Thursday, 5 February 2026

'Best Thing....Each Other' by Curated Collective Designer Emma Zappone

Happy Thursday Friends!
Today I'm sharing the final images of the LIVE I did last Sunday.
You can watch the whole thing come together here



Here is the finished result.


It's soft and feminine. And it's inspired by the February Palette Play moodboard.



How beautiful are those colours.
My canvas also features Lucky Findings Imagery and pieces from the Miss Monarch collection.



Lots of layers in this creation.





It was so fun creating LIVE and playing with some beautiful products.

Have a creative week, and I'll catch you again next Thursday.

Em xx






Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Gel Medium vs. Matte Medium: What’s the Difference & When to Use Each


If you’ve ever stood at your craft desk wondering whether to reach for gel medium or matte medium, you’re not alone. While both are staple adhesives in mixed media and art journaling, they each shine in different ways depending on what you’re creating.

Let’s break down the differences so you can choose the right one for your next project.


What Is Gel Medium?

Gel medium is a thick, glue-like medium designed to hold heavier elements securely in place. It comes in different viscosities — soft, regular, and heavy — giving you control over texture and strength.

Best used for:

  • Collaging thicker papers, fabric, or chipboard

  • Adhering embellishments and dimensional elements

  • Creating texture and raised effects

  • Mixed media layers that need strong hold

Why artists love it:
Gel medium grabs quickly, dries clear, and adds subtle body to your pages. It’s ideal when you want layers that feel substantial and tactile.

What Is Matte Medium?

Matte medium is thinner and more fluid, similar in consistency to milk or light glue. It dries with a flat, non-shiny finish, making it perfect for seamless layering.

Best used for:

  • Gluing paper, tissue, and napkins

  • Sealing and protecting artwork

  • Reducing shine on collage layers

  • Image transfers and glazing techniques

Why artists love it:
Matte medium creates smooth, invisible layers and allows imagery and colour to shine without distraction. It’s a favourite for journaling and subtle mixed media work.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FEATURE                          GEL MEDIUM                          MATTE MEDIUM
ConsistencyThick & creamy                         Thin & fluid
Finish                                 Slight sheen (varies by brand)Flat, matte
Best forHeavy layers & textureSmooth layering & sealing
StrengthStrong holdLight to medium hold

Which One Should You Use?

The answer? Both — just at different stages - Scrappingclearly has a great range of each in store - click on the name of each brand and it will take you straight to the product to read more - 

Many artists keep both on their desk and switch between them as a project evolves.

Creative Tip

Try using gel medium underneath thicker elements for strength, then finish with a light coat of matte medium over the top to unify your page and reduce shine. It’s a simple trick that instantly elevates your work.

Whether you’re art journaling, scrapbooking, or creating layered mixed media pieces, understanding how gel and matte mediums behave will give you more control — and more confidence — in your creative process.

Happy layering!

All things soft



 Hi Scrappingclearly friends. Today I am sharing a journal page I created using the Luckyfindings 'a little spacey' imagery.  This was very fitting for this months mood board for February Blush & Bloom.  Started on an ABM journal page with various stencils and Dina Wakley paints to create the background.  From my stash I was able to find collage a gold tag, ink dyed floral images and various laces to bring this imagery to life.  The mood board calls for blush, dusty rose, maroon and antique gold along with vintage laces.  The quote was also from the Luckyfindings ATC imageries 'queen of hearts 1'.  Hope you like this and inspires you to create along in the month of February.











Tuesday, 3 February 2026

Yes by Tracey B

 Good morning everyone

Another luscious moodboard to inspire us this month.

Here's my take



I started with a coat of white gesso and then some Distress inks (Tattered rose, Agen Mahogany, Gathered Twigs, green - whatever was on my blending brush!)



  Other products I've used include

TCW stencil
Color Glow (Goldstone and Amber)
13 @rts ephemera Rosalia
49 & Market Tranquility Filmstrip frames
49 & Market Art Options Avesta & Rouge Chipboard

TFL
cheers
Trace


Sunday, 1 February 2026

February Moodboard

 Welcome to our FEBRUARY 2026 Challenge!

February is all things soft & romantic....

