I am in love...every now and again one does a layout that just speaks to your heart - and this is it! I simply love everything about it, the way the colours came together, the theme, the beautiful papers, the bling and the stamping - it's just so me!I think what makes me love it even more is the fact that i could dress up the funky chipboard letters from Chiswick to match my layout using their glitter. Although the blue letters worked - it wasn't perfect so i made them perfect for me, and that's what is important right? You can view Chiswick products here www.chiswick.co.za

I used the beautiful Polkadot Part patterned papers for my layout and even added some other favourite accents.

To add to my theme and make it a bit more girly, i used this beautiful scallop punch to add a feminine touch to my layout. I then dressed it up by adding some small flat-backed pearls - perfect!

I used a previously die-cut element coloured in their beautiful silver ink pad and tucked it underneath my cut out cowgirl boots.

and for the grand finale, i dressed up my letters by covering them in glitter. This is so easy just like my glitter strips (another favourite technique) - but this time i used and even easier method for creating this striking effect.

I also added some girly stamps from the Chiswick range in a soft silver ink as to not overwhelm my layout or distract from what is really important.

Here's how i created my glitter title
Step 1
Create your title using your chipboard letters directly onto your layout .

Step 2
Use dimensional glaze and cover your letters in n even layer. Use a needle to prick an air bubbles and make them pop.

Step 3
Cover your letters in a nice thick layer of glitter. Don't be shy as you are going to remove most of the glitter and return it to the container.

Step 4
Leave the glitter for a few seconds and then shake off the excess. The glitter will only stick to the glaze layer and the rest will simply 'fall off'.

Tips and hints
Because the glaze is in liquid form you don't want to keep the letters at an angle for too long - so leave the glitter to settle for a few seconds, then tilt the project to remove the excess glitter and then lay it flat down on a level surface to avoid the glaze forming uneven levels and gathering on the edges.

Leave the glaze to dry completely, this may vary in different weather conditions. Then use a small soft paintbrush to remove any excess glitter from around the edges.
Avoid touching the glaze/glitter layer - rather leave it to dry overnight instead of ruining your project and leaving finger prints in a layer of wet glaze/glitter and having to do touch ups.

Products used  Clear stamp - A La Mode rs3169,
Chipboard Adhesive Alphabet Blue st1009, Pearlescent ink pad Grey rs 3360, Ultra fine glitter sb4225

To find your nearest stockist of Chiswick Products contact Denise on 031-5696116
or visit their website www.chiswick.co.za for a full range of products and previous blog posts by Jowilna Nolte.

From the very first time i saw the magic of heat embossing i was hooked. i can also recall the facial expressions of people who know for the very first time see it - it really is magical. So what's a girl to do with a delicate die-cut - well add some more magic is the natural choice! So what would be more perfect than a nice Pearlescent effect topped with heat embossing. I got to work with the Chiswick range of Pearlescent ink pads to colour some elements and to stamp with - and i love the outcome! so here's what i did with my layout and technique elements...

I added some delicate thin silver thread underneath my flowers - i combined some cream and soft blue flowers with the denim blue Chiswick flowers to create a nice mix between texture, shape and colour.

I used the same Pearlescent ink pad to stamp some themed images directly onto my background cardstock - to make sure the ink dries really well i heat set it using my heat gun. A quick blast will ensure the ink is dry and prevent smudges.

I used some of the lovely chipboard stickers out of the Chiswick range - to add some interest i added some folds to it - really just crumpling it up and then adhering it to still show the folds.

and here's how i created my coloured die-cut accent for my layout

Step 1
Die-cut the element out of white smooth cardstock. Pick the colour of your ink you want to add to the element.

Step 2
Turn over the ink pad and press the ink repeatedly onto the die-cut until it is fully covered in colour. Do not drag the ink pad to avoid it from being damaged.

Step 3
Add a layer of clear Zing embossing powder over the wet Pearlescent ink and shake off the excess. Heat set the embossing powder until it turns shiny and is set. Leave the powder to cool down.
Tip - The golden rule to most embossing powders is, when it turns shiny it is done. So when you see that all the powder is shiny you know that you have heated it enough.

Step 4
You element is now ready to be adhered to your layout using a thin layer of Tombow Mono Multi adhesive. I love how the Pearlescent silver of the ink pad peaks out from underneath the clear embossing powder - such an awesome effect!

Products used
Heat Gun in Gift Box cr1350
Pearlescent Ink Pad – Grey rs3360
Chipboard Adhesives – Uplifting st1006
Assorted 3D Foam Squares sb4430
Paper Petals – Black 30 pieces pf1000

I have always been a fan of glitter - a little bling makes any day brighter. So what better way to brighten someones day than to make a card featuring some bright and happy glitter strips. I love how easy it is and that even kids can help when you get busy with this easy technique. so here's how i created my card

i combined the glitter with some vintage patterned papers, chalkboard technique strip and stamped butterflies for a nice mix of texture, colour and patterns

I love the stack-able pots of glitter - handy when you are on the road or heading to a class

step 1
You will need 20mm double sided tape, thin super sticky tape, glitter in two different colours, scissors, patterned paper, card base, rubber stamps, ink pad, embellishments

step 2
Trim your patterned paper to the width of your folded card base and the height you want it to be. Adhere the 20mm double sided tape flush with the top edge of the patterned paper.

step 3
Remove the backing from the tape strip and pour the glitter on top of the tape - always work on a scrap piece of paper so that you can keep the excess glitter that does not adhere to the tape. Lightly pat down the glitter so that it adheres to the tape. Shake off any excess glitter onto the scrap paper and return it to the container.

step 4
Adhere the thin strip of super tape just below the double sided tape strip. Use your Chiswick scissors to trim off the extra overlapping tape flush with the edges.
TIP Clean your scissors regularly to avoid a sticky build up of glue and tape bits - i use UNDU to clean my scissors and cutting board

step 5
Peel the red protective backing off of the tape and pour the second colour of glitter onto the sticky part. Lightly pat down the glitter again to make sure you get a nice even coverage of solid colour on the tape. Shake off the excess and return to the container.

your glitter piece is now ready to be used on your card. Why not try this on your next scrap layout for a quick and easy way of adding an accent colour.

To view more Chiswick Products head on over to their website
Products used
Clear Stamp – Butterflies 140 x180mm (ER-A9)
Clear Stamp – Postcards 140 x 180mm (ER-A4)

 Arts and Crafts Scissor 150mm
Ultra Fine glitter

Hello there - it's time for another sketch challenge over at Scrap Africa. Denise created this wonderful sketch and i loved working with it.it's a wonderful sketch that is versatile and can be whatever it is you need to get your creative juices flowing. i used my favourite Mister Huey inks to add colour to my background and then worked onto that to create my layout...

I used some Docrafts Madame Payraud patterned papers under my photo and together with some washi tape on the left edge. A Marion Smith doily stamped image was cut in half and used with some beautiful Petaloo flowers for a pop of colour.

i found a matching Prima Butterfly with just the right look and enough bling and glitter to make a statement.

some stenciling in the background...

and some hand sewn detail

the other half of my stamped doily was used in the opposite corner for repetition

i hope you will play along with us...you could win some awesome goodies and we would love to see what you come up with - wishing you a wonderful and creative scrapping week!

Have you seen the new Marion Smith Scrapbooking papers and embellishments? well they are a real treat!

i love the soft colours and designs of the papers - so beautiful!

some washi tape and Teresa Collins words add even more charm to this range.