'Summer Splash' layouts & cards | Uniquely Creative Kit Club

Hi everyone!

I was lucky enough to be asked to be a guest designer this month for Uniquely Creative Kit Club. 

For anyone who hasn't heard of Uniquely Creative - they are an Australian company who release very popular Scrapbooking; Cardmaking; and Stamp & Colour kits. They also stock their own label dies and stamp sets. New kits are released monthly and are available on a subscription service (which not only saves $'s, but also ensures you never miss out!); or kits can be purchased individually from the Uniquely Creative store. 

I worked with the November 'Summer Splash' Creative Kit as well as the two add-on dies. When I first opened the kit, I really didn't know where to start. It was so jam-packed with product including cardstock; papers; stickers; a stencil; inks; a word die; washi tapes; and plenty of extra embellishments and textural elements.

I couldn't resist all the gorgeous textures or the inks and stencil in the box; so I started by creating a mixed media page. I had a pile of photos of my kids taken at the local pool that were yet to be documented, so this kit was perfect for those.

"Soak up the Sunshine" 

Here's a closer look at some of the awesome textures I had to work with...

For the second of my pages, I decided to go with something more paper-based, so I could make good use of some of the fun patterned papers, as well as the collectables and stickers.

"Surf's Up"

Here's a closer look at some of the fun details on my page...

In addition to the layouts I created, I also made a couple of cards. Again, I decided to split the style of these cards. Opting to complete one in a mixed media style, whilst the other was a more simple paper-based one.

"You Always Brighten My Day" card

Here's a closer look at some of the layered textures on the card...

"Wish You Were Here" card

Here's a closer look at the dimension on the card...

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share these projects with you. 

If you haven't been over and visited the Uniquely Creative shop yet, click HERE and see the range of kits and products available. (There is currently a 20% off Christmas kit sale, but you will have to be quick before stock runs out.)

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Cherished | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone! I have a design team layout to share with you today, which was created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio using the new 'Bohemian Dream' collection. This week the team are focusing on the theme 'Thankful', so I decided to dedicate a page to my sister, who I am thankful for every day. 

I kept this page surprisingly clean and neat for me, using the Abundant and Dreamer papers for my page background, with a diagonal design. I then created a layered mat for my photo using pieces of the Abstract; Gypsy Heart; and Boho Bits papers. I also added a paper doily from my stash before mounting my photo on top, using some cardboard underneath it for extra dimension.

Along the right side of my photo, I added the you brighten my world tag from the Accessory Sticker sheet, which I tied with a small piece of twine. I also added a sweet little bird from the Chipboard Accent Stickers. (I love the bird so much I HAD to use it, or it was destined to become one of those little things you love so much you hoard forever!)

I then created a cluster to the left of my photo. This time I used a floral piece that I fussy cut from the Abundant paper; which I topped with some messy cotton thread and the you are amazing flair button. I also added a small Chipboard Accent Sticker heart nearby.

To balance my design I created a third small cluster in the top right corner of my page. I used the word cherished as my title, which was cut from the Boho Bits paper and popped up on some foam tape to give it dimension. I also added some floral and leaf pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. Below my cluster I added my strip journaling.

To finish my page (and add a touch of messy to keep my arty heart happy) I splattered some Colour Blast Bubblegum Colour Spray around.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Shine Bright | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

It's time to share another design team project with you, this one created for Colour Blast. This layout features a fun Snap Chat photo of Hunter & I. (Not hubby's favourite because he thinks Hunter looks like a girl, but my boy doesn't care - he thinks he looks beautiful and I agree!) I used Colour Shimmer Cubes, Colour Paste and Colour Spray on this page.

To create my page I started with white cardstock and the Colour Shimmer Cubes in my chosen colours - Rose Petal and Lovely Lilac. I gave each of the cubes a spray of water to moisten them, then left them sit for a couple of minutes. Once the cubes were ready to use; I applied a light spray of water to my page, before adding some of the Rose Petal with a wet brush; and then began randomly moving the colour around. Each time I added more colour, I also added extra water to help move it around the page.

I then repeated the process with the Lovely Lilac, blending the two colours together in some areas as I went. I also splattered the excess colour from my brush around my page before drying it off.

Once my page was dry, I applied some Singin' the Blues Colour Paste using a palette knife; which I smeared randomly around my page. This provided both contrast and texture to my page.

Whilst the Colour Paste was drying, I began assembling the remainder of my layout. I gathered up some paper scraps from the new Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Bohemian Dream' collection and layered them together, securing them with a few small staples. This formed my photo mat. 

I adhered my photo mat to my page, and then added some stamping using the new Cocoa Vanilla Studio clear stamps and blue and navy inks. I then added my embellishments - die cut ephemera and  stickers (also from the 'Bohemian Dream' collection)' and my photo.

