Right Here | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Sue Plumb here to share my latest Colour Blast design team project with you. Today I have a mixed media scrapbook layout to share that I created using my very favourite Colour Blast product - Colour Artist Inks. I just love the bright, vibrant colours of the inks which were perfect for pairing with this photo of my boys with their friend. 

I began my page with a sheet of heavy weight white cardstock and a couple of Colour Shimmer Cubes - Blush and Apple Of My Eye. I wanted to create a simple watercolour background using a couple of contrasting colours.

(Unfortunately the Colour Shimmer Cubes have now been discontinued, but I am sure there are many of you who still have them in your stash waiting to be used. As an alternative, you could use Colour Shimmer Sprays in the same colours applied with a brush.)

To use the cubes, I first sprayed the surface liberally with some water, then left them to moisten for a few minutes. I then used a round brush to apply the colors over my background, starting with Blush applied to a few random areas, then moving onto Apple Of My Eye to fill in the gaps. I used extra water to keep the cube surface wet, and used a clean, wet brush to help the colours move around the page. 

It is important to ensure the pink is dry before moving onto the green, and take care not to overlap them, as this product is a watercolour and WILL reactivate (and pink + green = mud)

Once the shimmer cubes had dried, it was time to start applying some vibrant colour using the Colour Artist Inks. (As the inks are flat colours, I planned to overlap the shimmery colours from the cubes to reactivate them and supply some extra sparkle.) 

I started with Oasis, Cider and Slipper; and simply applied the ink like a watercolour paint using a small round brush. I dipped my brush into the water a couple of times as well, just to add some extra moisture to the page and help the inks move more. I applied each colour one at a time, tipping the page up vertically to create small colour runs, before drying it off. 

I then went back with more Colour Artist Inks (Citrus and Spice) to layer some extra colour over the top. I followed the same process as with the previous colours, tilting the page to create small runs and drying between colours. 

The next step in my process was to add some depth to my page with some stamping. I used the 'Sky of Stars' background stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps, along with black StazOn ink.

At this point I wanted to add some subtle texture to my page, and I also wanted to tie in the subtle green colour I had began my page with; so I used Apple Of My Eye Colour Paste, along with a stencil to add some whimsical style tree branches. (You can see the difference in the paste colour in the process shots between the wet vs dry product - it's much deeper and shimmery!)

After the paste had dried, I wanted to define the focal area of my page, so I added some black spotted tissue paper and some torn pieces of washi tape. I used a small amount of gel matte medium to apply the tissue, and I love the way the paper then "disappears" into the background, just leaving the pattern visible. 

Now it was time for some papery layers. I wanted something bright to match my bright inks and photo, and I found some old Amy Tan papers in my stash that worked perfectly. I also added a couple of coloured paper doilies, a tag tied with twine and some left over pieces of a heart cut file. I secured all my layers in place using a stapler. 

To finish off my page I adhered my photo, a small journalling tag, and a few pieces from the coordinating die cut ephemera pack. 

I then added some small splatters of Calypso Colour Artist Ink. (I know that I usually reach for Soot, but I felt black would be too harsh in this case.)

You can see in the close up how the layers of colour work on top of each other to give the background depth.

I love how the small runs of inky colour extend out below the paper layers.

I couldn't resist but include the cute little acetate pineapple on this page (I had been hoarding it for FAR too long!)

That's all from me today. I hope I have inspired you to get creative - maybe play with some bright colours or pull out some inks and try an easy background like this too?

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Stay Cool | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone! 

I am kicking off my new term with the Viva Las VegaStamps design team with a 12x12" mixed media scrapbook layout to share. This page features a photo of one of my twin boys that was taken only a few weeks ago to document how in a very short time he has gone from being terrified of swimming to loving being in the pool.

Here is my layout...

To create my page, I began with a sheet of white Bazzill cardstock and some Ranger Distress Oxides in Mermaid Lagoon; Cracked Pistachio; Twisted Citron; and Faded Jeans. I used the "packaging technique" to apply the inks - swiping the ink onto some plastic packaging, then adding a spritz of water before "smooshing" it down onto the cardstock. 

I started with the Mermaid Lagoon colour and then dried it off before repeating the process with the Cracked Pistachio and Twisted Citron. I love the layered watercolour style effect that it creates - perfect for my water themed page!

Next, I used the Faded Jeans Distress Oxide to add some splatters over the top. To do this, I swiped some ink onto my craft mat, then added water before soaking it up with my paint brush and splattering it over the top.

Then it was time to add some stamping! The first stamp I used was the Bubbles (Large Black), using Ranger Archival Ink in Paradise Teal. I added the bubbles in a vertical line down my page then added an extra group of bubbles where the left edge of my photo would sit. (This gave me the "visual triangle" I was looking for.)

