Saturday, June 21, 2014

PASTEL LOVE.... AND TUTORIAL!!!

Hi everyone!! It's that time of week where the latest case-file is revealed over at CSI. When I first saw this palette, it reminded me so much of the birthday card I made for my Mom earlier this year, the colors were so similar and I could not wait to try them out on a full size layout!! I found this beautiful photo of my niece Delilah the other day that just matched this case so perfectly I had to use it. Besides I was beginning to feel bad because I was yet to scrap a photo of her.

Before I get started I just wanted to mention that someone left me a comment saying they wish I had you-tube video's. Unfortunately I do not have the equipment necessary to film my work, nor the skill to edit it, though I am hoping to change that within the next 6 - 12 months. This comment did remind me though that it has been a really long time since I shared a step-by-step tutorial with you, so I have done one for this layout. I hope you will stick around and have a read through and perhaps find something to inspire you!!

Case-file 128:


For the evidence I have used: 
Flowers, Fruit: Lots of beautiful Prima flowers.
Beads, Pearls: One or two of my flowers have pearl centers.
Rosettes: There are a couple of handmade rosettes on the page.
Chalkboard Element: I have cut a couple of chalkboard frames from MME's Chalk Studio Collection and placed them at the top and bottom of the page and in my layers too.
Distressing: I always distress the edges of my paper, fray the edges of my calico, ect. for that distressed look.
Ribbon/Bow: I have used ribbon to tie a bow then placed a little metal, diamante bow on top.
Frame, Metal: The chalkboard frames, and the wire frame behind my photo, plus I have used a few different metal embellishments.
Punches: I have punch two strips of paper and pasted them to the top and bottom of my layout.

For my Testimony I have written my journaling on the chalkboard frame at the bottom of the page, and I have also used the Inspiration word 'Walk'.

Here is my take on this case:

'She Is A Delight'


Some close-ups:


I must confess, I have never really gotten into the whole chalkboard thing before, but when I cut these frames to use on this layout I kinda fell in love!!!


Here I have staggered my embellishments, one on top of the other, to help blend the photo, which sits quite high, into the page.



Some Prima embellies and the 7 Gypsies key painted white with gesso for a resin look.



The frame amongst these layers and the photo corners were given the same treatment as the key. 



One of my fave things about this layout is the chipboard scroll at the top with the blue Prima flower!! 

Here is the tutorial:

 Step1: Select what paper/card you wish to use for your background. I have chosen plain white paper. Using a palette knife scrape gesso up and down the page, forming a rough 'circle' where you want your papers, photos, and other elements to sit.


Step 2: When the gesso is completely dry, lay a mask of your choosing (I have used a damask stencil by Kaisercraft) on your background and randomly scrape gesso through it, mostly keeping to the area of your background already covered with gesso, and don't worry if the gesso seeps under the mask. Dry it with a heat gun so the gesso bubbles up.

Step 3: Using watercolor paints (I have used lilac, pale blue, and mint green), a size 1 round brush, and lots of water begin to paint your background, working on small sections at a time. In some ares I have painted the raised pattern roughly with one color, and the background with another. In other areas I have just painted both background and raised areas the same color. Occasionally tilt the page up as you go and allow the paint to drip down the page. Add flicks of watercolor randomly on the background.

Step 4: Stamp a few butterflies onto your background, then also paint them with watercolor, adding a darker purple this time. I have used a much thicker consistency paint here, letting it sit on each butterfly while i painted the rest. When they were all done I brushed some clean water over them, then used a paper towel to dab away the thicker, excess watercolor paints. You may need to repeat this step a few times until your happy with the way it looks. I have also used a Kaisercraft texture stamp to add some triangle to the top and the bottom of the page, though I end up mostly covering this later. (I must apologize, because I did have a photo for this step, and I accidentally deleted it when transferring them to the computer).


Step 5: Using a smaller paintbrush, add water to some Ranger's Perfect Pearls, and brush it over all the raised area's of the design, even those you have not covered with watercolor. This creates a beautiful shimmer on the background like mists do.

Step 6: Set your background aside for a little while to prepare some of the other elements for you page. Using craft wire in 2 different sizes, twist it, and turn the thicker wire to create a circle like frame, do this a few times. Don't worry if it's not perfect... the wonkier, the better!!! Make 2 of these. Then using the smaller wire, wrap it around roughly one half of the first frame. When your done paint them both white with gesso. Don't worry if you miss bits.... It all adds to the shabby, distressed look. When both are dry, place one on top of the other and tie them together with a small piece of wire.


