My Handsome Son

Hi there,

It's Heather here with you today. I will tell you about my layout shortly but first you'll have to put up with me being a proud mum! My son looked so handsome in a suit when he got dressed up for the school formal. He had never worn a suit before. We borrowed it from a friend and it was a perfect fit. I know we girls sometimes like to look nice but it's good that the guys can too. My little boy really is growing up!

Ok, so now that I've got that off my chest I'll tell you about the layout! Here it is:

This is my second layout this month using Scrappy Chat Design's Cheeky Smiles Kit. I love this kit! If you are interested in seeing more techniques using this kit and others, have a think about becoming a Scrappy Chat Designs member. For inquiries email orders.scrappychatdesigns.gmail.com or take a look at the new website here.

I had to be fairly brave to tackle this design! I chose to use this paper as a background even though it's very busy. To mask the busyness, I just swiped black paint over parts of the page. I then cut heaps of frames from one of the other Simple Stories papers and used these on top of the black paint. Yes, I framed my photo with frames!

I sprayed some of the frames with the teal Tumble Dye. I love how these turned out.

The first part of my title is cut from the background paper. The chipboard words are made from the Kaisercraft letters in the kit. I painted them then coated them with Metallic Melts. On the word "school" I made a layer of the red then topped it with white to get a red outline. I kept changing my mind what colour I wanted on the word "formal". There are four different layers under there! I love the way I can just cover a colour with paint and the melts.

Heather
www.heathermcmahon09.blogspot.com.au

New Design Team member announcement and technique post

We have been sitting on some VERY exciting news over the last couple of months... yes we have a new Design Team member that joined us.  Why did we keep it a secret??  Well because we wanted to announce it closer to when her first kit will be released!  We do try to work ahead with kits and release, and having a new Arty Chic is definitely making that happen.

Our new design team member is Fiona Paltridge.  She is a super talented Arty Chic who will be showing her stuff in the form of the premier kits as well as technique sheets e-mailed to members and inspiration on this blog.  We are super excited to have her join the team.

A little about Fiona

My first Scrapping experience was in 1998 when I attended a "Crafty Kids" party (now known as Kaszazz). I bought some 12x12 papers a small black ink pad and two stamps and I've never looked back.

I have evolved as a scrapbooker to what I now like to refer to as a messy scrapper. I use many mixed media techniques in my work along with more traditional scrap booking methods so my hands are often covered in paint, ink sprays or glue. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

I currently design for three Scrapbooking teams. My first ever designing experience was for Kaszazz when they asked to feature some of my creations in their recently published catalogue. This then lead to the creation of my blog "Pastiche Scrapbook Studio" and the confidence to enter some challenges online. From this an offer came to me to join "Off the Rails Scrapbooking" as a DT member. This challenge blog is a new and innovative group with an amazing team of designers and I couldn't believe they wanted me! I soon joined up with it's sister Facebook site "Scrap it With Attitude" an equally exciting venture and suddenly found myself completely absorbed in the world of scrapbooking. All of these amazing experiences have also lead to being featured a few times as a guest Designer for Kreative Koncepts and recently having a piece featured in "Scrapbook Creations" (up coming June edition).

These opportunities have really helped me push my scrapbooking to another level and I am grateful everyday for their support. I love exploring the web to find inspiration. I hope that my work helps to inspire you too.

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To celebrate Fiona joining the team, here is a technique post from her on how she created this fabulous background using the products in the new kit.

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Hello Scrappy friends. Fiona here to share with you my first creation as a new member of the Scrappy Chat Designs Team. When I received the May "Cheeky Smiles" kit from Beck in the mail, I couldn't believe all of the fantastic bits and bobs that was in it. I couldn't wait to start creating!

I'm a bit of a sprays and paints girl so the "Tumble Dye" in the kit got me very excited. I jumped straight into my crazy thinking zone of "What can I do with this?" I wanted the colour to dominate the Layout so I decided it needed to be a background feature.

I began by choosing a fairly basic background stamp. The one I used was a grid stamp but you could also use a script or word stamp or any stamp that uses thin lines such as a honeycomb or journalling lines. You don't want anything that is too blocky or uses a lot of flat surface, if that makes sense.

First step is to add a thinish layer of texture paste over the centre of your white 12x12 card (I wipe mine on with an old credit card) and before it dries, push the stamp into it firmly creating an impression. Make sure you wash your stamp in between pressing it down as the paste clogs it up and you won't get the same clean effect if it's full of gunk.

Once the imprinted texture paste is fully dry, (you can use a heat gun if you're impatient - like me!) spray a light layer of water over it, then spray some of the "Tumble Dye" into a palette tray (mine is super fancy ...... it's a jar lid!) and lightly brush the dye onto your background over the areas where you've stamped an impression. The Dye will run into the cracks and it looks AMAZEBALLS! (I have teenage kids!)

