Adventures fill your soul | Sam Ball | Recycled Elements

I love nothing better than ‘random’ things on my layouts, so when I saw this months’ theme to use recycled elements, I knew it was right up my street!

Having looked through my stash to find some recycled elements that inspired me, the most random items I could find were a 7” vinyl record and an old Mac keyboard.

 

I desperately wanted to use the record, but I wasn’t feeling it, so I moved on to the keyboard pieces and was fully intending to scrap a photo of a young child with an ABC theme.

I then got distracted by the fabulous Simple Stories Vintage Great Escapes collection, and decided to change the theme and elements completely as I was feeling so inspired!

 

I knew that I had lots of stash that would work with the ‘natural’ feel, so gathered together lots of elements including wooden buttons, hessian fabric, vintage French book paper and an old postcard, a 3D printed frame and even an actual twig, complete with moss!

Using the ‘Wild and Free’ paper from the collection as the base for the layout, it quickly came together. The left hand printed detailing was so pretty that although I toyed with cutting it out and layering it, I ended up clustering and layering on the right hand side, using the recycled elements to balance the busy left hand side.

Fresh off the tree, when I added the twig, my layout suddenly had a tiny spider crawling over it!

 

Even if you haven’t played along this month, why not share what the most random or recycled element you’ve ever used on a layout is? And if you have played along, don’t forget to share your layouts over on our Facebook page, or tag us on Instagram!

Let it snow, Ho Ho Ho | Sam Ball | Embossing Folders

I’ll confess, I was ‘late the party’ when it die-cutting machines! 

Even though I’ve been scrapping since 2007, it’s only in the last three years that I’ve had my first Big Shot, and whilst I do have a fair few metal dies, when it comes to embossing folders, I own a huge collection of just four!

 

Knowing this months’ theme was embossing folders, I fully intended to purchase a new one, but with lockdown and Christmas, time simply slipped away! 

After much deliberation, I decided to do a seasonal layout. Using a photo taken only last weekend when we were choosing our Christmas tree, I also knew that one of my four embossing folders was one that creates a cross section of a tree trunk, so at least there was a common theme!

I cut a few in vellum, then used a metallic mousse to highlight their subtle detailing, and create a frosted effect.

Then I backed a cut file from Peartree with vellum to also add to the wintery feel, further backing three of the trees with patterned paper, but keeping the vellum layer to soften the paper designs.

The scallop detail at the base was cut using a Bramble Fox ruler template, and reminds me of a present or package - again a nod to the festive period.

 

Apart from the Bramble Fox perspective, the layout was created using ‘Snow and Cocoa’, a collection by Crate Paper that was manufactured in 2016. Guiltily, I’d hardly used any of it, but I remember loving it so much, I’d bought loads! In fact, when I looked at my Christmas papers, it looks as though I’ve hardly touched any of the festive collections that I’ve bought from the last four years!

 

Perhaps I should make my New Years’ resolution to scrap more, or stop hoarding!

 

Are you a fan of embossing folders? Have you played along with this months’ theme? If you have, don’t forget to share your layouts over on our Facebook page, or tag us on Instagram!

 

Loves These Moments | Jackie Ashton | Monochrome

 Hi Crafter, Jackie here with my layout for this months theme ‘monochrome’ 

This layout is for my Lockdown album, so its 9 x 12 format.

The collection I used is Pink Fresh Studio - Let’s Stay Home to document that we can still enjoy a walk around the Botanical Gardens after the restrictions were lifted over the Summer.

I choose a grid format so it help my layout come together quickly.

Layering some patterned papers underneath each photographs and distress the edges of the pattern paper to add some texture.

This was a project life card which I added a stamped phase at the top, and added some puffy alphabet stickers to form the title.

I love how this layout came together, and hope that you join us over on our Facebook page with your monochrome layouts, we would love to see them.

Life is a Journey | Claire (ScrappyNerdUK) | Monochrome

Hey everyone. 

I can't believe we are into October already?! Where is this year going?!

So, since it's the 1st of the month it's time for us to focus on a new theme. This month we are working with monochromatic colour schemes on our layouts. 

Monochrome doesn't necessarily mean to use only black and white. Monochrome means the use of a single colour. Now, to only use 1 colour on our layouts would be super challenging so we have mixed things up a little and working with a single colour but with the addition of black and white. 

For my layout, I decided to "shop my stash" and find tools and supplies that often get forgotten. I was desperate to use embossing folders on this layout. So, I cut 9 3x3inch squares from white cardstock. Some of these I put through my BigShot machine using an embossing folder and others I used some black texture paste through a stencil to add textured hearts. 

