April showers...

...Bring May flowers!
...and that's this month's challenge at the Crafter's Companion USA challenge blog :)
I'm very happy to be guest designer this month and here is the project I am sharing with you.
It started with an idea...I love my yard when it rains. First, let me tell you, I live in Los Angeles, Ca...it doesn't rain as much here as in other parts of the country. It's wonderful when it does rain and I get to stay home the entire day! I have a sliding door and I love to watch the rain soak the yard. I've been wanting to do a page about it for a long time, but the inspiration was never there. When I was thinking about a project for the challenge, I looked at my CC stamps and this one just inspired me! It's called After the Rain.

Here's is how my project came together:
I chose a background paper and coated some of it with gesso. I used an old giftcard to spread it around:

 

Another coat of gesso, and I stamped the image when the gesso was almost dry but still wet enough to make indentations in it. You get such a pretty effect as it dries, looks almost like a rub-on. I used Tombow markers to ink my stamp.

Then, I chose a background paper for my photo (not this one, too bright):

 I colored the stamp when the gesso was completely dry.
*Word of warning*: coloring on gesso is tougher than on paper. It's not a smooth surface like paper. The texture makes it more difficult to color and erase. I used prismacolors. Not sure how markers would look. If you try it, let me know :)

 

I settled on a background, made my fabric yo yo flowers and embellished them with pretty centers. I found that I wanted to layer bits and pieces behind the photo. So I pulled out some little scraps and tags. I also cut out clouds from a patterned paper. I started playing and arranging the elements before I glued them down. Then I used my sewing machine to add texture and 'rain.'    

I added journaling to the bottom of the page. It reads: 

"I love watching the rain from the inside. I open all the curtains and watch the yard get soaked. Flowers soon follow :) Jan 21st, 2010" 

I really enjoyed being guest designer this month! I hope you learned something fun and that I inspired you to create :) 

I look forward to visiting you and enjoying your creations this month!