We're on an Adventure

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge this month 
where we have a unique mood board to inspire you;
it's all about petals and metals.

I chose to scrap a photo of my Grand daughter, 

who loves the great outdoors.

First up I used clear gesso to seal the background paper.

I wanted to use this gorgeous floral stamp by Paper Artsy to frame the photo. I stamped it with Black Archival ink and fussy cut the images, before coloring them with Tim Holtz Distress Oxides. 

Don't be afraid to cut the pieces apart to suit your needs;  it makes the stamps so much more versatile.

 This stencil is wonderfully eclectic, with heaps of different patterns and shapes. Just the thing for adding texture.

It's a fave for me.

  I scraped some texture paste through one corner of it. 

Next I started auditioning various tags to form a nest for my photo.

Adding in a title and some metal flowers.

Fiddling around with placement of the flowers 
and trialling a metal heart.

Hmmm...maybe some chipboard too?  What do you think?

Eventually I'm happy with the placement and add some wax to the chipboard piece to create a metal sheen.

The process of adding bits & bobs, taking them off again, changing the position of pieces, can take ages, as I'm a slow scrapper.

The flicks of yellow Oxide inks add some contrast and 

draw the eye to the texture paste.

The rusted heart seemed the perfect embellishment for the corner.

Voila!  I think it's finished, although I have been known to take it all to pieces in the morning and start again! Luckily there is not enough time to do that for this layout.

I hope you find time to play along this month.  
We'd love to see your take on the challenge.

Just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares Page and don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a $30.00 gift voucher and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Scrap Matrix Products used:-

Clear Gesso TCW

7 Dots Studio - Garden Party.

7 Dots Studio - Tags, Hazy Days.

Paper Artsy stamp - EEB10.

Mambi Chips -Vacation.

Prima Art Alchemy Metallic Wax.

Tim Holtz Archival Ink - Jet Black.

Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, 
Fossilized Amber, Fired Brick, Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint.
Blue Fern Chipboard - Button Wheelies.
Carabelle Stencil - For the Love of Layers.
TCW Texture paste. 
Finnabair Art Basics - Soft Matte Gel.

Prima Mechanicals - Tin Hearts.

Metal Flowers. 

Scrap Matrix DT - Petals & Metals

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge this month 
where we have a unique mood board to inspire you;
it's all about petals and metals.

I've been waiting for the right challenge to scrap this photo of my Father harvesting in the mid North of South Australia.

 This paper from Stamperia, "Clockwise" seemed perfect for the photo.

I decided to team it with a piece of chipboard from 
Blue Fern Studios, "Techno Scape"

Getting the rusty look I was after proved to be a bit time consuming, but it was worth the effort, as I love the result.

This chipboard was raw, so I painted it with white Gesso to seal it.

The first layer of paint after the Gesso was Ranger patina "Moss".

The second layer was a mixture Ranger Patina "Jade" and "Verdigris".

Next came a layer of Prima Rust Paste, "Red Rust". 

Then a layer of Prima Rust Paste, "Gold Rust". 

Ad finally a layer of Prima Rust Paste, "Brown Rust". 

Pheew!  Well may you say, what a load of Bull Rust, but thanks for sticking with me so far, as I have a few close ups to show you.

The metal clock reminds me of my Father's watch face which he protected with a leather cover.  

There is a similar one at the Scrap Matrix shop Here.
I've stencilled a few flowers here.

This stenciling reminds me of the curves and circles left by the machinery, as Dad drove around trees and the uneven terrain.

It was created with a Carabelle Stencil, "For the love of layers"

and TCW light and fluffy modeling paste.

This stencil is super versatile, as I plan to use the whole thing as a background. However for this project, I simply masked off the parts I wanted to use.  It looks a mess with all the ripped post its stuck down, but it allows me to get a crisp result of a particular area. 

No page about a Farmer would be complete without a bit of string!

 A closer look at some of the metal flowers.
Vicki has heaps of metal flowers in her shop Here


I hope you find time to play along this month.  

How about using waxes to simulate metal?  What about an off the page project with some oversize flowers that could be painted a metal colour. You might have an embossing folder or a die which has a metal look.  There's lots of ways you can create a project.

Just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares page in the corresponding folder and don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a $30.00 gift voucher and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Scrap Matrix Products used:-

Stamperia, Clockwise, on back order

Prima Rust Paste

Ranger Patina, Moss, Jade, Verdigris

Blue Fern Chipboard, "Techno Shape"

Scrap The Boys DT - "You & Me" October 2018

Hello Scrappy Friends, welcome back to my blog today where 
I'm sharing a DT layout for

Scrap the Boys

You can take this challenge anywhere you want, 
as long as it showcases one of your Boy's/Men and you.
Too easy! - take a look at what the DT have created for your inspiration.

