CIS Sketch and Paper Paradise Challenge

I have created this page using a Liz Weber Sketch from the Crafting In Style site. I had to take the photo inside tonight and I am not a happy snapper!!!! Basically I was up in our bathroom, Layout balanced on the edge of our shelf, me crouched down on the ground and shooting upwards as this seemed to be the only way that I was able to avoid flash glare on the photos, argghhhhhhhh!!!!!! It also doesn't help the photos were pre-digital, so there is only so much you can do with them.

This is another quite simple page, as it is layering, matting and tearing.

When I saw this title the photos I knew exactly which photos I wanted to use. So I used a font nearest to the one on the sketch and printed it onto A4 copier paper, which I then sized up on the actual cardstock. I had to do this twice as the first time the writing was way too big. I then cut the cardstock to A4 and ran it through my printer. I then put the two pieces back together by matching up the cut sides and using masking tape down the back. You actually don't notice the join until it is pointed out to you, it's just before the bottom swirl begins. This of course would of been easier if my paper tearing was better and I could of hid the join behind the paper! I hope this helps anyone else wanting to give this a go, any questions do ask!

The longest part was the bling swirl, as I have done it all myself, I can't see the point of paying out a lot of money for the pre-done ones, especially as there is other stash that I couldn't possibly do without. So out with my pencil, my stash of crystals, my piercing tool, chopstick and pva glue. First of all I drew the swirls in pencil very lightly on the page, then arranged the crystals by size on the table. I then got my piercing tool, ya I know but the tip on it is perfect for applying just the right amount of glue. I traced a thin line on the pencil mark a little at a time, and proceeded to stick the crystals down as I went along. It hasn't turned out too bad, I think

Question for you all do you know of somewhere that I can buy crystals in all different colours and shapes. The Mark Richards crystals are fantastic but a little pricey for something like the above project. I bought the stash I have from the Studio 24 catalogue, but I don't buy anything from there anymore. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The wording on the sticker say: Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess ..... I thought this would be perfect as the page will be near the front of Aimee's album.



Stash Used

Card Stock - White Bazzill
Patterned Papers - Chloe's Closet - Afternoon Tea - Chai Stripe and Wild Strawberry Dot, these have been given to me by Micayla in an RAK, thank you Micayla
Pink Flowery paper - this paper feels like velvet to touch (just right for a baby page) I also received this in an RAK but this time from Kels, thank you Kels
Flowers - Large pink flower from a flower I took apart and Prima - Painterly Petals - Urban
Ink - Tim Holtz - Antique Photo
Sticker - K & Company - Brenda Walton - Princess tags
Brad - Papermania - Spring Life