Creative Inspiration - White Space

I hope that this post finds everyone well and getting a chance to relax over the Easter Weekend. I would like to wish everyone a fun filled Easter. I also hope that you don't eat too much chocolate!

So.. I have had a chance to get creative once again and have created another layout to share using the Chickaniddy Crafts - 365 paper range.

Here's this weeks layout....

Certainly a layout with a very different feel.  I have also used a piece of very heavy weight paste board as my base for a different feel. I have also created this layout with the idea of leaving a lot of white space due to the boldness of the colours I have used. I also like this way of creating too as it really give you a clear focal point. 

As I didn't want the base to be too stark I have used a graph stamp here and there to break it us a little. I have also used a permanent marker to create a border to the layout which adds to the slightly messy feel of the layout. I have clustered stamps from my stash to add some depth to the layout here and there too. Then added a splash of wooden embellishments and small black sequins for shine. 

The paper range has a really good mix of journal cards and tags in various sizes. I have used some of theses to create a base for my photo then threw a few around the layout to embellish it. I have stuck to the ones that featured the pink and black theme that I was going with. I then added my title using some pink acrylic alphas from my stash that worked perfectly with this layout. I must say too the little sequin bow that I have finished the layout off with is so cute!!! I then threw a few more sequins around the layout to tie it all together and give that last bit of sparkled I wanted.

Super fun layout to create that really stands out.

Well enjoy the rest of your Easter break.

Till next week. 

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Using Embossed Backgrounds

Hello all. 

Back this week with a rather fun to create layout using the Chickaniddy Crafts - 365 paper range. 

So here's this week's share....

Now I have to admit to having had this piece of embossed card stock in my stash for AGES!!! I think I got it with a mixed pack of card stock I got from someone that destashing but honestly can't remember. To be honest too I never have been a huge fan of embossed card stock. I like to be able to create my own textured base and find that the whole piece textured can sometimes just be too much.  

Anyways.... it was time to tackle that UFO card stock which was originally black. It wasn't going to work for this layout as I wanted a softer base so I decided to roughly paint it with some gesso and then lightly sand it to highlight some of the pattern. I have then decide to focus on the pink and yellow from the paper range and have cut my paper into 3' x 1/2' strips and adhered them as shown. then added a photo, which I have lightly sanded the edges of, of my two younger daughters as shown. 

To finish the layout off with a couple of die cut wooden flourishes for a softer feel and then clustered up a mix of paper flowers. I then added a title using some aqua acrylic alphas from my stash. I quite like the look of the background for this and have FINALLY managed to use that horrid piece of embossed card stock from my stash.

Well.. will leave you all to have a super weekend.

Till next time.

TFL, Michelle x 

Creative Inspiration - Bright Bold and Cheery

Hello all.

Still finding it hard to believe that it is March. I swear that it is actually January still. WHERE did the last few months go ??!!?? 

The crazy times have started for us here with Calisthenics Graceful practices underway well and truly, curriculum planning placement started and Calisthenics Graceful Girl Comps starting within the next few weeks. 

In the mad rush to be organised I have been busy taking some time to get creative with the latest kit that was sent to me by Leanne from Mad About Scrappin. I have saved this kit till last as I love this kit the most I think. The paper range is by Chickaniddy Crafts - 365.

I love how versatile the kit has been as you will see over the following weeks as I share what I have created. This week I have a fun layout that I have created using most of the paper from the range. 

Because of the brightness of the paper range I have gone with a black base. I really wanted to let the colours pop. What I also like about this paper range is the tabs at the bottom of the full sheets of paper that yo normally discard as they have the product details on them are actually double sided. One side has the details and one side is patterned. I have been able to use quite a few of the patterned tabs on my layouts. On this layout I have been able to use the yellow arrow strip to break up the black and white dotty paper from the base card stock. 

I wanted to be able to use quite a few of the patterns in this range so have opted for cutting strips and mixing up the patterns in a vertical pattern across my page. I have then accented each strip my drawing on each strip with a black journalling pen. I have also added in some hand stitching and dots with a silver gel pen to add some feature to the background. My photo was matted using the pick backing card from the embellishment pack in the kit.

I have cut some triangle from the paper range and added them to the black dotty paper for a bit of a different feel. Then because the paper is quite busy I have kept the embellishing of this layout rather simple. I have stuck with a matching paper strip layered with a journal spot and ticket stub with the heart flair from the kit. At the bottom of the layout I used another flair to finish off the layout. My photo had a quote on it so really didn't feel I wanted to add a title. 

