Royal Tweet Trifactor

It is quite interesting where inspiration comes from or rather how inspirations come together in the creation of some projects. It is often for this reason that I like to participate in challenges. It takes me in directions that I might not have otherwise followed and I have found that more times than not, I am thoroughly pleased with the results.

This card is a result of just such a creative journey. I am once again both surprised and really pleased with the outcome.

Supplies: Dina Wakley Scribbly Bird stamp, Tim Holtz - Distress Inks, Distress Paints, and letter stickers, Archival ink, texture paste (Ranger), Tim Holtz French Market stamp and Flourish stencil (Stampers Anonymous), Delicata Gold ink (Tsukinenko), patterned paper (MME), Heidi Swapp transparency crown and scroll corner (Advantus), doily packaging and jeweled lace (Prima), silver tissue paper (misc.)

It was with the combination of three different challenges that I can thank for my inspiration. Even though I did not participate in this challenge, it was the Royal Theme from Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog from a week ago that lent itself to theme focus. I just liked the idea of the Royal theme and royal colours like purple, gold and silver plus I wanted to use up some really old royal inspired stash - hence the Heidi Swapp transparencies for the crown and the bottom corner scroll.

The next contributing factor was a Year of Choices for this month at the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge and I tried to fit many into my card design and element choices as I was able to fit...

... #3 Stencils and Paste (texture paste flourish stenciled design up corner area, #5 Ribbon, Twine and Fibres, #6 STAMP! (the scribbly bird and the gold diamond background), #8 New to You (new Tim Holtz Flourish stencil) and #10 Birds of a Feather.

The LESS-ology Challenge #48 - Lace Up brought about a change from ribbon to lace as I switched it out for some leftover purple jeweled lace from my small embelli bowl. For the upcycled factor, I used old Prima flower packaging that I cut out the plastic doily from and recycled silver gift tissue paper for my background base.

There you have it. A tri-factor of challenges equals one fun creation!


TTFN,

Readers' Gallery

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was fortunate to have a layout published in the May issue of Create Magazine based on the previous issue (March)'s 12x12 page sketch.

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill), patterned papers, gold foil Royal letter stickers, and die cuts - Dear Lizzy Serendipity (American Crafts), tags and star wood veneers and Baker's Twine (Maya Road), sunburst wood veneer and pen(CTMH), pink burlap (DCWV), washi tape (MME), rub-on letters, transparent arrows, and notebook banner die cut (Heidi Swapp), Stardust Jelly Roll pen (Sakura)

For my take, I turned the single photo sketch into a multi-photo version using a variety of photo sizes and I used the lovely Dear Lizzy Serendipity collection. A few cluster close ups...

Be sure to check out this free magazine over at Scrapbook Generations for 319 pages of creative inspiration.

TTFN,

Be Kind - Magenta Summer Collection

I have an art journal page up on the Magenta Blog. I challenged myself to use a whole lot of the gorgeous new 2015 Summer Collection with a bunch of different stamping and stencil colouring techniques.

For full details on the creation of this page, check out the post over at Magenta here.

I am sharing the close up of the wren. Loving this little guy. Such a wonderful stamp design with fantastic details and it lends itself beautifully to watercolouring.


This month brings the launch of a new line. Looking forward to this exciting new addition at Magenta. 

Stay tuned for details!

TTFN,

May Create Magazine

Have you seen that Create Magazine's May 2015 issue 14 is live? Best of all, it is free! 

"Every other month, a leading manufacturer's design team creates layouts and cards and tags using sketches by SG's Allison Davis and Debbie Sanders. And that's just the beginning. SG has put together a talented group of designers, scrapbookers, and cardmakers to bring you a papercrafting magazine filled with inspiration by some of the best in the business." ~ Scrapbook Generation

I am excited to share that I have a layout in this issue. Here is a sneak peek...

Head on over to Scrapbook Generation to check it out. 


TTFN,

Happy Day Card

This Maggie Holmes Crate Paper is so pretty. I used some of the 6x6 paper pad to create this card based on Cardabilities sketch #123.

Supplies: patterned papers (Maggie Holmes Crate Paper), sentiment stamp (October Afternoon), Stamper's Big Brush (Faber-Castell), butterfly punches (Martha Stewart), baker's twine (Maya Road), moonshine sequins (Simon Says Stamp), vellum and paperclip (Dollarama)

The vellum butterfly punched overlay helps soften the darker colours of the paper and I just like how the Moonshine sequins give a touch of sparkle to the whole thing.

