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