Summer Looks Like Reading

It's week # 2 at Dixie Pieces and this week's challenge involved a blue, green, white color scheme and handcutting (aka fussy cutting).
I used a digital template to create my photo collage, but had to print them on 4x6 paper because I have yet to order more toner for the wide format printer. It actually worked out quite well, and the individual photos allowed me to pop dot a couple off the page for added dimension. I also improvised when it came to printing the journaling and part of the title (summer looks like). I cut the green BG at a place where the seam would be covered by the turquoise paper and ran it through the manual feed of a regular 8 1/2 x 11 printer. Worked like a charm!

Here's how I created the handcut title. Type text (reading) in word with a block style font. Flip it horizontally to create a mirror image. Change font color to a light color. Print onto cardstock. Type a bunch of text (I used some quotes about books and reading that I found online). Run a test print to be sure it will cover all areas of your word from first step. Run cardstock back through the printer to add text to the back side of your word (this will actually become the front). Use an Xacto knife to cut out the letters. Voila! Custom made letters for very little cost!

Now, to be perfectly honest here, I did let my layout get a little out of hand. There are secret items associated with each week of this contest. Items that no one knows about, but if you include them on your page you get extra points. So in the back of my head I kept thinking that each thing I add to my layout could be a secret item (ie. chipboard, the paint on the roof, the glittery accents, ribbon, metal staples, jumbo eyelet). I got a bit carried away in the embellishment department, ending up with a layout that's a bit busier than I am used to . I like a bit of a breather when I look at a layout--a little spot to rest your eye and take a break. This page doesn't have that, but it sure was fun to glob it on thick!