A Hybrid Layout

My Happy Room ( alias my craft room ) is NOT a pretty sight at the moment - I am buried in projects and paper and despite the mess I am loving  it!! - some of the projects I am working on have come together more easily than others - but this layout took on a life of it's own - I'm sure you have all had that moment when you have an idea in your mind but when you put it into action....it doesn't quite turn out the way you imagined. Well this is what happen here LOL!! All the same I still managed the tropical look I wanted!

 

This is very much a "hybrid" layout - my palm tree and hibiscus flowers are from a "A Road to Bali" a Digital Scrapbook Kit created by Janet Carr of Little Feet Digital Designs - and if you want this kit for you own collection - then you need to visit http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ and participate in the digi challenge..

....because if you do - you can have this kit for FREE!! I printed the embellishments in Black and White on some X-Press IT Blending card and then used my Copics to color the images.

Copics Used:
Trunk of Palm Tree - E33, E35, E37
Leaves of Palm Tree - G02, G05, G07
Hibiscus Flower - Y23, RV23, RV25, RV29

and my Colourless Blender to "push" out the background and define the edges of the leaves....I also wanted a "translucent" appearance to my hibiscus flowers just to give them a more realistic look - not sure I succeed there LOL!! - but the effect was a little different than the usual blending techniques.

X-Press IT Blending Card and the full range of Copic Markers can be purchased online from http://www.madformarkers.com.au/

I used a Black Multiliner 1.0mm  (also available at Mad for Markers ) for my border, the scallop edge and journalling are from the "La Mode" Stamp Set exclusive to http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink. The printed paper is called "Ledger" from Kaisercraft, I added some striped paper ribbon from Creative Memories and some fabric ribbon from my "stash"  then added a few small pearl beads to the stamens of the hibiscus.

I LOVE it when I can combine my love of Copics with my love of Scrapbook ....fun, fun, fun!!

...and don't forget to visit the Mad for Markers stand at Paperific (Melbourne ) next week - 1st-3rd of April - the full range of Copic Ciao and Sketch markers will be available.... Sammi and the team will have lots to inspire you including, both the La La Land Craft & The Greeting Farm stamps - Looking forward to seeing you there!

Fun & Games at For the Luv of Art!

I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to work with the For the Luv of Art team and this awesome group of talented artists.

The team is full of very clever and inspirational ladies, they have worked very hard since this announcement was made ( just a few days ago ) to create a FUN digi challenge over at http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ and if you love digi freebies you won't want to miss out on it!!

Here are the details:

Welcome to the brand NEW Monthly Digi Challenges at FTLOA


Every month the Digital Design Team will bring you a fun activity to inspire your digital creations
• Digital or hybrid layouts and projects welcome!

April 2011 – Sketch Challenge – with a twist

Our very 1st challenge comes with the opportunity to earn this fabulous Mini Kit designed by Janet Carr of LittleFeetDigitalDesigns.
 

All you have to do is earn 20 or more points in this challenge and we will personally forward the “Road to Bali” package to your inbox


– COOL! Hey!??!

Rules

Your project MUST be based on this Sketch Design.

5 points = completing the challenge ( easy!! )
2 points = using the colour “blue” somewhere in your project
10 points = Use 2 or more Digi Kits from the FTLOA store ( can be the same designer or two different designers )
5 points = upload your project to the FTLOA gallery prior to the 20th April
2 points = adding a link to your project in this forum.
2 points = having a Page Title and Journalling on your project

I had so much fun creating the sketch - and the layout I completed is for my friend's children's album - memories of their pet lamb - Mary

...the layout uses a variety of digi products available online at the For the Luv of Art store -
Hello Sunshine Digital Kit - Dana Miron

Digital August Yellow Bag Add-on - Amy Teets
...extra embellishments - staple from Janet Carr's Road to Bali - freebie kit/ stitching from Janet Carr's Dear Sweet Friend Digital Kit

...then because I earnt the required 20 points - I received the "free" Road to Bali kit - and this is what I created.

If you LOVE  "everything digital" you really MUST  come on over to http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ - it is a warm, welcome and fun online community - with a very generous heart.

New Stamps, Cards & Digi Papers

This post is long overdue and although I have lots of things to share,  I have no excuses.... just haven't found the time to blog.... I do however, have some exciting news to share. Firstly a little "Woo Hoo" to me!! ;) Last weekend I attended the Copic Certificaton Course in Melbourne - it was a lot of fun, I learned lots and can now share some wonderful new techniques with you.

Here I am with the lovely Mandi -  who was our instructor and as you can see we were a little weary after our long day in the classroom....but not as tired, as my new colouring friend Natalie from Seriously Scrapbooking in Adelaide, who flew in just for the day, to attend the class. Thanks for sharing the day and your wonderful chipboard designs with me Natalie.... it was lovely to meet you.

I came home very enthusiastic and had a great time experimenting with new colours and techniques. However, I have also been busy putting the final touches to the new design team and challenges at http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ - be sure to visit and check out all the fun and inspiration we have in store for you there. This weekend I spent my time combining my love of Copics and Digital Designs and created these cards.

This card uses one of my favourite little Hanglar images, combined with some gorgeous B/W patterned paper from Angel Hartline's Digital Kit - "One Fine Day". This is one of my all- time favourite kits it is a stunning collection of papers and embellishments in classic Red, Black and White - you can find it here http://angelhartline.com/angeltown.html

..and this little Hanglar cutie is called - Allahjartns which aptly means girl with heart ...lots of pink and glitter on this one LOL!! - Pink Stickles used on the heart, Distress Stickles - Antique Linen added to the flowers and the lovely Music print is a Digital Paper from  ATC Art v.1 from Angel Hartline Designs. 

