love and....

hey everyone! Sherry here and I'm back after a bit of time off getting hitched!!! So get ready for an overload in projects, because my creative journal got filled with ideas and plans for projects while I was off:) It's funny how when a big moment in your life happens you become more sentimental! I have come to realize how much i need to appreciate the amazing, beautiful things that are in my life that i love and get over and forget the things that aren't in my life!!

Lets get this party started with a little bit of love for the 'Sirena' stamp and a fun candid picture form a fun weekend with our niece! I have to start by saying this is my favourite stamp from the last release and I don't think I would be able to stop using it!!! So she will be my girl for this one:) So head to your stash, pick up a few fave supplies and lets get creating!!

Step 1

Once deciding where I would place my main image, I decided where my stamp would be placed. (they would go in the top left section of the layout.) So that's exactly where I started, with a stamped image of 'Sirena". (tip: make sure to use a stamp pad with ink that won't react with whatever sprays you use to maintain a crisp clean image)

I applied Golden fibre paste through a stencil peeking out around where my photo would be, and overlapping a bit of of the stamped image. I also applied some stencilling in the bottom right corner as well. Allow to air dry.

Select 3 co-ordinating spray colors and unscrew their tops off.  Spray the stencilled areas with water. While the page is still wet use the 'straw' part of the sprayer and drag it along the edged of the paper and raised stencil areas. Dip the straw into the spray as much as needed to add more color. I made sure to apply all three colors together, while everything is still wet. I tilted the paper to allow for some beautiful drips.  This also allows them to slightly blend together.

Step 2

To add a few details and enhance the stencilling from the previous step I messy sketched around the shapes with a permanent thin sharpie pen. I really love the look of a messy outline look!!

Behind where the focal point/photo will be I arranges some thread to peek out from behind the photo.

Step 3

Next up, arrange all of the goodies I have pulled out. These embellishments were super simple but effective to the layout and photo:)

I started with an assortment of white flowers.  I sprayed then with the same spray colors from step 1.

A few tags, some scrap holes I cut off of watercolour paper pads and some flowers and I was set! I had a few leftover project life cards with the perfect sentiments for this layout!!

So the layering started, I made sure to arrange everything and generally lay it out before adhering anything down to make sure it looked good before making it permanent.

Once all of the embellies are stuck down and dry, I places a piece of scrap paper over my photo and took the same colors from Step 1 and splattered them over the stencilled areas... Then to tie it all together I added a few splatters of white gesso:)

And a few close ups!!!

The thing I love the most about this layout is that it doesn't need a ton of supplies to create!!!!
Thank you so much for popping in and checking out my first layout back:) For more from me pop into my blog or Facebook for more tutorials and product reviews and all things crafty! Also be sure to peruse around the BG blog to be further inspired by the amazing DT!

SUPPLY LIST

Prima Marketing
*Bloom Girl- 'Sirena' stamp (#980344)

*assorted white paper flowers (like these)
*white gesso (#961442)

Heidi Swapp
*citron spray (hs-01084)
*mint green spray (hs-00799)
*seafoam (hs-01080)

The Crafters Workshop
*hexagons stencil (tcw-324)

Golden
*fiber paste

love and kisses

Hey everyone!!! Sherry here with a look into my creative process!!! And sometimes the unexpected journey it sometimes takes me on. Have you ever been in the process of making a project and half way through you go"crap, I'm not liking how this looks". But, you're to far in to 'fix' it but also to far into it to toss it!!! Well, I started this layout thinking that it would be a 12x12 project. Then, as I was getting going I decided I didn't love it! So, instead of tossing it and starting new I figured out which parts I loved and worked around them!!

So all I want to say is believe in yourself and you talent! Trust the process and love what you create! Sometimes it has to go through a yucky stage before it becomes exactly what you hoped it would be:)

So here it is, flawed start and all!!

Step ONE

I found a nice soft textured patterned paper and pulled out two of my favorite Bloom Girl stamps! i positioned them so that when I started adding color they wouldn't bleed together to much! (You will see what I mean in the next step)
Once the black ink of the stamped images is dry I did a thin layer of clear gesso over the top of the entire layout. This will help in the following steps to prevent the paper from completely absorbing the inks and liquid.

Step TWO

Next up, my FAVORITE way to add fun color to any project, Magicals!! I selected a few shades of pink and a few shade of brown to create fun hair colors! Because I added the layer of clear gesso i could wipe color from where I didn't want it with ease while it was drying! I slowly added more and more layers till the color was what I wanted it to be!!

