friends

not only is this paper fabulous with their denim designs, but all of the quotes on their design sticker sheet are related to friends and friendships. that really helped me narrow down my photos and options! one of the sheets of patterned paper has a fabulous chevron stripe on one side and cool stitching on the other.  i would LOVE a denim quilt made to look just like that paper. it would take me a decade or so...but wouldn't it look awesome?!

see the details @ Authentique Paper

i have made a couple of denim quilts. just basic squares. we use them all of the time. i planned to make more, so actually have a collection of denim stashed in a box. which is good...i figured it would be fun to involve REAL denim with the layout....and i may have resorted to cutting apart one of Aidan's holey-kneed pairs!



on this page we will use a large chunk of denim and tissue paper wrap to bulk up our photo mat. i have been so inspired by a number of layouts in the galleries who have done this type of technique. as well as the loose and loopy thread ends.

i cut up the stripes and spread them out across this page. it breaks up the busy pattern slightly. as much as i loved both patterns, this one had the best colouring for the papers.



i did see a layout where they cut out the ticket. i can't remember if it was placed on an entirely different background, or put together like i did here. regardless, i loved it and had to copy. i also carried on that chevron background to this side as well.

and my brand spankin' new Silhouette had to play a role. it is difficult to see in the photos, but i cut out a background pattern of stars into the faded denim paper. i wanted to carry on the star theme from the other page, but in a new way. i was even able to use the stars that were cut out. the title was also designed in the Cameo design studio that comes with the machine. this is one of my most favourite features!



the denim stars were cut using my Vagabond and a Sizzix die i'm borrowing from my mother-in-law. i think the Cameo can cut thick materials like denim...but i am not about to cut an entire class set with mine! i have the Vagabond and a great steel die...so it also does the trick with minimal effort.



Sandra reminded me about this technique when i was looking at the papers. she was so right! a banged up brad really looks so smart with the distressed looking paper. a tool like the texture hammer would easily take care of that. but i often use my crop-a-dile to make a mess of materials like this. i even had it out to set an eyelet in the layout.



we can't use denim without adding some stitching. so i brought out the sewing machine. and my handy dandy Vagabond to create some fake embossed stitches.

i was so happy to have found photos of my kids and a few of their friends....all wearing blue jeans! they were also rocking out their smiles on a bridge over a local duck pond. which they had ridden their bikes to.

i didn't add personal journaling. the letter sticker sheet we will be using had some mini-quotes on it. i discovered that the quote i felt fit the photos best actually had more words to it. so i used the letter stickers to complete it:

"friends are stars that make life sparkle. 

you do not always see them, 

but you know they are always there!"

i'll share a tutorial this week on the steps to create the vintage hand-painted appearance. it is from an old (2007) Creating Keepsakes digital scrapbooking special issue. in the meantime, here is a tutorial for Photoshop - the full version. you can also adapt it for Photoshop Elements. there is just one step that you will need to adjust to accommodate the different version.