Wednesday 28 August 2013

Mixed Media Christmas Card Set for Scrapmatts {Plus Tutorial}





Hello there!  Happy Hump Day!!  I wish it wasn't here yet as I have so much to do I feel a little panicked, like I am drowning!! It's very difficult to say no to great opportunities you've wished for for years & people tell you to enjoy the moment when it finally arrives but all these things are easier said than done.  


I am always torn between how to balance my studio time with my computer time & how to split my time between different design teams, comment support, etc.  It only seems to get harder as time goes by but I believe in "Kairos Moments" & striking while the iron is hot so I am trying to juggle it all & work out my "Anything"!!



I made a set of 3 Christmas cards for Scrapmatts, as one of my Design Team given assignments this month.  I did not relish the thought at all as I don't enjoy making cards & I don't manage to make them quickly either!  It turned out really fun though!!


I decided it was time to work out how to create a card that stayed true to my scrapbooking style.  I have been all about that for the last few weeks & am very happy with the results.  


Suddenly my style has fallen into place after years of roller-coaster riding & it's a huge relief to me!  Of course I decided to settle on something using what comes most naturally to me - lots of mediums, texture & clustering with a real artsy feel to it.


I love the look of long, narrow cards so made my own template & cut these out of plain white cardstock.  They measure 9 inches down & 4.5 inches across the back.  The front measures 3.5 inches as there is a 1 inch strip showing (the back is wider than the front).


I really enjoyed working with this different format.  It made things more interesting for me & I love the way the cards turned out.  I cut & made each card individually but next time I would like to try decorating them all together before folding & cutting, to compare.


MIXED MEDIA CHRISTMAS CARD TUTORIAL
{10 EASY STEPS TO MAKING YOUR OWN!}

Step 1.  Cut cards to size using measurements provided
{I added an extra half inch to the back so that I could 
fold a seam under the visible strip - it just looks nicer}


2.  Start by choosing & using a stencil, together with some
 texture paste, somewhere on the front of each card then dry off.


3.  Choose & use 3 different colours of mist.  (I chose 3 from Lingy's Stamp Gang). Purple, green & gold.  Apply in short bursts, tipping your card vertically to cause drips & spraying with water for the pooled effect.  Use your heat tool to dry off & also to channel the direction of your drips & shape of your pools.


4.  Ink up a background stamp with archival ink 
& stamp randomly in a few places on the front
 of your card.  Don't forget to include the 
side-strip in all these steps too.


5.  Use a toilet roll dipped in white acrylic paint
 to create a few random circles here & there.

6.  Cut down your mesh tape to be slightly narrower 
than the side-strip of your card then adhere.  

7.  Paint your chipboard, dry off & adhere.

8.  Stamp a frame in which to place your sentiment.

9.  Mount onto gold cardstock.

10.  Add your titles using alpha stickers or chipboard words
then fussy-cut around your title & adhere into position.

Supplies List for Christmas Card Set

White cardstock - American Crafts
Gold Cardstock - Coredinations
Spray inks/mists - Lindy's Stamp Gang
Fibre Paste - Golden Gel Mediums
Stamp - Prima 2013 Vintage Vanity Collection
Frame stamp - Prima
Ink - Black Archival from Ranger
Mesh Tape - Hardware store
Chipboard - Scrapmatts
Paint - Gold Paint Dabber by Ranger
Black alphas - Creative Memories
Rhinestone flourishes - Flourish with a Bling

These definitely aren't the fastest Christmas cards to make this season but I reckon they are pretty original & will give your non-scrappy friends & relatives a good idea of "what you do" :)




Sunday 25 August 2013

Life is a Journey {The Great Adventure!} Treasure Box for Scrapmatts




Hello there.  Sunday afternoon here & I am waiting for stuff to dry so decided to  pop in here & share this box I altered recently for one of my August assignments for Scrapmatts chipboard.


The box started off plain cream & is wooden with brass fixtures.  I bought it for hubby to store all the precious things the kids give him - birthday cards, little notes & the like.  


The spec we were given was "Father's Day" which I gather is at a different time of the year in Australia than here in South Africa. 

 I started by covering the sides of the box with 7 Dots Papers from the 9th Wave Collection I won.  BEAUTIFUL papers by Finnabair - I actually kinda winced cutting them up - but it had to be done :)


I added mesh tape to the sides of the lid first then tore the paper & inked the edges with 'Knotted Wood' from Ingvild Bolme for Prima, overlaying that on top of the tape.  For the base section at the sides I adhered the paper first then added the mesh tape on top.  


