Totally Awesome | Amy Kattenbelt | More than one collection

Hi UK Scrap Addicts, Amy here sharing my layout that uses more than one collection.

This isnt something I often do these days, I find it far quicker and easier to work with just one collection at a time. But combining collections allows for more creativity and can really make your layouts unique.

I chose to use the 'boys rule' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio along with the Kaleidoscope collection by Vicki Boutin. I was careful in selecting papers from the same colour family - namely blues and greens. This made the job of combining the collections work well.

I feel I pretty much used half of one collection and half of the other, neither dominates the layout. I used little pops of bright magenta pink from the Vicki Boutin collection along with the pale grey starburst paper from Boys Rule.

I picked 3 circular elements, even though two are from one collection and one from the other, and added a little butterfly sticker to each.

Distressing the edges and using my tiny attacher to add some staples adds a little bit of detail on to a fairly simple layout.

I have created a process video over on the UKSA YouTube channel where you can watch this layout come together.

I hope over the last month we have inspired you to try to step out side of the comfort zone of single collection layouts and try to mix things up a bit. We will be back with you at the start of March with a new themed challenge. In the mean time why dont you head over to our Facebook group for more inspiration and also share your creations with us.

Lisa-Jane Johnson | Favourite Photograph | Paper Folding

Hi there Scrap Addicts, it's Lisa-Jane from Pretty My Page here today and I can't believe we are already half way through the first month of a new decade!  I hope that lots of you have been setting scrappy goals for the forthcoming year and that you'll join in with lots of the monthly challenges and visit our Facebook group to keep you inspired.

With this month's challenge being paper folding, of course I used a foldie cut file!  Paper folding of most kinds works great with any shape that has a line of symmetry and you can even create new shapes using symmetry, such as the heart shaped necks that you get between two swans when they face each other. 

I chose to create some stars in a star shape and manipulated the image so that only half of each star cut through but the lines didn't join up so that pieces stayed attached.  Then I created dashed lines straight down the middle of each star so make them easier to fold.

I folded each star and added a tiny glue dot underneath to hold it in place but still give it some dimension - this creates little shadows that give a lovely depth to the layout.  I backed the small stars with dark blue and then laid the whole thing over the aqua to fill in all the rest of the large stars.  I did try and leave it without a border but I couldn't do it so I added a trim of another dark blue paper to make it pop.

I used up lots of my extensive collection of wooden stars around the paper folds and then a sprinkle of Shimmerz paint for extra interest.  I mounted my photo onto grey paper to match the Perspextive and then onto the dark blue again and popped the whole thing onto foam for more height.  The Boys Rule collection from Cocoa Vanilla is perfect for my children's previous primary school uniform.

I hope you've been inspired to try lots of different ways of paper folding and if you need an easy place to start then symmetry is your friend - remember those painted butterflies we used to make as children?!  Don't forget to tag us if you share your paper fold layouts on social media, we'd love to see!

Happy scrapping.

Bloom and Grow | Kirei Baldwin | Fussy Cutting

Hi UK Scrap Addicts!

Kirei here with my layout for this month's 'fussy cutting' theme....

Now I love fussy cutting so this was perfect for me! I used more of the lovely Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Midnight' collection that I have been hoarding... I used the 12" x 12" paper called 'Sophisticated' which was perfect for some fussy cutting as it was covered in sketchy flowers in black and white.

I sat in front of the TV and fussy cut most of the flowers from it, and then I painted most of them with some of the pretty Shimmerz paints picking colours that matched the 'Midnight' collection. A little tip when fussy cutting, leave a little white border around your image, it's easier to cut and looks finished.

I cut the centre from the striped 'Bloom & Grow' paper then trimmed it to 11 1/2" and mounted it onto a frame cut from the 'Shine Bright' paper. Then I backed it all with a piece of white cardstock.

I added the fussy cut flowers in a wreath around the cut out circle, only sticking them in the centre so that I could curl up the edges to add dimension.

My photo was mounted onto a mix of the patterned papers and tucked in under the right side of the wreath. I added some matching embellishments and a title and finished off with some splatters of white paint.

