Deconstructed Layout #5 - Then and Now | The Flamingo Chronicals: Deconstructed Layout #5 - Then and Now

Deconstructed Layout #5 - Then and Now

Hi blogging buddies!  Today
and I have another Deconstructed Layout to share with you!

Today we are going to talk about adding background texture to your layouts
using stencils, stamps, paste and colors.

Here is a look at my layout
and, yes, that is me in the layout- both before and after. Quite a change, isn't it!
Now, you know I like to have a lot of  "stuff" on my layouts,  but I 
am really trying to make them more flat so I can get more than 10 in an album!
So I added a lot of texture to this layout without adding a lot of bulk.
I have used My Mind's Eye papers, lots of Faber-Castell® products, 
my Cameo, Wendy Vecchi Stamp, Maya Road Ribbon. 

Start out by stamping randomly on the page, I inked my stamp
with a Stampers Big Brush Pen in black, then misted it with water before stamping.
I only inked a small part of the stamp each time. You can see that the image is dependent on 
how much water you mist onto the stamp, less water equals a cleaner impression, more
water equals a messier impression- totally up to you.

Next up, I cut a small slice off the end of my Gelato® stick and added water
(I normally use a craft mat, but here I was working on a large piece of clear plastic that my 
die cut chipboard came in, you just can't see it in the photo)
Mix the Gelato and water into a thin, runny paste, and flick it onto the layout using
a stiff paint brush.  

Next use a stencil and Modeling paste to add another layer. 
I have no idea why I have no photo of this!

While your paper is drying, grab a large Die Cut Chipboard piece and apply a coat 
of gesso. (I didn't apply the gesso on this cardstock, I just used the cardstock to get a better photo)
This chipboard is Blue Fern Studios. 

When I apply paint, gesso or whatever to a large piece, I always get a bunch on the bottom
of the piece, so I take the chipboard and put it onto a plain piece of cardstock- this will take
the excess gesso/paint off the bottom of the chipboard AND start another background page 
I can use later.

 I colored some of the flowers with my PITT® Pastel Pencil, I put down a HEAVY coat
without smoothing it out in any way. Notice how grainy the texture is here.

I then used a small paint brush and baby oil to smooth the color out.
It seriously looks about 100 times better in person- I could not get my camera to
take a good photo of this. It has a sheen to it, and it is a little darker once you add the oil.

I used a variety of mediums to color my chipboard when it was dry; Stampers Big Brush Pens,
PITT® Pastel pencils, Metallic PITT® Artist Pens, and Gelatos®.
Rub a little bit of your Gelatos directly onto you work surface, mist it with water and combine to 
form a workable paint. Using a paintbrush you can paint the smaller pieces. I used Gold Gelatos to paint the bows on the chipboard in this same manner.
Once I had everything colored the way I wanted it, I added a coat of Faber-Castell® Glaze to
the entire piece. 

Mix more Gelatos® with water- you want this one pretty runny

Use your ribbon to soak up the color- using this technique you can color your 
ribbon any color you need to match your layout.

I used my Cameo to cut my title, then I added white accents. I also
used a Pastel Pencil to add more depth to the edges- a Watercolor Pencil will
work in the same manner for this technique. 

Here are a couple of close ups of my layout
Here you can see the modeling paste I applied- when it was dry I used a sponge to apply
Gelatos® directly to the paste to give it a light color.


I thought it would be cute to add my dates to the titles of each photo-
just another way to show the passing of time. 

I am linking up at the following challenges:
Lasting Memories- Make your own background
Scrap Our Stash- Something old,, something new  (paper is older than 6 months, chippie is new,
title is fussy cut and I used the color blue!)
Stuck! Sketches- sketch challenge
(I rotated the sketch and added another photo instead of journaling)


Thanks so much for making it to the end of the post today!
 To see more details on this layout, check out my blog.







19 comments:

  1. Utterly fantastic, Anita!! I just LOVE what you did with the rose wreath!

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  2. Wow this is so gorgeous! Love what you did with your background, so glad you shared the info! and thanks for linking up with Stuck?!

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  3. Love how you took the sketch and ran to make it your own! Woo!Hoo! Awesome work and great tutorials! Thanks for playing along with us at Stuck?!

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  4. Fabulous layout and I love the detail work in your background. Thanks for sharing the wonderful tutorial and your creative process.

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  5. Fantastic page! I love it! Thank you so much for playing along at SOS!

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  6. This has got to be the most intricate and beautiful background I have ever seen!! I've seen this done in a digital sense... but the actual paper and stencils and gesso and everything make it come to life!! This is so great! Quite the transformation with YOU as well! GREAT work!! That is so awesome!! I know it's easy to give up or not try... so good for you for sticking with your plan and hard work! Thanks so much for joining us at Lasting Memories this week! Again LOVE your layout!!

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  7. oh wow, incredible page, beautiful! I love the layers of texture they work so perfectly together. Thank you so much for the tutorial, Im bookmarking this page for future use. Very creative, amazing! thank you for sharing with us at lasting memories.

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  8. Amazing page and background! Awesome job meeting the requirements of the Stash Challenge at Scrap Our Stash! Thank you for linking up with us!!!!

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  9. Fabulous background work and thanks for the details! Great take on the sketch by making it your own! Thanks for playing along with Stuck?!

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  10. This is such an fantastic background! The whole LO is fantastic!
    Thanks for joining us at Lasting Memories

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  11. What a wonderful layout! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm not great with DIY backgrounds, but I may try more thanks to you!

    Thanks for joining us at Lasting Memories

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  12. Just gorgeous page! love the background and great job on the challenges! Thank you so much for joining us at Stuck?! and Scrap Our Stash!

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  13. Wow!!! Absolutely gorgeous layout and gorgeous YOU! Congratulations on the loss and determination - you look amazing!!! I love your take on the SOS challenge too! Thanks for playing along with us at Scrap Our Stash! :)

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  14. Wow! This is so amazing! Amazing work on the background and I love every element on your page. Thank you for joining us at Scrap Our Stash.

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  15. Love all of your techniques you applied here, totally cool! Thanks for playing along with SOS!!!

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  16. Fantastic background! Love all the texture too. Thanks for joining us at Stuck?!

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  17. I LOVE the page, but what an awesome layout to share! SO motivating and inspiring! I love the descriptions of all your layers and process...really awesome! Thanks for playing along with Scrap Our Stash!

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  18. great life story and lots of hard work! awesome layout, loving all the geltaos and the burlap (my strange addiction) and all the blues! Kate (Scrap Our Stash)

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  19. All the mixed media is very cool! Thanks for playing along at Scrap Our Stash!

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