Scrap Thursday Part 32

This weeks layout has been made for the Dare to Create challenge set by Andy Skinner and Tracy Weinzapfel. The idea is to use techniques and styles of both Andy and Tracy in one piece of art.

I used one of my photographs from Brisbane at Christmas for this layout.

I used DecoArt Americana diluted with water to use as a wash.

I started with a white wash over printed scrapbook paper.

I then used a baby wipe to dab off excessive paint. 

I built the colour up gradually.

Once dry I distressed the edges of the paper.

Using my finger I added the final colour of paint on the edges.

Once dry I wove the paper and glued it in place on a piece of Bazzill.

 

Using watercolour pencils and a water brush I added a rusty effect to the edges.

I used a mask from The Crafter's Workshop to add some tiny arrows.

I made a green heart using DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics, Crackle Glaze and Antiquing Cream. This is similar to the one in the Brisbane logo.

To add a bit more of a Christmas feel I used two Christmas stamps by PaperArtsy and a little bit of sparkle on the cats hat.

I edged the card using Distress Ink pads and a water brush. Around the edges of the weaving I added a title and date.

Scrap Thursday Part 31

It is Thursday again (I don't know where the time goes) and I am going to share a layout I made at the weekend for the We Dare You To Create challenge being held by Andy Skinner and Tracy Weinzapfel. The aim of the challenge is to create a piece of art work that incorporates both Andy's and Tracy's style which as they are so different makes for an interesting make!

The 12" x 12" layout below features photographs taken in Brisbane of Street Art.

I started by embossing standard white card with different styles of embossing folders. I then positioned and mounted my photographs on white Bazzill and cut around them leaving a tiny white border. 
The next step is to randomly cut pieces of the embossed card and place around the photographs. The placing of the card needs thought but in order to get the 'Andy' style the choice of embossed card must be used randomly.

The next stage involves lots of paint, I used a mix of Americana and DecoArt Fluid Acrylics. The first coat completely covers all the embossed card in one colour. Then in no particular order I dry brushed the other colours over the top, with some colours being used heavier than others. Once this was dry I stuck all the pieces in place around the photographs, I added tiny brads to give the effect of metal panels welded together.

I stamped a 'Totally Tracy' flower in Liquid Acrylics and filled in the image using paints from the embossing stage, I added a thin coat of crackle glaze and left it all to dry. This was later cut out along with the butterflies and positioned on the layout.

The last part was the journalling, which I prefer to handwrite even though I am not fond of my writing. It think it just gives a more personal feel to layouts.

So that's it, my joint styled scrap layout! I look forward to seeing what other people will create using the same specification.

Scrap Thursday Part 30 & International Scrapbook Day

Clare Charvill from My Creative Spirit and Cathy Chapdelaine are running an International scrapbooking party during the month of March, this week is the last opportunity to enter. 
They have supplied a double page sketch this time, but you are only required to make one page, however, I thought I would have a go with both.

Materials used:
Graphic 45 'Forever Mine' from Mon Armour, 'Holiday Magic' from Nutcracker Sweet, 'World's Fair', 'Wonder Works' and 'Balloon Boutique' from World's Fair Collection.
Dylusions 'Christmas Borders' stamps
Stampers Anonymous 'City Scapes' and 'Warehouse District' stamps
Ranger Distress Ink pads Stormy Sky, Festive Berries, Evergreen Bough and Lucky Clover
Bazzill plain card stock.
Buttons, ribbon and journal pens from stash.

The theme this week is 'Cities', so I dug through my photos and found some of Brisbane, begging to be scrapped. 
When I went to Brisbane on this visit it was Christmas time and so very different to here in the UK. Santa wearing sunglasses and choirs singing traditional songs in tee shirts and shorts, it felt very odd!
Anyway I decided to use part Christmas paper and part something to fit with Brisbane and or the weather. When I looked at the 'World's Fair' collection by Graphic 45 I had a bit of a brain wave (this is not something that happens often), I dug out my Australia Album from my first visit and found my entrance ticket to Expo '88 (or World Fair as they are also called) which was held in Brisbane from 30th April to 30th October 1988. The Brisbane section had a huge sculpture of the word Brisbane very similar to the photo below (the one below is a current sculpture), I think the similarity is what got my mind working! 

