Brothers Exploring

Hi There Scrappy Chat Friends,

It's Renee here, to share with you a layout I have made using the April Kit.

This is my third layout, out of 3 that I have made using this super trendy kit!!

I always love an opportunity to scrap a layout of my beautiful boys!

I wanted to share with you a couple of the techniques and layers on how I put this layout together.

Step 1. I used the white cardstock from the kit.

I then grabbed the Irresistibles spray and a tray (you can use a small plate) and a cheap nail brush.

Step 2. I knew approximately where all the paper was situated on the layout as I had layered the paper before the first step.  I made a bracket with a pencil, so I knew where the papers were sitting.

I then sprayed the Irresistibiles onto a plate.

I dipped the nail brush into the spray, and made the following pattern.

Step 3. Using the Crafters Workshop Template from the kit, I also added that pattern with green ink.

Then using some stamps from previous Scrappy Chat Designs kits, I added in some various colored

blue inks.  Here is how it turned out.

Step 4.  Then I just added my paper stack and photo.

Step 5.  Add the chipboard fencing wire.

Step 6. Add some of the gridding from the kit to the top left and bottom right of the photo.

Step 7.  Add some sprayed gridding to the left and right of the page.

Step 8.  I added a little wound up navy blue cotton (found it in my sewing kit).

Step 9. Add your title and then journal.

And you are done!!!!

A very simple layout.

Here are a couple of close-ups.

I had a massive amount of fun with this layout and I was super happy with how it turned out.

You can see how fantastic the kits are, as we have all made very different layouts,

in a range of colours.

Thanks for stopping in.

And don't forget to check back on Sunday night, when the very talented

Sandra Wallace shares another layout with you.

Little Me - Step by Step

Hi There Scrappy Chat Friends,

It's Renee here, to share with you a layout I have made using the April Kit.

This is my second layout, out of 3 that I have made using this super trendy kit!!

Love the colors I got to play with in this layout.

Thought I would make this post a step by step for the background.

As you can see, I used the patterned paper as the backing sheet, but I cut the centre out to mat the photo.

Then I cut 10mm off all sides of the Kaiser cardstock.

Step 1. I used white gesso to create the start of the background.  I used a sponge to begin with.

Making the pattern as per the picture below.

Step 2.  I was not happy with the color that I ended up with.  I found the color from the cardstock

ran into the gesso and it came out orange instead of white. 

So I decided to try a fixative on the page to stop the color running.

When you spray the fixative, make sure you go outside, it is really strong.

Step 3.  You only need to let this fixative dry for 10 minutes.

Not happy with the sponging, I decided to use a paint brush to get a more even 

shading of the white gesso.

I allowed it to dry.

Some of the color still ran and it was a little orange still, but I was beginning to like where it was going.

I then thought it may be a good idea to incorporate the light pink into it.

I used a Faber Castell gelato - (the color was guava).

I used it like a crayon over the white areas.

Then with a wet paintbrush, I blended it in.

Step 4.  I thought it was time to bring some black into the background.

I decided to use black gesso (but you can also use black paint) and textured paste.

I mixed them together to get a paste.

And using the stencil, I made the following pattern.

Now this was all trial and error.

My paste was too thin and it smudged into the pattern and under the stencil.

Allow to dry.

Once it was dry I thought that it looked a little funky and I was happy with the outcome.

Step 5.  I wanted to make some shapes on the background, to give the layout some shapes.

I used some square shapes and drew around them with my Faber-Castell black PITT big brush pen (but you could use a sharpie).

I used the cardboard from the back of an October Afternoon 7 x 7 paper pad.

I also used two acrylic stamp blocks as well.

Step 6.  I used black ink to go around the border of my patterned paper background. 

Then my layout background.

Then stick the background onto the patterned paper.

Step 7. Matt photos and use all the embellishments that I had cut out of the patterned paper from the kit.

And black ink around those borders too.

