Step-by-Step: Autumn Splendor

These photos of my daughter were taken at a local farm where we had gone to pick pumpkins, gourds and other fall decorations. We had beautiful weather that day, but unfortunately the images were taken in mid-afternoon sun causing most of the autumn beauty to be overexposed.

By using a combination of fall-colored patterned papers and embellishments, I was able to re-capture the theme in a collage that helps the viewer identify with the season. Here is how I did it.

Supplies:

• Bazzill cardstock
• Scenic Route and K&Company patterned papers
• Making Memories frame
• Making Memories Antique white hinge and fall definition
• Making Memories brads
• Prima flowers
• Stickopotamus ruler sticker
• Melissa Francis seasons sticker
• Hero Arts rubber stamp
• Creative Impressions leaf brad
• C-Thru Ruler Company rub-on title
• Pebbles Inc. leaf sticker
• Clearsnap chalk ink
• Sakura Micron pen

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of red Scenic Route paper 6 ½" by 11". Tear off the bottom ½" and attach the paper 3/4" down from the top edge of the cardstock.
2. Next, cut a 5" by 6" piece of blue polka dot K&Company paper and attach it 3/8" from the bottom edge of the cardstock and 1 ½" in from the right edge.
3. Use a 1 1/4" by 11 ½" strip of the Scenic Route striped paper across the center of the layout 5 ½" down from the top edge.
4. On the right side of the layout, attach a 4" piece of ribbon 5/8" down from the top of the striped patterned paper, allowing enough ribbon to be wrapped around to the back of the layout and secured with glue dots or tape.
5. Attach the first photo 1 ½" down from the top edge and 2 1/4" in from the right side. Then place the second photo 3 5/8" down and 2 1/4" in from the left edge, overlapping the first photo.
6. Cut the definition sticker to desired length. Mine was cut at 4 ½". Place it across the photo, lining it up with the bottom of the ribbon. Then cut the ruler sticker and repeat the previous step, this time lining it up below the definition. Finally, place the season sticker below the ruler sticker, 5/8" in from the right edge.
7. Use chalk ink and the Hero Arts circle stamp to encircle the word "fall" in the season sticker. Stamp a circle on the left edge of the blue polka dot paper and two additional circles on the top left corner of the red Scenic Route paper. Add a leaf brad between the left edge of the seasons sticker and the right edge of the photo.
8. Mount the Pebbles Inc. leaf sticker onto white cardstock and trim, leaving an 1/8" border. Place the sticker 1" in from the right edge of the cardstock overlapping the blue polka dot paper.
9. Using a pair of metal cutters (or strong shears), carefully cut the frame diagonally from corner to corner. Tap the cut edges with the cutters to fold over any sharp edges. Then expose the adhesive on the back of the frame and place it on the lower left edge of the second photograph.
10. Using a paper piercer, poke a hole in the cardstock and the frame. Attach the Prima flowers with brads.
11. Next, adhere the hinge to the top of the right photo using glue dots or other adhesive of your choice.
12. Finish the layout by adding the journaling with a black pen and rubbing the edges of the 12" x 12" cardstock with chalk ink.