Keep CALM and MAKE ART by Louise Nelson

Louise thought that the journal stickers from the Thoughts Keeper range were just perfect for the types of New Years resolutions and affirmations she would be making, and this was what inspired her to create this layout.

Materials list
7 Dots Studio
12 x 12 patterned paper – Lost & found 213
Thoughts Keeper Elements Stickers 6 x 12
Thoughts Keeper Elements Die Cuts 6 x 12
Thoughts Keeper Tags 12 x 12

Other
Donna Downey Stencil
Prima Marketing; Black Gesso, Black Wire thread, black chalk ink pad
MME black enamel dots
Staples
Black ink

Step-By-Step

Begin by creating a stencil script pattern with black gesso on patterned background cardstock as a background for photo and layered tags.

Once the stencil pattern is dry, select desired tags and die cuts elements, ink the edges using black chalk ink. Layer up in a balanced pattern to suit size of chosen photo.

Ink the edges of the photo with the same black chalk ink pad and adhere to centre of layered tags/die-cut elements.

Using black staples staple along the top and bottom edge of the photo in a criss-cross pattern, and also on small tag to the left of the photo, [as depicted above]. Ink edges of extra element stickers and journal stickers and adhere as depicted above. The square journal [title sticker] and small round date sticker have been popped up off the background with double sided adhesive foam dots.

With the wire thread form bundle of 5 loops of increasing size from approximately 3” to 10”, fix at the pinch point and for into long rounded elongated loops [as depicted above]. I first removed the square title sticker, staple the wire loops to the background where the sticker was and re glued the sticker down over where the wire was stapled.

To complete the layout add some splats of black ink around the photo and tag/die-cut cluster, and adhere some black enamel dots [as shown above].