My 30th Birthday - Couture Creations DT

I was feeling inspired to get messy when I created this layout, probably because I had just spent a couple of days cleaning my craft room. Nothing like enforcing order to make me want to pull everything out again for one layout! The photo is of my sister and I, it was taken at the end of my 30th birthday celebrations. My journaling is just a quick re-cap of how I celebrated, but I pleased I included it none-the-less. I need to make more of an effort to remember to include journaling in my layouts.

 

 

So because this layout was created as a Couture Creations DT layout, it also comes with a tutorial on how to make it:

 

 1/ Start off by die-cutting all the pieces you will need. To create the frame I cut four of the Light Box Frames from the same colour Core'dinations cardstock. Because this is a fiddly piece I found it easier to remove if I used to quick release paper between the die and my cardstock. I also cut one Moulin Rouge piece from vellum, again using the quick release paper. Make sure you keep the quick release paper die-cut too. Lastly, I cut two lots of the Roman Set from Core'dinations cardstock and covered these in crackle medium.

 

 

 

2/ Cut off the bottom section of each Light Box Frame, so the frame becomes square. Trim your photo to fit inside the four frames (I think this was 3 3/4" x 3 1/2" from memory). Tape the frames to the corners of your photo to create a single decorative frame.

 

3/ I had a beautiful piece of watercolour printed paper which matched my colour scheme perfectly, however I wanted to add a soft purple border to the page. I grabbed some ink pads and sponge daubers and set to work to create the effect you can see below. I found it works best if you move the dauber gently and lightly around the edges in a circular motion, rather than up and down like a stamp.

 

4/ Get messy with your background. I used some Gelatos and blended them into the background with water (hence the very warped background paper), then sprayed white mist through a mask, before adding the silver paint circles and teal paint splatters.

 

 

5/ Paint your chipboard pieces. I have used two lovely designs from Imaginarium Designs and painted both of them with metallic silver paint.

 

 6/ The next step is just to assemble all your embellishments. I adhered my two Moulin Rouge die-cuts first, with the quick release paper version at the top left of the frame and the vellum version at the bottom right. Be careful what medium you use to stick these to your page, I used spray adhesive and it caused both die-cuts to blend into the background quite a bit. From there, I added the washi tape, punchinella, ribbon and twine. Once I had this basic design sorted I placed my photo frame using some foam tape to lift it from the page. Then just build up your flowers and place the Roman Set die-cuts, chipboard, brads and sequins.

 

7/ Finish off your title using letter stickers. Create some strip journaling and edge that in a light coloured ink to blend it into the background a bit more.

 

 

 

Couture Creations Materials List:

CO723310 The Treasures, Moulin Rouge

CO723741 The Metricon, Roman Set

CO723747 The Metricon, Light Box Frame

CO723818 Quick Release Die Paper

CO723623 Sponge Dauber 6 pack

CO721962 Foam Mounting Tape
 CO721956 Stainless Steal Scissors
CO721986 Handheld Essentials Craft Knife, Piercing Tool and Scoring Tool

 

The colour scheme for this layout was inspired by the fantastic challenge over at Kreative Koncepts which runs until August 14. I was initially really drawn to the deep jewel tones and the way they popped against the greys. When I went to pull out all my supplies though it turned out I didn't have those rich colours or very much of anything in grey (only ONE sheet of cardstock!). Hence, I have taken a somewhat loose interpretation of the pallet this time round.

 I will also be entering this into the Gold Coast Show in the Celebrations scrapbooking category. I'm not sure if they will like the arty feel but there are only so many clean and linear designs I can do before I need to break loose. :)

Sovereign Hill - Scrapmatts DT

For my second Scrapmatts DT LO this month I decided to only use one chipboard design because the CB8001 Circles 01 design is so versatile I didn't need any others. This comes as a 12x12 sheet with 29 different circle pieces. At only $10 for the sheet this is such good value for money, in my opinion.

