I AM LIMITLESS - Simple Stories

Hi there,
Nathalie with you today with some inspiration on documenting yourself.  I know most of us have a hard time taking pictures of ourselves/selfies which results on the lack of your presence on your documenting.   Here is where the new Simple Stories I AM 2020 comes  in to save your day.  All the papers and  designs are just perfect to bring your story forward.  Let me show you:

I started the page by, literally, copying the design the papers created when fanned out on the page.   I used the b-side of the Blooming Paper as the background for the page; then cut papers from the 6x8 paper pad, 3x4 elements and Fierce papers to create the paper fan idea on the page.  I took my time hanstitching the edges of the paper.

The starting point of the papers create the perfect spot for my pictures.  However the stitched edges of the papers are a great place to add embellishments, such as phrase stickers, ephemera, brads and enamel dots.  I even used the gorgeous foam gold alpha words to set my title in place along the stitched edge of the top paper.

I added a small  piece of vellum behind the picture and set it at the corner above the paper fans.  I pulled one of the journaling ephemera to anchor the cluster of embellishments to the layout and picture.   All the floral in this collection are amazing!!!

Just to balance the bottom cluster, i added a  second one to the top of the page.  To make the page cohesive, i repeated a few of the banner ideas in the cluster, and added a butterfly to each of the major clusters

I love how my crazy ideas turned into this colorful an beautiful layout all about ME.   I am sure the new I AM 2020 will become a new favorite of yours.   Remember to share with us what you created with the Simple Stories collections.

XO!

Let The Adventure Begin

Scrapbook Layout created for JustNick Studio  - LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN -

Hi there!

A new term for JustNick studio is starting this month.  I am so blessed to continue for another term working with Nicole's cut files.   So to mark the first post of the new term, we were asked to create pages about us.  My choice is to have  a picture of me at my happiest place, behind the camera!

My idea was to create a series of frames that are staggered along the vertical line of the layout,  so I started by adding small blocks of watercolor (Distress Oxides) to mark the place where each frame will land.

The Infinity Hearts cut file was used to creat all the frames in the background. These were attached to the page with some foam adhesive so that it brings dimension to the page.

Once the picture was placed, a large title was cut from white cardstock using the New Words cut file.   I chose to add a few layers of water-down gold glaze (Vicki Boutin) to bring shine to the page, and make the title pop.

I chose to use a few stickers and papers from Pebbles Patio Party colletion to back the layout and add movement to the page.  Clear stickers from Mambi were added to each frame, along with gold hearts from Doodlebug.

Finally all the journal was added to the inside of one of the frames.   All the color blocking created with the butterflies and stickers just need a bit of gold ink to be completed.

Love how this turned out!  the colors and design are just me in a page. Stop by JustNick Studio to check the blog (and see the cut files used) and all the designs available at the store.
Remember you can always contact me with any questions on how this was put together.

Til Next time!

Cherish

Scrapbook Layout created for Scrapbook Nerd  -  CHERISH  -

Hi there!

This week the entire Scrapbook Nerd DT was challenged to create a project about a memory of ourselves from the past.   Well, when we moved to Canada over 25 years ago, we lost most of our pictures that record our childhood, only a few survived.  So i pulled one of my beloved pictures of my mom with my sister and I (circa 1978) to create this project.

For the background, a bit of black acrylic paint was smeared so that it will bring all the details of the title and embellishments.  A few droplets of gold and white ink complete the background, and then set aside to dry.

The title was then built using a cut file from the Silhouette store.  It was enlarged so that it fit across the width of the page (about 9 in).  All the letters of the title were then backed with papers from the Vintage Girl collection from Photoplay paper.

Next, the same paper collection was used to create a few paper flowers that serve as decoration for the page -once again using a Silhouette Store cut file-.    A few vellum petals were added to the flowers to soften the layers, and are held together by a gold brad.   The leaves come from a Just Nick Studio cut file and were also cut from a paper from the collection.

To assemble the page,   the title was propped with some foam adhesive, and then the picture was tucked behind the center letters.   The flowers were then placed in clusters around the title and the picture.  Some stickers from the Vintage Girl collection, and Jen Hadfield's sitcker book were placed within the clusters to bring some more detail to the picture and the clusters.   A few lines of journal completed this page:

Though the page is filled with lots of large details, and a bit off the usual look of my pages, I am totally in love of what the end result of this page is.   The focus is centered on the title and the picture,  with lots of soft details.   Now it is time to frame it, and place it in our home!

Remember to stop by the Scrapbook Nerd Friends and Fans Facebook page this week to check more DT projects on this Blast from the Past assignment.  I am always a comment away if you have questions on how this came together.

