Sunday, September 16, 2012

Stepping into Fall and a look back at Summer - by Vicky Alberto


Hi, Vicky blogging today with a couple of shares of my recent projects using 2Crafty chipboard. This first layout features one of my favorite pictures of my daughter when she was 9 months old. She actually fell asleep on me during a photo shoot. I wasn't a fan of the black background the photographer used (but it works well for this layout). The layout was inspired by the September Swirlydoos kit sketch - gorgeous sketches as always in the kits! I just love the new Prima Romance Novel papers - perfect for Fall (in North America). The kiddos are back in school here and it's time to get my crafting back in gear!


Here is a close-up of the film strip and corner whispy vines chipboard and flowers. The black film chipboard was crackle painted with Ranger paint and the cream vine was acrylic painted and then inked over top.


I used the same black distress crackle paint on the mother title chipboard piece. I wanted high contrast against the pink paper but not a flat look like acrylic paint gives you.


For my second project, here is an altered frame I made and of course I couldn't resist also adding some awesome 2Crafty chipboard to polish things off (the catching waves title and a piece of the swirly bird branch). Can you tell I am still in Summer mode?


FRAME TUTORIAL:
I started with a plain $1 wooden frame and adhered the beautiful Robin's Nest Fleur collection paper to the frame using a foam brush to apply the decoupage glue, sanded the edges and applied some brown chalk ink to the edges. Let me just say that this was my first time using the Helmar decoupage paste and it went on soooo much smoother than anything else I've ever used!

 I then gathered the paper for the photo mat, shells and some Robin's Nest dew drops. For the photo mat I also used the decoupage glue to adhere the paper to the cardboard backing that came with the frame. Please note that this frame is a birthday gift and I decided I will add the dew drops after my friend chooses a picture (just so that the "water splash" drops are in the right spots). The frame is meant for a 4x6 picture but I think it would be nice to put a 3x5 to see an inch around of the beautiful darker paper.

Here is a close-up of the pretty coordinating papers and the gorgeous 2Crafty chipboard. On the chipboard I primed it with gesso, chalk inked it with several brown inks and then glimmer misted here and there for a bit of sparkling gold highlights.

Here is a close-up of the beautiful shells. I just added a bit of dollar store twine netting and left it natural but it could be misted if desired (on a grungy project). You can see the same inks and mists were used on the swirl branch chipboard too (I really love this chipboard design!). I glued the chipboard and shells with my favorite magic potion - Helmar's 450 quick dry. This stuff really is sticky heaven - strong holding, dries clear and acid-free.

I kinda have to admit I want to keep this one for myself but I know my friend will appreciate it for her upcoming birthday - she really loves the beach! Don't we all though?