Best Day | Pinkfresh Fridays YouTube Hop

 

Hi everyone, 

I'm back with another new mixed media layout to share today. This one was created recent for the Pinkfresh Fridays monthly YouTube hop that is organised by my sweet friend Joanne Bartell. Each month, a group of scrappers create and share videos using Pinkfresh Studio products and I was delighted to be able to join in this time. 

I don't have a huge amount of Pinkfresh products in my stash, but luckily for me they often appear in the Hip Kit Club scrapbook kits, so I do have some. The products I used for this layout all came from my June 2021 kit, and were from the 'Happy Blooms' collection - a perfect choice to document this series of photos of my daughter with her Valentine's Day flowers from her boyfriend. 

I went quite product heavy on this page (why not - no use hoarding it, right?) and added lots of luscious layers, including a bunch tags that I cut from patterned paper.

My mixed media background was created using Distress Oxides - first applied with an ink blending tool, then stamped, then splattered. 

I added a couple of my signature elements (I guess they could be called that now?) with a paper doily and then frayed gauze for texture.

I was happy with how this one turned out and it was certainly fun to put together. You can watch my process video for this page via the link below. If you would like to see what everyone else created for this hop, be sure to open my video in YouTube and you will find a linked list of the other participants in my video description. 

While you are there, I would love it if you would subscribe to my channel so you don't miss any of my upcoming videos. (Or check out my back catalogue of videos - there are lots there to choose from!)

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

We Are Awesome | Mix It Up Monday hop

 

Hi everyone,

Today I am popping by with some images of a layout I created recently for the "Mix It Up Monday" creative hop. The premise of this hop was to take a traditional scrapbook sketch and "mix it up" using mixed media / stitching / texture, etc. 

This is the sketch by Rochelle Spears that we were all working with...

And here is my take on it, which I did in my "girly grunge" style...

I have a process video for this layout available which you can view here:

There is a linked list to all the videos from the hop participants in my video description on YouTube, so please click over to my channel if you'd like to follow along.

Here are a few close-up photos of my layout...

If you missed my previous post containing the announcement about my blog, please click HERE

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

Super Stars | Danni Vee's 4K Hooray YouTube Hop

 

Hi everyone, I hope this finds you well. It's been super busy around my house lately with the kids on school holidays and I haven't had much time to sit at my desk and create. *insert sad face* I did however, have a chance recently to play along with Danni Vee's 4K Hooray YouTube hop. This hop was put together to celebrate my dear friend Danni's recent milestone of reaching four thousand subscribers on YouTube. Such a fabulous achievement!

For the hop, Danni invited us to create a layout using four of her favourite items from the grid below...

In a further nod to Danni, several participants (myself included), also decided to scraplift one of Danni's layouts. I knew immediately which one I wanted to do, because it was one of my favourite Danni layouts of all time...

This was one that Danni created for the Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team, and given that I am fortunate enough to be on this team with her, I thought it was the perfect choice. Danni used the 'Legendary' collection for her page, so of course I did the same. 

Here's my take on it...

The photo I chose to document was of my boys at their cross country at school. They placed second and fifth for their age group, which was an awesome performance from them both. 

I started my layout with the same wood grain paper that Danni did, which is just about my favourite paper from this whole range. I added some subtle mixed media to my page using texture paste and a stencil from Dusty Attic. I also added some white and teal splatters and then set it aside to dry.

For the focal area of my page, I matted my photo using blue star print paper then added the layer of the teal chevron print paper (which was actually from the 'Sunkissed' collection) underneath it. Amongst the layers I also tucked in a grey paper doily, and some frayed gauze for texture before sticking my photo on top.

I knew I wanted to use the title "Super Stars" for my page using the Die Cut Titles from the collection. (I did have to improvise and add an extra "s" to the end of star, which I simply cut from another word.) I stuck my title down along the bottom edge of the photo, just as Danni had placed hers. 

