Feb 28, 2020

EASTER FUN - Simple Stories



Hi there!
Nathalie with you today bringing you a new layout all about those sweet memories of Easter Egg hunts.   I think we all have memories of our children (or younger us) enjoying all the egg hunt finds, and what better way to enjoy them than to document them with the new Simple Stories Hip Hop Hooray collection.  It is just the perfect Easter and also Spring collection.





I created a simple design for the page so that i can mix all the beautiful paper colors and cute embellishments.  First i used the Butterflies stencil and some white texture paste to create a few impressions on a piece of the 6x8 wood grain paper.





Since both my little (niece and nephew) are wearing bunny ears, i quickly chose the Hippity Hop paper for the background of the page.  First i chose a strip of the Puddle Jumper paper as an anchor for the page.  I decided to keep add a few more paper layers behind the paper strip from the 6x8 paper pad and Hello Peeps paper.





I used the Bunny Tails and Hello Peeps paper to back the pictures, and then set them on the wood grain paper piece ( once the texture paste impression had dried).  I set the paper on the middle of the page and  then started adding embellishments around the photos and paper strips.  With so many cute and colorful embellishments it was easy to mix and match them on the page.





The cute little bunny embellishments are so adorable, and so perfect to embellish the title of the page.  I combined the sentiments from the Bits and Pieces and Combo Sticker sheet to create the title at the bottom of the page.  Here i added the bunnies and a few more embellishments in a large cluster.  To finalize the page, I used the Hip Hop Hooray stamp set to add a few sentiments to the page.





I just love all the color and cheery nature of the page.   The textures in the paste, papers and embellishments complement the picture of my littles nicely.  I am sure that you are going to love documenting your Easter/ Spring memories with the new Simple Stories HIP HOP HOORAY collection, make sure to check it out!
Til' next time.







Feb 26, 2020

ALTENEW February 2020 Stencils/Decals/Stand-alone Dies Release Blog Hop + Giveaway


Hi there!
Welcome to the ALTENEW FEBRUARY 2020 STENCILS/DECALS/STAND_ALONE DIES RELEASE BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY.  You are arriving from Laurie's blog ( a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post.

With so many ALTENEW beautiful products to chose from, it was so easy to combine a few of them to create unique projects.  Let me show you:


FOREVER LOVE



I used the Open Blooms 3D die set , Fine Frames Diamond Die Set and the Nesting Frame die set in this page all about my Brother in law's wedding!





The new Open Blooms  3d die set can help you recreate the beautiful flowers you see in the page.  I pulled the Shades of Purple, Green Meadows, and Red Cherry Gradient cardstock to create the florals.   The fine lines of the Diamond Frames die set create the perfect background for the page.





To finish the page, i cut a small label with the Nesting Frame dies and added the title inside it. I love how this turned out and now my sister in law can starting adding her memories!


HI HELLO YOU



For this page, i used the new  Hand Drawn Tile stencil and a few of the Altenew crips ink.   I started by masking the stencil so that i can only get the center impression of the stencil and form the tile pattern on the title page.  I used two color inks and my blending brush to construct the background.




I cut a piece of vellum to fit in the center tile, and then used the Bold Greetings Die Set to cut the title sentiment for the page from glitter paper that matched the colors of the page.   This page came together quickly and i love the title pattern on the  layout.




MY FAVORITE PLACE TO BE IS WHERE YOU ARE



Nothing is more satisfying than to build a scrapbook page from scratch, such as the case of this layout.  I used the Blooming Dahlia and Tranquil Wings stencil set to create the embellishments and background for the page.





This time, i used a fine liner and the Bursting Dahlia stencil as the template to draw a few of the flowers, then used the new Artitst Watercolor palette to detail the flowers.  I used a bit of rose gold texture paste to add the centers on the flowers and repeated it on the background, too.



All flowers need butterflies!  i used the new Tranquil Wings stencil set to create the butterfly.  First i used Chamomile ink to create the background of the butterfly. Then used a stencil brush and gold glaze to create the details in the wings, and finally added the thorax of the butterfly with a palette knife.  The combination of the techniques bring texture and dimension to the page, and you can see the page come together in the following video:





Just love how this turned out, and now let's switch our focus from memory keeping to card making...

HI




The new Dotted Starburst Embossing Cover Die  is beautiful on its own, but i combined it with the Fine Frames Square Die set to create this CAS card.





