Hello! Lainie here today and I have created a layout for my first post at Flying Unicorn. I have to admit that even before I knew of this wonderful world of scrapbooking, nearly 20 years ago, I would go through all of my gardening magazines and cut out (before I even knew what "fussy cutting" was) all the most beautiful flowers. I never did anything with them, I just had to cut them out! I don't know what it is about how they take on life and dimension - but I just loved the effect. Even though I am starting to really love mixed media and all the messy paints and sprays, every now and then I just like to get lost in cutting out elements and letting the paper do its thing. Here is a layout I created using Graphic 45 Sweet Sentiments and Secret Garden together. The photo is of my son Seth and my niece Shelbie.

I first start out by cutting out a ton of elements and then I just sift through them and pick which ones I want. I can use the leftovers for later projects.

Then I just play with the pieces until I find an arrangement that I feel is somewhat balanced. Here are some more close-ups of my layout.