Summer Fun | August 2021 Hip Kit

 

Hi everyone! Today I am here to share a new layout I created using my August 2021 Hip Kit from Hip Kit Club. This mixed media page features the main scrapbook kit combined with acrylic paint, a Distress Oxide, modelling paste and some stamping too. I also added a few small items from my stash - tissue paper, sequins, gauze, some phrase stickers, a flair button and a Charms Creations heart. (Yay for a bit of stash-busting!)

My inspiration for this layout was the Simple Stories 'Sunkissed' ephemera pack from the kit which is summer themed, and full of vibrant colours. I chose the photo of my daughter in the pool to go with it and also one of the subscriber exclusive Hip Kit Club cut files too. The cut file is called Target and was released alongside this kit in August 2021. For something different, I decided to cut it from a dark blue coloured cardstock (yay for more stash-busting!)

My background was created using a mix of Salvaged Patina and Salty Ocean Distress Oxides and a piece of kitchen sponge. This technique was inspired by fellow Cocoa Vanilla Studio DT member Josefine van der Hoeven.

I used papers from the kit to create layers under my photo, and I also fussy cut a few flowers from one of the Vicki Boutin papers. I included quite a few pieces from the ephemera pack, including the title piece. 

The sequins provided a nice shimmery touch and went well with the water theme of the page. I attached them using tacky glue in my fineline bottle. I also added handwritten journalling with a felt pen.

If you would like more details about this page, or to see how I put it together, you can watch my process video here:

That's all from me today, I'll be back with another project soon. Until then, happy scrapping! X

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

Bloom | Kitaholic Kits April 2021

Hi everyone, 

Back again to share my final project for Kitaholic Kits using the April 2021 kit. This project was inspired by the Simple Stories 'Bunnies and Blooms' items that were in the kit, which had a very Spring / gardening vibe to them. I thought they would work well with some photos of one of my boys that I took when he picked his first homegrown strawberries. (He was so proud!)

I started with one of the Studio Light papers for my background featuring small spots in blue, pink and purple. I then pulled pink, blue and lilac papers (from Studio Light and Obed Marshall) from the kit to match and created some layers to go underneath my photo. I also added a piece of the teal paper to tie in with my son's shirt in the photos. Besides the papers, I also tucked in a blue paper doily and some frayed gauze from my stash. 

Once I had the papers in place, I pulled out some cut files that I had laying around. These were floral design ones that I had cut previously and had gone into my "miscut" pile. (Some had a bit of fraying, parts not cut properly, etc.) These were all subscriber exclusive cut files from a previous kit (I think November or December?)

I took the cut files and cut them into pieces with the intention of tucking them in amongst my layers. I first decided to colour them though, so I took the green Heidi Swapp chalk ink from the mixed media add-on kit, mixed it with a little water and used a brush to paint it on. I then tucked the pieces in to help frame around my photos.

For my page title, I used the large bloom word from the Simple Stories 'Bunnies & Blooms' Page Pieces pack, which I ran across the bottom edge of my photos. I then embellished around my photos using more of the die cuts from the same pack mixed with some of the coordinating 'Bunnies and Blooms' chipboard stickers. 

I also added some stickers from the Maggie Holmes 'Garden Party' sticker book and wrote my journalling on a small label in the bottom right corner of the page.

I really love how this layout turned out! (And most importantly, my son does too.) If you'd like to see how I created it, you can watch my process video here:

That's all for my April kit shares, I'll be back again soon with a fresh kit and some new projects. Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Go Girl | Kitaholic Kits December 2020

 

Hi everyone!

I am popping in today with another of my Kitaholic Kits projects using the fabulous December kit. This page was inspired by the Simple Stories cut apart paper, which was filled with beautiful bright colours, so I decided to dust off my Gelatos from my stash to create a colourful abstract background to match. 

The photo I was documenting was of my daughter and one of her best friends that was taken on their last day of primary school. I decided to pair it with the colourful banners from the cut apart that were filled with inspirational sayings. 

I decided to create a diagonal design for my page, working from top left to bottom right. This allows for the viewer's eye to be drawn down through the focal area of the page where the photo was placed.

In addition to the Gelatos I had used for my background, I wanted to add some further detail to help elevate the background and stop it appearing so flat. I used one of the Vicki Boutin "Storyteller" stencils paired with the Ranger Stickles "Asteroid" Glitter Gel - both from the December mixed media add-on kit. To apply, I simply swiped the gel through the stencil using a palette knife in several spots around my page. This added the touch of sparkle and extra detail I was looking for. 

