My Little Scrapbook Store G45 Sun Kissed "You and Me by the Sea"

Hello Scrappy Friends -   I've created another layout for the My Little Scrapbook Store's Design Team using the beautiful Sun Kissed Collection from Graphic 45!  

I selected a photo of my husband and I that was taken before our first SNUBA excursion, on our 30th Anniversary Disney Wonder Hawaiian Cruise, back in October of 2012.  I've held onto this photo for 6 years now!! because I wasn't sure if I wanted to scrap it. There was so much "stuff" in the photo around us, like a van, a ramp, people I didn't know - and our goofy looking water shoes and an ugly mat they made us stand on!!!  I decided to use more fussy cut elements and seashells to make a frame around the photo, and cover up the areas I didn't like.

I want to show you how I made the background - I knew I loved the orange fish paper - but I really loved all of the papers in this pack. I wanted to use a bunch of them, and since they all coordinate - you can't go wrong!

I first cut strips of paper and began to layer them on an angle across the base page  Since they are only 12 inches long - they would not reach to each end.  I then placed my photo and the one card element that I cut out on the layout to see about where I wanted to place them, and where I could make the "behind the scenes cuts!"

Below you can see where I "pieced" my puzzle together.  Here is a TIP - use a ruler to place your top two pieces of your first row - then just butt the other pieces up underneath it as you add more - leaving a little hanging over the edges.  This is a GREAT way to use up scraps of paper that you have too - just keep in mind where you are going to place your photo(s) -you can even draw a pencil line around where your photo is going to go - so you can make sure the gaps won't show.

Once all lines are glued - flip the paper over and use a ruler and exacto knife to trim off the overhanging pieces.

Here you can see that you can't tell that the strips didn't connect, and you can also see all the "stuff" I was taking about in the photo!

And now it is time for some close ups of the finished layout!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I've inspired you to try out this technique, or maybe even do a little fussy cutting!  Be sure to pop on over the the My Little Scrapbook Store to pick up some of this beautiful Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Collection! There is a awesome HAPPY SCRAPPY BAG containing lots of lovely goodies from this collection!  Grab one and give this a try!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri

Items used:

Graphic 45 Sun Kissed Collection

 Kids at Play (base)

 Sail Away

 Splish Splash

 Sand Dollars

 Under the Sea

 Turtle Time

 Floating Floral

 Cardstock Stickers

Ranger Distress Stains - Blueprint Sketch, Abandoned Coral, Picket Fence

Embroidery Floss

Seashells