Guest Designer | Louise Thompson

Today we welcome the owner of August's sponsor for a guest post...

Louise of Thompson’s Craft Supplies here with this month’s theme, clustering. I am fairly new to scrapbooking, maybe 4 months, and it grew to be a passion as for me, it is an extension of my love for all things mixed media. As such, this was not a term I had heard before so was really excited.

Well, I tell you, this has just revolutionised the way I will scrapbook in the future and I'll tell you why as we go through my creation.

So first of all here is my finished piece:
 

Now let’s talk through the process...

I have been dying for an excuse to crack open the 7 Dots Hazy Days collection and when I hear the theme, I thought this would be perfect. The reason being is that this paper set also comes with stickers and die cut embellishments and tags which I thought would be great to use in the clustering.

I chose out a piece of paper from the range I loved and a photo that matched the colours. I then remembered a really cool piece of packaging I had kept and some hessian which I would use to mat my photo later.

 

    

I then looked for some matching items I could use to make the clusters from the 7 Dots set and my other items. I chose out a piece of Tim Holtz  Kraft Resist paper from the Idea-ology Collection and sprayed with some Lindy’s Gang sprays and also chose some cork ribbon and adhesive die cuts.

These items were then used to make the 2 clusters. They were fairly quick to make and is a great way to use up scraps. I loved how it just helps you prep a large part of a layout and you could make several at a time. It really sped up the overall layout making process and I will use this technique again. 

Kaisermist Shiraz and Distress Ink Vintage Photo were used on the edges to finish the clusters.

Stenciling was added using a Tim Holtz Bubble Stencil and Prima Marketing Modelling Paste. Embossed stamped images were also added using G45 and Tim Holtz stamps. Some of the 7 Dots stickers were added to the inked paper to make the titles and a little leaf stamp was added for a final touch in black ink.

Everything was glued together and stuck down using my favourite Prima 3D gloss gel, perfect for heavier items and uneven surfaces.

Here are some close up shots. I really enjoyed making this project and this vintage/grunge collection. I cannot wait to use it again and try out this technique on more layouts. Hope you enjoy and it helps inspire your own cluster layouts.

Thanks for joining us Louise!  Don't forget UKSA fans have until the end of the month to use the code at Thompson's Crafts!

Thompson's Crafts | August Sponsor

Thompson’s Craft Supplies is dedicated to providing the latest papercraft and mixed media supplies, specialising in American brands. We pride ourselves in delivering the highest quality goods at affordable prices.

As well as delivering a high standard of product, the service and personal touch we bring is also incredibly important to us. You can get involved with us and see our projects and be inspired across social media: Facebook Group Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter Blog

Thompson's Craft Supplies are offering all UK Scrap Addicts fans 10% off throughout August with the code uksa10

Thanks for the sponsorship Thompson's!

Bramble Fox | July Sponsor

Bramble Fox create beautiful and unique embellishments that are perfect for all memory keeping projects! Our ever expanding range of designs reflects current trends adding a timeless access to Scrapbook pages, Project Life, Planners and more.

In addition to our standard ranges, we can design products to compliment kits or one-off designs for that special occasion such as Weddings. Just get in touch with us: hello@bramblefox.co.uk

There is always lots of inspiration to be found on our website Bramblefox.co.uk or follow us on Instagram - @Bramblefox

Not only can you win a stack of goodies from Bramble Fox in our monthly challenge there is also a 10% voucher code for all UK Scrap Addicts fans good throughout July...

 Huge thanks to Bramble Fox for sponsoring us this month!!

allthingssticky

Our sponsor this month is allthingssticky.  Here is a little about them: 
Calling all creative souls! Makers of craft, gifts, greeting cards and masters of DIY projects - we have all the adhesives you need to hand make your inspired creations here at allthingssticky.
Whether you need to stick wobbly eyes on a card, put the finishing touches to handmade wedding favours, manage a school project, create a personalised photo album or even hang a mirror – we have it all here! Have a look through our U-Craft, U-Glue and U-Fix range to find what you need.
We created allthingssticky because word got around that our products are so great and people wanted to buy a selection of our range directly, here and now online. We are part of the Fantastak Group and have been producing sticky things since 1999. Based in Bradford, England, we deliver all over the world.

allthingssticky are offering a £50 voucher for the winner to spend on their website.  They stock a terrific range of adhesives - tape runners, double-sided tape, glue dots, foam pads - you name it, they have it!
How can you win?

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create a new scrapbook layout based on either of this month's UK Scrap Addicts moodboards.  Your layout can be a regular 12x12/8x8/12x9/8.5x11 layout, it can be a page or spread in a Traveller's Notebook, it can be a pocket page, a mini album... we LOVE to see any form of scrapbooking!

