Fun with Watercolor Pencils

The new trend of being "artsy" on a page is feared by some, embraced by others.  I am definitely liking it, but I can see why it is intimidating to get messy.  One way I have found to exhibit more control while being arty is to use watercolor paints, and especially watercolor pencils.

When working with watercolors, I like to use watercolor paper, which is thicker than card stock. I have used it directly on my layouts, too. You can find it at any craft store.  I purchased my watercolor pencils at a local university's bookstore, but these are are also readily available at any craft store.



You simply color lightly on the paper...

Then you dip a brush in water and "paint" the water over where you colored.  See how it changes and looks like paint?



What I love about this is that I can do it mindlessly while I am watching TV, and then use it later in my scrapping.  Below is a sheet that I have colored, painted, and let dry.

 Then it's break out the stencils time!  I love how black marker and ink look on watercolored paper.

After you are done stenciling to your heart's content, fussy cut your letters or shapes.  Then, you can even stamp a pattern on them, like I did below:

 Below are some fussy cut stamped images:



So I haven't used any of these shapes in a layout YET, but I know I will soon.  Not long ago, I did a blog post for IFS about using the rainbow trend on your layout.  Below is a closeup of my embellishments---the red, orange, and yellow hearts were made with watercolor pencils, using the same technique I described above.  The only difference is I used a heart punch.

So if you sort of afraid to get messy and artsy, but at the same time you sort of want to try it...watercolor pencils are a must have!  Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you give this indispensable tool a try!

VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan

Different ways of using the Prima – Julie Nutting Doll Stamps

Hi, it’s Gael here today and I’d like to show you a few different ways I use the Julie Nutting Doll Stamps by Prima.  Like many of us I just loved these stamps when they came out and couldn’t wait to get some so I could play with them.  Here are some examples of some of the fun ways I’ve found to use them.

The first example is the one that I’ve seen the most, which is to stamp the doll image onto various papers and then cut out the various parts and layer them.  A lot like the old paper dolls we had when we were little (or for the younger ones, your Mums would have had when they were little!!)

Another fun way to use these stamps is to stamp onto Shrink Plastic.  For this example I stamped the image using Stazon Black and then coloured it in using Tim Holtz markers.  Once this was complete I then shrunk the image using my heat gun.  I did find with the doll stamps the legs are so long and thin that they didn’t shrink very well, so I just cut them off.  Next time I would only stamp the body of the doll without the legs.

The last idea I had a lot of fun playing with.  This time I clear embossed the stamp and then coloured it in.  I started by stamping the image onto cardstock using the Embossing inkpad and then sprinkling over clear embossing powders.  I set the embossing powders with the heat gun and then using the Tim Holtz markers again, I coloured in the various sections.  I must admit it was a little tricky working out exactly where the clear embossing was but once I started it just seemed to come together nicely.  I was really happy with how this technique worked on with the doll stamps.

I hope this has given some different ideas of ways for using these fun stamps.  (Full layout examples below)

VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan

Designer Showcase: Black and White Photos

Hey all, Pam here again with a designer showcase on black and white photos. I know with scrapbooking, it is hard to know whether to use color or to use black and white photos. Some people don't like to use black and white photos much at all. I like using the them as often as needed.. why? Because they can convey a mood to your page. I will explain what I mean below!


Here is a page by Sharon and her daughter playing the piano. As you will see this layout does a great job of focusing right on the photo and creating an "artistic" mood for the page. Check out the long piano extending along the page. The same photo could have been done in color, but wouldn't have had the same efffect.
BRIGHT IDEA #1: Extend your photo out just like Sharon did for a dramatic effect!

Our next page is by Sheila. This is such a neat page b/c it sort of reminds me a classic photo of a girl with earring. Sheila also used a vintage looking sticker on the side of photo along with some floral paper. The mood of this page was done by using all of the elements together along with black and white photo.
BRIGHT IDEA #2: Use embellishments you wish to match the mood on the page along with those black and white photos.

Gael used the black and white photo to create a dreamy like page along with all of the elements on the page. She clustered flowers, used vintage stickers and some pretty border punches. That photo does an an excellent job of giving the page it's unique look.
BRIGHT IDEA #3:  Use black and white photos with lights color such as pinks and peaches to really make it pop.

Have a great day and find sometime to scrap today!!

VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan
 

Quick Polaroid Tutorial!

Happy Monday, everyone.  Sheila here with a super fast Polaroid tutorial! 

I love the look of Polaroids, because I actually used them.  For real.  The first time they came out.

So now, they seem to be all the rage again.  I was lucky enough to score a non-working Polaroid recently at an auction, which I spray painted and now display in my craft room.

 Love how that looks...before it became a work of art :) I emptied all the film out.

Having this was amazing, because I had the real measurements of a Polaroid photo.

And that is really all this tutorial is---measurements.

SO you will need a picture, some white cardstock, a ruler, a trimmer, and it really helps if you have one of those cutting mats with measured squares on them.

Step one is to trim the photo you want to use.  The REAL measurement is3 1/8 inches.  But that 1/8 irritated me, so I trimmed my photo to a 3X3 square.

