Circle of Life

The mystery is over....THE ALBUM IS DONE!!! I finished and mailed my album for the Close To My Heart Album contest. Whew....that is why I haven't had the opportunity to complete much other work. The contest, in short, included 6 layouts each with specific requirements. The judging also includes quality of photographs and the story told by the photographs.


With the help of the lyrics of The Circle of Life from The Lion King, I chose to tell the story of the lyrics using my pictures. What a job. Six layouts took me 3 months....know that that includes reviewing all of my photo, ordering the products, assembling the pages and "writing" the story.

The first page is done on Olive cardstock and is highlighted with both Back Country and Caboodle B/T Duo's papers. I also used random stamping, heat embossing, distressing and sponging.

Layout 2 was to use no more than 3 large photos and show off the strength of the photos. The layout includes scoring, sanding and chalk popping.

The instructions for Layout 3 were to use Black and White or Sepia photos and highlight will full color B/T Duo's. I used Sweet Home and Grace papers along with an odd mixture of solid colors. I had cut the title from covered chipboard....boy was my hand tired after that....I think it works, what do you think?

Layout 4 I had to highlight a single photo on a page. I tell the story of my trip with my Mom to Salt Lake City to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The music staff is hand stitched in Waxy Flax (perfect for hand stitching), the floral bouquets are hand pieced and look at the graduation cap....that is a tassel made from embroidery floss. :o)

The 5th Layout instructions were to complete a page using photos of things not people. I made the title by hand cutting the large circle and then punching all the smaller circles with CTMH's new 1 1/4 inch punch. "Nature's Wonders" was heat embossed in gold powder. Each of those little butterflies was hand cut and have sparkles for antennae. The daisy plant was heat embossed in Cocoa and watercolored. The 2 mats that have both the daisy and the journaling are hand stitched together and the threads are tied with a bow.
Layout 6 was to be completed in Studio J....Close To My Heart's new Studio online scrapbooking program....Love It! :o)

Well, win or lose, the album is done. It was so much fun to complete this project. Just reviewing a life time of photos brought me pleasure. I chose the lyrics from "Circle of Life" because there is such meaning in the words...

"Circle of Life"

Lyrics by Tim Rice

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps the great and small on the endless round

In the Circle of Life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life

For Now, Happy Crafting!