Under my photo I added two layers of patterned paper (both Amy Tan papers); some frayed gauze; and a pink paper doily from my stash. I then began working on my embellishments, which I kept relatively simple due to the busy background.

In addition to the banner pieces that I had fussy cut from the Simple Stories paper, I also used some of the November floral printables. These were provided exclusively for kit subscribers, so if you would like access to extras like this each month, then make sure you visit the website HERE for information on how to become a subscriber.

In the bottom right corner of my photo I added the fussy cut rosette ribbon (also from the Simple Stories paper); a handmade heart from Charms Creations; and then finished off my page with a sprinkling of the gorgeous Pebbles puffy dots and a splattering of ink. 

If you would like to see how I put this one together, you can watch my process video on my YouTube channel here:

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

Grad Dance | Kitaholic Kits December 2020

Hi everyone! In case you missed my announcement on one of my other social media channels, I am so happy to announce that I have officially joined the Kitaholic Kits team as a permanent design team member. Today I am sharing my very first layout using the new December kit and mixed media add-on kit. This month's gorgeous kit is filled with products from Crate Paper; Amy Tan; Pebbles; Simple Stories and more. (If you would like to see exactly what is in the kit, I have an unboxing video on my YouTube channel HERE)

For my first project I wanted to focus on the row of tags from the Crate Paper cut apart sheet in the kit, because - tags! I love tags, they are great for creating layers and tucking in amongst other elements. This time I really wanted the tags to be the hero of the page though, so I mixed a few different ones from the sheet, with some that I fussy cut myself and a few Kraft tags from my stash.

For my background I used a couple of Distress Oxides from my stash, as well as one of the Vicki Boutin stencils from the mixed media add-on kit. My photos were a series of pictures that I took of my hubby and daughter dancing together at her primary school graduation.

For my embellishments, I used a combination of the Pebbles die cuts from the Jen Hadfield collection 'The Avenue'; some of the wood veneer hearts; and a fussy cut floral piece from another of the Crate Paper patterned papers. 

My title was a mix of the Simple Stories foam alphas and the Rosie's Studio small puffy alphas. I finished off with some tiny splatters of navy mist, a stamped date and handwritten journalling. 

You can watch my process video for this layout, on my YouTube channel here:

I would love it if you would pop over and watch my video, and please leave me a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Lucky You | Dust It Off Challenge | May Homemade Kit

Hi everyone! Today I am back to share another layout using my May homemade kit, and yes, it's another birthday layout! My wonderful hubby recently celebrated his birthday (just a quiet one at home), so I took the opportunity to snap a couple of photos of him with the kids when he sat down to open his presents.  

Here is my layout, "Lucky You"...

(Click on photos for a better view)

Besides creating a birthday page (so I could tap into some of the celebration themed embellishments in the kit), the only other idea I started this layout with was to use one of the sheets of Kraft cardstock I had included. (Yes, Tam Buckler - I used the Kraft!) I figured the best way to tackle the Kraft cardstock was by using the acrylic paints that were also in my kit. 

I used a spatula to smear some white, aqua and metallic gold paints randomly around my page, leaving some parts a little "chunky" for added texture, and then left my page to dry overnight. 

Once dry, I added some stencilled detail to the background using the Crazy Quilts Calm & Frenzy stencil from StencilGirl that I had included in my kit. I used a sponge dauber and some grey ink to add subtle depth, then I also added a little bit of stamping using black ink and my fave Doodle Dots stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps. 

I then began creating some papery layers, starting with a printed paper bag from my stash (it wasn't included in the kit but sometimes you have to take a little creative license, right?) It featured a gorgeous triangular pattern in shades of blue and I decided I had hoarded it for way too long! In addition to the paper bag, I decided to use tags instead of patterned paper on this page as this was also one of the items in the kit. I used a large foiled Kraft tag from Heidi Swapp, as well as some smaller printed tags from Rosie's Studio and Pretty Little Studio and tied the tops of each one using different coloured twines. 

To draw in some more gold onto the page and add extra interest to my layers under my photos, I also added a gold foiled chipboard frame from Crate Paper. Then, once my photos were in place it was simply a matter of adding my embellishments.

From the Crate Paper 'Confetti' chipboard sheet I used the large aqua balloon and the gold bow. From the Vicki Boutin 'Color Kaleidoscope' Thickers, I used the small memories tab, the circular arrow piece, the you are loved label, and the super cute teal bunting (which I cut into two pieces and placed either side of my bottom photo).

