And then it was February ...

Welcome to February - the month of love for those of us with a romantic heart and who enjoy the magic of St Valentine's Day.

This month we have a lovely inspirational photograph which I think radiates both love and days of romantic past.  When you think of cities wrapped in love and romance you immediately think of Paris do you not?

So what inspires you? What delights do you see in this photograph?  Are you drawn to the letters?  Do they tell of love lost, love gained?  Are they tales of distant travels, letters homes from loved ones far away?  Do they evoke memories of the past?  Are they a reminder of ephemera tucked away yearning to be used?

Are you a Paris fan?  Have you been to this wonderful city or just admire all things French?  

Are you drawn to the colours - loving the pale pink, mint green and gold theme which seems to be everywhere at the moment.

Here is what our team has taken from the image ...

LYNNE

I was inspired by the French theme (the quote translates to: "the better I know men, the more I love my cats!"  as well as by the letters, which shows up in the stamps and envelope on my paper. I added the chipboard Eiffel tower too, just to pull it all together!

DI

I've gone with the Parisian theme this month but have taken the slant of nightlife and a bygone era. I've stamped and added embossed card and washi tape. The embossing folders,  (came as a pair) were a had-to-have purchase, as one of them has my maiden name on it! The image is a purchased topper I've had and she just fitted this theme beautifully.

KAREN

For this challenge I shifted the focus geographically closer to home... Sydney Tower, which I visited in August last year. I drew inspiration from the letter paper in the photograph and also added some splashes of gold:

REGINA

I just loved the Paris theme this month. I focused on the Paris skyline and the city's most famous landmark, and went with a modern girly style. Hoping to see what you all come up with, looking forward to your entries.

PHILLIS

I love the statue in the inspiration photo. I visited France for month as an exchange student over 30 years ago. It always brings a smile to my face when I think of that time. I was drawn to the letters and the pink hue in the background of the letters. I planned to use some paper with words on them and then the pink theme took over and before I knew it I had the flower paper tacked down and the flower theme had taken over. That is how it is sometimes while creating a LO, you begin with one idea and before you know it you have a completely different idea happening.

TONE-LILL

I don't have any photos from Paris but was inspired by the Eiffel Tower to make a page with photos from Zermatt, where the kids were playing mini-golf with the Matterhorn in the background. The Matterhorn has kind of the same shape as the Eiffel Tower, and has the same fame in Switzerland as the "tower" has in France. 

Paris or not, you just need to be inspired by the picture... Have some fun and join in with us :)

HEIDI

I loved the photo inspiration this month as I'm a big Paris Fan.. I plan to go there in the next couple of years with some girlfriends...I used a instagram photo I had taken 2 years ago with a colourful filter and some lovely Paris paper which was very busy,glass glitter and flowers and cog dies ..hope you join our great challenge this month....

JANE

 
There is nothing more magical than Paris in the early evening, people strolling along the river bank, cafes and restaurants bustling with evening diners, tourists taking in the night sights and the Eiffel Tower glowing brightly in the darkening sky.

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN ...

Please upload the DIRECT link to your actual entry to the link tool on the LEFT by 11.55pm on January 31st.

You are welcome to submit traditional paper layouts, art journals, divided page protectors, smash books (etc). Digital entries are welcomed and encouraged.  All entries must be new for this challenge and no back-linking please.

  I am happy for you to combine with two other challenges but the essence of the Pixels and Paper inspiration must be clear in your work. Combining with a sketch and technique/product challenge would be preferred. Please include our inspirational picture as well as provide a link back to Pixels and Paper on your blog post and don't forget to tell us how you were inspired. International submissions are welcome.

This year we will have two main prize packs - one will be selected by Creative Team vote and the other purely by random draw - so anyone could be a winner, no matter your style or your level of experience.  All these prizes will be available to anyone, no matter your country of residence.  We will also offer one entrant a chance to guest with us for the following month and they will also receive a small prize.

Please come back on the 8th when we will announce the winners for January.