Clear Scraps Blog Hop

Welcome to the Clear Scraps new release BLOG HOP & fabulous GIVEAWAY!

If you just came from Elena Olinevich's blog--then you're right on target!  If not, please scroll down to the end of this post to see the blog hop design team order.

We are celebrating 140+ brand new designs & the Clear Scraps design team has come together to showcase a few of these brand new designs with inspirational & innovative projects!

Here's my project--I decided to showcase the Clear Scraps Build It Your Way Album.

I've used S.E.I's Vanilla Sunshine paper collection for this binder.

I decorated the cover as if I were doing a layout--just without any photos.  I had the opportunity to use several large flowers, trims & embellies that I had in my stash that were too bulky for layouts--but were just right for this binder!

Here are a couple of close ups.

The bottom right hand corner photo shows the ribbon I attached that keeps the binder tied closed.  I'm not exactly sure yet what I'll be using this binder for.  It may be for special photos or maybe as a journal or some kind of memory book or keepsake.  All I know is that all of my memory books or journals usually end up bulky!  So that's why I adhered the white ribbon that I can tie in order to keep my binder from flying open.

These butterflies are items from my Etsy shop.  I created them with this binder's color scheme in mind--I wanted a black and coral butterfly--this was the end result.

Now onto the inside of the binder.

All of the acrylic pages I've decorated with stamps.  I used black Staz On ink to stamp random images on the acrylic pages.  TIP: Always remember, that when stamping on acrylic to use a permanent ink such as Staz On.  Using any other kind of ink will cause your image to smear.

The chipboard pages I've covered with different pattern paper.  I've kept the pages fairly simple since--as mentioned previously--I haven't decided yet what I'm going to be using this binder for.

More pages from the binder.  I'm enjoying how it's all coming together--best of all, I get to utilize my large stamps!  :-)

On a couple of the chipboard pages, I've outlined the outer border with sharpie pens & added dots of Star Dust Stickles.

For the chipboard pages that have a more intricate outer border, I've decided to paint the borders with acrylic paint & then heat emboss them with Star Dust transparent embossing powder by Stampendous.  In person these edges have a fabulous shimmer to them.

Below is the list of the design team members participating in the blog hop.  Be sure to visit & comment on EVERY blog for a chance to win an amazing prize package filled with Clear Scraps goodies retailed over $30.00! 

Your next stop is Irene Tan's blog!  Don't forget to leave your comment here before moving on.  NOTE: You do not need to become a follower of my blog in order to qualify for the prize...but if you like what you see--new followers are ALWAYS welcome!  Enjoy the blog hop...

Clear Scraps

Leah Crowe

Jennifer Haggerty

Tonya Dirk

Jessica Griffin

KC Eddy

Rita Barakat

Wendy Price

Adora Concepcion

Elena Olinevich

Karla Fatula ----> you are here

Irene Tan

Pinky Hobbs

Don't forget to leave a comment on the Clear Scraps post letting us know you commented on all the blogs & which new release is your favorite! For an extra chance to win you can 'LIKE' the Clear Scraps Facebook page & share this post on your Facebook.  Then leave a comment on the Clear Scraps post letting us know that you 'liked' Clear Scraps on Facebook & shared the post!

A winner will be posted Friday, January 18th in the morning.  You have until January 17th 12:00am Eastern standard time to complete the blog hop.

Berry71Bleu DT & First Challenge Of The Year

Happy New Year fellow scrappers! 2013 is upon us & with a New Year comes new endeavors. So I'll start off this New Year with an announcement. I've been asked to join the Berry71Bleu design team & I've agreed to jump on board!

Marivic--the owner is quite the creative gal.  As the owner of two Etsy shops--Zeus & Zoe & Berry71Bleu--there's something for all types of scrappers.  Berry71Bleu which is scheduled to re-open soon, carries a variety of lovely handmade tags that add a lovely touch to any crafty project.  The corresponding challenge blog is designed to stimulate your creativity.  Tune in every month for a new challenge & the opportunity to win some goodies.