So with all this in mind I decided I need look no further as the collection was perfect.
Due to all the colour in the photographs, ticket and papers I decided to use a white background which I'm still not sure about to be honest, I thought using something coloured might take away from everything that I wanted to use. Maybe it will grow on me with time lol.

I thought I would show you how I work when using a sketch. I print out the sketch which makes it much easier to annotate, add a list of materials used etc. I don't keep these they just go into recycling (by the end they are covered in scribble!) 

I added my ticket and some facts about Expo '88 for interest.

I loved the idea of stamping holly and using it next to the display showing Santa wearing sunglasses and a sun hat.

I added some tiny buttons as I felt there needed to be a little extra feature. I hope you find some inspiration in my layouts!

By the Sea

With Graphic 45 on my brain I thought I would share another seaside layout using the 'By the Sea' range of papers and stamps. This is a 12" x 12" layout which allowed plenty of space for decorative embellishments. Often we may only have one photograph or image and if these are old they are often small so it's lovely to be able to add matching bits and pieces to finish the layout off.

Scrap Thursday Part 29 & International Scrapbook Day

I used the sketch this way round, see my finished layout below.

Clare Charvill from My Creative Spirit and Cathy Chapdelaine are running an International scrapbooking party during the month of March.

The Important Bit!

Over the next two weeks we (Clare and Cathy) will be sharing a scrapbook sketch with you on our blogs and Facebook pages and asking you to join in the party by creating your own scrapbook page following the sketch and theme of the week. Any colours, papers or mediums can be used. There will be prizes given each week selected randomly.

I hope to bring you inspiration, new ideas and techniques and revisit old favourites too.

I used mainly Graphic 45 papers and plain coordinating plain Bazzill too. The seahorse and acetate embellishments are by Tim Coffy.

Scrap Thursday Part 28

I hope to bring you inspiration, new ideas and techniques and revisit old favourites too.

Today's layout is rather a simple one and on the pretty side too. I have started to make some layouts that I can use for an album I am making which sees my hubby and I celebrate 25 years of marriage.

I used a ready printed paper, added places for photographs and finished off with flower and leaf embellishments. Sometimes I just like to keep things simple.

Scrap Thursday Part 27

I hope to bring you inspiration, new ideas and techniques and revisit old favourites too.

This layout was made for a challenge on a virtual crop. It was the first time I had taken part in one and I found it lots of fun and at times challenging. There were 10 scrap challenges over 2 days as well as photograph games and crafty bingo!

The pale blue background was stencilled with Dreamweaver pearlescent embossing paste. One dry I cut the middle of the card stock out and added a line of glitter glue around the edge. I added the dark blue background underneath, spaces for photographs and various snowflakes in an assortment of styles, colours and sizes.

I stamped a snow globe image, used acetate with a falling snow design on it and added it to the corner of the layout. I die cut a row of white houses and added Cosmic Shimmer 'Cosmic Twinkles' glitter glue to the roof tops. I just hope I have photographs in the future with a snow theme!

Scrap Thursday Part 26

I hope to bring you inspiration, new ideas and techniques and revisit old favourites too.

Look no stabilisers! These photographs show the first time Jack rode his bike with no additional help. These were taken at Centre Parcs which is lush and green hence the grass print background paper. I found in my stash the black and white paper which looks very similar to bicycle wheels with lots of spokes. This seemed the natural choice to use along with paint printed circles and lines (wheels and spokes - see where I am coming from?) Pulling it altogether I used a Fiskars punch with a semi circle border on the top photograph.

Scrap Thursday Part 25

I hope to bring you inspiration, new ideas and techniques and revisit old favourites too.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! Especially with an ice cream like Jack! I wanted to make this layout fun, create a scene.

The background is a printed paper and I have added white die cut fences to help create the scene. The sea gulls are a stamp by Stampotique coloured in with Copics and the banner, bunting, postcard and frame the top photograph are in all come from Graphic 45.