Escape the Ordinary | Dust it Off Challenge

Hi everyone!

Today I am back to share another layout for my #dustitoff challenge. (If you missed my previous post explaining what this is all about, you can read it HERE) For this layout, I began by assessing my stash to find something to "dust off" and work with.

Here is what I chose...

 My (very neglected) Big Shot, and some metal dies. At this point I had no idea what I was going to create, so I just pulled out a few that appealed to me. I also decided to use the Vicki Boutin 'Color Kaleidoscope' collection (again) because I still hadn't packed it away and I was enjoying using it.  So I pulled out my photo box, found a photo of my sister and I, and set to work.

I started with my page background. I decided to go with a patterned paper background for this one, rather than mixed media as I was keen to get to my challenge items. I chose the beautiful "Look Up" paper, which featured pretty blue / pink / purple tones and clouds that worked well with my photo. (I immediately thought that it would be perfect to use with the sun die as well.) 

Here's a look at the entire page...

(Click on photos for a better view)

Now if you are anything like me, another item you probably have in abundance in your stash (but don't use much) is cardstock. Specifically, coloured cardstock. As this was my Dust it Off challenge, I thought what better time than to put some of it to use. I grabbed a sheet of pale yellow and cut three of the Stitched Suns using the die from Uniquely Creative.

I used a navy sheet from the 'Color Kaleidoscope' 6x8" paper pad as the anchor point for my design, then sat my photo on top (not stuck down) and began building my layers from there. I used the tag dies to cut a couple of tags from different patterned papers, which I tied with twine and tucked in alongside my photo. I decided to run the suns vertically down my page on the other side of my photo, so I added a couple of narrow paper strips first to help ground them to the page. I mirrored this element by adding some strips below my photo as well, including the row of birds that was fussy cut from another of the 6x8" papers.

At this point I decided to make a little change to my background, and add some cardstock behind the paper. I trimmed off a small amount along the top and right side of the patterned paper and mounted a sheet of Kraft behind it. This created a border on the left edge and along the bottom of the layout and helped tie in the kraft coloured elements on the page. (It also meant I was getting stuff USED!)

To balance out the row of suns on the right side of my page, I created an embellishment cluster to the left of my photo using a die cut and stickers. I adore that holographic foil heart on the today sticker, which I popped up from the background using foam tape. 

I also used a couple of small round stickers with foam tape under them on top of my suns; and a round die cut for my journalling over the centre one. My title came from the escape the ordinary sticker I placed above my photo.

I was really happy with how this one came out, and even happier that I managed to dust off my Big Shot; some dies; and use up some coloured cardstock!

Don't forget if you have any suggestions for anything you would like to see me use, leave me a comment and I will add it to my list. If you would like to play along with me, please use the #dustitoffchallenge hashtag on Instagram to share your own creations so I can see yours too!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X 

Ethos tags | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Popping in to share my latest Viva Las VegaStamps design team project with you. Today I have some mixed media tags to share that I created to showcase some of the fabulous "Ethos" stamps (from Plate #1502) designed by Tina Walker.

I was lucky enough to have a few creative days away with some of my fave peeps over the weekend, and I made these tags for my gals as a little welcome gift so they know how much I love them all. We had an amazingly relaxing few days - crafting, chatting, drinking and lots of laughing.
Here's a pic of us all together...

I began by cutting my own tags from some smooth white cardstock using a tag die. I then used Ranger Distress Oxides to create a watercolour style background. I used a combination of three colours (Cracked Pistachio; Twisted Citron and Tumbled Glass) and swiped each of the pads onto my craft mat. I then added a little water using a spray bottle and used the tip of my finger to swirl and mix the colours a little before dabbing the tags face down to soak up the ink.

I then set the tags aside to dry. I love the effect that this technique gives, and the fact that each tag was different.

Once the background colour was in place, it was time to add some background detail. I chose a variety of stamps to use for the backgrounds, stamping each one with Stormy Sky Distress Oxide.

The stamps I used for the backgrounds were:

- Bubble Wrap Texture

- Typeset Scallop

- Row of Distressed Lines

- Cross Marks Background

- Carved Xs

I added a sentiment to the bottom of each tag using the Create Art Every Day stamp which I stamped using Faded Jeans Distress Oxide. I then used the same ink to stamp out each of the Ethos stamps I had chosen to feature on my tags. (You will see that many of the stamped images are "imperfect" - this is exactly the effect I was looking for by using the Distress Oxides and works well with the hand carved look of these stamps.)

With all of my feature images stamped out, I simply fussy cut around each one and then began constructing my tags. 

Using the Faded Jeans Distress Oxide gave me the inspiration to include a small amount of denim fabric on each of the tags. (I LOVE denim!) I simply cut some scraps from an old pair of jeans and used my Tim Holtz tiny attacher to secure the pieces onto the tags. 

I also added some messy white cotton thread onto each of the tags before using foam tape to mount each of the feature images on top. I finished off each tag by punching a larger hole at the top and tying another scrap of denim fabric through it.

The Ethos stamps I featured on my tags were:

- Ethos Hands (pictured above)

- Ethos Owl (at left, below)

- Ethos Flower (at right, below)

From left to right below:

- Ethos Woman

- Ethos Circular Eye

- Ethos Seeing Eye

And finally, Ethos Seeing Double (as shown below).

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you, I hope I have inspired you to get inky too!

VLVS stamps used: 

- Bubble Wrap Texture

- Typeset Scallop

- Row of Distressed Lines

- Cross Marks Background

- Carved Xs

- Create Art Every Day 

- Ethos Hands

- Ethos Owl

- Ethos Flower

- Ethos Woman

- Ethos Circular Eye

- Ethos Seeing Eye

- Ethos Seeing Double