Start to Finish Challenge #1 ~ Favourites and winner!

A few weeks ago I set the first "Start to Finish" Challenge, where I showed you the very early stages of a layout with just a few pieces of paper layered up and challenged you to copy the "Start" but to add further papers, photos and embellishments in whichever way you chose to. 

Here's my Start and the Finish Layout ...

Lots of you found it a great way to jumpstart your layout and it was lovely to see how all the layouts finished up so differently!

I loved all your layouts and it was so difficult to pick out just a few favourites but here they are ...

Top left: "Aren't you lovely" By Laura

Top right: "Look at you" By Annie

Bottom left: "Soakin' up the rays" By Jackie

Bottom right: "Lovely" By Sharon

The winner picked at random using "Random.org" is No 5 which is:

Petrina!!

Congratulations Petrina - please drop me an e mail to sarah_sjr at hotmail (dot) com with your address so I can get a little prize off to you!!

Look out for another "Start to Finish" Challenge coming soon!!

.... To Finish!

Hi and welcome back to the "Start To Finish Challenge", a new challenge series hosted here on S J Papercrafts.

A few days ago, I showed you the very start of a layout. A few sheets of patterned paper layered to make the "bare bones" of a layout and explained that the idea behind this new challenge series is to help overcome that "scrappers block" that so many scrappers tell me they get when they sit down to create.  If you missed that post you can catch up on it here!

Why not play along with this challenge and instead of pushing papers around for 20 minutes or so .... Cut into them and stick them down in the same position as the "start" layout. Simply copy it .... and then add your own photos and embellishments to finish off your layout in any way you choose.

And here's my finished layout:

With my papers already layered I had a nice base for adding my photos. I trimmed 2 journal cards down and tucked the "these boots are made for walking" card underneath the smaller photo and placed the other card (pink with the # phrases on it) above the larger photo to balance it out. Some washi tape, tiny hearts (punched from the rest of the pink journal card), chipboard hearts, enamel dots, a few stickers and a title and I was almost done. I added some journalling to tell the story of a very muddy walk in the forest. To finish off my layout I flicked on a few drops of Heidi Swapp Pink Colour Shine.

If you want to play along, start off your layout by copying the "start"of this layout by positioning your papers in the same, or a similar placement (if your papers work better slightly higher/lower/further over to one side then go ahead and change it up slightly )  and then you are free to carry on to finish your layout in anyway you choose.

Use the linky tool that can be found on the first "Start" post to link us up so we can come and see. Remember to take a photo of your start layout before you add your photos and embellishments as well as a photo of your finished page.

Have fun!

Start To Finish .... A New Challenge!

Hello! How's your weekend going?

One of the things I often hear Scrapbookers say is "I don't know where to start with a layout". 

Have you ever been in the position where you've managed to squeeze in some scrapping time into your busy week and you've sat down at your craft desk and chosen a photo or photos from your stack of "To Scrap" and picked out a few sheets of pretty paper that you want to use ..... and then you spend the next 20 minutes (or even more) deliberating what to do next??!!

Do you stare at the paper, thinking "Which way should I cut into the paper" .... "How big shall I cut?" ....  "Can I even bear to cut it - it's so pretty!" .... "Should I stick that piece horizontal or vertical?" 

Sound familiar??!! 

Well, if it sounds even a little bit like you (maybe just sometimes) then this challenge is especially for you!!

I will show you a layout in it's very early stages, which you can then copy!! Yep, no thinking about it - just grab your trimmer and cut and stick!!

You can cut full sheets of paper to the same size or you can use scraps that are about the same size - afterall it's always good to use up those scraps, right?!

Once you've got the basics in place, you just need to add your photo(s) and finish it off with embellishments however you choose to. 

So many scrappers tell me it's getting started that is the hard bit so hopefully this challenge will help with that.

Once your layout is finished, upload it to your blog, online gallery or our Facebook Page with a photo of your "Start" and a 2nd photo of your "Finished" layout and then use the Linky Tool at the bottom of this post to share your layout with us.

So here's the Start:

The background is a full 12" x 12" sheet (you could "gut" the centre if you wanted to and keep that spare piece for another project) or you could use plain cardstock for your background if you prefer. Add another paper (I used the yellow spotty paper) cut to 11" x 11" layered on top, a vertical panel measuring 3.5" x 11" placed towards the left hand edge then I layered a scrap (the light blue flowery piece) which was about 8.5" x 6" on top. Finally I added the yellow camera piece of paper  which is actually a 6" x 4" Simple Stories card on top.

Of course, if you feel you need to move the papers slightly or adhere them higher/lower than I did or use slightly different sizes then go ahead. As long as it gets you started on that layout!

I'll be back in a day or two to show you my finished layout!

This challenge will stay open until 8 August and as it's the first one I will pick 1 entry at random to win a small prize !

Don't forget to take two photos .... 1 of your "Start" and another of your "Finish"!!

A "link back" in your blog post is much appreciated.

I look forward to seeing your "Start to Finish" layouts soon.

Have fun!

Sarah x