**STTG #1 Challenge** Thankful 4 ur Girly Girl Smile

This is my first DT project for STTG. As I posted earlier, Tracy is hosting a monthly challenge with a $25 gift card up for grabs. Her first challenge was to create a LO, card or altered project using the word "Thankful" or "Thank You". Growing up I was a little bit of a tomboy so I never got to appreciate all the fun girly girl things. When I had my daighter I was a little worried that she may be the same because she had an older brother she idolised. But much to my relief she turned out to be the best of both worlds. She loves fashion and dressing up and being a girly girl but is just as capable to playing rough and tough with her 2 brothers.

For my flower clusters I really wanted the misted look but didn't want to necessarily mist my bg papers so I decided to experiment and built my clusters on some scrap chipboard, misted them with several different colour mists and then added the misted clusters to the LO. I really like how it turned out and I'll be putting a tutorial together shortly for the technique.

I finished my chipboard pieces off by dabbing some textured molding paste onto the entire surface area to create a rough textured finish. Once the paste had completely dried I painted over it with some Creative Inspiration Paints. I tucked the Dusty Attic dress form (available from the STTG store) behind the flower cluster and added some more mini roses to the waste.

To finish the LO off I added some lacing down the right using two colours of silk ribbon. This is a simple but eye catching lacing technique and a great way to fill empty space on a LO.

All the Dusty Attic pieces and Glitz papers in this LO are available at the STTG store so pop over there, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Stamping on Layouts

As a scrapbooker one of the challenges I faced was trying to figure out how I could incorporate stamping into my layouts. To most of you that may come naturally but for some reason this seemed to pose a serious challenge for me. It was only once I started stepping out of my comfort zone of only using patterned papers and started creating my own background papers that I finally found a use for my small stash of stamps I had slowly accumulated. Before that I assumed stamps were exclusive to the card makers of the world.....LOL!

I'd like to share ways I've used stamps on layouts in three of my projects to maybe inspire any other scrapbookers out there who may have the same reservations I had about stamping and scrapbooking. For the above LO I used a flourish stamp from Rubbernecker stamps on some pale pink cardstock. I first stamped and embossed the image with clear embossing powder. I then inked over the entire piece of cardstock with a combination of worn lipstick and aged mahogany distress ink. The embossed stamped images acted as a resist to the distress ink thus creating a pattern on the cardstock. I also stamped the same image on some transparency with StazOn ink which I then cut out and used as flourishes for my flower clusters.

For my second project I first stamped some random Rubbernecker stamp images onto some coloured tissue paper which I then tore up into smaller pieces and layered onto some cardstock using gel medium. Once that dried I added some black soot distress ink to the borders. This technique adds great texture to a LO and depending of the stamps you use can be used for various styles and themes.

For my final project I used some tiny Technique Tuesday floral stems to stamp a border around the edge of my carstock. I applied two colours of ink to the stamp to create the multi-coloured border. The butterflies are also a Technique Tuesday stamp which I stamped on some transparency with StazOn ink. I then added stickles to the reverse side of the image and once the stickles dried, I cut the images out and shaped the wings before sticking them on the LO.

These are just three simple ways of using stamps on a LO. I'm always looking for new techniques so please feel free to leave me a link if you know of any other tricks.

LO - True Love (Rework of an old LO)

Hi there, I thought I'd share a small project I worked on this week. While visiting my in-laws I happened to walk past a framed LO I had given them 2 years ago around the time of their 50th wedding anniversary. It looked so "not me" if I think of the way my style has changed these last 2 years so I decided I needed to update the LO for them.

The picture is one of my favourites from their wedding album and in my original LO I had it scanned and printed in sepia. This time I decided to use a black and white picture instead which I knew would work well with the Bo Bunny Enchanted collection I planned on using.

I wanted to stay true to the original LO by keeping some of the design elements like the circle and floral cluster so I used a sketch by Beggahuna as inspiration for the updated LO. I love using a lot of distressing and all sorts of paints and pastes but decided to simply things and not go all out for this LO because my in-laws are elderly and my current grungy style may not appeal to their tastes. I did however distress the paper edges with my Zutter Diistrezz-It-All (I just LOVE that machine!!!)

