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

Easter Traveler's Notebook Spreads | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

Just popping in to share some traveler's notebook spreads that I created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio for our recent TN theme. I decided to tackle this task by creating each spread with a common theme (Easter), but by using different collections and styles.

For my first one, I went all the way back to the 'Made of Awesome' collection that was released in 2015, and paired it with a cute photo of my boys from a couple of years ago.

I used a small piece of piece of one of the papers that I had left over; which I cut in two and placed either side of the spine. I then took the opportunity to use up some vellum stars and lots of left over accessory stickers, which I added in a cascading-style design down the left side of the page. (This is a great way to use up left over stickers!) I used a frame from the Die Cut Ephemera pack to frame my photo and added printed journalling to document the story.

For my second spread I switched to the gorgeous 'Bohemian Dream' collection as I thought it would work well with my photos taken at a fun morning of Easter hat craft at school with my boys.

Just as I did with my first spread, I used a piece of left over paper (this painted style one is called 'Abstract'), and I added some on each side of the spine. I then added my photos before using a combination of Accessory Stickers and Die Cut Ephemera to embellish the pages. To carry through the artistic style and the colour theme, I used coloured pencils to add some doodled highlights.

For my final spread I used the newest Cocoa Vanilla collection on the block - the gorgeous 'Happiness' collection to document a photo of my kids from this year.

I added a piece of the spotted Sprinkles paper to the left side of my spread and then used the reverse side of the Meadow paper to mat my photo and also cut some feature pieces for my page. I used a variety of Easter themed cut files (available free from Paper Issues) to cut the word bunny, some egg shapes and the little rabbit. I used some of the watercolour stickers from the Clear Stickers pack to add to my background on the right side of the page; then added the word sweet from the Die Cut Titles pack to complete my title.

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by so I could share these with you.
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Brave Wings | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Popping in with a recent Colour Blast design team project for you. Today I have a mixed media scrapbook layout to share featuring the 'Spread Your Wings' collection; combined with a bit of the 'Graffiti Grunge' collection; Colour Paste; Colour Shimmer Cubes and Heavy White Gesso.

I created this page to document a selfie of my best friend and I as we sat on top of Mount Beerwah (after climbing it in 36 degree heat.) 

Here's a look at the supplies I pulled out to start my project with...

I began with the Fly paper from the 'Spread Your Wings' collection for my background. To give the page some extra depth, I added some stamping using the Do It Stamp Set and 'Stormy Sky' Distress Oxide.

I then added a piece of the Fearless paper from the 'Graffiti Grunge' collection across the centre of the page, distressing the edges to give texture, before stamping over the left edge to blend it in with the background sheet.

Next, I wanted to tone down some of the colour and pattern, so I used a small brayer to apply Heavy White Gesso to the centre of my page.

Whilst the gesso was drying, I gathered up some paper pieces to create a layered mat for my photo. I arranged the pieces in a small stack and secured them with staples before sticking it down.

Next, I took the Peony Dreams paper and fussy cut some of the large floral designs from it, which I then tucked in under the edges of my photo mat. 

Once the floral pieces were stuck in place, I rubbed a small amount of white gesso over each of them to help blend them into the background.

Then it was time for some texture! I wanted it to be subtle, so I used a small floral design stencil with 'Snow White' Colour Paste and applied it in a few areas on the page and left it to dry.

To embellish my layout, I dug through my (extensive) flower stash and pulled out an assortment of paper and fabric blooms (most of these were from D-lish Scraps). I created a circle using a pip berry stem, which I layered behind and over my photo before sticking my photo down. I then adhered the flowers on my page using hot glue; starting with the largest flowers first and working my way down in size until I was happy with the arrangement.

With the flowers all stuck in place, I then dry-brushed a small amount of gesso over them. This helped tone down some of the brighter colours to make them more subtle.

To finish my page off, I fussy cut the with brave wings she flies quote from the Earth Angels paper and stuck it down using a strip of cardboard behind it to pop it up a bit.

I then took 'Apple of My Eye' and 'Singin' the Blues' Colour Shimmer Cubes (these are now discontinued, so simply substitute another product if you don't have them in your stash); and used a small brush to apply pools of colour to the page. This added subtle, shimmery detail to the layout once it had dried. 

You can see how brushing the gesso over the flowers not only toned down the colours, but also provided cohesion to bring the mix all together.

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. Perhaps you might be inspired to pull out some old flowers from your stash and create something too? It's fun mixing old supplies with new!

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Love.Repeat - Art Journal Page | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Today I have a mixed media art journal page to share that I created recently for Viva Las VegaStamps. This piece was inspired by a gorgeous art journal page shared last month by Jenn Engle. (You can see Jenn's page on the VLVS blog HERE) I really loved the balance between colour and white space on her page and wanted to create something similar - but with my own twist, of course.

I was working in my 9x6" Jane Davenport journal for this one (it has watercolour paper pages and takes wet media fairly well with no bleed through). I started by putting down multiple layers of Colour Blast Colour Artist Ink; drying between each one with a heat gun to get the "hard" water lines.

Once I had the colour down, I began adding some structure. I started with the Punchinella/Sequin Waste Border; which I stamped vertically using black Staz On ink.

Next, I used the Double Coffee Rings stamp with 'Mowed Lawn' Distress Oxide; stamping it several times over the top.

I then used the Cross Marks Background with black Staz On to add some marks around the edges of the colour.

