Saturday 29 June 2013

Flourish with a Bling Blog!




Just edited my previous post to add in details of how to comment on the Flourish with a Bling blog!  You need to CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE POST in order for the comment box to appear!!  Yeah it had me foxed for a while too :)  Hope you will pop in to see my post there!!  Thanks & Happy Scrapping!!!




Friday 28 June 2013

My First Post is Up at Flourish with a Bling!





Well it will be up in ONE MINUTE of pre-scheduling this!  (8am Aussie time) & as that is 8 hours ahead of us here in South Africa that's midnight our time, so I have pre-scheduled this post for 11.59pm (lolololol!!) so that it can go up with today's date!

Yeah that's because I haven't blogged since Monday & I feel so guilty!!  Truth is though there is absolutely nothing I can do about that as I really have NOT ENOUGH TIME no matter which way you look at it!

I am so busy "behind the scenes" & have created an ENDLESS amount of layouts that I haven't shown here yet, & can't show some of them for MONTHS!  It really is a killer but when working for a magazine especially, that's the way it has to be!!

So on with the show!  Just a tiny peek is all that I can show you for now & I will be back with the full reveal of this layout on Tuesday :)  Meanwhile, be a dear & pop on over to the FWAB blog HERE & leave me some love there won't ya?!  You know that I would do the same for you!

****Glitch Alert!!!***  In order to comment on the Flourish With A Bling blog you need to CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE POST for the comment box to appear!!!





Monday 24 June 2013

'I Turn To You' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook June 2013 Limited Edition Kit - Crate Paper DIY Shop




Here's my last layout for 'My Creative Scrapbook' 
Kit Club using their June 2013 Limited Edition kit.  

I was inspired to create this layout by a song I love, 
that I have on my media player & listen to while I scrap.  
It's 4 years old but has always been a favourite 
(remember it from "Bend it Like Beckham?")  

It has some very cool lyrics & I'm often inspired by music 
& lyrics (and yes, I also love that movie - "Music & Lyrics" - 
another huge fave!!)  Anyway, I digress :)


I used the same Quatrefoil stencil as on the other layouts, 
only this time I coloured it with my "Knotted Wood" chalk ink 
from Ingvild Bolme for Prima, my black mist (Charcoal) 
from Maya Road, my Heart punch from Martha Stewart, 
computer journaling & Copper Viva Decor Pearl Pen.

When working with a kit I like to stick to similar 
mediums & tools to keep things looking cohesive.


Lovely glitter alphas from Pink Paislee Luxe Collection.


I managed to get quite a lot onto this layout without it looking too busy or without any focal points, so I was pretty happy about that.  
I could have just used one photo as they are both identical, but I actually quite like repeating the same photo on the same page!


I used the Prima packaging that came with the metal embellishments as the title made me smile (Vintage Trinkets!) & we are getting on a bit now...hehehe...


I used lots of die-cuts & stickers from the ephemera pack, which I often cut into smaller pieces so I can use them in several places (this also saves having to lift up pre-adhered photos to tuck things under as I just use my awl to lift up the edge & tuck the die-cuts in just a small amount).


I raised up the entire centre section of my layout using foam board, as it's acid free & easy to cut with my craft knife.  It adds about .5cm which is just enough dimension without adding too much bulk.  


Instead of straight-forward cutting throughout, I ribbon cut the "ruler" strip above, as well as tearing some pieces too.  It's all about variation & adding lots of interesting touches & layers throughout.  

It helps to have awesome stash to play with & you can't go wrong with My Creative Scrapbook, especially if you are an embellishment addict like me.  

I've been a subscriber &/or Design Team member at more kit clubs than I can remember (probably about 10!) & I've never had enough embellishments!  

My Creative Scrapbook kits are ultra-generous & come at the super-duper price of $28.99 per month for a 6 month sub. 

 It's a steal really, even if you DON'T consider all the awesome inspiration you get from the blog & gallery AS WELL!!



Sunday 23 June 2013

'Love You Bali' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook June 2013 Limited Edition Kit - Crate Paper DIY Shop





Hello hello!!  I hope you are all well!  

It's Sunday evening here.  I've had a very scrappy Saturday
 & a not so scrappy Sunday (went out with my daughters for coffee, 
a movie & some retail therapy!) Yup my 20 year old is home from university so it's all fun & games at home for the next month 
while I have a houseful of young people all on vacation!!


Here's a closer look at my 3rd layout for My Creative Scrapbook Kit Club using the June 2013 Limited Edition Kit available HERE

 This kit was full of Crate Paper DIY Shop Collection, Prima flowers & trims as always & some LUXE from Pink Paislee.


