Last from the main kit

I've been very careful to keep my kits seperate just so that you can see what great value both the full Quirky Kit - Observations and the Quirky Kit Lite Footnote are. I've so far managed 5 layouts and a tag from Observations and am on my third layout from Footnote. I'm hoping to end by combining them - but that might have to happen at a later date as very soon I am going to have to shut up my crafting space ready for my big move to Devon in 2 weeks time.

This layout features the new house. And as you will see I added grey cardstock and a red button to the kit. This layout was inspired in part by the May 15th Stuck sketch and Leo's card for the Resin Inspiration Daring Cardmakers challenge

I started by using a mask and swooshing two grey toned Distress Inks over it. If I don't know how to start a page then I add a background layer with paint, ink or mists and a mask and already it isn't just a big blank scary space. I inked the edges of everything, then when each piece was stuck down I went around the outside with a fine line pen (I use lovely fine tipped felt pens from Wilkinsons - 99p for 5!). I added a further line just around the inside of every piece as well. This happened because when I made the flower with my Sizzix tattered floral die, it just all merged into one until I decided to add the extra edging. The grey butterfly was left over from my preparation for the first page. The red butterfly was a plain wooden one but I pressed it into a red Distress Ink pad.

 And you can see one of three little circles of tulle that feature on the layout but are VERY hard to photograph!

 The little white dots come from the American Crafts thicker pack.
I've had some lovely comments about my layouts - thanks so much! Including some about my hand writing. My writing was terrible as a child until a teacher suggested I start again with printing and then move on to joined up at the age of 14. It did the trick. I think it is important to use your handwriting on pages even if you don't like it (and sometimes I still think mine looks a bit messy) so that it makes a page uniquely yours.  If you are still not sure about it, why not try this technique? I  look round the web at stamp sites that have fonts I like and then try to reproduce them! I find that if I cut strips of paper to 1cm high, it makes my printed writing neater. As on this example

I can now write like this pretty quickly, without having to refer to an alphabet chart. It makes a fun change from my usual scrawl!
I'll be back soon with my first Footnote page, which also features the new place I'll be moving to