Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2015

It's that time of year again when I surround myself with Graphic 45 goodness and just create to my heart's content!  So without further ado…….Welcome to my blog and to my Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2015!

I hope the projects I am sharing today show my love of designing, my versatility and my love of Graphic 45 papers!  You might want to get a cup of coffee and a biscuit as this is a teensy bit of a long post ;-)

Those of you that know me already know I am totally addicted to making video tutorials to share and I have videoed all my new Graphic 45 creations so there will be a video or two to share today and a few more in the pipe line for later!  I am going to start the ball rolling with a couple of projects in my Art Journal.  Since I began this book 7 pages ago I knew I wanted to combine mixed media and art journalling with scrapbooking and Graphic 45 papers were the perfect inspiration for Pages 6 and seven.  Page 6 was inspired by the fresh and intricate patterns of Bohemian Bazaar and I was inspired to make this page to celebrate my garden……..

Throughout the year I intend to take photos of the flowers in my garden which I will print out and make into pretty tags to tuck into the pockets of my page.  I only have tiny daffodils blooming at the moment so until I have more flowers to photograph I can look at the sunny flowers I have created with my Graphic 45 papers!  Here is a video tutorial to show you how I made this page I hope it reflects my passion for sharing my love of paper crafting.

I decided to use Bird Song next and I just had to use my favourite paper in the whole collection - both sides are fab so I am using them both!!!  It is such a pretty paper and so romantic and that set me in the mood to create a page to celebrate 33 years of marriage this year (I know, I know, I can't possibly be old enough surely!!!!? ;-)

It took me a while to work out how to create my pop out heart shaped frame so that it didn't pop right out of the book when it was closed!  I love how the pretty fussy cut blossoms bring an extra dimension to the frame.  I have two tags in the side pockets that record how hubby and I first met and what we have been up to over the years - they are really, really long tags ;-)

Mmmmm what next……I am a crafting butterfly as you will notice during this audition and that is part of the reason I love Graphic 45 so much.  With each new collection comes the opportunity to try different styles and By the Sea was the perfect excuse to up-cycle three picture frames for our holiday photos.

I mixed in a little Tropical Travelogue into some of my frames too.  I love that there are so many opportunities to create embellishments and adornments with all the Graphic 45 paper collections - I just wish I could cut out as quickly as I do in fast forward on my YouTube tutorials!!!

You can see I have imported some of that sandy beach from Sarasota to Derby ;-)  Love that little starfish saying.  These frames were surprisingly easy to create and of course there will be a video coming soon!!!

My next set of photos were taken during the recent partial eclipse we had here in the UK.  Love the peachy tone it gave to my Bohemian Bazaar canvas!  I really enjoy creating mixed media pieces like this one - I think I became queen of the dimensional paint dots by the end of the project ;-)

Here is a close up of those blooms……I was thinking Peonies…..Have I captured them in paper?

A couple of cards to share next because I think they quickly show you how different paper collections inspire me and take me in so many different directions to explore lots of different crafting techniques and styles along the way.

Ladies Diary is simply elegant and romantic and perfect for my Mum's Mother's Day card this year.  There are those tiny daffodils in my garden I was telling you about earlier!

Sometimes it is fun to combine collections …..take a little bit of Secret Garden and add a sheet of Curtain Call…….

…….and voila!   Do you think this would be perfect to wear to a Graphic 45 Design Team Audition?  I hope it is in my size!

For a totally different vibe let's get fresh and vibrant with Bohemian Bazaar.

I loved weaving the patterned papers together to create my background and using one of the journalling cards as my inspiration for the cheerful colour scheme that is sure to make you smile.  Pretty fabric daisies with colourful button centres and the card is complete.

Before I go I just had to share some of my favourite creations from previous auditions.

Why not turn your favourite layouts into canvases to decorate your home:

I had great fun turning the die cut flowers from Secret Garden into flower vines to embellish my canvas.  Working on a canvas means you can still incorporate journalling and interactive elements but you can go a little further with dimension as you don't need to confine your layout to an album!

Here is a Graphic 45 Book Box makeover that now records our families favourite recipes and the documents the good times we had sharing them with friends and family:

There is a video tour of this project if you want to see more of the details.  This is from my first Audition in 2013 so it is fun to see how my videos have changed!

