Whether you want to try Project Life or just want to scrap an event, the FotoInspired Starter Pack [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10011783&cat=398&page=1]FotoInspired StarterPack[/url] is a great value this week at 44% off the normal price. The first five products that I used on my grandsons birthday layout, listed below, are all available in the Starter Pack.

Fine Edge Frames No. 2 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=34227&page=1]Fine Edge Frames No. 2[/url]
ArtsyPaint No. 6 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10009846&cat=389&page=1]ArtsyPaint No. 6[/url]
FotoInspired Double Template No. 2 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=33205&page=5]FotoInspired Double Template No. 2[/url]
FotoInspired Masks No. 1 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32752&page=5]FotoInspired Masks No. 1[/url]
UrbanThreadz No. 5 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10009482&page=1]UrbanThreadz No. 5[/url]

ArtPlay Palette Birthday [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=29733&page=1]ArtPlay Palette Birthday[/url]
ArtPlay Palette Autumn Elegance [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10010515&page=1]ArtPlay Palette Autumn Elegance[/url]
Watercolor Balloons No. 1 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10009701&page=1]Watercolor Balloons No. 1[/url]
ArtPlay Palette Outer Space [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=31210&page=1]ArtPlay Palette Outer Space[/url]
ArtPlay Palette Summer Days [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10009308&page=1]ArtPlay Palette Summer Days[/url]
UrbanThreadz No. 4 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=10009333&page=1]UrbanThreadz No. 4[/url]
UrbanThreadz No. 1 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=44821&page=1]UrbanThreadz No. 1[/url]
Spray Paint No. 2 [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=27966&page=1]Spray Paint No. 2[/url]
ArtPlay Palette Twizzle [url=http://www.oscraps.com/shop/product.php?productid=32326&page=1]ArtPlay Palette Twizzle[/url]

Font: Marker Felt Wide

Process: While experimenting with the FotoInspired Double Template, I decided that three photos from my grandsons birthday party told the story well enough. I deleted everything but two masks from the template and resized them to fit my photos. I also placed a mask from FotoInspired Masks No. 1 and resized it as well. I know the steps of Anns watercolor technique [url=http://annaaspnes.typepad.com/anna/2014/02/composite-techniques-part-1-of-6.html]link[/url] well enough now that I feel comfortable adapting it as I did on these snapshots. After finding the edges on one copy, I applied two filters to the other two copies and then selectively brought back in the color, to give the photos more of a cartoon look rather than painted. Next I clipped the photos to the masks and added the fine edge frames. For the background, I layered a transfer and overlay from Autumn Elegance, a paint layer using Artsy Paint 6, splatters and finally the stars. I used the psd files of the watercolor balloons, recoloring to work with my photos. I also recolored the balloons, the top of the cupcake and the pin wheel. I used a technique from Jana Mortons class, Title Time, for the title and gave it a sticker effect to match my cupcake.