New From CHA - French Country

Hi everyone!! Just popping in today to share a new layout with you.  I created this project for this past CHA using the brand new, French Country Collection from Graphic 45.

I chose a very neutral colour palette considering the amount of gorgeous, bright colours in this collection.  For some reason, I was just drawn to the greens and how they stood out against the black.

I added some cream paint along the edges of my flowers as well as some of my papers for a more aged feel.  There are so many little cards and tickets and little treasures to cut out from the pages of this collection - I just went wild and added in a heap of layers worth of beautiful imagery.  Although, looking at this layout now, it does look a little 'flat'... perhaps a few sheets of crumpled up newsprint behind each layer would have added the perfect lift...

Thanks so much for peeking in today.  I'll have lots more CHA projects coming up in the next little bit. 

Layering Tutorial

I've had several comments in the past about my layouts having oodles and oodles of layers and how I get my projects to look so dimensional. To start, you need a whole lot of paper, the embellishments you will be using and the general composition of your layout ready to go. (click on photos for larger images)

I am a total thrift store shopper! I LOVE it! It is such a thrill to enter a huge store and come out with treasures galore for undr $5.00! Things I find at thrift stores include doilies, objects to alter, old/vintage lace, etc and books.

Here is an example of a vintage encyclopedia I picked up for $3.00! Look how thick this is! I will never use all these pages up - but they are just the perfect addition to my otherwise 2 dimensional layouts. To get the dimension on my layouts that I love, here's what I do: Rip out a few pages from my trusty vintage book, crumple them up like you were going to throw them out.

Now gently unravel so that you have a very crumpled, and dimensional piece of paper. Glue this to your project making sure that there are raised portions. I often add several pieces to my layouts. The best part about these crumpled pieces are that they raise the focal point of your layout as well as offer the perfect nooks and crannies with which to tuck the rest of your embellishments. I tend to have white space issues. Any part of my layout that is 'bare' gives me anxiety. LOL! I need to cover things with embellishments and/or layer with paper. For this reason, I love the Noteworthy product from Bo Bunny! Tons of little bits of coordinating papers - the perfect size to tuck under your photos, etc. I will often only use parts of embellishments - I will cut stickers in half, cut flowers in half, cut trinkets in half, etc. so that just the part of the embellishment that I want to be shown is visible.

Here you can see my layout in each phase. Firstly, right after I have added the dimensional paper, next after adding a few embellishments and again after adding even more embellishments and layers.

 

 

And here is the finished layout - layers, dimension and all! Thanks so much for your visit today!!

Bunny Supplies
Patterned Paper: Stripe, Poppies, Trellies, Cut Outs, Garden, Sunrise/Serenade
Cardstock Stickers: Treasured Friend
Combo Stickers: Serenade
Chipboard: Serenade
Jewels: Serenade
Noteworthy: Serenade
Layered Chipboard: Serenade

(You've Got Me Feelin') Emotions!

Hi Friends! Just popping by today to share a layout I created using the beautiful Dreamer Collection from 7 Dots Studio! The designers were challenged this month to use 'cold' colours.

My daughter and husband and I ventured out to our favourite spot to feed the ducks – bread and coffees in hand. But, it was too cold for us to see any!! Snapped this photo of my two lovebirds – melted my heart!

Lots of layers of course! I crumpled up some sheets of newsprint and tucked under my photo and embellishments for a more dimensional look.

 

 I added several pieces of metal embellishments to my project and had a few extra chipboard pieces that I wanted to add as well.  To achieve the same 'metal' look, I painted with acrylic paint in their mettalics collection.

Thanks so much for your visit today!! See you again soon.

7 Dots Studio Supplies:
Patterned Paper: City Lights, Night’s Fever, Sleepless: Dreamer Collection 12×12 Stickers: Dreamer Collection
6×12 Stickers: Dreamer Collection
12×12 Elements: Dreamer Collection
Metal Elements: Graphic 45, Bo Bunny, Prima

Guesting for Papercrafter's Library

It is with pleasure that I am the featured guest over at Papercrafter's Library this week! I decided to create an altered art box using the always romantic and beautiful Place in Time collection from Graphic 45.

Here is a little sneak of what I created. Please pop on over to Papercrafter's Library blog for the full reveal. Thank you so much for your visit!

New CHA Projects!

I have a card to share with you today using the new Secret Garden Collection from Graphic 45! It is the most beautiful, soft and romantic collection you could ever imagine! I adore it soooo much!

 

Thank you so much for your visit today! I will be back tomorrow to share a beautiful Place in Time Altered Project - see you then!

Graphic 45 Supplies:
Metal Keyhole
Patterned Paper: May Flowers, Coming Up Roses, Leafy Treetops: Secret Garden

I Will

There are so many things I want to do this year! Coming from a house full of sickies for the entire Christmas Holiday, it really makes me appreciate each and every second I DO spend with my family and friends. I would love to learn how to use my camera - properly - rather than just the auto setting. I want to hang out with my friends more often, want to go on a FEW dates with my husband - at least once per month would be nice. I want to delight in the little things and cherish the time I spend with my family.

 

 

 

Bo Bunny Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Snowday, Sunshine, Pajamas, Cards/Snow Day
Noteworthy: Snow Day
Chipboard: Snow Day
Layered Chipboard: Snow Day
Jewels: Snow Day, Apple Cider
Buttons: Snow Day, Detour, Et Cetera
Stamps: Et Cetera, Midnight Frost
Dimensional Stickers: Snow Day
Combo Stickers: Snow Day
Lace: Buttercup

C'est La Vie!

So... Bo Bunny has done it once again - releasing SEVEN new Collections by the end of this month!! I cannot wait to get my hands on these gorgeous products!! Up first is C'est La Vie - LOVE this line - so many awesome elements, eclectic, shabby-chic, romantic deliciousness! Here are a FEW of my faves from this line....

What do you think?

Introducing French Country from Graphic 45!

Oh how I love this time of year!! All the new CHA Reveals - it is SO exciting!!!  Well..... there are some pretty amazing new releases coming up - one of which is French Country from Graphic 45.  Below I have listed some of my faves from this collection. * sigh *

 

         

           

Yummo.

Baby Mason

Hi again!! I have a sweet baby layout to share with you today that I created with 7 Dots Studio's Hopefully collection.  My friend's new baby boy Mason - just a peanut!!

 

 

 

Supplies – 7 Dots Studio:
Patterned Paper: Calm Me Down, Kiss Me, Find Me, Trust Me, Notice Me, Play With Me, Never Let Me Go - Hopefully
12×12 Stickers Hopefully 
6×12 Stickers Hopefully 
Alpha Stickers: Amuse Me Hopefully
Tags Pearl bling and flowers from ZVA Creative