Bella Blvd Studio Blog: Layout Tutorial by Christine Middlecamp {& TWO Chances to Win!}

{Keep reading for a great giveaway @ the end of today's post!}

Christine Middlecamp once again at the Bella Blvd blog. For this second project, the focus is that of a tutorial based on an eclectic patchwork of Bella Blvd collections and to begin showing you how to recreate it, noted below is the supply list.

Pattern Papers: Midterm Borders N’ Blocks, Sophisticates Calendars, Sophisticates Petite Pieces, Family Dynamics Tall Tags, Family Dynamics Quadrants, Family Dynamics Game Night, Sunny Happy Skies Sugar Patch, Sunny Happy Skies Creamsicle Clouds, Sunny Happy Skies Cute Cuts

Stickers: Sunny Happy Skies Alpha + Bits Stickers, Family Dynamics Alpha + Bits Stickers, Sophisticates Quattrofina Brownie & Cream alpha stickers

Chipboard: Sophisticates Ciao Chip Simply Simona Oyster alphas, Sophisticates Ciao Chip Essentials - Peep & Mcintosh, Oyster & Oreo, Apricot & Banana, Brownie & Champagne, Essentials Ice & Chlorine

Misc: Pink Cardstock, Dark Brown Cardstock, Large Chipboard Butterfly, Heart Centerpiece, Vintage Buttons, Martha Stewart Starburst Punch, Martha Stewart Floral Punch, Vanilla Acrylic Paint, Toothbrush/Paintbrush, Ruler, Brown Fine Tip Marker, Paper Towel

It’s important that the center area of the layout be of a light, neutral color cardstock because it helps offset the dark toned background cardstock. Piece cardstock papers together as shown and carefully, apply a slight brushing of vanilla paint to both the top and bottom edge of the centered cardstock. Overlap the background with the paintbrush as well. Use a tiny amount of paint during application.

The splattered paint was spontaneously added with a toothbrush. Place toothbrush directly in paint and “flick” it onto the surface of the background paper. Press a paper towel directly over the splattered paint to flatten it out a little bit.

Trim bits and pieces of patterned papers and pre-sort them next to your photo. Don’t adhere anything down until you’ve officiated each paper’s location. Adhere your photo as well.

*Note: Some of these items might get lost in the development process and that’s entirely ok. I tend to cover things up if I desperately want to add a new element of some kind to my project. This is a common occurrence for me while working and I’m fine with it happening because ultimately, it’s the business of layering.

The flower is created of various components. It includes an already open, punched area of pink cardstock, Martha Stewart transparency frame, Bella floral chipboard, vanilla, starburst circle & turquoise vintage button.

Butterflies are a quintessential addition to any layout. This one is from the retired manufacturer, Scenic Route. If you’re able to locate one of a similar size or style, paint it with pastel yellow acrylic paint and spritz it with a light coat of yellow sunflower mist. Layer it with a smaller sized butterfly trimmed from cardstock {butterfly shape tracing from a smaller chipboard butterfly} and center on top of it, an accent heart {Martha Stewart}.

Again, start adding more layers to the layout via chipboard, stickers and hand-trimmed papers. Bella Blvd. thankfully has an assortment of wonderful papers to trim from, my favorite being the Sophisticates Calendars patterned paper.

Transfer the butterfly into position with a fair amount of adhesive.

This petite combination of embellishments is a quick make-up of chipboard, stickers and hand-trimmed & punched items. Note the hidden cloud beneath the “This is Typical” saying and also, how easily and quickly it is to bring together Bella’s Sophisticates chipboard essentials! Love’em specifically for this reason!

Tara Anderson is actually the brilliant artist that innovated this brilliant, glittered flower technique and I’ve been waiting for the just the right project to try it on and wouldn’t you know it, this layout fit the bill!

Trim four varying size circles from your chosen patterned paper (I used Creamsicle Clouds from the Sunny Happy Skies collection). Distress the edges of each one with either a wide nail file or Heidi Swapp Distress Tool. Curl the edges slightly forward with you fingers and then one at a time, dip the edges into adhesive {Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive..any adhesive should work as long as it dries clear!} and a small bowl of clear glitter {Martha Stewart}. After they’ve dried, layer the circles together and embellish the newly made flower with an item of your choice. Add it to the layout.

