Summer ~ a monochromatic scrapbook layout | StencilGirl Monochromatic Rainbow Blog Hop

Hello! 

I hope you have found your way here as part of the StencilGirl® Products Monochromatic Rainbow blog hop, or perhaps you already follow my blog? Either way, I am so happy you are here so I can share my project with you.

For this hop, each Creative Team member was tasked with creating a monochromatic project in various colours, and if you haven't already guessed it - I got blue! (Yay!) I decided to go with the type of project that I know best, and create a scrapbook layout to document a photo of my boys swimming (seeing as blue was also the dominant colour of the photo). 

Here's a look at my page...

(Click on photos for a better view)

I began with my background, using a combination of Dina Wakley acrylic paint and a watercolour paint that I made by mixing Colour Blast by BeeArty Shimmer Dust with some water. I used a brayer to apply the acrylic paint to the lower half of the page, then a wide brush to apply the watercolour to the top half, overlapping a bit in the middle. 

Over the top of the watercolour paint I stencilled with the fabulous Circles in the Sand stencil designed by Roxanne Evans Stout, using Colour Blast 'Deep Blue' Colour Paste from BeeArty. I chose this stencil because of the flowing, organic nature of the circular shapes, which I thought lent themselves well to a water-inspired page. 

Over the acrylic paint at the bottom of the page, I used a Gelato and a stencil brush to apply spots of colour through the Organized Chaos stencil designed by Cat Kerr. This stencil is one of my absolute favourites and if you don't have it in your collection, you should! I thought the smaller sized circles balanced well against the larger, dominant pattern I had used on the upper half of the page, and added a "splashy" feel to the page.

I then added some papery layers over the top using a variety of patterned papers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. I also added a paper doily, frayed gauze and some torn pieces of striped washi tape before sticking my photo on top.

For my embellishments, I again used items from Cocoa Vanilla Studio, including die cuts, stickers and a flair button, which I popped on top of a handmade felt star from Charms Creations. 

Next, I added a few enamel dots scattered around the page, and some small inky splatters using a Colour Blast by BeeArty Colour Artist Ink. I then finished off with my page title, which I had cut from white cardstock using a cut file from Cocoa Vanilla Studio (you can download the free summer themed set HERE). I used the same Gelato I had used for the stencilling to add an ombre effect along the lower half of the title. 

If you would like to see exactly how I put this page together, you can watch my process video below:

Now you have finished at my stop on the hop, its time to visit the next person on the list!

Check out all the wonderful artworks in our Creative Team Monochromatic Rainbow Hop:

Shel Cee – Violet

Peg Robinson – Purple

Sue Plumb – Blue (you are here)

Linda Edkins Wyatt – Green

Jennifer Gallager – Yellow

Claudia Neubacher – Orange

Carol Baxter – Red

Sunila Mahajan and Aditi Mahajan – Gold

Natalie May – White/Black

Debi Adams – Indigo

Comment on the blogs for your chance to win one of the $25 gift certificates for StencilGirlProducts.com.
Contest ends April 27, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time USA. Winners will be contacted via email the 28th.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck! 

Hey Legends | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

I hope this finds you well?!

It's been busy, busy, busy here at my house over the past couple of weeks as I have been tackling some big home organisation projects, one of which is setting up a new creative space for myself. (No more kitchen table for me!) I've also been contending with three kids stuck at home - first while on two weeks of school holidays, and now this week we have returned to school via "remote learning" from home. This hasn't been too bad with my daughter as she is able to follow lesson plans provided by her school (with a bit of prodding and nagging from me), but for my two 7 year old boys, it has meant I have been hands-on with them for all of their learning. (Give me strength!) Sadly, this hasn't left me little time to do anything much creatively. 

Today I am sharing to a design team project I created recently for Cocoa Vanilla Studio that features the awesome new 'Legendary' collection.This mixed media layout documents a photo of my three kids doing what they do best - being weirdos! (And I wouldn't have them any other way.)

