Thursday 28 April 2016

Love her Smile | Off the Rails Scrapbooking Tutorial

Hello friends!

Today I'm up on the Off the Rails blog sharing some tips and techniques for adding texture and dimension to your layouts! When I look back at some of the first layouts that I created years ago they seem very flat. Now don't get me wrong, I still really love those layouts, but over the years my style has changed, and these days I'm drawn to layouts with lots of texture and dimension... the kind of layouts that you want to reach out and touch! So today I'm going to take you through a step-by-step tutorial and show you how I have added texture and dimension to my layout!

I created this layout for the current Off the Rails mood board...


What you'll need

This is everything that I used to create my layout

Step 1

Firstly, trim about 1/3 inch off each side of your patterned paper so that you can mat it on white cardstock. Next, using your chosen stencil, apply texture/modeling paste to your patterned paper. You can use a palette knife to do this if you have one, otherwise an old credit card/gift card will do the trick!


Using modeling paste with a stencil is a really effective way of adding texture and dimension to your layout!

Step 2

Next add some foam tape to the back of your photo and adhere it to your layout.


Using foam tape is another way that I like to add dimension to my layouts, as it gives different heights to the elements on your page.

Step 3

Next, create a flower cluster to the right of your photo. You can see here that the flowers add lots of beautiful texture and dimension to my layout!

Step 4

Next, add your title to the layout. Here's another opportunity to add different textures and dimension to your layout. I love to combine different alphas to create my titles! On this layout you can see that I've used chipboard alphas as well as a wood veneer word. The chipboard alphas also have gold foil on them so this adds another texture!

Step 5

Next, add a die-cut to the right of your title. I chose a flamingo to tie in with the mood board! Once again I've added foam tape to the back of it to give it extra dimension.

Step 6

Lastly, I've created a small cluster in the top right hand corner of the layout using another die-cut and a couple more flowers.

And that's how easy it is to create a layout with lots of texture and dimension! Next time you scrap, why don't you try out one of these techniques that I've used on my page...
- Add some stencilling using texture/modeling paste
- Add foam tape to the back of your photo and/or die cuts
- Create a flower cluster
- Use different textures such as chipboard, wood, foil etc

Here's another look at my completed layout...


And here's the current Off the Rails mood board that inspired my layout...


I hope that you get a chance to play along with our mood board challenge this month! There's only 2 more days left to get your projects linked up! Our sponsor for April is Memory Maze.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope that you found my tutorial useful and enjoyed looking at my layout!

Mandy

Saturday 23 April 2016

She loves Frozen | D-lish Scraps Design Team Layout

Hi scrappy friends!

Today I have my final D-lish Scraps share for the month and I've created a layout for one of our current Cybercrop challenges in The Scrap Suite! Here's my layout...

"She loves Frozen"


You can probably guess which challenge this is for... Yes, it's Krisy's! She has challenged us to create a project inspired by a Disney Princess!


I just had to play along with this challenge because I really wanted to create a layout about my daughter's love of the movie Frozen! When Eleanor was around 12 months old, we put Frozen on the TV one day and she was glued to it! It's the only thing that actually keeps her attention on the TV, and she could probably watch it over and over if we let her! At nearly 18 months old, she can now say "Elsa", "Anna" and "Olaf"!

I started my layout off by cutting the snowflakes on my Cameo using a cut file from The Cut Shoppe. Once I had a rough idea of where I wanted the snowflakes and my photo to go, I used a piece of punchinella as a stencil and applied some distress ink through it around where I wanted my photo to go. Next I created some layers behind my photo, using patterned papers as well as a 5x7 chevron bag. Then of course I added some pretty D-lish embellies!

Here are some closeups of my layout...


I love lots of dimension on my layouts, so I added foam tape between the layers on the snowflakes as well as behind my photo. I popped an arrow paperclip onto the top right hand corner of my photo, and you can also see here the flair button that I added on top of one of the snowflakes.


