A Steampunk Canvas

Finally!!! I am all organised for Christmas and now I can do a little catch up here, so that 2016 can be started afresh with new exciting designs. 

It feels so long since I last got back to this little blog, so for that I do apologise. So lets get on with it shall we?

It has been a while since I have done a scrapbook page and this is the reason.... I have been inspired by the fabulous steampunk designs by Scrap FX for last month!

These latest designs are just awesome!

I have used them to create 3 canvases and here is the first one, using the Large Steampunk Bird:

I have used lots of chippies old and new from  my Scrap FX stash and some metal bits and pieces to create layers a plenty!

The bird comes in 2 pieces so that it is so easy to decorate! Even the cog eye comes out ready to colour separately.

It is so much fun to combine metal and chipboard creating a cohesive piece using paint, ink and embossing powder.

So that is canvas number 1, stay tuned for the second in the series!

And if I don't get back to this before Christmas, have a very Merry One Everyone and a fabulous New Year!!!

Stay Safe People!

A Special Journal

Hi Everyone,

I am back to share a special project that I created as part of being a Scrapbooking Memories Master earlier this year. We were asked to create a journal with a decorated cover and a page or 2 inside. The journal was to be given (after being published in the magazine) to a worthy and appreciative recipient who was fighting terminal cancer.

Having a close friend go through the fight of her life a few years ago, I found this task to be a very important one. It became a labour of love, even though I would probably never know who received it in the end, it was just so imperative that I had to just get it just RIGHT (yep I love putting pressure on myself)!

Here is the finished project:

This journal was very difficult to start but once I got going was probably the most rewarding, heartfelt and satisfying project I have completed. 

The front and back covers.

My first step was to ask my friend what she thought helped her through the toughest journey of her life, she then the sea of quotes began!

Here is the back of the front cover, (I added the envelope) and the first divider/pocket.

We were only required to decorate the cover and a page or 2 but I just could not stop! I wanted to put so much into this project. So together we finally got the quotes down to a manageable number, then it was time to find the perfect journal to work with. I wanted something with lines as well as pockets or dividers to decorate. After a thorough search I found the perfect fit...at Typo! A journal with Kraft dividers that were pockets as well and lots of lined pages ready to be used.

I then proceeded to decorate each pocket and divider page, and also pop a quote card inside each one, yes I did have a lot to say!

Back of the first divider/pocket.

Divider 2.

Back of divider 2

Divider 3

Back of Divider 3.

Inside the back cover.

It was an emotional moment when I gave it to my friend to give it the seal of approval before sending it away. We both found ourselves in tears, then I knew..... I had achieved what I had set out to do! Even as I write this, I am keeping my tears at bay (a little unsuccessfully)!

Well thanks for listening to my emotional rambling, I will back again soon!

"Wild & Free"

So much to catch up on! I am sharing a canvas that I created last month for Scrap FX. 

I was inspired by the Primitive Heart chippy and instantly knew what I wanted to do with it, create a canvas!

This is actually a canvas within a canvas, I used the back of the canvases to create a Shallow shadow box effect.

I added loads of texture using Dry wall tape, crackle paste by Viva Decor (my Fave!) as well as glass micro beads.

The heart and mini Alphas are embossed with Stampendous enamel to make it look like they are made of twigs (well I tried).

The colour is Lindys Stamp Gang Sprays and acrylic paint by Golden.

My Blue bird is painted with Metallic Paint by Viva Decor and I added a little texture by adding a little heavy Gesso.

I used a few metal bits and pieces I had in my stash, threw some paint around and the job was done!

Thanks for dropping by and do come again! 

As always comments are treasured so thanks if you decide to leave me one!

Work for Scrap FX.

Hi All,
I was just about to write up a new post when I realised I forgot to show you a few bits and pieces from last month that I created for Scrap FX.
Soooo I guess I had better do a catch up post!
 First is a LO I did using that awesome Blooming Feather Scrap FX released last month!

I have used Black as the background once again, just love how dramatic it makes the page!