For my mixed media background I began with a sheet of white cardstock and used blue Distress Oxides (Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky) to add some subtle colour to my page. I also added some stamping using black ink and one of my fave stamps featuring tiny stars from Viva Las VegaStamps. Once the background was completely dry I then moved on to adding some papery layers.

I first cut a piece of the star print pattern from the Offbeat paper into a vertical banner shape to act as the anchor point for my layers. Next, I created a mat for my photo using a piece of the Explorer paper and placed it on top of the banner with my photo stuck on top. I then added a couple of horizontal strips that I cut from the Explorer and Total Legend papers and tucked them in behind.

Above my photo I added some extra pieces of paper tucked in behind the top of the banner which were also cut from the Total Legend paper. I also added the circular piece that I fussy cut from the centre of the mandala in the middle of the Explorer paper. 

I also added two words from the Die Cut Titles pack to form my title Hey Legends (I actually cut the "s" from another word to make the word Legends) and popped them up using some foam tape.  

To the right of my photo I created a small cluster using the geo deer from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, with a small star on top (again using foam tape for dimension). Along the bottom edge of my photo I added the stay weird stay wonderful quote from the Epic Tales paper, with the go your own way quote from the Accessory Sticker sheet below it. 

To finish off, I added some small black chevrons to the left of my photo from the Clear Sticker sheet; then a good scattering of stars from the Die Cut Ephemera pack. I am so happy with how this one came together and I absolutely love the colour combo with the black / white / grey and blue tones.

That's all from me today, until next time, happy scrapping! X
PS - send wine / beer / vodka, this "teacher" needs it! 

This is the Life | Scrap the Girls April challenge

Hi everyone! I hope this finds you all well and coping with the ever-changing world we are living in right now? Things have been a little bit quiet on the scrapping front for me the past couple of weeks, as like so many other parents, I have had my children home from school. (And unfortunately for me, it means my scrap space AKA my kitchen table, has also become their school space.) Hopefully we will get the balancing act right soon, and I will have more time for myself again.

Anyway, I am here today to share my April design team layout that I created for Scrap the Girls. This month's challenge is all about adventure and travel...

And here is what I came up with...

(Click on photos for a better view)

As soon as I found out the theme for this challenge I knew I wanted to scrap a photo that was taken at my retreat on the Sunshine Coast back in November - definitely one of my favourite trips of the year! This was a shot of my roomies and I that was taken on our private rooftop (thanks to our photographer Nat). 

I took my inspiration for my page from the colours of the quote, using Gelatos to create a simple, abstract scribbled background, which I blended out a bit using baby wipes.

I then added a torn scrap of patterned paper (that sweet heart print from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Happiness' collection) to serve as the anchor point for my design. I then added some cardboard to the back of my photo and mounted it on top. 

Next, I grabbed a pack of tropical themed die cuts (I think they might have been from the Reject Shop?) and started tucking them in around my photo. My aim was to keep the design of the piece simple, but at the same time have plenty of colour and interest to engage the viewer.

I finished off my layout with some typed journalling and a Cocoa Vanilla Studio die cut butterfly. (Let's face it, I never need a reason for butterflies, do I?)

I do hope you will play along with this challenge! We have Charms Creations as our Aussie sponsor this month. Unfortunately, Scrap Accent is no longer able to be our international sponsor, so we are on the hunt for a new one. If you know a a business or individual who may be able to fill this role please have them message Krisy via the Scrap the Girls Facebook page. In the meantime, our international winners will receive an invitation to do a monthly guest spot on our team. 

If you would like to see what else the team created for this challenge, check out their projects on our blog HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

You Are Amazing ~ a mixed media layout

Hi all!

Popping in today to share a layout I created recently featuring the Vicki Boutin 'Color Kaleidoscope' collection and a fabulous background technique that was inspired by Vicki as well. I recently watched a video that Vicki hosted on the Scrapbook and Cards Today Facebook page where she used a fabulous, fun (and easy!) acrylic paint bubble technique. I fell in love with the effect immediately so I had to give it a try. (If you would like to see it in action, you can watch Vicki's video HERE)

I tested the technique out on a few different substrates, then used one of the backgrounds I created to put this page together...