When it came to embellishing my page, I wanted to use stars to tie in with the title. I gathered together a selection from the Die Cut Ephemera pack and tucked them in around my photo. On the right edge of my photo I also added the certified legend ribbon, because it worked perfectly with the theme of the page. 

Like Danni's page, I finished off with some tiny phrase stickers and a scattering of enamel dots (both of which were on Danni's list of materials). In the end, I ticked off:

- patterned paper background

- ink splatters

- tiny word stickers

- enamel dots

AND, I added in a scraplift to boot!

If you would like to see how this layout came together and see the videos from the other participants in Danni's hop, check out my process video here (there is a inked listed of participants in my video description):

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

20 | Created by Gwen 1st YouTube Birthday Hop

 

Hi everyone, today I am here to share a layout that was created for a very special celebration. My dear friend Gwen Wruck's YouTube channel, "Created by Gwen" is one year old today. (Congrats Gwen!) To mark the occasion, a group of us have joined forces to put together a YouTube hop. The theme of this hop is to be inspired by Gwen's crafty style, and to try and include Gwen's top five signature scrappy elements. These are a square photo (4x4" preferred); cut files; patterned paper; layered clusters and stitching. If you aren't already familiar with Gwen's work, you can find her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreatedByGwen

Here's a look at the layout I created...

The photo I chose to document for this page is of my hubby and I last month as we were popping out for a lunch date to celebrate 20 years together. 

So for my layout, I started with a sheet of my favourite 300gsm white cardstock. I decided to add some mixed media to my page, but as Gwen isn't a huge mixed media fan, I kept it relatively subtle. I used Tattered Rose Distress Oxide applied with the packaging technique, then Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide to add some splatters. 

I used a sheet of patterned paper from the Amy Tan Late Afternoon collection to back my cardstock, giving me a green border for my page. My intention had been to stitch around the cardstock edge to tick off the stitching element, but unfortunately when I pulled my machine out to use I found I had an empty bobbin, and being late at night it was all too hard and I just went without it. 

Now it was onto the main portion of my layout. In another move that was inspired by Gwen and her "Maggie Holmes Monday" series she runs on her channel, I decided to pull out some of my own Maggie goodies and use them too. 

I had a couple of partly used sheets of paper from the Crate Paper Marigold collection that I had left-over from previous projects, which I combined with a sheet from the Crate Paper Bloom collection. I created a double layered mat for my photo, and I also added a white paper lace doily and some frayed gauze into my stack. (I know the gauze isn't Gwen's style, but I still wanted to make it my own.)

Whilst digging in my Crate Paper stash for materials for this page, I stumbled upon a pack of chipboard frames from waaay back. (The Open Book collection to be exact - remember that one?) I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to use a few up, as Gwen often includes chipboard pieces on her pages. I chose 3 frames and layered them under my photo, following my natural instinct to create a "visual triangle"...and then I had to make a left turn.

If you know anything about Gwen's style, you will know that she doesn't create her clusters in the same way I do. Instead of the visual triangle method that I usually use, she uses a technique that can best be described as "flowing clusters". That is, she creates clusters that are designed to lead the eye around the page to different points of interest. These clusters are rarely out on their own on the page, as Gwen usually keeps all her elements touching another one. So I set about adding some extra bits and pieces to my page that would be more in keeping with Gwen's method. 

I used pieces from both the Open Book ephemera and floral ephemera packs, along with several small cut files that I also tucked into my layers. All of the cut files I used were from CutToYou (of course), as that is Gwen's very own cut file store. I used the Open Leaf Stem file (one of my faves), as well as two other floral pieces from the Caite Floral Set, all of which I coloured using Stormy Sky Distress Oxide.

I finished off my layout with a few stickers from the Crate Paper Garden Party sticker book; some Doodlebug Design gold puffy hearts; gold number Thickers for my title; and two beautiful CutToYou cut file butterflies from the Mixed Butterflies set, which I left white to add a little pop of freshness back into my layers. A little handwritten journalling and I was done! 

