Photoplay Paper - Holly & Ivy - Ho Ho Ho

Hi everyone!

Claire here today with another fun festive layout using the Holly & Ivy collection from Photoplay.

I'm loving creating with this collection. The colours and patterns are so beautiful and the ephemera includes so many adorable pieces as you'll see in my layout. Let's jump in...! 

I started with a piece of Premium White cardstock and lightly applied a coat of Gesso to prime the surface as I knew I wanted to add mixed media. Whilst it was drying, I cut four large snowflakes from the Noel paper. This is one of my favourites in the collection - a gorgeous traditional red tartan - a pattern I really enjoy at Christmas. I cut my snowflakes on my cricut but you could replicate the design with any large shapes of your choosing, perhaps using dies or hand draw for that extra special hand crafted feel.

Once the gesso had dried, I grabbed some gold watercolour paint and applied it with a brayer, mostly in the centre of the page, but also created pols of colour top right and bottom left to act as an anchor for some clusters i'd be adding later. I also added some random background stamping using a stamp from my stash. You can find similar in the shop here.

I mounted my photo three times to pull in those pretty patterns and colours from the Holly (a and b sides) and the Santa Supply Co papers, and adhered the photo on foam to the centre of the page. Around the sides, I added my snowflakes, sticking just the centre to the page so I could lift the edges to create dimension.

Using some of the Element Stickers, I added fun centres to the middles of the two main snowflakes to help them stand out. Next, I just had to use that gorgeous Christmas lodge sticker and the fun Ho Ho Ho title, placing them around my photo corners to draw the eye into the picture.

With my final snowflake, I cut it in half, placing one top right and the other bottom left. To the top, I made a small banner from the 'This house believes' sticker and adding an eyelet and string.

To the bottom cluster, I  added some foliage, a candy cane and green snowflake sticker pulling in all the colours of the collection.

As a final touch, I added some tiny star stickers from the Element Sticker sheet across each cluster in both red ad black, and sprinkled some gold Pinkfresh Studio Gold Jewel Essentials.

I hope you've enjoyed my posts with this beautiful collection. Don't forget to check it out in the shop here.

All that leaves is for me to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Claire xx

@scrappysoulmate

Forever - 49 and Market - Krafty Garden Collection

Hi everyone, it's Rebecca with you and today I am sharing my first layout created using the beautiful Krafty Garden collection from 49 and Market. It's another stunning collection designed by Katie Pertiet, so it's full of the stunning florals and foliage I love so much! You can find the collection in the shop here.

I selected the Vintage Symphony patterned paper for my background - the 49 and Market papers are perfect for backgrounds because they have subtle details such as inking and faux stitching that help to elevate my layouts. To my background, I added some torn strips of patterned papers. I selected the gorgeous blue striped paper because the shade of blue matched my photo perfectly. I wanted my photo to be central on the page, and to help draw the eye to it, I've housed it in one of the Stacked Frames. 

Behind my photo, I've layered some of the Ephemera Bits, selecting larger pieces with some stamped text on them. I love to have lots of layers on my layouts as it helps to create depth and gives the eye so much to look at.

Either side of my photo, I've embellished using pieces from the Chipboard Set and Laser Cut Out Elements. I've built on these clusters using some tags and the gorgeous picket fence, which runs through the centre of my photo just like the fence in my photo. 

To add further detailing to my background, I've used the exciting new 49 and Market and Sizzix stamps. Using a Stazon Ink Pad in Dove Grey, I've stamped some leaves in two corners of my central design, and on the opposite outer corners of the background. On top of this, I've applied some of the Blendable Rub Ons. 

Thank you for reading. I hope my layout helps to inspire you. Don't forget to check out this beautiful collection in the shop, and also the full range of 49 and Market and Sizzix Dies and Stamps here.

Take care,

Rebecca x

@preciouspagespapercraft

February Papermaze Kit - Part 1

Lynn here today with a lovely, romantic new Papermaze Kit for February. I have created four layouts using this kit and here are the first two.

Patterned Papers:
Mintay Papers - Happy Birthday collection - MT-HAB-05
Stamperia - Roseland collection - Flowers
Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Love Story collection - 2x2/4x4 Elements & My Heart
Simple Stories  - Fresh air collection - Fresh Start
Cocoa Vanilla Studio - Happy Days - Little Blossom

Bazzill Basics Cardstock - Cherry Splash and Walnut Cream (included in the kit). Yukon Gold, Blossom, Flintstone and Sea Glass (extra Bazzill pack).

