Art Journal Page Using Authentique "Playful" Paper Collection

It's Susan Tidwell here to share another project I created with the Authentique "Playful" paper collection I received in my LBH Media Team packet this month. These papers were so fun and colorful and a joy to work with - and, they are available at the LBH!

I decided to use these papers on my weekly Documented Life Project art journal spread for Week 25 (June 20).  The Documented Life Project is a year-long art journal/planner challenge conceived by five talented artists and is in it's second year. You can read more about it here if you are interested. There is a different overall theme each month and every week an art challenge and journal prompt are issued. The challenge is to use these as inspiration for your weekly journal page.

The theme for June was Travel Journaling. The June 20 art challenge was to be inspired by your hometown; the journal prompt was "there's no place like home."  This is the page I created for that week.

I had just enough Authentique papers left over from my previous projects to make the five houses which represent the five places I've lived. I was born in Vermont and then, once married, moved to Missouri then California and New Mexico before finally arriving in Texas in 1999.  I also used the hexagonal chipboard pieces for two windows in the houses. I computer-generated the state names as well as the title: "Wherever we are together, that is home."

The sky and grass backgrounds were painted with Dylusions and Dina Wakley paints, mostly scraped on with an old gift card - my favorite technique for applying paints! I also used stamps with black Archival ink and white paint on a piece of shelf liner to create the textures in the background.

For the week's "calendar" area I painted a large scalloped border, doodled smaller scallops and cut up an old calendar for the numbers. I used a tiny day stamp from Maya Road for the days and documented each day with a permanent marker.

I am really enjoying this project and am happy to say that I have been able to keep up with each week. It is a great way to document this year in an artsy way.  If anyone is interested in seeing past weeks' spreads, you can find them on my blog here: www.susan-artfulmusings.blogspot.com

Echo Park: Dinosaur Adventure Mini Collection

Nat here to start off the week with some layouts I made with the Echo Park "Dinosaur Adventure" mini collection.  I love collection packs for the obvious reason: there is no fuss or stress with matching patterned papers. These are great for "one-stop" creative planning if you are in the mood to power through and get a lot of layouts and projects done.

Let me share some tips on the method of my madness.

• I don't put a lot of focus on the actual content and/or pictures I will be scrapbooking when I am "power scrapping" with a collection pack. A collection like this was perfect for some zoo pictures and some misc pictures I had on hand. Of course, if the collection pack was truly themed (holiday, birthday, etc), I would pick pictures accordingly.
• I lay out a patterned paper that has all (or most) of the colors represented in the collection.  Some collections you may pull colors from 2-3 sheets; a mini collection is limited on papers so 1 generally does the job.  From my stash, I pull about 5-7 pieces of cardstock (more if you have a larger collection kit) that coordinate with the colors in the collection. These will generally be my base pages/photo mats. If you want to "power scrap" try not to use a full 12x12 patterned paper as a base page….especially in a mini collection. It's a little easier to do in a fuller collection.

• Collection packs generally come with a sticker sheet and/or other coordinating embellishments. To make the collection go further, I raid my stash and pull some other pieces that will build on to the collection.  Some great ideas include wood veneers, label stickers for journaling, letter stickers, enamel dots, and basic ephemera. 

Now let's get started on how this layout came together.

I started by cutting a 10 1/2" square away from the center of the orange cardstock.  Why did I do that? It's a great way to preserve paper that you won't even see in the finished layout and use it as photo mats.  You can go through all of the math and get everything centered and draw a square and trim it out. OR you can do like I did and cut everything using your Silhouette or comparable die cut machine. I'm lazy.

it's like magic. smart magic.

After I cut the square out of the orange, I layered a 11 3/4" square piece of brown cardstock on top. I cut some photo mats and cropped my pictures accordingly.

you would have never known there was a huge cut out behind that brown cardstock.

I cut some strips of patterned paper and placed on the base page. Don't stress. Just cut and glue scrappers. Cut.and.Glue.

