Acrylic!

I have found myself using more and more acrylic. I love the versatility. I love that you can chose to keep it as is and not lose objects under that particular embellishment. I had an idea of basing a wall hanging from a large scallop frame from the Fancy Pants Transparent die cuts. I painted the frame pink on it's backside, white on the front and then proceeded to add a grungy feel by using different textures for adding other paint colours over the white paint. I used cardboard, bubble, wrap and a paint brush. I painted a piece of styrofoam black and covered it in mod podge to use as the base. I added a clear star also from the Fancy pants transparent die cuts pack which was perfect for hanging a Making Memories love notes metal charm (just attached the jump ring around one side of the star). Other supplies Basic Grey micro chip alphabet letters, Heidi Swapp Center of Attention alphabet letters, MM ribbons, Tim Holtz grungeboard.

Prima's shapes-o-rama

Trace Geworsky

Prima's shapes-o-rama are so cool to work with.
You trim them out, and you can doodle on them, paint on them, use alcohol inks on them, use stickles on them, etc.
I cut a piece of patterend paper 6x6, hand cut a design from Making Memories paper, adhered a shapes-o-rama with a picture and minimal journaling, and then added some stickles and little bit of doodling.

Shape O Ramas Product Challenge

Prima Shape O Rama's are on sale for 20% off for the next 2 weeks. We challenge you to create a layout or project with them and submit for a chance to win a $15 prize pack! Looking forward to see what you create. Watch our March newsletter for ideas from our design team.

Mini Canvas

I've become completely obsessed with alternate arts and journalling this past week. The evolution and experimentation has been a really fast process and I can't wait to slow down and see where it all takes me.

I created this cute little 2x3 mini-"canvas" to play with a new technique using melted beeswax. After gessoing the canvas I added a couple of Basic Grey rub-ons and some American Crafts TradeMarks rub-0ns and I sprayed it with Tattered Angels glimmer mist. I then layered the piece with gesso and Tim Holtz Tattered Rose crackle paint. I accented I then brushed on beeswax - melting and scraping it off as I went. A final polish gave it some lustre.I hope you can play and take some risks this week. Let me know what you did!

xo, Jen

Visual Triangles

Do you ever wonder where you should place the embellishments and other design elements on your layout? Imagining a triangle that connects elements is a great way to ensure that you have a balanced and visually appealing layout. In this layout, I've created a triangle of black embellishments, with the title, the photo tab and the damask flocked sticker forming a triangle. I created a triange of red elements with the journaling block, the quote sticker, and a little heart sticker layered over the photo tab (layout created using February Kit contents).

Chalk

There are so many ways to use chalk!! The possibilities are simply endless. I had fun one afternoon and here are some things i came up with.

I used chalk on this basic grey scalloped chipboard circle and heart which really gives a soft velvety finish.

I used versamark to stamp a butterfly image on this Jenni Bowlin chipboard butterfly. I then rubbed pink chalk on the stamped versamark. After that I restampled the same image in black ink overtop for detail. I defined the edges of the butterfly with black and pink chalk. I wanted to change the color of one of the white felt butterflies, so I chalked it to give a pink hue. I also rubbed chalked around the border of white scallopped paper to define the edge for a smoky feel.















I used my paper piercer to make a butterfly trail and chalked over top to make it stand out.













On this layout i didn't use patterened paper! I created my own background with chalk. The layout has a picture of my son drawing chalk on his face, so i wanted to use chalk somehow on the layout. I dipped a sponge dauber in versamark and made a polkadot pattern and then chalked over with a green chalk. I used the same technique for the swirl and the word "fun".















These are only a couple of the things you could do with chalk. I have only "chalked" the surface. haha. Some other ideas could be using chalk to change the color of a letter sticker to customize your layout or using chalk to customize the color your your flowers, the possibilities are endless! Try it and see how fun it is.

Upcoming Class

Trace Geworsky

3x3 kids & teens friends photo accordion album
Thursday, March 26, 2009
6-8 pm
Join me in creating a personalized mini school photo album for storing pictures and information about your friends.
Please bring 6-12 wallet sized picture, adhesive, a journaling pen, a trimmer and scissors.
Cost is $12.00 register now at Rhubarb Roots to avoid missing this fun class.