love is in the air (pt. 2)

Day Two: A Big Heart & Some Clouds

In this technique, you're going to use what you learned in the last technique to make a "giant" heart to use on a layout or project. And some clouds, because sometimes you're on Cloud Nine, or your head's in the clouds, or some other funny euphemism for being in love...!

You will need:
- pattern paper
- pencil or pen
- scissors
Optional:
- edge distresser
- stamp pad

Step One: Using the technique from yesterday, cut a large heart from your pattern paper. Refresher: fold your pattern paper in half. Draw half of a heart on the paper, with the center at the fold. Cut it out. Unfold.

Step Two: Take your edge distresser, or your scissors if you don't have one, and scratch up the edges of your heart...which I didn't take a picture of...sorry!

Step Three: Take your stamp pad and rub it along the distressed edges. Also no picture...oops!

Step Four: To make your clouds you will need your pencil, some scissors and a calendar page. I love the idea of using calendars or note paper to make little die cut embellishments! They look so cute, and add a little bit of a "remember the date" without being too obvious.

This particular calendar die cut is from Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe. It comes on a larger sheet with lots of other colours, and a smaller size. There are also kraft ones.

Step Five: Flip over your calendar and draw some doodly clouds. They don't have to be perfect...but if you want them to be more perfect find ones that you can trace on to the card. Now cut them out.

I also punched a little scallop circle from the same calendar page, focusing on the word "Saturday" because that's the day the photos were taken.

Step Six: You could outline your clouds (and your heart) if they don't stand out enough for you. Especially if they are close in colour to the background.

My finished layout...

I added a flourish stamped in the same colour as what I used to distress my heart. The text is also stamped in the same colour. And I also added some lacy ribbon and a pearl in the same turquoise colour. Have I mentioned that I love this colour?

You could also try:
- doing a big star or circle and embellish with similar shaped items
- Ink the shape in a contrasting colour and use that colour elsewhere on the layout
- "Framing" your photo with the large shape

Friday is our last technique for the week, and my "big finish". See you then...later...