Spike & Hissamina Sitting in a Tree, H-I-S-S-I-N-G

Okay, I’ll admit it – when Amber said our March project was to be inspired by nature, I was very excited because I knew EXACTLY what my layout would be about. Of course… insects! Conveniently, two fabulous and photogenic insects just happen to live with us. Please give a warm welcome to Spike & Hissamina, our Madagascar hissing cockroaches!

To make this layout, I used a Page Maps sketch and the following items from CC: Amy Tangerine’s Sketchbook collection patterned papers, Bazzill cardstock (charcoal), AC Zing! Opaque white embossing powder, Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Flowers dies, adhesive (Snake Tape). Other items I used were: a Prismacolor cream pencil (PC914), Pebbles Inc. chalk, a cockroach stamp (Viva Las Vegas Stamps), a border punch (EK Success), and a Quickutz label die.

I just adore Amy Tangerine’s sketchbook collection – the papers are whimsical, which I thought would contrast very nicely with the “chalkboard” look I wanted to use for the title piece. I ended up using a total of 6 different patterned papers from this set.

Step 1 – Fussy cut the border

I chose this particular background paper because of the yellow flowers – they looked like they could have been drawn with yellow chalk and would match the “chalkboard” title. I chose the border strips I wanted (yes, I do like to fussy cut!), marked their placement on the paper, and carefully cut (with a craft knife) an opening on both sides to slip the edges beneath the flower border – this allowed the border strips to seamlessly merge with the floral pattern. After the border was in place, I added the photo and journaling block. Chalkboards and school go hand-in-hand, so I border punched the journaling with a notebook edge look and chose a font fit for school (KG Primary Penmanship Lined – you can download it here).

Step 2 – Making the title (chalk transfer)

Creating a “chalkboard” look has been “in” for awhile. I found this great tip on Pinterest, on how to easily transfer/draw a specific font on a project. First, I created a template of how I wanted the lettering to appear on a piece of paper exactly the same size and shape as my cardstock. Then, I brushed a layer of white chalk on the back of the paper, where the lettering was located. I fitted the two pieces of paper together and then proceeded to trace the letting with a ball-point pen, being careful not to shift the paper. When you remove the template, a faint outline of the lettering remains – this will be your letting guide! How cool is that?

Step 3 – “Chalking” the title

Next, I carefully wrote over the chalk tracings. You could also use a white colored pencil, but I liked cream because it provided a warmer color. As an added emphasis for the title piece, I penciled in a border to help it *pop* off the page. I rubbed some white chalk around the lettering and edges, to finish off the “chalkboard” look.   

Step 4 – Adding the title

Once the title piece was adhered to the layout, only the top space needed to be filled out for balance.

Step 5 – “Chalking” the roaches

You can also create a “chalkboard” technique by embossing with white powder on dark paper. I used my new cockroach stamp (from VLVS) and created my image on half-circles (die cuts from Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Flowers die). I backed the circles with the scalloped flowers and tucked it all under the border strip. For the final touches, I used the crème color pencil and added some stitching, as well as chalking a bit of white around the image and edges.

And here’s the completed layout! Now that you know two ways to create the chalkboard look, what can you come up with? Have fun “chalking” and happy scrapping! J