5 | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone! 

Squeezing in a final design team page for the month. This one was created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio, using the fabulous 'You Rock' collection. I am still loving creating pages with this collection - with it's bright colours and bold patterns, it's perfect for photos of my twin terrors! Just like this snapshot from their 5th birthday a few months ago. We always have two cakes on their birthday - this year they asked for their favourite Transformers. (Just because they share the same birthday shouldn't mean they have to share a cake too, right?!)

I started this page with a sheet of white cardstock as my base. I already had a basic design in mind, which I knew was going to be quite busy with many colours and patterns, so the white background provided the viewer's eye a place to rest.

I added torn pieces of the 'Plus One' paper to the top and bottom of my page, which I overlaid with a colourful striped piece from the 'Stripped' paper.

I used a variety of papers for the layers under my photo - 'Galactic'; 'Night Sky'; 'In Line' and 'Random'. I added in some torn pieces of washi tape sticker; red paper doily and some messy cotton thread as well.

The card with the jumbled numbers was cut from the 'Random' paper and I used it as my title card by simply outlining the 5 with a Sharpie pen and using an arrow from the chipboard accent stickers to highlight it. The wow word piece was from the die cut ephemera pack and I popped it onto some foam tape to mount it a little higher on the card.

Along the bottom of my page, I created a secondary focal point to anchor my journal card, using similar items to the main section of the page. This time I added in a flair button and clustered some enamel shapes nearby.

I then added a few extra enamel shapes around my page, as well as some phrase stickers from the accessory sticker sheet.

To finish off, I added some happy birthday themed stamping around my page and some splatters of Colour Blast 'Road Base' Colour Spray.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I will be back again soon with another project. Until then, happy scrapping! X

"Peacock" Watercolour Painting | Colour Blast

Hi everyone! Time to share my latest Colour Blast design team project with you. You may recall the Colour Blast project I posted earlier this month (a mixed media canvas) was different to the scrapbook pages that I normally create for the team? There's nothing like creating something to get you out of your comfort zone now and then. Today I am stepping well out of mine and sharing a watercolour painting that I created using Colour Shimmer Cubes.

Since I was a child I have always loved to draw and paint. But (like so many of us) I have always been critical of the work I produce. My inner dialogue constantly said "I wish I could draw". And there it is. That self-fulfilling prophecy that serves to reinforce the thought further and keeps you boxed inside your comfort zone. But with age comes wisdom; or least you reach a point where you learn to say "you know what? This makes me happy and I am going to do it anyway". So I did. And here is what I created...

My process for creating this was fairly simple - in a nutshell - I sketched it, then painted it. I started with an A3 sized sheet of 300 gsm watercolour paper, a pencil and an eraser and then roughly sketched out my image. I wasn't looking for perfection, because I knew I was going to paint over it anyway.

Once my design was sketched out, it was time to add some colour! I started with the body, and my Just Blue Colour Shimmer Cube as this was going to be the most dominant colour of my image. To give some variation and depth to my peacock's body, I also added highlights of color using Singin' the Blues; Deep Water and Envy.

Next, I moved onto the feathers. I started with Deep Water, and coloured the spots on the tail feathers. While they dried, I moved onto Apple of My Eye and used it to colour the plumage behind the body. I then went back and painted the outer circles of the tail feathers. After they had also dried, I coloured the inner circles using Sienna.

*Tip - It is important not to paint over one colour with another unless you are intending to blend them together. Even once dried, the paint will reactivate once it is wet again*

I then began adding some detail to my image. I used Dusty Charcoal to paint the "eyes" in the centre of the feathers. I then switched brushes from the small, soft brush I had been using to a fine tipped water brush so I could begin adding detailed strokes to the plumage. I used Deep Water over the top of the existing Apple of my Eye green I had painted, as I knew minimal blending would not give me an undesirable tone. I also painted in some of the tail detail using the same color.

I also used the water brush with the Dusty Charcoal to paint in the detail of the face; then more detail was added to the tail using Stormy Weather, Steel and Apple of my Eye.
I then added some highlights using Bling randomly through the tail, the plumage and on the body.

Once all the paint was dry, I went back and added some small final detail over the top using a Stabilo pencil.

You can see how this added depth to the final result.

Look at the delicious combination of Colour Shimmer Cubes I used for my project...

And look at the equally delicious shimmer they produce...