There is also a video tour of this fun and spooky mini album which I made last year.  The journalling cards that accompany many of the Graphic 45 paper collections were the starting point for me coming up with the pocket page design of this mini.  This time I used SteamPunk Spells and I am currently working on a By the Sea version.

Please watch the video if you want to see all the details in this mini - Notice it is complete!!!  Journalling and all ;-)

I couldn't let you go without showing you my love of designing 3D projects which I normally teach in my workshops.  I love to turn a piece of chipboard into something entirely different!  Graphic 45 papers make sure everyone loves the end result.  Here is my Pyramid Mini that I had the pleasure of teaching in Cornwall last year.

The Couture Collection was perfect to mix and match both in the creation of the pyramid and the mini contained in the base.

The pages of the mini open up to reveal more space for photos and journalling and check out the beauty of the papers that are revealed when the pyramid is fully open!

Time is running out ……..did you see what I did there!???

This clock is testament to the longevity of Graphic 45 Designs - Vintage never goes out of style.  This clock was created from chipboard and a metal flower tin many years ago and it is sitting on my dressing table…….and was made gorgeous by mixing and matching my Graphic 45 papers.

Last but definitely not least - another clock made entirely from chipboard (except the clock!)  This is one of my latest creations and it is decorated with Tropical Travelogue Papers.

And this one is Old Curiosity Shop.  When I designed the aperture in the base of the clock it was to showcase the fussy cut elements from the Graphic 45 paper collections that I used.  I always say if you are going to take the time and have the patience to fussy cut the elements from the papers you might as well celebrate them and get them noticed!

I have chosen to show you projects old and new and I really hope you like my creations.  Sorry about the length of the post but it is mostly pretty pictures!  I love to create and I love to teach so most of my creations come with a tutorial. All that is left for me to say is good luck to my fellow auditionees and a great big thank you to Graphic 45 for giving me the opportunity to audition today.  Keep everything crossed for me and wish me luck everyone!  How fabulous would it be to make video tutorials for Graphic 45?………...

Thank you for popping by

Helen
x

Rubber Dance April Colour Challenge

Hi Everyone

Today is the start of a brand new colour challenge over on the Rubber Dance blog and there are gorgeous stamps to be won!!!

The colours this month are Rose Pink, Dusky Grey and Powder Blue and there is an optional theme of texture.  I decided to start a brand new art journal and was inspired to create a page using two lovely Rubber Dance Stamps.  I use Lace as my background image so it was a perfect way to start building texture on my page and I used the large butterfly stamp from the Antique Botanicals set to enhance my background and to make a couple of fluttering features on my page.  Hope you like it.

There are lots of ways to add texture to a project - I have added jewels, stitching and layers of paper and the tiniest touches of distress glitter as you will see on the video tutorial.

I have decided this art journal is all about exploring how different products work with each other and this time I used Gesso, I stamped with Archival Ink and I used my Faber Castell Pitt pens to bring colour to my page.

I hope I have inspired you to play along with us over at Rubber Dance this month.  Just follow this link to see all the other inspiration from my fellow teamies.  I am always amazed at how many different directions each colour scheme inspires.  I look forward to seeing what you create.

I think you can see all the elements I used to create texture on my page in this close up!  Two video tutorials in two days!!!  I am off to put my feet up now ;-)

Have fun over at the Rubber Dance Blog - don't forget to check out all the lovely stamps while you are there.

Thank you for popping by X

12 Tags of 2015 - March

Hi Everyone

Just a quick post on this very changeable March day today - I think we are getting into practice for the season of April showers today here in a very blustery Derby!!!

Today I am posting my March tag and if you have seen Tim Holt's tag already you will know that mine is looking a little different as usual!  I hope you don't think this one is a bit cheesy!!!! ha ha ;-)

The first change I had to make was which stamp to use on my tag this month as I didn't have the gorgeous butterfly Tim used and then the phrase 'Say Cheese!' came into my head and so it continued!  I made myself a cheese effect stripe on my tag using washi tape.

I had fun trying out the embossing powder technique that Tim had on his tag and I will definitely try that again as it gives an interesting extra texture to embossing paste.  You can see how I got from Tim's inspiration to my interpretation this month if you take a look at my video below.

