Hello Hair | August 2021 Hip Kit

 

Hi everyone,

I've got a fun mixed media layout to share today that was created just for ME! If you have been around for a while you would already know that mid last year I took the plunge and subscribed to Hip Kit Club's monthly scrapbook kit. Unfortunately, not long after that I had to pack all my craft supplies away and move house, and I haven't really had a chance to play with my kits since. So it was high time that I crack one open and get some creating done! I chose the August kit, which was a bright, fun kit full of a mix of different brands. I chose to document a series of photos of myself after a visit to the hairdresser last year.

I started my layout with a sheet of 300gsm cardstock and Mont Marte Dimension paint in Paynes Grey. I used my favourite Number 4 brush and the dry brush technique to add some background colour to the page. I then used floral stencil from StencilGirl (Rose Bouquet) and BeeArty Snow White Colour Paste to add some subtle detail over the top of the paint.

Next, I cut a large piece of one of the Hip Kit exclusive papers, choosing the B side for the beautiful orange colour and subtle pattern. (I always love a B side!) I distressed the edges of the paper using scissors (I was scrapping away from home and didn't have my distress tool with me) and then used my fingernail to ruffle it up a bit more. I used another of the Hip Kit papers featuring a black and white sketchy style floral pattern to add a piece above and below the orange paper. I tore along the edges of each strip to add texture. On top of the papers I added a dark grey paper doily and some frayed gauze and before placing my photos on top.

When it came to the embellishments I actually found myself a little challenged. Most of the embellishments were either the wrong colour for the palette I had chosen (I didn't really think it through before I started), or didn't fit with the theme of my page. In the end I chose the Floral Study paper by Vicki Boutin, and fussy cut several flowers from it to use as my main embellishments and tucked them in around my photos.

I chose the word smile from the Amy Tan Thickers in the kit which matched well with the pops of red from the roses on my jacket. I also found a few small pieces in the Simple Stories ephemera pack that matched with the warm tones I was using and added them to the page.

Luckily, the Simple Stories foam alphas in the kit were the perfect match for the main paper I had chosen, so I used them in my title. I finished off my layout with some of the Prima crystals; handwritten journalling; some stamped phrases; and tiny red splatters using Barn Door Distress Oxide.

Overall I was happy with how the layout turned out, but I would probably think more carefully about how my choice of colours / photos will work with the kit before I dive in next time. Oh well.

If you would like to watch how I put this layout together, I have a video available on my YouTube channel here:

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section of my video, here on my blog post, or connect with me via my Facebook page. 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Happy | StencilGirl

Hi friends!

I am popping in today to share my most recent project for the StencilGirl Creative Team. Today's mixed media layout was created for the theme of "Passages". This theme had my mind going in several different directions; but in the end I decided to interpret the theme quite literally, and create a page that documented a special passage in my life. 

Here's a look at my layout, simply entitled "Happy"...

This layout not only refers to an actual passage (a corridor at the hospital) but it also marks an important passage of time for myself and my boys. I am thankful that on the day this photo was taken that I took the time to write down my feelings. (I will share my journaling with you later in this post.)

With my subject decided and photo printed, it was time to get started on my page. I began with a sheet of heavyweight white cardstock and Distress Oxides in the shades of Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves. I applied the first ink to my non-stick craft mat, added a spritz of water, and then swirled the water through using my fingertip before laying the cardstock over the top to absorb it. I then repeated the process with the second ink and the end result was a vibrant, watercolour style background.

Once my initial layer of colour was down, it was time to pull out my stencils and start building some layers on my page. The first stencil I chose was the 4x4" stencil included in the StencilGirl Club Rex Ray-esque collection. This collection of stencils was designed by Valerie Sjodin, and the small stencil I selected from the set features a block style pattern that is almost brick-like in appearance. I used teal Archival Ink and a small sponge to apply the pattern in three places surrounding the focal area of my layout.

Now it was time to add some texture to the page. But which stencil to use was the question? Drawing on the theme of my layout, and how the passage of time had seen my boys come "full circle" to this moment, I chose a stencil with a lovely, loose circular pattern called Circles in the Sand, designed by Roxanne Evans Stout. I then used a palette knife to apply some lilac coloured texture paste through the stencil over the top of the inks. The free flowing pattern of this stencil contrasted nicely to the structure of the first one I had used. 

Although happy with how my background was looking at this point, I really felt that it needed some contrasting highlights to provide more depth. I used one of my very favourite stencils - Organized Chaos by Cat Kerr, which I combined with gorgeous gold glaze from Vicki Boutin.  

