The Dusty Attic Blog: LIFE Documented

Thursday, 9 November 2023

LIFE Documented - Kim Arnold

Hi everyone! I have some masculine layout inspiration for you today using the amazing large underground network background. I love the effect that I have been able to achieve by layering this piece over a grungy background paper and an A4 acetate printed with gears and text. Dusty Attic has so many great masculine style pieces available which makes it easy to scrap those layouts about sons, husbands, grandchildren and male friends.

I have made this layout using the large underground network, an industrial frame circle embellished with industrial jumbo gears and a title from the word pack 55. I will walk you through the techniques I applied to each of the elements.

Underground Network Large DA2281

I started with the large background piece, painting it black and then rubbing a dark grey wax from Prima wax roughly over it so that it wasn’t a solid finish. When I attached it to my background paper, I left a small amount hanging off the right edge of the layout and then cut the chipboard flush with the edge.

Industrial Circle Frame DA3361

Industrial Jumbo Gears DA3363

I then added a bronze Prima wax to the industrial circle frame and vintage gold wax to a variety of cogs from the industrial jumbo gears 2. I then layered these pieces over two 3x4 inch photos of my son working on his car. Although the frame covers parts of the photos, you can still easily see what the photos are about. I love how the frame with the gears really works with the photo topics.

I then cut lots of little works and icons from a patterned paper and layers them to the left of the photos and frame over part of the underground network background.

Word Pack #55 DA3409

The title was finished with copper Prima wax and attached at the bottom of the frame. I really love the finish that Prima wax gives to chipboard as it has great coverage, dries solid and won’t rub off and you can get them in metallic or matte finishes.