On this note, let me take the opportunity to introduce January's challenge which is 'All About Me'.  Marivic is doing the first challenge of the year & here it is in her own words as well as her example, prize & rules to play along.

This challenge is no-holds-barred...talk about your new year's resolution, your dreams, your childhood, your best and worst moments, what makes you laugh, cry, mad...what makes you feel beautiful...your best physical feature, what you wish you can change about yourself...your pet peeves, your frustrations, your favorite food, color...maybe a secret? whatever you want to talk about as long as it's all about you.

Since we are talking about you...(the queen!). Here is our January theme that you need to follow.

I followed our generous Sponsor 13 ARTS Frosted Life Collection...They are sponsoring the winner and our DT this month with this gorgeous paper collection.

Random Winner will receive a Vintage-style Skeleton Key Collection from 

Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop

Here's what I made using Frosted Life Collection

I stenciled the background using crackle paste. I misted it as well. Used glass beads in some portions. Just a random mix of everything.

One of my Tags..Marie Antoinette is part of the theme..

(Berry71bleu Etsy Shop will re-open this week)

Metal charm from my Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop.

Rules of the Challenge:

1. You are allowed to make a card, layout or altered/off the page project as long as you follow the challenge specifications.

2. Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the 

sidebar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST not your entire blog.

3. You may submit as many entries as you like for each challenge and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges.

4. It is required that you mention in your blog post that you are playing along at Berry71 Bleu TOGETHER with a link back to our blog. 

5. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the last day of the month the challenge was posted.

6. Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the

sidebar ONLY,not by email and not by linking up in the comments section please.

Information

about our Challenges:-

1. Berry71Bleu Challenges are open to anyone, 

anywhere in the world.

2. Our Design Team do their best to comment on all entries, you can make their job easier by turning OFF your word verification.  Try it and if spam is a problem you can always enable comment moderation.

3. Challenges are held monthly and each month TWO winners are

chosen. One winner is chosen by our design team, who all vote for the project they consider to be the best, while another winner is chosen by random draw.

4. Challenge winners will always be announced within a week

of the challenge closing and winners are then required to

contact our Sponsor Co-ordinator, Agnieszka at starhorse@onet.eu

5. Prizes not claimed within 2 weeks of the challenge closing 

will be forfeited.

6. The Merit winner will have an image of their project featured in the winners post, together with a link back to the homepage

of their blog.

7. Merit winners will be awarded a Winner's Badge to post

on their blog - full bragging rights included!

So head on over to the Berry71Bleu blog & play along!  Thanks to all of you who stop by for a visit...

My Greatest Gift Layout

Good evening fellow scrappers!  For those of you that celebrate it--I hope you had a very Merry Christmas alongside your family/loved ones!

I had a peaceful one at home with my parents, husband, our furry son Toby & newborn son.  This was a special Christmas for us all since my husband & I were celebrating it alongside our first child & for my parents their very first grandchild.  :-)

So when I read about the latest challenge going on over at Colors...Stories...Inspiration (C.S.I)--I decided to set some time aside to play along.  One of the journaling Christmas prompts instantly grabbed me which was 'What was the best Christmas gift you ever received?' Well for me, it's been my son--so I based this page on him.

Here's the case this challenge is based on.

For my evidence I used: snowflakes, beads, texture paste, something shiny & puffy paint.

For my testimony I used: Xmas prompts--the best Christmas gift you ever received.

This pink flower is handmade.  I made it by using the Carnation tutorial that I did a while back.  If interested in this tutorial--please go here.

As usual, I had a story to tell with this page--a lengthy one!  So I stored it in a scroll which has become my fave way of storing my journaling.  I have a brief tutorial on this as well.  If interested, you can find a tutorial for these journaling scrolls here.

