Color Theory Class | For Like Ever

I am sad that the Studio Calico Color Theory class has reached an end!  It was so much fun learning the techniques that Wilna Furstenberg shared each week.  I'm a little behind on the last three lessons, because of so many things going on all at the same time, but I found time over the weekend to complete a layout for Lesson 6 Tints & Shades.

The painting technique for this lesson, gave me a little more trouble than the others.  My first mistake, was placing the paint too far and too low on the right hand side of the cardstock.  I didn't like the placement at all.  So once it dried, I decided to cut around the paint strokes and adhere it to another piece of cardstock, and get it in a better spot.  And my painting technique didn't turn out exactly the way it was supposed to, but I still loved the end result of the layout.

I have two lessons to finish up, and I can't wait to work on those.  Once I have them completed, I'll be back to share them with you!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper, Wood Veneers, Chipboard, Brads, Enamel Dots, Stickers, & Ephemera:  Simple Stories; Acrylic Paint:  Studio Calico & Reeves; Thickers & Date Stamp:  American Crafts; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz

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The Rubber Cafe Guest Desinger

Today, I'm stopping in to share my last two cards for my Guest Spot with The Rubber Cafe!  The Creative Kit of the Month, Spring Is Here, will definitely get you in the mood for spring, whether you're still having winter weather or it already feels like summer! 
I wanted to do something fun with the ribbon included in this month's Kit, so I decided to use each color on my first card.

I covered my card base with the text patterned paper included in the Echo Park 6x6 paper pad.  Then I used four pieces of double sided tape to adhere the ribbon to the card.  I just folded each color of ribbon over accordion style and then used my sewing machine to stitch each strip down.  I wanted to add a little bit more interest to the text paper, so I stamped the Welcome Spring sentiment in Black ink.
On my second card, I kept a White card base and stamped the cute bunny on one of the 6x6 papers from the Echo Park paper pad.

After I stamped each of the bunnies, I fussy cut each one and added pop dots behind each one to give some dimension to the card.  For the sentiment, I stamped Happy Easter across the center, using Yellow ink.  And for a pop of color, I cut two strips of the striped paper from the Echo Park 6x6 paper pad and added it to the top and bottom of the card.

Supplies:
Stamps: The Rubber Cafe - Creative Kit of the Month; Spring Is Here
Paper: The Rubber Cafe - Creative Kit of the Month; Spring Is Here
Embellishments: The Rubber Cafe - Creative Kit of the Month; Spring Is Here  

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Hip Kit Club | Mixed Media Layouts

I'm back today to share two new layouts for Hip Kit Club, using the March 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits.  I’ve been having a lot of fun lately with the Color Add-On Kits, and adding a Mixed Media look to my layouts.  I love the look of Mixed Media, but haven’t used it a lot in the past.  But after seeing how much fun Irit and Missy have with the techniques, I’ve been using it a lot more and the Color Add-On Kits are perfect, whether you’re a beginner at Mixed Media or a pro!  This week, I incorporated some Mixed Media onto my backgrounds, using the March Color Add-On Kit.

For this layout, I started out with the fun chevron patterned paper from Crate Paper, that is included in the March 2015 Main Kit.  Then I used the Tim Holtz Cracked Pistachio Distress Paint with the Dylusions Circles Small mask.  Once I had just the right amount of circles, I used some of my watercolors, and added the color to plastic packaging and then rubbed it onto the background paper.  And then I added some Black spray mist, for a touch of contrast.

Once my background dried, I added a lot of layers, using embellishments from the Main Kit and the March 2015 Embellishment Kit.  I mixed in some of the Pinkfresh Studio products, as well as Elle’s Studio, and My Mind’s Eye.  I also used one the cards from the Project Life Kit and cut it into strips, because I loved the fun script look on the card.

Next up is a layout, using the Tim Holtz Cracked Pistachio Distress Paint and the Dylusions Lemon Zest Ink Spray.  I mixed both of the colors with Modeling Paste, and layered it over the Bubbles-Small Dylusions mask.

I love how the colors blended together in the center, and they really picked up the colors from my photos.  I layered one of the Project Life Cards in the center, to use as a base for my title, and embellished with several of the Chipboard pieces from the Crate Paper Chipboard sheet.

