texture theme

Hey Everyone its Michelle here today. I have a new layout to share with you all that I’ve made for our current ‘Texture’ theme using the bright and cheerful Happiness Collection. Texture can be added to layouts in a multitude of ways using a variety of techniques and products. Now I’m no good at Mixed Media layouts, they always turn out terrible, so I’ve chosen to go down the ‘clean’ scrapping path that I’m comfortable and familiar with to save you from the horror HAHA

I began with a bunch of scrap papers from the Happiness collection which I cut into different size strips, using a mix of both 6×8 and full size patterns. I added texture to each strip by lightly distressing the edges using my fingernail, and gave myself a few paper cuts along the way. To save your own fingers from the same fate as mine you can get this same effect using a distress tool or the edge of a pair of scissors.

I adhered the strips randomly down the left side of the white cardstock, ensuring to mix the patterns, colours and strip sizes as I went, then sewed each individual strip using my sewing machine. I used a mix of both straight and zigzag stitch to add a little extra detail and texture to the layout but it also enabled me to fold the edges of each strip upwards for that finishing touch.

I chose a couple of cute photos of Leila, printed B&W so not to clash with the colourful background, and backed with a pink pattern paper to compliment the strips and make the photos pop.

Under the right side of the photo I added my very last floral cluster from the wreath pattern paper in this collection. I’ve cut up and used these clusters on quite a few of my layouts as they’re super sweet and perfect for layering. You can also see a peek of the pink muslin fibres I added in for a different element of ‘texture’

I added the title over the top of the floral cluster using a mix of elements and handwriting. The ‘Hello’ is from the Foam title stickers pack that can be found in the ‘Unforgettable’ collection and the white alpha stickers are an older product from the ‘Colour Me Happy’ collection that is no longer available. I sewed through the alpha stickers to keep them adhered to the layout in years to come, but also for a little added detail and texture for this corner of the layout.

In the top right of the layout I tucked in a little more of the pink muslin fibres, added a fussy cut butterfly, heart from the ephemera pack and ‘the good stuff’ sticker that can be found on the accessory stickers sheet of the Happiness Collection. The cute little glitter enamel dots are from the ‘Make a Wish’ collection and have to be my most favourite finishing touch to any layout.

Lastly a second mini cluster on the bottom of the layout, replicated using similar items to the top cluster for a cohesive look. I also added the usual splattering of gold ink to finish the layout off.

Well friends thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my take on adding texture to layouts. I kept it pretty simple and mess free, just the way I like it. Be sure to share your texture ideas and techniques with us in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio FB Group, we love to see what and how you all create!

Until Next time, Happy Scrapping!
Michelle xx