Then, place your 3 x 3 photo in the corner of your cardstock.  The measurement around the photo is 1/4 " white, so that is EASY.  The reason I like the cutting mat is that is divided into quarter inches, so I am able to position my photo just right.

Now, glue that baby down. Trim the cardstock on the other side of your photo to 1/4 ".   The bottom of a Polaroid, of course,  is much wider than 1/4 inch, which gives it its distinct look.  Instead of measuring that bottom, I just took a side measurement.  A Polaroid is 4 1/4" long.  Measure and make that cut with your trimmer.

And there you have it!   SO much easier to put your photo on top of the cardstock than to try to make a little window to put your picture behind (which is what this woman of little brain tried to do first).



So remember:

Picture:  3 1/8"

1/4" of white cardstock border on three sides

Side length of the cardstock:  4 1/4"

As an added bonus, these look great with the vintage look photos everyone is printing from instagram :)

Here is a layout I recently did with Polaroids...

My husband was out in the driveway pitching to my daughter IN THE SNOW!  I hope you give this trend a try----it is really easy and FUN!

Thanks for stopping by today:)

VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan

Trend Report 2013 - Part 3

Hey all. Pam bringing you the last installment of the trend report! I hope you have enjoyed seeing the past two posts. You can see Part 1 here  and Part 2 here. Today I will be bringing you more trends, some new, some old, and some well, not blue. LOL


DIE CUTS
Ok, so as you know die cuts and die machines have been around for a while. The past few years I have seen more and more people invest in die cut machines, like me. So, this trend is one that will never die and I hope to see more and more of it! :) Let's see some examples!

"Simple Pleasures" by Gael Spence

"Enjoy" by Sheila Burns

"Love" by Lesley Walker

"Enjoy Today" by Cindy deRosier

"Travel" by Tanya Ham

"The Duffers" by Marlene Murphy

RESIN MOLDS
This may not be a totally new trend, but it is one that is popular with scrappers right now. There are these cool molds that you can pour resin into and form neat embellishments. I haven't tried this yet, but I think it looks very cool. Let's see some examples!

"Into the Woods" by Sharon Fritchman

"This way to Serenity" by Sharon Fritchman

"Love" by Gael Spence

THICK FRAMED GLASSES
I think this trend is so cool. We are seeing more glasses pop up on papers and embellishments lately! Even die cuts! Want to create a layout with glasses, let's see Marlene's example below.

"Specs" by Marlene Murphy

DENIM
Denim is a great trend because it incorporates fashion into scrapping. Who doesn't love denim jeans? I think this is great that it has entered the scrap scene. Let's see two examples by Sharon on how to make this trend work on your pages.

"Around the Fire" by Sharon Fritchman

"Summer Camp" by Sharon Fritchman

AROUND THE EDGE PUNCHES
I love punches. I have spent so much money on this trend. Around the edge punches have been around for a few years, but are still super popular. How cool is it to add dimension and detail to your pages by just punching a bit. I love punches that go all the way around!! Let's see some examples.

layout by Lesley Walker

"Friend For Life" by Lesley Walker

"Friends" by Sharon Fritchman

"Sisters" by Marlene Murphy

SOFT COLOR PALETTE
Who doesn't love a page with a soft color palette. I feel like I have seen more and more of this trend. It isn't just for babies and puppies anymore. It works for so many themes. Let's see how!!

"Sisters" by Sharon Fritchman

"Follow Your Heart" by Tanya Ham

"My Dreams for You" by Sheila Burns

"Chenonceau Castle" by Gael Spence

"Love Always" by Dolores Schaeffer

METAL RIMMED BRADS
I have gone ga-ga over metal rimmed brads! I just love the look of them and you can create visual triangles with them and such.  I love how the metal rim causes them to pop more.  Check this out!

"Spring" by Pam Callaghan

"Easter Egg Drop" by Pam Callaghan

"Matty Vs Wild" by Marlene Murphy

"Just Breathe" by Sharon Fritchman

NEUTRAL BACKGROUND ON LAYOUT
More and more I am seeing a neutral background on layouts. Sometimes it is white, but it can also be off-white, cream, craft, or a soft pink! I know this trend has been around for sometime, but I really wanted to highlight it. :)

"First Day of First Grade" by Cindy deRosier

"Lucky to Have Great Pets" by Dolores Schaeffer

"Together" by Gael Spence

"Anne" by Sharon Fritchman

"Cherished" by Pam Callaghan

USING NEGATIVE DIE CUT SPACE
The last trend, I am highlighting, is one I have seen explode over the past few years! I think it is because die cutting is so easy with machines now. What I mean by negative die cut space is using the space that is cut out and filling it with paper, cardstock or photos in back. This is one trend I hope never goes away!!

"January 2013" by Pam Callaghan

"Hey There Little Guy" by Lesley Walker

"Home" by Gael Spence

"Arm in Arm" by Sharon Frtichman

I hope you have enjoyed this three part trend report! Does this inspire you to create new pages?

VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S BLOGS/GALLERIES
Cathy Dippolito
Dolores Schaeffer
Cindy deRosier
Marlene Murphy
Lesley Walker
Gael Spence
Sarah Routledge
Sharon Fritchman
Tanya Ham
Sheila Burns
Pam Callaghan