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)

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

A mother's nest by DT Stephanie

Good morning everyone!

DT Stephanie here with you today for a quick and colorful card tutorial, or shall I say nesting embellishments together :) When I first saw the Mother stamp designed by Jamie, I knew I wanted to try a version where her hair would be filled with lots of yummy flowers. You all know how I love my Blooms, right?!

So, here's what I used and how the project started:

I first stamped my image on some colouring paper with Memento Ink (since I'm using alcohol markers to colour in), and then I put her on a very basic cardstock layout, so that the focus would be on her entirely. You might notice I left lots of open space in her hair, as they will be covered with flowers and metal trinkets.

The tip I can offer for this kind of concept is that you need to start with your biggest items first, and then add the smaller ones, to fill the gaps. As you can see on the photo below, I decided to put down my metal clocks at the very beginning, and then went with the leaves, the trinkets and the various shapes of flowers.

If after you've covered up the whole head part you still see blank spots, don't hesitate in adding tiny bits, like pearls and gems, to the lot. It will give a nice finished touch!

List of supplies used :

Something Blue collection 6x6 paperpad by Prima, 813512

Bloom Girl - Mother stamp by Prima, 980283

Memory Hardware Pearls by Prima,  990381

Vintage Trinkets Metal Clocks by Prima, 960278

Vintage Trinkets Metal Flowers by Prima, 960339

Something Blue collection - Ring bearer flowers by Prima, 575304

Something Blue collection - Best man flowers by Prima, 575335

Vintage Mechanicals Metal mini brads by Prima, 960384

Metal Trinkets Engraver collection by Prima, 563554

I really hope you'll try it, too!
Stephanie xx

CHA New Products

Hi everyone:) It's that time of year to save our pennies, bookmark those websites, and wipe the drool off of our computers. Yep it's CHA time again and this year I have a little bit of exciting news to share. Prima has used a few of my flower designs in their release!!! I know pinch me please. It is like a dream come true for me. I wanted to share a couple of designs today with you. (I have a few more to come) They are felt flowers I designed. I love the felt for it's warm and comfortable feel and the beaded accents add a quality feel. They even come ready with leaves and/or stems.  I put a lot of thought in these and Prima has brought them to you amazingly!(I expected nothing less). These flowers will be perfect for any project. Scrapbook pages, cards, mixed media art, mini albums, or wearable art. Their material with withstand being compressed in an album or worn on a hat. There is an array of colors and styles fit for everyones style. I hope you enjoy them as well. Again here are a couple sneak peeks and more to come!

"Encore" Felt Flowers. Look at the hand stitching and bead work. With rich color and diminution. 

"Cassie" Felt flowers. These can be opened up or kept closed. but inside is more beading detail. They have stems that can be twisted and curled to add detail to your projects.

Make sure to check out Prima's other release peeks. Prima's Blog
Thank You for stopping by the blog today. Have a wonderful week and create something amazing!!

P.S. I have a Facebook page now, where I share all of my artsy goings and doings and upcoming classes. I'd love to see you there and if you do so before this Friday you can be entered in for a creative giveaway.

Hugs
Jamie D.

A Little Christmas Cheer

Hello :)

I wanted to share with you my last Live With Prima class. I created a fun little Christmas wreath and below you will find the video with all of the how to's. You can alter this project to any size and create small present toppers or party favors, or you can even expand it and make a giant wreath for your door :) I hope you enjoy.

Also attached it the template I used to create the star on the front. This file is a PNG and can be altered to fit your needs. 

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and I will have my altered book tutorial up later today or tomorrow :) Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Hugs
Jamie D.

Prima Spring Mini Album

Spring is here so let's "Go Green". More than just the color green. Let's think more about the planet and use a little "Green" in our projects. I created this Mini album with scraps and packaging from Prima.

The cover and back are pieces from a clear acrylic Prima album that I have been hanging onto for a couple of years now. Never knowing what to do with them and my mentality of "I better keep this, just in case I need it" I just couldn't get rid of them lol. So I finally found a purpose for them. I used Prima's Paintables clear stamps and stamped the edges with Staz-On black Ink. Then sporadically painted Glimmer Glam on the cover. (Organic Garden). Once it dried I sprayed the cover with Chalkboard glimmer mist(Inch Worm) and heat dried it. The white frame is from the $1 bin at Michaels. The banner is made from a scrap piece of canvas I had in my stash.


Maya Road's envelopes worked awesome as filler pages in this little album. I embellished them with Prima clear stamps and Hydrangia flowers, on the edge.


Here I distressed and altered two pieces of Prima packaging and sewed them together with a scrap piece of lace between the two. It made the perfect base for a background.


On this envelope, I took the scrap edge of a Prima Journaling card to embellish the opening. I used scrap paper to make the large envelope for the next page.


Here is more Prima packaging, sewn and used as a tag to display pictures of my kiddos.


I often cut apart my Say It In Crystals. and have ends and bits left over. I took a few of my left overs and used them on this page.


In a package of flowers there are always those flowers that end up in the bottom of your stash. I took a couple of my white flowers and altered them to match my project.


I hope you can look through your stash and scraps for new inspiration. Hugs and have a wonderful, inspiring week.


Jamie

The Wall

It is always fun to find great inspiration in other forms of art. I took this pic of the kids one day. and The Pink Floyd song " The Wall" came to mind. The last some on the album "Outside The Wall". It symbolizes the loved one's in your life never giving up on you. no matter how high of a wall you put up. They are always there when ever the wall comes down.


Prima, Prima, and more Prima LOL. I used Pinecone on water color paper. On the back side I used tattered rose with Prima's Grid background stamp. I also used Prima's Paintable PP on the next layer. I found the sheer jeweled flowers are prima and I found them at Michaels. The roses were all white I altered them with Tattered Angels Glimmer mist (Burnt Red, Tattered Rose, Walnut Gold) I also used their clear leaves and altered them with alcohol inks.





THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY AND LEAVING YOUR GENEROUS COMMENTS. HUGS :)

JAMIE

New Tutorial

I have put a video tutorial together. It is over on the Scrap Gal Blog. :) It was a very hot trend at CHA this year. Also if you do head over and leave a comment. I will pick one person for a little RAK of a few of these flowers.


Also please don't forget you have until Sunday to enter your Lo for These Are A Few of My Favorite Things Challenge for Favorite Outfit.

Hugs Everyone. Happy Friday :) I hope the weather isn't effecting you on the East coast too. much. The positive; more time inside to CREATE !!!!!