My Second January 2Crafty Chipboard Share

Good morning all

My second creation for 2Crafty Chipboard this month is titled

"You Shine"

 A layout celebrating my kids academic achievements last year.....super proud of them.

I even broke into my new 7Dots Studio Paint Chips range.
I was so excited to get this range in - it's all about colour!
I got it from my favourite scrappy store Scrap Matrix.

 

 I used the following 2Crafty Chipboard:

 

"You Shine Title"

"ATC Tiny Hearts and Stars"

"Number Panels"

"Pine Needle Wreath"

"Crazy Stitched Panel"

I began by trimming down the "Crazy Stitched Panel" and painting them black.

These formed part of my background.

I also added lots of stamping on the background using my new AALL & CREATE stamps available at Scrap Matrix.

I'd been busting to use these!!!

I painted the "Number Panels" black and then swiped them with some Finnabair Opal Magic Acrylic Paint in Aqua/Rose.
Gawd I love this stuff, available over at Scrap Matrix.
When swiped over black this paint gives a lovely teal metallic finish.  I applied it randomly as I wanted it to have a grungy finish to go with my background.

 I painted a "Pine Needle Wreath" in white gesso.  These are a new 2Crafty product, and they are gorgeous.....not just for Christmas time!  I poked this behind my photo.

I added the "You Shine" title on top of my photo, and coloured it using Distress Inks. 

I love the matt finish and the grungy look it gives the chipboard.

Finally I added some stars from the "ATC Tiny Hearts & Stars".

I again used Distress Inks and a few swipes of the Opal Magic paint, and placed them randomly on the layout.

 

A page celebrating my amazing kids.....what a year they had in 2017.
Here's to another great one!

 

My first 2Crafty Share for January

Good morning all.

 

I'm excited to be back again on the 2Crafty Chipboard Design team for 2018!
Such a great team to be a part of, and I always have such fun using their amazing chipboard!

Today I'm sharing my first January project with you. 

 

"A Day at the Beach"

This is what a New Year's Eve looks like in Australia..... a warm night spent at the beach with family playing cricket.  Perfect!

 

I used the following 2Crafty Chipboard:

 

"Day at the Beach title"

"6 inch Revolution Frames"

"Circular Panel"

"Hessian Patch Panels"

 

 

I cut one of the "Hessian Patch Panels" in half and then applied white gesso.

I popped this behind my photo.

 

 

I also applied white gesso to a small circle frame from the "6 inch Revolution Frames".

I added this on top of my photo, to frame the focus of it.

 

 

I then added the "Day at the Beach title".

I love the mix of fonts in this....the print mixed with the script.

 

I applied a few layers of  Distress Inks in various colours  to the title until I achieved the colour I was after - I don't have purple so I kept applying teals and pinks until the right purple appeared. 

I love the splodginess (is that a word?) of this. I think this adds to the beachy water theme.

I added some circular stamping to my background, and cut a few circles from the "Circular Panel" to  add to the background, giving some texture and interest.

I like how the circles go with the water/beachy theme too.

 

 To colour them, I added gesso and then couldn't find my brown ink, so I created my own using coffee!!

When I create, I don't like to spend a lot of time searching for something, so I get creative and work with what I have.....so on this occasion, coffee it is!!!

 I added some little waves created by using the gorgeous metal die "Wiggle Waves" by
Uniquely Creative.
Perfect for this layout!

I also had fun adding in some of the cool Art Stones, which I purchased from Scrap Matrix.

I also used some tags from 7Dots, which seem to appear on all my projects!

 I also purchased these from Scrap Matrix.

 A page celebrating summer in January in Australia!

 

Well that's my first creation......

Looking forward to sharing my second one with you all in a few days

Much Love
xxx

 

PaperArtsy Layout for Scrap Matrix

Good morning everyone!

I'm back to share my second creation using some of the awesome Paper Artsy stamps available from Scrap Matrix.

Last time I shared a bold floral page, so this time I thought I'd challenge myself and create a boy layout using the same stamps.

