I Love Echo Park...

Last week I gave you a sneak peak into my latest Echo Park projects.  Today is the day I get to show you the whole thing! --Three things to be exact.  I am so excited to show of these fun products.  I have just fallen in love with ep.

Here we go! First up "Dress Up Minnie."

This layout was created using the Little Girl line.  There are three different types of patterned paper, one journal card and stickers used here. Isn't the clothing line design just adorable?  I found that it was perfect for my dress up theme. 

For the purple hearts on this layout I cut up strips of patterned paper and then wove them together. Alternating over, under, over, under with each strip.  Then I cut around the strips to make the shape of a heart. Easy peezy lemon squeezy!

Next up "I Love Summer Days."

You guessed it, this is made from the Echo Park Summer Days collection.  I wanted to do something different with this kit. I made a lovely wall hanging to declare my love for summer (and Echo park:) This is patterned paper and stickers placed on a 10X14 canvas. Some of the elements are adhered with foam squares to add a little dimension.  

The large sun is made from cardstock and patterned paper with a  hand stitched border. There is also wire to let the butterflies take flight.   This project will definitely grace my wall for the rest of the season.  It brightens the whole room.

Last but not least is a layout entitled "Pretty Baby." This turned out to be one of my all time favorites. 

I think it's because I had so much fun making all of the different flowers. This one is from the Little Girl collection with a little Summer Days thrown in.  The paper and stickers really helped me create a lovely layout for this photo that is so special to me. 

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make these paper flowers...

First...

Cut out a piece of patterned paper in the shape of a square or circle.  I rounded the edges of mine.

Next...

Draw a spiral from the inside out and then follow the line while cutting.  Now you can crumple your paper slightly so that it is easier to manipulate.

Finally...

 Start rolling from the outside in. And roll, roll, roll, in the same direction.  Keep it nice and tight while you do this.  When you let go at the end it will give a little slack, but not too much.

See, it's that simple! You can pull on different parts of the flower a bit to achieve the shape you desire.

Play with it! Have fun! They are so easy to create and there are so many different options.  With most of the ones on this layout I tore, instead of cut, the paper.  It gives the edges a rougher look, which I like. You can also vary the size by changing the size of the paper you start out with.  Or you can make a wider spiral for a thicker "petal" effect.  It's really up to you!  I also put some bling in the center of mine just for fun.

I like how the double sided paper makes it possible to see something different from every angle. 

If you couldn't tell already, I am quite taken with these products.  They are so vibrant and colorful which is something I always gravitate to in my work.  Next I want to get my hands on the Echo Park Splash Collection....with my family just starting our beach trips the possibilities are endless.