Soft Side of Sandi: After the Storm with Sandi Clarkson

Friday, February 24, 2023

After the Storm with Sandi Clarkson

Hello, scrappy friends!

Thanks for coming by the blog today.

I know it's maybe a little early but I have something GREEN for you today. This is my little nod to St. Patrick's Day but without the shamrocks.

I remember doing a monochromatic layout about 10+ years ago in varying shades of green. Although I didn't expect to like it, I was unexpectedly pleased with the outcome. So, I thought perhaps I could do something similar in honor of Saint Patrick's Day this year. Well, the odds were in my favor, I think!

So, then I began the process of finding just the right photo and the right papers and the right chipboard. You know the drill, I'm sure. Once I found my photo, everything felt right. After looking through my papers, I opted for this stunning paper from 13 Arts Dreamland collection which blended perfectly with the mood of the photo. At least from my standpoint. Life for me right now is a swirl of emotions and difficult days. But I trust that something beautiful will come along in the days ahead.

But back to my project .... next I started choosing my chipboard pieces and was thinking along the line of flowers and flourishes, maybe a frame. However, I came up with some interesting choices that I felt were just perfect in the end. I knew that the green color palette would blend everything together but the pieces actually told a little story as I went along.

I wanted to use one of the 6x6 panels to ground my photo. I have plenty of options in my stash, that's for sure. However, the shape of the Rectangle Panel seems to be a fantastic juxtaposition for the photo and really grounded the focal area. Love that choice for this project! It was altered with Distress Paint in "Peeled Paint" and later dabbed with the same color way but in the ink format.

Rather than using a frame for my photo, I wanted something circular behind the photo and opted for the Doily 2 which was altered with Distress Paint in Rustic Wilderness and then splattered with the same in the Oxide version. Later it was dabbed slightly with a cheap cream craft paint from the big box store. This cream paint blended all my pieces together much like you could do with white gesso.

I had fairly recently acquired the sweet Daffodils 2 which were in my Flourishes and Flowers folder. I thought they would be perfect to represent beauty springing up from the ground. Or hopefully, what will spring forth in my own heart and soul as I travel this bumpy road. These were altered multiple time with Distress Oxide in Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron and Wild Honey. They were later splattered with Distress Peeled Paint Stain and inked along the edges. This was a "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit" moment. It actually turned out great and brought out similar colors from the photo. And I love using my stash!

This photo shows some details along the bottom of the focal area and you can see where I've added my title piece from the Blizzard Word Set. This was painted with the cream paint mentioned above and does bring out a few details from the photo.

I had planned from the get-go to call this piece After the Rain or After the Storm, so this accidental finding of this word amongst the Blizzard Word Set was bizarre! Just another reminder to look for the good in all situations, whether life or crafting.

Of course, I wanted to throw in some alters because there are some in the photo but I was down to just a few in my stash but went with what I had on hand! There are 2 different kinds of pieces both called Antlers in the Store, so you will need to pick these: Antlers. Either would work and are quite nice but I do love randomly tucking them into my projects! These were altered with Peeled Paint Stain and splattered with Citron Oxide and then dabbed with cream paint at the end. Love, love how they turned out!

I wasn't sure if I'd add florals to my layout but I did settle on using a couple of parchment colored ones from 49 and Market. I also tucked in some lime moss here and there. Great for added dimension.