Everything I used came from the kit, except for the black mist 
(my fave 'Charcoal' from Maya Road), staples & brads (to secure the metal embellishments), the Copper Pearl Pen from Viva Decor, the green & blue mists (Tattered Angels Jazz Blue & Blarney) & "Knotted Wood" chalk ink (Ingvild Bolme for Prima) plus my computer journaled sentiment.


I also used a very cool product by Tsukineko, called "Goosebumps" that is a CLEAR TEXTURE SPRAY.  I heated it with my heat gun, which caused it to bubble, creating a "foamy" effect, very suitable for my beach photo.  

The mask is the 6" Quatrefoil one from The Crafter's Workshop 
(by Ronda Palazzari).


The circles you see look like metal but they are actually metallic chipboard from the Pink Paislee Luxe line.  (LOVED using them) & cut mine up to use over several layouts.


All the yellow/green flowers you see above are fussy cut from the "Artistry" sheet from Crate Paper DIY Shop.  I have endless patience with fussy-cutting & have no problem with it at all, in fact I actually enjoy it!!  Made so much more pleasurabe with my Tim Holtz Tonic scissors of course!

Thanks for your visit! Have a lovely week!!  
There's something special about June everywhere
 in the world I think :)



Saturday 22 June 2013

'Loved' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook June 2013 Limited Edition Kit Crate Paper DIY Shop





Here's a closer look at my 2nd layout for My Creative Scrapbook Kit club using the June Limited Edition Kit.

This photo was taken in Bali, just as a big storm was brewing.  The sand there is black volcanic sand, that I didn't even know existed before.  All in all it made for a very dramatic photo that was just begging to be enlarged.


I loved this paper - 'Project' {Crate Paper DIY Shop}- black with white text is such a lovely look I think, so I decided as soon as I received my kit - to set this paper aside as one of my background papers.

Everything I've used is from the kit except for the stencil {Ronda Palazzari for The Crafter's Workshop} White Mist (Mister Huey's Calico White by Studio Calico), the Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Copper & the computer journalled sentiment.


The typewriter image came from a large "ephemera pack" that came with the kit, from the same Crate Paper DIY collection.  I used the "honey" card, chosen as this is a page about my hubby (my honey!)

The yellow/green flowers were fussy-cut from a sheet of printed paper called "Artistry" from the Crate Paper DIY shop collection (such a beautiful print yes?!)


I created the bubbles on my paint intentionally using a heat gun.  
You need to be really careful here as your paper starts smoking and gets really hot LOL!


I love the finished look that is achieved through the use of Viva Decor Pearl/Paper pens (you get exactly the same effect when using Ranger Liquid Pearls too).  

I was inspired to start adding these pearls to my projects some years ago, by one of the world's best scrapbooking artists, Karola Wticzak, of Poland, whose projects are rarely without them. 


I love this 'Viewfinder' die-cut & only wish that I could buy an entire pack of them (this came as a single in the ephemera pack).  I know there is a Sizzex die available (and a Ranger one) that are both similar but this one is just perfect with the addition of the printing & the blacked out windows.  

Of course my children don't know what these are.  When I was a child I used to love my viewfinder but sadly they are defunct today, thanks to modern technology!

Did you notice that I used the Quatrefoil stencil as a stamp above my photo?  I often do this as I hate washing all that precious left-over paint down the sink.  

Well I am back to the studio now.  Lots of DT work to get ahead with!!



Thursday 20 June 2013

'Romance'Layout - Purple Pumpkin {My Last Project}





Today is my posting day over at Purple Pumpkin.  
 I have had a blast there for the best part of a year, had 4 Purple Pumpkin layouts published & given of my very best but it's time to move on now - I have a lot on my plate & my style has been heading in a different direction lately - my days of brightly coloured layouts are over & I'm feeling the love for lots of gesso, mixed media & paler shades.

I'm there until the end of July, commenting & voting on the sketch challenge that runs through to the end of the month. 

Don't forget to come & play - we have new rules & anyone can win - even without using Purple Pumpkin stash - and we have Guest Designer positions on offer for the winners too!

I've copied & pasted my post directly from Purple Pumpkin here below.

Hello there Purple Pumpkin fans!
Yes I am going to miss saying that 3 times a month LOL!!
This is my last post for Purple Pumpkin - thank you for having me :)

I have had a lot of fun here with my dear old friend Vicky Varvadouka  -
10 months all in all, if you include my initial GDT.  
But all good things must come to an end & I am moving on - 
please don't forget about me ladies!  
I hope that I have provided some inspiration to you during my time here!