This challenge encouraged me to scrap a photo of my Husband and me; something I rarely do, as I mostly scrap about the Grandchildren.  The photo was taken in 1995 almost a quarter of a century ago. Yikes - no wonder my bones ache! 

The paper was a total splurge when we called into Ballarat on the way home from Melbourne.  I called into the Imagination Factory and fell in love with this paper by Alexandra Renke. The water colour flowers took my eye and I just had to have them.  I think they look lovely with the photo. 

As the paper is busy I wanted to keep the page simple.  I  "smooshed" various shades of Tim Holtz Distress Oxides to create a marbled look on the title.

The title is a cut file from Silhouette Studio.

The die cut border is from Uniquely Creative and the little date tag is an oldie from Heidi Swapp.

I hope you will feel inspired to play along and be eligible for a prize 
or a Guest Design Team Spot.

I appreciate your kind comments and so enjoy reading them.  Thank you.

Scrap Matrix DT, October 1018, "You've got mail" a 2nd post from Helen

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge where this month

the challenge is to be inspired by this mood board.
"You've got mail" 

With this project, I want to pay tribute to my Husband's ancestor, Mary Tully, who migrated to Australia from Ireland, in 1858.
When she got mail from her Mother, it travelled by ship taking about 66 days to reach her.  Quite amazing really, as the Suez Canal had not yet been dug.

I chose papers from the 7 Dots Studio, Garden Party Collection.
To begin, I applied a layer of clear gesso, as I planned to use texture paste, paints and mists.

I cut a third of the deep purple paper off and joined it to the lighter paper, as I wanted to create a "Picture Rail" effect, like the one in the dining room of my childhood family home.

Using a TCW stencil "Tuscan Floral" and Prima Acrylic paints, I added some colour and texture on the lighter paper.

After adding gesso to these chipboard pieces, I added a coat of Prima Opal Magic, Violet/Green

Delighted with the look of the chipboard, I tossed some Prima Art Stones into a puddle of the same Opal Magic.  I just love the shot taffeta look they give.   Hmmm!   You may not be old enough to remember shot taffeta, but I had many a ball gown made of it in my youth!   It gave a gorgeous shimmery two tone look to the fabric. Delicious when the skirt flared out during a waltz!   
But I digress....moving on....

Here I've added some lace from my Mother's stash, a die cut frame, a tag, a title and some random flowers from my stash.
I shuffled things, added, discarded, left it all for a day or so and just couldn't find a way to cluster things that looked lovely.

Eventually I managed to arrange a couple of clusters that were pleasing to me & quickly attached them with Art Basics soft matte gel.  The perfect medium for glueing anything bulky.

I popped a few seed beads into the middle of the medallions

and painted the wooden stamp frame with Prima Acrylic paint.

The little tufts of purple net are from my Mother's millinery stash.

 I decided to tuck an envelope behind the photo and to include in it, a letter that Mary received from her  Mother, Bridget Tully in Ireland.  We think Bridget was illiterate, so the letter was probably written by the Parish Priest.

I've included a copy of the letter here if you are interested.

Kells Co. Meath, Ireland,

17th. Aug., 1858

Dear Mary,

I had the greatest pleasure and consolation of receiving your welcome letter dated 11th June last; and we are all overjoyed to hear from you and finding you in good health as we all are here at present-blessed be to God for all the mercies and goodness to us- your father is at present working at Drewstown but you know his wages is low.  Your brother Henry is very well, he is living near Trim.  I have not seen him these two years but once, and that is lately.

Farrell remains with Mr. Nelson and Biddy is living at home.  Mr. Gilsenan and his family are all in good health and also all other friends and well wishers, Mr. And Mrs. Fay and family are right well, likewise Pat Murtagh and family.

The crops are generally very good this season with the exception that the oats is short and light, but the potatoes are as good as you ever saw them in the best of times.

Nothing strange has occurred hear since unless the deaths of Doctor Bennett-Patrick Plunkett at the cross-also big Mrs. Maguire of Cross Street and the Rev. Father Dillon of Kilbeg.

I request most particularly that you will not neglect to write to us frequently-at least once every six months-and let us know all particulars about your situation, and I trust the Almighty will favour you with a good one where you will see not bad morals and where you will be convenient to a chapel and have liberty to attend punctually to your religious duties.

