{H2O Day} with the "Dive In" Classic Kit

Hello!  It's Meridy here today.  I have a 12x12 layout to share using the "Dive In" Classic Kit.  I think there are 2 more of these kits left in the store, and let me tell you, they are PERFECT for those bright, summer photos that you are taking these days!

The layout I'm sharing today has photos I took about a year ago of Water Day for my son's 1st Grade class.  I was able to get a couple of photos of the whole class together, and since there were so many bright colored swimsuits and towels, this kit was a perfect match!

I tried a BRAND NEW TECHNIQUE, that I have never tried before on this layout.  I have been accumulating a few stencils here and there over the years, and I wanted to try using texture (modeling) paste with them.  But, when I wanted to start my layout, it was late at night, and I couldn't go to the store to pick any up.  So I turned to Pinterest, which led me to Gabrielle Pollacco's blog, and her recipe for homemade modeling paste!  Basically, she uses baby powder, white glue, white acrylic paint, and a little water, all of ingredients I have at home, so I whipped some up and went to work using it with my stencil.  And it worked!!!!

I was so excited that I had this new technique to add a little texture to my layouts.  With her recipe I have PLENTY of modeling paste left over to use it on more layouts in the future.  I sealed it up in a small mason jar so it won't dry out.  

I decided to build up my embellishment cluster and title in the same area that the textured triangles were at the top of the layout.  So that's where I started using buttons, cardstock stickers, and enamel dots from this month's kit!  I added my title with alphabet stickers from my stash.  I finished off the clusters with a few splatters of yellow mist.

I created a second, matching cluster near the bottom of my layout, where I also had some more textured triangles.  This second cluster balanced out the one at the top of the page.  I only added a tiny bit of journaling to this layout, because I have a few more pictures of my son at this event.  Therefore, I will add a little more detailed journaling to the layout I create with those photos.

Thank you for stopping by today!  Let me know if you try out the modeling paste recipe, I just love this new technique that I finally braved!

Hello, New World (Little Bird Classic Kit)

Hello friends! Sherry here, with a fun mixed-media layout. I was so excited to see the Echo Park Stencil and Distress Ink in the kit. These products were the inspiration for my layout.

I stamped the Distress Ink onto a craft mat and mixed with Whipped Spackle (from my stash); I love the soft, buttery color it creates.

I used a palette knife to spread the spackle through the stencil. I didn't worry that it wasn't perfect; it just adds to the loose, artistic look. :)

I adore the buffalo plaid washi tape, from the kit, and used it to frame the center portion of the layout.

I fussy-cut butterflies from the Hazelwood paper and also used a small butterfly punch to create tiny butterflies to scatter throughout the layout.

I needed the tile to pop of the dark negative space of the photo, so I used white alpha stickers (from my stash) and colored the word "world" with the Distress ink.

Of course the stencil can be used in many ways: mists, paints, or even just stamping with the little ink pad. I hope you've been inspired to create with stencils! Thanks for joining us today!

{Family Challenge} with the "All Fall" Classic Kit

Hello Noel Mignon friends, I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week already!!!  This week I'm working with the "All Fall" Classic Kit.  The design team is working with the {Family Challenge} this week, which is to use the word "FAMILY" as a title on our layout.  The pictures in my layout are from Thanksgiving 2015, so I thought it was fitting to scrapbook them while I am in the Thanksgiving mood.

I started with the Simple Stories background paper with the leaf image on it and decided where to place my 5x7 photo.  

Next, I pulled out my Silhouette, which I will admit, I have not used to it's full potential lately!!! To design my title, I downloaded a free font called "Brusher".  I had to change up the "y" ascender for "family" a little bit to make it look the way I wanted.  Then I cut the file 3 times, each time offset a little more.  

On the right hand side of the layout I added some of the brown ribbon from the kit and a few more embellishments at the bottom left of the collage.  I liked the way the gold rub ons added another layer to the embellishment cluster, so I added one peeking out from under the chipboard. 

Here is another close up of the embellishment cluster and journaling block.  The journaling block is actually some of the packaging from the "Petty Little Studio" Oakley Avenue embellishments.  I love when I am able to re-use packaging.  It's a great added bonus!!!

I have really been working my way through the "All Fall" kit these past 10 days, so I decided to share a few more layouts...

First, I was very inspired by a video by Eternally Inspired Mama where she showed a technique she calls Watercolor Through a Stencil.  After I watched that video, I decided to create the following page.  The background is very similar to what she showed in her process video, as a matter of fact, I think we are using the exact same stencil.  I thought she did a beautiful job and what a great way to use a stencil!!!

Next, I was itching to do some Halloween photos from last year.  I did grab a piece of patterned paper from my stash for the touch of teal in this layout.  I also used a piece of seam binding and a couple of leaves from my stash.  I loved the way I was able to mix the felt leaves in this month's kit with the paper leaves in my stash.  I cut the stems off of the felt leaves and twisted them around a toothpick to create the curly vine type texture.

Thanks for stopping by today and checking out all of the layouts I have created so far.  I think there are still a few more "All Fall" Classic Kits in the store.  It's the perfect time to pick one up just in time to scrapbook some of your upcoming Thanksgiving pictures!!!