YOU'RE SUMMER SUNSHINE |Simple Stories

Hello Simple Stories Friends!
Nathalie with you today with a new layout that celebrates the splendorous Summer days, and what better way to document those sun-filled memories than with the new SUMMER FARMHOUSE collection from Simple Stories.  

I love the country feel of this collection, so i decided to "modernize" a weaving design for the background of the page.

I cut zig zag strips from a few of the papers in the collection, and literally weave them along the width of the paper.  Once they were in place, i brought back the homemade feel of the collection by hand stitching each strip to the woodgrain paper -Sunnies and Sandals-

The lovely red color in the palette matched the color of my daughter's bathing suit  -12 yrs ago-, so  i printed a few of the pictures, and layered some papers (3x4 elements and 4x6 elements) behind the images.  Once i set them on the right of the page (along the stitched weaved strips), i embellished the  images with pieces from the ephemera, sticker sheet and tablet. All the florals in this collection are amazing!

I love the tone on tone look of the Summer chipboard piece on the background; so, i mixed it with a die cut piece and a stamped image ( the collection matching stamp is awesome,and so versatile!) to complete the title.  A few more embellishments completed the page.

This layout was truly so much fun to put together using the beautiful  Simple Stories' Summer Farmhouse collection.   I am sure you are going to love all that you can document with it this summer!

XO

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!

DIE HIGHLIGHT: TALL ALPHA DIE SET - Altenew

Hi there! Nathalie with you today with a few ideas on how to use the new and amazing TALL ALPHA DIE SET.   This new die set is delicate, practical and super versatile.   I love the design of each of the letters which makes it easy to use in your projects. I had fun with the TALL ALPHA DIE SET and created a couple layouts and a card with it.

Let's get started with  a background for a Traveler's Notebook layout.

  I used the TALL ALPHA DIE SET to create the background by repeatedly cutting the word "LOVE" from a Live Your Dream Collection paper.   

The negative part of the cut anchors the design on the left side, and the letter die cuts create a long title on the right side.  Here, i stamped a sentiment from the Tabbed stamp set to complete the title. 

I created embellishments for the layout using the Weekend Doodles Stamp and Die set with Black Obsidian Pigment Ink; then added a few enamel dots to complete  the page.  The following video will show you how it all came together

Now, let's create a dimensional card:

  First i cut the popular song title in a column on the left side of the card panel,then glued the panel to an A2 size card.   Next, i stamped the ornaments using  the Brilliant Baubles stamp set with the Lapis Lazuli and Spring Bouquet Mini Ink cube sets.

  Then attached them to the card panel with foam adhesive; I drew  lines behind the ornaments with a gold pen.     I cut the word "JOY" three times from white cardstock, and once from gold glitter paper.  Then, the die cuts were stacked together thus forming the dimensional sentiment.  Love the colorful card!  

Finally, let's create a long title for a scrapbook layout.

  First, I created the ombre patterned paper using the Altenew Watercolor Pan set and watercolor paper, then used the Tall Alpha Die Set to cut the quote from the paper.  Also, i created a dimensional die cut for the word " smile" so that it will stand out on the page.

     I heat embossed the Beautiful Peony Stamp Set images and detailed them with the Altenew watercolor pan set.  I also created the leaves with Altenew Embossing INk pad, gold  embossing powder and the Wallpaper Art Stamp and Die Set.  

 The center column paper comes from Live Your Dream collection.  Here, I used the Creative Edges: Lace Die to soften the edges of the paper column.     Assembling the page took no time, as the title fills the center column, thus creating pocket spaces for the pictures and floral images. 

 The final touch is a few Wood veneer embellishments and a few drops of Antique Gold Metallic Ink spray. You can see how this page came together in the following process video:

 I hope these inspire you to check the new TALL ALPHA DIE SET.  Its design is perfect to create backgrounds, titles and even add dimension to your projects.  You are going to love it! Thanks for stopping by!

HELLO FABULOUS - Altenew

Hello everyone!   Nathalie here with  a layout that is all about combining mixed media with the Charming Doodles Stamp set.  I am so excited to share my first post as part of the   Scrapbook Design Team and created this layout to show a bit of my love for Altenew products.

I am a fan of large titles and the Classic Alpha Die Set is the perfect size to bring impact to a page.   For this title, I cut the word "Hello" three times using the dies from dark teal card stock.   Each letter was stacked together which creates a dimensional die cut piece.     A bit of simple mixed media makes everything shine.   For this,  I used Chamomile crisp Ink and the Watercolor Stripes stencil to add color to the background.    A few diluted Chamomile ink  splatters complete the background.    

I used the Charming Doodle Stamp Set  with Altenew Black Obsidian Ink, Golden Sunset Mini Cube Ink set, and Lapis Lazuli Mini Cube Ink set    to create all the flowers, and then used the Charming Doodles Die Set to cut all the stamped images.

 I layered the picture with papers from the Verdant Walk 6x6 Paper pack  , and completed the title by cutting the word "Fabulous" using the  Script Words 2 Die set from metallic paper.

    The title and picture were set on the page first, then I glued all the die cut  flowers to create clusters around the page.   A Butterfly Acetate die cut completes this page.   The combination of the colorful background with the bold title create impact on the layout while the flowers are the perfect embellishment!  

   I hope this inspires you to create a new page combining mixed media with the Charming Doodles Stamp set.   The following process video will show you how this page came together:

   That  is all for me today!  Remember to check the Charming Doddles Stamp and Die set and all other ALTENEW goodies used in this layout.   Cannot wait to see what you create!