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired your inner artist to pull your Colour Shimmer Cubes out and paint something with them. (If you don't have any Colour Shimmer Cubes, head to the Colour Blast store HERE and grab some!) Don't listen to that voice of inner doubt that tells you you can't - just do it because it's fun and it makes you happy!

If you do paint something using Colour Shimmer Cubes and feel brave enough to share, I would really love to see them! You can post them in the Colour Blast Creative Corner group and please tag me so I don't miss them!
Til next time, happy scrapping (or painting!) X

We Were Here | Scrap the Boys September Challenge

Hi everyone! September means Fathers Day here in Australia (not sure about other parts of the world - when is it celebrated where you are?) and so we at Scrap the Boys are celebrating dads - with this as our September challenge...

I couldn't resist the opportunity to scrap some photos I had of my hubby and one of our boys on a ride together at an amusement park. This was the first time the boys were tall enough to go on some of the "big" rides, and even though the other one wasn't too keen, Hunter couldn't wait to get on it with his dad. He was so proud to sit up beside him like a big boy.

I started this layout with a sheet of white cardstock and brushed it with Colour Blast 'Peacock' Colour Shimmer Dust that I had mixed with water. I then added some stamping using a couple of my favourite stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. Next, I took my Colour Blast 'Royalty' Colour Paste and a Dusty Attic stencil and applied some rich, vibrant texture to my page. I topped that off with a liberal "drizzle" of yellow Flutter Colour paint and set it aside to dry.

The next step was to add some layers and create a mat for my photo strip to sit on. I gathered together an assortment of items including some Flutterby Designs Everyday Etc filler cards that I cut into assorted shapes and sizes; a die cut glitter polaroid frame; frayed gauze; and black cotton thread.

I then set about adding my embellishments. I used some phrases cut from Flutterby Designs Snippet Strips to help convey the theme of my page as well as contributing some extra pops of yellow. Alongside my photo I added a handmade super star from Charms Creations, which I topped with a Flutterby Designs flair button. (Charms stars + flair buttons = can't go wrong!)

Finally, I added a Flutterby Designs wood veneer title and some tiny stars, all of which I coloured black using a Sharpie pen. I also added a few stamped phrases and my handwritten journaling and I was done!

I hope you will play along with us at Scrap the Boys this month. (You can scrap any "dad" you like - it could your dad, your husband, your grandad or just your take on the Fathers Day theme - as long as you are scrapping boys!) You have until the end of the month to get your entries linked up and be in the running for a fabulous prize.
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Love You | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone! Today I have my latest Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team project to share with you featuring the beautiful 'Wild at Heart' collection, and a photo of me with my three children. (All looking in the same direction AND smiling - it's a photographic miracle! haha)

Knowing in my head I wanted to add some mixed media to my creation, I started my layout with a sheet of white cardstock, then added vertical strips of both the 'Bohemian' and 'Patchwork' papers to define the focal area of my page.

I then added a mat for my photo cut from the beautiful marbled print side of the 'Grow Wild' paper and some frayed gauze for subtle texture.

Next, I took a sheet of the gorgeous floral 'Memento' paper and fussy cut several large floral pieces from it. I used these to tuck around my photo, and also to create to focal anchor point in two of the diagonally opposing corners. This helped bring balance and flow to my design. I then used Colour Blast 'Blush' Colour Shimmer Cube to highlight and extend on each of the floral pieces. I also added add some soft splatters around my page using the coordinating 'Blush' Colour Shimmer Spray.

For the cluster in the bottom right corner, I topped the floral piece with one of the rubber charms and a small heart from the chipboard accent stickers sheet. For the top left cluster, I added a small heart from the die cut ephemera pack. I also added a sentiment from the ephemera pack directly onto my photo.

I used the large love you from the chipboard accent stickers as my layout title, adhering it directly below my photo and emphasising it with a die cut ephemera frame that I cut into pieces.

To finish off, I added a beautiful butterfly from the ephemera pack and then I left it at that. I was really happy with the soft, understated result of this page.

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today so I could share this with you. I will be back in a couple of weeks with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Friends Are the Family We Choose | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone! Popping in today to share my latest design team project created for Flutterby Designs. Today I have a 12x12" mixed media layout featuring a couple of photos of the Flutterby boss lady (AKA Neet) and I that were taken at the 'Create by the Lake' retreat back in July. (These photos were taken late at night, when we were channeling our inner Freddie Mercury.) I don't really have to say anything else about the story behind these photos - I think the title says it all for me.

