Wednesday 26 June 2024

Echo Park - Summer Vibes - Summer Vacation

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Papermaze blog,

Today I'm back to share my second layout made with the Summer Vibes collection from Echo Park. You can find it in the shop here.


I'm really enjoying working with this collection - the colours in particular are right up my street. They're warm and earthy and work well for beach retreats and lazy summer days, it's a really easy collection to create with.

This time, I'm using it to document a poolside photo from my recent trip away.

I started with a piece of Premium White cardstock and added a thin layer of gesso to prime the paper as I knew I wanted to add mixed media.

While the gesso dried, I selected four patterned papers and cut them into triangles by cutting them into 4" squares and then halving and halving again. I chose:


I adhered these to the page to create a column down the right hand side, alternating patterns to replicate a patchwork effect.

Along the outer right edge, I stuck a long wave sticker from the Element Stickers to soften the edge and reinforce the watery feel of the page.


Next, I double mounted my photos using blue, yellow and orange patterned papers:

Once I had decided where the photos would sit, I added some watercolour paint in blue for my photos to sit on.  This helped to extend the swimming pool in my photos directly on to the page. I love this effect.


I waited for it to dry before placing my photos, and then I started with the embellishments. I created two small clusters, one either side of my photos. 


The cluster on the left uses stickers from the Element Stickers, with some laying flat and some on foam for dimension. I particularly love that fun umbrella so positioned it slightly over the photo to draw the eye in.



I used the cluster on the right to house my title, mixing Element Stickers and Chipboard Phrases to add interest and texture to the page.



To ensure the design was cohesive, I lay the title (made from Chipboard Phrases) right across the top of my photos, extending on to the patterned paper panel, drawing all elements on the page together, and I love how this looks - that title really has my heart!



And with that, the page is complete!

I hope you've enjoyed this blog, and are enjoying the Summer Vibes! 

Until next time, happy scrapping! 

Claire x
@scrappysoulmate
 



Monday 24 June 2024

Pretty Little Studio - Good Vibrations - Gardeners World Live

Hello, Karen here with a multi-photo layout to share using the Good Vibrations collection from Pretty Little Studio 

I started with a sheet of black and white paper from the 12x12 paper pack and after trimming 1/4 inch from each edge I matted it onto a sheet of black 12x12 cardstock leaving a narrow border.

I then tore a couple of strips from a sheet of the Happiness paper and placed these at the top and bottom of the layout.

I printed three photo collages to just under 6x4 with 6 photos on each. The collages were then placed side by side across the centre of the layout. 

To create some embelishments, I fussy cut flowers from the Think Positive paper. In my stash I found some matching embroidery threads and using three strands of thread stitched onto the fussy cut flowers using a Lazy Daisy stitch. I love the texture this added to the flowers.

The stitched flowers were placed horizontally across the layout in roughly rainbow order and I added some 3D foam underneath each flower to add some extra dimension.

Below the flowers, the title was added using letters die cut from black cardstock.

On the computer I printed my journalling on white cardstock, put it into one of the frames from the Picture Day Frames Die-Cuts pack and tucked the framed journalling behind the photos at the top of the layout.

I matted one of the Seize the Day Die-Cuts with black cardstock and then placed this beside the journalling with 3D foam underneath.

I hope I have inspired you with this layout and will be back again soon with another project.

Take Care

Karen x x

 


Friday 21 June 2024

Seaside Vibes - Mintay Papers - Coastal Memories

Hi everyone, it's Rebecca with you today, sharing my second layout created with the stunning Coastal Memories collection by Mintay Papers. The gorgeous aqua mixed with neutral tones make this collection perfect for beachy photos with white sand and blue ocean. You can shop the full collection here.


The horizonal lines in my photo inspired me to use the stripy side of Paper 02. After trimming a piece measuring 8 inches wide, I tore along the top and bottom to create some texture, and distressed all the edges with the blade of my scissors. I adhered this flat to the centre of a sheet of Premium White Cardstock using double sided tape. 

I took my 3x4 inch photo and mounted it on two shades of Bazzill cardstock from the Bazzill Matchmaker Pack to help it stand out on the page. Underneath my photo, I placed a floral cluster which I'd fussy-cut from Paper 01. I adore the nautical themed elements in this cluster.

I love that these clusters are so big that they embellish a lot of the layout for me! I used a craft knife to cut out the more intricate details, and then raise the entire cluster up on foam pads.