Still a couple of more details to throw in before we conclude the project. Hand-trim the large card from Bella’s Cute Cuts patterned paper (also from the Sunny Happy Skies collection). Insert Bella’s brown gridded flower (from the Sophisticates Ciao Chipboard Essentials) just beneath it. Apply the “Discover” sticker – the final “mini collage” is complete!

Combine the two types of Bella Alpha’s to create a whimsical title that best captures the feel and theme of the layout. {I used Sophisticates Quattrofina alphabet stickers-Milk & Oreo, and the Simply Simona Chipboard alphabet-Oyster)

Just below the title, intentionally draw a series of misaligned “lines” with the assistance of a ruler and dark color marker. Add journaling to the lines and don’t worry if your handwriting isn’t perfect..this isn’t an English class :)

You’ve now a colorful presentation of Bella Blvd collections in a single layout and before even thinking of tucking it away inside an album, I insist that you keep it out on display somewhere in your home! I often find that after a layout is sheltered within an album, I quickly forget about it because I’m already quickly moving along to the next project. Because of this, I’ve a specific location in my living room where I locate the layout for a week or two. Both my son and I really enjoy peeking at it when out and about in the room.

Because the Ciao Chipboard Essentials are one of my "favorite things" {as Oprah likes to say} from Bella Blvd, Stephanie has so generously decided to giveaway a full set, that's 6 individual items (see image below), to a lucky Bella Blvd blog reader! Simply leave a comment below on today's post to enter the giveaway. ***And, just because we want to give you 2 chances to win, I'm giving away an additional set over at my blog, Retrospection--be sure to stop by to double your chances of luck ;) You'll have the weekend to leave comments; Both winners will be announced here at Bella's blog on Monday, June 20^th.

Don't forget, I’ll be rejoining you one more time with another mini album, though this one won’t translate into a tutorial per say, but it might end up being the best-in-show Father’s Day gift if you’re still on the hunt for one! Forget the outdoor gadgets, make Dad a handmade gift instead! See you tomorrow!

Comments

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Yep, gonna make one of those flowers today. Thanks so much for the instructions and I love your layout!

Posted by: Gail H. | June 16, 2011 at 05:17 AM

wow! love the layers! beautiful, would love to see the entire layout! thanks for sharing!

Posted by: Amy K | June 16, 2011 at 05:22 AM

Love the layout! Really cool stuff i would never thought about. Thanks for the chances in the giveaway!

Posted by: Matilda | June 16, 2011 at 05:27 AM

I always enjoy seeing what gorgeous layered goodness Christine comes up with. She doesn't disappoint with these guest Bella blog posts! Would like to see a photo or two of the complete layout.

Posted by: ~kellyann~ | June 16, 2011 at 05:35 AM

I always enjoy seeing what gorgeous layered projects Christine comes up with. All of her work is so gorgeous. Thank you for the chance to win.

Posted by: Crystal S. | June 16, 2011 at 05:39 AM

Love the shapes and colors of these Chips. Gorgeous layout!
Greetings from Holland :)

Posted by: Petra Coolen | June 16, 2011 at 05:42 AM

So cute and love the new technique! I'll definitely use it! Thanks for a chance to win, too!

Posted by: Kelly Massman | June 16, 2011 at 05:47 AM

I have to say the essentials are also my favorite. I just love to put them on everything...thanks for the fun giveaway...looking forward to the mini album later..

Posted by: Annette | June 16, 2011 at 05:52 AM

Love this, love Christine and thanks for the chance to win!

Posted by: Laurel S | June 16, 2011 at 05:56 AM

These would be a new product for me, have never tried the chips before! I LOVE your layout!! I wish I could layer like that!! Thank you for the step by step...I am going to give it a try!! Thanks for the chance!

Posted by: Amanda J | June 16, 2011 at 05:57 AM