I cannot wait to share with you the next layout.

Enjoy your weekend and find time to get creative.

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Framing it with Scraps

Hello all.

I hope that your weekend has been off to a good start. I have been busy here working on the front and back yard before the heat comes in next week. 

I am back now though to share with you all the a layout I have created using the last of the Yippee paper range by Chickaniddy I was sent to play with. 

I have played around with my Brother Scan n Cut again to use up the scraps from this kit. I found this cute frame bakcground that I just had to play with and thought it would be a great way to use up all the smaller pieces of paper that are often harder to work with for a layout base.

I have created this layout on a kraft coloured base which I have randomly stamped with a graph stamp and my hand as the stamp block. Then it was just a case of mixing up the scraps of the patterned paper till I was happy with how they sat behind each frame before I adhered them all. 

To tie the photo to the layout I have used a frame from my stash and coloured it to match the frame background. I then adhered it directly onto the photo to frame the part of the photo I wanted to be my focal point. I have added in some kraft journal spots from Mad About Scrappin to add a bit of interest around the frame base. 

I then finished off the layout by added the journal date tab to my photo and then scattered some brads for a little dimension. Super fun layout in the end with a bit of a bright summery feel. I am a bit sad that this paper range is all finished but looking forward to sharing with you another fun kit.

Speaking of kits... better get back to creating.

Till next time.

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Getting messy

Well another week done and this month is at the tail end of being over.

Not too sure where the month went though as it still feels like January to me!

I have a chance to play with some more of my Mad About Scrappin kit featuring the Yippee paper range from Chickaniddy and once again with my Brother Scan n Cut.

So here's this weeks fun and MESSY fun at that layout!

I am still learning with my cutter and working out what I can and can't do.Which svg files work well and which one's just aren't very good design files. I have though, through practice, found some really good stores that sell cut files which is a dream when you are in a hurry. I found this cute arrow background that I cut from a piece of patterned paper that was white backed. I have then used this to add a bit of interest in the background of my layout.

I have run out of white card stock and this paper range didn't really work with vanilla coloured card stock. I felt it just looked too creamy. So with that in mind I got messy and creamed a base that I could work with. I pulled out a mix of glimmer mists and had some fun making a big mess. 

I have to say too that I love the flairs in the kits lately. They match so well with the paper range. I don't have quite as much height to them so they don't look as bulky on a layout as some other brands do too. I have added one to this layout layered on some of the bakers twine and it sits nice and low. 

Well off to get some placement things sorted then to play with next months kit.

Till next time.

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Pretty and Feminine

I know... I know... 

this post was supposed to be up last week. It was sorted by I just didn't press post when I did it so it sat as a draft post!

Anyways.... 

This week I have played around with some more,

 of the pretty Yippee paper range from Chickaniddy Crafts. 

Have I said that I love this paper range... the colours are just so much fun to play with.

This time around I have created  a real girlie feeling layout

 by using the floral and pinks from the paper range.

I have created this layout on a kraft base I really like the look of the paper range on the background  when I was playing around with different card stocks. I have matted my photos to match the pink in the paper range and slightly inked the edges to make them stand out slightly from the base. I have also recycled the pink card from the embellishment pack. When I created the paper ribbon tails from the floral paper I then matted them on the pink to add that little bit extra.

I have then added a pop of lime green to bring out the green in the floral paper by using the bottom strip from one of the papers. For my title I have tucked a matching journal card from my stash in behind the photos to just showcase the smile and then added some aqua acyclic alphas to finish it off. It is a bit hard to see in this photo but I have also added a bit of kindy glitz to the aqua alphas to add a bit of sparkle.

To finish off the layout I have used the paper flowers that were in the kit to tie in with the girlie feel. I love the colours of the flowers and how they match just perfectly. Plus they add a bit of depth to the layout too. Perfect way to finish off the layout.

Well hope that everyone has a super weekend.

Off to sort out my back yard and get some study sorted.

Till next week.

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Colour Focus

Hello... Hello... Welcome to the end of another week. As crazy as the past weeks have been this week would have been the craziest. TAFE is well and truly back with the hardest part of my course starting and assignments due all over the place. Plus we have been busy with what seems like a thousand (only slight exaggeration lol) appointments. Then to top it off I have reorganised the lounge and my craft/computer/study area. Which involved moving furniture all over the place. This means now I am still "finding" where I have put my craft supplies...lol.

Anyways... I have had a chance to play amidst all the mayhem with both my new Brother Scan n Cut machine AND a new paper range by Chickaniddy Crafts called Yippee! Such a fun name for a paper range for such fun bright and colourful paper.

