Create 12x12 Layouts to Document your Memories with these Tips & Video Tutorial

Hello, G45ers!

 We have a Friday double feature with lovely layouts from Einat Kessler and Kathy Clement. First up, Einat shares her Little Darlings, full of beautiful fussy cut details. This layout is a perfect example of how much interest you can add to a project, even with working with only the Graphic 45 pages themselves. Next, we have Kathy with her terrific Typography layout. Her layout features tons of fun embellishments including chipboards, tags, metals, ribbons, and peacock feathers and balances all the elements and paper sizes perfectly with a clean and thoughtful design. Check out her 60-second tutorial to make your own. Before we begin, it is time to announce this weeks blog prize winner. 
 

This week's winner is, Sue Kendrick! She commented on the blog to say, "I can't wait to start my Christmas cards and tags with Winter Wonderland!  Thank you for the chance to win. " Congratulation, Sue. Please email info@g45papers.com to claim your prize. 

This week’s prize package included our Winter Wonderland collection’s 12x12 Paper Pad, Patterns & Solids Pad, Ephemera, Chipboard, and Tags & Pockets, along with Staples - Deep Square Matchbook Box, Metal Claw Feet, and Knockers, a $84 value!  

Mother Daughter Scrapbook Layout

By Einat Kessler

“Hi, dear crafty friends, Einat Kessler here with a new project for you! I haven’t been creating layouts recently, but I decided to start again because it’s fun and I like it…
 

Little Darlings has been one of my favorite collections, but I just didn’t have the right photo to create a page with. Recently an old family relative has passed away and she left me old black and white photos of friends and family most of whom I don’t even know.

I found one perfect photo to finally create a page with this beautiful collection. What I love about Graphic 45 papers is that you don’t need anything other than the papers to create a layout. I fussy cut images from different papers of the collection and layered them on the page.

Tip #1: When layering papers and images on a layout use chipboard pieces to create dimension for each layer.

 

Tip #2: When using people or animal images position them in a way that their face or look is facing the photo, as if they are looking at it.

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Little Darlings 12x12 papers

• Scraps of chipboard

I hope you liked this layout and thanks for stopping by.”

~Einat

Ciao Bella Layout

By Kathy Clement

“Hello, G45’ers!  I know lots of paper crafters (particularly us card makers)  struggle when it comes to creating a 12x12 layout.  It can be intimidating to work with such a large area.  Today, I want to share a simple “recipe” for a 12x12 layout that you can make in a snap.  It took me longer to edit the photos for this Ciao, Bella Typography Layout than it did to make the project!  

I took this photo of our daughter Liz on one of our jaunts to the North Carolina Mountains.  Ever since she was a little girl, my nickname for her has been “Bella” which means beautiful in Italian.  It just seemed to suit her, and the pet name has stuck.  I love that the 4” x 6” Typography Journal card is titled “Ciao, Bella.”  That was the inspiration for this layout.

Hidden journal elements are always fun to add to a layout.  I elevated this photo with cardboard strips,  creating a pocket for this fun hidden journaling tag cut from the 12x12 paper pad.  You will need to cut the tag down a little to fit it to the Standard Black Staples tag, but that is easy work.  Use a ¼” corner rounder punch to shape the corners and you’re all set!

If you don’t have Typography in your stash, you can easily substitute any of G45’s fabulous paper collections.  The background layer in this layout is from the 12x12 pad.  The photo rests on a sheet from the 8x8 pad.  I like the contrast provided by the different sized text.

This bold sentiment panel from the 12x12 pad pops off the page and helps to frame the photo.  I brushed Rusty Hinge Distress Paint on the Staples Vintage Metal Door Plate, then attached it with the matching brads.  
 

Tip: An easy way to create dimension in your layouts is to layer small chipboard elements.  I layered this typewriter “e” (for Elizabeth) on top of the chipboard button to make it stand out.  It also fills in the corner created by the photo, the Cial Bella tag and the sentiment panel, uniting all three.

Tip: Place a block of styrofoam packing behind the paper, then place the Door Plate where you want it.  Use a piercing tool to punch the holes.  Then, add the brads.  This holds the door plate in place nicely, and makes easy work of adding the metal piece to the layout.

Chipboard elements make great frames.  I tucked this sentiment from the 8x8 pad into the open center, then backed it with cardboard before hot glueing it over the peacock feathers.  The black satin bow helps draw the eye to the sentiment, and it also balances the sentiment on the opposite side of the layout.  

Tip: Borders are a quick and easy way to frame an image.  These 3 borders are from the 8x8 collection.  The number stamps border is backed with cardboard and layered over the center of the larger border.  The sentiment border beneath the photo is also backed with cardboard.
 

I’ve prepared a simple 60-second video tutorial showing you how I built this layout from the ground up.  

Ciao Bell Layout Tutorial Fast Flick Video

I hope I’ve inspired you today to break out your photos and create a beautiful memory with Graphic 45 papers!” ~Kathy

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Typography 12x12 Papers
  • Inspire
  • Imagine
  • Journey
• 8x8 Papers
  • Journey
  • Dream
  • Typography
• Chipboard
  • Circular Frame
  • Button
  • “e” Typewriter Key
• Staples
  • Black Tag
  • Metal Door Plates and Knobs

Other Supplies:

• Peacock Feathers
• Rusty Hinge Distress Paint (for the Door Plate)
• Black Satin Ribbon
• Foam tape or cardboard packaging for layers
• Hot Glue Gun/adhesive of choice

Graphic 45 Layout Pinterest Board

Thanks for joining us in taking a look at these layouts by Einat and Kathy. Whether you keep it simple with paper or love to add all the other embellishments, Graphic 45 is here to help you make the best layouts possible. Thanks so much to Einat and Kathy for showing us how it is done! We will back next week with more great projects and, of course, chances to win!

Happy Papercrafting!