FEBRUARY CHALLENGES

Our FEBRUARY Moodboard: Blush & Bloom

This visual mood board - be inspired by these colours, vibes and techniques.

ALL Papercraft projects are welcomed: Scrapbooking, to art journalling, to tags and cards. We wanna see it all! :)





ColoursUse shades of blush, dusty rose, maroon and antique gold 
VibeRomance, Dried roses, vintage lace
Technique: Collage, florals, layered journaling



Weekly Inspo Prompts : Mini-works of art

Every Monday, we will release a unique inspo prompt. Create your very own....Mini works of art
You create ATC or Index size cards created for your enjoyment, not to be swapped or traded. By the end of 2026, you will have your own collection of 52 cards that incorporated the weekly colour, quote, theme or technique.

Check out this {link}, to see the current list of weekly inspo prompts.


SUBMISSION PROCESS

Participants must upload their completed projects into the February Albums in the Scrapping Clearly Share and Inspire Facebook Group.






Please load your entries to the albums by the end of the month. Please note: Please edit your photo caption in Facebook to give us information about your project and inspiration.

Prize boxes and gift vouchers will be up for grabs at different times during the year, but mostly we hope you are here for inspiration not the prizes!

And for all your Mixed Media and Paper Craft needs, make sure you head to our website at: https://scrappingclearly.com.au/



Thank you,



Amanda
On behalf of the Scrapping Clearly team

Saturday, 31 January 2026

“I just Wanna Make Nice Things” - Curated Collective Designer Lisa Oxley


Mood & Theme

This page exudes strength, confidence, and creativity. The dominant figure—a silver-haired, stylized man—is set against a deeply layered background of blues and teals, making a powerful visual statement. The phrase “I just wanna make nice things” adds a sense of humility and artistic purpose, grounding the work in authentic creative drive.

Key Visual Elements

   •   Portrait Focus:

A monochrome, illustrated male figure dominates the foreground. His stylized facial shadows and confident posture give a graphic-novel or stencil-art feel, suggesting boldness and self-assurance.

   •   Background Layers:

The background is highly textured with a blend of:

      •   Acrylic or ink washes in rich turquoise, teal, and navy.

      •   Fleur-de-lis motifs in white, grey, and shadowed stenciling.

      •   Dot patterns and spray paint-like effects adding visual rhythm.

      •   Vintage book text collage partially peeking through beneath layers, suggesting history and depth.

   •   Mixed Typography:

The small typewritten phrase “i just wanna make nice things” is presented in a label-style format. It contrasts the powerful visual of the man, introducing vulnerability and simplicity in the artist’s intention.

Textures & Techniques

   •   Stenciling: Fleur-de-lis and dotted overlays provide texture and gothic structure.

   •   Collage/Text Elements: Torn book pages are used subtly to add aged, literary texture beneath the paint layers.

   •   High Contrast Portrait: Likely hand-painted or digitally integrated, the man’s face and hair are detailed with bold contrast, using black-and-white shading that pops against the rich blue background.

Symbolism & Interpretation

   •   Fleur-de-lis often symbolize nobility, purity, and strength—fitting given the poised figure.

   •   Vintage book pages hint at storytelling, knowledge, or personal narrative beneath the surface.

   •   The quote is a gentle reminder of artistic purpose—balancing the powerful imagery with sincerity and humility.

Thursday, 29 January 2026

Building the Book of Me 2026


Book of Me 2026: A Junk Journal Made from Envelopes

For my Book of Me 2026, I decided to do something a little different and create a junk journal using envelopes. I loved the idea of starting with something simple and slightly forgotten, then turning it into a place to hold memories, thoughts, and creative bits throughout the year.

I’ve included a video below showing how I put it together, because honestly, it’s one of those projects that’s easier to see than explain. It was such a fun, low-pressure make — no rules, no perfection, just creating.

My plan for the year is to use up all the little offcuts, scraps, and random “junk” hiding in my stash. You know the bits — too good to throw away, but never quite right for anything else. This journal feels like the perfect home for them.

If all goes to plan, 2026 will be the year I finally stash bust instead of stash hoard 😅

And at the end of it, I’ll have a journal that tells the story of the year in a very real, very messy, very me kind of way.