HARD to BEAT {KAISERCRAFT & MERLY IMPRESSIONS}

happy MONDAY everybody!

it is my turn over at MERLY IMPRESSIONS' blog and i'm sharing my last summer layout {for this month, of course :-)} feat. KAISERCRAFT’s COASTAL ESCAPE collection, BURLAP and KAISERMIST spray inks {available at MERLY IMPRESSIONS' online store} - 

"HARD to BEAT"

for my background i used KAISERCARD coconut weave cardstock and KAISERCARD ballet weave cardstock. i cut off about 0.5cm from each side of the COCONUT cardstock, distressed its edges and adhered it to the BALLET cardstock using KAISERCRAFT 12mm double-sided tape.

i wanted to sprinkle a bit of KAISERMIST spray ink – AQUA on top of the background, but i accidentally spilled at one of the corners. so, i decided to use this misfortune and create more colourful and vibrant background paper. i spilled more ink at the opposite corner on purpose and sprinkled KAISERMIST spray ink – ANTIQUE GOLD on top.

then i stamped the compass from the SAIL AWAY clear stamp set with embossing ink and heat embossed the set using gold embossing powder. 

then i cut my pictures to 10x10cm squares and layered them on a slightly bigger burlap squares {BURLAP roll – 15cm}. i used MOUNTING foam tape to adhere them to the background.

to complete the pattern papers there is an amazing die cut paper available with the COASTAL ESCAPE collection – the WOVEN die-cut paper. i took about half of it and sprayed it with a water mister. 

TIP! use a mini mister, for example from TIM HOLTZ, to wet the paper just a bit, so you can shape it with your fingers. adding too much water may damage the paper. 

i fussy cut small shells from the SEA SHELLS gloss paper. then i adhered them to the already dried net, together with PEARLS – SNOW, to create an under the sea effect.
before adhering the shells i embossed them slightly with EMBOSSING tool.

to embellish my layout i used stickers from the 12″ STICKER sheet matching the COASTAL ESCAPE collection. i outlined the separate stickers with WHITE gelly roll pen.

i also used die cuts and fussy cut elements from from the COLLECTABLES pack and the mini PAPER PAD.

as a finishing touch i added RHINESTONES – AQUA and mini paper blooms – COCONUT.

for my title I used the cut off strip from one of the pattern papers.

i hope i managed to inspire you today!

have a lovely CREATIVE week!

hugs 'n smiles,