Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Three New Layouts from Helen!

Hello everyone!  Happy New Year from me, Helen.
I have a few new layouts that I am excited to share with you today!
 
"My Sunshine"

This first one is a masculine layout & I have used quite a number of 2Crafty Chipboard pieces on it, including the title - My Sunshine - which you can find in the Words/Phrases section of the store.  

My Sunshine Title (unit of 3)

Chipboard pieces used :-

My Sunshine Title
Chicken Wire Panel
Squiggly Heart Cluster
French Lace Border


I also used the Squiggly Heart Cluster, which is DEFINITELY one of my favourite 2Crafty pieces!  
I cut it into 2 "squiggles" to make it even more versatile & I simply pushed the pieces
 into my big black archival ink pad to colour them black.  

I used part of the French Lace border too. 
 I flicked some watered down gesso onto my black chipboard for an artsy touch.

French Lace Border (unit of 3)

 These borders come in 12 inch strips & I only used 2 inches here so I have plenty left over for future.


To recolour my chicken wire panels I used metallic inks called Izinks, that are made by Aladine in France, but sold in the US.  I bought them online & they were a bit of an expense but their shine is amazing & the little dropper bottles go a long way, especially if you dip a fine paintbrush into them to apply.
Chicken Wire Panel  (units of 3)
The Chicken Wire Panel comes in a 6 inch square & can be cut into several pieces, as desired, 
So again it is very versatile & economical & I have at least half of it left for future projects.


My advice is to not to cut the chicken wire straight across but to cut it randomly for a more natural look.  
To adhere my chipboard I always use Tombo Mono Blue (the little white bottle with the green lid)
 as it dries clear & quickly & is really strong.  



"Sisters Are Attached at The Heart"

Next up I have totally the opposite! Instead of a masculine layout in neutral colours I have a feminine layout in girly colours!!  Well I am blessed with 4 children, 2 girls & 2 boys, so I have had to learn how to mix it up!


I wanted to use a nice big, ornate heart so I took the Sammi's Swirls & placed them face to face in order to make my own!  I used Ingvild Bolme inks to recolour the chibpoard pieces in shades of pinks & purples then I sponged over some areas with white acrylic paint to soften the effect.  

Sisters are Attached Title (unit of 3)

I repeated exactly the same process with the "Sisters are Attached" title, 
which can be found in the Words/Phrases section of the store. 


Chipboard pieces used :-

Sammi's Swirls x 2
Sisters are Attached Title


I just love the fine cuts & delicacy of the 2 Crafty Chipboard pieces.  


I always use a set-square & a ruler when I am attaching the lovely long titles
 from 2 Crafty, just to ensure that everything stays relatively straight!


I hope I have inspired you today to think about your chipboard pieces in different ways.  Swirls can make hearts~!  Clusters can be cut into separate pieces!!  With chipboard there are so many possibilities!!!



"Beautiful Life"

My last layout is one I did for Scrap Around The World this month.  I used the lovely Sharon's Butterflies, that come in a pack of 8, so I have 6 left as I just used 2.  I didn't recolour them at all, just used them raw, which I also think is a great look when appropriate. 

Sharon's Butterflies (unit of 3)

I also used the 5 inch sheet of Chicken Barbed Wire Small, & again I didn't recolour it at all, 
just left it raw.  I cut it into 2 pieces & still have plenty left over.  
Chicken Barbed Wire Small  (units of 3)
 Chipboard Pieces Used :-

Sharon's butterflies x 2
Chicken Barbed Wire {small}


Something I often do is use chipboard to anchor strings or threads beneath it,
 as I have done here, above.  


Often just a small touch is all that is needed to give your clusters some depth & texture.  


Layer your chipboard over some pieces, ie stickers {as they are nice & flat} but under other elements,  such as your photo, which you can pop up on some foam tape, for a little dimension & 'pop'.


Thanks for visiting today & remember,
 to find your nearest 2Crafty stockist, simply email salesat2Crafty@optusnet.com.au
See you all again next month!  Helen

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