Once everything was in place,I decided my page need some additional dark contrast, so I added a few splatters of Indigo Colour Spray by removing the nozzle from the bottle and flicking it around.

After that, it was simply a matter of adding the date and my journaling and my page was complete. 

You can see how the tones of the Colour Shimmer Cubes have overlapped and blended together on the page - so pretty, and a perfect match for the gorgeous 'Bohemian Dream' collection.

Look how the light reflects to show the beautiful shimmer from both the Colour Paste and the Colour Shimmer Cubes. Such a stunning combination of colours!

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

We Are Family | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone!

Time to share another Flutterby Designs project with you - this one is a mixed media layout featuring a photo of my sister Mandy & I taken at the Flutterby Designs 'Create by the Lake' retreat. I was really drawn to this photo because of the awesome backdrop we were standing in front of, so I wanted to translate some of that colour and style through to my background.

"We Are Family"

I started with some white cardstock and Flutter Colour paints - Bahama Blue; Tropicana Teal; Aquamarine Dream; and Green Limousine. I splattered drops of the four colours randomly around before using a brayer to mix and spread the paints vertically on the page. I then dried the paint with a heat gun before applying a small amount of Grape Soda paint to the central focal area of my page and spreading it across horizontally with the brayer. Next, I added a few random spots of Arctic White paint around the page and spread that on top of the other layers to tone the colour back a bit.

Once all the paint had dried; I took some Colour Blast 'Indigo' Colour Spray and used the end of the spray nozzle from the bottle to scribble around on top of the paint to give it more of that "street art" feel. Next, I took the 'You've Got This' stencil, and applied some texture paste through a few of the phrases randomly around the page. Finally, I splattered around some 'Bubblegum' Colour Spray and then set it aside to dry; then added a few scribbles using my Stabilo all pencil.

While the background was drying, I started assembling the pieces that would form the mat for my photo. I used a mix of Everyday Etc cards and filler cards (from the 'Flawsome'; 'Happy Together' and 'No Excuses' collections); which I cut and layered together. Once all the pieces were in place, I added my photo on top.

The we are family title for my page was fussy cut from one the the 'Happy Together' Everyday Etc cards; and I added a small wood veneer heart on top (that I had coloured black with a Sharpie); along with a few other hearts around my page.

To the left of my title, I stuck the love you longtime sticker, from the white Sticky Quotes sheet. Above my photo I added the you & me speech bubble and on my photo I added the you're my person banner (both from the 'Mad About You' Die Cut Bits & Bobs pack.)

To finish my page, I added the good vibes flair button (from set #421), which I nested on some messy cotton thread; and a few splatters of white ink around my page.

That's all from me today. I will be back in a couple of weeks with another project to share.
Until then, happy scrapping! 

Retreat Feet | Scrap the Girls November Challenge

Hi everyone!

I'm sharing a super fun layout today that I created for the November challenge at Scrap the Girls. This month's challenge is called "You can tell a lot about a girl by her shoes" and it looks like this...

As always, you can use the board to inspire you in any way you wish, but I took the theme quite literally...and had the perfect photo for it! The photo was taken during the "Tight & Bright" theme night at the Flutterby Designs retreat - quite fitting, seeing as Flutterby Designs is our sponsor this month too.

"Retreat Feet"

How cool does that background look? Well that's a little bit exciting too - they are some of the brand new Artist Inks from Colour Blast! This was the first time I used them. They were fun and easy to use, and I was sooo happy to see how vibrant they are. To achieve this effect I simply applied them using a paint brush with my cardstock held vertically and let the inks run down. 

Given that I used a Flutterby retreat photo and that Flutterby Designs are sponsoring this month, I HAD to use some Flutterby goodies on my page. I used several Everyday Etc cards cut into layers behind my photo; along with a page tab tucked into my layers and another stapled directly onto my photo. I also used two hearts from Charms Creations which I topped with Flutterby Snippet Strips.

Below my photo, I added more Flutterby goodies - a flair button which I nested on some cotton thread; and the "shoes" quote, which I cut from an Everyday Etc card.

My title was created using Cocoa Vanilla Studio alphabet stickers and to finish my page I splattered around some black Colour Blast ink and added a few stamped phrases.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope this month's mood board will inspire you to join in on the challenge. You have until the end of the month to get your entry in to be in the running for the prize. Check out all the details on the Scrap the Girls blog.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Beautiful art journal page | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my latest design team project for Colour Blast with you. Today I have an art journal page to share that I created using the brand new Colour Artist Inks. I was super excited to get my hands on these recently, and have had fun putting them straight to work. The first thing I noticed when I used the inks was the colours - they are so vibrant (and right up my alley!) I also loved the fact that the wide opening of the glass jars they are packaged in make them so easy to dip a paintbrush directly into. (Again - very important for me!)