I started building the page using a cut out journal "pocket card", some golden punched circles, a paper clip with some twine tied in a bow, some golden enamel dots and a kraft journal strip.

I wanted a little more texture on my page, so I used to Scor Tape to adhere some orange rick rak.
From the collection, I pop dotted 2 of the palm tree stickers

I finished my layout with a title using some letter stickers from my stash. For a little dimension I put glossy accents on my title.

This layout came together so quick and easy.  That's my kind of layout when I am power scrapping.

Before I let you go, I wanted to share some other layouts I made using the same collection.  I was able to get 5 layouts out of this mini collection kit. With my leftovers, I embellished a pillow box (to be shared on the blog later this week).  I have a few scraps leftover that will work great for a gift card holder (my favorite things to make next to layouts), a gift tag or card. I may even be able to stretch it and get another layout done.

who said a dinosaur collection had to be ALL "rough and tumble"?!?!

my small stash of scraps leftover!

So, do you love "power scrapping" with one collection pack? I'd love to hear how you "power scrap".

If you are local, The Little Blue House has a great Scraptivity workshop that is catered to this style of scrapbooking: "Scrap a Pack Workshop". If you stress about the creative process but want to get a lot of pages done using one collection pack, this is the class for you.

Have a great week!!!

Nat

"Today Happens Only Once" Minibook Tutorial

"Today Happens Only Once" Minibook
designed by Susan Tidwell

Susan Tidwell here from the LBH Media Team for a minibook tutorial using the fabulous "Playful" paper line from Authentique. The fun color palette of orange, turquoise, navy and gray make these papers perfect for summer projects!

I have created a mini "squash" book which is also called a "dragon" book because of it's meandering folds. This book can be made larger as well - you just need to start with three square base pages whatever size you desire.

Let's get started.

Supply List

(2) 4"x4" pieces of corrugated cardboard

(3) 8"x8" cardstock (I used navy)

(1) sheet Authentique "Playful" Components (cardstock diecut embellishments)

(1) sheet Authentique "Playful" Enhancements (journal cards)

(1) Authentique "Playful" - Hoopla (plaid)

(1) Authentique "Playful" - Elate (hearts)

(1) Authentique "Playful" - Accompany (ampersands)

(1) Authentique "Playful" - Foundation (solid, orange/teal)

(1) pkg. Queen & Co. "Checkers" (orange gingham "button" stickers)

1/2 yard blue and white baker's twine

2" red satin ribbon

5" thin orange twine

blue ink - Quick Quotes Chalk Ink "Blue Moon"

coral ink - Distress Ink "Abandoned Coral"

2 small pieces velcro

liquid adhesive or tape runner

Glossy Accents

white Uniball Signo gel pen

1/8 or 1/16" hole punch

Scoring tool and bone folder

scrap of washi tape

optional: star and heart punches, stapler

Instructions

1. Score and fold each square piece of yardstick in half. Open up and score and fold in half in the other direction. This will make a cross ( + ) on each sheet.  Score and fold each sheet once again but diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner.

2.  Grasp the corners with the diagonal folds and push the diagonals in to collapse the sheet into a square. Press all folds well. Repeat for all three.

3. Unfold the squares and adhere together overlapping the lower right quadrant of the first piece with the upper left quadrant of the second piece. Repeat with the third piece, gluing the upper left quadrant to the lower right quadrant of the second piece. When all three pieces have been attached, collapse/"squash" into a square book.

4. Tear paper off one side of each of the corrugated cardboard pieces exposing the ridges. Ink edges and ridges with blue ink. Glue one piece to the front cover and one to the back cover.

5. Cut 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" square pieces from the assorted pattern pieces. Some of these pieces will then be cut in half diagonally to form triangles for some of the pages in the book. Ink all edges with coral ink.

6. Open book and lay flat. Start adhering papers to cardstock pages. Mix up the patterns and colors for interest. I left some pages blank and later decorated with scraps, the cardstock diecuts and journal cards. Below you can see one "side" of the opened book decorated.