My mother-in-law's favourite colour is blue so I used pops of a dusty shade of  blue as a contrast against all the B&W.It's difficult to see in the picture but I added some glitter to the black circle which complimented the glittery finish of the Bo Bunny pp's. I also painted my white Gardenia with some Creative Inspiration paints which gave it a beautiful shimmer. The lace trim below the photo is actually silver and not grey as it appears in the photo. The pretty B&W butterflies are from Angelics's etsy shop.

Here's a quick peek at the original LO

Now I only hope that my in-laws will like the updated LO too.

TFL!!!

Hugs

Wendy

STTG #1 Challenge is up - $25 Gift Card up for grabs!!!!

Now there isn't a scrapper alive I know that wouldn't appreciate a $25 gift card to have fun shopping with especially when the store in question is filled to the brim with delicious Dusty Attic peices.

That's right, Tracy from STTG is hosting her first challenge over at the brand new STTG Ning Site and the winner get a $25 gift card to spend in the STTG store. Beside the Dusty Attic, Tracy has a great selection of Glitz papers, silk ribbon, Viva Pearl Pens, Zva roses and so much more.

Pop on over and sign up. Feel free to add as many as your LO's to the gallery to share with your fellow scrappers, we all enjoy a little inspiration.....

Here's the details for the STTG #1 challenge provided on the front page of the new ning site.

 For our very first challenge... it's going to be super simple...Create a "Thankful" project!! :)

• It can be a simple "Thank You" card.
• A layout describing what you're thankful for.
• Even an altered art piece with photos of your family.

Rules...

• You must include "Thankful" or "Thank You" on your project.
• When uploading your image to the gallery... please include #1 in your title. When uploading on other sites... please include STTG #1.
• The Design Team is encouraged to play along but are not eligible to win.
• You have 2 weeks to complete your project.
• The winner will be chosen by a random draw on February 29th and announced on March 1st.
• The winner will receive a $25 gift card to our STTG store.

What are YOU thankful for???

Have FUN creating!!! :)

..

CSI #4 - Sweet Slumber

This is my entry for the CSI #4 Challenge. I'm delighted that I finally managed to get a LO done in time before the dreaded deadline, even if it was at 11:30pm my time the day of the deadline...LOL!. It's a great new ning site and I must say that Debbie and her team have put together some interesting challenges.

Above is a summary of what this weeks challenge was. You have to use at least two items from the "Evidence" list. I used a frame and my wet mediums were mists and gesso. I also added several metal pieces as my reflective surface item. "Testimony" is the guideline provided for your page journaling. This alone is a challenge for me because I usually don't add journaling to my LO's. My journaling is a childhood prayer I used to say every night at bedtime.

I am a huge fan of Finnabair's and have been dying to try her misting technique. Unfortunately I have not had the privledge of ever attending one of her classes but I have studied her work and tried to pick up bits and pieces along the way. I have no idea how she puts her LO's together but based on what I THINK she does, I did my own version of her misting technique.

To start I first masked some brick wall detail onto my Prima Mistable canvas base using gesso which I knew would act as a resist when I added the mist later.

I then glued down my photo...what a crazy feeling to glue your photo down first before altering your embellies. I then added some strips of lace here and there which I used as a base for my floral clusters

The great part about this technique is you don't have to colour co-ordinate your flowers because you're going to mist them anyway. It's a perfect opportunity to use up the last of some floral collections gathering dust in your stash. I also added some metal pieces to my clusters. To finish off I placed various sized pearls around each floral cluster.

I wrote my journaling on some cs and framed it with a small metal frame. I then also added some lace and made a mini floral cluster alongside the frame. A helpful tip is to use a hot glue gun when creating clusters so that your items stick instantly and don't move around when adding to it.

Once everything was stuck down I covered my picture and journaling frame with some plastic wrap to protect them from the mist. I then used mists the colours of the colour pallett provided for the challenge and had an ink party for one!!!!! This was so much fun and even though my LO isn't even close to the brilliance of finnabair, I'm delighted with the results for my first attempt and will defintely use this technique again.

Jan Swirlyhues Challenge entry - Confident

This is my entry for the January Swirlyhues Challenge. You can find all the details for the challenge on their blog. Lisa Valentine is this months host and I must just say that I absolutely love the colour palett she selected and the sketch provided is absolutely gorgeous!! Remember that this challenge is open to everyone and not just Swirlydoos kit club members.
Firstly, I turned the sketch design around for my layout but then kept most of the other elements of the sketch in my design.

