Add Some Sparkle

What a week!  Looking back I think I was a little over ambitious to post three layouts this week but it is done.  So here is your last one for this week.  Once again I have two similar layouts for you.  One for Zach's book and one for Alex's.  It just happened that the challenge over at Playing in Paradise #104  is Add a Little Sparkle!  Keep reading to see how I added mine.    

I almost always create layouts with 4x6 pictures or smaller.  Rarely will I use a 5x7.  This layout is an exception.  This photo is one that I had given my grandmother and when she passed away a few years ago I got the photo back.  I finally am getting it in an album!  It was different working with a larger picture but I love how this turned out.  Banners are really popular now and I wanted to try some on this layout with some patterned paper.  I free hand cut the banner ends and inked the edges for a more unified look.  I also got out my Sew Easy tool and some embroidery floss and added a little stitching detail.  Adding gems on the ends of the stitching gives an ending point to the stitching and also adds a little bit of sparkle! 

I got these stamps at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Kansas City last year and boy are they fun!  The set came with a solid version and this version (which happens to be just the right size for i-Rock gems)!

To get this cool gem title I first stamped my letters in green ink (that way if my gems slid a little you wouldn't be able to tell).  Then I used my i-Rock tool to add some gems.  If you don't have a stamp set like this you could easily create this same effect using any stamp by adding gems over your stamped letters.  You could space them out like these are or place them side by side.  Either way is a fun way to add some sparkle to your stamped title! 

Here is Alex's version of this page.  I had some additional pictures of him by himself that I wanted to include so that made my layout slightly different.  I kept the three patterned paper banners but put them closer to the edge to make room for my larger photo block. 

I felt the stitching wasn't needed on this layout but I still used the embroidery floss by wrapping it around my journaling block.  This helps to add a little more green to the layout and a little bit of interest.   

The photo block on this layout gave me a little bit of trouble.  I really didn't like the uneven edge where the vertical and horizontal photos met.  This chipboard heart just happened to be just the right color and size to really tie the photos together.  I 'luv' how it turned out.   

Well, there you have it.  I hope you add some sparkle to your next page!  Thanks for stopping!

Supplies:

• cardstock: Wausau Paper (Crinkles Cotton, Crinkles Cocoa)
• patterned paper: ? (I don't have the packaging- possibly We R Memory Keepers)
• stamp: ScrapAce
• ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint)
• marker: Zig Writer (Chocolate)
• tools: Imaginisce (i-rock), Creative Memories (corner rounder), Perfect Layers, We R Memory Keepers (Sew Easy Stitch- Straight)
• misc: Imaginisce (Hot Rocks Compact- Jewel), misc gems, Pebbles (Chips- Spring Green), thread, pop dots