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As our Digi Members (and anyone else that's purchased this stunner) know, Versailles is a luscious trip to France 'n back without leaving your computer.

However, how many of us actually make it to France? A precious, lucky few, to be sure! Take this opportunity to play with this theme using non-theme based photos.  I tell ya; I've never let a kit's theme, textures or colors stop me from using it with pictures of Gavin.  And, some of my most striking layouts have been these unconventional pairings. (Gavin on Jubilee pink is one of my fav combos!)

Your challenge this month - digi and non-digi alike, blindly pick (out of a hat or like-method) some photos and then do the same blink pick of a  CS kit and then make some beautiful artwork combining the two - I bet you'll love what you come up with.

In the above layout I've left Gav's ginger hair but mildly recolored the outside edge of the photo by, first; picking up the color of the flowers and background using the eyedropper. Then, in a new layer just above the photo layer, painted that color around the edge of the photo with a big soft brush. Lastly, I've changed that painted layer to a Color Layer Style and watched as the photo layer underneath is recolored slightly to match the backgrounds and flowers.

Now his pink shoes and bright navy/purple shirt are blended nicely as tone on tone colors with the QDDL.  This recoloring technique is subtle and not immediately noticeable, letting other aspects of the artwork drive the mood.



The eyes have it.  You know, digi is a gift that keeps on giving.  You can use the same photos over and over in different ways on different layouts (and even the same layouts) and never run out of possibilities.  Here I'm recycling a couple photos that you've seen in other layouts but this time I'm highlighting just Gavin's eyes in the highlight photos.  Closing in on one part of a photo can change it's entire message and mood - often times you'll not even know what new mood or message is waiting for you in that photo until you try this - little surprises around every corner!  Crop it, chop it and see what reveals itself to you.

Another tip - Just because there are spaces for multiple photos doesn't mean you have to go with different photos for each space. Creating a close up as I've done here, is a great way to showcase one photo while keeping the design of the layout intact.

Enjoy your CS Versailles vacation, my friends - I'll be watching the Art Galleria for your "vacation" artworks!
:) jac