Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Life in Bloom - Life is a Journey

Hello,

It's Claire here today, and this month I am going to be creating with the Simple Stories Simple Vintage Life in Bloom collection. 

This gorgeous collection has been re-released and is back by popular demand. I didn't purchase any of this collection during its first release and instantly regretted it.  Having got a second chance, I couldn't wait to create with it and wow! It really is stunning!!

Upon first glance, you'd probably say this was quite a summery collection, but I really wanted to create an autumnal layout - No problem - this collection has it all!!

To start, I grabbed a sheet of Bazzill White Cardstock and applied a thin coat of clear gesso as I planned to add mixed media.

In the meantime whilst the gesso dried, I made some maple leaves following this video I found on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=All296p9kk4&t=8s

I selected two papers from the 6x8 Paper Pad. It has some really beautiful patterned papers - one pink and orange Gingham, and a newspaper print which were perfect to create the leaves.

To add definition and help them stand off the page, I inked the edges of the newspaper print in pink and orange Distress Oxide, and outlined the gingham leaves with a black Sharpie.

I lay these in a vertical cluster down the page and drew lightly around the edge so that I knew where to place my mixed media. For the pink and orange leaves, I used pink and orange watercolour, and for the newspaper print, I used black paint.

To give an extra pop of colour, I cut some smaller leaves with a die, using the turquoise paper again from the 6x8 paper pad.

I folded and curled the leaves to create a rustling leaves feel to the page. I adhered the large maple leaves with foam to create dimension and movement, and lay the blue leaves flat, adhering just the base to the page with Glossy Accents. This allowed me to bend the tops of the leaves up to give some extra interest.

Next, I took my photo which I had made into a circle so it would sit nicely amongst the leaf clusters, and backed it on a piece of the  Black Gingham paper. I love the pop of black against these brighter colours. It really helps bring my photos to life.

For my title, I reached for the Foam Stickers, using this big Bold Life piece to help tie in extra black into the layout.

Alongside this, I added an extra foam sticker saying 'is a journey'. I thought this would be appropriate as the changing leaves and arrival of a new season always chimes as a new chapter and it also seemed fitting for my photo, where my dog is zooming off into the woods, ready to start a new adventure! 

For a small extra detail, I wanted to add a pop of green, echoing the photograph, so took this small butterfly from the Sticker Book, adhering flat straight to the page.

I mirrored this with a small leaf sprig from the Floral Bits & Pieces on the right had side of the design to balance the colours.

Just above the leaves, I also added a butterfly from the Foam Stickers, nestled in amongst the leaves. 

I splashed some ink using Black Nuvo Drops and some Shimmerz Vibez around the page, and added three decorative brads sprinkled across the design to add an extra bit of interest. Really love these, the silver edges really catch the light.

To anchor the design, I felt like it needed a border, so I gutted the Make Time paper and trimmed 1/4" from around my white cardstock, mounting it onto the border piece. This paper works so well as it contains all the colours from the layout and really helps to pull it all together.

As a finishing touch, I added a black doodle border around the edge.

I hope you've enjoyed this layout and it's inspired you to check out the collections you have in your stash that may not be specific to the season. I had great fun making this one and look forward to coming back with some more projects later this month.

In the meantime, you can check out this collection in full here.

See you then!

Claire xx

@scrappysoulmate