Nature Inspired - March CropChocolate DT Entry

There are many things about nature that are inspiring… beauty comes immediately to mind.  Have you ever stopped to just look up into the tree tops?  The beautiful, deep green of the leaves, the bright, blue of the sky the reddish, brown of the bark?  This is what inspired me for this month’s challenge.  After a trip to Yosemite National Park in California this past summer, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beautiful colors Mother Nature has placed before us for our enjoyment!  

I started by choosing the pictures I took on our walk through the park and sat down to look closely…..actually study……the colors in the pictures.  The sequoia’s red bark against the beautiful blue sky and the green of the brush and leaves all combined together for a stunning color palate.

Carta Bella Traditions had the perfect blend of these!  Grabbed some paper and started cutting!  For the record an entire sheet of 12 x 12 paper makes A LOT of hexagons when cut at 1 ½”….just saying!  So you may be seeing more of these in the future!  

After cutting them and inking them (both the patterned paper and the cream mats), I thought they needed something more.  Doodling!  I had a favorite LSS I used to go to and they always had lots of doodling on their layouts and I thought it added just that little bit of detail that brought it all together.  I got out my pen and started dotting and lining!  Here you see the before and after.  There is quite a difference in the appearance.

I popped some up and left some flat, arranged them in a simple pattern and moved onto the actual pages.  I doodled around the edge of the pages as well…..for the same reason, I thought it needed something more.  But I didn’t stop there, I also doodled on the title letters too!

Then to add some details.  The butterfly came from another CCer quite some time ago and I’m so sorry that I didn’t write down who it was!  I keep thinking Becky or Michelle or Beth.  If you look very closely, the cool thing about the tree picture in the middle is that it has the moon it it too! 

The flower I cut with my flower die, used some burlap ribbon for the base, the crocheted flower in the middle is compliments of CropChocolate.com's own SharonDoesBaskets (thanks Sharon)!!!  

Don’t be afraid to doodle and add your own flair to any part of your layout or project!  There is no wrong way to do it!  Have fun!!

CC Product used:  Carta Bella Traditions paper pack and solid cardstock, Bo Bunny Double Dot Vintage Chiffon and regular Chiffon, AC Earth tone Pearl brads, AC Precision Pen, Flower Nesting Die by LifeStyle Crafts, Slice machine

Non CC Product:  burlap ribbon, Sharon's Crochet Flower, hand crafted butterfly, Slice cart - Great Outdoors, Cricut Accent Essentials cart.