The papers compliment each other perfectly so I chopped them all up! I'm a bit like an apprentice hairdresser when I have a pair of scissors in my hand. I never really know when to stop cutting but it seems to all work out in the end. It may not necessarily be what I had in mind ........ but it's all good.

I loved the circles on the papers. I love circles full stop actually. So I used a toilet roll (yes - VERY expensive must have tool) to add some more circles using watered down paint. The little black paint circles are created by using the lid of the "Tumble Dye" bottle.

I hope you've enjoyed reading my first post for Scrappy Chat Designs. If I've left you wanting more, then full techniques and more detailed pictures are shared with our members. Simply email orders.scrappychatdesigns@gmail.com if you would like to sign up. All of our members, for a three month period for only $135, receive a full kit every month including postage along with 3 video tutorials showing you how to create 3 layouts every step of the way as well as written instructions with photos. But wait .......... there's more! You also receive email technique sheets from the Arty Chics! showing you how they have used the kit and sharing their techniques, tips and tricks with you.

Thank you for stopping by xx

We Just Clicked

Hi There Scrappy Chat Friends,

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

I know I probably say this all the time, but this would have to be my favourite kit!

There are so many options, and heaps of cool products.

This layout is all about inspiration.

I met Stacey Young last year.  Her work is amazing!!

And she turned out to be an awesome person too!

The other inspiration was Fiona Paltridge as she uses watercoloring in some cool ways.

So I combined the two.

Photo + Watercolors and I had heaps of fun!

Here is a close up of some of the fun I had:

Would you like to learn the techniques behind this layout?  Full techniques and more detail pictures are shared with our kit members, so consider signing up to learn how to use many products in different ways.  Membership is $135 for 3 months of kits including postage and mailed out each month to you.  Not only do you get 3 videos and instructions for the 3 layouts that can be created with the kit products learning lots of techniques in the process - you also will receive e-mail technique sheets from the Arty Chic's!

e-mail us at orders.scrappychatdesigns@gmail.com if you would like to sign up for June!

Thanks for stopping in.

Thinking of Mykonos

Hi there,

I have a very bright and cheery layout to share with you today. In fact, it's so bright you might want to get your sunglasses out! This is my first layout using the new Cheeky Smiles kit for Scrappy Chat Designs. This is a fabulous collection with gorgeous papers. All the Simple Stories papers have great patterns on their brand strips and I used a few of these in this design.

Here's my layout:

 I warned you it was bright! I really wanted this bright-colour-on-white effect cos that's what the buildings in Mykonos are like.

In the kit this month was a bottle of s.e.i. Tumble Dye. I've had fun playing with this! First I used a stencil from a previous kit and just sprayed through it. I then flipped the stencil over and stamped with it. I cut out chevrons from one of the Echo Park papers and layered these under the photos cos I wanted the sprayed background to peep between the chevrons.

I coated the Kaisercraft chipboard letters that were in the kit with two shades of ink and coated them with the Metallic Melts from last month's kit. I love how they turned out.

I punched hearts from the papers but also from the Tumble Dye packaging as I loved the colours on it!

My flower arranging was incredibly non-technical. The flowers came in a bunch and I just left them as they were!

I wanted to hide the wire stems though so I found a piece of lace and dyed it with the Tumble Dye. I wore latex gloves and did it in the laundry sink in case the dye was a problem. All went well though. I just sprayed it and scrunched it around in my gloved hands until the lace was coated. I then dried it with paper towels.

Do you want to know how I got that old, scrunched up lace to look so nice? Well I'm very excited to show you how because, drum roll please......., Heather has made her first video! Ok, so technically my son and I made my first video! Well I did the demo and he did everything else - lol!

Anyway, here it is. It's VERY short. I'm not a fan of watching long videos and I figure I have to start somewhere anyway.

Happy Scrappin'!
Heather

Cheeky Smiles kit release & Website launch

Our new kit AND WEBSITE is here!!!

Head on over to the website www.scrappychatdesigns.com.au  to purchase kits and other fun products!  As a launch special I am offering 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50.  Just enter the code launch at the cart to receive your discount.

Now for this month's kit release we have a super fun kit!

This kit features some cool less consumable product and filled with LOADS of techniques to learn!  All teamed up with Simple Stories and Echo Park papers.  Aside from the pattern paper there is Cardstock, full set of Chipbord alphas, a s-e-i Tumble dye spray (a hot new product) punchinella, the prettiest flowers, My Minds Eye enamel dots, sequins, loom bands, buttons and also some ribbon being used in a really creative way!   As you can see this kit is jam packed with product for you to learn and get creative with!   

Spellbinders dies have been used in the creation of the layouts, and whilst not included in the kit, are very easily adapted patterns for those that do not own a die cutting machine.  Dies can be purchased with your kit, so advise if you are interested in these when ordering.  Dies used in this kit are the the doilies set and also the nestabilities hexagons.