THEEEEEEEN I decided I HATED IT!!!!! I almost threw it out till my fiance came down, hearing my words of frustration, to see what the fuss was all about! He looked at it and agreed maybe the color combo wasn't right, but that the left side was awsome!!! So BOOM my direction changed and I cut the layout in half and added some fun stencilling with molding paste.

Step THREE

Oh how i love the intensity of a good spray! Once the molding paste was dry i sprayed the left and top edges with water to allow the spray to spread wherever it naturally wanted to flow. I unscrewed the top of the spray bottle and ran the end of the straw along the two edges of the project, then tilted it slightly to allow it to flow around the paste.

Step FOUR

then to soften the colors and brighten it up a bit, I added a bit more stencilling with white paste! (you'll notice in later pics that I actually ended up extending this further up and left then where it is here. Once my picture and a few embellies went down a lot of the paste texture disappeared)

Step FIVE

Next up, EMBELLIES!!!!! I pulled out my bowl of homeless flowers (I have a cute glass bowl on my workspace that I throw homeless items that don't have a package anymore!) and metal embellishments and started layering flowers and metal bits around where I knew I wanted my photo to be set.

Along the edges of the flowers and focal area I spread clear glass beads and allowed to dry completely.

Once the flower were secure and the beads were dry I dry brushed them all with white gesso. (tip: if you like the color of your embellishments and want some of it to show through, you could also use clear gesso. Or for a super fun look you can even use black gesso!)

Once dry I start sprinkling my selected Magicals over the gessoed areas! I continued to layer this till the vibrancy was there! fortunately because magcals are so pigment packed it didn't take to many layers!

Step SIX

All that was left was to pop dot the photo on and ta-da I have a fun 6x12 layout to display!
Here are a few close ups to check out a few more details!

Thank you so much for popping in! Remember, the supplies I used are just ones that I prefer and enjoy. But, if you like something else as home that you love use it, if you have something similar use it! I am always a fan of new goodies but sometimes we can't have it all! So dig into your stash, pull out some delish products and create! You don't have to have the exact things I use to create beautiful things!

Make sure to pop into my Blog, Facebook and Instagram for more inspiration, sneak peeks, tutorials and product reviews!
Thank you for popping in:) make sure to peek around at the other amazing projects by the DT!!

xoxo

Supplies
PRIMA:
Bloom Girl- Summer (#980160)
                     Metal Floral Embellishments (#980221)
                     Flowers (#575212)
Art Ingredients- light paste (#961404)
Flowers(#565251, #556945 and #577957)
Stencil- 'weaving' (#962333)

LINDY'S STAMP GANG
Magicals-(for the hair) Steam punk sepia, sandra dee sepia, steel shimmer
                (for the flowers) cheshire cat cherry, time travel teal and rusty lantern lime
Spray-flying monkey midnight

AMY TANGERINE
'Twins' thickers (#366837)

HEIDI SWAPP
Clear Pocket Cards (#369959)

Busy Being Happy

Hey everyone, Sherry here (facebook, instagram, and of coarse my blog) today I am bringing you a tutorial on a layered layout using tons of colors and stamped images:) I am in love with the colors and images on this one, so sit back, relax and enjoy!! (Or play along! That's more fun anyways:)) The complete supply list will be shown at the bottom of the tutorial.
So lately I have been in complete and total love with Lindy's Stamp Gang magicals. They have made my heart pitter patter and constatnly surprise me with what I can use them for and where I can add them. So prepare to be amazed..lol!
First off here is the full image of the layout we will be creating together...

I started with a plain white piece or watercolor paper and picked out some rich red toned magicals to create the base of my layout. With the selected colors I worked one at a time allowing each to dry before moving onto the next color. Using a fluffy, dry paint brush I sprinkled the first color where I wanted it to live. Then I sprayed it with water to activate the awesomeness!! Once I had a bit of water puddled up I tilted my page to create some drips. I allowed this to dry then I carried onto the next color and also repeated for the third color. (keep in mind by wetting the page for the second and third color you will slightly reactivate the previous colors allowing for some blending!)

Once the magicals were all dry I made image impressions using black ink and my Bloom Girls Floral stamp set.  I overlapped some images a little but wanted to make sure each flower was distinct and not to jumbled!