Now satisfied with my background, I turned my attention to the focal area of my page and to creating some papery layers. I started with a heart print paper bag to act as the anchor, and it was also where I was going to store the journaling that I had written onto a couple of pieces of patterned paper.

Next, I added some pieces of patterned paper from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Bohemian Dream' collection, which features pretty pink / purple / blue tones and gorgeous floral elements. I also added a couple of paper doilies and some frayed gauze, before adding my photo on top. 

I used a variety of pieces from the same collection to embellish my layout including die cuts, stickers, and a chipboard title. I also fussy cut a few pieces from a floral paper and tucked them in around the photo mat.

If you would like to hear the story behind this layout, here is what my journaling read:

A big day for us today! Back to where it all began for the boys 4 year old (and final!) development assessment as RBWH. Walking the hallway lined with photos, through that glass door and into those never forgotten sounds and smells of the NICU still made me tear up and catch my breath. I had to look away from all the tiny, fragile patients in their "boxes", and the tired, bleak faces of their anxious mothers, because it breaks my heart to know what they are going through.

It is good to know our participation in this program over the past 4 years has provided valuable data to researchers to help care for very premature and extremely low birth weight babies born in future.

Before we left I took a moment to pause in this spot with my boys. At the end of the hall behind us are rooms full of memories - the place I first saw my them, touched their skin, held them and fed them. Moments that felt like I waited forever for each one; and wasn't sure would even happen when I was first admitted. (And were it not for the expert care my boys received here, would certainly not have.)

On the day they were born I was wheeled in as the mum of premmie twins, including the smallest baby in the hospital.Today I walked out holding their hands and knowing how lucky I am.

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you (especially if you hung in there all the way to the end!) Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Congrats | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone!
I am back again today with another layout created using my May homemade kit. (Are you getting sick of it yet?) You may remember I previously shared a page from this kit using a Kraft background and today I have another one! Kraft is not something I often use, and after being inspired by Tam Buckler, I had included two sheets in my kit so I figured I may as well use the second one up! I chose to document a photo of my daughter and some of her friends that was taken on their last day of primary school.

I decided to delve into the acrylic paints in my kit again as I loved the way the paint looked on the other Kraft page I had done. This time I stuck with only white, and then I used some Colour Blast by BeeArty 'Charcoal' Colour Paste with a Dusty Attic stencil I had also included in my kit. (I thought the jumbled numbers & symbols were a good match for a school themed page.)

I created a layered mat for my photo by stacking up some patterned paper scraps from the kit box, then stapled the stack together before adhering it onto my page. (This makes it so much easier than sticking paper pieces down one at a time.)

Into my paper layers I also tucked a paper doily, a Pretty Little Studio printed tag that I tied with twine, and a tag shaped sticker from Webster's Pages. I also added some frayed gauze for texture before popping my photo on top. To the left of my photo I added a chevron that I fussy cut from one of the Crate Paper scraps. 

To embellish the page I first reached for the Crate Paper 'Confetti' 12x12" chipboard stickers, as I thought this photo would work well with the celebratory theme of them (and I have heaps left to use too!) I added the cute little party hat above my daughter's head to help draw attention to her in the photo; then the fun pinwheel and congrats flag to the right of my photo. 

Underneath my photo I used the smile for the camera sticker from a pack of Vicki Boutin chipboard Thickers. I then added a variety of phrase stickers (Simple Stories, Webster's Pages) and a yellow enamel heart sticker.

I finished off by stamping the date and adding handwritten journalling.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I promise I am nearing the end of this kit...haha. But I am happy with the variety of pages I have made from this kit.
Until next time, happy stash-busting to you too! X 

Best Ever! | StencilGirl

Hi friends!

I am popping in today to share my most recent project created for the StencilGirl® Creative Team. During May and June the Creative Team members worked with the theme of "Typography". Typography in artistic terms means using type as an intrinsic part of the artwork, or in some cases (particularly modern art), it may even be the artwork itself. For my piece, I decided to demonstrate how I often like to incorporate type on a scrapbook layout - as the basis of my background.

For my page, I chose to document a special photo of my daughter that was taken at her primary school graduation last year when she was awarded Dux (or Valedictorian for my American friends) of her school. This was the perfect subject to pair with a background featuring type. 

I began my project by adding some color diagonally across my cardstock. I used Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide with what I call the "smooshing" technique. (This is where the ink is mixed with water on a piece of plastic and then applied by smooshing it down onto the page to give a watercolor style effect - you can see it in action in my process video below.)