I love the stark contract of the black texture paste on the white background and I cannot wait to use my embossing folders again on more of my layouts. Look at the text it created!! 

I splattered some white paint across my background to give it some more interest and then stuck down each of my 9 squares in a grid style. 

I only added adhesive to the middle of the squares which enabled me to run my nail around the edge of each of the squares to distress the edges which helps to create some shadowing behind. 

I was really going for lots of different textures on this layout so I added some pom pom trim under 3 of my squares and also used foam pads to pop up some of my embellishments. 

I rarely start a layout with a photo in mind. I just start creating the layout and then find a photo that would work. 

I found this Snapchat photo from last year and the colours and theme of the photo really worked!

I used some white and pink Thicker words from my stash to add my title to the middle square. 

I had the most amount of fun shopping my stash in my room to find all the stickers and embellishments that were pink and I started adding these within the squares, building up different layers as I went. Lots of word stickers, die cut hearts, stickers and enamel dots. It felt great using some older stash!

And here is the finished layout. I just love the soft pink colours and the pop of black and white really works well together. 

There is a process video here too if you want to watch the process of this layout come together  - https://youtu.be/L9nloNCGARs

Be You | Karen Moss | Lisa Fonseca Style Page Element

 I was quite excited about this month's theme as I was fortunate to have been to a retreat where Lisa Fonseca was teaching.

I used a 7 x 5 photo of Darcey when she was only about 16 weeks old as I love the quizzical look on her face.

I knew I wanted to make a page with a paper piecing representing my puppy but couldn't find one that looked like a Cockapoo.  I did find a digital stamp that I thought I could adapt and started from there. I drew some fluffy ears, muzzle and added fluff to the paws. 

The next step was to cut out all the template pieces I needed and label them with the colour I wanted to use. 

After cutting the pieces out, I layered them up to make my shape and stitched around the edge, adding details with a black pen.

I used a really old Teressa Colins paper pack to make my page and fortunately this included word stickers, 4 x 3 cards and embellishment stickers which I utalised for this page. 

I really enjoyed making this little 'Darcey' to go on my page and I especially liked how easy it was once I had figured out exactly how to go about it. 

We would love to see your take on a Lisa Fonseca Style Page Element and if you do make one please show us on our Facebook Page or tag us on Instagram.

Check back soon to see what the other UKSA DT have been making.

Karen x

Good Times | Sam Ball | Lisa Fonseca Style Page Element

I can’t deny – I was definitely apprehensive about the theme this month and how I was going to create a layout in the style of Lisa Fonseca.

Whilst she may be best known for oversized characters all cut from paper, a few of her layouts include objects rather than animals, so I decided that this might be the best inspiration for me.

 

My eldest step-daughter Olivia did a years’ travelling in New Zealand with her boyfriend. They toured the country in a red camper van they lovingly called ‘Wilson’, so I decided to scrap one of the many photos she had taken on her travels and make a ‘Wilson’ for the layout.

 

I found a fabric print that included different stylized VW camper vans, then increased in size to suit the layout. This was to be my template. I cut around each template shape, then chose a selection of patterned and plain papers and traced round each, then hand cut them again and ‘put them back together!’ to create a unique Lisa Fonseca inspired camper van.

 

The collection I chose to use was ‘Open Road’ a Crate Paper collection from 2014! The stash I had was actually from a mini-book class that I never finished!

 

After deconstructing the book, I was able to use a folded section, hence the fold down the scenic paper. This was mounted to a strong cardstock, to which I extended the horizon of the paper.

All the embellishments were un-opened, as was the chipboard, so I found plenty of ephemera to co-ordinate, including the vintage ephemera number plates and bottle tops.

 

I had way more fun than I ever imagined I would creating this layout, which took me right out my comfort zone!

 

So, if like me you’re thinking that this months’ challenge isn’t for you, why not give it a go? You might just surprise yourself like I did!

 

And if you do take part, don’t forget to share your layouts over on our Facebook page, or tag us on Instagram if you’ve played along this month? It’s a great way to use up old stash whilst enjoying new collections too!

Perfect | Kirei Baldwin | Moodboard

 Hi UK Scrap Addicts!

Kirei here with my layout for this month's fab 'Moodboard' theme... now I love a moodboard as there are plenty of options to inspire you to create a layout. 

For my layout I was inspired by the colours from the moodboard which reminded me of the new Paige Evans 'Go the Scenic Route' collection so that was where I started... I also added butterflies and chipboard dots that reflected the smarties on the icecream sundae! 

I fussy cut the large mandala pattern and attached that to white cardstock using foam pads to create some dimension.

