Jillibean Soup | Party Favours...

Hey Friends!! Need party favour inspiration? Love llamas not dramas? Then this is the perfect combination for you! And it's fun too!

Look at how cute these stamped images of llamas turned out! A little glitter and foam shaker products can be used creatively if you put your mind to it! *LOL*!

You can check out the step by step guide I provided on the Jillibean Soup blog here.

Thanks for visiting!

JOT Magazine | November Mood Board...

Hello Friends! It's time to share the new Pinterest Inspired mood board over at Jot and this month I have the honour of being the guest pinner! YAY! I love being able to gather all these ideas in one place and then see them being brought together by the talented Jot Girls, who obviously provide inspirational samples for us all to drool over... *swoon*

Here's the mood board... Cool blue waters & zesty lime delight!

And here is my project...

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - Bella BLVD; alphas - AC Thickers; other - Bella BLVD enamel hearts, transparency, Elle's Studio Snippets,  Jillibean Soup Alpha Tile; tools - water colour paint, typewriter.

I was completely inspired by everything. It is my mood board after all! *Grin* The alphabet gave me my title and story; the constellation shows up in the patterned papers; paint splatter in peacock colours; and lime transparency circles.

What do you think you can glean from this colour palette and these mood board pinterest pics? I'd love to see. Please come and join us this month. Thanks for visiting..x

JOT Magazine | March Mood Board...

Hello Friends!

Yep.  Epic fail so far for my 2016 blog! LOL! Oh well... I am still here. Trudging along. But today I want to share this beautiful mood board created for JOT Magazine by my lovely friend Mardi Winen.

Isn't it divine!

Here's what I created from the inspiration..

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - Jillibean Soup, Bella Blvd, Elle's Studio, Scraptastic Club; stamps - Bella Blvd; Alpha - Jillibean Soup; other - water colour paint, staples, ribbon; tools  - machine stitching, typewriter.

Please come over and join us with this challenge.  I'd love to see you there..x

Jot Magazine | October Mood Board!

Hello Friends!  I am pretty excited about this month's mood board over at Jot Magazine because I had the pleasure of selecting a few Pinterest images to be brought together to try and inspire! I must of had water colour on the mind particularly as the inspiration pieces, that made it to the board, came together.. *grin*

In truth, it really was the water colour world map that started my journey through the myriad of goodness on Pinterest. I just knew that I had to incorporate the same (or similar) process on a page. Here's what I came up with..

"Happy"

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - October Afternoon; alpha - American Crafts thickers; other - water colour paint, Heidi Swapp colorshine, black sharpie pen, OA stickers and chipboard; tools - silhouette portrait, typewriter, sewing machine.

I started out by searching for a free downloadable image via Google for a "flat world map". After saving the image and converting it to a .jpg file, I was then able to trace the outside image of the map in my silhouette software.

A lot of the detail was too fine for my cutting machine, so I removed any great lakes or small islands from the image before I sent it to be cut out from sturdy cardstock.

This then left the basic outline to use as a water colour stencil directly onto my background layout cardstock.

From my collection of Heidi Swapp colorshine mist and water colour paint palette, I proceeded to lightly brush over the openings in the stencil - allowing drying time between each colour. Add some water to your mist on a separate palette to achieve a washed out look.  Tip: Use washi tape to secure the stencil/mask to the back ground cardstock to prevent movement between each paint layer. To obtain a softness between the colours, brush the cardstock with water before adding the paint.

After my background technique was completed, I started to take other elements from the moodboard. Especially the hand drawn circles with the "focus on happy" theme.

The remainder of the layout came together very easily by adding a touch of florals (fussy cut from the October Afternoon patterned paper) and grounding all the elements with the black die cut heart shapes.

If you would like to play along with this mood board challenge... (and I'd really love for you to try it out!! *grin*) Please, come and visit the Jot Magazine blog to check out the details.  Happy scrapping and thanks for visiting here today.

Bella Blvd | Just Add Color...

Hi Everyone! Today I wanted to share with you the amazing versatility of Bella Blvd's Just Add Color collection.  I have had so much fun creating this layout, fussy cutting and breaking out the watercolour paints!

 

"Star"

 

products used: cs - Bazzill, American Crafts; pp - Bella Blvd (Color Chaos, Just Add Color); alpha - Bella Blvd; other - Bella Blvd: stickers, enamel doodads, word strips (Little Bits); watercolour paint; tools - machine stitching.