Step 7. Adhere all the paper pieces.

Attach your title.

Journalling is on the bottom of the background.

And I added some Shimmerz spots at the end.

And you are done.

Here are a couple of close-ups.

Had loads of fun making this layout.

I was tested a few times as I thought I had wrecked my layout a couple of times.

But you can always make modifications to adjust it if you need to.

Young & Free

Hi There Scrappy Chat Friends,

Today I would love to share with you a layout I have made using the March Kit.

This would have to be one of my favourite kits so far!

I love all the bright colors.

I have got lots of different techniques I wanted to share with you, 

that I had fun with from the kit.

The first is the arrows on the layout.

I made the arrows using the washi tape sheets in the kit, and two toothpicks.

To start with I cut two triangles the same size from the chevron washi sheet.

Then using the grid sheet I cut the tail of the arrow.

I used the toothpicks and stuck the triangles on the end,

and the tail on the other end.  I then cut a fringe in the tail of the arrow.

Here is a close-up:

On this layout, I also made the word FREE using the wire.

I wrote the word "free" on a sheet of paper to use as a template.

I then started bending the wire in the same way as the template.

I did have to fiddle alot and also go back and twirl some wire around different parts of the word.

Here is how it worked out.

When I stuck it onto my layout I realised that it didn't stand out the way I needed it to.

So, I went over the wire with some black ink.

Here are some more close-ups of the layout.

I made the frames myself too.

I sat my photo onto the paper, leaving an inch around the photo and an inch and a half at the bottom.

That way it looked like a frame.

I used lots of stamping on the layout as well.

I loved the stamps in the kit.  

They feature on the top and bottom of my layout.

And around the frames

and another close-up:

Thanks for stopping in.

And don't forget to check back on Thursday night, when the very talented

Heather McMahon shares another layout with you.

How to Make a Background with your December Kit

Hi There,

Renee here with a technique to share with you, using the December Kit.

I love this kit, it is filled with loads of inspiration.

The colours are perfect and you get a Pan Pastel and Liquid Pearls.

I have made a layout using this kit, and have a few tips on how you can create your own background using the pan pastel that was featured in the kit.

Here is my layout:

Here is how I started the background.

You need to use the white cardstock from the kit.  Cover it in gesso.

You can use a paintbrush, or a foam brush and even a brayer.

Allow to dry or use a heat gun.

Once dry you need to use a sponge or your finger to spread the pan pastel all over the page.

Darker in the top right and bottom left.

Here is what it looked like.

Next you need to grab a 12 x 12 stencil.

I used the Prima Triangle Stencil.

I used a Tattered Angels Glimmermist - Key Lime Pie, but just find a matching mist to the papers.  OR you could take some of the liquid pearls and add it to a mini mister with water, shake and create your own spray!

Spray and leave to dry or use your heat gun.

Then I got another stencil.

I used the Prima 6 x 6 Lattice stencil.

And the Tattered Angel Glimmermist - Burnt Red, but once again just find a spray to match the paper.

Allow to dry or use your heat gun.

Then I got a water spray, and spray water all over the page.

I also used my brayer to spread it around.

Some of the color drips and fades what you stencilled but that was what I was after.

Then using the same Prima 6 x 6 stencil.

I used gesso and stamped it onto the stencil in the top left and bottom right of the page.

It won't be perfect as the gesso is quite runny, but that is fine.

Then because the triangles are faded, I found a PITT pencil in a similar colour and coloured them in.  

Not all of them but the areas I wanted it to stand out.

Then it is time to construct your layout.

And journal.

There are so many funky elements in this kit to use and fussy cut out.

I found some lettering in my stash to match the papers.

And used some Liquid Pearls for zig zags and to smear behind the papers.

All done!

'Merry Christmas to you' kit is still available if you would like to give a try at creating your own take from the kit - just $39 + postage.  

E-mail orders.scrappychatdesigns@gmail.com to place your order.