365 New Days | Legendary Collection | Melissa Vining

Hi everyone!! It’s Melissa here and I’m so happy to be back sharing another layout with you.  This time it’s a much requested boy themed layout, and of course I had to use the amazing Legendary collection!! At the beginning of every year I create a page for each of my four children as an introduction to the year, setting the scene and telling them what I hope for them in the preceeding year. I used a stunning cut file from Cut To You which was so perfect for the theme of my layout for Sam (who is aged 13).

I created my background with a water activated ink pad.  I stamped on my craft mat, sprayed it with water and then did the reverse packaging technique where you place the cardstock onto the mat several times. The key is to not add too much water, especially if you’re not using gesso. I also used a stencil and foam pad to blend the same ink.  My final mixed media touch was to splatter with some sparkly water activated powder and white iridescent ink spray.  The reuse tis a very subtle layered background behind the cut file.

I backed the cut file with patterned paper that was not overly blue, so that I could use blue in my background to make the colours pop! I used Wild One, Total Legend, Brave Heart and All Star. For the stars I cut them in One Way and popped them up with dimensional adhesive.  I love the interest that it provides, especially as everything else on the cut file is glued flat to the background paper.

Its not often that I incorporate my photo into the backing of a cut file, but for this one the open “A” was perfect, especially as my photo of Sam was taken at our favourite beach.  One of my daughters was also in the photo, and my placing him in the cut file I was able to cut her out.  I love that I’m still able to see the rocks, beach and sea.

I embellished very simply with Accessory Stickers, Die Cut Ephemera, and Enamel Dots.  I didn’t want to take away from the cut file and especially the photo, and I think the small clusters work well to achieve this.

I made a process video which you can watch below.

Thanks so much

Melissa xx