I also used a D-lish Scraps flair button; phrase stickers from a Simple Stories Carpe Diem sticker pack; a puffy heart sticker; and then finished off with the fabulous Studio Calico gold chipboard asterisks that I scattered around the page. Some quick handwritten journalling details and a stamped date and I was done!

So what do you think? Did I do the Kraft cardstock justice? 

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

"Epic Adventure" Mini Album | Scrapping Clearly

Hi everyone! Back again to share my final project that I created as a guest designer for Scrapping Clearly last month. Today I am sharing a special mini album I created to document an epic adventure I had with my sister - a surprise weekend away to celebrate her birthday that was organised by her partner (and a few sneaky scrappy gals!)

There is so much to love packed into this album - not just the memories, but some beautiful products too. I have found myself using a lot more patterned papers lately, and falling in love with paper all over again.

So, let's get started on this album. I began with a pile of photos and a small 6 ring binder-style planner I purchased at Kmart. I opened it up and removed everything from the inside, leaving me with the cover only. 

I started by making myself a "kit" of coordinating items to work from that included a variety of patterned papers; stickers; and die cut ephemera.

I chose a number of patterned papers from the Simple Stories 'Heart' and Heidi Swapp 'Emerson Lane' collections; with some odd sheets from Pink Paislee and Websters Pages added in. My main criteria when choosing the papers for my kit was colour choice - with both the A and B sides of each one needing to fit my chosen palette. 

I started by cutting the sheets of paper into smaller "pages" - trimming each one into a variety of different sizes and shapes. I then used a few different decorative border punches to punch along some of the edges. 

Now it was time to sort the pages into some sort of order. I shuffled and stacked them, making sure that the sizes were mixed up and that colours and patterns on facing pages were complimentary to one another. I then punched each page using an adjustable 6-hole punch; adding some hole reinforcer stickers as I placed them into the binder.

With all of my pages in place, it was time to start adding my photos. (I do admit that the order of the pages did get shuffled a little as I began to work my way through the book.)

I treated each page just like a tiny scrapbook layout - I had a background, photo/s and now they just needed embellishments. I didn't want to use anything bulky because I wanted to make sure the pages would lay flat, so I chose a mix of stickers and die cuts to use.

To coordinate with the papers I had chosen, I used the Simple Stories 'Heart' Cardstock Stickers; and the Heidi Swapp 'Emerson Lane' Stickers and matching Ephemera. 

Throughout the album I added extra interest to some of the pages by adding "tip-ins" (extra interactive flaps) using tags / ephemera / pieces of paper, which I fastened with washi tape. (There is even a set of coordinating 'Emerson Lane' Washi Tapes!)

I left some of the pages in the album photo-free and kept them simply decorative. You can see how having a good variety of different page sizes, colours and patterns adds plenty of visual interest.

I did choose a couple of embellishments that were slightly dimensional to use in my album - the super cute Pebbles 'Spring Fling' Puffy Stickers - Flowers; and the 1 Canoe 2 'Globe Gallery' 3D Butterflies.

I made an effort to include handwritten journalling on as many of the pages as I could - using a variety of labels, journal tags and even paper offcuts to write on.

Another way to switch things up in the album is to add the photos sidewards - just as I did with the landscape shot, which allowed it to be printed larger.

Never be afraid to punch directly through a photo to turn it into a page itself; and when dealing with small pages, sometimes it is better to embellish over part of the photo.

When working on a small scale like this, especially with papers featuring bold patterns, it is better to keep to the "less is more" rule with embellishments.

Look at the papers you have and see what can be fussy cut from them to use as embellishments, such as flowers, labels, shapes and quotes.

Design tip: to help your embellishments stretch further, cut things such as label stickers in half. The irregular shape also makes it more interesting to look at.

Another way to add extra interactive elements to your album is to include small envelopes, which can be used to hold memorabilia, journalling or even extra photos (just like I did in my special "sealed section").

This is by no means all the pages from my album - there are just too many pages to share here (and some still to be completed). Once I have them all finished I will try and film an album flip through to share with you on my YouTube channel and in the Scrapping Clearly Facebook group. 

A big thanks to the gorgeous Kylie and the team for having me as a guest - I so enjoyed creating and  sharing my projects with you.
If you would like to shop up a storm in Kylie's store, you can find it HERE
Until next time, happy scrapping! X