#EPIC | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my latest Viva Las VegaStamps design team project with you - a mixed media scrapbook layout. This page features a photo of my daughter when she first got her new tablet and her very own version of Minecraft for Christmas. (To say she was excited is an understatement.) 

For my layout, I wanted to create a background that reflected the theme and the colours that were depicted in my photo. I decided to use the Overlapping Squares stamp (designed by Corrie Herriman) and stamp out a pattern on my page that I could then colour to suit.

I used Staz On ink as I knew that I would be using a wet medium and didn't want it to run at all.

I then used Faber-Castell watercolour pencils to add splashes of colour to the squares, before blending the pencil out with a water pen.

Once the squares were coloured, I also used the pencils to add some shading around and between some of them.

Next, I wanted to add some less structured marks to balance out all the hard lines from the squares, so I used the Crackle Background stamp to add some random, organic lines. (I keep my stamps unmounted for exactly this reason - I like to be able to bend them and manipulate them to only use small areas of the stamps surface.)

I then used the It's Only a Hobby stamp to add a few phrases to my background; before using a Colour Blast Colour Shimmer Spray to add some random splatters around my page.

With the background complete, it was time to add some papery layers to my page. I used some patterned paper pieces from Amy Tan; along with some Project Life cards and a paper doily to create a mat for my photo. 

I added some scrap cardboard to the back of my photo to pop it up from the page; then added the word woohoo (fussy cut from another Project Life card) using foam tape on top.

For my title I used a wood veneer word from D-lish Scraps, which I coloured using Posca pens.

To finish off my page I added a Charms Creations handmade heart embellishment topped with a flair button from D-lish Scraps. 

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to get inky too!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

3 Guest Designer Layouts | Uniquely Creative Kit Club

Hi everyone!

I was thrilled to be asked to join Uniquely Creative Kit Club as a guest designer again this month using the fabulous 'Pen and Ink' Creative Kit.

I created 3 layouts with the kit, which are all featured in the Creative Kit magazine; but I also wanted to share them all here so everyone can see what I created with this awesome kit. (If you would like to see a video of all the kit contents and some of the amazing creations from the team you can view it HERE)

Here is my first layout, which used the large laser cut butterfly from the kit as a feature...

I also used Kaisercraft patterned papers, stickers, stencil and background stamp; inks; gold pearl bling; gold metallic thread; and a gorgeous gold ampersand paper clip.

Here are some close ups...

For my second layout I was inclined to create something feminine that featured some of the gorgeous floral elements from the kit...

I included some subtle mixed media on my background using some of the watercolour pans that were included in the kit, and I also added some watercolour to the butterflies. The remaining elements were all from the Kaisercraft papers, die cut collectibles pack, and sticker sheet.

Here's a closer look...

For my final layout, I wanted to create a page that provided a good contrast to the previous two (to demonstrate the versatility of the kit); so I opted for a masculine layout with a more structured design.

I used a sheet of Kraft cardstock as my base, then some of the Kaisercraft papers, die cut collectables and stickers; along with wooden scrabble letters and mini hinges. I also used one of the watercolour pans to add some subtle splatters to my background.

Here's a closer look...

If you haven't checked out the Uniquely Creative Kits before, I highly recommend you do. They are so thoughtfully put together and full of products, and of course, great value! (Subscribers get kits even cheaper!) Head over to the Uniquely Creative website HERE and have a look around. 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Beach Vibes | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone! 

Time to share my latest Flutterby Designs DT project with you featuring the awesome 'Good Vibes Only' collection that was recently released. 

As the final remnants of summer fade away here in Queensland, so I thought it was only fitting to go back and scrap some of my fave summer photos of my kids.

I started this page by laying down some watercolour for my background. I used Colour Blast Colour Shimmer Sprays in 'Singin' the Blues' and 'Bling', which I applied using the packaging technique. I then added some stamping over the top using grey ink and a crackle effect stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps. I also added some tiny splatters of 'Barley' Colour Artist Ink to bring a little warmth and contrast.

Once my background was dry, it was time to add some papery layers. I used a variety of the 'Good Vibes Only' Everyday Etc filler cards, which I cut into various sized pieces and layered together to form a mat for my photos. I also added a page tab (from the Kraft Notes 5 sheet); torn pieces of washi tape (which comes in the 'Good Vibes Only' Kit); snippets of white punchinella and some frayed gauze; before adding my photos on top.

To create my title, I used several pieces from the 'Good Vibes Only' Wood Veneer Bits pack, as well as a white Tiny Sticky Quote.

I added the wild barefoot & free sticker from the 'Good Vibes Only' Sticky Quote sheet directly to my photo, using some foam tape to pop it up a bit. Underneath the edge of my photo, I added a DIY heart from Charms Creations, topped with a starfish from the wood veneer bits pack.

To balance out my design, I added a wood veneer pineapple and another small starfish to the left side of my photos. I also added another couple of white Tiny Sticky Quotes to my page.