 

 

You see, the new double-sided collection allows you to add a great deal more personality to your pages! One side comes with glorious colours, cute sayings and bold graphics, while the other side shares images and outlines of shapes.  This is where the fun part begins!

 

You can use these shape and theme outlines to highlight a photo/s with any colour of your choosing, simply by colouring them in yourself with your choice of medium! How easy is that!

 

 

I needed to the photo of my son (the one in yellow) to stand apart from the colours of the opposing team. This can be quite difficult sometimes, especially when documenting sporting events!  The stars were colour matched to the photo with a little premixing of watercolours directly on the palette. Before fussy cutting them out, I also added a some gentle splashes of black and teal paint to the blank stars.  I also wasn't bothered about staying in the lines. In fact it was quite a deliberate choice on my part.  I figure outdoor sports are generally messy (well at least the ones my sons play!!!) and the overall look of my layout could handle it.  *grin*

 

 

The word sticker strips, otherwise known as Bella Blvd Little Bits, were another fun addition to this page.  I love how I could convey the story of our Saturdays, with several well placed and colour coordinated sayings!

 

 

Another fun and somewhat subtle feature on my page is the layering of the Color Chaos Strandz patterned paper.  In the photo above you will be able to see miniature hockey sticks along side of my photo.  It is just a small detail, but one that helps share the story.

 

 

Thanks for joining me here today.  If you would like to see more of the Just Add Color collection, head on over to Bella Blvd and check out the talent from our other CT members...x

 

 

 



Sassy Scrapper | Project Life Tutorial...

Head on over to Sassy Scrappers to check out my latest tutorial using both layers and watercolour!

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting..x

 

 



Sassy Scrapper | Project Life Tutorial...

Hello Friends!  Over at Sassy Scrapper today I am sharing my step by step for creating a simple title pocket for PL2015 | Week One.

 

 

 

I hope you will join me there.  Thanks for visiting..x

 

 



Jillibean Soup | Thankful...

Hello Everyone!  I wanted to share with you today, a layout created for Jillibean Soup.  It's been a busy month during November and I've got an even busier month starting yesterday! So I took a moment to be thankful.  Thankful indeed, that these two boys got to play a glorious season of hockey and in their first season became members of the champion team.

"Thankful" 

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - Jillibean Soup (Holly Berry Borscht, Cool as a Cucumber); alpha - Mix the Media stencil; other - Jillibean Soup: wood sprinkles, woodgrain stampables, note card, label sticker, wood veneer stars; white thread, yellow embroidery floss; tools - water colour paint, machine stitching.

I played around with watercolours this month.  The title and small die cut leaves were cut from normal cardstock after the water colours were applied. The title was traced from the Jillibean Soup Mix the Media "Thankful" stencil. Before I trimmed around the title, I hand stitched with coordinating embroidery floss.

The bright pops of orange against the wood plank patterned paper background really help highlight the texture on both the patterned paper and the die cut leaves.

The rest of the layout has layers of woodgrain, on woodgrain.  In the baggie I have included hidden journaling and the frame helps draw the eye to the collection of trinkets in the lower corner.

The larger leaves were traced from ones found in my garden and then carefully cut with a sharp knife.  I certainly had fun playing with a few simple techniques and no doubt will be trying them again sometime soon.  Thanks for visiting today...x



 

 



Scraptastic Club | Pinterest Monday...

Hello wonderful friends!!  Today I am sharing with you a layout, created for Scraptastic Club and the Monday Pinterest Moodboard, put together using the 'Best Day of my Life' kit.

 

 

I've teamed up with fellow design team member, Brittany McLeod for this whimsical and ethereal Moodboard combination.

 

This is the layout I was inspired to create...

 

"Performance Team"

products used: Scraptastic Club - Best Day of my Life, add-on, stamps, cut-aparts; cs - Kaisercraft; other - colorshine (blush), ink; tools - typewriter.

Plenty of transparencies, bows, butterflies and all things girly!  *grin*

 



 

If you would like to know more about the details, please head on over to Scraptastic Club for a closer look.  Thanks for visiting..x

 

 

Life.Paper.Scrapbook | September Colour Challenge...

Hello Friends! Today I am sharing my layout for the new Life.Paper.Scrapbook colour challenge.  This one has nice zesty colours that can easily be brightened up for Spring or watered down to use on a beautiful Autumn page.  Either way it sure is an inspirational colour palette!