I also have a new Process Video, to go along with this layout, if you would like to check out my process for creating the background!

I am excited to share more with you, in the upcoming weeks using the March 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits!  I’ve already created four layouts, and it’s only made a small dent in my kit!  There are still so many goodies to play with, and I am having so much fun mixing all of the different products together!

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American Crafts | Rise & Shine Mini Album

It's an exciting week on the American Crafts Blog, because the Design Team is featuring projects using the newest collection from Amy Tangerine, Rise & Shine!  This is such a fun collection and I love the happy colors and cute embellishments.  I used the collection, to create a small Mini Album, documenting a recent weekend trip.

 

1. Choose 3 different patterned papers from the Rise & Shine collection and your photos. Cut your paper to 6 inches wide and 4 inches high.

2. Use a scoring board, score each of your papers at 3 inches, down the center.

 

3. Create a vellum pocket to tuck away memorabilia, by machine stitching around the edges and leaving the top open.

 

4. Add a strip of Washi Tape to the outside and inside pages of your album.

 

5. Use a different color of Washi Tape to tape the vellum pocket and one of the Rise & Shine Die Cut tags into your album.

 

6. Once your pages, pocket, and tag are all put together, run the album through your sewing machine to stitch it all together.

 

 

7. Before adding your photos, use some of the Misting Stencils to embellish the pages in your album. I traced the triangle pattern and used gelatos with the chevron pattern. You can also use the Wooden Stamp set to add a custom look to your album.

 

This type of album would also be great for parties, sports or dance competitions!

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Color Theory Layout Share

I am still squeezing in time for the fun Color Theory Class at Studio Calico, taught by Wilna Furstenberg!  Today I wanted to stop in and share my layouts for Lessons 4 & 5.  I'm going to keep it short and sweet, because it's been kind of crazy since last Wednesday.  My grandmother's been in the hospital with pneumonia (hopefully being released sometime today), we celebrated my FIL's birthday this weekend, took the girls to see Cinderella, and now I have several mouth ulcers and I am not feeling too hot right now.  Plus I think I might need at least 30 hours in the day, instead of 24!!

First up is my layout for Lesson 4: Cool Colors.

 

And my second layout, for Lesson 5: Achromatic Colors.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a great week!

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My Scraps & More Guest Designer!

Hi everyone!  I'm excited to share with you today, that I was invited to Guest Design this month for My Scraps & More!  Audrey Yeager contacted me and asked if I could create a Sketch and layout for March, and I didn't hesitate to say yes!  If you're looking for a great place to shop for your scrappy goodies, then this is definitely the place!  Not to mention the fun sketch challenges hosted by MSAM and the chance to win awesome goodies!  You can play along with Sketch #102 for the chance to win a Basic Grey prize pack!

 

I had so much fun creating with the Sketch, and if you visit the My Scraps & More Sketches Blog, you can see some amazing inspiration from the Design Team!  You can also find out all of the details for playing along with the Sketch!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper, THickers, Stickers, Bits & Date Stamp:  American Crafts; Let Them Eat Pie Cut File:  The Cut Shoppe; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Flair Button:  A Flair for Buttons; Wood Veneers:  Elle's Studio; Die Cut Machine:  Silhouette Cameo

American Crafts | Right Now

Who doesn't love a pack of Thickers??!!  What about BIG Thickers??!!  Big Thickers have been the focus on the American Crafts Blog this week, and I wanted to share my layout, that was up earlier in the week.  If you're working with some of your favorite Thickers but don't have enough of each letter, why not try tracing them on to your background paper.  And you can add a really fun look by stitching around the traced outline and painting with watercolors inside the letters!

 

How to: Begin by using the Lily 12x12 paper for your background and placing your photo on the right side of the layout. Choose a mix of "X" and "O" Thickers from the Rootbeer Float packs. Decide where you want to place the Thickers and adhere them where you want them, leaving off one of each letter. Use the letters as a stencil and trace them next to your other Thickers. Once you are finished tracing, place the Thickers back on your layout. Stitch around each of the traced letters with embroidery floss and then paint the centers with watercolors. Add an "X" stitch to each of the white "O" Thickers. Splatter black spray mist across your layout. Create your title using the Grace Thickers by layering them on the corner of your photo. Finish embellishing with the Rise & Shine Accent & Phrase Stickers, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Wooden Stamps, and Epoxy Sticker.