Most of these flowers are from my stash.  The large turquoise fabric flower was plain--I added the gold glitter with Stickles to some of it's petals to match the Prima turquoise poinsettia in the upper left hand corner.

As previously mentioned, this poinsettia is by Prima.

The large snowflakes used on this page I bought at my local Target.  Every year for Christmas they stock these in all colors.  They are meant for Christmas trees but they also work wonderfully for Christmas or Winter themed scrapbook pages.  They come in packs of 4 for $1.00.  Sold!

The background was made by using a combination of splatter stamps, glimmer mist & Shimmerz.  I used the Splats stamp set by Recollections & a grungy splatter stamp by Vilda Stamps. I randomly spritzed the background with Riptide glimmer mist & Cotton Candy Spritz.

Here's my smallest winter tree--both flowers seen here are from my crafty stash.

Here are my two larger chipboard winter trees.  These chippies are by Dusty Attic.

I gave these trees a lot of texture by using several techniques & mixed media.  You can find a tutorial on these trees here if interested.

Thanks to all of you who stop by for a visit--as always...it's greatly appreciated!

Enjoy the rest of the week, have a wonderful New Year & I'll be back in 2013!

Mixed Media Chipboard Winter Trees

Hello fellow crafters!  I put together this tutorial to show how I added texture to these Dusty Attic chippie trees found on my 'My Greatest Gift' page.

Let's get started!

Step 1:  This step can be optional.  I personally wanted to give my trees a bit more dimension so I lifted a couple of the branches up with my nails!  lol  Yep, Dusty Attic chipboard is pretty thick, so I just stuck my nails in the middle of each branch & just peeled back.  I admit I have very strong nails--don't know what I eat to make them like this...but they NEVER break.  They grow like claws & unless I cut them; they just keep on growing.  If you don't have claws like mine any sharp object will work, such as scissors or maybe a thin craft spatula or even a small kitchen knife...it doesn't take much strength to just dig in there & peel back.

Step 2: So this is what my tree looked like when I was done peeling back a few of the branches.  Now the fun begins.

Step 3: Start by applying gesso.  I used a foam brush to apply the gesso.  In the areas where you want your beads apply the gesso extra heavy.  Once done applying the gesso, take your beads & drop them in the areas where you heavily applied the gesso.  The beads should 'sink' into the gesso--but not be drowned in it.

To add more texture & some glimmer I randomly spread some Shaved Ice & Aged Rose Embossing Enamel both by Stampendous onto my tree.

Step 4: Heat set your tree--this will melt the embossing powder & shaved ice & dry the gesso so your beads will stick.

Step 4:  Check out that texture!  Love it!!  Now at this point you can stop if you wish.  But if you want to add even more pizzazz go onto Step 5.

Step 5: To add the impression of snow on the branches, I used white Puffy Paint.  Puffy paint can be found in any arts & crafts store...try the t-shirt section! That's where I found mine.

Step 6: Heat set the puffy paint.  With heat, the puffy paint...well, puffs!  That's where it gets it's name.  When puffy, it gives off the impression of snow.

You're done!  You can leave the tree as is or add even more color.  On my 'My Greatest Gift' page, I randomly added Pearlz Pretty In Pink paint by Shimmerz to my trees & the puffy paint.  I just wanted my trees to be more on the pink side.  It's all up to you, the artist, on how you want your trees to look!

Hope you all found this tutorial useful.  Happy creating!

Merry Christmas 2012

From my family to yours--wishing you all on this Christmas Eve a very Merry Christmas!

May you all enjoy this holiday surrounded by your loved ones.

Christmas 2012 Layout

Hello once again fellow bloggers & scrappers!  Tick tock, tick tock...Christmas is just around the corner!  I still can't believe how fast this year flew by.  Would you believe that I have YET to do some Christmas shopping?  I'm so very much trying to avoid going either the day before Christmas Eve or right on Christmas Eve--but at the rate I'm going--it's looking like I'm heading in that direction--tsk, tsk, tsk...

