Pages that tell a story

I have an article in this month's issue of Creative Paper, about creating pages where the background of the page actually helps convey the story.

I had a quick flick through it at the newsagent and have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. Not that I want to complain - after all, they did offer to publish my work, lol. Normally I wouldn't post my layouts until the mag has been out a while longer, but I want to share images with you that are a bit closer to what the projects look like in real life, because they all look a bit "off" in the mag.

The first couple of pages illustrate the use of paper collage to create illustrative backgrounds.

Look.
Journaling: I love watching you exploring your world. Everything is worth observing - like the 'plane that flew overhead on this particular day. OOOH! you exclaim. OOOH!

He Loves His Thomas
Journaling: Thomas, James, Percy - you know them all. You take the trucks out in the garden and fill them with stones

This next page illustrated the use of sillhouetting to "insert" your photo into the background scene you create.

I Need to Get Away
Journaling: Aah, I can almost feel the sun on my back, smell the salty sea air and taste the cocktail in my hand. See that chair there? It's mine! Yes, it's well and truly time to start planning a little getaway. This winter's been far too long. It's just a matter of deciding where to go and then that chair's all mine!


This page extended the theme of the article to using fabric on the page. It is almost solely using fabrics of some sort.

Count Your Blessings.
Journaling: Steaming coffee warms my hands as I gaze out the back windows, watching the rain fall on the garden. This new house is wonderful. A winter spent in this light, spacious home has shown me that. I'm happy. That is good.

The journaling reflects that we used to live in a really old dark house, and towards the end of each Winter, I'd grow increasingly sad and depressed. I really need light.

And, to illustrate that collage/illustrative backgrounds can be used for other projects than simply layouts, I created a shadowbox!

Joy Shadowbox.
I brought the drummer-boy ornament back from Germany with me, about 20 years ago. Last year Jamie broke him - he lost his head! I was going to throw him away, but just couldn't. He sat on the shelf in the spare room, and then I had the thought of making a home for him. Perfect solution!

Little Drummer boy is my favourite Christmas carol, and I can almost hear the beat of the drum when I see this...

pa rum pum pum pum

Ooh, it's starting to feel like Christmas!

Kathie