Step 7: Grab some metal embellishments you would like to use on the page. I have used 2 photo corners, a key, and a silver bookplate. Paint them all white with gesso. It gives a resin like appearance to them. Set aside to dry.

Step 8: While you have your gesso out, also paint your chipboard with it. I have used 2 leafy small leafy stems, and a scroll.


Step 9: When dry, set aside your leaves, they will stay mostly white. Using the same light blue and lilac paint you used on the background, begin to paint over the gesso on your chipboard scroll, blending it in as you go, so that the gesso still shows through in some parts. When the watercolor is dry, once again paint over it with the perfect pearls.

Step 10: The last thing you need to do, before you can begin putting your layout together is make a couple of rosettes. I have done this by drawing a scallop pattern across the paper (below), how ever you can just as easily use a punch, especially if you prefer a fancier flower!! Cut along the line, and make sure the bottom is cut straight. Then fold. I have folded the paper upwards at every point between the scallops, and downwards in the middle of each scallop. I find it easier to do all the folds first one way, and then all the folds the other.


Step 11: Glue the ends of your rosette together, now you should have a folded piece of paper wrapped in a circle that you can put a few fingers through. Fold your rosette outwards and press it down flat against some card that is covered in glue, pushing it towards the middle from the outside. It's best to hold it down for a few seconds or it will most likely pop back up. When it is dry add a small circle of glitter paper and an enamel dot to the center.

Step 12: Punch 2 thin strips of paper, and glue them to the top and the bottom of the page. Cut out your patterned papers for your photo mat and distress the edges. Layer your papers together and begin sticking down to your page adding a layer of foam tape between each piece of paper. Tuck a chalkboard frame in amongst the layers. Add your wire frame to the top of your photo mat and secure in place with glue. I have also twisted through my frame some pale grey bakers twine. Place a paper straw at the bottom of your papers.


Step 13: Tear some calico and distress its edges by hand, leaving lots of loose threads, and secure to the back of your photo. Place your photo onto the layout above the frame. You may want to add some more foam tape (layer the squares together) in the middle of the frame so your photo doesn't dip in the middle. Cut out another chalkboard frame and cut it in half. Place one half at the top of the page. The second half at the bottom.


Step 14: Begin to embellish your page. Place one of your rosettes to the right of the photo, partially beneath your papers. Add one of the painted photo corners to the bottom left of the photo, the key along the right side, and a peg covered in black paper above it. Add a Prima flower and whitewashed wood icon.


Step 15: Continue to build up your layers. Place your painted bookplate lengthwise beside you photo (left side).  Add some more Prima flowers, and a whitewashed wood butterfly. Add some netting amongst your layers and embellishments. Wrap a Prima rose stem around your chipboard flourish, just off center, then secure it to the top of the page in the center of the chalkboard frame using foam tape.

Step 16: Now that most of the larger elements are in place, finish off your embellishing by adding some smaller flowers, Prima junkyard findings, the bow, epoxy pebbles and your leafy chipboard stems. Layer them up around the page, adding them where they are needed to balance and complete the page.


Step 17: Choose some word stickers for your title and place them on black paper before cutting it out, being sure to leave a border so that it doesn't become invisible against the background. I have painted a circle on top of the pebbles with gesso, and when that was dry I painted them with blue watercolor. All that's left is to add your journaling to the chalkboard frame at the bottom of the page using a silver pen. I also used the pen to outline the chipboard leafy stems. 
Now you should have your finished page!! 


I hope you found the tutorial helpful!!! I know it was a little long and for that you have my apologies, but its impossible to cram three and a half hours of work into only a few paragraphs without missing the point entirely!!! Though any feedback, or tips on how to make my tutorials shorter would be most welcome!! Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great weekend!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

COWBOY'S....

Hiya!! Back again!! I am so behind on my blog posts and I haven't had the chance to share quite a few things lately, so I thought I would make the most of the bad weather and get in an extra post!!!! 

The layout I am sharing with you today I made a few weeks ago now, for no other reason than I felt like it!! The photo is of Jet sitting on the retaining wall in front of the pool fence out the back wearing his Poppy's cowboy hat. It is far too big for him, and it didn't help that he had it on sideways!!! I just love this page and photo!!!

