Merry Christmas!

Blue Fern Studios Announces the 2015 Creative Team

I am very excited to continue in my role as Creative Team Coordinator for Blue Fern Studios in 2015.  Patter Cross will return as the Assistant Coordinator. 

I will have the privilege working with an amazingly talented group of women from all over the world.  Some of them I have worked with before, and I'm looking forward to being inspired by a few designers I have not worked with in the past.  It's an awesome group.  Here they are:

 Angelica Franssen

USA

  Bente Fagerberg

  Sweden

 Einat Kessler 

 Video Educator

Israel

 Elena Morgun

Design Team & Video Educator

Ukraine

 Galina Sazonova

 Russia

 Jelissa Mei

Returning Video Educator

 Singapore

 Karita Vainio

Finland

 Keren Tamir

Returning Designer

 Canada

 Kim Price

 Australia

 Marie Josee Hamel

Returning Designer

 Canada

Melinda Thompson

 Australia
 

Ulrika Blomfelt

  Sweden

Yuko Tanaka

Returning Designer

Japan

Zaneta Glowa

 Sweden

Blue Fern has a lot in store for 2015 and I am so excited to be a part of it!

˜˜˜Valerie

Happy Memories

"Happy Memories" is the perfect title for my final layout as part of the Cést Magnifique Kits design team.  I will always have happy memories of my time spent there with Leslie and the other awesome designers, as well as the members.  But the time has come for me to move on.  I am excited that I will have more time to play with paint and my art journal.  

I created this layout using the July Kit from Cést Magnifique.  This is my sweet niece, Makenzie, at the playground - going up the sliding board.  Why go down the slide?  That's boring!  The paper in the July Kit is the Ombré Dreams collection from Blue Fern Studios.  I love the beautiful mixture of colors!

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!   

~Valerie

July Kit from C'est Magnifique Kits

Hi all.  C'est Magnifique released it's July kit today, "Sweet Summer Dreams".  

It's a beautiful kit filled with awesome colors.  Here's a look at it:

And here is one of my design team projects, using the beautiful Ombré Dreams Collection from Blue Fern Studios.  It can be purchases here in the store. I love this paper because it's perfect for creating your own backgrounds.  I have used both the main kit and the Magnifique Mixed Media Kit to create this layout.

Thanks for stopping by today!

~ Valerie

Happy Place

I was adding some layouts to my "stack" and realized that I had not yet shared this one.  My "stack" is the pile of layouts that need to find their way to albums, but that hasn't happened for quite a while.  

This sweet little dreamer is my nephew, Keegan, when he was just a few weeks old.  Doesn't he look like he is in a happy place?  I created this layout with the June Kit (sold out) from Cést Magnifique Kits.  This paper from KaiserCraft was just what I needed to go with his little hat! 

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Valerie

Nature

When my husband and I get away for a weekend in the country, he loves to watch birds, and photograph them.  

Isn't this a beautiful woodpecker?  

I created this layout using the upcoming July kit from C'est Magnfique Kits.  

The featured paper will be the Ombré Dreams collection from Blue Fern Studios.

The July Magnifique Mixed Media Kit  can now be purchased in the Store. 

 

Two add-ons are also available - the Flower Add-on and the Embellishment Add-on:

 

I can't wait to show more of the kit later this month.

~Valerie

Blue Fern Studios Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone.  Blue Fern Studios has posted the June Sketch Challenge on their blog.   As always, it's an awesome sketch created by Michele Singh, exclusively for Blue Fern Studios. 

All the details can be found HERE on the Blue Fern Studios blog, along with 12 stunning examples from our design team! 

~Valerie

Memories

The C'est Magnifique June Kit has been released and I created this layout using the kit.  This sweet little thing is my niece Callie, who is about to turn 3 years-old.  When she was a little smaller, she loved to climb in this open-area of the television cabinet.   I couldn't resist getting a photo of her.

I chose to go with the neutrals in the kit since the photo has such neutral colors.  I added some texture to the background by spraying three colors of Prima Color Blooms on my craft sheet, in the position I wanted them on my background paper.  I then put down my stencil so it could get wet.  Next, I carefully placed the stencil, mist side down, on my background paper.  I got this wonderful color transfer.

I used the rest of mist on the stencil for a page in my art journal.   I never throw it away!  Then I cleaned off the stencil, and put it back on my layout, matching the pattern.  Using some heavy gesso, I used the stencil to apply some dimension in a random pattern, but not filling in every area that was misted.