Then I added a strip of bright pink patterned paper across the middle of the layout as a base for my photos. 

My three photos are mounted onto some coordinating patterned paper with the edges distressed. Then I stuck them down with double sided tape on the bottom edge and foam pads on the top edge, this adds dimension as I don't like everything stuck flat. Next to the photos I added a journalling card with distressed edges.

Above and below the photos I added lots of the matching ephemera, chipboard stickers and enamel stickers along with some gold thread.

I added a title using the colourful matching Thickers and that was me done!

I hope you've been inspired to use the 'Moodboard' for a layout this month, don't forget to share over on the UK Scrap Addicts Facebook group or tag us on Instagram with #UKScrapAddicts if you've played along this month! 

Happy Scrapping!

 

 

Dippin' Dots | Sheena Rowlands | Mood board

Hi there UK Scrap Addicts , Sheena here again x

Our challenge this month is to use a wonderful mood board created by our team mate Amy, as inspiration to create our layout. I've not used mood boards much before but found plenty within this one to get my mind whirling and my layout started.

Hello Dippin' Dots.

Using the colour circles on the mood board I gathered lots of patterned papers I thought I might use mainly from Dear Lizzy - She's Magic and Crate Paper - Sunny days. The ice-cream  image had me hunting out photos from 2010 about an ice cream treat we ate in Florida.

I started by tearing the papers and overlapping them till I was happy how they looked. I layered my photos with more patterned papers which I distressed. Then the best bit for me, sorting through embellishments. 

To echo the mood board and my subject matter I added circles of patterned paper, an ice cream, a rainbow and even a butterfly from Maggie Holmes - Sweet Story range. My title is a mix of alphas and acrylic word plus a little hand written journalling.

I hope this gives you some inspiration to use our August mood board. Do share with us your creations over on our FB group.

Till next time x

Let Your Color Shine | ScrappyNerdUK (Claire) | Mood board

I am the first to admit that I always struggle with a mood board as inspiration. But, I always remind myself that I can pick one thing in the moodboard that inspires me and there are no rules! There is no scrapbook police so we are free to be as creative as we want and to take inspiration from wherever we want.

Amy from our creative team made a moodboard this month for us to all use as inspiration and I just love it!

Rainbows are always a winner in my eyes so I immediately went to a collection that I knew had rainbow papers in and that is Amy Tangerines Picnic in the Park collection.

So I started with a sheet of white cardstock and laid this at an angle across the rainbow paper and trimmed both pieces back to 12x12. (Tip - I didn't stick all of the white cardstock down initially - this enabled me to cut away some of the rainbow paper to save for a later project)

I then decided on my title. My photo was about painting our garden fences and wanted a title about color (ironically, our house and now our garden fence is painted grey!)

I used the little white alphas from the same collection but wanted the word "Color" to be in colour so I had a look through my stash and found some Thickers from Vicki Boutin and cut down the word "Colorful" as I didn't need the last part.

I then had fun with all of the embellishments from the kit and created 3 clusters to create a visual triangle around my photo. In each cluster I started with a flower die cut and added in puffy stickers and foam Thickers and some flat stickers also so it had different textures and depth in each cluster.

I then added in a few flickers of black indian ink into each cluster for a pop of black.

I ran my fingernail underneath the bottom and right of the white cardstock to lift the edges slightly to create some shadow underneath.

And here is my completed layout. I was unsure as to whether I wanted to add journalling to this and there is a nice white area to the photo that would easily allow me to add some before adding to my album if I wanted to do so.

There is a process video for this over on our Youtube Channel so please click the link here to watch the video

Awesome Boys| Zoe Hailey Zola28 | Stamp Technique

So are you like me, someone who owns a bunch of stamps but hardly ever uses them?
I was glad to be challenged to dust off some stamps and make this layout, which I have to say is one of my favourites that I have made recently.

I created this stamped border by covering my card stock with a scrap of square paper and then used the stamping off technique, leaving a beautiful alphabet edging. The stamps were perfect because they had both capital and lower case letters, making it easier to fill in any gaps.

For my background I seed my favourite splat stamps and heat embossed creating the red and turquoise splats which I love!

I worked with Shimelle's Field Trip collection which was perfect for these photos of my son and his bestie enjoying some time at the farm together. I love how  bright and bold the design is and how heavily embellished the layout is. Rockets and Dinosaurs were perfect for this page!

To finish my page I added more ink splats and sequins because no page is complete without sequins in my opinion!

Let's make the most of those stamps this month and get creating with them, be sure to share your stamped creations on the UKSA Facebook Group.

Happy Scrapping

Zoe Zola 28