Here's what I came up with:

 

I really love it, those stamps are just so easy to work with.

 

So I began with the Paper Artsy Tracy Scott Stamps

 

This time I decided to work with the scribbly swirly circles in the top right corner.

I began by applying Clear Gesso to a 7Dots paper. 

You may be able to notice a bit green blob on the paper - this is not part of the design.  A couple of weeks ago, whilst creating, I accidently spilled a bottle of Dylusions Spray Ink over 5 7, Dots papers!! Oh no.  A tragedy.

My first thought was to bin and order more (lol), then I thought I'd cut them down for layering behind my photos, but I've acutally used 3 of them already - I just covered up the gorgeous green spillage, or went with it to make it look like it was done on purpose! This one is an easy one to cover up, as its only in one area.

Once this is dry, I applied some Dylusions Spray Ink (on purpose this time) using the plastic packaging method.

Just spray some onto some old packaging, add a spritz of water, and then randomly splodge it over your paper.

I love the effect it gives, and it's super easy!

I went with London Blue Dylusions Ink Spray, as my photo has a strong blue in it.

Whilst this dries, I also coloured some guaze - just simply spray and let dry.

 

Whilst this is drying, I gathered a few 7Dots tags to create a background to my photo.

I adhered the guaze on top of these.

Time to go back to the background paper.  I did lots of background stamping using those cute little oval swirls in the PaperArtsy set, and also some 7Dots stamps as well.

I then added in some of this mesh paper - it's from a Heidi Swapp Die Cut pack.

I then adhered this little stack onto my background paper - making sure to cover up that little accident.

I used the 'plastic packaging' technique again, and splodged some 'London Blue' and 'Fresh Lime' Dylusions Ink Spray onto some white cardstock.

I then stamped the circly swirls on top of this, and cut them out.  So simple and I love the bright colours.  I also love a bit of the white showing through.

Now it's simply time to add these to the layout.

I adhered some flat and some with foam tape to add height and dimension.  I made sure I tucked some inbetween my layers, and I also wanted them to run from the top left corner to the bottom right. 

This creates some movement within the page.

I then added a few bits of German Scrap, and an arrow and a heart from a 7Dots Element Shapes.

Finally, I added some 13 Arts Clear stickers for my title.

and some word stickers from Pinkfresh and 7Dots.

I have a real addiction for word stickers - can't resist them.

and there you have it! A fun, stamped boy layout! - Not a flower in sight.

I hope this layout has inspired you to get stamping.....I also hope it gets you to look at your stamps a little differently.

How can you use them in a way you haven't before?

Well that's it for me this time around. 

If you'd like to see more of my work you can go to my BLOG, or check out the 'Tammy' Album over at Scrap Matrix Shares.

Speaking of that lovely little space......there's still time to create something for our current PaperArtsy Challenge!  Just feature something from Paper Artsy on your layout and add it to the folder. Vicki is giving away vouchers to the store again and she truly has the most amazing products!

Don't forget to mention what Scrap Matrix Products you have used on your layout (the more the merrier).

I've listed everything I used below, with links to the products in the store.

Scrap Matrix Products used:

PaperArtsy Stamps - Tracy Scott - 09

Clear Gesso

7Dots Paper - Hazy Days - Twilight

Dylusions Ink Spray - Lime Twist and London Blue

7Dots tags - Writer's Block

7Dots Tags - Dreamscapes

7Dots Elements Destination Unknown Die Cuts

7Dots Clear Stamps - Dreamscapes

7Dots Word Stickers

Pinkfresh Word Stickers - Boy's Fort

German Scrap - Renaissance - Black

Heidi Swapp 6x6 Die Cut Paper Pack

13 Arts Clear Stickers- Secret Letter

Welcome 2018 - sharing my One Little Word

Happy New Year everyone!!

I go into each new year filled with optimism and a feeling of wonder about what the year will hold.

So many possibilities, so many chances.

