I am always a bit apprehensive when I want to add loads of techniques to a project like a layout using texture paste and other art mediums – why you may ask? Well then wet stuff meets dry paper things happen – weird things happen to be honest! So much to my relief when I first tried stenciling with creative medium onto Lady Pattern Paper papers I was so chuffed that the weirdness wasn’t all that bad, sure it did its usual buckle but significantly less than some other patterned paper out there and dried perfectly. Another awesome reason why we love this lady!

For this layout I used the intense teal range of papers. I used them on my background as well as altered a strip to create some glitter elements for my layout – here’s how I created the layout and elements: 

Step 1 -I used my creative medium texture paste through a Prima stencil directly on top of my papers and then left it to dry really well before finishing my layout.  

step 2 - To create my glitter strips, I used the intense teal gingham sheet with the stripes on the back. Cut the paper strip to measures 3cm wide. Adhere strips of 16mm wide double sided tape to the white stripes on the paper strip. 

step 5 - Cut the strips into thin strips – this is your choice. I just used my scissors and cut the thin slithers of paper freehand. Then adhere the strips to your layout using a glue pen to create corners around your photos and elements.

This is a really fun way of adding some sparkle to your patterned papers, changing the look and feel, and getting the most out of your Basic Essentials range of papers. By using different techniques and products together with your Lady Pattern Paper Basic Essentials you can stretch them so much further! 

 I love how the gold, teal and mint striped paper works so well with all the different colours and elements on my layout! Adding that sparkle to my project – just what a girl needs!

 #LadyPatternPaper #TheWholesaler #Scrapcouture #ImagineCrafts #Tsukineko

So by now we have all gotten to know the LADY and her gorgeous range of Basic Essentials range of patterned paper. Well the thing is it really is a basic essentials range of paper, there’s everything and anything that you could possible need to throw together with any other international brand of paper and embellishments to get amazing results.

I am so pleased with how the colours from the Lady Pattern Paper (LPP) worked with the other paper and elements. It all is a match made in heaven. One of the things that I love about the paper is that you can die-cut it with ease using your Silhouette machine.

Now, I am not a great lover of titles – go figure – they are important. But when I used them they have to be big and cursive and not in your face, but rather blend into its surrounds and not take away attention from the photos.

For this layout I used this nice and cursive cut, but made it stand out a bit more against the background by adding a grey shadow on the outside of the words to highlight them. To create this quick and easy effect, add some grey VersaFine ink to a craft sheet and mist with water. Then pick up some ink with a small paintbrush and paint the thin lines. It’s amazing how a little thing like a shadow make the words pop and seem dimensional, when in fact they are flat and thin. The quality of cuts using the LPP is amazing – clean and fresh. 

Other details on my layout include machine sewing and hand sewing. Because the LPP is thin and smooth, sewing is so easy and effortless. And my layouts are never complete without some sewing for texture and colour. 
I am so excited to explore the possibilities using this amazing paper range. But above all I love the paper, colour and design of this range makes my international paper brands look just as good. Local quality at its best!

Other Products:
AC Cardstock 12×12 Smooth – White
AC Cardstock 12×12 Smooth – Coffee
Little Birdie Jewelled Florettes – French Carnival
AC 663398 Confetti 12×12 Paper Pad (48 Pages)
Tsukineko VersaFine Ink Pad – Smokey Gray
Tsukineko VersaFine Ink Pad – Vintage Sepia
Tombow Mono Multi Glue
Silhouette CAMEO® Electronic Cutting Tool
Sewing machine, diamanté, thread, stapler

 

Hi everyone - my apologies for being missing in action for a few days!I can hardly believe that I haven't blogged for so long, life has been a bit hectic and well emotional. I have gone on a journey of soul searching - mine and yours!
Questioning humanity and the meaning of all things worldly - have we lost the plot totally?

anyways - onto some prettiness...
I am on the Chiswick blog today with a beautiful gold glitter woven card using
the Xyron Creative Station.

I am just loving my Xyron at the moment - it's just so quick and easy!

*****
Recently we also celebrated Father's day - well mine has been in heaven for 29 years now.
Wow how time has flown by - and it almost seems surreal - as if I totally skipped a couple of years in reality. But, instead life has gone on and I made this cute little card using some amazing products by The Wholesaler, Imagine Crafts and Tsukineko.

So if you missed this post on the Imagine Crafts Blog then head on over here to see the wonderful products I used head on here  

I promise not to disappear again for a while at least - and thank you for hanging out and popping in! Without you guys visiting there would be no creative purpose apart from enjoying it myself and keeping me sane! Go and be creative!

One of my favourite things is a simple stamped card with some gold detail. For today’s card I used my all time favourite butterfly stamp image from Chiswick. A simple stamped images coloured and added to a bold blue background using Chiswick cardstock. 

visit the Chiswick blog here to see the full step x step instructions.

Happy stamping everyone!

There’s a new paper Lady in town and we are simply giddy about her. It’s the new Lady Pattern Paper range. I am always a bit reserved when it comes to local, yes I know I am a paper snob and I like quality. So when I first got this range of new paper I was careful of judging this book by its paper. And all I can say is I am pleasantly surprised. 

 This paper range is perfect for our market – versatile and basic – a real core product for our local market. You can use it alongside imported products, dress it up with techniques and inks and it looks fabulous.

 It will work for boys and girls, family and friends, pets and pals – and if you can think of it you can create a theme with it. Truly versatile in colour and design, just what a girl needs for her basic paper supplies.

 This high quality paper range stood fast through a couple of tests I did on it while of course creating one of my all-time favourite layouts….like they all usually are – but this one is proudly South African!

 Here’s what I found…

 So at the end of the day I am in love with this paper range. It certainly worked really well with all my favourite techniques when I create a layout- so much so that I can’t wait to start my next layout using this gorgeous essential and basic range of papers.