7. Turn over and repeat for second side.

8.  Decorate pages as desired. I added some punched hearts and stars and some of the yardstick diets here and there. Add Glossy Accents over these. I also doodled with a white pen.

9. To decorate the cover, I used one of the journal cards, cut it down slightly and inked the edges. I added for checkered "buttons" in the corners and looped and glued baker's twine around to form a frame, knotting it in the upper right corner. The tiny tag is cut from one of the journal cards. I cut it into a tag shape, punched a hole in the top and threaded orange twine through the hole. It is attached around the upper right button as well.

10.  Since the book is fat and didn't want to stay closed very well, I made a closure out of one of the cardstock embellishments. I cut the strip in half and glued one end of each piece under the right and left edges of the cover panel. I added tiny pieces of velcro to the ends and then wrapped them to the back, glueing the other side of the velcro pieces to the back. (See below.)

 11. Add some fun photos and you are finished! Here is another photo showing how the little book "meanders."

 

I hope you enjoyed my little minibook project! All supplies can be found either in-house at The Little Blue House or on our website: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com
 

HAPPY CREATING THIS SUMMER!

Susan
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Thanks Susan for that great tutorial! I love making these types of mini-books--- these books make perfect gifts for friends and family and can hold sooo many photos!!!

 

I  wanted to share with you a workshop coming up with Susan Tidwell at The Little Blue House!
If you love the color theme of the Authentique- Playful Collection you will love these
"Happy Houses" designed by Susan T!

This is a fun mixed media workshop coming up on July 7th (Tuesday) Susan is offering a morning and evening workshop! Visit the Workshops Page on our Website for all the Details on this upcoming class! www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

 

Have a great weekend,

Kristyn

"One Awesome Boy" Layout Tutorial - Echo Park "Jack and Jill" Collection

"ONE AWESOME BOY" Layout

Susan Tidwell here to share another layout tutorial with you featuring Echo Park's "Jack" paper collection. This collection is so cute and is perfect for boy layouts and projects!  I love that it has two 12" x 12" sticker sheets and lots of other
embellishments that coordinate.

Let's get started! 

SUPPLY LIST

(1) 12"x12" white card stock, plus a small scrap *

(2) 4"x 6" navy cardstock *

Echo Park "Jack" papers - 1 each "Cars," "Airplanes," "Stamp"

Echo Park "Alpha Sticker" sheet

Echo Park "Element Stickers" sheet

Bella Blvd Invisibles - Referee

Maya Road camera chipboard

(1) 4" x 6" Ten Seconds Studio Deco Leather

star stencils or dies in different sizes

Ranger Distress Ink - Ripe Persimmon

Ranger Distress Paint - Ripe Persimmon *

18" narrow red and white stripe ribbon *

Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue

Glossy Accents

dimensional foam dots - thin and thick *
White Uniball Signo pen *

(*products available in store only)

INSTRUCTIONS

 

1.  Cut a strip of the Referee Invisible sheet measuring 3 inches from the center point of the decorative shape. (I used the stripes horizontally, but you could also cut another edge so the stripes run vertically.) Paint curved edges with Distress Paint (not shown) and let dry. From remaining Invisible sheet cut a  2 1/2" x 4" strip with stripes running vertically. Cut "v" shape from one end and set aside to add later.

2.  Remove black B-O-Y stickers from Alpha Sticker sheet and adhere to white card stock scraps. Trim to size. Ink edges with Distress Ink.

3.  Use star stencil to trace 3 different size stars on back of leather. (You could also die cut the leather.) I used my favorite white pen, the Uniball Signo, so the tracing would show up on the black side. Cut out.

4.  Cut "Be" from the Be Awesome sticker on the Alpha Sticker sheet. Add this sticker along with two star stickers and the small orange "O," "N," "E" alpha stickers to the Invisible shape. Glue on the smallest leather star and the BOY letters (see photo above).

5.  Cut car paper 3 1/2" x 10"(diamond side) and 3" x 10" (orange car side); airplane paper 2" x 12" and wood paper 2" x 9." Cut "v" shape in ends of airplane strip. Ink edges of all four paper strips with Distress Ink and adhere to white card stock as shown in photo. Glue down the small Invisible shape in lower right corner of layout before adhering the airplane strip.