Here's a look at the entire June Kit from C'est Magnifique kits:

This amazing kit was so much fun to use.  I wasn't able to put it away yet because I still have plans to create a couple more layouts with it.

Enjoy your weekend!  ~ Valerie

Bundle of Joy

Welcome to the weekend!  I don't know about you, but I really need some time to relax.  Since it's a long weekend here in the States, I also hope to get some time to create.

I am super excited to have the new Blue Fern Studios Ombré Dreams paper collection sitting right on my scrap table!!  I am in love with this paper.  Watercolor is so popular right now, and the background has a stunning watercolor look to it.   The sweet little bundle of joy in this photo is my nephew Keegan.  

I took this photo of him shortly after he was born.  What a precious boy!

Here are a couple of close-ups of the Ombré Dreams paper where you can see the background detail 

and the beautiful flowers in the corners.

See what I mean?  I also used one of the newer chipboard pieces, Wild Flourish Bundle.  

I primed it with gesso, then painted it with Golden Titanium White paint, because I wanted it to be really white.  

I already know that this will be piece I use often!

That's all for today.  Enjoy your weekend and take some time to remember the brave 

men and women who have give their lives for our freedom.   ~ Valerie

Backyard Boy

Hi everyone and welcome to Saturday!

Today I want to share another layout that began with a title.  I immediately knew the photo that I wanted to use with this title from Blue Fern Studios.   I think we all probably have some Backyard Boys in our lives.  The paper is from the Blue Fern Garden collection. 

This close-up shows one of the arrows from the Directions set of Blue Fern chipboard. I primed this one with gesso, then rubbed on some Tim Holtz Distress Ink.  When it was dried, I stamped it with the Off the Grid stamp from Stampin' Up.  I also used this stamp on several places in the background of my layout.  And the little bits of mist are from the new Tim Holtz Spritzer tool.  It's the first time I've used it, and I must say that I really like the fine dots I got using it with a Copic marker.

Here I tucked in a little flower from the Bohemian Flowers chipboard set.  It is also colored with Distress Ink.

I initially wanted to leave the chipboard Backyard Boy title bare, but I decided to apply some Versamark ink, and heat emboss it with clear embossing powder.  I love the look!  It made the chipboard appear darker and gave it some shine.

Thanks a lot for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed seeing how I use Blue Fern Studios chipboard and paper.  If you aren't following their Blog, be sure to head over there.  I must say we have the absolute best design team ever, and you will truly be inspired by the level of creatively!

~Valerie

C'est Magnifique June Kit Preview

Hi everyone!

I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what's coming up at C'est Magnifique Kits in June.   I really love this combination of paper from 7 Dots Studio (Poland) and KaiserCraft (Australia).

There will also be 3 creative add-ons.  The first is the Magnifique Mixed Media Kit.  These really sell out quickly, so if you want to be one of the lucky ones to purchase one, you'd better get to the store soon.  I love what Kelly and Erin have put together for June.

A Flower Add-on and Embellishment Add-on are also available.  These are perfect additions to the kit.

So much to look forward to!  Thanks for stopping by. 

 ~ Valerie

Kiefer Joe

Hi everyone!

If you know me, you probably know my sweet little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Kiefer.  He is my constant companion and loves to sleep in his bed under my scrap table.  A friend of mine lost their 16 year old dog last week, so I am wanting to hug him just a little bit more lately (something he is not really fond of).  If you have have a pet, you know how much joy they can add to your life.

I have created this layout using the May Kit from C'est Magnifique Kits.  

The paper this month is from Pion Designs of Sweden.  I love the beautiful soft colors.

Here are a couple of close-ups.  I love the little bits of pastel yellow that is in the kit. 

It just adds a little happiness to the layout.

Tomorrow it will be time to show you the very first look at the June Kit from C'est Magnifique.  

I hope you'll stop by to see what's in store for June.  

~Valerie

Cute Stuff

Hi there!  I must admit that my niece Callie is about the cutest thing ever.  I created this layout as a design team project for Blue Fern Studios.  I began with the In Bloom paper from the Blue Fern Garden Collection (which happens to be my very favorite from the collection).  

There are various ways to start a layout - with a photo, a certain sheet of paper, or some embellishments.  But for this one, I began with title.  It's part of the Good Vibes chipboard set from Blue Fern.  I also used the Berry Stems, Graduated Circles, and Jeweled Trinket chipboard pieces.  

