Willow Lane meets random!

Apart from the beautiful papers, embellishments and ephemera, one thing I especially love about scrapbooking is random and Willow Lane does random so well!
Crate, and especially Maggie Holmes latest collection ‘Willow Lane’ does random so well. When I saw the panda layered chipboard sticker I knew this collection would suit me right down to the ground.
Featuring so many colours, it isn’t simply a case of if you like pinks, then this collection is for you.

I was so drawn to the unicorn layered chipboard sticker, I basically designed my first layout using it as the inspiration for the scheme! I finally got to use a photo of two of my step-daughters sunbathing… I’ve always thought it was a cute image but struggled to use it. Blue, coral and purple isn’t a typical scrapbooking combination.

I cut into the Melody paper for a couple of phrases and then used a selection of the ephemera and chipboard to embellish with.
It’s hard to see, but some of the ephemera is embossed, a really subtle but effective way of adding detail… I like it a lot!

Surprisingly I can hoard! So rather than save the stunning sequin flowers for yet another ‘rainy day’, I did actually use one!
And a recent convert to the Tim Holtz Oxide Inks, the surround around the clouds uses the Mermaid Lagoon colour.

The second layout uses another photo that I’ve been struggling to scrap, but the array of papers in the 6 x 8” pad enabled me to do an ombre of colours, from peach, through to purple and blue, then finishing with teals and greens…

Again, the Oxide Inks were a fabulous addition. They blend so well together. Once dry, you can splatter with water and hey presto, you achieve yet more tone on tones…
I used Tattered Rose, Seedless Preserves, Shaded Lilac, Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass and Evergreen Bough and in that order to work with the papers.

Along with ephemera, chipboard and stickers, I got to use the panda layered sticker, much to my delight!
For the last layout, the same thing happened again! A photo that I thought I would struggle to scrap came together so easily. With three key colours – red, amber and green, which retrospectively reminded me of a traffic light, I backed the cut file with some of the 6 x 8” papers.

The photo was taken outside the Moulin Rouge in Paris… Jackie, Julie, Sheena and I all went. I’d been a couple of times before but the others hadn’t. During the show, little ponies come on stage, which surprised the others!
Along with the chipboard ‘galloping’ horse and the 6 x 8” paper, it was a foregone conclusion that I had to use them.

I finished the layout with other chipboard stickers including the oversized word ‘Always’, adding stickers, foam stickers and ephemera. Unlike me, I did cut into the Kind Heart 12 x 12” sheet for the three hearts and the accompanying bows, made with a die, came from the 6 x 8” paper pad.

I’m now going to consider other photos that I’ve struggled to match papers too. The fab Willow Lane collection has enabled me to use three photos, all of which I’ve struggled to scrap before.
Until next month…