First i used the Debossing cover die to embossed both white and teal cardstock.  I then used the Fine Frames Square die set to cut the white panel into small squares.  And attached them with foam adhesive to the teal pannel ( at the exact placement).



I finished the card by adding a sentiment from the  Bold Greetings sentiment die set ( i cut the word twice from glitter paper and stacked them together).   Just love the simple and clean look of the card!


SENDING BIRTHDAY WISHES





I am sure that many times you stamp extra florals and set them aside for the perfect occasion.  Well, i used a few of my extra stamps (BAF Triumph Tulip, BAF Begonia) to create this card.   As soon as i saw the Geometric Roulette Stencil i knew it will create the perfect  background for the flowers.




I used a bit of ink and a blending brush to create the panel.  I set the florals on the empty space the  stencil created on the center of the impression and then  added  a sentiment from the new Happy Birthday stamp set from the Stamping Village.    Just love the pop of color in the card!


FOR  YOU



This card is probably so out of my comfort zone, but i love it!!!  I am not an animal print girl, but there was something about this stencil that just needed to be in my collection.  I started by adding ink onto a card panel, making sure to keep the center of the card lighter than the rest of the card.  I used a stencil brush and gold texture paste to then create the impression of the Wild Leopard Stencil  (making sure to keep a clean edge around the panel).




This time, i cut the sentiment 3 times from double cardstock, and once from metallic black paper using the Fancy For You die set  .  I stacked the die cuts together to form the dimensional diecut, and set it on the center of the card.  Just love how this turned out!

And now i am done!  I created quite a few projects for this hop, since working with stencils and dies make paper crafting simple and easy.  I hope these have inspire you to check the new Altenew goodies.


---------------------------------

Now it is time for the fun part of this blog hop:  GIVEAWAY

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 3/3/2020 for a chance to win.


We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 3/6/2020. 

-------------------------------

That is it for me today! and now it is time to hop onto Erum's blog to be inspired by her amazing work. Remember you can come back here to complete the loop, or visit the Altenew Card blog or Altenew Scrapbook blog to start your loop.     Here is a list of all the participants:


Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE



Thank you for stopping by!

Feb 24, 2020

REMEMBER TODAY - Just Nick Studio

Hi there friends!
Nathalie with you today sharing a new project filled with bright and happy memories.  I am so hoping for Spring to arrive, so, i am making my own Spring on my pages with this colorful page filled with flowers and cut files from the JustNick Studio shop.



As soon as i saw the new OPEN FLORAL BACKGROUND, the idea of creating a panel for my layout formed in my mind.  So, i shrunk the design to be 6x6, then used the Silhouette software to weld two of the backgrounds together to create the panel  die cut for the page.






While the background was cutting, i added a bit of white paint and Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide  on a sheet of turquoise cardstock.  In addition, i used the time to fussy cut a few floral images from the Dear Lizzy's She is Magic collection.





To assemble the page, i  first glued the panel onto the background.  The picture was then placed on the page surrounded by all the fussy cut florals.   I cut the word always 4 times from white cardstock using the LOVE YOU ETERNAL cut file.  The die cuts were stacked together as to form a dimensional die cut and this was glued onto the cluster of florals at the bottom of the picture.






To create the title, i cut the word Remember from the REMEMBER FLORAL cut file twice from white cardstock. Then stacked the die cuts together and finished by adding a light coat of shimmer watercolor on top.   The word along with some alphas complete my page.



Just love how quick and easily this page came together.   The soft panel die cut is the perfect background for this memory of my niece.  Remember to stop by the Just Nick Studio shop to check the cut files used here and all the new designs available.
'Til next time!


Feb 22, 2020

ALTENEW PAINT-A-FLOWER: ROSE RELEASE BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY


Hi there!
Welcome to the ALTENEW PAINT-A-FLOWER: ROSE RELEASE BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY, you are arriving from  Jenny Colaccico's blog. A list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post.
It is time for  a new flower to join in the PAINT-A-FLOWER family.  The new PAF: ROSE is one you want to add on your collection.  The delicate but detailed image is perfect for all types of projects, or just to practice your coloring.  I chose to work a layout for my Family album with this stamp.




I wanted the flowers to be the focus of this project, so i pulled a few pictures of my daughter and i to create this page.




It all started by creating the flower corners on the layout using the stamp and Altenew's Black Obsidian Pigment ink.  I chose to have the  images as if they were coming into the page, and only occupy the edges of the page.