You will learn lots of different ways to create interesting backgrounds with the product in the kit.   THREE videos to help you nail all the techniques for each layout that don't have a view by date - you get to watch them forever if you wish!   

Kits are still $39 + Postage with LOADS of value for you money, as it is like doing 3 classes - all in the comfort of your own home!

Here is some more information for those wanting a to know little more information about our kits.

They are self-paced class kits to complete in the comfort of your own home or with a group of friends

Each month there will be LOADS of added inspiration with one of the designers creating 3 layouts of their own style with the kit, and to not leave it there the other two ladies will be sharing some added techniques using the product in the kit, so you can learn more and more!

Each premier kit comes with:

• Video AND  instructions to complete the three layouts
• Feature a many techniques with product to be used well after the life of the kit.  (With all of our kits you will have plenty of product and knowledge to add to future projects)
• Photos of each project including close up detail pictures
• All the product needed to complete the project with a list of additional basic items used such as ink/ paints/gesso/texture paste you will need out of your supplies.

The kits focus on how to use various products teamed up with some pretty paper to compliment them, so there is always less or non-consumable products in our kits, to not only help you complete some beautiful projects, learn many techniques and ways of using the different product as well as taking them well beyond the kit projects.

Kits are $39 + postage and come out monthly

To order visit our website www.scrappychatdesigns.com.au 

Scrappy Chat Designs Kit club Membership (e-mail us to purchase):

This lasts for 3 months is $135 and includes 3 kits at 5% off and postage for all 3 kits (they are released monthly).  As a member you also get ‘insider’ info on what is coming up in the next kit – sometimes even a pic!  You are also guaranteed the kits which do sometimes sell out VERY quickly.  If you are interested in membership, you need to pay the membership fee by the 30^th of the month prior.  So to commence in June (next kit to be released) you need to have your membership fee paid by 30^th May.

Current Kit stocks:

Check out our website for up to date information in kits available.  You can search for kits only by heading to the 'Products' page and selecting 'kits' from the search bar on the left. 

Capture Life!

Hi everyone. It's Heather here today.

Last weekend, my husband and I volunteered to help out at a large fun bike ride. It was a freezing day and it drizzled occasionally but we had a great time. Because the ride wasn't a race, most people just took their time and enjoyed it.

I made this layout of the day using the May sketch for Dusty Attic with some fabulous Dusty Attic chippies and my 'Picture Perfect Today' kit from Scrappy Chat Designs.

Here's the sketch from the uber-talented Nadia Cannizzi.

I had taken plenty of photos on the bike ride day but they were taken on my phone and it was a dull day so the photos weren't the best. I decided to keep them small and use several of them to replace the one large photo in the sketch.

Here's my layout:

I do try to not use Tinby Metallic Melts on every layout I make with chipboard but it's so hard not to! The two products just seem to go hand in hand to me. I used the Melts on all the smaller chippie pieces. With the exception of the Dusty Attic chippies, everything on this page is from this month's Scrappy Chat Designs kit.

Some closies:

Heather.

www.heathermcmahon09.blogspot.com.au

Love this Shot!

*This layout has been removed for publication*

Hi everyone!!

Sandra here with my share of what I created using April's "Picture Perfect Today" Kit.

I thought I might share with you how I created those yummy textured dots on my background using

TINBY DESIGNS  METALLIC MELTS and also how to make your own "enamel" dots using the iRESISTible spray .. BOTH of which come with the kit.

Firstly I gathered these few things

I used the Filter Tips as a stamp.

(I think this is where I should put in a health warning about the damage that smoking can cause to your and your families health.. but hey.. no harm in using them as stamps is there?? :-) )

First load up your tip using the VersaMark

Then stamp on  your layout

Liberally sprinkle with TINBY DESIGNS METALLIC MELTS

Tip the residue back into your container to use again another time.

Melt your dots using your heat gun

On the photo you can see where I accidently (love happy accidents) sprinkled some of the MELTS onto the plasterers tape .. LOVE the effect it gave.. (putting THAT in my memory banks for later. ;-) )

To create the "enamel" dots I simply "plopped" drops of the irRESISTibles onto the layout.

if you allow it to drop onto the page it creates a domed affect.. if you touch the end onto the paper you achieve a flat affect.

Allow the dots to air dry.. if you are impatient like me you will find that all that happens is that it starts to "snap crackle and pop" and you don't get the enamel dot affect.

I also sprayed the irRESISTibles onto the background to create more texture.

LOVE playing with both the MELTS and the irRESISTibles.. and I know you will too!


Thank for stopping by

If you do use one of the fantastic Scrappy Chat Designs kits why not share it with us on the Scrappy Chat designs facebook page ( the link is up the top there on the right) or right here in a comment??
We would LOVE to see it!
So leave us a link and we'll pop around and say hello!

Until next time
Sandra

x



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.