I embellished further using elements from the Paper Die Cuts, layering some of them on top of my fussy-cut cluster to add some depth and dimension, and nestling some around my photo. 


For my title, I've used some of the Paper Word Stickers, raised up on foam pads.


I then added some of the smaller word stickers in 3 areas on my background to create a 'visual triangle' around my photo. I love how well these phrases work with my photo.


To bring in a bit more texture, I took 1/4 inch off each side of my background, distressed the edges and then backed the layout with Paper 04. I like how this ties everything on the layout together and frames the page.

Thanks for reading! I hope you like the layout I've created. Don't forget to check out the Coastal Memories collection in the shop.

Take care,

Rebecca x

@preciouspagespapercraft


Thursday 20 June 2024

June crop

It's our June crop on Saturday (the 22nd), and it looks like it's going to be a sunny one!  Our lovely crop kit has been designed for us by Michelle and features lots of circles!


All the usuals will be there - a table of punches and dies, homemade cakes and of course a discount in the shop.  It all happens at Otley Village Hall between 10am and 4pm and costs just £5 for the day.  If you'd like to join us, just send me an email!




Friday 14 June 2024

Echo Park - Summer Vibes - Vacay Vibes

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to the Papermaze Blog! It's Claire here with you today and this month I am working with the Summer Vibes collection from Echo Park.

This is a really beautiful collection, full of warm tones, fun patterns and lots of ephemera perfect for documenting a wide range of summer memories.

For my first layout, I'm scrapping some photographs of a visit to a local restaurant on a recent trip away. The photographs have lots of warm orange tones, greens, blues and yellows and seemed to match this collection so beautifully, I couldn't resist!

I started with a piece of smooth white Bazzill Cardstock in Coconut Swirl which came with the Matchmaker Pack.

I cut four strips of patterned paper with approximate sizes as follows:

I distressed the edges of each piece ad drew a white border around the outside. For extra interest, I used a punch to add some decorative elements to the 2nd and 4th strip.  To create a shadow, I adhered each strip to my page with foam tape, replicating the evening shadows from the sun.



To draw your eye into the photos, I used a piece of 4x4 Journaling Cards and Pool Pals papers to double mount the photos, pulling the different colours in the collection together.



I created two clusters on either side of the photos, mixing materials by using the Element Stickers and Sticker Book, along with some icons from the Chipboard Phrases.





I complemented this with some small phrases from the Element Sticker sheet, raising some on foam and sticking some flat.



For my title, I opted for this fun Vacay Vibes piece from the Chipboard Phrases, layering stickers underneath. For a little extra drama, I also added a long border sticker from the Sticker Book along the top edge of the Tropical Vibes paper which takes your eye across the page to the title.



I love how this turned out. It's been so much fun to create with this collection, and I'm looking forward to sharing another layout with you soon.

Check out the collection in full here.

Happy Scrapping!

Claire x
@scrappysoulmate

Wednesday 12 June 2024

Papermaze June Kit - Part 1

Lynn here today, introducing the Papermaze Kit for June. Lots of bright colours this month for those summery layouts.
Here are my first two layouts, both with some machine stitching.


 
Patterned papers:
American Crafts - Rainbow Avenue - My Feelings
Echo Park - My Little Girl - Pretty Girl Plaid & Bright Floral
Pinkfresh Studio - Picture Perfect - Write your Story
Pinkfresh Studio - The simple things - Rays of Sunshine
Simple Stories - Summer Snapshots - Take the Shot

The image below shows both sides of each of the papers included in the kit.

Embellishments: 1/2 sheet Paige Evans Blooming Wild puffy stickers, Strip of Vicki Boutin Speciality Acetate Discover and Create, 1 Paige Evans Blooming Wild Chipboard Mini Frame, 4 Doodlebug Designs All Aflutter butterfly shape stickers, 3 Masterpiece Design '12 months label mix', 3 Pretty Little Studio ephemera pieces Sunkissed - Smell the Flowers, Pinch of Pinkfresh clear drops - Blush, & Strip of Doodlebug Designs washi tape - Bunny Hop Pastel Plaid.


Bazzill Basics - Coconut Swirl & Classic Yellow (included in kit). Passionate, Aqua, Marmalade Blast & Wild Pansy (in Extra Bazzill Pack)

Merry Go Round - A recent trip to Bressingham Gardens and Steam Museum with my brother and SIL, we just had to ride on the Gallopers!