I hope you have been inspired by this month's 'fussy cutting' theme... whether cutting just a few images to add to your layout or cutting lots to make it a feature like I have done. Please don't forget to share your layouts over on the UK Scrap Addicts Facebook page as we love to see them!

Thanks for looking and happy scrapping!

Sleep Amongst The Stars / Di Willcox / Fussy Cutting

May is fussy cutting month for us in UKSA and I think it's fair to say, we're all trying to think creatively about what we fussy cut! A majority of the time it's the floral or butterfly papers that tend to be cut into as they make great embellishments and compliment photos and papers, so I've gone for something a bit different and chosen stars.

I had a cut file backing sheet from The Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Boys rule collection and cut out the stars, some individually and some linked together, and made a crescent/ moon shape with them. 

Before I stuck them down on my white background I used water based crayons and the packaging technique to add some subtle colour splotches. 

After the photo was matted and stuck in place, I sprinkled and stuck some sequins around the page to add a bit more texture and effect. I did have a bit of an accident with the glue and this can be seen in my process video (here)!

Lastly I used a Thickers letter guide to help shape the title around the 'moon'. 

You're welcome to join us over on our Facebook group to join in with the monthly themes!!

And don't forget that we are celebrating (Inter)National Scrapbooking Day this weekend (3rd, 4th + 5th May 2019) and all the details can be found over at our Facebook group. Just search for UKScrapAddicts.

Thanks for reading and see you again next month!

Di x

Friends | Kirei Baldwin | Sparkle

Hi UK Scrap Addicts!

Kirei back again sharing my layout for this month's 'Sparkle' theme....

As you can see I added the sparkle through lots of pretty sequins.... I decided to do some stash busting and use up some of the many that I have been hoarding.

I used a cute heart cut file by Paige Taylor Evans and drew though it to mark out the different areas, which I then filled with lots of lovely sequins... that took me a while!

The paper collection I used was the lovely Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Midnight' as it was perfect with my fun Snapchat photos.

I also managed to get 'sparkle' into my title...

I hope you feel inspired by this month's 'Sparkle' theme... whether you use sparkly papers, a sparkly style photo, lots of glitter or 'sparkle' in your title we do love to see everyone's take on the theme so please don't forget to share your layouts over on the UK Scrap Addicts Facebook page!

Thanks for looking and happy scrapping!

Adventure | Lisa-Jane Johnson | 6x6 Paper Pads

Hey there lovely scrappers!  It's Lisa-Jane from Pretty My Page here today with my layout using a small paper pad.  I say small paper pad because some brands have started making their pads in 6x8 inch instead of 6x6, such as Cocoa Vanilla Studios that I used here.   

For this project I was inspired by a layout that I did as part of a class at a recent Gogo Getaway retreat that was taught by Kirei, who also happens to be on the UKSA DT.  I never thought I I would enjoy iris folding because I thought it was a technique for card makers and I assumed it was something to do with iris flowers.  Actually though it refers to the iris lens of the shutter of camera and when you look at the patterns that it makes you can see why.  In Kirei's class we made stars but I wanted something simpler that would suit a masculine page so I went with the triangles and created this month's cut file with this in mind.  

I wasn't confident about making my own template so I searched about on the internet and found a lovely lady called Judy from Handcrafted Greetings who creates all sorts of iris fold patterns that are free to download.  She very kindly gave me permission to use her triangle template for this project.  I resized it to fit the triangles on the cut file and then printed it off and cut around them leaving a alight border.

For triangles you need to choose 3 colours for your paper strips and the awesome thing about this technique is that yu only need quite small pieces so it's a great way to use scraps.  You just need to make sure that your scraps / pieces are big enough to cover each of the sections on the template. 

Once you've got your cut out triangles and your strips and your cut file, you are ready to go!  You need to stick the template on the front of your layout (using very low tack washi) but face down so that when you turn your layout over to the back you can see the template through the hole.  I found it helpful to hold my cardstock up to the light so I could line up the triangles properly.  Then you lay your first strip on number one and stick it down on the back of your cardstock.  Then you change to the second colour to lay on number 2, and so on.

