Let's Fly Away ~ Creative Embellishments and CSI #123

Hi Scrappy Friends! Today I'm sharing a layout I created for CSI: Colors, Story, Inspiration Case File #123 using the gorgeous Graphic 45 Artisan Style collection papers and a fantastic chipboard arch by Creative Embellishments.

Here's how I've "solved the case": The colours in the Artisan Style collection were absolutely perfect for this case file and I loved the triangular element to the roofs of the buildings on the paper. I started by brushing some heavy white gesso on the background page in the shape I wanted for my layout arrangement. I used a Martha Stewart scalloped edge punch and a ribbon-cut banner to create the foundation for my layering - all the papers were edged with Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy. I added washi tape with numbers and in a tape measure pattern.  I also added some vellum to the large fussy cut behind the photo to create a little spot for my journalling card. My journalling is in the form of a numbered list and is about the first tropical vacation my husband and I took together. 

I added the gorgeous Creative Embellishments chipboard Archway Style 2 in my layering to play up the architectural elements of the layout and draw more attention to the large fussy cut holding the photo. I mixed acrylic paint to get a light green colour to match the colour in the Case File Palette and then inked the edges of the chipboard piece with the Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Here is a close-up and some angles so you can see all the dimension and details. 

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today - I hope you'll join the Creative Embellishments Design Team in playing along with CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration this month! Happy Scrapping!

"Canada's Wonderland" Layout ~ Creative Embellishments and CSI Case File #212

This month the Design Team at Creative Embellishments is playing along with the CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration Challenge! This is such a fun challenge site with loads of prizes each month! I've created a layout based on Case File No. 212.

To "solve" the case, I started with a solid white background that I misted with Dylusions Ink Spray in Ground Coffee, along with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Marshmallow - this gave it the spilled coffee with cream look I wanted! I also added some stamping of 'spills' and 'coffee rings' using Bo Bunny Stamps and Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa. I went into my stash and pulled out some papers from Bo Bunny's Weekend Market collection. I fussy cut some elements and used my spiral punch on the edges of some of the papers. The papers already had staples on them, but I added real staples too. I used a Creative Embellishments Grunge Circle Frame and pieces cut from the Circles panel. I painted the chipboard elements with shiny gold paint - Prima's Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paint in Ancient Coin. I also painted the brad holding my journalling with the gold paint. The journalling was about our first trip to Canada's Wonderland, which happened the week I made the layout and trust me. . . I needed LOTS of coffee to get through that long day!

Here are some close-ups and different angles so you can see all the details!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I hope you'll pop over to CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration and play along with one of this month's challenges! Happy Scrapping!

Secret Garden Mosaic Egg Shrine

I have a 'just for fun' project to share with you today. I've used a Prima Relics & Artifacts Egg Shrine by Sandra Evertson and the gorgeous Graphic 45 Secret Garden collection for this project.

I chose a small version of the central image from the Secret Garden collection and cut it into pieces and pieced them back together for the mosaic image inside the egg. I used Prima Art Basics Soft Matte Gel to adhere the mosaic pieces to the egg.

Once I had the mosaic image pieced back together, I covered the image and entire front of the egg with Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy. Then, I added the fussy cut fence, birds and flower branch to the front of the egg. I coated the fussy cuts with Prima Art Basics Soft Gloss Gel to give them some extra durability and a bit of shine.

Inside the egg at the bottom, I have added some decorative grass and some paper daisies from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used the Soft Gloss Gel and added some gold flakes (scraped from the back of the egg's decoration) and some Diamond Sugar Dust to the flowers to give them some added interest and sparkle.

Finally, I added in a Graphic 45 Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key with a pretty little white bow made from seam binding. The key was added to represent the key that Mary Lennox finds in the book The Secret Garden - the one that allows her into the private garden. If you haven't already read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, then I highly recommend you do - it's wonderful!

On the back of the egg, I started the decoration by using Prima Art Extravagance Texture Paste in Gold Crackle. Once it had dried, I scraped it away in places to give the egg a more aged/vintage look. Then I coated the back of the egg with Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy.

 I used a resin window frame from my stash and fitted an image of Mary from the Secret Garden papers behind the frame. I also added some more of the gold flakes scraped from the back of the egg and a coat of the crackle paint to the window frame.

I wish you could see this little Secret Garden Mosaic Egg Shrine in 'real life' - it looks even more beautiful than in the pictures!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! Happy Crafting!

Smile - Mixed Media Layout ~ Creative Embellishments September Challenge

It is September 1st and time for a new Challenge on the Creative Embellishments Blog! There was so much to be inspired by in the inspiration picture this month and the challenge's 'twist' is to use a clock or something time related. The picture and the twist got me thinking about school (the 'open mind') and how fast time flies, so I decided to scrap a picture of my son who is "growing up too fast"! I can't believe he starts Grade 1 next week!

I've used Prima's Salvage District collection papers for this layout (along with a few tickets from the Archivist collection). The masked clocks were created using a Crafter's Workshop Stencil along with Prima's Art Basics Modelling Paste in Opaque Matte. I used watered-down Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Acrylic Paint in Gold Rush for the gold colour and splatters and watered-down black gesso for the black splatters. 

I used Creative Embellishments chipboard Clock Faces to embellish the layout, which I embossed with Stampendous Aged Black Embossing Enamel. For the title, I used the word "smile" (from the Happy Words Set) and painted it using Prima Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint in Gold Rush. Here are some close-ups and different angles so you can see all the details! 

I hope this layout inspires you to play along with the Creative Embellishments challenge this month! Be sure to follow the Challenge Rules so that you're eligible to win the $50 Gift Certificate to the Creative Embellishments store! Since it is Creative Embellishments 3rd Anniversary this month - TWO winners will be chosen!

Challenge Rules:

• Create a NEW project layout, mini album, tag, card, canvas, etc….as of September 1st, 2016.
• Please add your entry to our InLinkz box on the Creative Embellishments blog to be eligible for the prize. You have until the last day of each month 11:55 pm eastern time to enter.
• It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing along at Creative Embellishments together with a link back to our blog. Please make sure to reference our challenge. Please no back linking.
• Combining with other challenges is permitted.
• We would love to see you USE AT LEAST 1 CE product on your project but it isn’t required to play along. However everyone that does will get and extra chance at winning.
• WINNERS will have 2 weeks to claim their prize. The winner will be announced on this post the day after the challenge ends. Keep an eye out to see if you are a winner.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today - and I hope you'll play along with the Creative Embellishments September  Challenge!