Thursday 8 September 2011

Scrap-it-Lah September Challenge - Set by Me!! Plus a Quick Background Painting Tutorial





I know, I know!! 
 I've been MIA all week, but it has been for good reason.  
I have my daughter arriving home from uni this weekend so I am planning her week for her & booking all her appointments (we have a lot to organise while she is here & she's only here a week!) 
and I am scrapping my heart out and have deadlines every day this week, so it's been frenzied behind the scenes here!!


Scrap-it-Lah went live with a new monthly challenge, for September, last week, and I set the challenge!
We usually have a guest designer but I was dying to try something out so the DT agreed to let me have a go this time - and wow, was it fun!!  
You can read all about the challenge here but I've also copied & pasted below for your convenience.
  

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO...
Create your own mixed media background, using printed paper as a base.  Be sure to include at least 3 different paint colours in whatever effects you fancy. This can be using stamps,  bubble wrap,  etc etc - its all up to your imagination.

Also ensure that you have at least twelve words on your layout, which can include the title, date (if you want to include one) and the journaling (or even be one REALLY long title if you like!)


WHAT YOU CAN WIN...


The Studio Calico Debate Team Kit!
{Have you noticed that the DT's I'm a part of always have the COOLEST prizes?  
And I can never win them LOL!!}
But YOU CAN if you enter & win! :)


We've instituted some simple "rules of play" starting this month, 
in the hopes of "Spreading the SCRAP-IT-LAH word" so please remember to follow them if you play :)
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5 Simple Rules for playing along at Scrap-it-Lah Challenges

1.       Please create a NEW layout for each challenge but you are welcome to combine with other challenges, as long as your layout was specifically designed with Scrap-it-Lah in mind and created AFTER the challenge details were posted!

2.       Please remember to mention Scrap-it-Lah somewhere in your blog post; create a link back to the correct challenge post at Scrap-it-Lah.

3.       Please include the challenge requirements within your blog post – you are welcome to copy; paste these off the Scrap-it-Lah blog.

4.       Please also mention the deadline the challenge ends and let everyone know what prize is up for grabs!

5.       Remember, you must be a follower of the Scrap-it-Lah blog to be “in with a chance to win”

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Supplies List :-

Printed paper - Fancy Pants
Mask - Heidi Swapp "Hibiscus"
Fussy -cut flowers - October Afternoon 5 & Dime
Butterfly punch - Martha Stewart
Chipboard flowers & star - October Afternoon 5 & Dime Chip 'n Stick
Paints - Gesso - Paper Plus
Red - Red Wagon - Making Memories
Blue - Daiquiri - Making Memories
Pink - Strawberries & Cream - Making Memories
Red Paint Dabber - Watermelon - Ranger
Blue Paint Dabber - Pool - Ranger
Green Paint Dabber - Citrus - Ranger
Glossy Accents - Ranger
Mist- Yellow - Tattered Angels - Lemon Zest
Mist - Maya Road - Pink Lemonade
Mist - Smooch Spritz - Blue
Chipboard Alphas, frame & leaves - Imaginarium Designs
Butterfly stick pin - Jillibean Soup
Leaf stick pins - Maya Road
Doilies & bling - stash
Brad - Basic Grey Lemonade
Dymo Machine & tape

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HOW TO ACHIEVE THE SAME EFFECT


I always work on plastic.  
If I am given a plastic bag with a clothing purchase I fold it up into a basket that lives on one of my scrap cupboard shelves, then I have a selection of sizes to hand when needed. 
 I slice down the side & base of the bag to open it up and double it's size.
PLASTIC IS FAR BETTER TO USE THAN NEWSPAPER - think about it - nothing gets STUCK - Donna Downey taught me this...sheer genius!


Start by dry-brushing your paper with gesso.  
NO WATER.
You don't want it to be an even coverage & you don't want it to be totally opaque either.  
The biggest mistake you can make at this stage is to overwork it so STOP before that happens!
Don't worry if your paper buckles a bit. 
 This problem is easily solved by 
SAVING THE PAPER FROM WITHIN YOUR PAGE PROTECTORS 
when you buy a new album, and adhering your painted paper to  a sheet of plain paper.
WAIT until you've finished all the painting & until it is dry though...
then adhere by applying glue ALL OVER the plain base piece, 
then simply adhere your painted paper on top of it.


These are the little guys I have to thank....
Here they are taking a little bow :)
Those paint dabbers are the awesomest things - ZERO MESS - I need more!
They have a spongey top the paint comes out of so you use them straight from the bottle, fabulous!!


Next you need to use something as a mask then dry brush over with some other colours.
Wait for the layers to dry if poss otherwise just go for it, just be careful the colours don't overmix
as then they become too muddy...not a good look...
When painting vary your brush stroke direction & the amount loaded on the brush.
Avoid water if possible so that eventually you are dry-brushing just itty-bits of paint on.