You are most welcome to keep up with me on my blog HERE & come 
& play along at my challenge blog - Scrap Around The World - HERE.

Sam has very generously agreed to sponsor our 4th prize there
 for an entire year - THANK YOU SAM!!  


On with the show!  This is how I go about creating with Purple Pumpkin products. First I choose what products I am going to use.  I wanted to do a rainbow-type layout so I selected what I could find in my stash that would help me achieve an ombre/rainbow type look.


I had a photo in mind that I wanted to use & I printed it out in black & white as it was a mobile phone photo & not the best quality.  Doing this always 'saves' less than perfect photos.  I added a vintage hue to it to tie in with the yellow tones.


I began this layout by stamping with a Prima stamp around the perimeter of where I knew the photo would go (in the centre) then I used gel medium to apply some offcut strips of burlap (hessian) that I had leftover from a previous project.


Once that was stuck down I brushed over the burlap with gesso paste then added some watercolours around the edges of the burlap.  Then I flicked on some black mist, dried everything off with my heat gun, glued my entire page to a thin sheet of chipboard to flatten it out then added some white sponging of gesso around the edges of my page.


Lastly I positioned my Purple Pumpkin embellishments together with some chipboard words from Scrapmatts & some leftover bling dots from Flourish with a Bling.  As I wanted a muted layout I finished off by protecting my photo with a piece of acrylic plastic while giving my page a light spray of "Calico White" by Studio Calico (Mister Hueys).

All the items shown in my first supplies photograph can be found in the Purple Pumpkin online store HERE

 (Yoyo flowers, patterned fabric buttons in Large & XLarge, resin roses & flairs)
Miss you Already!



Wednesday 19 June 2013

'Lovely Day' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook June 2013 Limited Edition Kit/My Creative Sketches June Sketch - Tips & Tricks!




Hey everyone! Long time no see!!  
Sorry about that - I've been busy with magazine work that I can't share here with you! 

Go HERE to purchase your subscription of Scrap 365 magazine UK & you will see a couple of layouts in both the August/September issue & the October/November issue plus my first article/off-the-page project in the October/November issue - 
see why I've been MIA?!? - exciting times!!!

-----------------------------------

Onto the My Creative Scrapbook Kit Club shares from the June 2013 Limited Edition Kit layouts I showed you last week - I'll be showing you the close-ups, tips & tricks and supplies lists for the 4 layouts I created (already shared in my reveal post last week).

 For this (my 4th & last layout) I used the current sketch up at My Creative Sketches HERE.  See the June kits HERE.  This is what I worked with - the June Limited Edition Kit.


Here's the current June sketch.  There's a fabulous 16 designer-strong reveal up together with all the (simple) rules laid out right in the post - a huge prize-pack to be won randomly & several featured layouts per month too so check out the link above & come play!

These sketches run from the 16th of one month until the 14th of the next so are handy if you are looking for a challenge toward the end of the month & have missed some of the other challenge cut off dates :)


Everything on my layout came from the kit, except for the plain rust cardstock, the Martha Stewart Heart punch, the Dark Brown Color Box ink, dymo tape,Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Copper, Maya Road mist in Charcoal & Memories Mist in Pale Ale.


I used my heart border punch in 3 places on my page, instead of all around the edges - an instant way to create a visual triangle & something different from the norm. 


 As well as adding some splats of mist in two colours (right at the beginning before any other elements were added). I also added some bling dots using my Pearl Pen - right at the end.  

I am in love with Viva Decor Pearl Pens & Ranger Liquid Pearls - they both make a great alternative to bling & work out a lot cheaper in the long run too, plus it's nice to mix things up!


I layered up my title using a pre-layered piece (the word 'Lovely') with a tag underneath then adhered the speech bubble using 3D foam tape, then added the word DAY, then cut a little strip of the sticker lace & layered that underneath.  

Mists & liquid pearl dots also count towards your layers without adding any/much dimension so are always a good addition too.  Inking adds a subtle 3D effect (I very often use Dark Brown by Color Box or Knotted Wood by Ingvild Bolme for Prima). 

Remember, for dynamic splats lay your page on the floor, stand over it & flick forcefully (using the wand from your mist).  Be careful of your clothing & furniture (I lay a big piece of plastic on the floor but mists are water-based anyway so they wipe right off my tiles in any case - the plastic just aids clean-up!).