Once you have finished your creation take a photo (tips here) and post it in the comments of this thread on our Facebook page.  Simple!

Here's the small print:  The winner will be selected by random.org - we encourage crafters with all levels of experience, all creative styles and we do not accept 'my layouts are not good enough'.  Everyone started somewhere, it looks better than you think, we are happy that you are scrapping!  Prize for UK shipping address only.  

Thank you allthingssticky!

UKSA Challenge 1!

Today we officially launch our first monthly challenge...

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create a new scrapbook layout based on either of this month's UK Scrap Addicts moodboards.  Your layout can be a regular 12x12/8x8/12x9/8.5x11 layout, it can be a page or spread in a Traveller's Notebook, it can be a pocket page, a mini album... we LOVE to see any form of scrapbooking!

Once you have finished your creation take a photo (tips here) and post it in the comments of this thread on our Facebook page.  Simple!

One lucky entry will win a stonking prize from...

allthingssticky are offering a £50 voucher for the winner to spend on their website.  They stock a terrific range of adhesives - tape runners, double-sided tape, glue dots, foam pads - you name it, they have it!

Here's the small print:  The winner will be selected by random.org - we encourage crafters with all levels of experience, all creative styles and we do not accept 'my layouts are not good enough'.  Everyone started somewhere, it looks better than you think, we are happy that you are scrapping!  Prize for UK shipping address only.

We also have a code for you ALL to use to save 30% on your first order with allthingssticky

I think that's it... see you over on our Facebook page!

NSD Winners

Thank you so much for your participation in our National Scrapbooking Day challenges.  Here is the post you have all been waiting for... it's time for the winners!

Challenge 1 - Single sketch sponsored by Lottie Loves Paper
The winner is Michelle Jeffrey

Challenge 2 - Double Sketch sponsored by Mind The Scrap
The winner is Courtney Grace Hirst

Challenge 3 - Mandala cut file sponsored by Hey Little Magpie
The winner is Sarah Kentzer

Challenge 4 - Flowers cut file sponsored by Pretty My Page
The winner is Cathalyn de Jong

Challenge 5 - Fleur cut file sponsored by Craft Consortium
The winner is Sandra Daly

Challenge 6 - Words cut file sponsored by Crafty Ribbons
The winner is Ally O'Neill

Challenge 7 - Scraplift our Whispers sponsored by Lollipop Box Club
The winner is Gemma Steele

Challenge 8 -Instaloop sponsored by UglyBugDesigns - The winner is Jo Boland

Challenge 9 - Moodboard sponsored by Crafty Templates
The winner is Natalie Nelson

And for the RAK's from my wonderful creative team;

Maria chose Cathalyn's take on the Scrapbook Whispers Challenge

Roxy chose Jo Drury's comment from the Scrapbook Fails post;

"The Worst Scrapbooking Fail EVER!!!!!!

We had a challenge at a retreat to use spare alphas. My idea was epic... I completely covered 2 pieces of card stock with random chipboard alphas of all sizes, it was a beautiful jigsaw of alphas covering every inch of the card from top to bottom. I painstakingly painted the entire thing black with acrylic paint so that they both looked like a blackboard with lovely embossed letters on the background. It took 3 coats of paint and the entire thing took nearly 24 hours from start to finish. I used them to back a fab picture of each of my twin nephews with school awards that they had recently won. It was a true labour of love... but it looked absolutely amazing!! I proudly hung them on the wall and was chuffed to bits when it was voted the challenge winner at the retreat.... I proudly walked up to collect my prize and Lorraine our crop organiser whispered with a sad face and a big sigh.....

You didn't cut the manufacturers strip off on either page.....

Epic fail! Although I can laugh about it now they still don't fit in my page protectors or album and I still haven't figured out a way to fix it!!! And it's still a topic of conversation at the crops whenever I start a new layout.. lol"

And Pol chose Leo from the Scrapbook Fails post;

"My biggest scrapbook fail was making an album - I make quite a lot of albums so it wasn't like I didn't know what I was doing but I think that's where the problem started - over confidence! This one was going to be a 9x12 size. I spent hours padding the chipboard bases, gluing and cutting some very precious fabric, (like Japanese import stuff quilting shops sell for ££) putting in the spine, riveting etc etc. Really cuffed to bits with it - go to put my page protectors in.... oh no, I made the album 9x12 perfectly totally forgetting about the page protectors being larger for the spine bits. doh doh doh!" 

And lastly, I (Laura) chose Wendy's layout for the sketch challenge because it includes Sussex Pond Pudding!!

Winners! - Please can you send an email with your name and address to ukscrapaddicts@gmail.com and we will sort out your prizes!  You have until 23rd May to claim your prize, any remaining prizes will be re drawn on the 24th May.

We would like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for the generous prizes, and another huge thank you to all who entered!  See you again next year!!