Layout: Think
Technique: Gesso Patterned paper
Ronda Palazzari
www.rondapalazzari.com
http://rondapalazzari.typepad.com

Supplies: Patterned Paper (DCWV), Cardstock (Bazzil), Watercolors (Sakura), Scissors (EK Success), Stencil (The Crafter’s Workshop), Baker’s Twine (Lawn Fawn), Pen (Sakura), Gesso (Golden), Adhesive (3M, Helmar), Black Ink (Ranger Ink), Other: Ruler, Paint Brush, Butterfly print, cosmetic sponge, palette

Technique Directions

1. Begin by watering down some gesso to create a wash.  Paint this wash over the patterned paper and let it dry.
2. Using a waterproof pen, doodle shapes onto your watercolor paper.  You can also trace, stamp, or use a doodling template to create the shape. 
3. Paint in the shapes using watercolor and let it dry.  You can also use spray inks, watered down acrylic paints, or translucent markers.
4. Cut the shapes out of the patterned paper to use on any project, layouts, cards, or other craft projects.

Layout Directions:

1. Begin by sponging some watercolors through a stencil onto cardstock to create a dynamic background for your photos. 
2. To create a label shape out of patterned paper, trim down the patterned paper to a smaller rectangle.  Use a small round punch on the corners removing a quarter of the circle to create the ticket like shape. 
3. Next layer trimmed down patterned paper pieces onto your background beginning with “things to do” patterned paper, then black patterned paper, and finally the blue patterned paper.
4. Layer in the unique gesso patterned paper elements two-thirds down the page.
5. Add your photograph to the patterned paper layers, letting some of the leaves layer on top of the photo. 
6. Cut out some flowers from some patterned paper to use as accents.  Add pearls, rhinestones, or other bling to the center of the flowers to give it some dimension.
7. Tie a bow in some baker’s twine and loop it around the photo and elements using a clear liquid glue to adhere it to the page.  I added a printed butterfly on the twine for a pop of color.
8. Draw some framing elements around the edge of the page using a black pen.
9. Add your journaling to complete the page.  My photo became my title of the layout but you could add in a title just above the journaling.