Chiswick - creating elements using rubber stamps.

Early on in my creative career I worked in a stamp shop - my love for "rubber" was and still is passionate! I love the feel of holding something tangible in my hands that i can repeatedly use over and over again and in different ways, combined with many techniques and products in any which way it pleases me. So when i first got hold of the Chiswick range of stamps (www.chiswick.co.za) i was pleasantly surprised. The range quickly became a favourite go to section. So when  i created this layout i wanted to incorporate many different designs  into it and the go to products was stamps.

I used them in different ways to create not only texture and patterns but add something interesting to this somewhat masculine layout, and still keeping it real to my own style.
I used lots of circles on this layout - just another shape to add to the many on the list used on this project. I used sewing to highlight the circles and add even more texture.
I used this beautiful stamp and stamped it onto white smooth cardstock using black ink. I then trimmed the stamped image into smaller diamond shapes to use on my layout as a border. I love how one 'big' thing can become lots of smaller elements on a layout or card just by using your imagination and a good pair of scissors like these
I also used these fun little postage stamps to create my own elements on my layout instead of using store bought embellishments. I stamped them onto white cardstock and then added a light inking on top of that to change the colour - this makes them blend into the layout more instead of standing out like a sore thumb. Use foam dots to raise them for added dimension.
I used the intricate floral stamp from this set and embossed it in dark brown embossing powder to create my own textured piece of embossed paper. You can dress it up using buttons, brads and other elements, ink the white background to change the colour or leave it plain as i did for an effective handmade piece of paper.
I love how i created my own elements in a few easy steps using just stamps and a couple of added products. It just shows you how stamps can be used creatively using different mediums making each project unique and special. All the products used are available from your nearest scrapbooking shop - you can contact Denise on 031- 569 6116 or visit www.chiswick.co.za to view their entire product list and for previous blog posts. Look out for another creative blog post later this week featuring a fun jewellery item you can make at home. Have a wonderfully creative week!

The Wholesaler - Gorjuss is back in town.

Gorjuss is back in town and as usual i am not disappointed! I am however in love with the pretty papers, soft colors, beautiful elegant ribbons, fun stitched tags and my personal favorite those beautiful detailed rubber stamps. My favorite of-course is the Runaway Gorjuss on her horse - ready for adventures or simply disappearing into a magical world of her own. I used the Runaway stamp to create a card combined with my favorite American Crafts smooth cardstock. I can't imagine life without cardstock that is smooth - it enables me to stamp perfect images, but also to color them in using my favorite Artiste markers. The smooth cardstock will give me a crisp image when stamped, but also allows me to add a flawless layer of color using plenty of water.
I had so much fun creating with the new Gorjuss range of papers, i made this quick recycled paintbrush holder just for fun!
The smooth cardstock takes water well and without the texture is perfect for stamping, inking, techniques, texture paste and stenciling to mention a few. This is my go-to cardstock these days because i can create the look i want without worrying about the texture getting in the way of my creativity.
The other advantage of the smooth cardstock is that you can punch images from it using even the most delicate of punches. The paper is firm yet soft and leaves a crisp image - the perfect companion to your favorite punches giving your creativity even more possibilities.
Here's how i stamped and colored my images using the new Artiste marker set.
I add a lot of water to my color on a palette and use a small paintbrush to add the color to my image.
And here's how you can stamp with your markers in a few easy steps
step 1 - Colour the stamp with the long tip of your marker turned on the flat side.
step 2 - lightly mist the inked image with a water mister to moisten the ink.
step 3 - place the stamp nto your smooth cardstock and lightly apply pressure to stamp the image. Carefully remove the stamp and color your images.
  • Never use the tip to colour in your stamps but rather the flat edge of the marker to avoid damaging the tips when you apply pressure 
  • By misting the ink with water you moisten it up making the ink wetter for stamping and gives you a watercolour effect while stamping 
  • The dual tip markers are perfect for colouring in with the round tip, using them with water to paint and to stamp – a 3 in one go-to marker for adding colour to your life
    Products used
    DoCrafts Artiste Watercolour Dual-Tip Pens [DOA851303]
    DoCrafts Gorjuss Stitched Ribbon Tags [GOR 157107]
    DoCrafts Gorjuss Stamps The Runaway [GOR 907115]
    DoCrafts Gorjuss Paper Pack 6x6” [GOR 160106]
    AC Cardstock 12x12 Smooth – White [AC NEUTRALS 71793]
    AC Cardstock 12x12 Smooth – Taffy [AC PINKS 71791]
    AC Cardstock 12x12 Smooth – Coffee [AC NATURALS 71774]
    Petaloo Forget me nots Pink [1835-320]
    Versafine Onyx Black [TVF-82]
    Walnut Ink Crystals [TWI-001]

The Wholesaler - Imaginisce Perfect Vacation Coming Home layout.

It's no secret we love our dogs - our furry children and this is when we first got our male and female which by now are growing old *sigh.  So when i recently found an unfinished layout with these precious images on a decided it was time for a bot of a recycle layout. I loved the photos but the papers and the whole thing did not tell a story and so came to be the "Coming Home" layout in a fresh new jacket!
When is a vacation not really a vacation? Well when you love a paper range so much you can turn it into anything you want it to be. The new Perfect Vacation paper and embellishments are lovely, but I haven’t been on a vacation in a while so I used it in a slightly different way – I created a ‘coming home’ layout. I used photos of our beloved Misha Labrador of when she came to live with us – in many ways she is on a permanent vacation and coming home was a perfect theme and title for my layout.

These dimensional stickers are quick and easy to use on your projects. They offer dimension in selected areas and what can be easier than using the same range of elements to finish off your layout. I dressed mine up by adhering the circle element to a larger punched circle and then adding some hand sewing around the outer edge for more texture.

Patterned paper has become such an integral part of designing layouts, and what better way than to use elements from the actual papers as accents. I cut out some of the printed suitcases out of the papers and added them to my layout as a fun accent.

I love my stamps as they are so versatile and can be used over and over again on layouts, cards, tags and mixed media projects. To create little accents I stamped my compass image onto the bag side of my American Crafts white cardstock (the smooth side) in black Versafine in pad. The ink is made for fine detailed images so worked really well with this detailed stamp. I then added some colour using my Artiste Dual Markers and cut out the centre of the image for a whole new look. The little camera is also from the stamp range and too cute for words – I gave it the same colouring treatment as the compass image. I love the watercolour look and together with my stamping and colouring I can easily achieve this look I love so much.

Here’s to creating those beautiful travel pages using this colourful and fun range of papers and elements! Where will your layout take you next?
Products used
Imaginisce dimensional stickers [400555]
Imaginisce Adhesive Gems [400562]
Imaginisce Perfect Vacation Random Stripes [400546]
Imaginisce Perfect Vacation World Traveller [400549]
Imaginisce Perfect Vacation Memories Captured [400551]
Artiste Dual Tip Brush Markers (12 Pack) – Brights [DDOA85110]
These brand new products will be coming soon to your favourite scrapbook store or order directly from The Wholesaler and have it delivered to your favourite and closests shop.
visit www.thewholesaler.biz to view the latest and greates in paper collections today

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook

Flickr Images