2012 MMDT March Challenge #2

"Over the Sea to Skye"

Challenge #2 for March!

This challenge we had a few choices. The first being to

• Use the Plum Perfect Page kit and change it up or
• The Feature Color MM Grid Paper, Cypress, and the Mosaic Moments pattern 3 (Nine Photo Spots)

Then the March element options of

• Patterned paper
• Rubber/clear stamps
• Ribbon

Once again, what I thought I'd do, is not what I landed up doing.  I did want to try the kit, as I haven't used a kit before and I thought I might even combine the two and use the Cypress on the page kit as the change up for the challenge, but I had some photos I thought would be great on the Cypress grid paper, and in the end the Cypress grid paper won!

The elements I have used are

• patterned paper-"Bits-n-Pieces" tartan papers from southfield-stationers.co.uk (something I brought back from my trip with the intention of using to do some scrapbook pages)
• Rubber stamps-thistle border from scottish borders stamping co.
• clear stamps-HS204 Circle Calendar stamp set by Tami Potter for Impression Obsession clear stamps
• Ribbon from Offray-1/8" wide

 in addition

• I stamped my images with purple Encore! Ultimate Metalllic ink pad and
• embossed them with Adirondack embossing powder
• cut the circle of the thistle with Spellbinders Classic Circles Large die set
• then used the negative shape from that cut to work for the embellishment.
• Mosaic Moments Paper Tiles Packs-Plum for photo mats

 I have titled this page "Over the Sea to Skye"...a line from the Scottish folk song The Skye Boat Song, that tells of the perilous escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie from the English, centuries ago. 

The first page includes photos from the mainland and the view of the Skye Bridge, at  the Loch and then on the island in the village of Kyleakin, including the ruins of Dunakin Castle. The second page includes photos of our drive across the island and some of the massive mountain ranges that are on the must climb list of many a mountaineers, of which I'm not one! I've included a few of the sheep too, my favorites! They were everywhere including on the road and didn't seem to be bothered by any traffic passing around them! The heather I included is a garden variety blooming in my cousin's garden, as the hill variety would not be in bloom until late summer. 

The Text from my layout is: 

 Over the Sea to Skye 
Until 1995 the only way over to the Isle of Skye was to take a ferry across Loch Alsh. Now there is a bridge that in mere minurtes you are across. We'd stopped before reaching Kyle of Lochalsh and took some photos of the boats on the Loch, and the spectacular view of the Bridge. This was uncharted territory for me, I'd never been to Skye before, just passed it by. This time Mum and I made the trip with cousin Laura, Uncle Robert and  Aunt Helen, who had us signing the "Skye Boat Song" as we crossed, as was appropriate. We stopped on the other side of the bridge in Kyleakin for tea at Saucy Mary's, just down the street from the ruins of Castle Dunakin. After our tea it was on to Elgol for views from the stoney beach  of the majestic Cuillins range.
On the return trip we stopped for lunch in Torrin at the Blue Shed Cafe. The cafe sits along Loch Slapin and a beautiful backdrop of the Blaven (Bla Bhein) Mts.

The thistle embellishment was the final element to the pages and the solution to what I thought was a small square that looked out of place in the bigger tartan square. I decided to cut it into a circle and then looking at the pieces left over began to play around making a few cuts. My Mum would often quote my Grandad as saying "waste not, want not" so in keeping with his Scottish thrift, even scraps can find new purpose! So having the look of a thistle going I pulled out the ribbon and began cutting. There is actually a double layer of cardstock and ribbon to give it a fuller appearance. The photo below shows the pieces that inspired me!

 Well, it's time to get this posted (ahead of time for a change),and begin the plans for the next challenge...the biggest hurdle will be the "early" part, I'm going to need every day I can get!! 

thanks for stopping for a look,

andrea