Here is where i put on my audio book, pulled the new Artist Watercolor Palette and color the flowers.  This time, i decided to start each flower with a light wash of yellow watercolor, and then build the color of each flower by adding pigment to each petal making sure to concentrate the watercolor in areas toward the center of the flower.




Once i finished coloring ( 2+ hours) i used a fine white gel pen to add small details to the centers of the filler flowers and the petals of each flower. The small dots and lines help to create the illusion of roundness and dimension on the page.   The following video will show you how it all came together:


                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                

I just love how the page turned out! The new PAF: ROSE is sure a must have in your collection.   Remember to check the stamp at the Altenew shop, or better yet sign up for the PAF Susbcription program:




This is a monthly subscription plan for our Paint-A-Flower set. When signed up, you are guaranteed a spot in our monthly PAF releases and will receive a set each month - at a specially discounted price! ($15.99 →$12.99)


And now onto the fun part of this blog hop.... GIVEAWAY time

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 5 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 03/02/2020.

Good Luck everyone!

This is it for me, and now it is time to stop by the Altenew Scrapbook blog . Remember you can always come back here to complete the loop or visit the Altenew Card blog or Altenew Scrapbook Blog to start the hop. A list of all the participants is available here:



Thank you so much for joining me today!

XO


Feb 17, 2020

FABULOUS YOU - Scrapbook Nerd



Hi there!
This week, the DT at Scrapbook Nerd is working with stencils to create their projects.  I chose to create my background by combining a few stencils, materials and textures in the background of my layout.




I started with a piece of Marshmallow cardstock from Bazzill.  First i used a Vicki Boutin script stencil and diluted acrylic paint (Dina Wakely) to create the impression on the page.  By applying the paint with a stencil brush, it is easy to control the richness of color and also create the ghost effect of the application. 



Using Acrylic paint helps to prevent the impression from disappearing when adding the watercolor layer ( VB watercolor markers).  Then to finish the background work, i  added a bit of texture using VB Rose Gold glaze and a Kaisercraft stencil.  This time, i run the glaze with a palette knife on the stencil, thus creating the bumpy texture on the background.





While the background completely dried, i used Heidi Swapp's Honey and Spice collection to build all the paper layers behind the picture.  I tried to add the bulk of the papers towards the left of the picture,  for this, i reached for a cut file from Just Nick studio to help me elongate the paper cluster to the left of the picture.   I set all these on the top right side of  the page.





When the background was created, i made sure to add a small section of mixed media to the side of  the page, so that i could balance the layout.  I used a few of the collection's embellishments to create a small cluster and then used Kaisercraft Stickers to construct my title as a link between the two corners of the page.




I love how this turned out, especially with the beautiful Boston Terrier image on the collection.  The following video will show you how the page came together:



Don't forget to stop by the shop to check the materials used in this page, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions

XO

Feb 14, 2020

BEAUTIFUL US - JustNIck Studio

Happy Valentine's Day JustNick Studio friends!
Nathalie with you today with a new layout all about love.   My husband and I have been married for 20yrs which means this will be our 20th Valentine's day!  So, i wanted to document last year picture using some of the new cut files available at the  JustNIck Studio shop!



Who says Valentine's has to be all about red and pink?  Well, my choice was to bring a combination of soft and bold colors along with flowers and dynamic design.





To build my cut hear cut out, i used the outline heart from the FLORAL HEART cut file ( i separated the paths, so that i can only use the outside edge of the heart) and added an inside off set to create the small heart frame.  I backed the heart with vellum and a paper from the Just A Little Lovely collection from Pinkfresh Stiudio.





I used papers from the new My Favorite Story (Pinkfresh Studio) to create the background for this page.  I set the heart on the background  so that it sits on a bit of an offset at the center of the page.






I cut two of the bottom floral from the DIVIDED FLORAL Cut file and laid them along the right side of the heart.  This created a soft cascade of white floral images along the bold side of the background.





I kept the left side of the heart pretty simple.  This time i use  BUTTERFLY cut file to create the one that sits next to the title.  I cut it from white cardstock, and then use vellum to cut a simple silhouette of the same butterfly so i can layered them together.



I added just a few more embellishments from the collection and then a few lines of journal complete my page.  I LOVE how this turned out, simple and bold just like my hunny and I.

Remember to stop by the JUSTNICK Studio blog to check all the cut files used in this page,

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY everyone!

Feb 13, 2020

Altenew February 2020 Stamp/Die/Stencil/Cutting Mat/Artist Watercolor 24 Pan Set Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

hi there!