XO

Nathalie

This is ME

Scrapbook Layout created for Simple Stories  - THIS IS ME -

Hello Simple Stories friends and fans!

Nathalie with you today.  I am so excited to be returning for a new term as a member of the Creative Team.  I love Simple Stories and the people behind it all.  Thank you Simple Stories for inviting me back!!!

Every time, I think i have finally picked my favorite Simple Stories collection; they top it with another more beautiful collection.  This is the case of  the new I AM collection.  When it arrived at my doorstep, I fell in love with all the papers and embellishments, and quickly pull a picture that mostly represent me to create a layout with it!   

We always document all those special moments in our lives, but some times forget to tell our story.  So what better way to keep a memory of you than to create a self affirmation page.   For this, I pulled a cut file from the Silhouette store, and cut the title for this page from the B side of the 3x4 journaling cards.   A bit of coordinating hand stitching just adds texture, and brings all the colors of the flowers forward.

A bit of white acrylic paint on the B side of the Bold and Beautiful paper make sure all the details in the title pop.   To emphasize the "ME" in the title, the word was cut form another paper from the collection and attach with foam adhesive to the title.

The icons and stickers from the collection are perfect to create clusters and embellish the page. The florals of this collection are so beautiful you will want to get a few of the sheets to fussy cut them, and add them to your projects.  But let's not  forget the beautiful roller stamp; the sentiments are just perfect to create a self-empowering page;  a must have!!!

You will fall in love with all the patterns and colors from the Simple Stories  I AM collection, and  it will help you to document your own story.

XO

Materials Used:
I AM collection
10024 Collection Kit
10027  Bold and Beautiful paper
10034 3x4 elements paper
10039  Chipboard Stickers
10040  Bits and Pieces
10041  4x6  Stickers
10042 Clear Stickers
10044  Dreaming Big Washi Tape
10045 Roller Stamp

Right Now

Scrapbook Layout created for Clique Kits  - RIGHT NOW -

Hello Clique friends!

 Today, I am sharing a new project created with the beautiful "Jellybean" kit, and one of the exclusive cut files included in this month's kit; I think the entire DT is in love with this cut file, not to mention the colors and patterns in the kit!

 

 This project is the happy result of the fusion of scrapbooking and Bible Journaling,  as it was created inspired by the  beautiful cut file, the colors in the kit, but above all Psalm 9:1, "I will give thanks to you , Lord with all my heart;  I will tell of your wonderful deeds" 

   


 To frame the beautiful flowers cut out, I chose to go all artsy,  and use a combination of watercolor, ink, stamps and gelatos to create the background of the page.  Using the packaging technique, some green ink was spread on the page.  A little bit of gelatos was then smeared on the  page using some water and watercolor

  Once all these dry, I used the new Altenew's Daisy layering stamp, that can be found in the Clique Store - to add just a few of the outline  of the leaves.   I have created  a small video on how the page was created, so sit and enjoy!

I hope you like the video!  As you can see, even when i mistakenly  smeared ink on the page, the beautiful flowers (created with the exclusive cut file and Paige Evans' Oh My Heart collection  paper #14  -both included in the Jellybean kit- ) cover a large amount of the background, so the big smeared just becomes a hint of color under the flowers.

 


 I created this page after working on my Bible journal,  and since I had just taken the picture for an updated head shot, i used the page as  a ways to journal about me and what i am thankful for.

    For the title, the beautiful wood piece in the Jellybean kit fit this layout perfectly.  So i simply added a thin layer of gold acrylic paint, and then gold embossed the letters for that added shine in the page  ( i love the end result!).  Here is the final layout:  

  I am happy with the end result of this page (even when the subject of the layout is me!).  The inspiration i found in combining my Bible journey, the Jellybean kit and color soothes my soul.  I hope you like it, too!  If you are not a subscriber, there is still a few a la carte Jellybean kits available, so don't forget to check the store.

 I am always  a comment away if you have a question on how this came together.

 Thanks for stopping by!  



Materials Used:

Clique Kits - April Kit

Cut file - Clique Kits - April Kit

Gelatos - kiwi, lime, limoncello - Faber Castell

Shimmer watercolor - Artist Loft - Michaels

Hampton Arts Ink Pads

color shine - citron, gold- Heidi Swapp

Altenew - Small daisy stamp

Heidi Swapp gold acrylic paint

Zig Embossing powder -gold

Be Brave

Scrapbook Layout created for Wild Whisper -   BE BRAVE -

Hello there,

Today, I am very excited to have my first project created for Wild Whisper.     This month's paper collection is divine to say the least.   Its main focus is love, but not only the romantic type, but one rooted in faith and connection, therefore the name,  "ROOTED LOVE"

I fell in love with the bird image on some of these papers, so I set out to create a cut file to highlight the shape ( you can find the cut file in the Wild Whisper website).