I created a little cluster up in the top left hand corner of my layout using silver glitter washi tapepunchinella and a gorgeous light purple sequin bow.


To the left of my photo I added my title and journalling. I used the white Kaisercraft Alpha stickers combined with silver glitter Thickers for my title. I like the subtlety of the white letters against the white background! You can also see some of the pretty stencilling here - how versatile is punchinella!!

If you haven't done so already, why don't you pop on over to The Scrap Suite and check out our Cybercrop challenges for this month (one of them is set by me)! We'd love you to play along with us too! You've got until 13th May to upload your projects (it doesn't have to be a layout... You can create a card, PL page or OTP project if you prefer!).

Thanks so much for popping in and taking a look at my D-lish layouts over the past few days. Thank you to those who leave a lovely comment as well!

Mandy

Friday 22 April 2016

Sweet Delicious Strawberries | D-lish Scraps Design Team Layout

Hello again!

I'm back today to share another D-lish Scraps layout with you!

We recently went on a family holiday to Port MacQuarie and while we were there we went strawberry picking. This is something that we love to do and has become a bit of a tradition that we do each time we go to Port MacQuarie. I always take lots of photos when we go strawberry picking, but I never seem to get around to scrapping them. This time, I decided that I was going to scrap the photos straight away! So here is my layout...

"Sweet Delicious Strawberries"


I wanted to include four photos on this layout, so I decided to print them smaller in a grid. This is an easy way of including multiple photos on your layout without it becoming too crowded.

My layout features patterned papers from the Maggie Holmes Bloom collection and the Dear Lizzy Fine and Dandy collection, and of course lots of D-lish embellies!

Let's take a look at some closeups...


I started my layout off by creating some layers behind my photos. I've used some patterned papers as well as a paper doily and a black and white stripe bitty bag. I added foam tape between the layers for some added dimension.


To the left of the photos I added a hessian heart from my stash and topped it with a flair button from the March Just Add Paper kit. Under the layers I tucked a kraft shipping tag which I finished off with some black and white twine.


I decided that I wanted a nice big title on my page, and I always love to combine different alphas to create my titles. I used a Corbett Creations wood veneer word as well as Thickers and a cut file. I love that by using different textures, colours and fonts in my title that it adds plenty of interest to the layout.


In the bottom right hand corner of my layout I created a cluster that includes a burlap button flower, a Kaisercraft bloom and a sweet little wooden strawberry button that was just perfect for this page! I think that the natural textures that I've included on the page such as the hessian, wood and cotton twine really complement the theme of the layout.

Well that's all from me for today. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look at my layout! I will be back tomorrow with my final D-lish share for the month... This time I've played along with one of the Cybercrop challenges in The Scrap Suite!

Mandy

Thursday 21 April 2016

Flower Girl | D-lish Scraps Design Team Layout

Hello!

Today I'm sharing my first layout for D-lish Scraps for this month, and I'm kicking it off with my take on the April Inspiration Board challenge!

"Flower Girl"


Here's a reminder of our inspiration board for this month...


I was totally inspired by the soft colours and textures on the inspiration board! I decided to scrap this sweet photo of my daughter when she was a flower girl at my sister's wedding. I think the textures on the board reminded my of her beautiful lacey dress and the chiffon flowers in her hair.

My layout features patterned papers from the Maggie Holmes Bloom collection.

I started my layout off by cutting the floral wreath using a cut file from The Cut Shoppe and my Silhouette Cameo. I backed the cut file with patterned papers and added some foam tape to the back to give it some dimension. I then used a pip berry stem and wound it around and through the wreath. 

Here are some closeups so that you can see all of the D-lish pretties that I've used on my page...


I used some of the embellishments from the April Just Add Paper kit on my layout. Here you can see one of the the flair buttons and a resin flower. I also added a silver sequin bow to the corner of my photo.