Once I had the bubbles stamped out, I chose the Humpback Whale stamp for a bit of fun and to tie in with the water theme of my layout. I stamped the whale twice with the same teal ink, positioning it so that it was "swimming" through the focal area of the page and helping to draw the viewers eye in.

I also stamped the It's a whale of a tale... sentiment several times around the page, switching to black Staz On ink for that one.

With the majority of my background work done, it was time to switch to adding some papery layers and texture. I created a layered mat for my photo using an assortment of tissue paper, paper doilies, paint sample card, a tag, glitter cardstock, frayed gauze and coloured wire. I also added a few pieces of torn washi tape around the page.

Once the layers were in place I added some scrap cardboard to the back of my photo before mounting it on top. I also added a handmade heart embellishment from Charms Creations, and a flair button from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

Then it was time to finish my page off. I added my handwritten journalling using a felt pen, then stamped the Let Fear Be quote underneath it using black ink. 

I also used my favourite Doodle Dots stamp to add further depth to the background. (How could you not love how this stamp looks?) 

The finishing touch was a few blue and green sequins from Cocoa Vanilla Studio scattered around the page.

Here's a closer look at some of the finished details...

(I am so in love with that background, and glad that I finally treated myself to some Distress Oxides for Christmas!)

You can see where I used my Tim Holtz tiny attacher to fix the wire to my page. I love the extra texture the metal staples add.

That's all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to get your stamps out and create something too. Until next time, get inky! X

We Are Crazy | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone!

As you may have already seen recently, after over two years as a member of the Flutterby Designs DT, I made the difficult decision to step down. I loved every minute of being part of this team but felt it was time to step aside and make room for some fresh faces.

So without further ado, here is my final project share - a fun, 12x12" layout created with the recently released 'We Are' collection...

I began this page with some fun photos of my daughter and her friend that were taken when they attended a circus skills workshop during the school holidays. I used one of the papers called 'We Are' from the 12x12" paper pack and applied some Arctic White Flutter Colour paint with a brayer to cover some of the pattern in the focal area of my page.

I then took some of the 'We Are' Everyday Etc filler cards and layered them to create a mat for my photos. I also added some scrap cardboard to the back of my photos to help pop them up from the page. I tucked one of the 'We Are' page tabs in behind my photo as well.

The large camera and the we are title words were all fussy cut from some of the 'We Are' Everyday Etc cards. The word crazy was from the 'We Are' Sticky Quotes sheet, as was the we're all mad here sticker I used near the top of the page.

The little emoji faces I used around the page to help tie in the blue colour were fussy cut from one of the coordinating filler cards, along with the yellow chevrons I placed to help draw the viewers eye into the photos.

The funny quote I added underneath my photos was from the 'We Are' Everyday Etc card pack, and was a perfect supporting sentiment for this page theme. (Both these kids would agree with it! hehe)

I thought my layout needed a little more black to help finish it off, so I used the where is my mind? sentiment from Viva Las VegaStamps and stamped it several times around the page with black ink. I also used my Stabilo All pencil to add some small marks and a doodled page border.

Finally, I added a few enamel dots for a little more visual interest, and my handwritten journalling using a Sharpie and I was done.

So that's a wrap on my final layout for Flutterby Designs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anita for having me on her team - I love this lady so much! I have had a blast creating with her products alongside so many talented ladies.
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Merry & Bright | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share a mixed media scrapbook layout I created for Viva Las VegaStamps featuring some of the recently released VLVS Christmas stamps and a photo of my kids with a cool Santa.

As it is summer time here in Australia at Christmas (and also because I am not a fan), I tend to steer away from the "traditional" red / forest green Christmas colour combination and lean towards brighter colours that more accurately reflect our season.

I began this page with some white cardstock and Dina Wakley acrylic paints (turquoise, lime, sky, blushing and ruby), which I applied using a brayer and my fingers to build up some layers of colour. I also splattered some Colour Blast 'Soot' Colour Artist Ink around the page.

I then took an assortment of Christmas-themed stamps and used them to add some interest to my background. I used a combination of black StazOn ink and Paradise Teal Ranger Archival ink. The stamps I used were:

- Christmas Design Background

- Mittens

- Candy Cane Border

- Christmas Saying Reindeer Head

- Holiday Cheer

I then added a variety of patterned paper pieces from Cocoa Vanilla Studio to form a layered mat for my photo, before adding some frayed gauze and my photo on top.

To embellish my page, I used some cool chipboard Christmas trees from the Yuletide MASH pack by UmWow Studio, which I coloured using a gold paint pen before sticking them down with a liquid adhesive. 

I layered the chipboard trees with some assorted Christmas themed wood veneer pieces; flair button; resin star; enamel dots; and red & white paper flowers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio; plus a few tiny pale blue flowers from D-lish Scraps.

