SWAT Challenge: Stamp, Stitch, Spray/Splatter.

SWAT has its new challenge up, The 3 big S's! This time, the challenge is to create a project with Stamping, Stitching,  and Spray/Splatter.

I'm not usually a huge stamper, but I used this challenge to push the boundaries of how I would use stamps on a layout to create interest and dimension. 

I started with a Sassafrass Lass paper as a background, and used some Powder Puff inks to stamp on the circle images. Then, I used a gelato to add some blue and green to the background to add depth. I sprayed the gelato with an alcohol/water mix to soften the lines, and walked away for a while. For me, the challenge of working with spray and water-based media is not overworking the project wet. I have found that messing with things too much creates a muddy mess.

After that dried, I added a mist to get some splatter, and used the stamp with some acrylic paint to create depth in the pattern.

I trimmed the paper, and mounted it on a MME Kaleidoscope paper (Circa 2005- use that stash!!), and began building my layout.

 

I hope you play with us at SWAT!

Scrapbook layout... Face

This layout is celebrating my youngest daughter's stinkface. I always ask her to "Make Mommy's favorite face", and she squishes up her nose and grins.  So stinking cute.

I wanted a fun layout to capture this fun moment between her and I. It is something we do together, which is just our thing. I also was inspired by my friend Jen McDermott. She is a super-talented designer and stamper, so I borrowed some of my favorite of her techniques here.

I incorporated these techniques:
Stamping
Resist Misting
Hidden Journaling
Washi
Vibrant Color

Scrapbook Sketch- Sisters and Friends

I love my two girls. They are so silly together. From the very beginning, they have been the best of friends. Cakes always would sing and talk to Budgie, and as they grew they played more and more. Before Budgie could walk, she always managed to be with her sister, and we couldn't figure out how. Finally, one day I caught Cakes dragging Budgie across the hardwood floor by her foot while she sat. I was both appalled and proud of her. Luckily, Budgie was laughing the whole way, so it clearly was a mutual arrangement between the two.

Now, they are constant companions, and Budgie follows Cakes around doing whatever she is told. Occasionally, she puts her foot down, and gets her way. Together, they make my home such a joyous place.

This layout celebrates them together. I love them each dearly alone, but something about the two of them together as they banter and play is just amazing. I snapped these photos after Cake's holiday concert at school, at Mc Donalds, where we always stop for ice cream after evening school events.

I wanted the layout to feel fun and happy like my girls.

~Venetia

Scrapbook Sketch- Waiting

This is one of those layouts that took forever. I had this really great notion of using an aqua background, which looked amazing with the photos, but the pinks I wanted to use with the pictures looked awful with the aqua. I got 3/4 of the way done with the layout, and I ended up ripping it apart and starting on a new background.  The process took the better part of the afternoon. Luckily, it was a nice day so my girls were happily coloring every inch of our deck with chalk, so I got to enjoy my train wreck in peace. I hate it when an element isn't working on a layout when  the vision I have in my head is so clear of what I want it to be.

The end product worked well for the photos, and kept the focus on her, and I am happy about that. I felt like her little looks and poses tell a story that I didn't want to diminish with a layout. Waiting is very hard when you are three, and you can see her little daydreams on her face, which is magical.

I wanted this layout to look kind of ethereal because the pictures are of my daughter in her own little world waiting for ballet, and I wanted a day-dreamy feel.

Some of my favorite things about this layout are the embellishments.  My daughter's nickname is Budgie, and look at that cute bird brad.  How perfect for her! I also wanted it to be girly, because she loved the color pink.  She was so excited to see me working with these pictures, and she liked the heart brad.

 

If you want the sketch, I have included it, and as always, let me know if you use it!

 ~Venetia

 

Layouts- Scrapbook Sketches from February

Here is all of February for you to enjoy.  Thanks! Please share and link to your layouts if you use a sketch. I'd love to see! Also, let me know what kind of layouts you would like to see sketches for!

Please let me know what you think! Happy March!

~Venetia

 

 

 

Layout- Born This Way

Born This Way by Lady Gaga was one of my youngest daughters first favorite songs. She would sing along in the car with her little voice, and be so happy singing the song. Then, she would wander around the house singing "I'm on the right track baby."

I know the theme of the song and Lady Gaga herself can be polarizing, but I was glad that my daughter found an anthem of self-acceptance for herself.  It is far too early to tell what she will be in the long run, but right now, she is definitely very much herself.

She has very strong opinions, and believes the world should exist in a certain way. Things must be done in a specific order, and when she plays, she is precise. If she is playing restaurant, the only things on the menu are what she says. One time I ordered lobster, and she told me "No. Lobsters are pinchy. You can't have that." Really??? Even in my daughter's imagination I am denied lobster?

I made the layout as a patchwork of things she loves: flowers, butterflies, pink, and polka dots. I adore the way that this has turned out. It is one of my favorite of all time.

I included the sketch. Just for you.


~Venetia

Before & After- Scrapbook Sketch

My oldest, Cakes, decided she wanted to take her ponytails out one day, much to my horror she cut them out.  So she gave herself some awful version of an eighties mullet on a person who had not bathed in months look. I ended up cutting it myself because I didn't want to reward this sort of behavior.


Of course, when you have a child that makes an "interesting" choice, it makes for a fun scrapbook page. I used a mix of My Mind's Eye for this layout. When I was looking at my past few layouts, I noticed I used a lot of rectangles in my layouts, so I challenged myself to use some circles. (Again, finding inspiration by providing limits).

Above, is your sketch. As always have fun, and don't cut your own hair.

~Venetia



Happy-Scrapbook Sketch

Keep reading! The layout sketch is after the jump.

 I don't usually work with all my papers from one collection. I like to mix and match from my stash. This layout is unusual in that I only used Teresa Collins Vintage Finds. I love her designs because they are graphic and clean. For a long time, she used a lot of Pink, Black and White, which was also a big plus for me.

Layout- Silly

 Have you missed my layouts?  I haven’t forgotten my paper crafting hobby! I am just sharing everything including my drawing and painting now. This layout is of my sweet baby (I’m a BIG GIRL Mommy!). I caught a happy face on camera as she played out on the deck last summer. She is wearing a dress, which is very much her, as she requires dresses daily. It was just a great little moment captured from the summer, and I was excited to get to do a layout with my girly about some of her favorite summer things.

I used My Mind’s Eye for this layout, and there are Stella and Rose, So Sophie, Lime Twist, and Kaleidoscope, and Life Stories elements! Yes, I know Kaleidoscope is circa 2005ish? I adore the pink paper from that collection. I bought way too many sheets back in the day, and I pull it out for special occasions, like this layout.

 

I altered (colored in- but doesn't altered sound more sophisticated) the Life stories journaling box to tie it into the layout using Prismacolor pencils. I also inked the edges of the Kalediscope paper to tie it into the darker Stella and Rose floral.

 

Here is the sketch, in case you like the elements together. Let me know if you use it!

 

~Venetia