NOT PICTURED I made more floral images on a second piece of watercolor paper (aproximately 6) and colored them using the same three magicals I used for the background. Once they dried I fussy-cut them all out.

I love the look what you spray Staboli pencil marks with water, it makes the bleed and spread! So for this next layer I decided where my focal point would be, then I made loose messy circles around where it would be set using the Stabilo pencil. then I lightly sprayed it with a mini mister. Once this is completely dry I made similar messy, loose circles with white liquid ink. and allow this to dry.

Using a thin thread that will stand out against the backround (black), I wrapped it around the layout so it would create more texture that will stick out from behind the focal points.

This next part was a new experiment for me! I have used magicals in a tons of ways, and I have also colored the Bloom Girls in a number of different ways, but I had never used magicals to color a Bloom Girl! So, today two worlds collide!

I made multiple impressions of 'Summer' on blank watercolor paper, keeping one image whole, I cut apart the other images using bit and pieces separately (the hair, the eyes, the lips and the flowers).
I then colored each piece separately and using the full image I colored the skin. Once all colored and dried, they were reassembled using liquid adhesive being VERY sparing!(you dont want any adhesive to stick out from behind the pice your gluing downa s it will reactivate the magicals and will be visible) The only part that was done differently was the flowers, they were assembled using pop dots after the frame was added, this way some of the flowers would overlap on top of the frame.

The frame was a plain chipboard piece when I started with it, but using the ever amazing IndigoBlu Mega Flakes kit I made it metallic and this helped to make the image of 'Summer'  stand out from the background. I have used the Mega Flakes kit in a few other projects on stamped images but this time i wanted to show its versatility and how it can by used to change embellishments and chipboard as well! (QUICK how-to on Mega Flakes for chipboard pieces:1)apply glue to the glue pad 2)press chipboard piece into glue pad making sure to get every piece you want metallic 3)sprinkle Mega Flakes over surface (making sure to have a paper underneath to catch extra) 4)press/rub the flakes onto the surface 5)use scrubby to scrub away any extra pieces... All supplies needed are in the started kit)

This is the fun part, assembly!! I usually don't adhere my main focal point till midway or till the end of the assembly but this time I adhered her first so I could build up around her! So using three layers of pop dots ( I wanted her to sit quite high) I stuck 'Summer' on the the center of where I wanted the focal point.
Once she was down I layered my previously cut floral papers using tape adhesive and pop dots to create layers and dimesntion. I also made my own custom embellies using Bloom Girl metal flowers but using white gesso on them, whenthat was dry I used the corresponding magicals to make them match the other reds on the layout! I finished off the metal flowers with some Bloom Girl brads and half pearls. I added a few words and sentiments to add a 'title' to the page along the bottom edge.

To tie it all together i covered Summer with a spare piece of paper and made platters using liquid white ink. I love to do this over magicals because the moisture of the ink reactivates the magicals a little and will make the ink take on a bit of the color underneath!

I want to thank you for stopping  by and checking out my fun tutorial using one of my FAV Bloom Girls:) make sure to peruse the site and check out more amazing, inspiring projects!! 

Supplies:

Prima Marketing:

BLOOM GIRLS by Jamie Dougherty

*Floral stamp set (#980313)

*Summer stamp (#980160)

*Metal emblishments (#980221)

Other

*Anna Marie brads (#570026)

Lindy's Stamp Gang

Magicals

*Limor Webber Designs magicals- t-bird turquoise, rusty lantern lime, steampunk sepia, steel shimmer

*magicals- cape cod coral, queen of hearts red, curiouser chartreuse, clam bake beige, salt water taffy, sandra dee sepia, cheshire cat cherry, ramblin rose pink, mad hatter mint green, tea pot purple

7 Dots Studio

*Thoughts Keeper word stickers (SDST0031)

My Boy, using handsome Quentin!

Hey my lovelies, Sherry here with another fab, fun way to use the ever amazing Bloom Girl (Boy) stamps! Today I am turning Quentin into a metallic element in my layout background. Sometimes we feel the stamps need to be in the forefront of everything we use them in, but they in fact add an amazing layer into backgrounds as well.

First off here's a look at the full project we will be creating today! At the bottom you will find a full list of supplies. Pull out all your goodies and create along with me!!