 

The photos come from a 2005 holiday I took with Ben back in the day when I was still using film rather than a digital camera. We spent a long weekend at Ballarat in Melbourne and spent one day at Sovereign Hill (yes, I've just realised I spelt the title wrong and will need to correct this). Ballarat was the centre of the Gold Rush in Victoria and this tourist attraction is a re-creation of what life was like at the time. I've visited a few times and always enjoy myself, though Ben was a bit more reluctant.

 

For the circles I selected the various sizes I wanted, ran them through an Couture Creations embossing folder (Tea Lights- a new release this month) to add texture, swiped some distress ink over the top to highlight the pattern and then lightly misted them to add some sparkle and activate the distress ink. The detail shot gives you a bit more of an idea of the end effect.

This LO was inspired by the May sketch over at Kreative Koncepts. I was initially unsure about this sketch, especially the vertical bits, but the design team created such amazing samples which helped give me any idea of where to go. I actually didn't include the vertical bit in my LO at first and had to painstakingly add them around the rest of the elements I had already stuck down the next morning.

Unforgettable - Scrapmatts DT

I have now officially scrapbooked about scrapbooking - as my husband pointed out to me when I showed him this layout. :) I have had this fantastic photo from the 2012 Noosaville scrapbooking retreat I attended sitting around for a while and decided it was finally time to put it to paper.

 

 

Scrapmatts chipboard used: CB2003 Page Borders 02; CB6092 Ornate Frame 20; CB1198Scrap Words 06.

 

You can see in the close up that I have misted the pink title piece and the flourish has a crackle glaze over the top.

 

 

This LO was inspired by the Kreative Koncepts sketch challenge.

 

Don't forget about my 5th blogoversary giveaway. Entering is really simple, you just need to leave me a comment on the giveaway post by clicking the image below.

 



First & Only

What's this, could it be? Yes, it is a layout designed just for fun! After spending the whole weekend creating for DT projects I still felt creative so decided to whip together a layout for a couple of challenges before the month ended. It's been a while since I'd done a wedding photo so decided to whip one of those out and pair it with some beautiful Couture Creations papers and Scrapmatts chipboard.

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Had some fun layering paints and washi tape to create the background. Put some of my new muslin to use for a whispy background. End result is actually pretty girls but I still like it, and surprisingly so does Ben.

Inspiration for this layout came from Once Upon A ... Sketch. It's been too long since I last played over there. The journaling theme was this quote:

My journaling reads: I had a crush on Ben since I was 15. He was my first serious boyfriend, first person I lived with, first husband and soon to be father to our first child. He is my first and only true love.

The sketch for this month:


I also loved the colour challenge over at Kreative Koncepts (formerly Scrap Friends), and it worked perfecting with the Damask Delight paper range.


Now that I've been creative all weekend I think it's time for me to head back to the housework and try to catch up. Wish me luck! 

Awesome Day - Scrapmatts DT

The second theme for January for Scrapmatts was 'All About You', which had to include a photo of me. I've picked a photo from our trip to America at the start of last year. I love frogs and goofing around so thought this was good one to reflect me.

I've started to use more of that beautiful film strip I picked up from the recycling store but I'm still in two minds as to whether it works or not. I love the look of those tangled threads on other people's layouts but they just end up looking horrible when I try on mine. Does anyone have any tips for me?

 

I've only used two pieces of Scrapmatts chipboard here because I really wanted to let that beautiful frame shine. A very exciting development is that Scrapmatts now stocks a range of charms as well! I've used two of the beautiful filigree pieces on this LO. Scrapmatts pieces used: CB5006 Ornate Frame 04, CB1124 Hinges 01, CH004 Filigree Flower #2, CH010 Filigree Flower #5.

  

Notice the flair buttons used with the filigree? I may have gone slightly flair crazy in the space between Christmas and New Years and ordered a 'few' from some different stores. You will probably be seeing them popping up on my layouts a lot more in the near future. :)

I used the Scrapfriends January sketch challenge for this LO.