Of course, as usual, I made my little 3" square sampler piece too and you can see at the end of the video how this contrasts to the first two I have made so far this year!  I may need to tone it down a little but I am going to see where the rest of the year takes me before I decide.

So that is it from me except to say if you fancy playing along with the Tim Holtz 12 Tags Challenge then please follow this link - April begins tomorrow so I am looking forward to seeing the new tag inspiration for this month.

I am off to do some of the dreaded H word ……..housework :-( !!!  We have visitors at the weekend so I better get on with it I suppose!!!!  We have two French Gymnasts coming to visit as part of an exchange programme so we are hoping for nicer weather than today!!!  It will be fun catching up with our friends from Chalons who we haven't seen for 4 years.  Last time we relied heavily on Google translate to get us through the weekend!!!……Though we did find that 'Shall we go to McDonalds for tea?' need no translation at all ;-)  I am thinking as one of our Gymnasts Thomas was quite good with his English back then, now he is 17 he may well replace the translator this year.

Callum is back on crutches so he will not be able to compete this weekend - I am wondering just how good sport is for you as he seems to go from one injury to the next.  Rugby and Gymnastics are not the most delicate of pastimes I suppose!

See you again tomorrow with another Video for the Rubber Dance Colour Challenge post.  Have a fun week if you are having an Easter Break over the coming days/weeks.

Thank you for popping by X

Trash to Treasure over on Unruly Paper Arts Today!

Hi Everyone

Here are the links you will need if you want to pop over and visit Unruly Paper Arts today where I am guest designing for Rubber Dance and using a brand new set of gorgeous stamps and turning trash into treasure!!!!

Here is a sneak peek!

So to see more and to find the tutorial for this project over at Unruly Paper Arts please click on this link.

To see the rest of this fab Antique Botanicals stamps click on this link.

As well as a sneak peek today I also have a ssshhhhh announcement - I think I might just audition for Graphic 45 again this year ssshhhhhhhhh ;-)  Look out for the Audition Post coming soon, probably…..maybe…...!

Thank you for popping by.  Have a creative day X

Valentines Giveaway Winners!!!

Hi Everyone

All the names have been written and put into a little box - excuse the rubbish handwriting!!!!

……..but wait for it. …….Thought I might add a little suspense and share a little Rubber Dance Stamp love at the same time!!!! Sooooo naughty ;-)

I just had a flick through all the cards and things I have made during my time on the Rubber Dance Design Team and am posting a couple of links to past videos that you may have missed if you are new to my blog or the Rubber Dance Blog:

This is the first card I ever made for Rubber Dance and it reminds me I must get those Beach Sentiments stamps out again as I love love love that shell stamp!

Waiting for the summer sun then why not get hot and spicy with the fun Hot, Hot, Hot, Stamp set?

….and last but not least I loved how stamping my Vintage Birds stamps with grey ink completely soften the look of my card!  Don't forget you can check out all those gorgeous stamps by following this link!

……..and now for the big announcement……..the first out of the box and the winner of the Something Wonderful stamp set is Denise Bryant………The Second and third out of the box and winners of the Diamonds background stamp are Gerrina and Dagmar!

A great big thank you to everyone that joined in and subscribed on our various social media links.  It is much appreciated and of course a great big CONGRATULATIONS to our three winners!

If you are a lucky winner then all you need to do is email me your address - my email link is on the right hand sidebar of my blog and I will pop your prize in the post right away.

I am featuring on the Unruly PaperArts Blog tomorrow so don't forget to pop over there to see what trash I turned into treasure!!!  In the meantime enjoy the Rubber Dance creativity I am sharing today.

Thank you for popping by X

Easy Mixed Media with treasured Graphic 45 scraps!!!

Hi everyone

Hope you are settling down for a fun evening or a fun day depending on where you are in the world!  I have just posted a tutorial on my You Tube channel.

I wanted to create an introduction to Mixed Media and scrapbooking video.  If you like the look of combining the two but don't quite know where to start then this is the tutorial for you.

Easy to follow steps and what a great way to make use of the teeny tiny scraps you have squirrelled away - of course mine are Graphic 45!  The aptly named Good Ol' Sport were perfect for these fun run photos.