Next, I selected my stencils. I wanted to use two different types of fonts that I could layer on the page as part of my background. The first one I chose was the Wall of Words 9x12" stencil designed by Carolyn Dube. This stencil is full of words of wisdom, motivation, and laughter; and due to the uniformity of the text style, I thought it would be ideal as part of my background. The second stencil I chose was one of my favorites - Rembrandt's Words Small stencil. This stencil was also designed by Carolyn Dube and I thought the flowing script would provide a good contrast against the structured text of the Wall of Words stencil.

I used a small sponge to dab ink randomly through the Wall of Words stencil along the diagonal line of color I had created on the page. In some places, I overlapped lines of text to give a random, jumbled appearance. I then used Colour Blast by Bee Arty 'Deep Water' Colour Paste with the Rembrandt's Words stencil to add contrast and subtle dimension before leaving it to dry naturally for a short while.

I then returned to work on the textural layers that were going to go behind my photo in the focal area of my page. I used crumpled tissue paper, a paper doily, patterned paper, cotton thread, and frayed gauze to create a stack, then placed my photo on top. I then fussy cut some pieces from a Cocoa Vanilla Studio floral patterned paper which I tucked in under the diagonally opposing corners of the photo, further enhancing the flow of the page.

To give the diagonal design both a start and endpoint, I created two small clusters along the top and bottom edges of the page (which also helped to balance out the heavy focal area in the middle). I used a mix of patterned papers and embellishments from the same Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Wild at Heart' collection that the floral pieces had come from. I also added some extra embellishments around my photo.

At this point, I decided my layout needed a little bit of something extra and I really wanted to tie in the gold color from the photo as well. I reached for my Military Style Stars stencil by June Pfaff Daley and some gold texture paste and stenciled some little gold stars across the page. I also added some splatters of gold mist and pink ink; and three fussy cut butterflies. 

And then I did something I don't usually do. I decided the background text on my page wasn't defined quite enough, so I went back in with the Wall of Words stencil and added some extra stenciled type. As soon as I had done it, I then felt it looked much better and my page was complete.

If you would like to watch exactly how it all came together, you can watch my process video here:

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. Until next time, happy creating! X

Follow Your Heart | StencilGirl®

Hi friends!

Today I am here to share a project that I created for the StencilGirl® Creative Team. This time around our team was challenged with the themes of "Stencilled Poetry or Spring Break Stencil Party." As soon as I saw the word spring, my mind immediately went to flowers and my decision was made instantly. 

I am a huge fan of using flowers in my creations. In fact, I probably own more floral-themed stencils than any other type. And regardless of how many floral stencils I already have, I am always drawn to new ones because each one always offers something different. For this page, I decided to showcase one of my most favorite floral-themed stencils - Wildflower Bouquet designed by Wendy Brightbill. I wanted to allow the stencil to really shine, so I kept the remainder of the background quite minimal - it was perfect for this photo of my daughter in one of her Cosplay costumes.

I began with a sheet of white cardstock and some Distress Oxides in Spun Sugar; Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry. I began with the Spun Sugar and applied the ink to my non-stick craft mat. I then spritzed it with some water and swirled it through with my fingertip to mix the color. I laid my cardstock over the top and smoothed it down with my hand to absorb the ink. I then dried it off and repeated the process with the other colors, which I used more sparingly than the first. (This was so I didn't overwhelm the stencil design that was going to be placed over the top.)

With the inks in place and dried off, it was the time to add my stenciled design over the top. I chose a Colour Blast by Bee Arty Colour Paste (Deep Water) to apply the design, as I wanted to use a product that would also add some texture. My paste color choice was largely dictated by the photo I was using, but also because I wanted something beautiful and bold to show off the floral design. To apply the paste I simply taped the stencil down onto my cardstock using washi tape; then masked off the stems of the bouquet, and then used a palette knife to spread the paste through the stencil and then set it aside to dry.

Once dry, I decided to add another stenciled layer to my background. This time I used another Distress Oxide (Lime Citron) and sponged the ink through the stencil. The stencil I chose was a soft, flowing script called Rembrandt's Words (small), designed by Carolyn Dube. The addition of the green provided an instant lift to the background, and the loose, organic design of the stencil added an extra layer of softness as well.

The final step for my background was to add some ink splatters. I used two inks - black and an emerald green, and a small stiff brush to add tiny splatters around my page. This added a bit of a "grunge" factor and helped tie in my photo. I then set my page aside and turned my attention to working on the layers that would go on top.