I printed the photo in the centre of an A4 sheet of photo paper then cut it down to fit the top of the lid exactly.  I then collaged all around it with the 9th Wave papers & die-cut pieces, plus scraps of mesh tape.  I inked the top edge with navy & brown inks & the sides with Olive Green.  I sealed the sides with modge podge.

The colours of the 9th Wave Collection work perfectly for masculine projects.  My Scrapmatts blog post is up on the site & the chipboard I used is available here.  They have a HUGE selection of very reasonably priced chipboard for ALL styles & projects, directly from their own online store where they send out to anywhere in the world at actual postage costs.  

There are monthly competitions plus a gallery where you can upload your work using SCRAPMATTS.   

I used a Range Paint Dabber in GOLD to paint my chipboard.  SO easy & if you use your heat gun to dry it off you get a lovely texture too!  The lovely chipboard quote sentiments also come from Scrapmatts & I used them because this photo was taken on our recent overseas holiday so they were appropriate.

Supplies List - 'Life is a Journey{The Great Adventure}Treasure Box

Patterned Papers - 7 Dots (9th Wave Collection)
Mesh tape
Modge Podge - Heritage
Inks - Ingvild Bolme (prima) Knotted Wood
Color Box (Ocean Blue & Olive Green)
Chipboard border & sentiments (Scrapmatts)
Gold Paint (Ranger Paint Dabber)
Cheesecloth (Hand-died with mist from Lindys Stamp Gang)
Rhinestone Flourishes -Flourish with a Bling
Green & Blue flowers & Jewels - Inkido
Brass Key & Antique Dots - PaperVine (NZ)Seam Binding (Etsy)
Metallic Gold Thread



Saturday 24 August 2013

'Beaucoup de Marche' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook Limited Edition Kit August 2013 - Kaisercraft/Prima





Happy Weekend!!  
Here's my last share from the latest 
Limited Edition Kit at  My Creative Scrapbook.
  It uses the latest sketch up at My Creative Sketches.


There is a huge prize for one random winner - just look at 
all you can win!!  The challenge runs from mid month to mid 
month so is great if you are looking for something towards the 
end of the month that is not about to close :)


Nope I cannot get the above image centred - sorry!! 

I based my layout on the sketch but have realised that I 
do not have to include everything on the sketch if it is not 
in keeping with my style so I left the layers off the top 
& didn't split my base paper into 2 as per the sketch.  

Other than that the sketch is visible.


I used some Gold Wendy Vecchi paste on my background, with my new Prima dot stencil, and stamped with my La Blanche Gate stamp & also spattered some black & copper mists onto my background & very lightly stamped my Prima brick stamp using some brown ink.


I also stamped OVER my layers in some parts, as well as adding some of the Kaisercraft border stickers (look under the title) & some Prima packaging sentiments (to the right above).


My title means "Lots of Walking" 
{at least I hope it does...my French is not the best :)}


I keep my old inkpads that are almost dried out, in my top drawer, separate from my other inkpads, so that I can use them to grunge things up just a bit, like I did with that flower above. 

 I also used the string from the Prima packaging (that tied the Dangly charms to the base board} & looped it around the flower in the corner}.


More "on top" stamping & I also used some of the Pink Paislee Artisan elements with some tan ink rubbed over the top to tone down the cream colour.  

Thanks for visiting! 
 I am off-grid this weekend as I have LOTS and LOTS of 
deadlines to meet. I have magazine work every month now, 
that I can't share here but needs doing, plus I am working on 
something secret & squirrely :) {secret Squirrel scrapbooking!!} 

You'll get to know about that very soon...
 Enjoy your weekend!!



Friday 23 August 2013

'Sisters Strolling Down the Champs Elysee' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook Limited Edition Kit August 2013




Onto no. 2 from my latest Limited Edition Kit from My Creative Scrapbook, this month, featuring the very beautiful Kaisercraft Collection "On this Day" plus lots of Prima happiness :)


Again I used a Prima Edge stamp, my La Blanche Gate Stamp
 & some Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste, this time in black, 
with the same Prima dot stencil.


I love the large Prima flowers with the mesh underlays, 
as well as the lovely dangly embellishments from Prima,
 that come with clear pebbles that you then customise
 by adhering your choice of patterned paper underneath.


Another double-bow making an appearance above, as well as 
some Prima packaging {with the word "Cherish" printed on it}.


Another soft & pretty double bow in lace & some more fussy-cut elements 
cut from the patterned paper.  I just love this photo of my 2 girls. 
 They are 7 years apart but the best friends ever.  They "What's App" 
each other every morning (as my eldest is away at university) &
 Face Time each other after school every day.  ♥♥♥  So precious!!