I have also used the Fireworks Stencil with Glitter paste in the background, I love the combination of pattern in this stencil.

I cut the Butterfly Circle Frame chippy and saved the butterflies for later, I just love the frame part as it did not fight for attention with the feather, it just WORKED!

The feather was painted then I used a stamp roughly for a random impression then added embossing powder for a little dimension.

After the splashing colour around then adding some scrap layers the page was "full on" but done!

So that is it, I have a fair bit of catching up to do so stay tuned!!

A Challenge page done!

Hi All, Got creative time just in time to enter a challenge or 2!

Here is my latest work inspired by the moodboard at Scrap Around the World, love that rainbow theme and those hearts soooooo inspired!

Here is the moodboard, how could you not play along?

Once I had finished I realised I hda used the colours from Lindy's Stamp Gang Challenge this month too so what the Hey why not enter in both challenges?

Here are the colours for Lindys:

And finally here is my page:

I used these colours from the new Lindy's  collection "Drop Dead Diva" by Limor Webber. They are just so vibrantly awesome and very opaque, Love 'em!

I used the sprays:

BLING-Y BLONDE

HI MAINTENANCE MAGENTA

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS GREEN

SASSY SAPPHIRE

And the corresponding matching embossing powder set: can be found here.

I also used the most amazing white embossing powder that is truly the most opaque I have used, on the title and little hearts...it is AWESOME!

It is from the Neon Graffiti Set  and is called 

PURELY WHITE.

 I had a play with the new releases by Scrap FX all hearts to adore!

This piece is called Heart Scrawl, it is a new fave!

Look at how awesome it looks with the embossing powder! 

The little hearts are from the Lots Of Love Set, they look so cute on my teeny bird Die Cuts.

The background was done using the new stencil Hearts Divine by Scrap Fx, and divine it truly is! I haven't finished playing with that one yet!

So that is all from me for now, happy scrapping everyone!!

Paperdvizhnik Sketch No:64

Hello all, I am back to share a bit of fun I've had using sketch No: 64 over at Paperdvizhnik Challenge site,you can find the sketch and rules here if you want to join in. 

I just loved the sketch:

I was so inspired after taking a wonderful class last weekend with the simply fabulous Louise Nelson, can you tell I channelled my inner Louise?  

My niece featured once again just love her hamming it up for the camera!

I have continued with my dark background, just love watching the photo pop!

I used a piece of lace as a stencil yet again with some light molding paste. I wanted to start with a  soft pattern in the background.

Once that was dry I splashed a bit of colour around very randomly. I wanted to keep in simple and minimal...yes I know it isn't minimal by some standards but it is for me!!!

I was then a little heavy handed with some gold and green micro beads!

I have used one of my favourite chippy pieces from Scrap FX at the moment...the blooming butterfly....so easy to customise and make your own!

Lastly added the photo and added some white splashes and the page was done.....walk away from the page Michelle....that was my mantra! I am trying to simplify my style a little at the moment, I am sure I will get better at knowing when to stop playing! 

I loved trying a new style, and this one was fun and quick! Only took an hour....unheard of for me! Thanks so much to the lovely Louise and Paperdvizhnik for the inspiration!

September Kraft Plus Challenge

Hey There, 

back again with another challenge completed, this time for Kraft Plus. 

This month was a great sketch featuring a lot of triangle action. 

So I thought I would give it a crack!

The whole reason I do challenges is to push myself out of my comfort zone and triangles really do my head in, I just don't find them easy to work with. So this challenge really pushed me.

Here is my take on that sketch, my boy dressed to impress for his very last school formal:

I used the Tricky Triangle chippie by Scrap FX, they fit the bill perfectly and made the challenge come together so quickly. All I did with most of them was add a coat of gesso then spray with a few Lindys Stamp Gang colours.

I embossed the background then added some colour with my old but new favourite plaything Dye Na Flow ink, just love the watercolour feel it creates, but stays put after heating, so you can layer to your hearts content.

The papers are by Basic Grey, an old favourite line, Persimmon.

Well thats it for me, till next time, happy creating,