Tell Your Story
Kentucky Camping 2005
Memories Down a Rustic Road
Camping, Cabins, Masculine, Rustic Themes
Come along with me on this journey, a fall camping trip through Kentucky and Virginia in this week’s Tell Your Story. We’ll use a rustic cabin, flannel and the fall foliage as our inspiration for our papers and embellishments for a cozy and masculine feel in this hike through memory lane.
This trip was taken at a time the kids and I needed time together and away from home and all we’d been through together during this particular year. We needed a change, room to breathe, time to heal and plan what was next for us all. This is the story of our camping trip and our hopes of seeing the splendor of the fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley.
This layout is of our first stop along the way. I have also included the cover page where I have told my story using the large center spot of Pattern #191. Each of the 2×2 blocks surrounding it allows me to include photos from some of the upcoming pages, leaf cornerstone tiles and tiles cut in balsa wood where I have marked the various places on our journey.
The Cover Page (#191) is a perfect page to tell our story in the large center section of the pattern.
Each of the 2×2 blocks surrounding it allows me to include photos from some of the additional layouts to add to this album in the days to come for each of the stops on our journey.
I’ve used a diamond tile block cut in balsa wood and inked to record some of the destinations along the way. It ties the first layout together with the cover page nicely.
The four leaf tiles in the corners use the leaf die cut from the Core’dinations Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection cardstocks. With some of the small left over bits of balsa I used a small leaf die to cut a few leaves to fill the upper right-hand blank spot on the story block.
Page One is Pattern #209 on a black Mosaic Moments Grid. In this series of layouts it is our stop in Renfro Valley, Kentucky where we enjoyed a few days of rest and relaxation. I’ve used red and black buffalo plaid and balsa wood strips for a nice rustic cabin feel.
The balsa wood strips have been inked with a combination of Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain). These strips were cut from 1/16” wood and adhered with a light coat of Tombow Mono Liquid Glue.
Page Two and Pattern #202 repeats the use of the buffalo plaid and wood, this time using the compass point die and a diamond frame die. On this second tile I left the triangle bits in first for stability but then I liked the carved wood effect it reminded me of a rustic cabin we stayed in in Vermont when I was a kid that probably started my love of cabins and lodges. (I liked is so well I used it again on the cover page because everything else I tried was just not capturing the same look.) I would suggest that if you try this be sure to ink things first. The thinner balsa wood (1/32″) is easier to cut with your dies otherwise a few extra cuts may be necessary with your kraft knife.
The photos aren’t the most spectacular but are a bit of our fun and relaxing, bringing back warm memories. Libby took our group shot featured on this one with everyone acting up and mugging for the camera.
The Card
I borrowed the fall theme of leaves for this card. A black cardstock base measures approximately 6 3/8” across with three leaf tiles side by side across the front. I chose not to back the tiles with another cardstock layer and just let the leaf colors pop off the black base.
I’ve used a Gold Sharpie Paint Pen to write across it below the leaves. “To everything there is a season.” The inside contains a tan note sheet insert for a letter or greeting. It makes a great card for any occasion. For me it will bring back those memories of our trip with each card sent.
If you love to camp or have a guy who does I hope you might find a few ideas for bringing a rustic touch to your layouts featuring those outdoor activities and maybe even that weekend retreat at a mountain resort.
Andrea Fisher