If you need more practice then just repeat using different photos and different scraps - perfect for the busy scrapbooker.

These are completely mixed and matched scraps and washi tape and I have been a little more delicate in my application ….oh and of course there are flower brads too.  You can see how you can make this look fit your photos - these are of me and my Mum and Dad.  Dad had a passion for photo booths and we have lots of these cool photo strips - check out my hoodie!

That is it from me - hope you watch the video and give it a try.  It would also work in a smaller scale on a card with a stamped image as the focal point.

Thank you for popping by X

Little Darlings Layout and Giveaway Reminder!

Hi everyone

Well I have just been outside to take photos of the layout I want to share with you today and let me tell you do not let the sunshine fool you!!!!   Brrrrrrrr it is cold out there and windy too!  I was thinking I might do a spot of garden tidying today but NO!!!!!  I am staying in my craft room cozy and warm ;-)

I know that normally there would be a video to share but this layout began life at a crop that I go to once a month with all my crafting friends and I came home and I wasn't happy with it.  So this is my second attempt.  I decided the background was too pale and I had jumped about the page a bit too much with my elements - I wish I had taken a photo before I pulled it all apart!  So here is my second attempt at a background using some lovely Little Darlings papers from Graphic 45.  As you can see I am going a little mixed media for this one.  I have fussy cut the border from one 12 x 12 sheet and decoupaged it on to the pretty pink background.  I have scuffed the edges of the paper and add dry brushed on some off white acrylic as I am going for the shabby chic look for this layout.  I have added some stamping in grey with a script and pretty butterfly stamp.

Now I know in this photo you are probably saying….what is that grey outline all about!!!!!  This photo has emphasised the grey and you will see in the photo I took outside it is a little more subtle than it looks here ;-)  I coated the whole layout with mat multi medium and then outlined the placement of key page elements with a pencil once the medium was dry.  By sealing the paper it allowed me to use a soft grey Faber Castell Pitt pen to shade around my elements.  Working on top of a sealed surface allows you to manipulate the ink before it dries and becomes permanent.

Popping all the elements in place on the layout and adding comes stamped butterflies and I am much happier with this layout now.  All I need to do is add a little journalling - this is a photo of me when I was only 3 weeks old!  Ahhhhhhhh.  Beneath that pretty dress are two little legs in plaster as my feet were slightly twisted over when I was born.  That did not stop me sleeping through my first ever photo shoot ;-) as you can see!

I always think my feet problem happened to my Mum and Dad more than to me as I do not remember the tiny plasters, the special boots nor much of the small operation I had to finally correct my feet once and for all.  My Mum once told me that had I been born in her generation I would not have walked at all.  That is quite a sobering thought as it has really never bothered me.  As this is quite a bit of journalling I think I will add it on a page attached to the back of the layout.  It might make an interesting read for generations to come who I am sure will have the benefit of huge medical advances we can only dream of right now.

Back to the layout!!!  I made spiral paper roses which I liberally dusted with paint and the tiniest amount of distress glitter.  I added the little journalling block for the main details - this is me and I am 3 weeks old!  I love how the pretty tule looks on the layout and I added two pretty pins (which I just learnt how to make!)  If you want to know how to make them then click here to watch a video (managed to get one in after all!)

This is one of the first videos I ever made so it may give you a chuckle or two ;-)

Then I added more fussy cut butterflies, some are flat and some are flying!  I also added some green dots to the blue border with a dimensional paint.

I have layered up the photo on three frames which are the three papers I used in the layout and added a little touch of lace.

I am much happier with my layout now - so don't be afraid to start again if something is saying to you I am not quite right - go with your creative instinct and change it up!  If at first you don't succeed……

I hope you like how it turned out in the end!

Now it is on to the giveaway reminder - I have a couple of lovely Rubber Dance stamps to giveaway and the give-away closes on the 14th of March.  So please click on this link to find out what you need to do to get your name into the hat!  Just a little bit of fun to spread the Rubber Dance stamp love!  Actually the little butterflies on this layout are Rubber Dance stamps!  It only takes a minute to join in so please follow this link!

I'll be back soon with some more creativity - thank you for popping by X