'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

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

Consistency	Thick & creamy	Thin & fluid
Finish	Slight sheen (varies by brand)	Flat, matte
Best for	Heavy layers & texture	Smooth layering & sealing
Strength	Strong hold	Light 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 - 

• Use gel medium when you’re building texture or attaching heavier elements. - Liquitex Matte Gel Medium , Liquitex Gloss Heavy Gel Medium, 13@rts Gel Medium, Art By Marlene Gel Medium , Dina Wakley Media ultra thick gel medium, TCW matte gel medium, Monte Marte gloss gel medium 

• Use matte medium for paper layers, sealing pages, and finishing touches. Liquitex Matte Medium , Liquitex Ultra Matte Medium , Ranger Multi Medium Matte , Deco Art Media Matte Medium 

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.

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

Distress crayon - Winterberry

TCW stencil

Color Glow (Goldstone and Amber)

Dina Wakley paint (Fuchsia)

Art Anthology Gemstones (Garnet)

13 @rts ephemera Rosalia

49 & Market Tranquility Filmstrip frames

Light & Fluffy modelling paste

Ayeeda Mist (Pastel Berry)

Wax (Vintage Gold)

49 & Market Art Options Avesta & Rouge Chipboard

49 & Market Wishing Bubbles and Baubles

TFL

cheers

Trace

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! :)

Colours: Use shades of blush, dusty rose, maroon and antique gold 

Vibe: Romance, 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

“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.

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.

'Art's the soul's reflection' - by Curated Collective Designer Emma Zappone

Hello and welcome to Thursday.
I can't believe it's the end of January already....crazy!
Today's share is a 5x7 canvas board, using a colour palette that excited my play.
This project also features some of my favourite brands and elements.

My base started with some Tim Holtz collage paper, a scripty one to 'frame' where I wanted my composition.
Once that was dry, I added my all time fave product, Rub-ons. This project features Aall&Create & Tim holtz ones.

Then I started my layers, I've had this pic for a long while, and when I purchased 'Elegy in Bones' Snippets and mini curiosities, I just knew I had to play with this image.
The Mini's are tags, which I adore and are the perfect layering option.

You can see how great they look peaking out from around the focal image.
Tucking in with those tags are the Snippets. These are transparencies. So very cool, with lots of detail, and they compliment the 49&Market film strips also.

I loved that I could introduce colour amongst the Snippets and Curiosities, as they are in neutral tones. This allowed for a freedom of colour to reign.

I hope this inspires you to play with products from your stash and create something just for you.

Till next time, EM 😃

Product list:
Elegy of Bones 
Tim Holtz Collage papers
Assorted Rub-ons
49&Market Strips

 

ATC Weeks 1, 2 3 & 4 by Tracey B

 Hi everyone

I normally almost exclusively do 12 x 12" layouts but since we've been doing these ATCs, I've grown to really, really enjoy creating in miniature.

I use playing cards from a casino given to be by a friend.   I don't mind that there is a hole punched in them - I'll either cover it up or incorporate it into the design somehow.

I started by prepping a heap with some gesso - it usually takes a few coats but I'm not that fussed if a little of the card shows through.

Week 1 Fresh Starts 

Products I've used include

Distress Inks (Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral, Barn Door and Black Soot)

Circle stencil for the sun, baby wipe to clean off the ink then Distress ink (Mustard seed) and Distress crayon (Flickering candle)

Lavinia Mysticals Mist Spray - Bumblebee

Leaf stamp (maybe Lavinia) & Momento ink

Diecut leaves.

Week 2 Silver & Black

Products I've used include

Black card stock

Cadence relief paste (silver) through a stencil

Diecut off cuts

Stamp (maybe Jane Davenport) onto grey tissue paper, stamped twice in Momento ink.   (In hindsight I think I should have used black embossing powder to make it stand out more).

Kuratake water color (white gold - go figure)

Rivers tag with Art Alchemy wax (Soot)

Tattered Angels glimmer mist (Silver)

gel medium & beads, filigree flower and press stud.

Week 3 The New Year

Do you celebrate like me? (ie in bed way before midnight and up early to craft!)

Products I've used inlcude

Random leftover zzzs

Distress spray stain (Stormy sky & Prize Ribbon)

Distress Oxide spray (Wilted Violet)

Distress Mica stain (Winter Frost)

13@rts Ayeeda Mist (Pastel Turquoise)

Versamark

Ranger Embossing Powder (Cotton Candy speckles)

Week 4 Sewing/Stitching

 

So I started this one by sewing some fabric onto my card and then thought I'd do some stitching on the fabric.   Rather than struggling to hand stitch through the card, I just made another.   I'm sure I'll find some use for this one.