6.  Center scalloped medium blue border sticker from the Element Sticker Sheet below airplane strip. Cut ribbon a little over 12" and tie knot in each end. Knot remaining piece of the ribbon around the first piece and glue on seam between airplane strip and scalloped border.

7.  Layer photos on photo mats and trim if necessary. Add to layout. Add flag stickers from Element Stickers sheet to right edge of larger photo. Add orange tab sticker to top of left photo. Place three "button" stickers in upper left corner. Add navy arrow sticker near bottom of wood paper strip. Add "Boys Rule" and boy definition stickers on thin dimensional dots at bottom of layout. Note: these stickers are all from Element Sticker Sheet.

8.  Paint chipboard camera with Distress Paint. When dry, cover with Glossy Accents.  When dry, add to layout.

9.  Mount two remaining leather stars on thick dimensional dots and place on layout. Add remaining three stickers on thick dimensional dots and add to layout.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will check out the "Jack" collection, especially if you have boys! The "Jill" collection is the coordinating paper line for girls.

Happy Scrapping!

 

Trend Report- Vellum (Day 2)

Trend Reports, Tips & Tutorials on Vellum...
today we are featuring the Sprinkles Vellum by Doodlebug Design!

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Hi it's Valerie-- I used the Doodlebug Designs Sprinkles Vellum on my Easter projects. When I saw the fun spring colors I knew they would be perfect for those projects!! I received the Bubblegum and the Limeade and it worked beautifully with Echo Park's Happy Easter Collection .

The vellum punches beautifully - I used my scalloped circle punch on this

 

And the vellum takes adhesive perfectly without it showing through the front after applying and sticking to my projects. That is huge for me as I don't like the way that looks and it's kept me from using vellum pieces in the past. I cut some strips and used it like washi pieces on this bag and as you can see no adhesive showing even though I used my regular ATG gun on this!!

I give this vellum 2 huge thumbs up!! :)

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Hi it's Vicki sharing my Vellum Trend Report and Tutorial :)

I used my vellum in a couple of different ways, on two different pieces but using the same technique. 

  I created the dimensional vellum flower by die cutting four flowers.  

Two large and two medium of the same flower shape. All from the vellum.

Using my white Sharpie I edged the petals of each of the four flowers.

Once I knew they were completely dry I used a pencil to roll up the edges of the flowers to give them a little lift. At that point all there is left to do is put them together to build the flower, using a brad to hold them together in the center.

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Hi it's Nadine! :)  I would like to share with you how I made this flower using Doodlebugs Sprinkles Vellum from The Little Blue House.  I love using vellum on layouts and cards and the little texture dots on these vellum sheets make this vellum even more fun to use.

Supplies Needed:

Doodlebug Sprinkles Vellum
Wet Adhesive
Scissors
Brad
Sewing Machine
Thread

 1. Freehand cut three circles with the vellum color of your choice; I used the Tangerine color. Cut each circle slightly larger than the last one. Freehand cut a leaf shape using the Limeade vellum.

 

2. Cut each circle and leaf to a center point as shown below.

 

3. Using a wet adhesive slightly overlap the previous cut area and adhere together. This will make the circles cup a little.

 

4. Once dry, using a sewing machine sew in a circle around the outside edges of the circles. Don't worry if your sewing isn't perfect. It gives more character when it's not perfect or at least that is my story, and I am sticking to it. :)

 

5. Using a small dab of your wet adhesive in the middle of your biggest circle and adhering the medium size flower to it then adding more wet adhesive to the medium size circle to adhere the smallest one to.

6. Add a brad to the middle and use on your layouts or cards for a fun DIY vellum flower.

 

I hope these Vellum Trend Reports and Tutorials
inspired you to create more with Vellum!

You can find Sprinkles Vellum by Doodlebug Designs at
The Little Blue House or at the LBH Online Shop!