Embellishments:
3 wooden hearts, 12" lace, 5 water droplet unicorn hearts, 1 exclusive acrylic word, vellum, 2 Simple Stories Chipboard Clusters, 1 strip of Pinkfresh enamel dots, 5 P13 tickets and a selection of word stickers.

Always - one of the official photos from my daughter's wedding.

I created the mixed media background on the Walnut Cream Bazzill using Distress Oxide Inks of several shades of red and pink, watered down on the craft mat, and transferring it to the card on a scrap of acetate. Once dry I stamped the word 'love' several times with Distress Oxide Ink and some old cling foam alphabet stamps from Tim Holtz (Idea-ology Type Lower). I spritzed the letters with water to allow them to oxidise further.

Once the ink was dry, I stamped with 49 and Market - Gabi's Stitches Clear Stamp Set, and Onyx Black Versafine ink (any water-resistant ink can be used).

I cut some of the images from the '2x2/4x4 Elements' paper and layered these with the photograph on top.

The Papermaze February Kit exclusive acrylic word was added as my title to the bottom right of the layout.

From the kit I added more embellishments, including the water droplet hearts, wooden hearts and mini word stickers.

Other gems and water droplets were added from my stash.


Happy Together - This layout shows my nephew and his girlfriend on holiday.

I started this layout (inspired by Paige Evans), by cutting a large heart from the centre of the Sea Glass Bazzill. With the cut out, I drew around the heart, onto a scrap sheet of 12" x 12". I used this to work out where the scalloped shapes would need to go, and a few lines helped me to line the up too.

I cut scalloped strips approx. 0.75 deep, in strips about 11" wide from the 'Little Blossom' and 'Fresh Start' papers. I used both sides of the papers to vary the patterns and stuck them sown in overlapping rows. Once the heart shape was covered I added the heart cut-out sheet over the top of the scrap sheet and glued this on place.

I glued the photo in place, then added a fine lace trim around the heart edge.

I made three clusters of flowers, using paper flowers from my stash to match the paper colours. I layered up the flowers, then used brads to hold the layers together and attach the flowers to the page.

From the Bazzill heart shape left over, I punched some leaf fronds, and inked them with some Distress Ink to make them a slightly darker shade. I added these to the flower clusters.

I added a title using Doodlebug Designs Loopy Lou cardstock stickers in Lily White. To make the letters stand out, I drew around the edges with a black marker pen.

That's all for today. back with more soon.
Thanks for looking.
Lynn x

Stay Wild - Mintay Papers - The Great Outdoors Collection

Hi everyone, and happy new year! Rebecca with you today sharing my first layout of 2024! This year I am determined to try new things and I'm kicking this off with a collection from Mintay Papers! It's a new brand to me having never created with it before and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. The quality of the papers is really impressive - nice and thick with good quality die cut ephemera to match. I chose to work with 'The Great Outdoors' as I was drawn to the outdoorsy feel and the neutral colours. You can find the collection in the shop here.

I begun with Paper 05, tearing a strip to sit horizontally across my layout. I then tore 2 thin strips of the reverse of this paper to sit above and below to provide some contrast. The photo I'm scrapping here is of my son in a wildllife hideout in the woods. We were trying to stay quiet so that he could see an elusive red squirrel! I wanted to translate this onto the layout, so selected Paper 01 and fussy-cut the trees from it, which I positioned either side of my photo.

Using the Paper Die Cuts, I built clusters either side of my photo. Sadly, there are no red squirrels in this collection, but I felt that the bear and stag worked well as we saw plenty of wildlife in the woods. 

With my Cameo 4, I cut a viewfinder from Paper 04, cut it in half and used it above and below my torn paper strips.

For my title, I added an acrylic perspextive from my stash. At this point, I was going to call the layout finished, but I felt like it needed something more. I decided on some mixed media. It's been a long time since I indulged in some messiness so I made the decision to go 'all out'.

I began with my brayer and Distress Oxides in the shades Rustic Wilderness, Iced Spruce and Forest Moss. After applying the inks to some packaging, I spritzed with water and then ran my brayer over the ink. I then rolled this over a sheet of Premium White Cardstock. On top of this, I added some stencilling using a star stencil. I wasn't too keen on how this looked, so ended up covering most of it up with more ink! To finish off, I added some stamping using various different stamps and my Staz On black ink pad.