 XO  

SUPPLY LIST ( images contain Affiliate Links)

3-to-INSPIRE challenge - Citrus Twist Kits

Hi there!
Nathalie with you today bringing you this week's 3-to-Inspire challenge.   This month's The Best of This Life kits are amazing!  Lots of color,  playful designs and super versatile which made creating this challenge super easy.  But before i show you what i created, let me  give you the prompts:

1. Document multiple pictures
2. Use Digital files (cut apart elements/PL cards/TN papers/ Stamps/Cut Files)
3. Add a bit of  Mixed Media.

With these prompts it was so easy to create two projects, here is the first one in my Life Crafted Album:

 I started this page by printing the 4x6 PL card to fit the Life Crafted page (5x8.5in)  the used a bit of Vicki Boutin art crayons and a stencil brush to add the mixed media to the center of the card, and also to a piece of light blue cardstock cut on the same size.

 If you follow my work, then you will know that i receive daily pictures of my Goddaughters, so i took 3 of them and printed them on photo strip .  I glued the picture right on top of the mixed media, and then added a few ephemera pieces and labels from the Best of This Life kit as well as added some sentiments using the Traveler's Notebook stamp.

For this page, I used one of this month's subscriber cut files to create the Sun cut out.  The sunrays were backed using the  rainbow paper from the  Best of This Life Kit and then glued to the blue cardstock  -remember i added a bit of art crayon to the background-.   The center of the sun was the perfect spot to add my lines of journal all about these precious girls.

To finish the page, i used the beautiful woodgrain chipboard alpha from the Best of This Life kit and paired it up with some sentiments from the This is Life stamp for this month.   A few scattered enamel dots complete the page.   This was so fun to put together, but now let me show you how i used the same prompts to create a 12x12 layout:

This layout screams summer, and was put together rather easily using this month's Add on kit and the three prompts.

I used the teal cardstock included in the kit as a starting point, and trim a bit of the sides.  Then used white acrylic paint to haze the center line of the background and set aside to dry.

While the background dried, i used one of this month's subscriber cut files to cut the floral images from smooth white cardstock.  These were set on the page so that they look as they are wrapping the background.   I used papers from the kit to back the pictures and bring the red tones in my Goddaughter's pictures ( she was so happy to play in the wading pools while visiting us last year).




I added a few  stickers from Pinkfresh Studio's Out and About and Joyful day collection to create a cluster on the picture, and then added stamping sentiments around the background using the This is Life stamp set.

For the title i used a combination of Puffy Stickers from the Joyful Day collection - the words are included in the add-on kit- and the small ones i picked at the CTK shop-  then used a few more stickers from the kit and the Best of This Life Kit.   The cute sequins included in the kit were then added around the page to bring the colors to the background.   The following video will show you how the page came together,enjoy!

I hope this inspires you to use the three prompts and create a page of your own.  Remember to check the Best Of This Life Kits, add ons and stamps, there are so beautiful and versatile, you will love them.   AS always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

XO

This Photo - VICKI BOUTIN DT

Hi there!
Nathalie with you today wrapping up this week with another project inspired on this month's mood board.     I love VIcki's new release, everything is just so versatile, and since we are on school break for March Break, time has been spent with my daughter, niece and nephew, having those new pre made mixed media backgrounds was amazing!, so let me show you what i created:



This layout was totally inspired on this month's mood board (available here and at the Vicki Boutin Mixed Media community on Facebook )


The images of the mood board gave me so many ideas, but i was in love with those glitter stars that i had to make them the focus of this post.   For that I used the new Iridiscent Glitter Glaze and some of the fine silver glitter from Vicki's Mixology collection, and played with a few ideas on how to add the mix to a foundation paper.  Below is a picture of the results of the different ideas i had in mind for the stars.




The glaze and glitter mixture brings lots of shine to play foundation paper; whenever added on top of a watercolored paper, it lightens the application area,thus creating a bleached-like effect on the page; and when the watercolor is mixed in the glaze, the results are a glittery paste of uniform color, but with a very luminescent finish on the color, thus making it a few shades lighter.



The clear glaze mixture was added to a foundation paper and set aside to dry,  the  drying process is a long one due to the application and formulation of the glaze.  Once it was completely dried, i used a set of star dies (Maya Road) to cut the paper.   Once again the  glitter glaze makes it a bit harder to cut the paper,  so i had run the paper and die a few times through my die cutting machine.


To bring the dark edges to the stars, i used a stencil brush and a bit of art crayon around the edges.  Now for the mat of this page, i pulled the new Pre-made Mixed Media backgrounds, and chose the large circle (as it reminded  me of the rainbow in the mood board), and layered the glitter stars and paper stars to form a crescent moon on the right of the page where i could nestle my picture.



For the title of the this page, I took advantage of the puffy word stickers and a few of the glitter stars to create a cluster where i can add my title and balance the layout.   A few embellishments were added  - i kept to a black and white scheme for these- and then to finish i added a few splatters of black art crayon.  Just love how this turned out, and have prepared a video that shows you how it all came together:

I wished that you all could appreciate how shiny the stars really are, though i tried a few different angles, it is hard to capture it all in the camera. 



And now it is your time to be inspired by the mood board to create a project of your own.  Remember to share with us your finished projects and do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions on how our projects come together.

XO