Even more layering here for my bottom cluster.  Aswell as the pre-made embellishments supplied I also used the burlap flowers from Maya Road, that I carefully separated with my embroidery scissors (as they are stitched together), inked the edges of some of the petals & cut some of the flowers into pieces so there appear to be more than I actually had.  This stretches your stash as we all know flowers don't come cheap!  

I also added in some die-cut pieces (cut up once again as there's no point using a full piece when only some is showing & the rest is hidden.  The white flower with the green edges above is fussy-cut from a sheet of Crate Paper DIY shop (I fussy-cut the entire sheet while talking to my daughter on the phone!)  Multi-tasking I tell you!!  

Don't forget your trusty Dymo.  They're easily available (yes we can even get them in South Africa at Waltons - although the tapes are far cheaper to purchase at CNA I have discovered!).  I don't like hand-journaling over patterned paper as it gets lost in the design, and if time isn't on my side I find the Dymo faster than computer journaling. 

 Let me know if you learnt anything new from my tips & tricks!  TTFN!!





Sunday 16 June 2013

My Creative Scrapbook June 2013 Tutorial - How to Create Flower Tendrils




Hello there :)  Just a tiny tutorial share from me today!  I am behind on my creative schedule due to various reasons - so I'm having another creative day today & need to make the most of it.

This is my tutorial for My Creative Scrapbook for this month.  If you are ever looking for inspiration (like who isn't?!)  I strongly suggest you click in to the 'Design Team Gallery' HERE.  (I'll have to come back in & edit this post as I can't click into it right now - think it must be down for maintenance).  

We are a team of 19 international designers all of different styles & strengths so it really is a diverse showcase on product usage & is updated on a monthly basis as we create with the latest kits.


This is really just a little 'tip' & perhaps some of you do this already - I never really know - so I try to sometimes 'point out the obvious' because I remember that what is obvious to me now wasn't so some years back.

I never like to waste anything & I used to cut off these flower wires & throw them in the trash.  Ooooh if only I hadn't done that I'd have tendrils to keep me going for the rest of time!  Oh well!! Have a great Sunday & if you can, go get creative!!!



Friday 14 June 2013

My Creative Scrapbook Kit Club Limited Edition Kit June 2013





Hello there!  Crazy busy week for me this week & this weekend will be even more so!!  Just popping in to show you an overview of what I did with this gorgeous kit this month.


You can sign up for My Creative Scrapbook Kits HERE.
They're fantastic value for money & the service & community are GREAT!
Just look at this long list of WHAT YOU GET!!!

DIY Shop 12x12 double sided papers
  • Measurements
    Vintage
    Project
    Crafty
    Decor
    Artistry
    paper clippings
    found
  • Heidi Swapp paper
  • DIY Shop Accent Stickers
  • Pink Paislee Luxe Circles
    Pink Paislee Luxe ABC 
    DIY Shop Ephemera
    DIY shop layered stickers
  • Cottage Farms Burlap flowers
  • Prima Flower six
  • Vintage Trinkets 9 metal flowers
  • Pink Paislee muslin trim
  • 2 red paper roses
    2 yellow roses
  • green sheer ribbon
    cream ribbon

    Pop into the Design Team Gallery HERE - prepare to be INSPIRED!!!!
    There are loads of layouts created each month by a large & diverse team.


    I started with this layout above because I couldn't wait to use the "Viewfinder" die-cut from Crate Paper 'DIY Shop'!


    Next I created this layout above, because I was just dying to cut up that gorgeous Pink Paislee Luxe grid circle die-cut!


    Next I created this layout above because I just love Mel C's song 'I Turn To You' & always have :)


    Finally I created this layout so I could have the chance to use up some of those lush burlap flowers from the new Pink Paislee Cottage Farms Collectiion!!

    If you are thinking about subscribing to these kits WAIT NO MORE because very soon they are going to be full of the latest & greatest NEW CHA product!  

    I will be back as soon as I can with close-ups of all of these layouts as well as my monthly My Creative Scrapbook tutorial to share.

    Have an awesome weekend & thanks so much for visiting!



Thursday 13 June 2013

Off-The-Page {Cabinet} project for Scrapmatts {Using LOTS of Prima & Purple Pumpkin!}




This is my 2nd project for the month of May, up at Scrapmatts HERE.

I just adored making this altered project - the cabinet! {CB7011 Memory Cabinet 01}. 
 May I just say that this is the MOST AWESOME OFF-THE-PAGE ITEM
 I have ever come across for sale!!

