Hello and a Surprise

Here is my entry for the Let's Get Shabby contest #23.

The photograph is my sister when she was 3 years old.  This layout is the fourth in a series of vintage family layouts I am working on in 2011.  (Since the picture was taken back in the 50's, I guess we have to call it vintage!)

The layout started out to be a more traditional heritage style, but something strange happened while I was working.  After I distressed and Glimmmer - misted the background paper, the little girl in the picture just called out for a more colourful and free-form style.  Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing - the elements virtually selected themselves.  I found myself adding butterflies, bright flowers, and metal design elements.

It really isn't my usual style at all.  I don't know what kind of style this layout is.  Little bit vintage, little bit shabby, little bit steampunk?

More Surpises in Creation Process
I put it all together and took it apart many times.  Once I was finished, I hated it.   So I left it alone in my scrap room for a day or two.  When I looked at it again, I loved it - surprise!

And I didn't intend to enter a contest, either.  By chance, the first website I visited after  I loved the layout was Let's Get Shabby, and the aqua and rose colours are the main basis of this particular challenge.    It just would seem wrong NOT to enter now that everything has lined up like this.

This was a lesson in "you just never know".  The creative life does makes for some really interesting experiences!  I will keep you posted if anything else happens.
Thanks for stopping by.

Fran

materials list:

Bo Bunny papers (Timepiece)

Dusty Attic chipboard butterfly

Tim Holtz Ideology metal elements

Bo Bunny (Gabrielle) stick-on lettering

Tattered Angels Chalkboard Glimmer Mist (Chocolate)

Ranger Distress Inks