For my page title, I stamped the May Your Days Be Merry stamp a couple of times, then overlaid it with a merry&bright wood veneer piece (also from Cocoa Vanilla Studio and coloured gold with a paint pen). 

To finish off my page I added my handwritten journalling with a Sharpie, and some splatters of Colour Blast 'Bling' Colour Shimmer Spray.

I have a process video available on my YouTube channel for this page:

(If you do stop by to watch it and like what you see, please give me a thumbs up and subscribe!)

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to document your precious Christmas memories too. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Totally Epic | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

I am so happy and grateful to have the opportunity to be creating for Cocoa Vanilla Studio for another year alongside so many talented ladies. So without further ado, here is my first Cocoa Vanilla share for 2019 - a page I created with the fabulous 'Boys Rule' collection, documenting my hubby and one of our sons mountain climbing together. (This one is definitely dad's "mini me" and wants to do everything just like him.)

I began my page with the fabulous mixed media style 'Messed Up' paper, which provided me with a quick and easy background to start with. I then used pieces of the 'Expressionist' and 'Straight & Narrow' papers to to define the spot where my photos were going to be placed. I also added a couple of strips of the 'Boy Stuff' paper, using the triangular pattern to help draw the viewer's eye through the photos. 

I then positioned my photos - overlapping them slightly, and adding some scrap cardboard to the back to pop them up from the page. To further define the photos, I took a grey die cut frame from the Miscellany ephemera pack, which I cut in half and tucked in either side of the photos. 

I fussy cut the EPIC and YOLO woodgrain print hashtag pieces from the 'Boy Stuff' paper, adding some cardboard to the back of them and then placing them in the spaces that were created by the offset photos. I then added some small pieces of torn washi tape from my stash to tie in with the woodgrain colour. I also added a few wood veneer pieces from the 'Totally Rad' collection.

To further highlight the hashtag pieces, I used a couple of aqua blue paintbrush stroke stickers from the Clear Stickers set. (Just like the background paper I used, these stickers are a great way of adding a mixed media touch to your page without getting your hands dirty.) Also from the Clear Stickers, I used the tiny words this is and the larger word Totally to complete my title; then two small phrases beneath my photos.

To finish off my page, I added the boys rule flair button; the love it tab from the Accessory Sticker sheet; and a few splatters of Colour Blast 'Soot' Colour Artist Ink.

So there you have it - a mixed media style layout without the mess. I am looking forward to sharing many more Cocoa Vanilla creations with you over the coming year.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Fun Stuff | Scrap the Girls January challenge

Hi everyone!

Today I am popping in to share my design team layout for the January "Time Traveller" challenge at Scrap the Girls. This month there is an awesome pin up themed challenge image to inspire you, along with an additional Pinterest board full of extra images. You can be inspired by any of the images from the challenge image or Pinterest board, but when you link up your entry your entry must mention what inspired you and why.

Here's the challenge board...

You can find the additional inspiration images on Pinterest HERE

And here is what I created...

My layout was initially inspired by the image of the three girls on the board and their pouty red lips. I found a cool SnapChat filter that magically turned me into a pin up style nurse, and then created a photo collage using three shots I took. I was also inspired by the colours from the other images, opting to use the black / white / red / nautical blue for my palette.

To start my page I created a mixed media background - first using red Dina Wakley acrylic paint applied with a brayer; then layering over it with Colour Blast black heavy gesso applied with a wide brush. Once dry, I applied Colour Blast 'Just Blue' Colour Paste through a Tim Holtz stencil to three areas of my page, then wiped off the excess paste from my palette knife onto the page. 

Once the background had dried I stamped some random hearts around the page using StazOn ink and a Scribble Heart stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps.

Then it was time for some texture and layers! I used pieces of patterned paper, tissue paper, paper doily, paper bag, plasterer's tape, washi tapes, a printed tag, wire and frayed gauze to create a layered mat for my photo collage.

Alongside my photos I added a handmade red & white butterfly heart embellishment from Charms Creations. I also added a couple of cute little blue acrylic hearts from Corbett Creations and some blue enamel dots from D-lish Scraps.

The quote I used was from a MAMBI sticker book, and the wood veneer stars (also from D-lish Scraps) were coloured red with a Posca pen. 

To finish off my page I stamped the sassy since the day I was born quote around my page with a Typo roller stamp, and I also splattered some Colour Blast 'Marine' Colour Artist Ink. Then it was a few scribbles with my black and white Stabilo All pencils and I was done!

This was such a fun page to do (and the fact I completed it when I was at retreat surrounded by some of my favourite people probably made it even more so). 

I hope you will join in on this months challenge - our fabulous sponsor is Cut to You from Created by Gwen. If you have a cutting machine and you haven't checked out her newest cut file designs yet, then make sure you check them out HERE 

If you don't have a cutting machine, never fear! Gwen also cuts her designs and ships directly to you - how cool is that? You can check out the range of custom cuts HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X