To finish off my page, I decided it need more teal colour brought into it; so I used a Colour Blast 'Envy' Colour Shimmer Cube to add some areas of colour, as well as some extra splatters around the page.  

I then added a few small teal coloured hearts from the Rainbow Heart sticker sheet; stamped a couple of phrases and the date and I was done.

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. If you haven't got your hands on the 'Good Vibes Only' collection yet, or checked out the other recent items in the Flutterby store (including stencils and stickers), then click HERE to see them all.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X 

Become the Fire | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Popping in today with my latest design team project for Colour Blast. Today I am sharing a page in my altered book art journal. This had been one of those many projects I have been "intending" on doing for some time, and I finally decided it was time to jump in! I used an old hardcover book from the op shop for my book base. (I won't share my process for preparing the book as there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube you can look up - I used this one here.)

It should be no surprise that my go-to Colour Blast medium of choice for this page was Colour Artist Inks - they are my absolute fave to play with! (I was very keen to see how they would perform in my altered book.) I also used white and black Heavy Gesso and Colour Paste.

I will take you through my full process so you can see how it was done.

I started by choosing a random page in my book (no, I don't start at the front or work in order) and used some bulldog clips to hold my book open. I used white heavy gesso and an old brush to apply some to areas of the page. (I didn't cover the entire page as I wanted to gauge the difference in how the ink reacted with and without a primed surface.)

I started with the 'Citrus' Colour Artist Ink and used a small brush to apply it randomly to areas of my page - both over the gesso, and straight onto the paper. (You will note that the colours are not as vibrant when applied over the gesso, but it doesn't soak in as quickly and allows for "movement".)

After drying with a heat gun, I then repeated the process with 'Barley' Colour Artist Ink. I then added some splatters of 'Rust', before adding 'Sunburnt' ink into my palette. After I had dried it all off, I then went back and added some more of the 'Citrus' ink to give the colour more depth.

Next, I reached for some stencils and black Staz On ink. I used a script stencil and a sponge dauber to add some random text to my page, before adding my feature image using the fabulous 'Mystique' face stencil from StencilGirl. 

I then used white heavy gesso (applied with my finger) to add some highlights to the face, along with a Posca paint pen, which allowed the image to start to come to the front of the page, rather than just a part of the background. I also used black heavy gesso (also applied with my finger) to add some areas of contrast to my page; before going back with the white gesso to "bring back" the colour in some areas of my page.

Now it was time to give this lady some purpose! I added a quote from Flutterby Designs and used a Sharpie pen to draw around it to highlight it. To tie in with the quote I also used the Sharpie to draw a few "flames" on my page. I then added some pink Flutter Colour acrylic paint to each of the flames using my finger. (Fingers are the best brushes!)

With the colour down on my flames, I wanted to add some texture to give them some dimension; so I used my 'Fire Engine' Colour Paste and a thin palette knife to smear a little on top of each one before drying off thoroughly with a heat gun.

I then reached for my favourite art journal pens and pencil to add the finishing touches to my page. I used the white paint pens, along with a Flutterby Designs 'Bubble O'Fun' stencil to add some white circles. I also used the pens to further highlight the face, and add a few highlights to my flames.

I added three small Flutterby white Tiny Sticky Quote stickers which I outlined with my pencil, smudging it slightly as I went before finishing off with a few random pencil scribbles.

Here's a closer look at a couple of other details...

I am so happy with how this spread turned out and I am sure you will see more of them in future. 

Thanks for stopping by today. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Ink'd | Scrap the Girls April Challenge

Hi everyone!

Today I am here to share my take on the April challenge for Scrap the Girls. This month, the challenge is all about YOU. Here's a look at the mood board (I bet you can guess exactly which part of it inspired me)...

I couldn't go past the Johnny Depp quote for the chance to document my most recent tattoo and the meaning behind it. I wanted to make sure I journalled all the reasons why I designed it like I did and about it's placement too. 

The remainder of my inspiration came from the tattoo itself. I wanted to reflect the colours and design on my page. I started with white cardstock and used Colour Blast Colour Artist Inks for my background - applying each colour one at a time and drying in between each one. I used the tattoo as a guide for the placement of each colour. I also added some small splatters of black over the top.

After the inks had dried, I added some stamping with black ink using some background stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps, and some butterfly stamps from my stash. I then cut a a couple of pieces of patterned paper ('Random' from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'You Rock' collection) and some frayed gauze before adding my photos on top. I also added a D-lish Scraps wood veneer frame that I coloured black and cut in half. I then tucked a piece at the top and bottom of my photos.

I then added a butterfly heart from Charms Creations; a few pieces of torn washi tape; and some phrase stickers and enamel dots from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I used some old Thickers placed directly onto my photo for my title.

To finish off my page, I added my handwritten journalling that explained the meaning of my tattoo. I am so glad I created this page so that I could document this for myself and my family.

I hope you will play along with our challenge at Scrap the Girls this month. To see what the rest of the team created for this challenge and check out the prizes on offer, head over to the STG blog HERE 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X