The background for this piece was created using watercolors, and i tried my best to keep it as light  as possible, so that the papers will stand out.

Finally,  i was able to document a picture of my daughter and I as we ziplined  across the mountains  over a large waterfall in Ecuador.  Here is the  complete layout:

I have created a video to show you how this page came together, please enjoy!

You can find all the details of this layout, and some more close ups at the Wild Whisper website and blog, just click here to be directed to the site.

As always, I am a comment away, if you have any questions.


Thanks for visiting, today!



Materials used:
Rooted love 12x12 paper collection, and journaling cards - Wild Whisper
Wood veneer - Brave, heart  - Wild Whisper
Cork heart - Spiegelmom crafts
Embossing powder -gold (Zing), charred gold (Emerald Creek)
Focus on You -Clear stamp set - Wild Whisper
Bazzil - heavy weight card stock - Marshmallow
Sequin Mix - Spiegelmom crafts
Watercolor palettes - The classics, pastel dreams - Prima Marketing
word stickers - Small chat - occasions - Tim Holtz - Idealogy

My Week In Pictures #10

The view from our balcony... Toronto at night

Hello Everyone,

It is time to highlight the best pictures of the week.  Since this week was personal week in the Capture Your 365 photo-a-day challenge,  most of the pictures this week reflect a side of me.

Gaining confidence with the camera  helps a lot when you are a self-critic.  Knowing how to work the light and process the picture give you a sense of confidence to stand in front of a mirror.

Sometimes considering angles allows you to compose a picture that depicts one of your favourite things as well as your mood for the day.   Here are my favorite boots...




Taking a  self portrait a day for a week, makes you find inventive ways to show yourself and all the world around you.   Like  when you are embarking in a better-diet mission...

There is no need to show my face to present the action.

or working on a daily chore...

and/or enjoying a good book in your leisure time











Photography can easily capture those fleeting glimpses of the mundane that sometimes we all forget...

I hope that you are a bit inspired to pick up your camera and go out and capture your life.


See you soon...

Hello Me

Scrapbook Layout  - Hello Me -

This weekend I took part in the Scrapbook Nerd's Online Crop.  Since the weekends are pretty busy with soccer and catching up in housework, and so on, i only had time to finish one of the challenges... 

This challenge called for a personal self-describing layout, so I gave it a try, and loved it at the end.   I hadn't used my profile picture for any layout, so I wanted to build the layout upon the picture and an inventive way to tell my story.

The cut file was perfect to add phrases in..

I started with "Let's Chat" cut file from the Cut Shoppe ( I love Ashley Hortons' Designs).  Once I had the cut out,  I made sure to clear all the  phrase bubbles, and just leave the edge of the shape.  Using the Dear Lizzy's Daydreamer collection (one of my favorites ever), all the cut was matted.

I wanted the word "hello" from the cut file to be part of my title, so I had to make sure to highlight it.  So a little bit of stitching was enough to create interest and dimension to the cutout.

I used embroidery thread similar in color to the thickers used in the title.

I matted the picture with papers from the same collection, and added just a few pieces of ephemera, sticker labels and tags.  I wanted the attention to be on the phrases, so i kept it simple on the picture.

All the ephemera and stickers are leftovers from other projects.

Finally, I wanted to add a bit of distress to the piece, so I used textured paste and a stencil to add a light chevron pattern to the top and bottom edge of the piece.  After just a few seconds, I scrapped the paste out, so that just a thin layer was left behind.  I also added smears of the paste to the back of the  cutout.  

A few splatters of black and mint color shine completed the piece.

Once in a while, it is good to do an introspective layout.  I call it Chicken Soup for the Soul.  I hope you like it as much as I do.

The completed layout

Materials Used:

Cut file - Let's Chat, The Cut Shoppe

White cardstock, American Crafts

Patterned papers, Daydreamer collection, Dear Lizzy

Layout -mat-,  Watercolor collection, Craft Smith, Michaels

Stickers -on picture -,  Soft Spoken collection, Me And My Big Ideas

Number stickers -on phrases-,  Snap collection, Simple Stories

Chipboard stickers,  Heidi Swapp collection

Thickers

White Texture Paste, Heidi Swapp collection

Color shine, mint and black, Heidi Swapp Collection