40, It's Just A Number - Zeus and Zoe April Challenge

Hello & Thanks so much for joining me today for an extra special layout!  Why is it extra special you ask, well because it's about me (heheheehe).  This month over at Zeus and Zoe, we're having a REALLY FUN challenge for you to play along with!!  We are challenging you to create a project with you front and center.  That's right, the theme is "Life As It Is Now" (for you).  So I hope you're up for the challenge because I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you better.  The only requirement you have is to mix some buttons into your design, easy peasy right!  

Ah...but wait, there's more!!!!  

To sweeten the deal, one lucky participant will be chosen by the design team and will win this fabulous prize pack sponsored by the Zeus and Zoe Esty Shop plus full bragging rights!!

Isn't that a sweet prize pack?!  (Sorry Macaroons not included, lol)  This generous kit includes:

a package of flowers, stick pins, buttons, ephemera items, a La Blanche Stamp, Washi tapes and a package of Magicals from Lindy Stamp Gang

AND

A random participant will also be chosen to win these beautiful ribbons from May Arts:

Okay so I know what your thinking, where is this extra special layout right?!  LOL, ready.........here it is!!

Tada!!  As you can tell, I'm having so much fun with this month's challenge (see you should join so you can have fun too, lol).  I rarely scrap about myself or even take pics of myself for that matter.  I always joke that my family is gonna look back and think I was never there.  That's the big problem with being the family paparazzo, right!  Well, for this layout I turned the camera over to my youngest son and had a mini photo shoot.  Luckily I found one that would work out of the gazillon he took, lol.

 I knew I wanted my focus to be on turning 40 because I reached my milestone birthday yesterday.  So that's the inspiration for my title and I wanted the layout to reflect my very favorite design elements and colors.  So with that in mind, I began working on my design.

My background paper is called Cupids Arrow from Kaisercraft's Sweet Nothings Collection and I added texture with molding paste and a Crafters Workshop chicken wire stencil.  Next I added in my very favorite blue soft body acrylic and magenta gouache paints.

To create layers, I added painted chipboard, an ink stained/doodled/stamped banner and some roses fussy cut from the Manor House flower packaging.

When I saw the beautiful Banana Boat paper by The ScrapCake in my kit, I immediately thought the grouping of circles looked like clouds.  So I fussy cut them out and added a couple here and there.  I feel like my head is always lost in the clouds day dreaming so I wanted to add them to symbolize the dreamer in me.

I tucked in some hidden journaling for my family using the ScrapFX tags from my Zeus and Zoe kit.  I colored them with various Dylusions inks and doodled around the edges.

To bring my design to life, I mixed beautiful vibrant flowers by Manor House, Prima, Recollections and my stash.  Since part of the challenge is to incorporate buttons, I added some of the gorgeous buttons from my kit to the big beautiful Manor Hour flower and then tucked in here and there.

I mixed in a couple of crocheted dollies, beautiful charms and stick pins from Zeus and Zoe kit.  I also created flourishes and loops with some jute twine and added a Prima light bulb from the Junkyard Findings line.

Here's a closer look at some of the layering, stenciling and paint.

Well friends, I hope I've inspired you play along with us.  This really is a great opportunity to have a little fun and express yourself through the colors of your soul.  So I encourage you to turn the camera over to someone else, take some pics and start creating!!  If you'd like some of the gorgeous items I used from Zeus and Zoe, just visit the online store.   Marivic can also put together a custom kit just for you, all you have to do is let her know what you're looking for or what your creative style is and she'll work her magic.

To link up your project, visit Zeus and Zoe.  Thanks again for stopping by and Have a Beautiful Inspired Day!!