During the Copic Certification we got to play with the new La La Land Craft Stamps and I have the pleasure of announcing that the La La Land range of stamps are now available to order online - at the Mad for Markers store  - http://www.madformarkers.com.au/ - Woo Hoo!! - these are just some of the cutest little images you have ever seen! The stamps are deeply etched cling cushion rubber, all cut, ready to use on your acrylic blocks...the Marci and Luka characters truly are gorgeous images to colour and the animal creatures are simply adorable - especially the sweet little "Easter Bunny"! - perfect timing for your Easter Card making.

I chose to share "Luka with Truck" with you today - just to follow along with our Male Card Theme over on the Challenge Blog at M4M - and if you look closely at the photo you will see a "sneak peek" of Miss "Sugar & Spice Marci" - very cute!

 
Copics Used:


Hair - E31, E33, E35

Skin - E00, E11, R20

Jacket - YG93, YG95, YG97

Pants - B93, B95, B97

Shirt - Y21, Y23, Y26

Truck - C-3, C-5, C-7, YG23, R35, R37



If you would like to see these stamps in person don't forget to visit the Mad for Markers stand at Paperific (Melbourne ) on 1st-3rd of April - the full range of Ciao and Sketch markers will be available and we will also have the April release of The Greeting Farm stamps -We look forward to seeing you there!

For the Luv of Art

Have you ever visited the wonderful world of  http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ ?? It is a wonderful online store for all your creative pursuits including a fun and inspiring forum community. For The Luv of Art nutures your creative needs through many artistic mediums - fabric, paper, ink, paints, stamps, digital software and the list goes on....and on!!!....The gallery is a gorgeous collection of art work from many talented ladies throughout the world....who love to share their work and special techniques. I LOVE "playing" there and if you are a Digital/Hybrid artist we would love to have you onboard too....and I encourage you to apply for the Creative Team call listed below. I can promise you a very warm welcome and plenty of inspiration.

Scrappin' Saturday

I wanted to share with you the layout I posted to the Mad for Markers blog today http://madformarkers.blogspot.com/  these are some of my favourite photos of Little Miss Mali the baby elephant at the Melbourne Zoo. On the day I took these photos Mali was celebrating her 1st Birthday and like all babies was loving all the attention. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of her sitting on her cake but I took 100's and I mean 100's of photos of her playing in the water. She is such a water baby - she loves to splash and frolick in the little ponds and puts on quite a show for the Zoo visitors.

This is such a simple layout but I had so much fun with it.....designing my own patterned paper with my

Copic Markers. The striped paper was created using the Chisel/Broad tip of YG95, E27 and Y26. Here is a closeup so you can see exactly how it was created.

After I ruled my lines, I cut the paper it into thin strips but as you can see, cutting shapes from the lined pattern would give you some unique embellishments for your layouts too. You will also notice that I have an "inked" edge around my page and the mat I  placed my photos on - this I also created using my markers. I ran the edge of E27 around the outline of the paper and it gave me the same type of appearance as distressing ink - I love the effect!! The Birthday Girl ticket is a digi stamp coloured in with Y26 and the vine of leaves is a stamp I coloured in with YG93, YG95, YG97 and E27 just to add a finishing touch to my page.

A Little More Love

I wanted to share the card I made in honour of Valentine's Day and yes! once again I have used my favourite colour combo of pink and green. After I had coloured my little Magnolia cutie...Tilda with Heart from the You Are So Special Collection... I felt she looked like she was suspended in space, so to ground her, I added some grass. I created this effect by drawing a few "tufts" of grass with E27 and YG67 then  I randomly "scribbled" patches of YG93, Y95, Y97. Next I used my Copic Colourless Blender to colour over the top and blend all the colours together. I really like the effect and the "softness" it added to all the green combinations.

Copics Used:
Skin - E000, E01, E11, R20
Hair/Shoes - E31, E33, E35
Dress - R81, R83, R85
Grass/Leaves - E27, YG67, YG93, YG95, YG97

I also added some pink Kindy Glitz to the heart for a touch of sparkle.

I enhanced my card with papers from the Kaisercraft English Rose Collection and some leaf embellishments I made using a leaf and vine stamp from my "stash". I stamped directly onto my X-Press IT Blending Card and after I coloured the image I cut around the leaf outline and adhered to the card... enhancing with a few "pink" flowers ;)

The sentiment I printed up on my computer - the font is called CK Higgins Handprint - very cute!!!
The "faux-stitching" was done using a Black 0.1mm Multiliner Pen...apart from my Copics, this is the pen I use most, when creating my cards.. make sure you check out the range of Multiliner Pens available at the Mad for Markers store - http://www.madformarkers.com.au/catalog/
 
I thought I might enter this card in the Copic Oz Love Challenge over at http://copicoz.blogspot.com/  - there are some gorgeous cards over there... you should take a peek.



One Fine Day

I thought Valentine's Day would be the perfect time to introduce the newest Digital Kit from Angel Hartline Designs - http://angelhartline.com/angeltown.html

This Romantic Collection includes passionate damasks, florals, rich velvet roses, silk ribbons and intricately unique elements all in classy red, black and white.

Here are two digital layouts I created today using this stunning kit and the Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus 3.0 digital software - enjoy!