This week Clear Scraps teamed up with Authentique for a project inspiration blog hop.  Both DT's have created some amazing projects with products from both of these innovative companies.  Today, it's my turn to present my project.

I was given the "Peaceful" collection by Authentique to work with.  This turned out to be perfect timing since we have recently taken our yearly Christmas photo.  I don't usually find the time to scrap my Christmas photos till July!  So am happy to have gotten an early start this time.

I did some good ol' fashioned paper tearing & rolling on this page.  Here you can see the tearing I did in the upper left hand corner.  I manually tore the papers at an angle.  I then inked the edges with brown chalk ink & with my fingers ripped, wrinkled & curled my paper.

The cute little bird I cut out from the "Solitude" paper that is part of the Peaceful collection.

I'm in love with these cute little mini gift boxes.  I found them at my local craft store Michaels in the mini ornament area.  They're perfect for mini trees & even better for scrapbook pages!

This large acrylic snowflake is of course by Clear Scraps.  It's actually a page from their Snowflake Mini Album.  The pages from these little albums can also be used as embellishments as you can see here.

To see how I gave the snowflake it's texture, feel free to see the tutorial here.

Here's my other snowflake.  I have this one peeking out from underneath my cluster of embellishments.

I randomly applied dots of Xmas Red, Lime Green & Star Dust Stickles to my background.

A big thanks to all of you who stop by for a visit.  Make sure to check out the other DT projects on both the Clear Scraps & Authentique blogs.  They'll be going up all week long!

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Diamond Dust & Acrylic Tutorial

This tutorial explains how Diamond Dust can be used to give your acrylic embellishments some fabulous texture.  In addition to the Diamond Dust you can add a bit more visual interest to your embellishments with either acrylic paints or alcohol inks.

So let's get started first with the acrylic snowflake found on my "Christmas 2012" page.

Step 1: Outline the border of your snowflake with a white Sharpie Paint pen.  This will help your snowflake to stand out more.

NOTE: The color you use to outline your acrylic embellishment also depends on your project.  Just make sure you use a permanent marker such as Sharpie--these markers are meant for non-pourous surfaces & will not smear on your acrylic

Step 2: Apply adhesive to your snowflake.  This adhesive can be any as long as it dries clear.  This part is important because you want to keep the transparency of your acrylic snowflake.

Apply Diamond Dust.

Step 3:  At this point you can leave your snowflake as is or add even more texture.  It all depends on your project.  For my page, I wanted the snowflake to stand out a bit more.  So with a small paint brush I spread a bit of white & silver acrylic paint on top of the Diamond Dust.  Let it dry & you're done!

NOTE: The acrylic paint you use can be any color depending on your project--keep in mind that paint goes on opaque & will remove the transparency of your project.  This is why for my snowflake I 'dabbed' the paint on instead of brushing it on--therefore still keeping the transparency of my snowflake to a certain degree

How you adhere your snowflake to your project is also based on your preference.  You can adhere your embellishment with the Diamond Dust side facing up or down--again, this is based on what you feel works best for your project.

On my "Christmas 2012" page--I adhered my snowflakes with the Diamond Dust side facing down.  I wanted the outline of the snowflakes to stand out more--so adhering them this way worked best for my page.

On my "Family" page, I did Steps 1 & 2 on the acrylic title--only difference is that I added color to the Diamond Dust with alcohol inks on this one instead of acrylic paint.  Just dab alcohol inks with the applicator directly onto your Diamond Dust.  This technique adds a more subtle color to the Diamond Dust.  Unlike acrylic paint, alcohol inks gives color to the Diamond Dust while still maintaining it's transparency.

As you can see--for my "Family" page I adhered my title with the Diamond Dust side facing up--again, I felt that this suited my page best.

Hope you all found this tutorial helpful!