Welcome to the ALTENEW FEBRUARY 2020 STAMP/DIE/STENCIL/CUTTING MAT/ARTIST WATERCOLOR 24 PAN SET RELEASE BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY.  You are arriving from Altenew Scrapbook Blog ( A list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post).



With so many beautiful products, it is always so hard to chose a favorite!  However the new 24 Artist Watercolor Palette is probably one of my most beloved of the Altenew products.  With that being said, let me show you what i have created:



Of course i am starting with a layout  created using the new 24 Artist Watercolor palette.   Just look at the vivid colors of the palette and the soft finish on the page.  Just amazing!  For this page, i created circles on the background using Black Obsidian ink, and then fill each circle with watercolor as to bring a rainbow to the page.





A bit of black watercolor surrounding the circles, just make the colors pop.    I added a bit of embossing paste through the Feeling Dotty stencil to add texture to the page, then continued the circle design with the pictures and embellishments  ( Live your Dream collection).  The following  video will show you how it all came together:



Just love this amazing palette, a must have for sure!  Of course i love the stamp/dies and stencils,  all the beautiful designs are just perfect to create cards.




The New Beginnings stamp set is filled with beautiful and delicate designs which you can color with your favorite medium ( or challenge yourself!).  I chose to create a CAS card using a few of the images and my Artist Markers.




Once i stamped the images on white cardstock with Obsidian Ink, i pulled my Artist Marker set D & E and detailed the leaves and flowers.   I cut the circle frame from white cardstock using the Halftone Circle die, and set it all on pink cardstock.



I Finished my card by using the Winter Wishes stamp set and the Label stamp set and Jet Black Crisp Ink.  A few glitter drops complete the design.  I love how this turned out!



Of course, i always return to using Altenew goodies on my memory keeping, so i decided to create a few layouts for my Family album (Citrus Twist Kits).   For the first one, i used the new Watercolor Roses stamp set and Spring Bouquet mini INk Cubes for it





I used the stamp to create my own embellished tag.  I placed the images so that they filled the tag, however to make sure the picture becomes the center of the page, i cut a second tag from vellum, and layered it on top, so that the translucency of the paper shows the stamped background, but on a softer light.






To finish my page, i went ahead and created  my Title pocket card  using stamped die cut flowers and a simple word sticker.    I kept the second card very simple so that your eye can rest from the color of the flowers.






This stamp set is simple to use and can yield versatile looks on your projects by varying your stamping techniques.   Now let's look at another layout created with the new Exotic Garden Stamp set




Once again, i am creating a page for my Family album.  This time i chose to show case the simple beauty of this floral stamp cluster.




To make my Goddaughter's pictures stand out, i stamped the image with Black Obsidian ink just at the edges of the page, so that it frames the pictures.  Then backed the panel with wood grain paper to continue the color from the pictures.






I stamped the image one more time on white cardstock and trimmed two 3x4 cards from it.  One holds the lines of journal, and the second one forms the title card.  Here i loosely color the images to match the pictures using the Altenew 36 Pan Watercolor palette. 





Just love the delicate design of the Exotic Garden Stamp set.   Whether you color it or simply stamp it in your project, it will sure stand out.  Now let's look at my last project of the day!




I always love good background stamps, there is something about creating your own patterned paper that makes you love your projects.    The new Dotted Diamond stamp set is one that will fast become a new favorite in your collection.




I used the stamp set to create my background by heat embossing it one Platinum Embossing powder onto pink cardstock.  Once the first embossing was done, i followed be heat embossing the background stamp with Crisp White embossing powder.  This time i slightly shift the stamp set so that it creates a more intricate pattern on the background. 





I also stamped a piece of the same cardstock with Black Obsidian ink and used the Fine Alpha die set to create the title.  Then embellished the page with florals from the Calming Bouquet Washi Tape.  The following video will show you how easy this page came together..




I had so much fun creating all these projects, and i hope they inspire you to check the stamps, dies, stencils and the lovely watercolor palette. 

Now it is time for the fun part of this blog hop:     GIVEAWAY

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 2/18/2020 for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $20 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 2/21/2020. 


Good Luck everyone!

This is all for me, and it is time to continue hopping along, your next stop is ISHA .  Remember you can always come back here to complete the loop, or hop onto the Altenew Card Blog or Altenew Scrapbook Blog to start the hop.  A list of all the participants is available here for your convenience

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE


Thank you so much for visiting!!!