So with fun in mind I have created this layout focusing on the navy blue and orange from this paper range for this layout of my son dressed as the Mad Hatter.

As I said I have been having a little play around with my new cutting machine (finally!!!) and decided to follow through with the stars pattern from the paper range. I have created the base of this layout using a mix of card stocks. I had originally just matted the blue card stock on white however I felt that something was missing so added in a layer of the matching orange card stock. 

To mix it up a little and following on with the stars pattern I have cut some more stars from white and coloured them with a orange permanent marker to match in with the colours. I have also added a few different size wood veneer stars to add a bit of dimension to the layout. Then added the wood veneer frame to finish off the photo. Gives a bit of a different feel to the layout.

I have stars and circles out of some of some white card stock. I have also played around with another circle/stars cut file I found online and then sprayed it to match the orange in the paper range with some glimmer mist. I have created my title using a cut file on the machine cut from white card stock then coloured with a permanent marker which matched well. I then gave it a coat of dimensional magic to give it a little depth.

I quite enjoyed creating this layout. Some times I find it fun to just focus on certain colours from a paper range to mix it up a little. I find that if I do this I don't get sick of using the paper range. 

Well better get back to it. 

Chores waiting for me to play catch up on.

Till next time.

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Family photo fun

Hello... yes I know... this post was supposed to be up online yesterday. I know.. I am a day late.. However with TAFE going back on Thursday and then having a full day of placement yesterday along with the first week back at school for the kidlets things have been a little hectic.

Anyways.. without and more dribble.. I have created one last layout to share with you from the Pink Fresh Studio Paper range - Up in the Clouds.

Here's the layout I have created to share.

I have to admit to that I have FINALLY had a chance to have a bit of a play with my new Brother Scan N Cut. I have only had it for about six months !!!! And was actually supposed to buy a new cutting machine about 2 and a half years ago!!

I have double matted some of the patterned paper in the range as the base for my layout. I have used a Kraft card stock base first and then added a pop of colour with some aqua card stock which matched the aqua in the patterned paper. I quite liked the pattern on the paper and really didn't want to loose too much of the pattern. I have then used my cutting machine to cut a mask in white so it didn't over power the pattern on the paper.  

I have used a mix of journal cards both in Kraft and pattern to create the base for my embellishment cluster on the bottom of the photo I framed in a premade frame from my stash. I have added a bit of garden twine too create a bow to tie the Kraft colouring into the patterned paper. Then finished off the cluster with some mixed ephemera from my stash.

I have then added a few odds and ends to the top left side of the photo overlapping some of the patterned paper which I have added some cute arrow washi tape to. I then added the word tag to finish off the layout for my title with 3D foam tape.

I had so much fun playing with this paper range. I was also super excited to be able to play with the photo on this layout as its not often that I get all four kidlets together in one photo.

Well better back to it.. off to finish off creating in a new paper range to share next week.

Till then.

TFL, Michelle x

Creative Inspiration - Creative Card Fun

Okay.. so just a super quick post today as I am on placement once again and running after a room full of toddlers.

Have had a few cards to create this month so used some of the Pink Fresh Studio - Up in the Clouds paper range to get creative.

I had two cards to create... one for a wedding and one for my youngest daughters 7th birthday.

This paper range was perfect for create two cards with a very unique different feel to them. Both cards were created on a recycled card base as I love the look that it gives the cards.

Because of the whimsical feel to the paper range it was perfect for creating a birthday card for my youngest. I have matted a piece of the mixed patterned paper from the range on some of the pink card stock used to stabilise the embellishment kit (waste not want not I say!). My daughter is a mad keen fan of care bears, so I had to work an image of her new care bear, Grumpy, into the card some how. I have printed an image onto some Canson paper and hand coloured the image. The mounted in on the card using some 3D foam tape. The little wood veneer umbrella that was in the kit was a perfect accent for this card too to finish it off.

Now one of the patterned papers in the stash had a house image which I have cut out to add to this card. Being the card was for a wedding I thought it was fitting. I have them teamed together two different coloured mini paper doilies that I had in my stash that worked perfectly with the colours in this kit. Then it was just a case of layering the paper flowers in the kit on some bowed garden twine to give it a a more rustic fun feel.

As I said.. very quick post sharing two fun cards. 

Love being able to use up all the kit I receive by creating a few cards.

Well better get back to it.

Till I get to sharing the last layout from this paper range.

TFL,  Michelle x