PRIMA BAP AND EXCITING NEWS!!!

Hey everyone, back again to share my most recent creation for this month's Build A Page sketch challenge over at Prima, but before I get started I have some exciting news I wish to announce. Firstly I am having a huge giveaway, over 250 Australian dollars in prizes, check out this post for your chance to win. Secondly, as you all know by now, I am a big fan of the challenge site CSI.... There case-files are amazing and always push me to explore my talents further, whether it be using colors i don't like to use, journaling which I don't always do, or using new and exciting products or techniques on my work.... The list is almost endless. This gives me great pleasure to say then, that I have been asked to join their fabulous Design Team!! As you can probably tell this has been the cause of much excitement for me.... My first design team!! I wish to thank Debbi for asking me to join and for her belief in me. I also wish to congratulate the other new team members, along with those already on the team who are staying. I look forward to having this opportunity to work with you all!! 

I'm very excited to be sharing this layout with you today as my local store just received a delivery of new Prima!! For the first time ever it only a couple of months after the release not 6!! Prima does not last long at my store, usually selling out within a week of arriving and some things within a day or two. Yet even though I don't visit my local store all that regularly I always happen to go in there either as they are unpacking the latest Prima delivery or the very next morning.... I feel very blessed because this means I never miss out!! However it does usually leave me broke for a few weeks after... or a few months!!

This month's sketch:

 

I really loved this sketch, though I have only used one photo, adding some embellishment clusters on either side to represent the other two.

 Here is my take:

'Blissful Moments'

As you can see I have used a single photo instead of three, replacing the two to either side with embellishment clusters. 

The background was created using my normal routine, gesso, texture paste and my Prima netting mask, watercolor paints, however this time I also stamped circles onto the background using gesso and a couple of lids. Originally I had planned to leave it at that, but then I got the idea of making messy cotton circles and gluing them down. I wasn't entirely sure about them at first, however as soon as I had finished the page, I knew I had made a good choice... It looks fantastic!!

Close-ups:

I have used paper's from both the Stationer's Desk and Cartographer Collections. I actually only used one sheet of paper from each, making use of the patterns of both sides of each sheet!! I have used foam tape between each sheet of paper for added dimension, placing a circle of raw twine on the topmost sheet, before adding some calico, my photo, and some ivory waxed twine. The edges of all my paper's were randomly painted with thick blobs of gesso. I have also done this with the photo, although this time completely covering the edges.

 

I cut the title from the packaging that my canvas alpha's came in (Which sadly appear to have vanished!) I placed it right on the edge, using foam tape to lift it off the page. The little acetate heart underneath was cut from the packing to an old clear stamp set, I'm not sure who by, as I have had them for about 6 years, although I am surprised I never thought to cut this out before.

Here you can see the amazing effects the masking and watercolors give to the background, along with the stamped and cotton circles.

The black metal fame is from the engraver collection, I have had it sitting there for so long, and because of it's shape (kind of like a light bulb), I never thought i would actually use it. However turned sideways, and partially under the paper with a flower in it, it looks amazing.

As always, my layouts would not be complete without a variety of gorgeous Prima flowers. I have added some of Ingvild Bolme's metal keyholes, and Finn's mechanicals for added interest. I have added the barbed wire chipboard, painted white with gesso to tie the whole page together. 

The arrows were cut from the same sheet of Cartographer paper that I have used in my layers, edged with gesso and mounted on foam tape for dimension. The two flags were also made this way.

The flowers that Prima released this time are  amongst some of my faves. They are all so beautiful! Beneath the big black flower I have added the small grey one and some rope.

I must admit though that the Ingvild Bolme lamp is one of my fave things about this page!!

This layout is definitely amongst my faves!! Thanks Prima for such an inspiring sketch to work with!! I hope you like it!! That's all from me today, though I will be back again soon with more to share!! Thanks for stopping by! Xoxox.