Build up your layers using masks (they do come clean afterwards but require a jolly good rubbing...) 
then lastly DAB using your paint dabbers (see the green & blue circles) 
randomly until you are happy with the effect.


Ultimately you are aiming for something that looks like this.
Of course quite a bit gets covered up by your photographs & embellies 
so stretch out your effect as much as you can, 
but don't go right to the edge, because it's nice to see the contrast at the corners, v/s the original paper.

THIS IS A GREAT TRICK FOR COVERING UP OTHERWISE GARISH PAPER (toning it down) 
or simply to freshen up an old design.
And it is quicker than it looks, so why not give it a go,
and if you do then please let me know as I would love to come & take a peek.

Now I have another page I need to do.
I am terribly behind on my blog reading & commenting but please forgive me,
You know I always make it around to visit eventually.
Hubby is away with the laptop so it is not as easy as usual to browse
and I still have quite a few deadlines I need to meet this week
so hang in there bloggy friends, I am dying to visit you all ASAP :)




22 comments:

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this!! LOVING how you did that background, the colors, the photos!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):)

Lea said...

Love this layout and such a great challenge! Thanks for the play by play regarding your technique!!!

Kiki Aposeki said...

Wow it's amazing LO i lovw it!!! and what a great challenge?

Kerryn said...

A very cool challenge Helen! I love how you have shown how you achieved your background. The finished page is gorgeous too!!!

Bellaidea said...

Great stuff - I always like to READ your post :)
Will be also happy to take a part in your challenge!

Cathy said...

OOHH such a gorgeous explosion of colour Helen.. ADORE your painted background and fab tutorial.. keep them coming!! Have a wonderful weekend :)) hugs

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Super fun layout with super fun background, great tutorial too! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Oh WOW Helen!! This layout is sooo gorgeous!! Love your tutorial too on the background..thanks so much for sharing! Sounds like you are super busy...enjoy being with your daughter next week :))xx

Mitralee said...

Where was the bag suggestion when I got Tim Holz all over my scrap desk!! Lol!! Looks like a good challenge for tomorrow!!!

Heather Jacob said...

wow Helen another dynamic page and post ... so much wonderful art and info .. I have been in bed all day not feeling the best ... so thought I would go on a few blogs to cheer myself up .... you post is so beautiful and cheery ... hugz x

Jasmine S said...

This is sooooo fab. I just love that red against the busy background. It just pops.
And hope you have a great time with your Daughter home this weekend. Enjoy!

Lynette Jacobs said...

It is amazing to see how you create your own backgrounds...so beautifully. Love all the fussy cutting of the October Afternoon papers. Absolutely lovely layout.

Rachael Funnell said...

FANTASTIC!!!
Your layout is SUPER DOOPER Awesome Helen.....
Lovin the colors, your background Tutorial was
Excellent.....TFS!
Always LOVE to stop by here!!
Enjoy your weekend with your DD....... xx

Unknown said...

Beautiful work Helen!!You are so awesome!!Love the texture of the background you made.

Pearl said...

Wow on your wonderfully details tuts always, grill!,,

Eila Sandberg said...

Immediately fell for the bit that said "cover up garish paper", have a pile of them uglies at the bottom of my stash *giggle* Great tut Helen, thanks for sharing! I get so frustrated at my dabbers because the foamy top always comes off. But as long as they are on, they are just fab! Wonderfully bright and bold page, makes me really happy looking at it! xoxoxoxo

sandi said...

Wow! What an awesome lo Helen! Love the detail of your tutorial. The little butterflies, your typed journaling, and painted leaves all look fab against that cool background. Way to scrap!!!! :)

Marelize said...

It looks amazing Helen!! Love the punching and the bright colours! Stunning! xx

Chantal Vandenberg said...

Oh I love this layout Helen! What a fantastic background you made!!! Too bad they don't sell them like that hey?! Love how you said they were taking a bow... LOL!!! Too funny! I have never tried the dabbers - they look so cool! TFS!

scrapbookertink said...

Don't know where you find the time my friend, gorgeous memory to treasure in years to come, so difficult to get boys to get in the pics so well done, brilliant tut. loved it, take care and enjoy the last week with your daughter, Doreen x

Sabrina Scrapbook said...

Hi Helen, aihhh no wonder I didn't see you that much, you have been busy with your DD :) I saw this at Scrap-It-Lah, will try to make an attempt for the challenge :) Thank you for sharing the tutorial, what a colorful background and a beautiful page, Helen!! Hope you are having a great time there!! XOXO.

Blossom inch said...

beautiful page indeed, love the tutorial and awesome. Hope everything is fine with you.