Out with the old....

As you probably all know, Sarah and Lianne are away at CHA, checking out all the new arrivals for us!!

This got me thinking about previous times (New Year is a time for reflection after all!) and all the discarded scrappy stuff that gets pushed to one side when we just have to have the shiny new goodies!

So, I decided to make a couple of layouts using scraps from my previously loved ranges (in this case Bella boulevard's snapshot)!

Using a sheet of white cardstock I set to adding as many scraps and bits as I could.

Using up your scraps shouldn't have to mean compromising on design and so I decided to make full use of 'white space' to give the photo and embellishments more impact.

Not enough letters left to finish your title? I used a tip I learned from a very dear friend of mine and cut around the negative shape left on the sheet, like I've done here with the 'e' in drier.

I love this photo of my gorgeous daughter with my wonderful grandson and I thought printing it off in black and white would make it stand out more against the lovely bright colours in the papers.

To pass the time until the girls get back from over the pond I intend to use up as many scraps as I can, so that when I fill my scraproom with all the scrummy new stash items that I know I'll need - I won't feel half as guilty as I usually do (ok, I admit it, I rarely feel guilty about it, but I know I should!!)

So, I hope I have inspired you to use up some of your old stuff to make way for all the new stash that will be coming our way soon!

How you doodling?

Hello lovely ladies, it's Tracie here with you again, and this month I have reverted back to my old favourite technique of doodling!!

I love the fact that the odd doodle on your layout can make it unique to you! and let's face it there's nothing quite as relaxing as sitting scribbling on bits of paper, just ask anyone who's become hooked on Zentangling! (yes, I admit I am a dedicated follower of that particular trend!!)

For my first layout I started off just doodling a frame around the edges of the layout and adding the odd swirl and my favourite dotty lines!!

I really love the effect of white pen on  kraft kard!

I used the lovely Bella boulevard range, the papers are lush and the choice of alphas and embellies leave you spoilt for choice!

I used the same range for my next layout too.
All you Dirty Dancing fans will understand the title I chose to go with this photo of my lovely daughter-in-law!

This time I doodled flowers in black pen onto white cardstock and then layered cut out flowers from the
Rise and Shine patterned paper over the doodling using 3d foam pads

and for my final layout I took my inspiration from the doodling on the daily details paper

 using a white pen I copied some of the doodling onto black cardstock to contrast with the black on white, and used it for my layout of one of the kittens I am currently looking after

So with just one gorgeous range of papers and a little bit of doodling, I was able to create three very different looks. 

I had great fun and urge you all to get your doodle on!!

Studio Calico Ephemera

I often surf my way though products in the shop, and hover over an interesting-looking embellishment product but decide not to add it to my virtual basket as it's hard to be exactly sure what is included in the packet from the little thumbnail released by the manufacturers. This month though, such curiosity got the better of me, and I ordered myself a pack of the Ephemera from Studio Calico's Heyday range. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was really pleased when the packet arrived, and excitedly set to playing with my new goodies, so thought I'd share with you what I created.

I was pleased that, at £3.99, the pack was excellent value for money. It was teaming with lots of really usable die cuts that could work with lots of recent ranges from a variety of manufacturers. I coupled my pack with the gorgeous new Soleil release from Basic Grey, and some new Everyday Eclectic and For The Record Documented from Echo Park, all of which were perfect for recording some summer evening memories; but I can see that the oranges, pinks and turquoises working equally well with any of the pastel/brights releases we have seen over the past few seasons. This makes the pack a perfect, purse-friendly answer for a spot of stash busting - something new to add a twist to your existing papers.

Being the good Samaritan that I am, here's a scanned close up of the Heyday Ephemera packaging to give you a good idea of what is included, a whopping 71 pieces in all:

It was a pleasing surprise to find that you actually get two of each of the resin flower brads, and five of each of the pearlescent butterfly sequins.

Here's my first page:

 

I used one of the journalling tags as a mat for my title, but to ensure that the MLS newsprint alpha stickers showed clearly I added a trip of grey MME washi tape and some of the pretty new teal striped tap from Bella Blvd:

I completed my title with some mini alphas, and the little "photo" tag from the Ephemera. Another tag from the pack nestled above it to add another layer of texture and interest.

I find it hard to create a page that doesn't have a cluster of embellishments of some sort, and here some different washi tapes from MME, Bella Blvd and Queen and Co and a scalloped circle and strip tag (that I added some journalling to with a Slick Writer pen), make the base for some pins, two of the flower brads and some wood veneer shapes.

Returning to the pack of ephemera, I added a couple of the cloud shapes to the top of my photos, anchoring them with a spot of faux stitching, and layered one of the butterfly sequins on top of a diecut one before slipping it under a corner.

My second page contains some snaps from the fun fair:

 

With my pictures/theme in mind, I was instantly drawn to this off-kilter pink diecut, and decided to utilise it as a mat for my title; using the diagonal pattern as a guide for placing the Newsprint alphas. 

I always find it hard to break against some deep, inexplicable need to create straight-lined designs when I scrap, but was able to convince myself that as it fitted the topsy-turvy funfair ride theme, I could do it.......(maybe just this once though *twitch twitch*) 

To make the whole thing stand out further, I nestled on top of three of the banner tags, strung together with some grey twine:

I found the perfect journalling spot in the pack - the red and yellow circle design seen here reminded me of the flashing bulb lights on the mechanical arms of the ride, as did the star and arrow die cuts that I added next to it..........

For the final touch, I added the girls' initials to two of the balloon diecuts, and popped them in the top left hand corner of the page, and an image of two little children holding hands in the bottom right.

I really dug into the pack and added them quite liberally to my two pages here, but still have a whole load of embellishments left to use again. The pack really is versatile and excellent value for money - and I have a feeling that my days of deliberating are over and I may find myself going with that urge to "click" rather than "hover" again in the future - try it, you may be pleasantly surprised!

My supplies included:

Studio Calico Heyday Ephemera	Basic Grey Soleil	Basic Grey Soleil	Basic Grey Soleil
Echo Park Everyday Eclectic	EP For the Record 2 Documented	Echo Park Everyday Eclectic	Bella Blvd Designer Tape
Bella blvd Designer Tape	MME Sweetest Thing Decorative Tape	Queen & Co Pink Polka Dot Tape	American Crafts - Amy Tangerine - Mixtape 2
Studio Calico - Abroad - Wood Veneer Shapes - Cameras	Studio Calico Wood Veneer Stars	Studio Calico - Wood Veneer Shapes - People	MLS Vintage Shop
Pink Paislee Bitty Block Alphas	American Crafts Slick Writers

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Easy Scrunched Flowers

We all love using flowers on our layouts, cards and other projects and I in particular love making my own, especially when they're easy!  And this demo, is easy, here is what you will need, your paper, compass, pencil and scissors.  The edge distresser is optional and I tend not to use it, you'll see why :-

Using your compass and pencil draw six circles, starting with the largest size you require and slightly reducing each one thereafter.  Then, cut the circles out (it doesn't have to be neat) and spritz with plenty of water and/or coloured mists.

Once they're completely soaked, scrunch them up into tiny little pieces - be rough!!

Then, open each piece out and using your nails, scratch the edges to distress them.  If you prefer not to do this, use your edge distresser on the circles before you wet them.

Once you're done with all circles, glue each layer on top of each other and allow to dry.  Once dry, you can still scrunch the layers a little bit more.  Your finished flower should look something like this - I've used a Prima flower centre in the middle and its ready to use on a card/layout/whatever! 

Easy as pie! :)