Here you can see another one of the flair buttons and part of the pip berry stem.


Under the left hand side of my photo I tucked the journal spot from the journal pack in this month's kit. I also added one of the roses from the kit. Underneath the journal spot I tucked a rose that I fussy cut from a card that came in the Fruit Tingle journal pack (this is currently still available, but be quick because once it's gone it's gone!).

I hope that you will play along with our Inspiration Board challenge this month! Link up your layout on the D-lish Scraps blog by the last day of the month for your chance to win a prize! (Don't forget to read the rules for entering here). Please feel free to share your projects that you create for the Inspiration Board over in our Facebook group The Scrap Suite as well!

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look at my layout today! I'll be back tomorrow with another D-lish Scraps share, so until then, happy scrapping!

Mandy

Saturday 16 April 2016

My Beautiful Friend | The Scrap Suite Cybercrop Challenge

Hi there!

This month it's my turn to set one of the challenges in the D-lish Scraps Facebook group The Scrap Suite! Each month we have four Cybercrop challenges running that are set by the D-lish Scraps design team members. It's lots of fun and for each challenge that you play along with, you have the chance to win a $10 D-lish Scraps voucher! If you're not yet a member of the group, we'd love you to join us!

So here is the challenge that I've set this month...


And here is the layout that I created for this challenge...

"My Beautiful Friend"


This is me with my best friend Rachael! She is amazing... She's supportive, encouraging, kind and generous. And she's been there through everything, the ups and the downs. This quote that I found on Pinterest perfectly describes our friendship... Not only does she know all of my life stories, she has been there to experience them with me! So glad that I have scrapped this photo of us when we went out to dinner for her 30th birthday!

My layout features gorgeous patterned papers from the Maggie Holmes Shine collection and lots of D-lish Scraps embellishments!

I decided to do something different and used a diagonal design for my layout and I really like how this turned out. Along the pieces of patterned paper I added strips of washi tape including the gorgeous new glitter gold tape, which I love!

Here are some closeups so that you can see all the details...


To the left of my photo I created a cute little cluster that includes a tag from the Maggie Holmes Open Book collection teamed with some super pretty D-lish embellies. I've used an arrow paperclip to attach a word from the black minifetti sheet as well as a gold glittery heart from a previous Just Add Paper kit. I also added a cute little pink paper flower.


To the right of my photo I created a lovely flower cluster using a wild rose (my fave!), a large hot pink rose, and two white Kaisercraft blooms. You can also see here the paper doily that I tucked behind my photo.


I used another tag from the Maggie Holmes Open Book collection to write my journalling and finished it off with some black and white twine and a flair button.


I created one final little point of interest in the top right hand corner using a white pastel petal and a pink sweetheart bloom (no longer available).

I hope that you'll join us over in The Scrap Suite and play along with our Cybercrop Challenges! You've got until 13th May to upload your project (it doesn't have to be a layout... You can create a card, PL page or OTP project if you prefer!).

Thanks for visiting my blog and taking a look at my layout! Thank you to those who leave a lovely comment as well - it is always very much appreciated!

Mandy

Friday 15 April 2016

Fun | Stuck?! Sketches Design Team Layout

Hi there Scrappy friends!

It's time for the reveal of the mid-month sketch challenge over at Stuck?! Sketches and Laura has once again designed a fabulous sketch for us! Let's take a look...

 

I love the layers behind the photo on this sketch! Here's my design team layout...

"Fun"


We bought Eleanor a "bike" for Christmas last year and this was the first time that we took her out riding on it. She had so much fun (as you can see from the smile on her face!)

My layout features patterned papers from the Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss collection.

Behind my photo I added some paint which I stamped using bubble wrap. I really like how this turned out, and best of all it was quick, easy and cost effective!

Here are a couple of closeups of my layout...


To the left of my photo I added a little cluster of D-lish Scraps embellishments including a journal spot, a word strip (wordfetti), a flair button, and a wooden heart button. How pretty is that flair button?!!