My paper colour choices were based on the beautiful colour swatch from Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Isn't that just such a pretty inspirational swatch? Happy creating!

TTFN,

All About Twos

Two cousins...Two photos... Two challenges...

It had been a while since I had popped over to Let's Get Sketchy. When I visited the site last week and was inspired to play along with their May week 1 sketch (see previous post), I saw that Brenshevia had a new or rather altered challenge blog named Picture This! Challenge Blog posted in the sidebar. The May challenge of (2 Photos + Black & White + Doily + Yellow) really appealed to me. Right off the bat, I knew that I wanted to use My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Two Sunshine collection from my stash (an old My Scrapbook Nook kit) and I had two photos in mind.

Supplies: cardstock (white - Canadian Scrapbooker Super Stock and black - Bazzill), gesso (Golden), script stamp and damask stencil (Magenta), texture paste, Distress inks and Distress paints (Ranger), Black Stamper's Big Brush (Faber-Castell), patterned papers, layered die cut stickers, layered chipboard element, brad (MME), chipboard letter stickers (American Crafts), flowers (Petaloo), Mod Podge Melts and Molds (Plaid), butterfly punches (Martha Stewart), pen (CTMH), doily, mini staples, and vellum (Dollarama)

I had a few design ideas kicking around in my head but then I saw this week's Let's Get Sketchy sketch and it was just the ticket.

I stamped the background with a Magenta Script and Post stamp and then stenciled with a Magenta Damask stencil and Ranger Texture Paste. I added yellow with Distress Inks and Distress paints until I got my desired hue and look. Once dry, I then splattered black paint in somewhat of a diagonal ray.

Next, came all the layering, doily (was white, I used Distress Paint to alter it to black), lots of embellies (even tried out the new Mod Podge Melts and Molds for the little frames) and titling. A little journaling and it was done.

It was great that I was able to combine the two inspirational challenges from the sister sites, use up some stash, and come away with a layout that I really like. Total scrap happiness!

TTFN,

Stashed Away

Last night, when I saw the Let's Get Sketchy sketch for this week, I knew that it was perfect for this Polaroid photo of my daughter from the summer she was five. Today I spent some of my Mother's Day scrapbooking. A little me time creating with my memories. Such a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

Supplies: patterned papers, die cuts, stickers and enamel dots (Simple Stories), notebook border punch (EK Success), cuteness sticker (Heidi Swapp), black and white paint (DecoArt), black pen (Staedtler), white Signo pen (Mitsubishi Pencil Co.)

I came across the photo stashed away at the back of a drawer, a few weeks ago, and added it to my to-be-scrapped bin. It brought back a great memory of how much joy and happiness that cute little bunny brought her that we were suckers to pay the $2 dollars that the Bunny Hutch guy charged for the Polaroid during a local summer festival. That was ten years ago now and before camera phones. LOL! It was well worth it, even though the photo is not the best. It is purely that moment captured with the bunny and her huge smile. Priceless!

I used Simple Stories DIY Boutique. Love the bright happy feel of the colours in that collection.

They were just right to bring it all together.


TTFN,

Be Bold with Gel, Gesso and Gelatos - Get Messy Art Journaling

I have a how-to mixed media tutorial up on the Get Messy Art Journaling blog. We are currently in the Season of Brave thus I made a simpler version of this double page spread based on the Brave prompt in the hopes of inspiring people to give some mixed media a try and be brave with gel, gesso and gelatos.

If you are into art journaling and want some fun prompts, a great supportive community, and learn new techniques or about different styles, come join us over at Get Messy!

New to art journaling or just curious, there is lots on the site for beginners too. Also Caylee and Lauren, the creative minds behind Get Messy, are doing an Art Journaling 101 class over at Big Picture Classes if you want to check it out.


TTFN,

Magenta - Giveaway

It is time to celebrate the release of the new Magenta Summer collection with a Giveaway!

You have a chance to win these items from the new catologue. Giveaway details can be found over on the Magenta blog here.

You have to be in it for a chance to win it so be sure to enter by May 30th.

TTFN,

Magenta New Summer Collection

Magenta is ready for summer with a brand new collection. Check it out here:

Makes me smile to see that I have card included in the catalogue using some of the newest wood veneer pieces.

Bringing a little ray of sunshine your way.

TTFN,