Using Gold Doilies with CTMH Laughing Lola

By now, I know that YOU know I LOVE all the gold accents coming to life in the paper crafting world!  Now try mixing in just a little bit of gold with some bold black and purple.  The results are stunning!

I started to create this layout last week for our Laughing Lola blog share, but didn’t get it done because I sprained my ankle… ugh, just call me Grace!!  Here’s our Hannah showing off for me last Spring while Sari was in school and Abby was napping.  I love that she’s a total ham for the camera… wonder where she gets that from?

Anyway, look at the background paper with all the teal, purple and gold swirls, flowers and paisley-like design.  I love it, but it is just a tad  bolder than I usually use for my background paper on a layout.  I recently bought some Studio Calico Mr Huey’s mist in Gold to see how it looked (and it was on clearance, score!) and wanted to try it out.  I sprayed a few areas of the paper and really loved the effect it added.  I seemed to dull the printed background just enough, but yet added that hint of gold that I adore.  

Here are a few close ups showing more of the layers and details.  One easy way to add some dimension to your layouts is to pop up your photo and other elements with some foam adhesive.  My ‘go-to’ foam adhesive is from 3L Scrapbook Adhesives ~ 3D Foam Squares.  These actually come in small, regular, white, black and several specialty shapes.  I just added them to my Etsy Shop and priced them under retail because I love them so!!  

Check out the Gold Doilies that surround my photos.  It’s actually one 4 inch Gold Foil Doily that I cut apart.  Why ‘waste’ all that prettiness by hiding it under other paper and page elements!!  Cut is apart and use it.  The gold doily pieces are a perfect way to really draw you into the layout, not just to look at it.  By placing the gold doilies around my photos I created a visual triangle… see it?!  This little trick will add focus and texture to your next project!  You can also try using the white doilies for the same effect.  Just think, white doily on a white background for a monochromatic & dreamy looking layout or white on black for some eye-popping contrast!  Try it!

You also know I love to layer… everything!  I cut apart a 5×7 glassine bag, embossed it with little polka dots and tucked it behind my photos.. oh and tucked a doily piece into it as well!  The large glassine bags will be back in stock in my Etsy Shop next weekend.  Those were great sellers before the holidays for treat bags, scrapbooking and many other crafts!  The mini & medium glassine bags are in stock now though.  Go HERE to check them out, along with some size-coordinating shipping tags. These products made a great team!  Oh, and those gold glitter dots on the right… those are actually from the Maggie Holmes Gold Glitter Alphabet Thickers!!  They’re supposed to be periods, but I think they look cuter like this.

Yes, I put the Gold Glitter Thickers right onto my photo.  It’s ok, really!  Use the ‘blank space’ of your photos to add titles, journaling or other fun elements to your project.  Plus, they’re gold {smile}.  Another cool thing many of the paper companies are doing now is adding usable pieces to their bar code strip on the end of their 12×12 papers.  CTMH is no exception.  They’ve added some fun words to the reverse side of their bar code strip like “LOOKIN FLY” seen below.

Thank you for spending your time here with me.  If you’re connected with me on Facebook, then you’re already seen some of the new scrapbooking releases from the 2014 Craft & Hobby Association Mega Show in California.  If you’re not connected with me there, go to the little social media icons in my right side bar and get connected!!

I’m also expanding my business and 2014 and have many awesome things to come!!  

See you tomorrow with a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

~ Jody