Supplies: Rise & Shine (70010) - Lily, Rise & Shine (70007) - Amelia, Rise & Shine (70026) - Grace Thickers, Rise & Shine (370032) - Accent & Phrase Stickers, Rise & Shine (37003) - Epoxy Stickers, Rise & Shine (370035) - Alpha Stickers, Rise & Shine (370038) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Rise & Shine (370048) - Wooden Stamps, Shimelle (368170) - Roller Date Stamp, Thickers (370554) - Rootbeer Float, Glitter Thickers (370555) - Rootbeer Float

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Hip Kit Club | Two Layouts & a Process Video

I am seriously in LOVE with the March 2015 Hip Kit & Add-On Kits from Hip Kit Club!  This Kit is A-MAZ-ING!!  The March Kit included the first PL Kit, and even though I’m not a Project Lifer, this Add-On is perfect for incorporating into your other projects.  I mixed in items from the PL Kit, with the other Kits to create some fun layouts!  First up is my “M & E” layout, which also has a Process Video to go along with it.

I had so much fun with this layout!!  I used a lot of the Crate Paper, Pinkfresh Studio and Elle’s Goodies from the Kits.  And I just knew I had to start out with that wood grain patterned paper!  I also wanted to play with the fun Stencils included in the March Color Kit, so I mixed some of the Dylusions Yellow spray mist with a Heavy Gel Medium and used a spatula to spread the mixture over the Circles Small stencil.

The Handmade paper is another fun pattern from Crate Paper, that is included in the March 2015 Main Kit. I cut out the cute string art letters and used them to create the title on my layout.  To add a little bit more texture and interest to the fussy cut letters, I stitched with some coordinating embroidery floss.  You can check out my newest Process Video, to see how I created the full layout!

Next up is my “Toothless & Toothless” layout!  I fidgeted with this one a lot at the beginning, because I knew I wanted to use the Crate Paper multi-colored triangle patterned paper, but just couldn’t figure out how I wanted it on my layout.  Once I got the two large off-set triangle shapes cut and placed on the background paper, everything fell into place pretty easily.

After I decided on the title, Toothless & Toothless, it gave me the idea to get all of the fun Ampersands included in the kits and use them as part of my title, but also as a design element on my page.

I layered some of the PL cards behind my photo and used the cute Alison Kreft alpha stickers to create my title.  I added some machine stitching, wood veneers and cork embellishments for another layer of texture on my layout.

If you haven’t had a chance to purchase your March Kits yet, then don’t miss out!  They are packed full of awesome products!  Visit the Hip Kit Club website to check out each Kit and all that’s included.

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A Flair for Buttons | You Are Beautiful

One of my favorite things about creating layouts, is that even though I use a lot of the same elements on my pages, I can always get a different look for each layout.  Sometimes I may use a White cardstock background and go with a less busy look, while other times I just go all out and add a lot of patterned paper and embellishments.  I took the latter approach for the new layout I'm sharing today for A Flair for Buttons, using Flair Buttons from the Capture the Moments Flair and the Just Hearts 2 Flair.

I used a patterned paper and printed vellum from the Elle's Studio Cienna collection to create a diagonal design on my layout.  After adding my photo and a printed card for my title, I used that diagonal line to add my Flair Buttons and embellishments.

I decided to add both of the Flair Buttons close to the title and photo, to add weight there and draw your eye.  The Flair Buttons give just the right amount of dimension on the page to make the title and photo the focus when you look at the page.  This is a great way to keep your photo at the center of your layout, when you are working with a busy design!


 

You can find both of these Flair sets currently in the A Flair for Buttons Shop!  And make sure you stop by to check out all of the amazing sets that are listed in the Shop.

Supplies:  Flair Buttons:  A Flair for Buttons; Patterned Paper, Tags, Vellum & Wood Veneers:  Elle's Studio; Gelatos:  Faber-Castell; Ename Dots:  My Mind's Eye; Tiny Attacher:  Tim Holtz

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