US ~My Creative Sketches - May Sketch Challenge!

I can't believe its time to reveal the May Sketch already! Winter dragged on for so long, and spring seems to be whizzing by! This months sketch at My Creative Sketches is awesome.....especially if you love banners! I was slow to love them, but I really enjoy how they look on my layouts, so I am converted!

My daughter and I spent a weekend together in Grand Forks, ND,[ NO BOYS] and had a blast shopping, eating and just rebonding! Things are a little different when your babies get married! I took these photos at the end of our shopping trip with my Iphone. I was surprised how well they turned out! This was just before we went into Michaels. [ just had to get a few scrappy goodies!]  I used a few new techniques I had seen on some layouts and figured I try them out. One is to use pieces of paper as a template and ink the edges while the paper is in the spot you want it. The result is a shadow of the paper layers, creating the effect of actual paper layers.

Here is the amazing sketch by Michelle Fowler!

Here you can see the beautiful banner I created with Bo Bunny's paper line" C' Est la vie"! I made them in 2 different sizes and layered them.  I added a row of  Pearl beads made with Viva Decor Pearl pen in cream.  To make the circle, I drew it on the paper first and then cut out parts of it [some parts are still attached, you just can't see them as they are covered with the photos] I distressed these edges and inked them with a purple distress ink.

I bought a cool new product at Michaels, which was a mixed media product that is a gel with gel beads in it. I used a Prima mask with little circles and applies this in random places.  This is so totally cool! When it dried, it dried clear and you can see the beads, AND, it changed the color of the paper under neath each spot! What a totally cool effect!  I think it really adds interest and detail to the layout!  You gotta try this stuff! I don't often add journalling, but in this case, how could I not?

I used some Prima flowers, and some Dusty Attic chippies. The white chippie pieces are parts of another piece I used on a layout called "Winter in Vienna - Vegas Style".  I added some micro beads to the hearts on the  DA piece and the rest of it is painted with with gesso and I used  Rangers Rock Candy Distress Paint over top.  When that dried I then rubbed in a bit of brown chalk ink. The leaves are DA as well and they were inked with Distress Stain and covered with the same Rock Candy Distress paint.

Just a close up of the title and a chippie sticker that comes with the Bo Bunny line I used. I hope you enjoyed some of the new techniques I used. I also hope you will be inspired to try out this sketch! You won't be disappointing! Now, head on over to My Creative Sketches blog so you can see what the other amazing designers have come up with! We are a diverse group of ladies with unique styles and we are sure NOT to dissappoint!  Please link your creation back to the blog so you have a chance to win the amazing prize that Pam is so famous for! We also showcase 3 layouts that we find particularly worthy of being showcased!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and please do come back again! It means so much to me when you do! Your comments make my day and keep me wanting to create for you!

Blessings!