Laura's Not So Happily Ever After

Sometimes we have pictures of those we loved in the past, but the romance didn't work out. The stories are part of our lives, and I think they should be scrapped, too. That was the case with this wedding photo. I had taken the picture out of the frame on my desk, but I didn't want to throw it away. It was beautiful. There were good and bad memories attached, so I decided the personal journaling needed to be hidden.

To start with I created a pocket on the back of the page using Scor-Tape around the two sides and bottom of the paper I chose (I used some scrap card stock since it wouldn't be seen). Next I used my Storybook Cricut Cartridge to cut out my title in and the shadow. Since my card stock was thick, I used the high pressure with the slow setting. I find this works best when cutting intricate items. I also cut my heart accent and shadow using the same cartridge. They may be hard to see, but I also cut some random marquee cuts from the Storybook cartridge to use behind my photo.

I really wanted a vintage, layered effect to capture the romance of that day.

Next I cut some random scalloped circles using Nestabilities and Spellbinders Dies. I wanted, again, a variety to obtain my layered effect. I inked the edges of each using my Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Rose and Tea Dye. They were so easy to soften using my blending tool and some scraps of flannel material.

I cut a square piece of card stock for my "notebook" page approximately 5" x 7". I punched the border to mimic a notebook page torn out and inked the edges again using Tim Holtz Distress Inks to give it a vintage feel.

I raided my great-grandmother's and grandmother's button boxes for ribbon, lace, tulle, and of course buttons. I prepared my paper flowers using self-adhesive rhinestones from Cutter's Creek in ice blue, yellow/green, and soft pink.

I cut my butterfly from printed card stock. I layered two together to get the dimensional effect using my Zig Two Way Glue Pen. I added in self-adhesive pearls in champagne to complete the look. The edges were tipped with Diamond Stickles.

To make the paper clip accent over my photo, I layered two small Nestabilities scalloped circles over a paper clip. I held them in place using a 1/2" Glue Dot. I chalked the edges using my Pebbles Shimmers Chalk. I attached two paper flowers using 3/8" Glue Dots and then added my self adhesive rhinestone center.

I also used the Pebbles Shimmers Chalks to accent my cut-outs. I really wanted a sparkly yet slightly vintage feel to the layout.

My photo is 5"x7". I cut the green card stock mat 5.5" x 7.5 inches. I punched my photo corners, and adhered my photo using my Glue Arts Permanent Glue "gun". I used my Zig 2 Way Glue Pen to affix my heart and title die cuts to their shadows. Next. I began layering my card stock pieces, Nesties cuts, laces, ribbons and tulle using my Glue Arts Glue Gun. I placed my photo and mat on the page using my Glue Arts Gun, and then I added my sewing trims around the photo mat using my Zig 2 Way Glue Pen. I affixed my flowers and buttons using my 3/8" & 1/2 " Glue Dots. I slid my paper clip accent over the photo mat and held it in place using a 1/2" Glue Dot.

Lastly, I added my title and heart cut outs using my Zig 2 Way Glue Pen. My final touch was the butterfly using a 3/8" Glue Dot.

I always change and use the adhesives that best suit my project and materials. The Zig Pen, Glue Arts Adhesives and Glue Dots are my favorite stand-bys for almost any project.

Lastly I typed out my story of how my marriage didn't end so happily ever after, but the day itself was wonderful and so memorable at the time. I did reminisce a bit about how we have such hopes and dreams one day, and how our lives can change in an instant. Since the journaling was so personal, I hid it in the pocket behind. I added ribbon to be able to pull the journaling up to read. You can see it at the top of the layout.

Products used in this project from Cutters Creek:

Cricut
Cricut StoryBook Cartridge
Spellbinders Scalloped Circle - Small
Spellbinders Scalloped Circle - Large
Pebbles Shimmers Chalks
Ranger Diamond Stickles
Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks
Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator
Self Adhesive Rhinestones
Self Adhesive Pearls
Glue Dots
Glue Arts Glue Gun
Zig 2 Way Pen

Remember, sometimes it is okay to scrapbook a love gone bad. It is part of what made you who you are~ Happy Valentine's Day!