For the Boys - Traveler's Notebook Spreads | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! It's Sue Plumb here with my latest guest designer project to share with you. You might recall that last week I shared a pretty floral 12x12" layout (you can see it HERE); so for this week I decided to go in an entirely different direction with some boy themed traveler's notebook (TN) spreads.

My love for TNs has really grown over the past 12 months, as I approach this format quite differently to the "traditional" layouts I do. These little books are less about the process, and more about getting the memories down so I include a lot more journalling. For today's post I was working in one of my sons books and getting a couple of stories recorded for him.

I started this spread with a piece of leftover patterned paper from another project, so I thought I would take the opportunity to use it up on this. (This is a great way to use up scraps.) The paper I used was the I Love You paper from the Simple Stories 'Heart' collection, and I placed a piece on either side of my spread as my base.

The next step was to arrange my photos and my printed journalling. (I pre-print my journalling so I know exactly how much space it will need on the page.) Just like a larger layout, once I have those things in place, it's simply a case of filling in space with embellishments. For this spread I was working with the Ephemera Pack from the Pinkfresh Studio 'Boys Fort' collection. 

All the embellishments you can see on this spread are from the same Ephemera Pack; and I simply shuffled through the pack and found ones that work work to fill the spaces on my page. The final step to finish off my spread was to add some spots to the white space using a very fine grey felt pen.

For my second spread, I again began with my background. This time I used a scrap of the Treasured Memories paper (also from the Simple Stories 'Heart' collection); along with a scrap of the Happy Go Lucky paper from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Boys Rule' collection. 

This time I also matted my main photo with the same Cocoa Vanilla Studio patterned paper to help it stand out more on the page. Again, I placed my photos and journalling before turning my attention to the embellishments.

I used the same Pinkfresh Studio 'Boys Fort' Ephemera Pack to embellish this page as I did for the previous spread. This time however, I needed an extra pop of blue so I fussy cut some blue stars from the Starshine paper from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'You Rock' collection (using my awesome limited edition gold Fiskars scissors).

I finished off my spread by stamping some little banners using StazOn black ink and a roller stamp from my stash; and with some doodling using fine tip felt pens.

I hope I have inspired you with some ideas for the next time you get creative - maybe try the traveler's notebook format if you haven't already, or even just create something masculine?

Thanks so much for stopping by, I will be back again next week with another project to share.

Handmade cards - using stencil and inks.

Hi everyone! My share today is some handmade cards using a Kaisercraft stencil and distress inks from the store.

I have made these cards with a cool but simple technique, inspired by the scrapping guru Mr Tim Holtz. This technique was introduced a few years ago but I only recently discovered it: it's so simple but effective and fun to do.

To begin, I trimmed down some Kraft and white cardstock to the size of my choice. I then primed the white cardstock with gesso - as was going to work with wet mediums.

I lightly rubbed the distress inks (in Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Mowed Lawn, Faded Jeans, and Peacock Feathers) on the Kaisercraft Bubbles stencil. 

A very useful tip here - because the stencil was to be flipped over (and you want to ensure the correct side for printing your images) then lightly mist over the coloured area -

- then flip the stencil over gently and place over the cardstock - and press down the ink with a paper towel, to ensure the paper absorbs the ink. Next, lift the stencil and heat dry the print - how cool it this!

To make the flowers, first, over a craft mat, I stamped various distress inks, as pictured, then lightly sprayed with water and placed a sheet of primed cardstock (or use watercolour paper, if you have some) over it - pressed down - and removed - voilà!

Next I heat-dried the coloured cardstock. I love how the colours blend together with the water.

With the Stazon Ink (in Jet Black) I stamped the coloured cardstock with the gorgeous Jane Davenport 'Poppy Girl' stamp. 

I then fussy-cut the flowers out. I inked the edges of the flowers and the printed the cardstock with both Distress Ink in Vintage Photo and Antique Linen.

To allow the flowers and pop out, I placed them over prepped medical gauze - I had inked the medical gauze with Dylusions Spray in 'Fresh Lime' and 'Pure Sunshine'.

I gently splattered both cards with ColourBlast 'Roadbase' Colour Spray. 

After both cards were adhered, I selected some quotes from Dina Wakley Media Collage Paper Backgrounds and added some sequins from my stash for some bling... here are some more close ups...

I am happy with how these gorgeous cards turned out. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ciao for now, Amy

'Find joy...'

Hi everyone! It's a new month and so we have a new Moodboard. Today my share is inspired by this May Moodboard! 

And so this is my take on this Moodboard.

This tag was a challenge for me, as it involved lots of paying around with ideas and working with different mediums from the store.

For the background I used various layers of mediums from the store: Distress Oxide in 'Fossilized Amber' and 'Frayed Burlap'; Dina Wakley Heavy Body Paints in 'Elephant', 'Stirling' and 'Night'; and Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks.

For the next layer I used roughly applied ColourBlast Colour Paste in 'Steel' and Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint in Gold. To give a rustic look I used a heatgun close enough until bubbles formed. Then, for more depth, I stamped randomly over the surface with Stazon ink in 'Jet Black' with my favourite Prima Finnabair Vintage Vanity Collection clear acrylic stamp. 

Next, I added splatters of white acrylic paint mixed with water to allow good flow. 

Once the background was complete I set to work on my large cluster. In it I used a chipboard coloured with both ColourBlast Colour Paste in 'Steel' and Art Alchemy paint. 