"Friends Are the Family We Choose"

I started this page by brushing some Colour Blast black heavy gesso onto my white cardstock, then smeared some Colour Blast 'Envy' Colour Paste around randomly with a palette knife. Next, I used my Flutterby 'Stargazed' stencil to apply some texture paste; then topped it all off with a good drizzle of 'Green Limousine' Flutter Colour paint. I then set it aside to dry thoroughly.

The next step in my process was to create a mat for my photos, so I used an assortment of Everyday Etc filler cards, which I cut into pieces and layered together. I topped that with some frayed gauze and a page tab before mounting my photos on top.

I then started adding my embellishments to my layout. I used the friends are the family we choose wood veneer (unfortunately no longer available) for my title, which I painted with 'Tropicana Teal' Flutter Colour paint, before adding some white highlights with a paint pen. Above it, I added the let's flock together black Tiny Sticky Quote.

Alongside my photos I added a small cluster that included the awesome ticket from the 'Xtreme Teen' ticket pack; the hashtag sticker from the 'Xtreme Teen' Sticky Quotes sheet; some messy cotton thread and a cute camera flair button.

Below my photo I added the parental advisory sticker (also from the 'Xtreme Teen Sticky Quotes); which I framed with a large wood veneer circle (coloured white with a paint pen). I also added a few other painted wood veneer circles to my page to help keep my design balanced.

The quote in the top right hand corner of my page was cut from one of the 'Partners in Crime' Everyday Etc cards (THE perfect set for funny photos with friends!) I then added a Charms Creations handmade star; a few star stickers from the 'Xtreme Teen' Sticky Quotes sheet; and some scattered enamel dots.
To finish off, I added a few stamped phrases, the date and a few splatters of Colour Blast 'Lagoon' Colour Spray.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. If you think you might like to join in on the fun at the 2018 'Create by the Lake' retreat, registrations have already opened! Head over to the Flutterby Facebook page for more details.
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

True Friend Canvas | Colour Blast

Hi everyone! I am here today to share my latest design team project - a mixed media canvas I created for Colour Blast. I was inspired to create this because I wanted to make a decor piece to showcase the beautiful quote featured in the centre.

I started my project with the quote card (which was cut from an Everyday Etc card from Flutterby Designs); and a 6x6" blank canvas. Despite the fact the surface was pre-primed; I covered it with black heavy gesso using a foam paint brush, as I needed a dark background for my design concept.
*Design tip - when painting on a canvas, don't forget to paint down the sides as well - it helps when your project isn't always viewed from front on to carry the theme over the edges*

Once my gesso had dried, I took my canvas outside and spritzed it all over with Bling Colour Shimmer Spray. (You really need to try the Colour Shimmer Sprays on a dark background if you haven't already, that is when they are at their best!)

After the Colour Shimmer Spray had dried (so shimmery!) I adhered my quote; then it was time to add a little texture. I reached for my Bling Colour Paste and smeared it around randomly using a palette knife. Once that was dry, I added a border around my quote with a Sharpie pen (yes, a Sharpie will draw over dry Colour Paste, just make sure it is completely dry and don't push the tip in too hard.)

Next, it was time for embellishments! I wanted to keep the embellishments to a minimum to ensure the quote remained the focal point; so I opted for some simple chipboard stars from Imaginarium Designs, which I embossed using Snow White Colour Embossing Powder. (I would ordinarily prime my chipboard with white heavy gesso before embossing with snow white, but I didn't want the stars to be too stark against the background, so I opted to emboss them from raw and allow a bit of the natural colour to show through.)

As you can see, I embossed the entire sheet. Some of these stars were super tiny, so it made the job a lot easier to simply emboss the entire sheet and just pop them out when they were done. I then glued them onto my canvas.

The final step was to add some fine "starry" detail using my white Sharpie paint pen. (I really love this pen! It has a fabulous fine tip and great flow!)

And here is my completed canvas...

Here you can see some of the close up textural detail the Colour Paste adds...

And check out the shine on those stars!

Finally, look at how gorgeous the Bling Colour Shimmer Spray looks against the black background - *swoon!*

That's all from me today. I hope I have inspired you to pull out those Colour Shimmer Sprays and put them to work on some dark backgrounds! (Remember the black heavy gesso is ideal for this, you can grab it in the Colour Blast store HERE)
I will be back in a couple of weeks with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping!

Happy Hair Day | Scrap the Girls September Challenge

Hi everyone! So many fabulous challenges around this month, and I am here today to share my take on the Scrap the Girls September challenge. This month it's a sketch called "Dear John" (that was actually designed by me!)
Here it is...

