Summer layout with Graphic 45's Tropical Travelogue

A tropical layout with Tropical Travelogue

I was super excited when Graphic 45 released Tropical Travelogue as a Deluxe Collector's Edition, I was waiting for that one, how about you? I love that the collection includes vivid colors as well as vintage browns that work so well for heritage layouts.

I haven't done many layouts this year, I've been wanting for good photos.  My creative process for layouts begins with a great photo.  From there I look for papers that support my photo.  Typically I look for colors that either match or contrast in a pleasing manner.

This is a picture of a great blue heron I took back in the 90's when I lived in Florida.  It was originally a slide, so I had to convert it to a photograph and the conversion does not yield the beautiful photo that it really is, but...it will have to do.

Click here to see a couple more bright tropical layouts.

How to save paper

For this layout, I wanted the embellishments to take center-stage, so I used 4 simple layers of paper.  Now you might look at my layout and think, "gosh you used the better part of 4 sheets of paper", and if you are like me, every scrap of Graphic 45 is precious and 4 sheets of paper is A LOT of PAPER.  But no, relax, 😃 I am a master paper save!  This is what it looks like behind the center blue paper.  The very bottom layer, is a coordinating color of cardstock (can't use G45 paper for a 1/4" border!) Then I cut a generous square out of the green paper to use another day.  Then the checked paper is a scrap from which I extracted another scrap for the pile!

I inked the checked layer with Distress Oxide in Peeled Paint to tone down it's brown hue.  The effect is very subtle but serves to make it a cohesive part of the layout.  Left in it's natural state, I thought it was fighting with the other papers for dominance!  Who knew that papers could carry on so?  😄

Embellishments
Graphic 45 and fussy cutting go together, so of course I had to fussy cut some of those pretty tropical flowers.  Then, to bring them to life, I added some Little Birdie flowers.  I chose blooms from several different packages of their Vivid Palette collection.

Underneath the flowers I used a Cross Stitch Border and under the photo I used the Infinite Circle Frame, both from Creative Embellishments.

The word, Fascinating, is from Creative Embellishments Magical Set.  I heat embossed all the chipboard pieces with Stampendous Rose Gold Embossing Enamel.  This is the first time I've used the Rose Gold, it's a lovely rosey color with a metallic tint, oh so pretty!

Supplies
Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue DCE

Creative Embellishments Magical Set,  Cross Stitch Border,  Infinite Circle Frame
Stampendous Rose Gold Embossing Enamel
Distress Oxide Ink Peeled Paint

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