Once the inks and stamping was all dry, I was able to move everything back onto the page. Luckily, I'd stuck everything together initially, but not to the page. This meant I could easily move everything off and back on again in one single piece. 

To finish off the layout, I added two raw chipboard leaf clusters from Dusty Attic. To elevate them, I covered them in Nuvo Crystal Drops in the shade Bottle Green. I love how this looks - it cracked slightly as it dried which gives it the same effect as crackle paste! 

And yes... eventually we did see a red squirrel!

I hope you've enjoyed this layout. I really enjoyed working with something different and trying a new brand. I'll be back later in the month with a second layout.

Take care,

Rebecca x

@preciouspagespapercraft

Simple Stories - Simple Vintage Life in Bloom - Today

Hi everyone,

Claire back with you today, and I'm sharing my second layout made with the Simple Stories Simple Vintage Life in Bloom collection.

In contrast to my first layout, today I'm focusing on the blue and aqua tones in the collection, with pops of pink, purple and yellow to add some vibrancy.

I started with a piece of Premium White Cardstock and applied a thin coat of clear gesso to prep the page for some mixed media.

I reached for some turquoise, green and aqua watercolours, applying them to my page with a brayer. I applied each colour one by one, making sure it was dry before applying the next, avoiding any of the colours getting 'muddy'. 

Once each colour was dry, I applied some white modelling paste through a Vicki Boutin Fernwood stencil.

For a little extra detail, I took a script stamp from my stash and added a few patches of stamping in Black Momento ink. 

I selected this beautiful floral frame from the Chipboard Frames pack and honestly, it's so striking, it really doesn't need much else to make an impactful page.

For extra definition, I raised it on foam and inserted my photo, adhering it to the mixed media background.

I like the colours against the black and white photo so opted for a bold black title from the Foam Stickers.

At this point, I really liked the layout, and wanted to add just a few small embellishments so as not to overpower the page.

I opted for a leaf and a teal coloured flower that you can see in the image above, along with a small butterfly, all of which came from the Floral Bits & Pieces pack.

In the opposite corner of the frame, I added a 'magical purple butterfly' element from the Bits & Pieces pack and a tiny foam heart from the Foam Stickers.

A little further down on the left, I added another butterfly again raising on foam for extra movement.

I decided to add just one last small butterfly from the Sticker Book to bring a pop of purple to the right hand side of the design.

I really didn't think the page needed anything else, as the frame was so beautiful. It made a big impact with just a few small additions - making this collection go a really long way!

I've thoroughly enjoyed creating with this collection and hope you've been inspired to create with it.

See you next month!

Claire xx

@Scrappysoulmate

Make a Splash - Pretty Little Studio - Sunkissed Collection

Hi everyone, Rebecca with you today. I hope you’ve all been enjoying the beautiful weather. It’s been scorching here for a couple of weeks now so the pool has been filled and we are diving right into summer! Today I am scrapping some recent pool photos using the colourful Sunkissed collection from Pretty Little Studio. You can find the collection here.

I absolutely loved the centre part of the ‘Relaxation’ patterned paper, but a couple of the colours/patterns weren’t really working with my photo - so I decided to cut the sheet apart and rebuild it onto white cardstock just using the sections that worked for me! I cut out the middle section, leaving the design in two parts - which I then stuck back together!

I’d already selected the title ‘Make a Splash’ from the ‘Iced Tea Words Die Cuts’ which has bold black lettering - so I decided to bring in some more black to add a bit of drama. I pulled out some stamps from my stash and created a stamped background for my coloured strips to sit on. 

With a layer of foam behind my coloured strips, I stuck them centrally on my page. I then added my photo, title and a couple of scalloped border die cuts from the ‘Happy Blossoms’ pack on top  

Not wanting to go overboard and add too much, I embellished lightly with a couple of hearts and arrows, and finished off with some of the ‘Taste of Summer White’ and ‘Taste of Summer Rainbow’ word stickers. 

I love how effective the pops of black are on this layout in contrast with the bright colours and I hope you like it too. 

Make sure you check out this collection in the shop - there are so many bits and pieces with it and it’s such a fun collection for summer layouts.

Thanks for reading.

Take care,

Rebecca x

@preciouspagespapercraft