 



Here's what I created...

"Wicked Fun"

products used: cs - Kaisercraft; pp - Glitz Design 6" paper pad; alpha - American Crafts; Jenni Bowlin; Kaisercraft; other - Becky Higgins PL card; Pebbles peg; Glitz Design stickers; Greatest View badges/flair; twine, Bella Blvd designer tape; mist; gelatos; tools - typewriter.

 

 

My boy has such a quick wit.  At ten he is constantly cracking me up into fits of laughter at some of the outlandish things he comes up with!  His sense of humour is definitely groan worthy and I can only blame his father.  And come to think of it.. his Grandfather, Uncles on both sides of the family and in the last two years, his school teachers!! Liam has had the good fortune to really bond with his teachers.  For both Grade Four and Grade Five, he has had a male teacher.  Mr Z.  and Mr W.

 

Earlier this year I went into school to have a chat with Mr W.  I was concerned that with Liam's particular sense of humour it could be very border line funny, or cheeky.  This I guess depends on the teacher.  Just to clarify, Liam isn't a disrespectful child.  His mind races at 100 miles a minute to get his words out and sometimes (well, actually most of the time) he has a double meaning to what he says.  It's a talent I'm sure! 

 

Anyway, I was concerned as to how his new teacher this year would interpret Liam's words.  If anything, I didn't want him to be rude to the teacher.  I just wanted to make Liam aware of the things he was saying and how some people might not see the funny side of what he was trying to say!  After a full school year previously with a teacher who had the SAME sense of humour, I was worried that he would go over board.  Honestly... I shouldn't have worried.  Mr.W's response to me after voicing my concerns... "Liam is a good kid.  Don't worry about him.. But secretly, off the record... He's my protégé!"   *groan*   So here I sit, putting up with another year of bad jokes and witty one-liners.

 

 

 

Now for some really exciting news!!

 

Life.Paper.Scrapbook is partnering with Big Picture Classes as our sponsor for our Colour Challenges.  Every month we will tell you about one of the amazing classes they have over there and one participant will get the chance to win a spot in the class!!

This month you could win a place in Craft Happy:  12 weeks of cheerful projects to celebrate the holidays (and life in general)

http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/crafthappy/index.php

Spend your holiday months with Amy creating a little something for Halloween and Thanksgiving, plus a whole lot of somethings for Christmas: gifts, wreaths, glitter houses, ornaments, games, and a hip, handmade advent calendar.

Introducing Craft Happy, a 12-week crafting adventure that will have you creating beautiful things just for the fun of it, learning new skills, connecting with cheerful crafters worldwide, and generally smiling from ear to ear.

AND...BPC has added a $10 off offer to the Craft Happy class.  Use the Code GRIN.

If you would like the chance to win, make sure you visit the Life.Paper.Scrapbook blog and link up your project with us.  You could also be chosen as one of our Top 3 featured projects!  And if you haven't had a chance to play along with our September Sketch Challenge, there are still a few days left, to link up your layout!

Hurry on over and thanks for visiting..x

 

Hampton Art | Watercolour flower tutorial...

Hi Everyone!  Last week when I shared a link to my Hampton Art stamping tutorial, I also linked you up to my watercolour flower tute as well.  :)  But I didn't share it here.

I just love the watercolour trend at the moment.  It's so alluring and I just wanted to dabble in it.  However, I thought that I just didn't have any watercolour supplies on hand (and I'm not counting the kids' $1 paint in a tray!  LOL!!  Although....) *grin*.  But then I remembered that I actually did have something I could try.  Something I bought a set of, just after high school and never touched because I didn't know where to start.. (umm.. yeah.  I am a bit of a hoarder!)

Enter: my Faber-Castell Watercolour Pencils!  Yay!!

 

 

They were still in good condition thanks to the original tin box they came in.  So I tested them out!

 

 

"Hello Sunshine!"

 

If you would like to see my step by step, please visit the Hampton Art blog here.  I had a lot of fun creating these flowers and they are so simple!  I hope you enjoy. 

.......................................................................

And before I go today I want to share another snippet of the new Bella Blvd CHA collections.  Today it is all about ...

I think this is one of my faves from Snapshots!

 

Head on over to Bella Blvd to win-it-before-you-can-buy-it!!  Good luck..x

And thanks for visiting..x