From the store I used Prima Flowers; Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Keyholes; Heidi Swapp decorative tag - inked with Distress Stain in 'Faded Jeans'. The wood veneer is from my stash - you can find other wood veneer products to your liking in store.

I have scattered some Studio Calico Essentials - Chip Shapes Stars in black / grey around the page. 

Finally, for the title, I used the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Collection - Small Talk. 

Take a look at these close-ups. 

It was great fun creating this tag, with the inspiration of the colours from the Moodboard. It did take time, as was experimenting and playing around with the mediums but that's the beauty of art, right?

I hope you can find some scrapping time and have a go.

Ciao for now.

Amy

'Eat, sleep, be rad, ..repeat'

Hi everyone! It's Amy here, with another share for April. I have here a simple and flat page for those scrappers out there that love creating with flat pages - this will be the project for you.

I have captured this photo of a very tired Samuel with our little puppy "Luigi" on his back.

For this page, I have used various patterned papers from the store. With patterned papers, I like to mix my ranges up from time to time. I have used: Simple Stories 'Carpe Diem' range; and Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Boys Rule'. 

Apart from applying the patterned papers on to the cardstock, I trimmed down the strips of words to produce the title - this is from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Boys Rule' 'Boy Stuff' sheet. I hand-punched a star and circle with this double-sided paper. 

Behind the photo, if you look closely here, you will see that I have used Simple Stories and Cocoa Vanilla Studio. The black tag is from my stash and then I added the perfectly cheeky Charms Creations Emojii.

Finally, I stamped my page with bubble wrap using Stazon Ink in 'Jet Black' randomly over the page and then splattered the page with ColourBlast Colour Spray in 'Roadbase'. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ciao, Amy

'Me and My Brother'

Hi there Scrapping Clearly fans! I am back here with my first share for the month. 

The colours from this month's Moodboard influenced my layout here.

... and here is the Scrapping Clearly Moodboard...

For this page - from the store, I have used the following fabulous products: Dina Wakley paints in lime, evergreen and ocean. I applied these paints using one of my favourite tools from the store: Ranger Gel Press Brayer. Using the Stazon Ink in 'Jet Black', I stamped over various spots with Carabelle Studio Art Stamp 'Edges in my journal'.

I splattered the background with Dylusions Shimmer Spray in'Cut Grass' and 'Black Marble'. I also used a distress spray in 'Broken China'. 

With the layers, I have used various designs of patterned paper from the store. I have both hand-cut and die-cut some shapes surrounding the photo.

Also from the store, I have used Shimelle American Crafts - Box of Crayons Collection; Pink Fresh Studio - Escape the Ordinary collection; and Cocoa Vanilla Studio - Boys Rule. These papers were perfect to coordinate with my photo.

For the title, I used American Crafts 'Thickers' and Pink Fresh Studio 'Alpha Stickers'.

Finally, to embellish this simple page, I used a Charms Creations star and the bright My Mind's Eye enamel dots.

Here are some more close-ups.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope this leaves you feeling inspired to have a play with your own take on this month's Moodboard.

Ciao, Amy 

Simple Watercolour Cards

Hi there Scrapping Clearly fans! Today I am sharing with you some cards that I made at a Scrap Retreat that I recently attended.

It was another top weekend with great company, laughter, and great food.

These cards are really simple to make and I loved playing with the bright colours.

For these cards, I trimmed down three pieces of heavy white card stock to a standard C6 size. I have used black card stock as both a backing and backdrop for these cards. As I really wanted both the colours and the stamps to be hero here.

Here are some photos of each of the handmade cards.

For the cards, I used Jane Davenport Poppy Girl stamps. These were stamped with StazonInk in Jet Black. It is important to use a permanent ink when working with wet media to prevent bleeding of the shaped outlines.

I combined water with Dylusions sprays in Bubblegum Pink and Fresh Lime. I also used Distress Ink in both Mustard Seed and Peacock Feathers. This combination of wet media were used for both the background and the flowers.

Next I positioned the prepared flowers over Black Gesso from my stash that I swiped with a hog bristle brush.

For the splatters, I used Colour Blast Colour Spray in Roadhouse and My Mind's Eye enamel dots.

Finally, with a sentiment stamp from a scrappy friend's stash.. sharing is something we tend to do a lot on these retreats.

Oh, and on the black card, I used the gorgeous Pink Fresh Studio Alpha Stickers.

I am pleased with how these cards turned out - be sure to check out the products that I used online.

Thank you for popping by!

Amy

Summer Days

 

Hi All! I'm totally in denial that it's mid-March already - eeek! When did that happen? I'm here to share my page of Samuel captured chillin' out with a cold drink.

 

 

For this bright, fun page - from the store - I have used the following fabulous products: Dina Wakley paints in Turquoise, Ruby, Lemon, and Night; enamel dots from My Mind's Eye; Studio Calico wood veneers; Heidi Swapp Ghost Alphabet; Stazon Ink in 'Jet Black'; Heidi Swapp date stamp; and Kaisercraft 'Just Landed' wood veneers.

 

Over the title I have placed a cheeky handmade Charm's Creations emoji over a kite made by the lovely Gwen Wruck.

 

Be sure to check out the products available online!

 

Here are some close-ups!

 

 

 

 

 

It was fun creating this simple and bright page.

 

Thanks from dropping by!

 

Ciao, Amy