'Mommy's Little Cowboy'


As always I have created a fun mixed-media and watercolor background, lots of layers, dimension, flowers and other fun elements!!

Some close-ups:


Prima, Tim Holtz, Bo Bunny, AC, Echo Park.....Lots of different brands and thats just in one little section.
One of my fave things on this page is this arrow. I have been really obsessed with arrows lately, and have made quite a few pages with them, though none I like half so much as this one!! For the feather at the end I have just cut lots of strips into both sides of the paper, and added the Elle's Studio wood veneer on top, which is also my title.


I have propped up the arrow up on top of a straw and Prima flower to give it some dimension.


I have used quite a mix of paper here too.... Elle's Studio, Kaisercraft, Sassafrass.
The photo is propped up on a circle of natural twine and some calico. On top of the photo I have created a frame using some wire painted white with gesso, then threaded some bakers twine around it.


More Prima flowers, a peg and a Studio Calico wood veneer.
All my embellishments have been brushed with gesso and had thread twisted around and over them for a shabby look.


I have also lightly outlined my title with gesso to tie it in with the rest of the page.


The chipboard star that says 'Unique' is from MME, whilst the chipboard chevrons are from Dusty Attic, simply painted white. 

That's it from me today!! It's getting close to that time of day where Jet starts to get a little tired so I had best go and play before he gets to upset. Thanks so much for stopping by!! 

Have a great night!! Hugs!!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

NEXT ADVENTURE!!

Hi everyone!! I hope you all had a wonderful creative weekend!! I spent my weekend, and most of last week too, suffering from a case of creative block. I can't tell you how many pages I started and threw out, but finally, late Sunday afternoon, I began to get my groove back!! I was just messing around with backgrounds, not really trying to create anything in particular when I realized I that I actually liked what I was doing. As my background began coming together I realized it was a perfect start for a layout based on this month's challenge at Once Upon A Sketch!!

Before I start, for those of you who visit my blog regularly, you will know that I have had quite a bit of trouble with my followers (Google Friend Connect) gadget. The 'join this site' button did not work. You would click it and it would say to try again later, which it has been saying for almost a year, so becoming a member was a little difficult. The good news is, I have managed to get it fixed finally, and all appears to be working as it should, so fingers crossed there will be no more issues there. Please let me know though if you do try to join this site and you experience any difficulty, so I can take another look at it.

Here is this month's sketch:

 

The journaling theme this month is the following quote: 'The best things in life aren't things'.

Most of you know by now that I love to push myself creatively, lately that has been using more than a single photo on a layout, and so far I have managed to create a couple of layouts that use 2 photos. This time I decided to go one better and use 3. I have only ever created 2 layouts in the past with 3 photos, neither of which I really liked and it was more than 7 or 8 months ago.
The 3 photo's I have used this time are all the same, 2 of which are in black and white, whilst the third is in color. I love the effect this gives to a page!!

Here is my take on the sketch:

'Next Adventure Starts Now'


As you can see I have kept to the basic layout of the sketch, the only real change being my three photo's come further down the page taking up heaps more space, and my journaling has been moved to the left a little.
For my journaling I have added a quote on the bottom of the page which I felt suited this theme perfectly. It says: "The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we have made."
I have also added more journaling hidden on the back of the layout, which was inspired by the theme, and the quote I wrote on the front. It says: "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. My best memories are all the ones of you. There is no place in the world that compares to being with you. I love being your Mommy and even though it can be hard sometimes, your smile, your laugh, your conversation, kisses and cuddles always makes everything worth it. There is nothing so precious to me as you. I love you."

Some details:

 
For the circles and flower at the bottom of the sketch I have added some large epoxy pebbles, which I have painted with watercolors, and a Prima flower.


More Prima flowers and embellies. The little wood veneer vine is from the Princess collection.... It had a little bird on one end which I just broke off, to use on another layout.


I have painted the center of two flowers from Prima's Jute collection with some gesso and watercolors. I really love how this looks. I have always enjoyed altering embellishments, though I haven't really done it since loosing all my supplies when our house burned down a couple of years ago. Not long after I became a single mother and have struggled to make ends meet since, so I don't really have a great deal of supplies and I fear to make a mistake and ruin what I do have. Especially Prima as it is extremely hard to find where I live. Nonetheless I am glad this turned out as I wished!!


