairly quick layout - it took me just over an hour (excluding drying time!) to complete! We'd love you to have a go too!!

"Summer Days" Layout

This is the kit of supplies that I gathered together:

2 x patterned papers - Try to pick one bold and and one more subtle pattern. My patterned papers are from Echo Park So Happy Together

1 x bazzill cardstock (12 x 12) (for your background) and 1 scrap of cardstock - (I didn't use the green on this layout in the end so just ignore that in the pic!)

A sheet of journalling cards (mine is "jot it down" by Echo Park)

Selection of Stickers - I picked out the alphas and stickers from Echo Park's Hello Summer and So Happy Together. I love how these two collections work so well together.

Stamp Set - My stamps are from My Minds Eye, Miss Caroline. You will need a stamp for the background and this set also has a "date" and "place" stamp but you can leave these out if you don't have them.

Paint Dabber - I used Jenni Bowlin in speckled egg. 

Pink Gems - Mine are by Hero Arts. 

Washi Tape
Photograph- 1 x 6" x 4" Portrait

So, onto making the layout:

Choose your back ground cardstock (I used a sheet of kraft bazzill) and cut 2 panels from the patterned paper and scrap cardstock (or you could use another pattern instead of cardstock if you prefer). The sizes were approx 13cm x 17cm and 12cm x 16.5cm but if you are using a different size photo just adjust the sizes appropriately. 
Choose and cut out a journalling card from the 12 x 12 sheet.

Mat your photograph onto a piece of patterned paper (a more subtle pattern works better) and adhere to the other 2 panels. Don't put adhesive on the edges of the paper so you can slightly lift the corners to give some texture and also if you want to tuck anything under later.  

Position on your background cardstock (but don't stick it down just yet) and lightly mark with a pencil where your photo mat will be and then put it safely to one side whilst you apply the paint in the next step!

Stamp your background stamp using the paint dabber to apply paint to the stamp (instead of ink) and then take the lid off the bottle and dip a paintbrush into the paint and gently flick onto the cardstock. You might want to practice this on scrap card if you've not created paint splatters like this before!
Use you pencil marks to help you get the paint where you want it to show!

Once the paint is dry adhere your photo mat to the background and add a title. I used the "Summer" sticker and the small blue alphas so I could raise it with foam pads.

Choose a border sticker and tuck this under the bottom edge of the photo mat with a strip of washi tape to soften the edges a little. I tore the tape but you can cut it if you prefer a neater edge.

Apply paint to the date and place stamp and stamp onto journalling card. If you don't have stamps for this, handwrite them onto the card or you could journal onto the card instead.

Cut small strips of patterned paper and layer up on the top edge with a small piece of tape and add a punched butterfly (or a small embellishment). I used my Martha Stewart punch.

Add the journal card tucking it under the photo mat and tuck a small piece of border sticker and washi tape under the card.

Add few more stickers, raising some up on foam pads and scatter punched butterflies and gemstones to finish.

I hope you've enjoyed our step by step instructions and if you do make a layout using them do let us know if the comments so we can come and see!

So, if you're following the blog hop, your next stop is That's Crafty

That's for stopping by!