And here is the layout I created inspired by the sketch...

"Happy Hair Day"

I sat down to create this page with some white cardstock and the two photos I planned to use in front of me. I wanted to try and stick to the basic layout of the sketch, with the three focal points for my design. Beyond that I had no real plan; I just let the colours and textures in the photos guide me as I went along.

I started by adding some mixed media to define the three focal points. First, some stamping using my brick wall stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps to mimic the brick wall background. I then added some colour using Colour Blast Colour Shimmer Cubes (a mix of Sienna, Leather and Steel); as well as a few smears of Colour Paste (Sienna and Bling) which I applied with a palette knife. I also added a few torn strips of washi tape.

Next, it was time to start adding some layers and dimension. I created a mat for my photos to sit on using a number of items from D-lish Scraps - grey paper doilies; a kraft printed bitty bag; dip dye tag tied with twine; wood veneer frame and some coloured wire. I also added a Charms Creations DIY heart, which I stamped and then coloured to match my background using my Sienna and Bling Colour Shimmer Cubes.

Next, I worked on the focal point in the top corner, which (like the sketch), was where my title was going to go. I again used some paper doily and coloured wire (just as I had in the main area of my page); and I also added the Flutterby Designs #happy wood veneer and Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Totally Rad' alphabet stickers to complete my title.

To keep my design elements cohesive, I added a small wood veneer arrow to the third, and smallest, focal point on my page; then added a phrase to each cluster using Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Wild at Heart' accessory stickers.

To finish off, I added some handwritten journaling, stamped the date, and splattered some Colour Blast 'Sienna' Colour Shimmer Spray and 'Coffee' Colour Spray. I am really happy with how this page came out - the tones I used worked perfectly with the photos.

If you would like to play along with this month's challenge at Scrap the Girls (please do - I would love to see how you interpret my sketch!) you have until the end of the month to link up your entry and be in the running for a prize from Kitaholics Kits or D-lish Scraps.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

I Love Everything About This | Charms Creations

Hi everyone! Popping in to share the second layout I created for my guest designer spot with Charms Creations last month. Following on from my page I created for Scrap the Boys last month, which featured a silhouetted photo that I had cut out; I also found this old (and very cute!) photo of my boys in my stash so I decided to use the same technique.

"I Love Everything About This"

I started by creating my mixed media background for this page. I knew I wanted to use a brown tone, so I mixed up some Colour Blast Colour Shimmer Dusts (Candy and Paris) and just tweaked them until I achieved the colour I wanted. I then applied it to my page using a wide brush and some short strokes. On top of that, I added some grey ink through my Dusty Attic 'Crosshatch' stencil, then some random smears of Colour Blast 'Steel' Colour Paste and some splatters of Colour Blast 'Stormy Weather' Colour Shimmer Spray.

Once the mediums were all dry, I added some torn pieces of washi tape (from a previous D-lish Scraps Just Add Paper kit); and some stamped phrases.

It was then time to construct the remainder of my page. I gathered together some random bits and pieces to form a layered mat behind my photo. I included a large kraft Heidi Swapp tag; coloured paper doilies and a wood veneer frame (both from D-lish Scraps); and some frayed gauze to add soft texture.

I then added my photo and began adding embellishments. I started with the gorgeous Butterfly Heart from Charms Creations as my feature (although these are not currently listed in the Charms Creations store, these are an item that are added regularly, so keep your eyes peeled!) I then added a set of Charms Creations DIY XO's, which I coloured using a Colour Blast 'Leather' Colour Shimmer Cube. On top of the O I added a D-lish Scraps flair button and tucked a cute wooden button behind it.

I then added the sequin bow to my tag and the wood veneer stars and gold sequins scattered around my page (all from D-lish Scraps). To finish off, I cut my title from a Project Life card, and then used some striped pieces from the same card to put in the diagonally opposite corners of my page. This not only helped tie the title colour in better, but also helps to draw the eye through the page.

I had so much fun creating this layout, and I am so thankful to Charmane for asking me to be her guest designer. (I have plenty more pages coming this month featuring Charms Creations embellishments so stay tuned!) If you haven't grabbed any to use for yourself then you can head to the Charms store HERE or make sure you follow her Facebook page HERE for regular sales and special items. (*psssst - Charm currently has free shipping available until midnight TONIGHT, 7th September, so check her Facebook page for the code!*)
Til next time, happy scrapping! X