One of the requirements for the challenge is to use one or more of the Swirlydoos tutorials provided by their incredibly talented DT. One of the tutorials I selected was Lisa Gregory's Corner Punch Deco Circle . This is one of my all time favourite scrapbook tricks I've learnt. I even did my own version of the tutorial while on staff at SNR magazine. The paper fan frame was inspired by the brilliant Natasha Naranjo Aguirre (thanks Natasha!)

Another Swirly's tutorial I used was Camilla's Chipboard with Crackle Accents but I used Ranger Rock Candy Crackle paint instead of the crackle accents. I first painted my DA chippie with some Denim Creative Inspirations paint and then randomly dabbed on some snow cap paint. Once that dried I painted over it with the crackle paint which I inked over with some Vintage Photo disress ink once it had completely dried to highlight the cracks.
The third swirly's tutorial I used was Lidia's Deep Distressing. This is an amazing technique which I absolutely love. My version is not quite as stunning as Lidia's but I really enjoyed trying the technique.

This incredible corner bouquet is from my very dear friend Katie's Etsy shop. She makes the most amazing embellishments and I'm a huge fan of her bouquets.

Another one of my favourite products is Lindy's Stamp Gang embossing powders which I used to alter this TPC mirror chipboard sticker. I removed the "mirror" part and replaced it with a piece of cs which i inked and added some Kaiser tiny alpha letters.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post, I hope you enjoyed it and learnt a little somthing along the way.

~ Play Time ~

This is a pic of my youngest DS Matt just before we cut all his baby curls off. I used a combination of three of my favourite product brands on this layout, Dusty Attic, Bo Bunny and Lindy's Stamp Gang..........a match made in heaven.

Bo Bunny's Timepiece collection is one of my all time favourites. I adore all the neutral tones and that die is simply gorgeous. I used a lot of my white blooms from I am Roses, one of my favourite online stores which I  then misted with some Lindy's Stamp Gang moon shadow and starburst sprays. I also misted the piece of lace.

I altered the scroll DA chipboard pieces with some of the amazing LSG embossing powders. These EP's are simply incredible. Not only do they deliver a gorgeous metallic finish but they are 2 toned which makes them all the more delicious and they're perfect for fine detailed chipboard pieces. I also added a few pearls for an extra vintage finish.

I altered the title DA pieces by misting them with some Tawny Turquoise Moon Shadow Mist from LSG. How gorgeous is that shimmer!!!!! Again I added some pearls to finish off.

As always I added a lot of paper distressing to my layout and was rather delighted with the finished product. Thanks so much for taking the time to look.

Tutorial - Embossed Beeswax and Perfect Pearls Bloom

Here's something a little different for those of you looking to experiment with some Mixed Media but don't want to stray too far away from traditional scrapbook techniques.

I'm a huge fan of Donna Salazar's paper flowers and I especially love the Rose Creations Spellbinders set. For this tutorial I decided to put Donna's Crafty Chronicals to the test and add a mixed media spin on what is already a well known paper flower using some beeswax and Perfect Pearls.

Supplies required
Donna Salazar Rose Creations Spellbinders set
Donna Salazar Crafty Chronicals
Distress ink
Beeswax
Perfect Pearls
Dusting brush
Craft iron
Embossing Folder
Embossing machine (I used my Cuttlebug)
Small plastic sandwhich bag
Brad to use as a flower centre

Step One: Using the Rose Creation Spellbinders set, cut two of the large petals and then one of each of the remaining size petals giving you seven petals in total from your Crafty Chronicals. I selected pieces that had text only but there are so many interesting background possibilities to choose from including maps. You can also cut two of the large leaves (not shown on picture). Ink the edges of each of the petals with some vintage photo distress ink.

Step Two: Working on your craft mat sprinkle some of the beeswax pellets over your paper petals. Using a craft iron gently iron over the beeswax until it begins to melt. Spread the heated wax over the entire surface area of all the petals making sure that no puddles form.

Step Three: Once the beeswax has cooled, which will only take a few seconds, carefully peel the petals from your craft mat. Cut away any of the excess bits of wax from each of your petals.

