{scrapbook layout} cozy | using die-cut leaves

If you've been following my Week In The Life photos you might remember that a friend and I challenged ourselves to create a layout using die-cut leaves last Thursday.  Well, here's my finished layout : )

I cut my leaves using a Studio Calico cut file from October (sorry it's no longer available) out of THIS wood paper.  (Side Note:  Wilna Furstenberg also has some awesome die-cut leaves available right now ; )

I layered different colored solid papers behind the leaves with words to match my photo....
 

The positive of the words from the leaves I didn't end up using are scattered around the page to create movement....

My photo was printed on transparency so you could see the background paper (from Glitz Design) show through, and I dripped white spray paint under everything....

There are lots of puffy paint, glitter glue, and enamel dots spread around the photo to help blend the dots from the left side of the background paper....
 

As a final touch I also used some pink embroidery thread to make some french knots for added color and texture......

I just love the autumnal feel of this page!!  Thanks for taking a peek!  XO

{freebie} blog collage templates

I've been resting a bit more than normal the last couple days, so the rest of my Week In The Life photos from Saturday and Sunday will be up soon : )  In the meantime, I had a request for the template collages used in sharing my Week In The Life pics from Monday-Friday.....so, I thought it would be fun to share a freebie!

You can download these three different Photoshop collage templates HERE.

To merge your photos/images with the black boxes, use: Alt Click hovering between the photo and black box layers.  Just make sure your photo is layered before the black box.  This creates a clipping mask.  It's that simple.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask away in the comments or shoot me an email.  Enjoy!  XO

My Week In The life posts so far:

• WITL Monday 2014
• WITL Tuesday 2014
• WITL Wednesday 2014
• WITL Thursday 2014
• WITL Friday (Halloween) 2014

Note:  The font used for my day of the week titles (as shown using Thursday below) is called Blake and you can download it for free on dafont.com HERE.

{week in the life} friday | 2014

I'm falling a little behind on my photo editing but still really enjoying this Week In The Life challenge! I can't believe tomorrow (Sunday) is the last day. Taking photos throughout the days has been mostly awesome, and only a little challenging ; ) 

Since Friday was Halloween, Ryan, the puppies and I made the trip over to the Peninsula to go trick or treating with my family.  It was pretty much the best.  Here's most of the snapshots I ended up loving.  XO

My thoughts on Friday:

1. Still love riding on the ferry (the Walla Walla this time) to get to the Peninsula.
2. Don't know if I'll ever get over how beautiful the drive is over to Sequim.
3. Waiting in line to board the ferry I snapped this pick of my mask.  Ryan and I chatted, listened to music (Little Jackie), and watched a funny YouTube video.
4. Wore my Venetian mask all day.  I keep the tag on and just tuck it into the mask when it's on my head because it's made in Venice and numbered.
5. Ponyo just chillin' on our drive.  He likes to get as close to us in the front seats as possible.
6. Stopped for lunch at the Flying Pickle Cafe so Ryan could get a turkey Reuben and caramel mocha.
7. Had my little sister open her birthday present early so she could wear the leopard onesie we bought her that evening.  I also wore my new twinkle star pajamas and super soft slippers.
8. My little sister dressed up as a hippie for trick or treating.  Downtown Sequim is the quintessential charming small town experience on Halloween.  My family came across probably 20 people they stopped and said "Hi" to while we were out.
9. I had eaten recently so all I ordered was my favorite espresso drink right now.  A decaf amaretto breve.  Yummmm.
10. Large scale map from in the ferry cabin.  I'm a very visual learner so this is rad.
11. My other younger sister dressed up as The Cat In The Hat, looking as cute as ever.
12. My adorable niece dressed up as Carol, and her papa Max from Where The Wild Things Are!  Watching her face light up as we walked around downtown Sequim was the cutest ever!!  She talked a lot as she pointed, jumped, skipped and acted like a 1 1/2 year old in heaven.