Hello July ...

Welcome to July at Pixels and Paper.  

Since July marks the mid point for winter here in Australia we thought we might do a winter theme for you this month. 

As always please find inspiration from our image as you would like - this photo might bring to mind similar foggy days or another winter scene. It may remind you of rainy days or the white and grey of the snowy landscape on a trip to the snowfields - whatever inspires you about winter, please share with us.

Our team have some fantastic layouts to inspire you ...

DI

This month I've added the misty feel to the outside edge of the background paper by smooshing with white distress ink and have also gone with the stark lines formed by the fishing rods in the inspiration photo.  I've added hand drawn snowflake embellishments and the title has 'icicles' hanging off it. The page was inspired by the current cold snap and of a holiday in Tasmania where we saw our first snow on top of Mt Wellington, Hobart.

KAREN

I took inspiration from the grey and white tones, and from the ocean. The photographs were taken during a short winter vacation in 2013.

LYNNE

Winters are a little different here-definitely no boating where I grew up or where I live now! I was inspired by the idea of a mode of travel; my dad used to fly small planes and this one had skis for the snow. My little niece used to love to go flying with "Papa" The misty background of the photo also inspired me to choose this background paper.

REBECCA

I was inspired by the fog (which I tried to mimic with the gesso, sprays, glitter and reverse stamping). I was also drawn to the image of a father with his child which is why i chose a picture of my brother with his family.

PHILLIS

 I inspired by the fog and water of this photo. I used a photo from my son's fishing excursion while in Ketchikan, Alaska. I used the white of winter with the hints of blue since these colors reminded me of what winter is where we live.

DEB

 I was inspired by the fog in the picture and I've recreated that in my background, as well as adding some snow flake elements. I've recreated the fog using white gesso tinted with a small amount of black gesso on a white page. However, I struggled to find a photo to use, so I grabbed one from my friend of her two gorgeous girls in identical red (winter) coats. The pop of red inspired me further with this page and I'm thrilled with how it turned out!! 

JANE

I was inspired by the overall feeling of cold this photograph evokes.  I used the grey and white colour scheme to document a page for my own album of childhood memories.

NOW IT IS UP TO YOU ...

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

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

  You may combine with a sketch challenge only - no other combining will be accepted. 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 our winners for June.