Be You! | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my final design team project for Colour Blast. Yes, after two and a half years on the CB design team, the time had come for me to step down. After a lot of time and effort devoted to this team over the past couple of years, this now gives me some breathing room and the freedom to look for some new creative opportunities and avenues.

So today I am sharing the last layout that I created for CB using the 'Limited Edition' collection. The theme of this collection is all about being yourself so I thought I would document a couple of cheeky selfies (which pretty much sum me up. hehe)

Here's a look at the supplies I started with...

I began with the One of a Kind patterned paper from the 'Limited Edition' collection as my page background. The first step was to add some White Heavy Gesso to the area I decided was going to be the focal point of my page. I did this using a small brayer.

Whilst the gesso was drying, I gathered some pieces of the 'Stand Out' patterned paper and layered them together to form a mat for my photos. 

I then went back to my background sheet and added some stamping around the edge of the focal area using the Peony Dreams stamp set from the 'Spread Your Wings' collection and 'Faded Jeans' Distress Oxide.

Next, I wanted to add some subtle texture to the page. I used the 'That Way' stencil from the 'Going My Way' release with 'Apple of My Eye' Colour Paste; applying small amounts randomly around the page using a palette knife.

At this point I felt my layout needed some black to tie in with the black in my photos and also to provide a some contrast. I used 'Soot' Colour Artist Ink, and simply used the dropper from the bottle to drip some directly onto the page. I then set my page aside for a little while to dry. 

Once it was dry, I added the layered mat I had created earlier; bending up the edges of each of the pieces to give the stack more dimension, before sticking my photos on top.

I then took the Floral Cluster cut file from Cut to You and tucked them in under the edges of my photos. I also created a circular frame using coloured wire, which I stapled on top of my photos. 

With all of the main structure in place, it was simply a matter of adding some finishing touches. I added some messy black cotton thread, which I tucked in amongst my layers.

I fussy cut three small bees from the Glorious Tags paper and added those to the page.

 I finished off my layout by adding three phrases cut from the Exception Word Sheet paper, placing two above my photos and one below.

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Limited Edition | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Today I am sharing a mixed media layout I created for Colour Blast with the April release "Limited Edition" collection; as well as Colour Paste; Colour Shimmer Dust; and a Colour Shimmer Brush Marker. I even used some Colour Embossing Powder, AND dragged out my Big Shot to use the 'Going My Way' die. 

My layout features a photo of my daughter and one of her best friends, which is aptly titled "Limited Edition" (just like the collection)...

I've got a really detailed step by step process for you today, so you can follow along at home and create your own version of this page. Here's a look at what I stated with (if you don't have everything the same, just substitute in something similar).

I began with the Individual paper as my page base; then took the Stand Out cut apart paper, and cut it into all the individual pieces. I followed the design on the background paper which featured distressed / torn edges printed at the top and bottom, and created actual tears in both places, securing the edges with small staples. I took one of the cut apart pieces and used it to back both of the tears to add some pops of blue.

Next, I added some stamping to my background using the 'Peony Dreams' stamp set from the January "Spread Your Wings" collection and 'Faded Jeans' Distress Oxide. (You will note I stamped randomly with sections of the stamp - I did not use the entire stamp image as whole.)

After the stamping, it was time to create some texture. I started with 'Bling' Colour Paste and a stencil from Flutterby Designs that featured a circular style design, so I could continue the circular theme from the background paper. After I added a few circles, I then wiped off the excess paste from my palette knife randomly around the page before drying it off with a heat gun.

I then went in with another stencil, this time a scripted design from The Crafters Workshop, and 'Singin' the Blues' Colour Paste. I chose this design so I could add more blue colour, as well as texture to the page, without any real structure. (And yes, you can totally layer one Colour Paste over another, as long as the first one is dry!)

At this point my background looked like this (you can see how I was working with the "rule of threes" which helps bring balance to your page)...

After the paste had dried, it was time to turn to paper again. I used pieces of the Stand Out cut apart paper I had cut earlier, as well as a larger piece of the Uniqueness paper to create a layered mat for my photo to sit on. I also fussy cut the quote from the Stand Out paper and adhered it along the bottom edge of the page.

I then took the 'Going My Way' die (from the 'Going My Way' collection) and another piece of the Uniqueness paper and cut it using my Big Shot. I then added some extra colour to it using 'Duke' Colour Shimmer Dust that I mixed with water and applied with a small brush.

Whilst that was drying, I turned my attention to the chipboard pieces I had chosen for my page, which were a mixture of circular style designs such as cogs and clocks; and a few stars as well. I stamped the pieces with embossing ink; then applied 'Steel' Colour Embossing Powder over the top; before tapping off the excess and using a heat gun to set it. (This is my favourite colour of embossing powder, as it makes the chipboard pieces look like chrome!)

With chipboard pieces ready, it was then time to start embellishing the page. I cut my die cut piece in half and added the two pieces on either side of my photo mat, as well as some frayed gauze on top of the paper layers. I then adhered my chipboard pieces, tucking some in under the edges of my photo mat, and following along the diagonal design of the page. 

With the embellishments in place, I then added my photo, using some scrap cardboard underneath to pop it up a bit.

For my page title, I fussy cut the limited edition plaque from the Exception Word Sheet and added a little extra colour using the 'Duke' Colour Shimmer Dust I had mixed earlier. I also used the brush to add small amounts of blue around the focal area of my page.

I then adhered my title piece onto the chipboard frame I had embossed earlier and tucked it into the layers above my photo.

With my page nearing completion, I took a Silver Colour Shimmer Brush Marker, and added a little extra definition and shimmer to some of the cogs and clocks printed on the page.

To finish off my page I added a scattering of pale blue Cocoa Vanilla Studio sequins.

The circular shape of the sequins helps bring the repeating circular theme of the whole page together and adds an extra layer of texture and interest. 

I hope this detailed insight into my process will help you create your own version of this layout. I love being able to inspire others to create, so make sure you share with me if you do! You can post your creations in the Colour Blast Creative Corner group on Facebook, or tag me @sue.plumb on Instagram.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X