I have used some Heidi Swapp chipboard for my title.... It seemed perfect for these photos, and my Son in general. Everyday is an adventure to him!! I considered adding a little fence like in the sketch, but I couldn't make it work for me so I have replaced it with the white frame underneath. It was originally a silver metal bookplate which I have painted with gesso to give it the look of a resin frame. I brushed it with some watercolors to help tie everything together.


This key was also metal and has been given the same treatment as the frame.
As always there are lots of layers beneath the photos, paper, calico, twine.... lots of foam squares!!! I love dimension!! 
One thing I have always liked the look of, but never been able to get a hold of is American Crafts glitter tape. This kind of inspired me to cut a strip of card about 1cm thick and cover it with glue then glitter. Once I added some tape to the back I had my own glitter tape!!!

That's it from me today.... Normally I would be off to spend the rest of the afternoon scrapping, but I don't have a scrap space in the house.... I scrapbook under the patio and we are being buffeted by heavy rains and 125km/h winds, so that is out of the question today. Everything had to be packed away so it didn't get wet or blow away, and its times like this that I am grateful I don't have a great deal of supplies. I can pack it all away and carry it inside in less than 2mins!!! Sadly though I don't really know what to do with the rest of my afternoon, or the rest of the week if the weather doesn't clear up!!! I'm sure I will think of something!! Hope you all have a great week!! Hugs!!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

YOU ARE THE BEST!!

Hi everyone!! I hope you all had a great week!!! Mine has not been too bad, though I must confess I am rather tired!! Anyway, it is that time of the week when the new case-file over at CSI is released, and I decided that it might be best to write up this post as my Son was having a little play before bed!! I have been looking forward to sharing this page with you guys for a while now. I loved the colors in this case-file, and they were perfect for this photo of Jet that I have been wanting to scrapbook for a while now!!

Here is this week's case-file:


For the evidence I have used:
Flowers/Leaves: As always my layout has quite a selection of gorgeous Prima flowers, fabric paper and wood alike!!
Numbers/Ampersand: There is a Studio Calico wood veneer ampersand tucked under the flowers just above the peg, and also a metal '2' from Finn's 'Mechanicals' collection by Prima to the right of the photo (On the doily).
Hearts: I have used heart gears by prima, and some Elle's Studio wood veneer hearts.
Transparent Items: Some of the Prima flowers have a very sheer transparent fabric on the top.
Something Sweet: The cork circle at the top right that says 'Love'.
Flourishes: I have used few chipboard flourishes along with the Pink Paislee Mistable flourishes.
Scallops: The doily I used has a scalloped edge.

For my Testimony I have used a list prompt and chosen to make a 'currently' list which I have written on the back of the layout.
It reads as follows:
'You have lost interest in your cars lately and are currently obsessed with drawing, playdoh, pirates and army men. Your favorite show is 'Mr Maker.' You go to sleep almost instantly every night now and sleep til around 8. Your fave fruit is grapes, but your favorite food is chocolate like me!! You can sing the alphabet right through and already count past 20. You love to sing songs, but get really mad when you hear anyone else singing. You like to dance. You like your dinosaur pj's best and your favorite movie is 'The Land Before Time'. When you come outside you like to wear Poppy's cowboy hat, and pull the pebbles out of the garden. You rarely ever throw tantrums, though you are becoming quite cheeky. Your favorite question is 'But what's that Mommy?', which I need to answer a thousand times a day. You currently like making shapes with your hands and fingers, at first it was diamonds, and now it is circles, rectangles and love hearts as well. You like to give cuddles.... and they are the best cuddles in the world!!
 
'You Are The Best'


I really enjoyed making this, I just love this photo of Jet and it has turned out to be one of my fave pages so far.... The background came together really unexpectedly, and I was not very sure of it at first but I decided to judge it until I was finished.... Some of my fave pages have evolved from something I hated in the beginning, and many pages I have loved to start have turned out horribly.... Typical!!

Some details:


I just love the little banner at the top of this page.... I had not planned to put it there to begin with but something was missing from the top.


The butterflies on the background were stamped and then painted with watercolors.... This is my new fave thing to do on my layouts!!


