Hand Cutting

Let's talk about the fact that some of us out there feel the "need" to have expensive cutting machines. When I got back into scrapping last year, I came across the Silhouette... "I must have this machine, it would allow me to create such beautiful layouts." I spent almost a year thinking I had to have this. A few months ago I purchased an Xacto knife. It sat there collecting dust until about a week ago. I was hindering my own creativity by telling myself a machine would help me be more creative. In my previous layout, I cut those words on a box with a towel underneath as I do not have a self healing mat. Sure it may sound crazy, but I wasn't going to let anything hold me back from creating what my mind wanted.

Last night in the Hip Kit Forum, Ashley Horton posted the weekend challenge. Her layout is super cute btw! We were to:
Create a layout based on ONE of these three inspiration ideas, from her What a Wonderful World layout:

Use embellishments around the edge of a large shape

Mix at least three types of letter stickers or Thickers on your layout

Create a layout using 5 or more patterned papers

Here is my take on the challenge.

When we had a rough year last year, we had to place our fur baby, Mystee, with friends and then family. It took a huge toll on her. After 6 months we got her back. It was such an incredible feeling and it made us all feel whole again. My husband helped me come up with the concept. I knew I wanted to do a silhouette of a cat, but I did not want it to be too similar to my previous layout. 

I browsed online until I found the right image and then traced it onto a piece of paper. I then cut the kitty out and laid it on my layout. I sprayed my vibrant turquoise Dylusions spray in over the kitty and fell in love with it right away. I then traced some of my Heidi Swapp alphas and cut them out. I used different patterned papers from my September Hip Kit. 

Next I hand drew some paw prints in the corner. I wanted to give them a scribble feel. 

I used some scrap pieces from my Hip Kit and folded each end so you could also see the reverse paper color. I love the cut outs from this month's kit as well!! 

I added the finishing touches and just love how everything came together. 

For those of you that feel like I did, I challenge you to expand your horizons. Take out those xacto knives and get cutting. Do not let anything hold you back from creating your masterpiece. 

<3 xx Tiffani