I relish the chance to press 'restart'.

In fact I love the time between Christmas and New Year for this very reason - it gives me a chance to reflect on the previous year, and recharge ready for the upcoming 12 months.  I always feel a little emotional and feel a real sense of shift and inner change.

This is usually the time that my word comes to me. My One Little Word. (This was created by the super inspiring Ali Edwards - you can read about it here)

Many years ago I gave up on the idea of New Year's Resolutions - Instead of making resolutions, which let's face it, we rarely achieve, which then causes guilt, which creates negativity, I prefer to select a word, to have as a guide throughout the year. I think it's a more positive way of thinking plus I adore words.

I've been selecting a word each year for a while now.
Some have been hugely powerful, and really caused a year of self reflection and personal growth.  Some are still a big part of my life, and I continue to focus on them regularly.

Sometimes these words present themselves loudly and boldly and other years they are more of a gentle whisper, and I find I really need to quiet myself and listen.

Previous words that I have connected with are:
Peace
Balance
Forward
Connect
Create
Play
Brave (my absolute favourite)
Adventure
Light

This year I've had a couple popping in to grab my attention, but I've decided to go with......

This word has settled in for a number of reasons.

Firstly this

This really speaks to me.

And this.

This has always been one of my favourite quotes. 

 

I have always struggled with my past, with what has happened to me, with things out of my control.

Sometimes it becomes too much for me.

It paralyses me.

Sometimes I need to regain control, to feel safe, to feel connected with the world.

 

Having that ability to choose gives me back my power, it empowers me.

 

 

 

 

I also want to choose wisely. 

To make a conscious effort to choose, and not to go on 'autopilot'. Because it's up to me.  I get to choose how I am going to react to the big things, the little things and all the medium things inbetween.

I want to choose to be kind. To others and to myself.

I want to choose to see the natural beauty in the world.

I want to continue to choose gratitude - to notice and be thankful for all the little things.

I want to choose mindfulness - to be conscious of my thoughts and inner monologue.

I want to choose joy and happiness and cause a shift in my thinking.  A deep appreciation for life.

I want to choose me. Make time for the things I love.

 

 

So here's to 2018 and choosing to make it a great year.

 

I invite you to find your word.

 

I'd love you to share it with me.

 

Much love

xxx

 

 

January Scrap the Girls Challenge

Welcome 2018!!!!!

Happy New Year to you.....I really hope it's a year of happiness, creativity and Inspiration, with some laughter and joy thrown in there too.

So a New Year means a new challenge over at the fabulous Scrap the Girls.

Wait til you see the challenges coming up. 
I squealed at some of them.....yep they are really cool, and there's a few that are really outside of the box. I really love that......they push me creatively to try something different, to experiment, to play....and that is often when the BEST ideas happen.
So I encourage you to play along this year, it's going to be lots of FUN!

Anyway lets get on with the current challenge.....

Here it is......

Gorgeous Blues!! Love Love Love

Here's my take on it...

I took inspiration from the Blues colour palette, and the music theme, and also the circles.

To create the circles I used the Interlocking Scribble Circles Metal Die from Uniquely Creative.

 

These are great Dies that cut beautifully and I'm really loving using my Cuttlebug again.  I'd forgotten how much I loved it.

I cut some circles with black cardstock, and some with white cardstock to which I added a few flicks of London Blue Dylusions Spray Ink.

I also used 13 Arts paper for my background and added a few flicks of the Dylusions Spray.  Both of these are available from Scrap Matrix.

I added a few embellishments from Kit the Habit - the flair, the acrylic music notes and the quotes. They are just perfect for this layout and this challenge.

This month our sponsor is The Resin Rainbow.

Janet has some really cool embellishments, so head over and check them out.

Don't forget to join in our challenge - just head to the blog and link up your layout, or pop it on our facebook site.

 

For more inspiration, click HERE to see the other Design Team's take on the challenge.  They sure are one talented bunch!  I'm pretty honoured to be joining them again for this year.