Eventually you will get to the middle and it will look something like this!  You can then choose a coordinating scrap to cover the middle hole and you are ready to do your first reveal!  I've used some un-loved washi to stick my pieces down with but you can use whatever works for you.  I found that wet glue seeped a bit and using the washi meant I could go to down with it and stick all the edges down so that they didn't flap up and get caught.

When you are done, turn the cardstock back over to the front and gently remove the template to reveal your twisty iris pattern!  I've seen some lovely ombre effects and rainbows and you can ink the edges or scuff them up for more definition and the templates are endless.  Sure it might take a bit of time and concentration but I think the effects are worth it.

So with the main part of my layout done, I trimmed the edges and placed it on a piece of contrasting cardstock from the Boys Rule range.   Then I mounted my photo on a couple of other pieces from the 6x8 pad (which I couldn't do with a standard photo on a 6x6 pad so I LOVE this additional 2 inches) and added a few bits from the sticker sheet, ephemera packs and chipboard pack.

 Finally I added some of the new matt finish enamel dots from my shop and called it done!

It's a really unusual placement for me but I love how the triangles echo the mountains in the die-cut piece at the bottom and that even thought it is all spread out, which isn't like me at all, it still stays cohesive.  I definitely think I will be using this technique again soon. 

If you've created anything with iris folding, or perhaps used our cut files or been inspired by our 6x6 series then please do tag us and share in our group. 

Happy scrapping!

My Happy Place | Terri Morris | 6x6 Paper

Hi, Terri here with my take on the 6x6 paper pad theme this month. I've used the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Bohemian Dreams' collection. I love the colour scheme of this collection, its unusual to get so much purple in a collection but I love this shade. 

I used four 6x6 sheets to create my own patterned background. I added some gesso to the central area followed by smooshing mists with the packaging technique to blend the four pieces to look like one sheet.

The blocks of patterned paper, floral piece, butterfly and some of the sentiments are from the cut apart sheets in the paper pad. I inked the edges in black ink and then layered them up, some flat and some popped up on 3D foam.

I love this photo taken in the toilets at GoGo Getaway at Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire. It has such a great background for selfies. I've used the Thickers word phrases that we received at the GoGo Getaway in March.

Don't forget to join our Facebook Group, share your layouts and tag us on Instagram.

Happy Scrapping!

Hello 50 / Sheena Rowlands / Mood board

Hi there x Sheena here again x

This month we are using a lovely Mood board designed by Terri as our inspiration.

There are so many elements on the mood board that inspired me including the colours, balloons, frames & birthday cake.

Hello 50

I decided to use a photo taken on my 50th which included a balloon. I wanted to make the frames my focus & remembered I had some ready made ones in my Cocoa Vanilla Studio - Wild at Heart stash.

I laid out the frames, some layered over each other & used scraps from the same paper range to fill a few of them before adhering them all down.

I continued with the Wild at Heart stash and added chipboard, die cuts and flair on, in  and around the frames till I was happy with how it looked. Finishing with some typed words and numbers.

Hope you get a chance to create using this lovely mood board yourself.

Till next time x

Love you | Maria La Chica | Sketch

Hello everyone, and welcome once again to UK Scrap Addicts!

As you've already seen from the previous posts this month, I have a super cute sketch to work with!

Here it is:

And here is the page I have created with it:

I love it!

I have used Cocoa Vanilla Studio "Bohemian Dreams" papers as I felt that the colours worked quite well with my photos. I don't always try to match the colours on the photos with the papers, but this time I thought it was a good combination.

Here's a close up:

I don't have much time to scrap lately, so using a sketch is definitely the way forward for me, as it takes a lot of the pain of having to decide on a design away from me.

Sticking to a single collection of papers also helps, as I don't have to spend a long time trying to decide what goes with what, and trying to match embellishments and papers.

Here's another close up:

I hope you have liked this page, and if you have a few minutes spare, go and watch my process video on youtube... it's quite short!

https://youtu.be/sT6zEPakckQ

Thanks for joining me today, and read you very soon!