Here is the page I created...

"Beautiful"

Besides the Colour Artist Inks; I also used Colour Blast black and white heavy gessos; Colour Paste and a Colour Spray. So many luscious layers, colours and textures!

I used the Mini Angelique stencil from The Crafters Workshop for the face; and an Everyday Etc card from the 'Flawsome' collection by Flutterby Designs for the quote. The butterfly stickers are From a Mothers Art by Kelly-ann.

If you would like to see exactly how I created this page, or perhaps create one yourself; I have a detailed step-by-step tutorial for this page on the Colour Blast blog HERE
If you do use my tutorial to inspire your own creation, I would love to see it!
You can share it via the Colour Blast Creative Corner Facebook group; or alternatively tag me on Instagram @sue.plumb so I can see it.

For anyone in Brisbane, I am demonstrating the Colour Artist Inks, (and other Colour Blast products) on the Colour Blast stand at this weekend's Logan Craft Alive show. 

If you are there on Saturday, please pop over and say hi and pick up some Colour Artist Inks too. 
For details about the show, head to the website HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Dream Big | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

It's time to share another design team project with you, and today I have a super pretty mixed media layout created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio. This page was created using the brand new 'Bohemian Dream' collection and my (neglected) Faber-Castell watercolour pencils. Which, as it turns out, was a match made in heaven! 

I wanted to document this sweet photo I captured of my daughter and our cat. She totally adores him (and likewise he her), and often I find them asleep together in her bed. 

"Dream Big"

I started with the wood grain print on the reverse side of the 'Kaleidoscope' paper as my base. I then took pieces cut from the 'Boho Bits' paper, along with pieces from the miniature version of the 'Beautiful Mess' paper from the 6x6" paper pad, and stuck them randomly around my page. 

I then took my watercolour pencils and sketched around and between each of the pieces, switching between different colours as I went. Once I had all the sketching in place, I went back over it with a small paint brush dipped in water to soften the lines and blend the colours out. 

Next, I cut a piece of the 'Gypsy Heart' paper from the 6x6" pad and placed it where my photo was going to go. I then added some messy cotton thread for soft texture before adding my photo on top. Above my photo, I tucked in the favourite tab from the die cut ephemera pack.

Then it was time to start adding some embellishments around my page. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful butterflies. (I am a huge fan of butterflies at the best of times, but the ones in this collection really have my heart - I wish I had a thousand of them!)

I managed to restrain myself to only five butterflies on the page. Two were from the chipboard accent sticker sheet; two from the die cut ephemera pack; and the final one (and my favourite), was the one below my photo which was fussy cut from the 'Boho Bits' paper. Below my photo was also the love you chipboard accent sticker sheet. 

I clustered a few of the butterflies with floral pieces from the ephemera pack. (The florals in this range are SO gorgeous!) Alongside my photo I also added the words you are best friends from the accessory sticker sheet, along with a chipboard heart.
To finish my page, I added a few hearts from the enamel shapes pack, and stamped the little moments phrase from the clear stamp set.

If you would like to get your hands on your own stash of the new 'Bohemian Dream' collection, you can find it in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio store HERE

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I will have another project to share soon, so stay tuned. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

You Rock | Scrap the Boys November

Hi everyone!

Time to share another design team layout with you all - this time for Scrap the Boys. This month's challenge is a colour challenge and it looks like this...

I have to admit when I first saw this colour combination it didn't thrill me. (Nothing with brown usually does.) But once I figured that I could cover the brown using wood grain, and slightly tweak that sea green to a lighter aqua, I knew I could work with it. 

Here's what I came up with...

I started my background by laying down the orange using Colour Blast 'Amber' Colour Shimmer Dust and a wide brush. I then added some stamping using black ink and some stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. 

I then created a layered mat for my photo to sit on using patterned papers from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'You Rock' collection and a printed kraft bitty bag and dip dye tag from D-lish Scraps. I also added some 'You Rock' die cut ephemera pieces.

Beneath my photo, I added a Charms Creations denim & hessian heart, which I topped with the Cocoa Vanilla You Rock flair. I also added a coordinating chipboard sticker arrow, and then a chipboard sticker star alongside my photo.

To finish off I added some small torn pieces of washi tape, 'You Rock' enamel shapes and some stamped phrases around my page. I also added a few splatters of mist.

That's all from me today. I hope you will join in on our challenge at Scrap the Boys this month. If you are looking for some more inspiration, or more details about the challenge or prizes, you can head to the Scrap the Boys blog HERE.
*Scrap the Boys also has a design team call out for 2018 - if you are a boy scrapper, head over HERE for all the details and get your application in!*

Until next time, happy scrapping! X