We're almost at the end. I have one more final page for you this evening before concluding the Savvy Window Tutorial. It just so happens to be my very favorite from the album, though be warned, it does entail a bit of work and a couple additional windows that may require an unexpected hunt for actual "real-life" mini size frames. What exactly are these frames I speak of? Well, they're not entirely impossible to find as they're from an established, popular manufacturer that most of you are already familiar with - Melissa Frances. Quite a while ago, she coordinated a delightful set of white distressed pieces that have been wildly sampled and displayed by the likes of Melissa Phillips and other expert card makers. As I've watched them make multiple appearances on various blogs and magazines, I've been intrigued by them myself. At one point, I actually included a set of Melissa's frames in one of my kits. It was of a larger frame that found it's way into one of my mini albums. Since my first run-in with this particular frame, I've always wanted to experiment with some of her other frames. Sure enough, this tutorial came along and guess what?! Within a few short days, upon visiting a local scrapbook store and by sheer surprise, I made acquaintances with a freshly stocked "Melissa Frances" display arrangement that housed a plethora of her white vintagy frames. I immediately gravitated toward the set of four miniature "vintage frames". In that instant, I knew for certain they'd be the ideal direction for the last page of my album, so I brought them home with me. I'm hoping that since I was able to locate them locally, you'll also be able to locate them somewhere near you or online. They're the highlight of today's final installment of the Window Savvy tutorial!
In addition to these cute lil' windows is another frame inspired by the Polaroid Camera, a quick cardstock number that sort of happened by accident..thanks to my much neglected 2" x 2" square punch. I've posted full instructions for creating the frame a few paragraphs down.
First lets focus on building the background of the page. You'll want to use a ledger style pattern paper for this step (Studio Calico :: Roundabout - Retired?). I chose one enhanced by a vertical row of lettering. Pre-measure, trim and adhere a section of the paper to the page as shown.
I downsized my photo so that I could fit it beneath the flap of the lower half of the page. It's sized at around 2" x 2.25". Resize your chosen image either the old fashion way or on the computer and adhere it off center on top your paper.
Because the ledger pattern paper is of a neutral color, select a bold, lively pattern paper to house along the bottom of the page (KI Memories :: Sweet Life - Gumdrops). Trim it 1" in height and layer the very top edge with light blue paper and Brown Polka-Dot pattern paper (hand-trimmed using Fiskar's scallop edgers)(SEI :: Happy Day - Trick Candles). Carefully add it to your page after applying only a minimal amount adhesive to it's backside (see image above). Leave the top half of paper free of adhesive (for tucking things beneath it - acts like a flap).
Remember the quick mention of the Polaroid Frame from above? Well, here it is!! It's a wee bit on the small side, but could easily be converted into a larger size frame if your photo happens to be bigger. You won't have the convenience of a paper punch to assist in creating the frame, but that's what exacto knives are for, right?! Anyway, this Polaroid wanna-be is constructed from Vanilla cardstock. Simply punch a square from the cardstock (leaving enough room around it for trimming the actual frame) and then, carefully trim the open square area from the cardstock with your paper trimmer. Does this make sense? Man, what a tough technique to describe without photos. Punch first. Cut second.
As you probably already know, we're going to use the polaroid frame to highlight our photo. Though, before adhering the frame to the page, we need to add some items to further accentuate both the photo & frame.
Trim a small section of Pink Distressed pattern paper (Basic Grey) to fit the lower portion of the frame's opening. Use your frame as a guide for sizing and trimming the paper. Adhere the paper piece just below the photo.
Create a large flower to the left of the photo - I used a variety of elements in this step. I started out by adhering a Jillibean Soup Journaling Sprout (Pasta Fagioli - Brand New!)
I then added to it the following items: 1.5" Fuchsia circle, 1.25" Olivine scallop circle, three hand-trimmed vintage paper circles & one large fabric brad (K & Company/Amy Butler).
You're more than welcome to leave your polaroid frame "as is", though I chose not to. I added a "phrase/word" sticker to the widest part of the frame and backed it with an old My Mind's Eye transparency. Trim the transparency to size and instead of adhering it directly to the backside of the frame, adhere it to the page first with small glue dots (corners!). Use your frame for placement guidance. Don't adhere the frame yet to the page!!
You might notice that a pink flower (My Mind's Eye :: Quite Contrary - Mary Mary "Best of Friends") has popped up suddenly. Find one in your own collection that best suits your large flower and add it as shown.
Maybe you've thought to do or maybe you haven't...stamping on labels! It's not an impossible feat if you decide to try it out. Some labels have a non-absorbent, shiny surface that doesn't always take well to ink, so plan to use either "Staz On" ink or "Pigment Ink"/Embossing Powder for stamping on them. My chosen label was of course, slick and non-ink friendly. I stamped it with clear embossing ink & "Mushroom" embossing powder (Stamps :: Creative Imaginations). I then layered the label with Gray cardstock and adhered it to my page as shown.
Finally, place the polaroid frame over your photo & embellishments with strong wet adhesive. Hold it down for at least two minutes to ensure it's secure and in position.
Adhere one of Melissa Frances's vintage frames on top your stamped label - have it sit horizontally.
Create a third flower and trim it (oh yes, trim it!!) so that it sits up against the right edge of the polaroid frame. I used three misc. items to create this third flower; Green Starburst Flower (Echo Park :: Summertime collection - cardstock stickers), Pink Open Circle Chipboard Piece (Heidi Grace :: Valentine's Day - Chipboard Stickers) & Green Traditional Flower (College Press :: Sweet Shoppe collection - Sweet Shapes)
Lastly, create a fourth small simple accented circle to tuck beneath our handmade flap as shown above. The circle combination should include some Pink.
We're nearing the finish line you guys! Hang in there! Adhere two more of Melissa Frances's vintage frames as shown. Don't be afraid to add a frame on top the large size flower. It's really ok to do so and it actually looks pretty! Yay!
I introduced this white overlay product a post or two ago - it's from My Little Shoebox (Flawless collection). Trim the word "Bloom" from the overlay sheet and adhere it as shown using small glue dots.
Congratulations my friends! You have survived another one of my mind boggling tutorials. Laugh. Actually, this has been so much fun and I'm so very sad to see it come to an end. It represents a point of transition for me. I'm expected on campus at 8:30 am tomorrow morning to partake in a day of "Welcoming" festivities. All new students are required to participate in the "all day" event. On Thursday, I'll be reacquainting myself with the classroom. It's been nearly eight years since I last stepped foot in one, so it should make for an interesting day. You'll definitely hear about the experience here on my blog - so stay tuned! Wish me luck you guys! Here I go....