The Blue Fern chipboard pieces are so easy to alter so they will blend perfectly with your layout.  I typically prime the chipboard pieces with gesso because it's easier to work with.  Then it's easy to paint, ink, and/or emboss the pieces.   I did all three techniques when creating this layout.

This piece (one of the small Graduated Circles) was inked, then heat embossed using Ranger Antiquities Frosted Crystal embossing powder.

On the title, I first applied some Donna Salazar Mixed Media Ink to make sure I had full coverage.  When it dried, I used a make-up sponge to apply some Inka Gold.

I love to tuck in some chipboard pieces with my flowers.  Here I thought that white would work best.  Instead of using just gesso, I painted the Berry Stems and Jeweled Trinkets with Golden Titanium White Heavy Body Paint.  It produces a white that is not as dull as gesso.

I love adding chipboard to my layouts.  I hope you will give it a try.  You can find a list of retailers who carry Blue Fern Studios products (chipboard and paper) on the website HERE.  It's available all over the world!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Valerie

C'est Magnifique May Kit and Sketch

Welcome to the weekend.......almost.  Hopefully you have plans for a fun weekend.  I wanted to let you know about the May Sketch Challenge going on at the C'est Magnifique Kits blog.  I love this sketch and the delicate look of the Blue Fern Studios Garden Gate that is included in the May Kit.

Here is a look at the layout I created using the May Sketch and the May Kit:

Here are a couple of close-ups of my layout using this photo of my darling niece, Makenzie:

You have the entire month of May to create a layout using the May Sketch.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

~Valerie

Blue Fern News

I wanted to let you in on a couple of things going on at Blue Fern Studios.  I'm super excited to share that they have just come out with a new paper line, and it's gorgeous.   The line is called Ombré Dreams and it has a beautiful watercolor look.  

Don't you just love it!  I can't wait to get it in my hands.  It's perfect for those summer photos.   You can be one of the first to have it, too.  Just head over to the Blue Fern Blog and enter your name HERE.  One Ombré Dreams collection will be given away to one lucky winner for each 50 entries.  You will also be able to see close-ups of the paper.

Blue Fern Studios has also posted the monthly sketch on their blog.  You will see a link to the sketch in the right sidebar of the blog.  You have the entire month to participate in the sketch challenge.  Here's a look at the May sketch.

That's all for today.  Thanks for stopping by!

~Valerie

C'est Magnifique May Kit Reveal

Hi all. C'est Magnifique Kits has released their May Kit titled "Simple Elegance".  It is a beautiful kit with 8 sheets of double-sided paper from Pion Design (of Sweden).  Here's a look at the kit:

I love the elegance of the paper and embellishments in the kit this month.  Here's a layout I created using the kit and add-ons.  I used a photo of my granddaughter, Eryn, that was taken a few years ago.  I love the Maggie Holmes chipboard pieces that were found in this month's Magnifique Mixed Media kit (sold out), and added lots of them to this layout.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

Thanks for stopping by today!  I will have a couple more layouts using this kit to share with you in the next week.

~ Valerie

Sneak Peek!

I am so excited to be able to share that Blue Fern Studios is soon to release its second line of paper.  The new line is Ombré Dreams and here's a peek at it:

Don't you just love it!  It's a beautiful collection of paper with a water color look, perfect for all styles of scrapbooking and card making.  It will be available to retailers in just a few short weeks.  You can always check the Blue Fern Studios Website for a list of retailers who carry Blue Fern chipboard and paper.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~Valerie

Easter on My Mind

Since Easter will be here soon, I thought I would pull out a photo from a prior Easter and use it with the beautiful Blue Fern Garden paper and some Blue Fern Chipboard.  What could be cuter than a baby in an Easter basket?  This is my niece Callie, and she sure is adorable.  The chipboard pieces are also from Blue Fern Studios (the Cosmos Basket, Checkered Bits, and Bohemian Flowers).

Here are a couple of close ups of the chipboard pieces:

 

I used a few scraps of the Blue Fern Garden collection to create this Easter card.  Chipboard pieces include the Bunny Basket set and the smallest circle from the Beaded Strings set.

My last project doesn't have anything to do with Easter, but it's still as sweet as can be!  I love to create a grungy background and pair it with a wonderful photo.  I also used the Blue Fern Garden paper for this layout.  The chipboard pieces are the Lattice Gate and Broken Rings.  These chipboard pieces can add so much dimension to a layout.  This is a photo I took of my nephew, Keegan, when he was an infant.

Here is a close-up of the chipboard pieces:

Thanks for taking a look at my design team projects for Blue Fern Studios. 

~Valerie