  Hats off to Scrapmatts for putting together this absolutely DARLING piece!
I think this item would be IDEAL for a class as everyone can customise this to exactly
 the way they want - it is FUN to decorate & I have never constructed something
 like this myself before so I felt a big sense of achievement when it stuck together
 & didn't collapse  {it comes flat-packed with excellent instructions on how to assemble}.


Once I had glued all the pieces of the cabinet together I painted it with an undercoat
 of cheap gesso {I always do this in preparation when I am painting as it is a good
 base & saves other, more expensive paints being absorbed by the wood or chipboard.


Then I painted a fairly thick coat of Ranger Crackle Paint in "Picket Fence" 
which is just a fancy name for white.  This paint is incredibly awesome
 & the thicker you put it on - the deeper the cracks!  I'm impatient so I 
dried mine off with my heat (embossing) gun to literally WATCH
 the cracks appear - it's like magic!!


Then I inked the edges randomly with dark brown archival ink
 (better staying power than chalk ink) & rubbed over some places 
with Ranger Liquid Pearls in Buttercup & Cantaloupe
 (these work just like metallic paint but are cheaper & take up less space to store!)


I used various Scrapmatts Words (CB1198 Scrap Words 06) -
 these are a MUST-HAVE for your stash - incredibly useful!!  
I inked mine in dark brown then added a swipe of 
yellow & orange & a little gesso sponging.


I added a big Prima Rose resin to the top of my cabinet which I also treated
 in the same way as the words.  I use HOT GLUE for all my Off-The-Page
 projects as it is by far the strongest but be careful - handling a glue-gun
 can result in burning yourself (which I do regularly LOL).


I am an embellishment addict so - aswell as decorating the inside of the cabinet 
I added a couple of Prima vines to the outside too :-p  I always cut these up 
& re-connect them to suit the area I am covering - I sponged these with dark 
brown ink on the leaves, yellow & orange on the blooms & gesso all over!!


I added a few dots of Liquid Pearls along the top edge too - these run 
& smudge so you need to add them last then leave them to dry overnight.


I hope you will give this OTP page project a try!  
It would make the most awesome customised gift for someone 
on an occasion like a wedding for example.  TOTALLY unique!!

I used plenty of Purple Pumpkin products on both this project 
& the layout I showed yesterday.  Go HERE to follow the 
Purple Pumpkin blog & click into their online store to shop!



Wednesday 12 June 2013

"Summer" Layout - Scrapmatts Colour Challenge {Purple Pumpkin}




I got this page done for my monthly blog post
 up at Scrapmatts HERE last month.


I created the layout according to a colour challenge 
set for the Design Team - Black, white & yellow.  


As STAMPING was the current CHALLENGE in the forum I decided to
 incorporate that too!!  I began this page by creating the mixed-media
 paper using the black wood-grain paper, gesso, black & yellow mist
 (flicked on to make splats) & a Kaisercraft bubble-wrap stamp.  


Mixed media is NOT difficult but it is TIME-CONSUMING & you WILL 
mess it up if you don't dry off your layers between the application of 
different mediums.  A good, strong heat gun is your closest ally!


Once I had my background paper made I decided it was too "heavy" & not Summery enough so I used a white cardstock base instead & tore my black, mixed-media base paper then adhered it to the white cardstock at the top & bottom, tearing the edge & inking it with yellow.  Thus began the whole composition of my page!


I also stamped the bubble-wrap stamp onto the white cardstock underneath
 that AWESOME heart-punch design {Martha Stewart must have item!}
 & added random Liquid Pearl dots scattered all over my layout.


I used more Scrapmatts words here - this time the black ones from the CB1197 Scrap Words 05 pack - I am addicted to these - such a great new addition to the Scrapmatts store!  I also used the word "SUMMER" for my title - SW005 Summer 01. 

 I sponged it with white acrylic paint (so that it wasn't smooth) then dried it off with my heat gun close up to create bubbles from the heat - then inked it with black (mainly at the bottom) & yellow (mainly at the top). I ♥the outcome!


I had fun with the butterflies too as you can see :)  I used the CB1006 Butterflies 06 set which sells for only $3.18!  Bargain!!  I sponged with white acrylic, inked with black & yellow then sprayed with spray adhesive & dipped in microbeads - delicious!!

I also added some torn strips of washi tape to the base section of my page then sealed
 the entire section off using Matte medium (to prevent smudging or peeling).
  This is a must have mixed media supply!


Limiting your colour palette always creates
 an eye-catching page - why don't you give it a try?!