Now it was time to add some texture to my page. I used small torn pieces of washi tape and some snippets of punchinella.

I also added a piece of paper doily, some plasterer's tape, and some frayed gauze - all layered in the central focal point of the page.

I then stamped out the focal image for my page using the Squiggle Heart stamp and Staz On ink onto some white cardstock and fussy cut around it. I used a shimmery watercolour paint to colour the heart before sticking it down onto the page.

To finish off, I stamped the sentiment Love.Repeat a few times and then splattered a little bit of blue ink around the edges.

I was really happy with how this page came out - thank you Jenn for the inspiration!

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by. I hope I have inspired you to get inky too! X

VLVS stamps used:
- Punchinella/Sequin Waste Border
- Double Coffee Rings
- Cross Marks Background
- Squiggle Heart
- Love.Repeat

Stop and Smell the Roses | Scrap the Girls May Challenge

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my take on the May challenge at Scrap the Girls, which happens to be a sketch challenge designed by ME! As Mothers Day falls in May, I decided to create something with a floral theme, and here's what I came up with...

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" sketch

Those that know my work probably already know I am not great at following a sketch (and as it turns out, not even my own! haha) I did follow the design somewhat though, I just shuffled the elements around a little to suit me. I DID hit the floral theme though. 

To create this page I began with a sheet of white cardstock that I cut down to measure 11x11". I knew I wanted to use the stop and smell the roses quote from the Paige Evans 'Take Me Away' collection as my page title, so I mixed some Mont Marte acrylic paint to match the grey of the quote background and applied it roughly to the cardstock using a brayer.

At the time of creating this, I also had some of the Cocoa Vanilla Studio free 'Happiness' cut files that had been freshly cut so I knew I wanted to include those too. (If you haven't got your hands on these fabulous digital files designed by Gwen Wruck yet, you can download them HERE. Alternatively, you can order them from Gwen at Cut to You, and she will cut and ship to your door!) I thought the white of the cut files would contrast well against the grey paint so I added the roses in diagonally opposing corners.

For the focal area of my page design, I again used a paper from the 'Take Me Away' collection and fussy cut some of the floral elements from it. I used two pieces on either side of my photos, before adding an extra piece along the bottom edge to mimic the one in the sketch. It didn't seem quite balanced though, so I also added a small piece in the top corner.

I couldn't resist using a few more pieces from the 'Happiness' cut file set, so I used the wreath to frame my photos, colouring it with some Distress Oxide before sticking it down. I also added 3 small hearts around the wreath, which I left white to coordinate with the roses. 

I then matted my cardstock onto a sheet of orange paper from the Paige Evans 'Whimsical' collection; before adding a scattering of sequins for a little sparkle.

I would love to see your interpretation of my sketch, so please come and play along with us at Scrap the Girls this month. Cut to You is sponsoring our Aussie prize, and (as always) the fabulous Scrap Accent is our international sponsor. If you would like some more inspiration, pop over and see what the rest of the team created with my sketch HERE

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

Precious | Cocoa Vanilla Studio for the CSI Challenge

Hi everyone!
I hope you have been celebrating {inter}National Scrapbook Day this weekend and have been participating in some online challenges.
Today I am sharing a layout that I created on behalf of Cocoa Vanilla Studio as a guest designer for the CSI Challenge.

Here's the case file I was working with...

And here is what I created...

I drew lots of inspiration from the image and from the list of additional clues provided. As soon as I saw the colour scheme I thought it would be match perfectly with many of the pieces from the 'More Than Words' collection, so that is predominantly what I used for my page.

I started with the spotty pattern on the reverse side of the Radiant paper as my base, and added some yellow watercolour to it (using a Faber-Castell gelato) where the focal area of my page was going to be. I also added a few small pieces of torn washi tape that featured a script design. 

I then took my two photos and framed the main one using a matching spotty frame from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. I added a grey doily from my stash under the photos, cutting it in half and placing the two halves above and below my photos. Then it was simply a case of building all the floral layers under and around my photos.

I used a combination of large cut file flowers (these were from the Caite set by Cut to You and were cut from white cardstock); which I layered with some smaller flowers (from the 3D Flower Stackable cut file by Paper Issues that I cut from the Collage paper). These were mixed with fussy cut flowers from the Precious paper; die cut flowers from the ephemera pack; and a few vellum blooms I had left over from the 'Love Always' collection. 

On top of my layered flowers I added some messy cotton thread topped with a flair button. I also added a few 'Hello Lovely' Enamel Dots as flower centres, some fussy cut butterflies from the Collage paper; and the precious Chipboard Accent Sticker for my page title.

To balance the "heaviness" of my title at the bottom of the page, I created an extra embellishment cluster at the top of my page using pieces from the Die Cut Ephemera pack an an extra fussy cut butterfly. 

For my journalling, I created a small pocket behind the main photo that I could tuck my tag into, and embellished it with a vellum heart and a small piece of twine.

I managed to tick off lots of extra clues provided by CSI, including dots; black and white print; hearts; (flair) button; string (on my tag); lots of white space; cursive fonts; and things that look hand-drawn (the sketch style butterflies and flowers); a pocket and also used the word "precious".

I had so much fun playing along with this challenge, thanks for having us CSI. If you would like to join in with one of this month's challenges head over to the CSI blog or CSI Facebook page

Until next time, happy scrapping! X