Your old mistress in Dublin wrote twice to me asking about you.  James Carrol and wife are well.  Biddy and Farrell join with me in love to you and hoping to hear from you before Christmas.

I remain dear Mary

Your affectionate Mother

Bridget Tully.

     

Marked with a cross, her mark   

          x

Old Mrs. Bradley got a letter on yesterday from her daughter Anne in Sydney-she is well and is married to a man of the name of Masterson-but I don’t know his Christian name.  Her address is No.32 Francis St., Wooloomooloo, Sydney.

Scrap Matrix Products used.
Dina Wakley clear gesso
7 Dots Studio Paper
7 Dots studio Paper
7 Dots Studio Paper - Annual
7 Dots Hazy Days tags
Wood postage stamp frame

Prima Opal Magic
Art Basics - Soft Matte Gel

These two items are also from Scrap Matrix
but are currently not available.

Blue Fern Chipboard - Layering Stems
TCW Stencil - Tuscan Floral

Thanks for calling in today, I hope you find time to play along, 
just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares page in the corresponding folder; don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a $30.00 gift voucher from the generous Vicki Christensen and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Scrap the Boys DT, October 2018 - Navy and pink Moodboard

Hello Scrappy Friends, welcome back to my blog today where I'm sharing a 
Design Team layout for Scrap the Boys.

 The challenge is to use these colours to scrap about about the boy/s 
in your life.  I just love the deep blue and pink combo.

Despite one of my Grand Boys being vehemently opposed to wearing pink now that he is the ripe old age of seven and a half, I was able to find a photo of him in the dreaded colour!

 I chose a  Maja paper, The Denim & Friends collection, "Worn Indigo."

Next I cut a file from Paper Issues, called "Stitching Heart Burst",

before layering it over a "Hot Pink ombre" paper from Echo Park.

  

To add interest and texture to the page, I filled the heart with some Pink Fresh sequins in a shaker format.  I thought it worked well with the title.

The title was cut from Authentique "Lacy" ( the reverse side), using "Butterfly Heart" cut file, from Paper Issues.

The little die cut tags around the photo are from Spellbinders.

We do hope you will join us this month!  There will be a scrappy prize for the Australian winner and a guest design spot for the international winner.

I appreciate your kind comments I so enjoy reading them.  Thank you.

Scrap Matrix DT September 2018 - You've been framed.

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge where this month

the theme is You've been framed.   You can use any kind of frame, or multiple frames, big, small or in between.

They can be in clusters or lined up in rows. 
Have you been framed for something you didn't do??  
We'd love to hear all about it, using frames of course!

Take a look here to see what the rest of the team 
have created to inspire you.

I've attempted a double layout, something I've not done for years!

None of this series of photos is strong enough to use on it's own, but as a group, I think they tell the story of our family's love of Summer, the Beach and Cricket quite well.

The idea for the design began with this stamp set from 

Paper Artsy SSG09

I was inspired by the frame which I planned to use for journalling and also the naive clouds, the suns and the summery, beachy words.

The left side page.

The right side page.

I chose two sheets of paper from Pink Fresh studio, 

Escape the Ordinary Collection, "Transform"

and cut out the centre to form a frame for each page.

Still on the framed theme, and using a die from my stash, 

I cut four frames for the four small photos on the left page.

Next, I hand drew some frames around the landscape shaped photos, 

I was inspired by the stamped journal frame.

The title is from Mambi Chips. The one I used is not in stock right now, but click on the link for something quite similar.

 

I stamped the little clouds onto some water colour paper and used 

blue and white water colour paints from my stash to colour them.

I coloured the little circles around the borders with 

Tim Holt Oxides distress inks, Twisted Citron and Salty Ocean.

To tie the two sides together, I added a small green stamped tag on the right of the photos using Tim Holtz Archival Ink, Jet Black.

I added stamped words directly onto the photos. 

To emphasize the stamped titles, I swished a bit of water colour paint through the words, hoping that it would't go everywhere!

The black chipboard circles are also from Mambi.

I stitched around the the frame with white thread, to add another frame and some definition to the page. 

As the pages were in the great outdoors with a natural theme, I wanted to keep them crisp, clean and simple, so I mostly avoided mixed media in the background and just added stamping.

Thanks for calling in today, I hope you find time to play along, 
just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares page in the corresponding folder; don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a $30.00 gift voucher from the generous Vicki Christensen and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.