As always lots of layers and hidden details!!
One of my favorite things about this page though is the Elle's Studio wood veneer that I have used for my title... It's super cool!!


The chipboard flourish has been painted white with gesso, then randomly painted some blue watercolor to add a touch of color to it. I have tucked it into my paper layers and added a couple of Prima flowers on top.



I have brushed gesso lightly over all my flowers and embellishments, and wrapped some loose cotton around everything to give the layout a shabbier feel.


Here you can kind of see the ampersand wood veneer tucked under the flowers above the peg.
As you can probably guess from looking at this, the background here is very different from me, and was made up mostly from experiments.... I honestly didn't think it would work, but it did. I couldn't be more pleased with the final result.

That's all from me again today.... It's time to put Jet to bed, but as always I will be back. Have a great weekend!! Hope you all get some time in to create!! Hugs!!

Thursday, June 5, 2014

CSI AND SCRAP 365

Hi!!! Just stopping by today to share with you my most recent creation for CSI. Sorry I am posting this so late once again, things have been quite hectic here these past few weeks, though hopefully they will start to settle down now. For those of you who don't know, every second month CSI joins up with the Scrap365 magazine to bring you a special case-file that is open all month!! Of course, we would love for you to join in the challenges at CSI. Be sure to stop by HERE and check out the current case-files, fabulous Design Team work, the gallery and much, much more!!

Here is the case-file:

 

For the evidence I have used:
Numbers: I have used a wood veneer with the number 8 on it, which I have tucked in between the bottom of the straw and the flower (Will be easier to see in the close-ups). The Tim Holtz pin also has numbers on in.
Rope/Twine/Jute: I have used waxed twine in blue to wrap my arrow, and placed a circle of it in white beneath my photo.
Jewels, Flowers: I have lots of gorgeous Prima flowers on my page, along with very small fussy cut paper flowers and the rosettes.
Stripes, Diamonds: The torn, striped paper that goes across my page.
Frames, Labels: I have placed 2 handmade chipboard frames behind my photo. 
Gold: I have used quite a bit of gold glitter.
Texture Paste: I have added texture paste to my background using my fave Prima netting mask.

For my Testimony I was inspired by the prompt: Use initials of your subject to come up with words to describe your subject.
I wanted to write my journaling on the front of the page, but I didn't think about it until after I had finished the rest of the page, and I couldn't find the space to write it (It's not easy to write neatly over the top of texture paste). I decided to hide my journaling behind some of the paper layers. The rosette to the right of the photo slides out, bringing my journaling with it.
It says:
Jet James Robert Good
you are a Jolly boy always smiling and laughing,
you are a Joker, only 3 and already loving to play pranks on me,
the perfect word to describe you is Rollicking, it means boisterous and full of fun,
and you are Gorgeous, not just on the outside, but the inside too!!
Everybody always comments on your beautiful curls and rosy cheeks, your big blue eyes that already make all the girls swoon. They comment on how sweet you are, how smart, and how polite. You are the perfect little boy, everything I always dreamed of and so, so much more. Don't ever forget how much I love you.

'I Have This Desire To Explore'


As you can see, this is a little different from what I normally do.... not my best work I'm sad to say, but it was really great fun to get outside my comfort zone, and rewarding to have a finished page I like, when I struggled so much with this case.

Close-ups:


As usual I have used a huge mix of brands.... Bits and pieces from here and there!!


I love that little glitter triangle on my arrow.... I'm not sure why I did that, but love how it looks!!! I have layered it on my papers and flowers to give it some height on the page. You can also see here my little number 8 tucked beneath the end of the straw.


My title I actually found in amongst some CSI co-ordinates from older case-files that I had printed off.... It was just perfect for what my Son was doing at the time this photo was taken.


Just a few elements at the top of my photo to keep the layout balanced.


I love this chipboard flourish!!! It has been treated to a coat of gesso, then painted with some perfect pearls.
The rosette just above (and below) the flourish pulls out to reveal my journaling.... I would have photographed it but my camera has a bad habit of dying on me when I'm in the middle of photographing my layouts. The mechanism is pretty simple a piece of paper has been glued to one half of the back of the rosette.... This contains my journaling and is slid in between 2 layers of paper.

That's all I have to share today.... It's almost time for tea and I am starving..... I haven't eaten since yesterday!!! Kebabs.... Yummy!!! Hope you all have a goodnight! Hugs!!