Hello AC fans! It’s Meghann Andrew with you, and I’m so happy to introduce my first project created with the beautiful Willow collection from American Crafts and 1 Canoe 2, and I’m sure this will not be my last. This collection, with its rich colors and natural illustrations, is right up my alley since I love to spend time outdoors. Today, I’m using Willow to document a photo from an autumn hike on an 8-1/2” x 11” layout, my favorite format.
What’s the best way to find a perfect color scheme to begin your project? Take cues from your photos! I decided to create with a complementary color scheme of beautiful rich greens and delicate pink to create my background. I created a waterfall effect of the Willow patterned paper, tearing the edges for texture using a metal ruler. I placed my 4” x 6” photo over the top of the paper layers using dimensional adhesive, and then began to add stickers and die cuts to frame and accent my photo.
The sayings found in this collection illustrate exactly how I feel about being on a trail, and this die cut quote card from the ephemera pack was the perfect element to slide under the top corner of my photo. I topped this corner with the large, green butterfly. Next, I wanted to add some greenery coming out from my photo, but the ephemera pack only included potted plant die cuts. I simply slid the pot part of the die cut underneath my photo so that the plant was the only part visible. I also cut the “this is my happy place” die cut so that just “happy place” would fit on the right side of my photo. Remember that embellishments don’t necessarily need to be used “as is” on your project!
At the base of my photo, I wanted to add a simple title, and the “refresh” word found in the ephemera die cut pack said it all! I added my thoughts underneath on a journaling card also found in the ephemera pack, and topped it with a cardstock butterfly sticker, pointing in the direction of my photo. The bottom right edge of my layout needed some kind of contrasting element, so I decided to tear the edge, folding it over and stapling it twice. Then, I backed the torn edge with a contrasting patterned paper to help that element to stand out.
With all of the paper used on this layout, I needed to add another texture! This collection includes the most beautiful copper metal charms, so after I slid another potted plant behind my photo, I adhered the metal charm above using dimensional adhesive and tied some raw baker’s twine to the top. The word “ joy” could not have been more appropriate for my photo! To finish off my page, I wanted to add smaller embellishments. The Willow stamp set included the perfect small cross, which I stamped in coordinating hues around my embellishment groupings. I finished it all off with a few of the rich Willow enamel dots to complete my page.
If you have a passion for the outdoors like me, you’ll love creating with the beautiful, new Willow collection as much as I did! I can’t wait to get more memories from the trail in my album. Thanks so much for stopping by, and a special thanks to my friends at American Crafts for having me as part of the 2018-2019 team! It has been an honor to design for this company that produces such stellar products for the past two years!
Supplies | Willow collection: Deep Breath patterned paper (AC-356073), Lush patterned paper (AC-356070), Simple Pleasures patterned paper (AC-356080), Full of Joy patterned paper (AC-356074), ephemera die cuts (AC-356087), cardstock stickers (AC-356083), acrylic stamps (AC-356084), metal charms (AC-356089) enamel dots (AC-356088); Other: Sticky Thumb adhesive tape runner (342038), Sticky Thumb dimensional foam dots (AC-340272)