Step Four: After several failed attempts at trying to find a method to sucessfully emboss beeswax, I discovered that a plastic sandwhich bag is your best bet. The plastic is thicker than saran wrap so it peels away from the beeswax a lot easier. Do not use wax paper, a lesson I leant the hard way. Place your petals and leaves into the bag so that they lie without overlapping each other. Place the bag into an embossing folder and tuck away the excess plastic so that it does not get tangled in your embossing machine.

Step Five: Run it through your embossing machine. Notice how the plastic sticks to the beeswax. It's for this reason that you don't want to use wax paper. It is literally impossible to peel away the wax paper. Saran wrap is very thin and can be tricky to remove whereas the sandwhich bag plastic peeled away very easily without affecting the embossed images.

Step Six: Add some colour to your flower and leaves by dusting on some Perfect Pearls. The stickyness of the beeswax makes a perfect base for the mica powders. You do not need to spitz water onto the perfect pearls to seal it as the moisture from the wax will hold the colour perfectly. I used a combination of green patina, antique gold and forever violet for my flower and the green patina only for the leaves.

Step Seven: Working from your largest petals to the smallest petals alternate between curling the petals backwards and inwards as shown above. You can use the handle of your dusting brush to do this.

Step Eight: Now stack your flower starting with the largest flower with the petals curled backwards until the smallest flower. The Rose Creation dies already have a hole in the centre of each flower so it's easy to add a pearl brad as a flower centre. Tuck the leaves under the flower and stick down to complete your flower.

Beeswax is really a fun product to work with and colouring it with Perfect Pearls delivers a gorgeous result. The Crafty Chronicals paper held up to this technique perfectly so if you don't already have some then it's woth the investment. Alternatively use a scripted piece of pp made from a thick cardstock.

Tutorial ~ Vintage Pretties

This is a variation of the Anglaise Pretties tutorial I did for the May issue of SNR. I absolutely love making my own flowers and often struggle deciding between fabrics and lace or paper for my creations so I decided to mix the two together and create something completely new using the Donna Salazar Antiquities collection which just oozes vintage charm.

Supplies
Patterned papers
Donna Salazar Rose Creation die cut
Ink
Anglaise lace
Needle and thread
Feathers
Hot glue gun

Step One: Using the Donna Salazar Rose Creation dies, cut two sets of the size #1 to #5 petals. You do not need the largest set of petals (#6). For more interest cut each set in contrasting colours so that you have layers of contrast as you construct your paper flower. Ink the petal edges with some Vintage Photo distress ink for a more finished look.

Step Two: Starting with your smallest petals (#1) and using the handle of a thin paint brush, wrap the petals around the tip of the paint brush handle as shown. Scrunch the petals closely around the handle. Add a little liquid adhesive to the second small petal in your contrasting paper and layer that over the first flower. Now do the same to for your #2 petals and the first of you #3 petals. You will now have five layers all scrunched up around each other to form your rose bud flower centre.

Step Three: For the next layer, curl the petals of your second #3 petals inwards to form a cup like shape. Add a small amount of liquid adhesive to the centre of the petals and glue your rose bud centre down.

Step Four: For this layer curl one of the #4 petals backwards and the other inwards as shown. Add some adhesive to the centre of the petals and glue your rose bud centre to the flower with the petals curled inwards first and then layer that on top of the flower with the petals curled backwards alternating the petals.

Step Five: For your final layers of your paper flower curl the corners of both sets of #5 petals backwards and pinch them between your fingers to form a “v” shape. Layer your rose onto these two layers alternating the petals.

Step Six: Cut a piece of anglaise lace approximately 12” in length. Using a needle and thread stitch the entire length of your lace along one edge using a running stitch.

Step Seven: Now gather your lace to form a circle and tie the thread in a knot to hold it in place. For some extra vintage flare stick one or two feathers to the centre of your flower using a hot glue gun.

Step Eight: Stick your paper flower rose to the centre of your lace base using a hot glue gun and you’re done.

You now have a perfectly co-ordinated flower ready to add to your vintage style paper crafting project. You can change it up a little by adding some diamond dust to the paper flower for some extra sparkle or possibly use more textured lace to create your base. Whatever your personal style is, the combination of paper and lace will certainly add some visual interest to your project.