Sweet - PaperStories Class

So now that I have finished with my all Gold Coast Show entries I had some time this weekend to work on some of the many outstanding projects I have in my craft room. The main project is to actually re-organised the craft room but that isn't anywhere near as fun as creating new projects. Back in June I signed up for an Collage Layering online class at PaperStories, which is owned by the lovely and talented Georgia Heald. The kit comes with materials and instructions to create two LO's, I have only made the first one so far.

I really liked playing with the paper strips, then gessoing, stamping, misting and washi taping the background. Isn't that sunflower coloured mist just divine? I like the effect of the gesso over the paper to blend it all together so I might try that again on another LO.

The Freedom Trail

This is the last LO I created for the Gold Coast Show. This year there was a special category of 'Teddy Bears' so I've chosen to do a LO about The Freedom Trail in Boston which Ben and I spent a day exploring earlier in the year. I took photos of out teddy, Boofle, at a number of the stops, so this LO features those photos. One of the judging criteria is originality so I'm not sure if this will score highly or if the judges will think it not appropriate for the category.

 

 You can see I have used a photo copied map of The Freedom Trail as one of the background papers. I have marked the photo stops on the map which correspond to each of the photos. I have also popped removable journalling cards behind each photo. I was initially going to put information about each site on the cards but figured I could look that up any time I wanted so I have recorded my thoughts and memories about each site.

 

I have used the word 'explore' in my journaling, so I will also enter this LO into the current Bird is the Word challenge.  

 

I started this LO with a pretty solid idea of what I wanted it to look like, but the LO itself had a totally different idea. I ended up modifying the design so many different times but I really like the end effect. The pearls on this LO are actually all from a single flourish by Flourish with a Bling. Again, I really love their product and am so happy to have won a prize pack a while ago so I have a fair number of their products in my stash.

Lastly, you know how I was complaining about the craziness of deciding to have so many fussy cut elements on a double LO which had to be completed in 1.5 days? Here is a close up to show that I fussy cut each flower in the embellishment cluster in each corner! I created a wonderful depth to the finished product though so I think it was worth it.  

 

Anyway, I'm heading off to the Gold Coast Show on Saturday so I'll let you know how I go. :)

The Runbows

If it wasn't for the last minute I would never get anything done! The Gold Coast Show is starting on the 31st and all entries had to be submitted on Saturday 24 August. My deadline was even closer, as I traveled to Melbourne over the weekend so had to finish all my entries by Wednesday 21st so I could give them to my friend to hand in on my behalf.

 

I got this one finished on the Monday night. It's another LO about the Color Run I took part in earlier this year. The photos were so colourful and fun I just had to do another LO about it. I've used the Kaisercraft Hopscotch range with a bit of fussy cutting because when you have to make two double page layouts in three days who doesn't decide to go with fussy cutting? :P

 

 

I have used a couple of different mists over the background the create a bit of a messy look to mimic the powder we had thrown at us during the run. 'The Runbows' was our team name, hence the title of the LO.

Scrapmatts news chipboard arrows were perfect to create some extra movement in this LO. I was feeling like the previous doubles I had created for the Show this year were just too linear so I went for something a bit more fun and organic with this one. It's probably still a bit simple to place in the competition but I really like it and that's what matters.

Bridal Party

This layout is another one created for the Gold Coast Show, this time for the Wedding category. I actually completed this one back in late July, early August but wasn't 100% happy with it.It's been sitting around my craft room since that time but I can't figure out what else I want to do it with it, so I'm just going to call it done.

 

I think this main photo is one of my favourites from the whole wedding, we just seemed nicely relaxed. I have used some stunning new flourishes from Scrapmatts as embellishments on this LO. Looking forward to a chance to use them again soon.

 

   

Some more Scrap Words thrown in for good measure too. :)

Scrapmatts used: CB4063 Leaf Spray 13; CB1200 Scrap Words 08.

Christmas Cards - Scrapmatts DT August

It's never too early to get started on making Christmas cards and they are so easy to make using the great Christmas chipboard designs by Scrapmatts.I was able to whip up this set of three using some kraft cardstock and Kaisercraft mini paperpad.

Scrapmatts used: CB1096 Reindeer 05; CB1190 Scrap Words 02; CB1104 Holly 01; CB1204 Ribbon Banners 01; CB1108 Words 24; CB1185 Christmas Ornaments 11.

My Dad, My Hero - Scrapmatts DT August

With Father's Day coming up in Australia on the first Sunday in September, one of the DT challenges this month over at Scrapmatts was to create a Father's Day themed project. I chose to combine this with one of my Gold Coast Show entries for the Heritage category so this LO features a number of different photos of my dad as he grew up.

 

Scrapmatts have a number of lovely clock pieces of chipboard so it was easy to use a couple of these to show time progressing. I have covered the flag banners with patterned paper and buttons, plus used a scalloped piece to form my bottom border. 

 

Lastly, I couldn't go past using some of the Scrap Words as a finishing touch. They really do suit every project!

Scrapmatts used:  CB5103 Flags 03; CB6063 Clocks 09; CB1190 Scrap Words 02; CB4060 Ornate Frames 17; CB8007 Fob Watch.

Dream Canvas - UnstampaBelles Challenge

I have been going through a massive creative slump lately with no motivation to create any layouts, despite a pressing need to get to work on my entries for the Gold Coast Show. Last weekend I also needed to create a project for the August challenge over at UnstampaBelles which is 'Paper Dress'. At first I was confused by what I could create and then thought 'I have the perfect stamp for this' before remembering that the whole point of UnstampaBelles was that no stamps were used! :P I eventually settled on attempting to create my first ever piece of She Art.

I had a 7" x 9" canvas sitting around so decided to use that as my base. I couldn't find a tutorial so just looked at a couple of samples I liked and went from there. It was so much fun to have no right or wrong way of going about it and no real idea of what the end product would end up looking like. 

You can see in the detail show above the raised effect of the texture paste. The whole background has a lovely shimmer to it from the Glimmer Mist, and I've popped rhinestones in the centres of all the rub on flowers. The quote is by Ralph Waldo Emerson, most of my favourite quotes are from him.

Anyway, I would love to see what you create for the Paper Dress theme. Up for grabs this month is a wonderful prize from the Sticker Store.

Bonnie LO

I finally got my mojo back and managed to create two projects today. The first one is a DT piece so it will be revealed on Monday. This is the second project and is a tribute to my husband's dog who passed away earlier this year. I have created a number of pet themed layouts over the years for the Gold Coast show and most of them have used pet themed papers and/or embellishments. Today I decided I wanted to go in a different direction so I have actually created a very girly LO to celebrate her memory.

 

 

I started with pieces from a kit I purchased from Paper Stories and then added bits and pieces from my stash as I went. The detail shots show some of the layering which was again a focus for me. I liked playing with the sequins and also got to use some shell pieces I have had in my stash for years.

This LO was inspired by two challenges. The first is Once Upon A... Sketch. Their theme for August is 'I'll never forget'. I have my journaling in the top left corner of the page which talks about how I didn't like dogs when I started dating Ben but I fell in love with Bonnie and how much we miss her now she is gone. This was the sketch:

I also used the current colour challenge over at ScrapFriends. I was doing so well at playing every fortnight over at that site but then life got in the way and it's been a while since the last time I got to play. They always have fantastic sketch challenges and beautiful colour combinations so go check them out (after you leave me a comment, of course). :)