Thursday 22 August 2013

'Love Paris' Layout - My Creative Scrapbook Limited Edition Kit August 2013 - Prima/Kaisercraft




Hello Thursday!
Here's my first (of 3) layouts created for
 I used the Limited Edition Kit.  Look HERE to see the 
Design Team Gallery which has the whole teams' creations, 
using all the kits, posted each & every month & archived 
 so it's a handy resource for when you need a little inspiration!


All the papers in the kit are "On this Day" by Kaisercraft. 
 I used a brand new Prima stencil to create the dots on the
 background, using my favourite Wendy Vecchi embossing
 paste.  The white is more ecru than pure white & the 
finish is slightly fluffy, it really is lovely stuff!!


I fussy-cut the entire sheet of patterned paper "Vows" & used the floral fussy-cut elements to tuck in here & there on all my layouts.  I also stamped each side with a La Blanche Gate stamp.  If you can ever get hold of these stamps don't hesitate.  A crisper image you'd be hard-pressed to find!


I used a Prima border stamp along the top of this layout together with black ink, as well as black border edging on my photograph.  Printing your own photos really allows you so much more creative freedom & here is essential for me as often matt paper is not available at print shops.


I am loving having mastered the art of the "double-bow" at last & here in lace it is soft & beautiful.  Notice the lovely Prima dangly charm used close to the edge of the photograph.  The embellishments in this kit were so beautiful that I knew that only my Paris photographs would do!

At less than $32 a month for a kit subscription you should all
 be heading HERE around about now :)  Thanks for your visit!



Wednesday 21 August 2013

'Growing Weird Things in the Lab' Layout - Flourish With a Bling!




Hello & Happy Hump Day!
Wednesday already!!  Gosh...the weeks do march on!!!
Here is the full reveal of the FWAB sneak you saw HERE.


I was sent these 'Taylah's Toadstools as part of my DT pack 
& I've been trying to think of the perfect photo/s to use with
them.  Then I came across this one & thought 'Voila' That's it!


They are available from the Flourish With a Bling store HERE.
I also used the Grace Flourish in Plum which you can buy HERE.


To get the Science look I misted my page then held it 
vertical to get the drips, then dried it off & turned it
 upside down so it looked like things growing
 & rising up! Including the pink flourish from FWAB!!


I layered my photo up on torn paper from Prima, mesh vegetable
 packaging, metal & rubber mesh & scrunched up tissue paper.


I cut the pink flourish up and added parts of it to each
 side of my photo to give a feeling of movement,
 like they were smoke or liquids spilling over.


I added the clock to signify the amount of time my daughter 
spends in the lab - Chemistry pracs are notoriously long
 & there is a lot of waiting for things to react.


I also used mesh tape (dry wall tape) & glass beads
 (see them above).They are a mighty fabulous new 
addition to my stash & available from 13arts HERE!



Tuesday 20 August 2013

'Paris Was Amazing!' Layout - Flourish With a Bling! {Prima BAP} Full Reveal!!




Hello!  Here's the full reveal of the sneak you saw last week :)  
Up now at FWAB 
(all links & deets about that in my previous post HERE).


Using the Prima BAP as my inspiration.  I was skeptical about this 
sketch when I first saw it, as I don't have a way of printing my
photos to seamlessly cover the entire narrower section. 
 If I did I'm sure that would have looked awesome.


I often get asked how I start & more & more often these days
 there's less procrastinating (due to a lack of time) & I just go 
through my half a dozen or so printed photos & get cracking
 on the most suitable one right away.  

The exception to this is my kit club work where I always 
select & edit my photos especially to match the papers sent!


Alpha Stickers are from Prima - Fairy Rhymes collection.  Tulle
 is from my local haberdashery.  I am seriously into grid designs
 these days.  Ever since I met that dry wall tape.  Honestly,
 it's an obsession. Staples too.  Perfect for a  touch of grunge.


I am just crazy about that metallic thread. Just L>O>V>E it...
Tearing too...Always loved that but more so now.  And turning
over the torn off strip then layering it under the torn edge (waste
not want not I always say) but only if it looks cool of course!!


Yes you do spot some brand new Prima metals from Finnabair there.  
Yes I am a lucky girl to have them already :)  And a new Prima
 honeycomb stamp too.  Loved it so much I had to add it right
 onto my photo!  Along with a staple "X" .  Even stamped my 
flower too.  Can never get too much of a good thing...


Buy your Bella Rhinestones direct from FWAB HERE.


And your FWAB Jack Vines HERE.