To the right of my photo I added a Corbett Creations wood veneer word which I used as my title. Then I created a little cluster above my title that includes a Charms Creations heavenly heart, and a rose and resin flower from D-lish Scraps. I finished my layout off with a few enamel dots.

If you haven't done so already, I hope that you'll head on over to the Stuck?! Sketches blog and take a look at the gorgeous layouts that my fellow design team members have created! We would love YOU to play along with us by creating a layout based on this sketch! Link up your layouts on the Stuck?! Sketches blog by April 29th to be in the running to win a prize from one of our very generous sponsors:



We will also be choosing a scrapbooker from each of our challenges to be a guest designer with us at a later date!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and taking a look at my layout! Thank you to those who take the time to leave a comment as well - it is always very much appreciated!

Mandy

Friday 1 April 2016

Easter Morning | Stuck?! Sketches Design Team Layout

Hi again!

I'm back to share with you the Stuck?! Sketches April 1st challenge! But firstly, I want to tell you some exciting news... I will be staying on with Stuck?! Sketches for another term!! I love creating with Laura's awesome sketches, so I am thrilled!

So here is our latest sketch...


I LOVE this sketch and the new design team have come up with some super amazing and inspiring layouts for this challenge! Here's my layout...

"Easter Morning"


I was in the mood to scrap an Easter photo so I pulled out a photo from last year! It is one of my absolute favourite photos of my three kids together! 

I've combined patterned papers from both the Maggie Holmes Shine collection and the Crate Paper Hello Love collection. I love how well these two collection co-ordinate!

My layout also features some awesome cut files from The Cut Shoppe. I used the The Chevron in a Triangle background file and the Hoppy Easter cut file set for my title.

Here are some closeups...


I created a pretty little cluster to the left of my photo that includes a couple of flowers from D-lish Scraps and a Charms Creations heavenly heart. Love how pretty these colours look together!


 I cut the word 'easter' on my Silhouette Cameo and added some foam tape to the back to create some extra dimension!


I fussy cut the frame on the right hand side of my photo from one of the patterned papers in the Shine collection. I used this in place of the smaller photo on the sketch.

If you haven't done so already, I hope that you'll head on over to the Stuck?! Sketches blog and take a look at the fabulous layouts that my fellow design team members have created! We would love YOU to play along with us by creating a layout based on the sketch! Link up your layouts on the Stuck?! Sketches blog by April 29th to be in the running to win a prize from one of our very generous sponsors:



We will also be choosing a scrapbooker from each of our challenges to be a guest designer with us at a later date!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and taking a look at my layout! Thank you to those who take the time to leave a comment as well - it is always very much appreciated!

Mandy

Ballerina | Scrap the Girls Design Team Layout

Hi scrappy friends!

It's the start of  April already and that means that it's time for some new challenges! This morning I'm here to share with you the new challenge over at Scrap the Girls and this month we have a lovely mood board to inspire you...


I took inspiration from the beautiful soft pastel colours of the mood board. Here's my layout...

"Ballerina"


I love this photo of my beautiful girl that I took before her first ballet lesson this year! She's been taking jazz classes for the past 2 years and this year was keen to start learning ballet and modern/contemporary as well. I'm so proud of how well she is going with her dancing!

My layout features beautiful patterned papers from the Dear Lizzy Fine and Dandy collection and gorgeous embellishments from D-lish Scraps.

Here are some closeups...






If you haven't done so already, I hope that you'll pop on over to the Scrap the Girls blog and take a look at the fabulous layouts that my fellow design team members have created with this mood board! Link up your layouts on the Scrap the Girls blog by April 30th to have a chance of winning a prize from one of our very generous sponsors!

Thank you for taking the time to visit and for your lovely comments also! I will be back later today with my design team layout for Stuck?! Sketches!

Mandy