Cherish Forever - RIP Pa

So back on 7 October 2013 I wrote about some issues in real life which had kept me quiet on the blogging front. My grandpa passed away on Tuesday 24 September 2013. He was first diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2003, treatment was successful and life moved on. However, in 2008 tests showed the cancer had returned and over time, despite multiple treatments, the cancer spread to other parts of his body. In late 2012 it was deemed terminal and it was just a waiting game since then. Towards the end he was in a lot of pain almost constantly so whilst his passing is gut-wrenching there is also a sense of relief.

 

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These photos are two of my favourites from my wedding in 2011. I had held on to them for a special layout and decided they would be perfect for a tribute page. There is no journalling because the pain is still too raw to put into word but I might add some later.

I used the Scrapfriends sketch for October as the inspiration for this layout. The sketch was so fantastic and full of details that I kept to it almost exactly other than to rotate it to the right and remove one of the photos.

Frosted Designs have a fortnightly challenge of kraft, flair and chipboard at the moment, so I'm also entering this LO into their competition.

Baptism Day - ScrapFriends Guest DT

My two friends babies turned one and were also baptised recently. I managed to get some fantastic photos of both of them on each of their special days and took the opportunity to scrap this one from Harvey's day in May. I spent ages getting a funky background happening with mists and gesso, but then ended up covering most of it up. :(

 

 

I was in the Top 5 for ScrapFriend's YummyScrap #15! I am so excited by this, as I love all the sketches and colour combinations over there and they have some amazing entries each fortnight. They invited me to come back as a Guest Designer for Yummy Scrap #17.

 

The colour palette for this month is fantastic, I loved the bright yellow with the green/grey/red accents. I had to alter a few of my embellishments to match the colour scheme though. The doily was originally white, I misted it with yellow and green then washed it out to fade the colours. The flower was originally a light pink which I misted with a new bright red Dylusion mist.

I would love to see what you come up with for this colour scheme.

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). :)

Taxi - May Scrapmatts Challenge

It's my turn to host the monthly Scrapmatts challenge this month. The challenge for May is to combine Scrapmatts chipboard with stamping. Stamping is an easy way to add extra texture to your chipboard pieces. My example LO is from my recent trip to New York however you could also create an ATC or tag or off-the-page project.

 

 

You can see the details here of where I have stamped the flag banners to add a bit more detail. To be eligible, your creation MUST have Scrapmatts on it. The prize will be a $25.00 Scrapmatts gift voucher. Members need to upload their entry into the normal Ning gallery and just call it 'May Challenge' and we will move it into an album.

 

This LO was also created for the Scrapfriends colour challenge, Yummy Scrap #12. The grey/yellow/black combo is very stiking but not one I've done before. I liked the pop of orange.

 

I also used one of their sketches as my inspiration. Working with all the triangles was different but quite fun.

 

 

Scrapmatts DT reveal - Love and Becoming a Mother

One of the things I love most about chipboard is how versatile it is, so I was very excited to see that one of the DT challenges for Scrapmatts this month was to show how you can alter your chipboard. I am quite happy to use my chippie raw but sometimes it's nice to dress it up a bit. Sometimes it can be as easy as cutting up the design so it suits your LO better. I have done that with the layered frame below in that I cut off a third of it, now I can use that part in another LO. I also cut the nested shape around the title because the original shape was too long, so I just trimed out some of the long pieces and re-assembled it.

 

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Techniques shown in the close up below clockwise from left.

1/ The underframe was painted black and left to dry. The top frame is painted with gesso. Once that is dry splotch/stipple on texture paste randomly over the surface (if the shape is more solid you can really create a lot of texture with this technique but because the chipboard is so delicate I was more restrained). Whilst the texture paste is still well, get a contrasting paint colour and apply this randomly with your finger. Sprinkle beads over the design then press them into the paste, this will also blend in the paint colour. Finally, glue the two chipboard pieces together.

2/ For the heart I painted it purple then ran the inner heart through my embossing machine. Dry brush the shape in a contrasting colour, the depressed areas stay purple. I also covered the nestled shape in washi tape which is a very quick, cheap and easy way to alter chipboard.

3/ I used the word scraplet raw because it was perfect already. The leaf sprays have been cut into three pieces from each stem so I could spread them around my cluster more effectively.