Stitching first!

products I've used include

Fabric

Embroidery floss

Heart (homemade by my friend Suzanne and in my stash for years and years - knew it would be perfect for something someday!)

13 @rts Ayeeda Mist (Pastel Mint and Chalk yellow Amber)

Pins

TFL

cheers

Trace

List of Prompts - Mini Works of Art

 

Thank you for joining our journey through weekly prompts to create your very own mini works of art.

Everything you need to know about this project can be found HERE.

Here is a list of the prompts so far:

JANUARY

Week 1: Words/quote: "Fresh starts"

Week 2: Colour: Silver & black

Week 3: Theme: New Year

Week 4: Technique: Sewing/Stitching

MORE TO COME......

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Please load your entries into our Monthly Mini Works of Art albums in our Facebook group!

Thank you,

Amanda

On behalf of the SC Curated Collective Team

“Simple Marvelous” - Curated Collective Designer Lisa Oxley

 

 Quote Focus “It’s often the simple that creates the marvelous” serves as the central affirmation.

   •   The theme is reflective and romantic, celebrating simplicity, beauty, and quiet strength through subtle vintage tones and delicate elements.

Focal Image

   •   A softly illustrated vintage-style girl, hand-painted with delicate shading and muted flesh tones.

   •   Her expression is wistful and observant, gazing outward, drawing the viewer into the page emotionally.

   •   She’s positioned slightly off-center, creating natural visual movement toward the butterflies and quote.

Colour Palette

   •   Dominant hues: Cobalt blue, ink black, creamy ivory, and soft peach tones.

   •   Accent shades include butterfly teal, violet, and sepia—evoking a rich antique and nature-inspired aesthetic.

   •   Pops of shimmer in the butterfly wings and botanical layers offer dimension and contrast.

Elements

   •   Butterflies: Four different butterflies are layered around the girl—symbolizing transformation, fragility, and freedom.

      •   They’re collaged using printed ephemera or fussy cuts, possibly hand-detailed with shimmer accents.

   •   Botanicals: Soft, translucent wildflowers blend behind her shoulder and in the top corners.

   •   Background Texture:

      •   Layers of stenciled or stamped alphanumeric text (Roman numerals, codes) in grunge black.

      •   Faded damask/floral stencil appears in the top right—providing a vintage baroque flair.

      •   Black dot borders, ink smudges, and painterly brush strokes (especially the deep cobalt) layer behind the figure for depth.

   •   Textural Border Strip: A dark ornamental strip runs horizontally across the top third of the page, resembling wrought iron or laser-cut lace—adds visual grounding.

   •   Blended Mediums:

      •   Likely includes gesso, acrylic paint, stamping, stenciling, and collage.

      •   The layering suggests use of gel matte medium or similar adhesive for ephemera elements.

Layout Composition

   •   Visual Triangulation:

      •   Girl’s gaze pulls attention across the page.

      •   Butterflies form a visual triangle, framing the central portrait and enhancing movement.

      •   The quote grounds the eye in the lower third, acting as a visual “anchor.”

   •   Balance: While the right side holds more visual weight with the large portrait and butterflies, the stenciled numerals and florals on the left maintain equilibrium.

Emotional Tone

   •   Gentle, introspective, hopeful.

   •   Suggests a journey of self-acceptance, healing, and recognizing beauty in simplicity.

Australia Day Cyber Crop - Here are your 6 Challenges

 

'Wings Shaped by Patience' - Curative Collective Designer Emma Zappone

Hello everyone!
It's Thursday which means a new share from me - Em.
Today I have another Art Journal page. In keeping with the yellow tones from last week, I have played with the New Miss Monarch Foundations Pack.
It's just stunning!
I will add the link below.

I just loved that half image and needed to use it first.

I then added paints onto the background to compliment the colour tones of the pack and the elements of the tags.

I also added some new rubons that I received recently from kylie. They are awesome AALL&CREATE A5 sheets, and they were perfect for this project.

Thanks for joining me today.
I will catch you again soon.
Em xx

Products Highlighted

Miss Monarch Foundation Pack
AALL&CREATE Rub-on Sheets

 

You'll turn out ordinary - Georgia Arthur

Back again with another journal page inspired by this month's Moodboard. This page was done in a 6x6 Kraft journal with some layered background paints using a brayer and a gel plate and some stencilling. Stamping and heat embossing the background using orange and yellow embossing powders by Ranger. I printed the Luckyfindings imagery sheet 'that girl street art' on transparency then fussy cut out my image, layered it over the top of the embossed background to give it a cool effect. Finished it off with a sentiment from Dina Wakley quotes. Enjoy this fabulous moodboard that Scrappingclearly has put together for us to be inspired to create.