I simply love how the Lady Pattern Paper can work for anything! I have said it many times how versatile this paper range is. And to prove it, this week I took it upon myself to use it in a project life layout I have been struggling to finish for a really long time.I used the paper range to create some PL cards and a matching single page layout on the opposite side of the pocket page.

I include both my regular double page layouts and Project Life pages in the same album, so every now and again I end up creating a single page layout next to a pocket page.This makes the following pages easy to just do a regular double page layout.

step 3 - Position the stencil on your PL sized card cut from LPP and apply the paste in a smooth and even fashion. Apply the paste over the entire stencil design as desired.

step 4 - Carefully lift the stencil from your paper and leave it to dry complete before using it.
Add embellishments and other decorative elements to match your theme.

And there you have some awesome custom made PL cards for your album. This is a great way to use up all those LPP pieces left over from your other layouts.
I even used my smaller scraps to create matching photo matts for my single page.Layer your photo onto 2 or 3 pieces of LPP for a dimensional and colourful photo matt.

Happy Memory keeping.

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.

Up oin the Chiswick blog, I am creating with the Xyron Creative Station and Repositionable Adhesivemaking my own stencils. Head on over to the blog to see more...

http://www.chiswick.co.za/uncategorized/making-stencils-using-the-xyron-creative-station/

Such an amazing product that can be used with all my die-cuts turning them into some pretty amazing and useful scrapbooking tools. I am lost without it.
Happy Thursday everyone!

love creating backgrounds for my cards and scrapbook layouts. Gelli Printing is a firm favorite of mine because it offers the ability to just play and experiment – and with the wonderful inks and mediums available it is such a joy creating textures. A great alternative to the Gelli Plate is to use the awesome Craft Mat from IMAGINE Crafts to create some faux Gelli prints for some quick cards using All Purpose ink combined with acrylic paint. Make your own crackle background card.

Imagine Crafts featuring Tsukineko:

I hope you are having a hopping good Easter filled with the blessings God has promised to us all.
I am over on the Imagine Crafts blog with this Easter card using some of my favorite things - Tsukineko inks and stamps. Hop on over and see how I create the effects step by step.

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko:

 Step 2 - Once the paste is dry, mist the surface with water. Use a paintbrush and then lightly brush on some all-purpose ink in your lightest colour first. Then use another paintbrush and add the second colour of ink in the same way but overlapping onto the first colour of ink. TIP: Because of the water, the inks will mixed and blend together giving a really interesting colour effect

 Step 3 - Once the ink is dry, use a die-cut and cut the coloured piece into a shape of your choice. I used an inverted corner frame for my card.

 Step 4 - Using a scrap piece of coloured cardstock, die-cut a word or sentiment of your choice.

 Assemble your card by adhering the frame to the centre of your folded card. Add a few leaves and a large matching flower. Add your die cut sentiment. Dip a small paintbrush into the light blue all-purpose ink and splatter the background of your card with the blue ink as a finishing touch.

You can only win if you follow the link and head over to the Scrapbook Studio website, then follow the steps as indicated!

We hope you will play along with us! Until next time - happy inking!

This week I had loads of fun creating with face paint from Chiswick. Whose face did I paint? Well not a face at all…. Instead I started experimenting to see what I can do with the huge range of face paints that Chiswick stocks. They come in the most amazing colours, but for me the challenge is in using the colour that well, let’s just say is not that popular with us older folks. But nonetheless very fashionable at the moment. So i used this Fluorescent pink face paint to create a background for a Christmas card alongside some of their other fun products.

 Step 2 – While the paint is still wet, use a plastic fork (from those handy take-aways) and drag it through the paint to create some texture.
I had some thicker patches of paint that is perfect for creating dimension – so don’t be afraid of that.

 Step 3 – Once the face paint is dry, use a sponge applicator and some black chalk paint and paint over the entire surface. Use a wet wipe to move the paint around if need be and then to remove some of the paint off of the pink face paint. The chalk paint did not adhere to the face paint so I could wipe it off easily.

 Step 4 – Leave the chalk paint to dry completely. Use bronze burnishing paste and a stipple brush and add a layer of paste over the entire surface to add some shimmer. Use a soft cloth to smooth it out if need be.

 Step 5 – Next I added a layer of lilac Pearlescent ink over the entire surface and a soft cloth to blend it into the now pearly background.
The lilac ink adds more sparkle and softens the look overall. I simply love how it turned out – and you only get the true effect in real life.

For my card focal point I used a store bought reindeer and covered him in silver glitter also from the Chiswick range. A quick stamped sentiment and some diamante finished off this quick and funky Christmas card – perfect for those individuals who do not like to follow the rules.

And that’s how I turned Fluorescent pink face paint into a gorgeous rich red background using different mediums together in layers.

I used the following products from Chiswick for my card
Ultra fine glitter sb4225
Pearlescent ink pad – Fresh Pink rs3315Fluorescent Face paint  Pink pa2100
Burnishing Paste Bronze pa2195
Visit the Chiswick website to view these products and the entire range available. Ask for it by name at your local craft store!
Happy crafting!

I used some Co'ordinations cardstock scraps to punch leaves for layering on top of my die-cuts.

I die-cut my leaves out of plain smooth white cardstock. I was looking for a specific blue embossing powder, but instead what i found was years of almost done tubs of embossing powder - so i mixed all the little bits together and got this amazing blue colour - perfect!

 I embossed all the leaves to give them lots of texture and ana amzing colour!

dainty paper flowers and diamante grouped together - and here you can clearly see the brown and blue paper strips that i cut from the Couture Creations Sew Jo | CO723545 Paper pad.

Sew Jo | CO723545

Panama Branch | CO723529 

Couture Creations Non-Stick Craft Mat

Handheld Essentials Premium Craft Tools
Gemstones Premium Self Adhesive Embellishments
Double Sided Tape Premium Craft Adhesives

I love creating festive elements to display around the house – don’t get me wrong – i don’t go overboard, but i love subtle hints. So with the holidays looming I have started my festive season creative spree. I hope you are on track with your too…
I created a little door plaque using a recycled book cover. I simply tore off the cover off of an old book, primed the surface with Gesso and added loads of different inks for color.

I used these products available from Chiswick for my project:
Ultra fine glitter sb4225
Pearlescent ink pad Grey rs3360
3 in 1 Block set with interchangeable handle rs3070
Simplicity Punches Fauna & Flora Butterfly pct781
Purple Cow Wind it Gold wire pc7117
Glue gun eg1000

Remember to contact Denise should you have any problems getting hold of any of our products on 27(0)31 569 5673
Visit our website www.chiswick.co.za to view to entire range of products – or visit your nearest craft store today