 

 

Scrapmatts used: CB8005 Layered Frame 03, CB1146 Leaf Spray 01, CB1199 Scrap Words 07, CB5018 Nested Shapes 04, CB1070 Hearts 03.

 

This LO was insired by the current challenge over at Once Upon A... Sketch. The theme was 'best day of your life'. I wouldn't say my wedding was the best day of my life, because I would hate to think it's all down hill from here, but it certainly was a fantastic day.

 

 

The other challenge for April was to create a project about mothers. I was initially going to do a LO about my mother but couldn't find a photo I wanted to use. I was then going to do a LO about my mother-in-law but as I was searching through my photos I found this one of my friend with her newborn. It was too perfect to pass up and why shouldn't we celebrate the achievements of friends as well as family in our scrapbooking? 

 

You can see I've used the Scrap Words again, I just love this new release. There are 3 or 4 different styles available in both black and natural. I have also used a frame which I loved but never had a photo which fitted before and some butterflies. The frame I have painted in gesso, then misted in three different colours before applying watered down acrylic paint over the top. The butterfly is apinted with acrylic paint and then has a gloss glaze over the top. While the glaze was still wet I sipped the edges of the wings in glitter to add extra sparkle.

 

 

Scrapmatts used: CB1199 Scrap Words 07, CB6041 Arch Window Frame 04, CB4008 Butterflies 01.

 

This LO was inspired by the fantastic sketch over at ScrapFriends. All those diagonals make it a really different kind of LO but I'm happy with the end result.  I kept the main elements but went on a tangent with the embellishments just because I wanted lots of fussy cut flowers. :)

 

 

Currumbin Train

This was one of those LO's where I had a solid idea of what I wanted to acheive but the LO just didn't want to agree with me. :( I had it half completed last weekend before putting it aside, decided I had to finish it today as it's the last day of the month and I wanted a fresh start for the April challenges. Photo is an old one from around 2007 I think.

 

 

I used the Scrapbooking From Scratch sketch for March as the starting point. Such a nice and simple sketch, it should have turned out really well.

 

 

I loved the colour palette for the Yummy Scrap over at ScrapFriends this month. The colours I used ended up a bit more muted than the sample picture though.

Lastly, Frosted Designs has a challenge this week of scallops. I have used my scallop punch along the top edge of the page.

Road Trip

This road trip had so much excitement I knew I was going to have to scrapbook it! The journalling is actually quite long, so I typed it up and printed it onto a hand-made tag to fit it all in. The papers are quite old so I tried to make the page a but more current using new embellishment trends like the flair button, chevron masking and washi tape. Chipboard is by my favourite company, Scrapmatts.

 

 

Don't forget, the current challenge over at Unstampabelles is to use quilling in your project. Doesn't matter if you do layouts, cards, ATCs or any other paper project, you can enter them all. My snowflake was created following a tutorial by Reese Dixon. You can kind of see that I've had to hand roll of my shapes without theuse of a quilling tool and they are a bit more square than perfectly round. :(

 

This LO was also inspired by the current sketch challenge over it Scrap Friends.

 

 

The current challenge over at Inkido is The Great Outdoors. Road trips have to be done outdoors (unless it's entirely in a tunnel I guess) so I thought this LO would be suitable.  

Family Support

Tried a bit of a different style for me with this one, really focused on building up layers in the background. I like the overall effect. Photo is from my Graduation day. My mum and dad were living in China at the time so they couldn't attend however they paid for my brother and sister to fly to the Gold Coast to support me.

 

 

I purchased some of the CB5021 Nested Shapes 07 from Scrapmatts which were these star shapes. I picked a beautiful metallic gold finish on mine but if you turn them over you still have a lovely natural colour. The fabric tag in the close up below if actually taken from the size tag of my husband's classic fit jeans. :)

 

This LO was inspired by the fantastic colour scheme challenge #10 over at ScrapFriends this month. I didn't use too much of the brown but everything else got a fair bit of play. I think I was lucky to have a photo that matched the colour scheme so well.

 

 

Lastly, I was also inspired by the March sketch over at The Scrapbook Shop however I rotated it clockwise.