Love This Girl / Pinkfresh Studio February Challenge

Happy Monday, friends!  The Pinkfresh Studio February Challenge is up, and it's all about alphas and words.  The color scheme coordinates with the new Some Days collection, which is just beautiful.  Check it out!

 

Here's what I came up with.  To create all these words, I used the Heather Lowercase Alpha Dies.  They are my favorite because you get not only the full letter with each cut, but also the thin outline of the letter. I used both on this layout, and I just love the effect.  I began by using a few of the Mini Ink Cubes that matched the Some Days collection.  I scraped each ink pad across a sheet of scrap white cardstock.  I used that to cut all the words out on my manual die cutting machine.  I wanted to create a vertical design with the words and do some matching watercolor behind that.

I used some textured white cardstock for the background, which I first coated with clear gesso to prep it for the inks.  Once that dried, I used the same ink pads to add color.  I used the packaging technique, which means I smushed the ink pad onto some plastic, added water and then pressed it down onto the paper.  I went in rainbow order.  Once that dried, I added the die cut words over it--trying to keep the colors matching.  Once I had those down, I carefully glued them all down using some of the full letters and some of the outlines.  I also machine stitched through each word to add some texture.

I fussy cut some flowers from a few patterned papers to embellish around the page and the photo.  I bent up the leaves to create more texture and dimension, and I also topped the flowers with some of the Essentials Jewels.  I used a few Chipboard Stickers and Die Cuts as well.

I created a little flower cluster down at the bottom of the layout, and I popped up some of the flowers with adhesive foam.  I just love the shadow effect that creates!

I might be obsessed with this alpha die...haha.  I love how these letters look with just the thin outline, but I also love placing the solid letters back inside the outlines.  A little off center, of course :)

I did come back in with the Liquid Watercolors here on the orange section to darken it up a bit.  I mixed the orange with the brown and it did the trick.  I used a small brush to carefully add the color since everything was already glued down.

More beautiful flowers and jewels here :)  I added some matching threads in a few places for added color and texture... my favorite!

Here are more close-up looks at the layout...

I really love how this page turned out...I think it's my favorite of the year so far :)  Be sure to join in on the February Challenge for a chance to win a $50 gift card to the Pinkfresh Store!  Definitely worth it because you NEED these alphas and jewels...woo hoo!! :D

Here's my process video where you can see exactly how I made this:

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!