I started this layout, by trimming the white Bazzill to 11" x 11", then I cut a 7.5" circle from the cardstock, roughly 1" in from the top and the left. I used a sewing machine and orange thread to sew a line around the edge of the card, and wavy lines around t cut-out. The cardstock was then mounted over the PFS
Rays of Sunshine paper.


I positioned my photos to the right of the layout, and set about the embellishments and title.


I cut small triangles from the scraps of cardstock left from preparing the original piece. Cutting more from the
Marmalade Blast Bazzill. These were doubled up to create a shadow under each flag, I strung them over the top of the circle to create a bunting effect, adding some twine. I used 3D foam pads to raise the flags from the page. I used Mint Doodlebug Designs Alphabet Soup stickers to add part of the title to the flags.


I made a cluster of labels using the
3 Masterpiece Design '12 months label mix from the kit. I wrote my journalling onto these labels.



The word 'Merry' was cut three times using the Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlit set - Merry & Bright. I used Passionate, Marmalade Blast & Wild Pansy Bazzill from the kit. These words were glued together slightly off-set from one another. This was placed at the top of the circle.


Butterflies were added to the top right of the page using the All Aflutter butterfly shape stickers from the kit.

I created the 'The Gallopers' with more Alphabet Soup - this time the Tangerine set. Two tiny hearts from both sets of these alpha stickers were placed in the label cluster.

Finally, I scattered some iridescent sequins over the page in colours to match the papers.

The Show Must Go On - Whatever the Weather - Catherine and her colleague working on the summer show for children in the Abbey ruins near where she lives. Mostly the weather was good to them, but there were a few days of rain!


The base for this page is the 'B' side of EP
Pretty Girl Plaid. I started by creating my rainbow using strips of paper cut from PSF Write your Story. I cut a stripe of each colour from this paper, then I chopped them into 1" long pieces. I arranged them into a rainbow arc and stuck them to the page. I machine stitched with purple thread over each colour.



With some black cardstock I created my title using the Cricut, and arranged some of these over the rainbow and some just beneath it.


My photo was mounted onto some white card and placed into position. I also cut a few clouds from white card to use as journalling blocks and added these to the right of the photo. I inked the edges first.


Rain was made, using Assorted Water Droplets also available at Papermaze.  I used two of flowers from the Paige Evans Blooming Wild puffy stickers fin the kit.


Finally, I cut some words from PFS Write your Story paper, I inked the edges and applied them around the top of the rainbow.

That's all for today, I will return with part two soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Friday 7 June 2024

Pretty Little Studio - Good Vibrations - Sweet Memories

Hello, Karen here. Today I am sharing another layout using Pretty Little Studio's Good Vibrations collection. This collection is so bright and colourful with lots of amazing papers and embelishments. 

When I saw the Right Now paper it immediately made me think of paint sample cards you can pick up at the DIY store. That thought as well as the colours inspired me to create a layout using some photos of my daughter finger painting.

I started by trimming ¼" from each edge of a 12x12 sheet of smooth white cardstock and layered this onto a sheet of smooth black cardstock leaving a narrow border. 

Seven multicoloured strips were cut from the Right Now paper and I placed them horizontally onto the layout. 

Before sticking the paper strips to the layout, I took watercolour paints in all the colours and splodged some onto the layout where the strips would be, making sure that the correct colour was under each section of the strips - green under green, blue under blue, pink under pink, etc.. I tried to sure that some of the paint would be peeking out from the edges of each strips.

Once the paper strips were stuck down, I machine stitched a few ziz-zag stitches here and there with black thread. I like the texture this adds to the layout.

Two 6x4 photos were matted onto some of the Happiness paper and the photos were added to the layout with 3D foam underneath.

In the Seize the Day Die Cuts pack I found a round 'Go with the Flow' die cut which made a perfect sub title.

The main title, placed in the bottom left corner of the layout, was from an older sheet of American Crafts Phrase Thickers. It was actually from a Christmas collection (Vicki Boutin's Peppermint Kisses) which shows that you shouldn't assume that Christmas supplies are only for Christmas projects. 

To embellish the layout I die cut some stars from a sheet of paper in the 12x12 single sided paper pack and added them to the layout with 3D foam underneath.

Finally I splattered some black acrylic paint onto the layout, to add to the messy theme of the layout, and added the date with some grungy rub on numbers from my stash.

Thank you for dropping by. I'll be back soon with another project.

Take Care, Karen x x