Knowing i wanted a pretty neutral colour scheme for the base of this project i selected pattern paper accordingly and started with my first two layers. First I applied Prima fluid chalk ink through the Ricket stencil (MY FAV) to the are my photos will be places and a little in the opposite corner to create balance. Then using a kit that turns stamped images into metallics I stamped Quentin so that he would peek out from behind my photos. (Remember I don't want him in the forefront, he is in the background of this layout!)

 And a few close ups so you can see the yummy metallicy, goodness!

I laid my photos where I would want them to be and traced lightly around them to mark where my photos would end up. Using the 'sweet tea' stencil i sprayed Bloom spray through the large open section of the stencil. (make sure to cover up the intricate side to avoid spray going through it) allow to dry. Then using molding paste apply it though the intricate side onto the sprayed silhouette. Allow to dry.

I wrapped cream colored piece of string around my hand making messy circles. I adhered these so they would peek out from behind my photos.

I took a gear mask and applied molding paste around Quentin like a halo, and a little bit in the bottom right corner just for a bit of fun! (the bottm right corner will also be the home for the title!) Once the paste if dry i lightly rubbed brown ink over the image to make it not so stark against the background.

Now the fun part!!! I took bit and pieces that were hanging out on my desk and used them as backgrounds for my photos! Keeping in mind where my photos will be I arranged all of goodies (mechanicals, Bloom Girl metal flowers and paper flowers) to peek out and enhance my layout.(HINT: I laid all these out before adhering them so I knew they would suit what I wanted and fill in the spaces I needed.) Once these are set and dry I used micro beads in small random spaces around the photos and dragged out from the top and bottom! Once all is dry and set, I dry brushed white gesso over the embellishments. Allow to dry.

Not lets add some color!!! With a fluffy brush I sprinkled my first of three Magical color in the desired areas and spray with water to active, and allow to dry. Then redo this same thing with the next two colors. once they are all dry i reapplied the colors until they reached the desired color that i loved!!

And a few close ups of this deliciousness!

Thank you so much for popping in and checking out my tutorial! For more inspiration, tutorials and projects please feel free to check out my blog, facebook and instagram.

Full Supplies:

BLOOM GIRLS

-Quentin stamp (#98037)

-Ricket stencil (#980405)

-Sweet Tea stencil (#980351)

PRIMA

-Archivist Collection 'Atteindre L'univers' (#990244)

-Glass beads, 'Butter' (#961701)

-Art Basics white Gesso (#961442)

LINDY'S STAMP GANG

-Magicals: Sandra Dee Sepia, T-bird Turquoise, 

Limor Webber Designs Steampunk Sepia and Steel Shimmer

National Scrapbook Day with Prima Marketing and Jamie Dougherty Designs!!

Hello everyone!! Thank you for joining us here on the Bloom Blog, and thank you for joining Prima for a day of creative goodness! Here are a few inspiring projects created by myself and the talented Bloom Creative team!

You know Mother's Day is fast approaching and a handmade gift really pulls at the heart strings. This small and simple home decor piece would be the perfect gift for that fun and eclectic mom.

How to Create:

1. Using a canvas panel take matte gel medium and collage patterned paper to the canvas. Allow this layer to dry. 

2. To dull down the background take a light wash of white gesso over the surface, you can also add a soft watercolor wash over the gesso. I used a walnut color to antique the background. 

3. Now using the Sweet Pea two layer stencil take your favorite acrylic paint and sponge the bottom layer of your flower onto the canvas. Make sure this layer is completely dry before continuing. 

4. Line up your stencil so that the outline layer is positioned over your first layer. Using a palette knife lightly spread a layer of heavy black gesso through the stencil. 

5. With a black ink pad add a fun or sentimental saying to your canvas. On this canvas I used the word stamp on the Lacie stamp set. 

6. Last but not least, shop your local thrift stores and find a nice frame that will complement your new work of art. 

NOW onto a few layouts to inspire you on this national Scrapbook Day!!! Below you will see some of my most favorite layouts by our Bloom Girl Creative Team. 

This layout by Sherry is full of beauty and mixed media happiness. Check out this blog post for the tutorial on how to recreate this lovely layout.

Next we have this hauntingly beautiful layout by Courteney.

Courteney will be sharing a tutorial on this blog on Tuesday so make sure you check back for all the info!!! 

This last piece isn't a layout but Lisa has used some fun techniques that would be perfect to add to any layout!  You can even watch her detailed video HERE> 

Thank you for joining us for the Prima blog hop and I hope you have a creative, inspired day today as you enjoy all of what Prima has in store. 

Hugs