Noah's Ark Layout

I took the class Art + Science of Scrapbooking quite a while ago at Big Picture Classes before they changed their format. 

Stacy Julian and Jennifer Wilson were the teachers, both favorites of mine, so I knew I would enjoy the class. There were 8 rounds of challenges, one from each instructor. One left brained on the topic and the other right brained. 

I found that Jennifer Wilson's left-brained challenges were pretty much part of my process already and it was Stacy's right -brained challenges that I found difficult. I guess that means I scrap (and live) left-brained.

For Stacy Julian's first challenge for Ideation, I was to find a piece of patterned paper in my stash that reminds me of a place or space. It couldn't be really obvious like palm tree paper or Mickey Mouse paper. 

I combed through my entire stash of paper looking. I have a lot of paper so it took me a LONG time! After the first go through, I didn't really find anything! After a second go round, I found a light wood grain patterned paper from Studio Calico's Sassafras collection that made me think of the wood at the Noah's Ark at the Skirball in California.

I had taken so many photos of the place that I knew I needed to make a photo collage to include my favorites (Photo Challenge #3 from Jennifer Wilson + computer journaling).

So the paper and the photo collage sat for probably a year, before I got the collage printed. 

I have been so busy with Project Life and December Daily albums that I haven't created many layouts in quite a long time.

Here is what came of the challenge:

When I had the photo collage printed, I knew I wanted it to fit over the two page spread. I printed it (using Persnickety Prints) on two 12x12 canvases and cut them out. I had placed other photos I wanted to scrap on the remaining space on the canvas to save me money. 

The wood grain paper I used is the banner that anchors the page. In my stash I found some original Sassafras that I had gotten as part of a kit club almost 7 years ago. Sassafras is no longer (as well as the kit club that I got it through), which makes me sad because I liked their stuff. It was time to use it up! Better to be seen on a page than lost in my stash!

After searching layout configurations from my Scrapbook Sketch board on Pinterest, I ended up a combination of a few for this layout, making one of my own.

One of the things I loved about Sassafras was the branding strip on their papers were die cut and usable on one side. Loved the doily one that I used on this page.

I had chip board pieces from this collection that were different colored woodgrains that were animals that I had 2 of, figuring it went well enough with the theme of the page.

To embellish this layout I also used a handful of Ali Edwards' stamps from travel themed sets of hers.  Some of her phrase stamps were used as borders at the top of the photo collage and bottom of the banner.

The arrow stamped sentiments were die cut with a coordinating die from Technique Tuesday, but had a 3x4 card border attached. Arrows came out a little short because of how I cut the border off, but were good enough for me. (Note to self: When cutting the border off, cut along with the arrow, not the border)

Added computer journaling to the card and added a date stamp to the memorabilia  and called this one done!

Feels good to get this layout completed for many reasons.

1. That I finished a challenge from the class that I took and paid for. 

2. That I was able to use up some awesome stuff from my stash.

3. That I (finally) created a 12x12 paper layout that I am in love with, even though it has been a while.

I actually have another 12x12 to share soon (need to photograph still) so stay tuned! 

Thanks for looking!