I love how this layout finished up, and I think I did a pretty well at honouring Gwen's style whilst still making it my own.

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

You will find links to all the other hop participants in my video description on YouTube.

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

Trouble in the Neighbourhood | Favourite Escape YouTube hop

 

Hi everyone, today I am sharing a layout I created for the "Favourite Escape" YouTube hop that I am currently taking part in alongside a bunch of talented creators. The theme of favourite escape could be interpreted any way we wanted, so I chose to document one of my very favourite escapes - scrap retreat! These photos were from my retreat on the Sunshine Coast back in November 2018, but really they are representative of any and all the retreats I've been on. So. Much. Fun.

I decided to use the 'Let's Wander' collection from Vicki Boutin as the basis for my page. (I have so much of it hoarded and I really need to let go and start getting stuck into it!) The travel theme and colours of this range were perfect for these photos that were taken on our dress up night (our theme was "Trouble in Paradise").

I decided to use patterned paper for my background, choosing the black paper with the white script words say cheese. (I thought this paper was appropriate give that these photos were taken in our photo booth corner.) I decided to add some acrylic paint to the focal area of my page. I used a Dina Wakley sky blue paint (which was conveniently still on my desk from a previous project), plus some white paint, both of which I applied with a brayer.

Next, I added some extra papery layers to go in behind my photos (all Vicki Boutin papers). I chose the bright green leafy print paper first, as it was totally made to go with the shirts Mandy and I were wearing. I also added a splash of orange to tie in with the colour of Fiona's dress. I also added some frayed gauze under my photos and a few pieces of torn washi tape to the page.

When it came to embellishing the layout I didn't stray far from the 'Let's Wander' collection. I used a few pieces from the chipboard Thickers pack including the labels I attached to each of my smaller photos and the orange phrase label that formed part of my title. The remainder of my title was some of my favourite black foam Thickers. 

I chose three large die cuts from the ephemera pack (sunglasses, camera and a leafy branch), and used them to create my "visual triangle" around my main photo. I chose the large size die cuts because anything smaller would have been overwhelmed on this bold, busy page. I also added a couple of stickers from the sticker sheet. 

I finished off with my handwritten journalling and a scattering of small orange star buttons.

Check out my process video for this page, and please make sure you visit the other creators who are taking part in the hop - you might just find some new scrappers to follow. (You can find a full list of the participants in my video description over on YouTube.)

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I'll see you again soon. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Brothers Love | Scrappy YouTubers Lift-a-thon

 

Hi friends! I've got an extra project to share with you today - a layout that was created for the Scrappy YouTubers Lift-a-thon. (I know, it sounds kind of strenuous doesn't it? I promise it's not!) 

This huge YouTube hop has a long list of very talented participants and I was so happy to be able to take part. For the hop, each participant scraplifts a project from the next person on the list, which means there is a new video going up every day for well over a month. (You can find the full list of participants and a link to each of their channels in my video description on YouTube.)

I was tasked to scraplift a project by the lovely Joanne Bartell, and below is a shot of the pretty layout I chose to lift.

I decided to put my own spin on Joanne's page by creating a boy page for my layout, and I used the 'Legendary' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio.

I documented a sweet photo of my boys that I took one day when one of them wasn't feeling well.

Besides the 'Legendary' collection, I also added some mixed media to my page using a Distress Oxide with a cool stencil from StencilGirl, and some stamping using one of my favourite background stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. 

 

I added texture to my page with the use of frayed gauze, and included metallic elements of wire and staples to help give it a masculine feel.

I also included a handmade star embellishment from Charms Creations, which I layered with the Cocoa Vanilla flair button. 

I was so happy with how this layout turned out - I do love a good boy page!

If you would like to see exactly how this all came together, make sure you pop over and watch my process video. (And don't forget to visit all the participants as the hop progresses too.)

Until next time, happy scrapping! X