(Click on photos for a better view)

I decided to document a photo of my hubby and daughter that was taken just before we went off to her primary school graduation back in December. I chose this photo because the colours of the background reminded me of the colour of her dress. 

Isn't that background effect stunning? I am very keen to explore this technique further using different types of paints, containers and substrates.

Over my background I layered some patterned paper pieces from the 'Color Kaleidoscope' collection along with a paper doily, then topped it with my photo.

I used a combination of die cuts and stickers from the same collection to embellish around my photo and then finished off by stamping a few phrases and splattering some navy and gold mists.

That's all from me today - short and sweet! Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Rad Robot | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!

Popping in to share another Cocoa Vanilla Studio design team project using the brand new 'Legendary' collection. This 12x12" layout I created was to document some photos of one of my boys and the awesome Lego robot he made with his dad. Building Lego is one of the activities they really enjoy doing together and I love seeing what they come up with. I couldn't resist snapping some shots of this robot, it was very impressive!

I began my layout with the reverse side of the Brave Heart paper which features a fabulous painty style pattern. I then stacked a variety of pieces taken from the Wild One; One Way; and Explorer papers to define the focal area of my page and form a mat for my photo. These were topped with the strip featuring black and white arrows that was cut from the Total Legend cut apart paper. 

Once the papers were in place, I added some lines of black machine stitching to help define the horizontal structure of the stack and also add some extra visual interest. I also added a rough stitched border around the outer edge of the page to help connect the background with the foreground, before adding my photo on top of the paper stack.

Now it was time to turn up the fun factor by adding some embellishments. (I usually have trouble deciding which pieces to use when I receive a new collection, as there are always so many to choose from.)  

I began to the left of my photo, creating a small cluster using the die cut geo bear and a star from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, as well as a few Enamel Dots. 

To the right of my photo I created my title cluster using the round frame and another star from the ephemera pack; the word RAD from the Die Cut Titles; a few enamel dots; and some small alphabet stickers I had left from the Made of Awesome collection. For an little extra pop of colour I also added the orange paint splat from the Clear Sticker set. 

I created a third small cluster (because - visual triangle and rule of threes!) above my photo using the tag and phrase stickers from the Accessory Sticker sheet; with the small die cut flag layered over the top. I brought further balance to my page (and my mind) by adding an extra die cut star below my photo, which completed my secondary visual triangle. 

I also created a small cluster for my journalling at the top of the page to counteract the fact that my page was so "bottom heavy". The label and the strip of stars both came from the Epic Tales cut apart paper. I then finished off my layout with some black stamping using texture and phrase stamps and a few well placed tiny staples. 

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I am so enjoying creating with this new collection and I hope I have inspired you to get creative too.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Forever Friends | Dust It Off challenge | March homemade kit

Hi friends! Today I am here to wrap up my March homemade kit series, sharing the last of my projects created using this kit. From the scraps that were left in my box, I managed to squeeze out one final layout and a card and I think I can now officially say this kit has been killed! 

Here is my final layout...

(Click on photos for a better view)

For this layout I decided to document a photo of my gorgeous girl and her best friend of many years that was taken the night of their primary school graduation. I had nothing left but scraps to work with, so I used a white cardstock base and added some paper layers from what I had left, including a piece of the Hambly Screenprints heart transparency. I also added in a paper doily from my stash.

Once I had the paper layers in place and added my photo on top, I turned my attention to the embellishments. I had a limited number of Pebbles 'Patio Party' die cuts and stickers left to use up, so I started with those. To the left of my photo I used the forever friends die cut piece, which also served as the title for my page and tucked in the cute floral beetle in behind it.

I created a second small cluster above my photo using a die cut and a sticker, plus I added a die cut butterfly nearby. One of the other items I had left in my kit was the tiny wood veneer hearts, so they all got added to my page as well.

To the right of my photo, I created my third small cluster (gotta have that visual triangle!) using some stickers, more wood veneer hearts and a Freckled Fawn arrow paperclip.

I finished off my page with splatters of 'Bahama Blue' Glimmermist and some stamping using one of the Dear Lizzy roller stamps.