I gathered together a variety of patterned paper pieces that I cut and tore into different sizes and shapes and then stacked them together, securing the pile with a couple of staples. I then used tape to fix the stack onto my background before adding some frayed gauze and then my photo on top.

Now it was time for some more flowers! This time I didn't use a stencil however, it was time for some paper ones instead. I grabbed a selection of pink flowers and some green leaves from my stash and created 3 clusters with them, framing around my photo.

There was just one thing my layout was missing now - butterflies! When I think of spring and flowers, I also think of butterflies, so that was just what I needed to complete my page. I grabbed my Paint Tin and Butterflies stencil designed by Cathy Taylor (another of my favorites); Archival Ink and a sponge dauber. I chose a piece of watercolor style pink patterned paper and stencilled 3 butterflies of varying sizes onto the paper. I then fussy cut around them and adhered them onto my page.

Now it was time for the finishing touches. I added a few enamel dots on top of my butterflies to give them some extra detail; as well as placing a few extra scattered enamel dots around my page. I added a page title using a clear sticker from MAMBI, and a few coordinating clear heart stickers.

Here are a few close-ups of my finished project so you can see some of the details...

That's all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to pull out some stencils and get creative too.
Here's a look at the three stencils I used...

Wildflower Bouquet

Rembrandt's Words

Paint Tin and Butterflies

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Summer ~ a monochromatic scrapbook layout | StencilGirl Monochromatic Rainbow Blog Hop

Hello! 

I hope you have found your way here as part of the StencilGirl® Products Monochromatic Rainbow blog hop, or perhaps you already follow my blog? Either way, I am so happy you are here so I can share my project with you.

For this hop, each Creative Team member was tasked with creating a monochromatic project in various colours, and if you haven't already guessed it - I got blue! (Yay!) I decided to go with the type of project that I know best, and create a scrapbook layout to document a photo of my boys swimming (seeing as blue was also the dominant colour of the photo). 

Here's a look at my page...

(Click on photos for a better view)

I began with my background, using a combination of Dina Wakley acrylic paint and a watercolour paint that I made by mixing Colour Blast by BeeArty Shimmer Dust with some water. I used a brayer to apply the acrylic paint to the lower half of the page, then a wide brush to apply the watercolour to the top half, overlapping a bit in the middle. 

Over the top of the watercolour paint I stencilled with the fabulous Circles in the Sand stencil designed by Roxanne Evans Stout, using Colour Blast 'Deep Blue' Colour Paste from BeeArty. I chose this stencil because of the flowing, organic nature of the circular shapes, which I thought lent themselves well to a water-inspired page. 

Over the acrylic paint at the bottom of the page, I used a Gelato and a stencil brush to apply spots of colour through the Organized Chaos stencil designed by Cat Kerr. This stencil is one of my absolute favourites and if you don't have it in your collection, you should! I thought the smaller sized circles balanced well against the larger, dominant pattern I had used on the upper half of the page, and added a "splashy" feel to the page.

I then added some papery layers over the top using a variety of patterned papers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I also added a paper doily, frayed gauze and some torn pieces of striped washi tape before sticking my photo on top.

For my embellishments, I again used items from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, including die cuts, stickers and a flair button, which I popped on top of a handmade felt star from Charms Creations. 

Next, I added a few enamel dots scattered around the page, and some small inky splatters using a Colour Blast by BeeArty Colour Artist Ink. I then finished off with my page title, which I had cut from white cardstock using a cut file from Cocoa Vanilla Studio (you can download the free summer themed set HERE). I used the same Gelato I had used for the stencilling to add an ombre effect along the lower half of the title. 

If you would like to see exactly how I put this page together, you can watch my process video below:

Now you have finished at my stop on the hop, its time to visit the next person on the list!

Check out all the wonderful artworks in our Creative Team Monochromatic Rainbow Hop:

Shel Cee – Violet

Peg Robinson – Purple

Sue Plumb – Blue (you are here)

Linda Edkins Wyatt – Green

Jennifer Gallager – Yellow

Claudia Neubacher – Orange

Carol Baxter – Red

Sunila Mahajan and Aditi Mahajan – Gold

Natalie May – White/Black

Debi Adams – Indigo

Comment on the blogs for your chance to win one of the $25 gift certificates for StencilGirlProducts.com.
Contest ends April 27, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time USA. Winners will be contacted via email the 28th.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!