Black is beautiful!  Classy...grungy...glamourous

I have both pieces cut into smaller sections &
 tucked here, there & everywhere on this page :)



Monday 19 August 2013

Stop Press!! My Video Loaded!!! {Off-The-Page Altered Suitcase for My Creative Scrapbook August 2013 Limited Edition Kit}





Goodness I am uber-excited to let you know that 
the eagle has landed!  The horse is in the barn!!  

The video is now on You-Tube!!!

WHAT a mission...BUT I am committed to this video thing now & 
the fear of it has left me at least so I CAN DO IT & I WILL!!


It did take HOURS and then some more HOURS - 
all for TEN MINUTES of video but such is the learning curve :/


I hope you enjoy it!  

Click on the expand icon on the bottom right & watch it
FULL SCREEN - much better to see all the deets!  

Then SUBSCRIBE to my channel PRETTY PLEASE :)  

That would make my day!!

{HERE is the link!}

Last but not least - don't forget to head on over to
to snag yourself a subscription to their awesome kits!!


This is what I'm making in the vid just FYI! :-D



Sunday 18 August 2013

'Growing Weird Things in the Lab' Layout {Flourish With a Bling} Up at FWAB!




Check it out HERE!  One really cray-cray layout!!
Hope it makes you smile & you forgive me for not visiting :)
I have flu :(  I've been down & out for the last couple of days.

{If I owe you an email bear with me - they're rolling into 100s!}
*Blush - yes I do read & deal with all my mail but unless it's 
been 100% urgent this week I haven't.... :(


I hope to be back soon to finish off my kit club shares 
& show you my last 'Paris is Amazing' layout in full here
 (sneaks went up on Wednesday).  Hope you are all well :)

Thanks for all the wonderful comments - they make my day!!
And if you have have a minute I'd love you to visit 
Flourish With a Bling
where I have my latest post up HERE.

Their blog is packed full of inspiration & there is an online store where you can buy your FWAB direct!  As well as a gallery where you can upload your pages & enter our CHALLENGES!!

Enjoy your Sunday :)



Thursday 15 August 2013

My Creative Scrapbook August 2013 Limited Edition Kit - Off-the-Page Project - Cami's Cosmetic Suitcase






Time to get into my kit club work now!  
You can see the kits available for sale this month on the My Creative Scrapbook Site HERE.  Below is what came to me - the Limited Edition Kit full of Kaisercraft 'On This Day' papers plus all the pretty Prima, Glitz Design & Pink Paislee embellishments shown!  Check out the My Creative Scrapbook Gallery HERE for plenty more inspiration using this month's kits!!


I'm starting my reveal with my OTP project first this time.  
I covered a little cardboard suitcase I bought for my daughter
 to store her cosmetics in.  She's only 13 so doesn't have
 the full arsenal like me LOL!


I made a 10 minute step-by-step video on how to construct this but I'm unable to load it to You-Tube as it has an unspecified error.  Of course I'm hoping to overcome the problem & get it up at some stage!  So frustrating!!


I covered the front & back with one of the 'On This Day' prints but for the side panels (where the handle & lock are) I sponge-painted then stamped over the top with a script stamp.  Lastly I fussy-cut an entire sheet of floral paper {'On This Day' Vows} & decoupaged them over the top.


I covered the handle with the ric-rac ribbon using a hot-glue gun & I sewed this apricot ribbon onto the handle so it wouldn't come unstuck through handling.  

To make the double-bow I gave up trying to work out how to do it on my own & found a great video tutorial on it HERE.  I have watched it countless times as I always forget LOL!  Starting to get the hang of it now though...


This was quite a lot of work to be honest but I was very happy with the result & would do it again.  In fact I bought 2 of these cases & the other one is slightly bigger so I will tackle that one next!


I hot glued the embellishments on so they would be really strong. 
 I just love that creamy ribbon, Prima locket & the apricot 
flowers.  Pam sure knows how to put beautiful kits together
 & I am SO thankful she selected me as part of the 
awesome My Creative Scrapbook Design Team. 
 I couldn't ask for a better/nicer team of ladies.  


The My Creative Scrapbook Blog HERE is jam-packed full of almost daily inspiration & I strongly recommend you subscribe as there is never a shortage of fabulous ideas there!  There are several kit options available that cover all styles of scrapbooking & tastes.


I decorated the inside of the suitcase with a Glitz Design Sticker (also from in the kit), some Pink Paislee Artisan Element circles & some fussy-cut flowers from the Kaisercraft 'Vows' Sheet.


And here's a little overview of all angles.  A fun & rewarding little project for a Sunday afternoon! Thank you for visiting & for all your support.  I am forever grateful to my followers who have grown from just 23 in my first couple of years (yes really!) to almost 500 now!