Once my layout was complete I looked into my kit box to see what was left. I spotted one piece of coloured paper I thought might be big enough for a card front and had a few remaining stickers, so I thought to myself why not? and then put this card together...

I think I will keep this aside until I need it for a girl's birthday and then use Thickers to put the age number in the top left corner.

So my final tally from this kit was seven 12x12" layouts; one traveler's notebook spread; and three cards. I have quick flip through video so you can see them all together and so I can show you what I had left over.

You can watch it here:


I have so enjoyed the challenge of using my kit this month, and am looking forward to Khristina's new list for April. I hope some of you will join me!
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

The Real Deal ~ a mixed media artwork | StencilGirl® Products

Hi everyone!
Time for a catch-up project from me and a bit of a change of pace. Today I am sharing a mixed media artwork I created a little while ago as part of the StencilGirl® Creative Team. For this round of projects the team were challenged to "Frame It or Fill It With Circles". I decided to go with "frame it" and create a lovely mixed media piece with the intention of framing it for display.

The artwork I created was a good example of how plans can change once you start working on a piece. Initially, my intention was to create something that was A4 sized; but through the evolution of my process, I ended up with a finished piece that was 12x12" instead. (That's what happens when you follow the creative flow!)

I began my project with one particular stencil in mind - Strength Face by Pam Carriker. I knew I wanted to create something that featured a face as the focal point, and after looking through all my stencils, this was the one I kept coming back to. Every time I looked at it I immediately thought of John Lennon (I think it is the circle around the eye that makes me think of the glasses he used to wear); so I knew that I wanted to capture that by incorporating something musical into my piece as well.

I started with my background, using Distress Oxides to create a watercolor effect. I simply swiped the ink pads onto my non-stick mat, spritzed with a little water, and then placed the cardstock over the top to absorb the ink. I started with 'Faded Jeans' then repeated the process with 'Iced Spruce' over the top. I love the moody, mottled effect I got on the page.

Next, I turned my attention to the "frame it" theme, choosing to frame my page with a matching border, also in "Iced Spruce" Distress Oxide. I chose the 9x12" stencil from the January 2019 StencilClub set designed by Mary Beth Shaw and Seth Apter. I used the section of the stencil that features a long row of soft-edged squares and stenciled the pattern around each edge using a sponge dauber.

Next, I reached for a music paper stamp and used black ink to lightly stamp the motif randomly around my page; taking care not to press too heavily (I didn't want a "perfect" image).

I then turned my attention to creating the focal point of my page using that amazing face stencil designed by Pam Carriker. I continued with the black ink and stenciled the face in the lower right corner of my page, again using a sponge dauber. 

I then added the third Distress Oxide color I had chosen - "Seedless Preserves", by mixing a little with some water and then using a small brush to paint some contrasting color across and around the face. 

Once I had the focal image in place I knew my page needed some texture. I wanted to keep the texture subtle however so I chose the Starlight 6x6" stencil designed by Lesley Riley and used it to apply some gold texture paste using a palette knife. The combination of this stencil and the paste created stunning, fine golden details; which I cascaded down and across from the top left corner of the page. I also moved the stencil around to add some extra randomly placed detail.

I was extremely happy with how the layers were looking together at this point, but it was right about now that my plan for this piece took a bit of a turn. To further reinforce the "Frame It" theme, I decided to mount my existing A4 sized piece onto a sheet of 12x12" colored cardstock. I wanted to keep the frame size consistent around though, which meant that I had space alongside left to fill. I found a sheet of music paper from my stash and tucked it underneath the edge to balance the page. 

To finish off, I found a pack of die cuts that featured lots of floral pieces in colors that matched, as I wanted to use the flowers to bring some softness to the piece.

The die cuts in the pack also featured some gold foil pieces, which tied nicely in with the stenciled gold details I had added earlier.

I couldn't resist popping a few butterflies on there - three of them (of course, I must have balance!) Finally, to finish off, and smooth the transition between my original A4 piece and the additional sheet of music paper, I added a clear floral sticker and I was done.

I popped the completed piece into a white 12x12" shadow box frame and now it proudly adorns a space in my home.

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