Hi everyone, it's Sandra here today with a layout using March Scrapbooking Kit Spearmint Leaves. Sorry ladies (and gents?), these are all sold out, but I know there are plenty of you with this kit as it sold in record numbers. That probably has something to do with it being Amy Tangerine's Plus One collection that I am seeing everywhere right now. But I digress, so let's get into it.



I decided to have a play with Kate and Lauren's Sketch Duet challenge this month. To refresh your memory, here's what the sketch looks like


Being a traditional 12x12 scrapper, my first challenge was to make it square whilst still filling the page and keeping it balanced. I chose to rotate the sketch as I prefer to work side to side rather than top to bottom in symmetrical layouts. This meant I had to choose a portrait oriented photo, and this one of my baby son starting childcare worked perfectly with the playful papers in the kit. What a bonus that his Tshirt was the same colour as the aqua Plus One paper! I think I have to stock up on a few of those!

I thought about getting out the sewing machine to make those vertical (or in my case horizontal) lines running across the page, but then I saw the hearts on the Basic Grey paper and chose to split it up and layering the paper back together carefully. Or.... not so carefully. Don't look too close, but if you did, you'd notice that the bottom row of hearts (the red row) is actually split off from the blues. I was originally going to have 2 rows top and 2 rows bottom, but it was just looking too symmetrical for me personally, so I added an extra row to the bottom. It can be our little secret, ok? ;)

The most obvious change to the sketch is the circles... yup, mine became triangles. I decided to use them to create a type of arrow pointing towards the photo. {If I can be completely honest, I was just too lazy to pull out my circle cutter} At that point I flicked through the leftovers from older Polly kits and found some Heidi Swapp embellishments, which I just adore and use every chance I get. However that then led me to the new Heidi Swapp collection (this is exactly why it takes me way too long to finish a page). The big star screamed out to me, as I could then repeat the star shape with the wood veneers from the Polly kit. I also continued with the arrows scattered across the page - all pointing towards the photo (I knew there was a real reason I changed my circles to triangles!). I finished with the gold geo-tag and the Amy Tangerine exclusive flair, and couldn't help but add some doodling here and there also, to further create a playful tone.



Possibly one of my favourite elements of the kit this month are the wood veneer stars - they fit into each other! That gave me even more variety when sprinkling them around the page. Love, love LOVE me some stars!

Oh, one other thing you'll notice.... there's no title specifically. The journaling just ended up taking too much room. And despite the gorgeous Heidi Swapp phrases, I decided to call this layout "First Day at Childcare" and squeezed it into the top left after removing an embellishment. It might not stand out, but I've convinced myself it's ok!

Thanks for popping in. I hope you're all entering the Sketch Duet challenge too! There are FIVE prizes to be won, so what do you have to lose?! Upload your paper project that uses the sketch, then upload to Instagram tagging #pollysketchduet.

Till next time, enjoy your crafting!
Sandra x

I am inviting you to play along with our first Polly Blog Challenge. Later this week I will have my own example project for you, but since it is a recipe challenge, I thought I would give you a couple of days to think about your interpretation first.

The recipe is a pretty easy one, I think! Include the following three things in your project:
1) Coloured ink
2) Chipboard
3) The phrase "makes me happy"

The main kit flair can help with the third item. Here is a sneak of the exclusive designs you will receive if you are a subscriber to the main kit. If you want to make sure you get a set you can subscribe to the kit and receive the box filled with goodies every month, otherwise you can buy a one off kit at reveal, but there are currently only a few left with a number of recent new subscribers. I'll be able to increase numbers for next month, but there will only be a limited number of both the main and the PL kits available at reveal this month!
The winner of the monthly challenge will get Echo Park's Photo Freedom Volume II Collection Kit, which includes a set of page protectors as well as the great cut apart papers. They will also get a discount coupon for 10% off their next order with Polly, if the winner if a subscriber's they can even use the discount with their next subscription kit.

Happy Easter everyone!!

We would love to see your entry!

xx

The January challenge @ Polly! is to use the following colour swatch to create page. (You could win a $30 voucher by doing so!)
I decided to have a bit of a play with this challenge myself. (sorry for the shadowing in the photo)
I had these two photos of my Mum holding her first grand child and they matched these colours perfectly.


I have also used one of the Heidi Swapp Vintage Chic memory files. These are great for hidden journalling or more photos on a page. In this case I wanted to include another photo of my sister with my Mum & Chloe & on the blank side my Mum is going to write a letter to her first grand child. I thought it was pretty cute. You can find these file systems in the Polly! shop here.