'Treasure' Layout and progress video by Hetty Hall

Hi there 2Crafty fans and welcome back to the 2Crafty blog,
so happy you could join us.

'Treasure'

I used a 'Christmas Chipboard' piece on this non Christmas layout and I think it 

fits in perfectly with the other gorgeous 2Crafty pieces as I added the same

 colour to all the 'leave' chipboard pieces to keep a uniform palette.

2Crafty Chipboard Used...

Products Used:

- Leafy Christmas Frame 1

- Leaf Set 1

- Foliage Set 5

- Chicken Wire

- Mini Word Set 1

I also added some gold wax to all the pieces to make them
look more vibrant rather then one flat colour.

I added some copper ink to the 'Chicken Wire' chipboard piece as well as the sentiment,
 I don't like to use too many different colours as I think it confuses and doesn't blend well.

I also added some gorgeous 49 and Market flowers and laser cuts.

A few prills were added for that finishing touch.

That is it again for now, thanks so much for popping in.

Until next time....

Hugs

Hetty

A Double-Pager, a Layout & an Art Journal Page By Helen

Hi everyone!  Today is my last post here at 2Crafty Chipboard & I've had a  wonderful time working with Vanessa & Di & of course the FANTASTIC  CHIPBOARD!!  I have quite an eclectic mix for you today - this post is  full of things I don't NORMALLY do, starting with a MASCULINE PAGE!

First up is my layout for Off the Rails Scrapbooking, where 2Crafty were the

 Guest Design Team last month.  You can see this in lots more detail up on 

my personal blog HERE.  Of course, the lovely "Dream" title comes from 2Crafty.

I painted the word with pale blue paint then dry-brushed over it with white paint.

 I used the small chipboard chicken wire 6"panel, cut up into 3 pieces with 

quite a bit left over, swiped over a Distress Ink pad in 'Vintage Photo' colour.  

I also used a scattering of stars from the ATC Mini Hearts & Stars pack.

I pressed them into my black ink pad so that they were not fully saturated

with ink, so that some of the raw chipboard is still showing through.

Lastly I used part of the 12"Circle Revolution Frames, but not the 

chipboard piece, rather the 'negative' piece between the chipboard

pieces.  I painted it in the same way as my title but added some

stamping to it as well, using a script stamp & black archival ink.

I found the colour scheme quite a challenge as these colours are not

ones I normally use.  My advice in this case is to use a lot of white,

kraft or a pale neutral tone & use the colours in smaller quantities. 

Some close ups of the chipboard details...

As I always say, the great thing about chipboard is you can customize it

 to match your project, so there is always a way that you can use it.  

You don't have to wait for that perfect colour match!

I know there are many different adhesives around the world, but I always

 stick to using the white Tombo Mono Adhesive with the green lid, for all 

my chippie sticking, & it always works like a dream!

So quite a bit of chippie on that one!

Next I created a DOUBLE PAGE!!  Shock, horror!  I know!! 

 But I do do it once every couple of years or so LOL & now that I am teaching classes

it is THE most popular way to scrapbook here in South Africa so I wanted to have a

nice, well-balanced page to offer my students, that is easily replicable & teaches some

basic misting techniques as well as how to layer elements to avoid overfilling the page.

"Amaze Yourself"

Being a class page the chipboard I've chosen here is more generic, in other words

 they can be suited to various different photo themes.  I have used the stars

again, as well as the cameras, chevrons & the "Amaze Yourself" title.

I used Distress stains to colour most of the chipboard, followed by some 

clear, glittery nail varnish, except on the stars, which got the nail varnish

treatment only as I wanted a pale contrast.  On the 2 larger cameras I

added a flair to the centre of each which adds a nice touch I think!

These are called 'Mini Cameras' & are really cute!!  They'll go with just 

about any page you create.  I still have a couple left too!

The Chevrons came from this Mini-Sampler pack & I didn't even use them

 all!  These are great value for money & again, completely versatile!!

I stuck with white cardstock for these pages to demonstrate some simple misting

 techniques & have everything clearly visible.  The 'pattern paper' is actually

Prima packaging so didn't cost me a cent!  Even the Aztec packaging comes

from the Prima Finnabair Canvas Strips.  I tried to keep costs down by keeping

embellishments to a minimum but the page was just too flat before I added

the lovely flowers!!  I tucked in a bit of gauze as that is so easy to get anywhere :)

I also added a few bling dots, some Prima clocks from their packaging, & some

 dry-wall tape,as again that seems to be easily available & very inexpensive.  

And lastly, I had a PLAY in my art journal!  Pure creative time, just for me!! No specs involved, so it was wonderful therapy!!  I concentrated on playing around with a few different misting techniques, which is also the purpose of an art journal, for experimenting...  

As you can see I used the Stars again!!  I also used the hearts this time too!

PLUS the negative backing sheet as well!!!  You can sure get value for 

money this way LOL!!!!  AND 3 projects later they're still not all used up!!

ATC Mini Hearts & Stars Pack

I focused mainly on background techniques with this page, trying out some different

things to what I normally do.  Something interesting that may be a good tip for 

anyone else who likes to play with mixed media.  I used a spray glue between 

layers, which acts like applying clear gesso, only much quicker & easier.

It seals off the previous layer so that, when you apply the next one,

you don't end up with muddy mush, as it is no longer reactive.

For the  chippie pieces I painted the stars & the backing sheet with black,

added some dry brushing of grey & white for a mottled effect, then

applied the clear, sparkly nail-polish again.

For the hearts I mixed up a tiny amount of pink, purple & white paint on my craft mat & used my craft tweezers to push the shapes down into the colours, that were close  together & swirled around, but not mixed altogether, as obviously that would create an entirely different colour!  I sealed these off with the sparkly nail-polish once dry as I did with everything here.  I LOVE this page!!  Pure fun!!!!

Remember chippie is great for art journaling too - because it is nice & flat! Not bulky!!  And THAT people is the end of the end...My very last post for 2Crafty Chipboard!!!  I hope you will still follow me HERE. I've had a GREAT time & will miss you all xoxo

DON'T FORGET!  You can always contact 2Crafty to find out your  nearest stockist!!  So no reason to ever be without the lovely stuff!!!  

February Shares from Helen 2 Layouts & A Canvas!

Hi everyone!  HELEN back with you today to share what I have been up to lately  using the fabulous 2Crafty Chipboard!
 Firstly I used  the "Valentine's Hearts"  to create a layout for Scrap Around The World!  You get the double-heart  (on the left) & TWO Single hearts (as seen on the right) so I still have one left over!

For this rather grungy layout I simply inked the chippie pieces randomly 

with black ink, leaving parts of them raw.  I also used a couple of "Tiny

Leafy Stems" that come in a 4 pack, so have half that pack left over too.

I often use my chipboard to anchor some thread, as I like using threads a lot

 but not unless I can keep them in place.  Chippie works perfectly for this.

To get the variegation on my Leafy Stems I shaded my chipboard with Gelatos.

Gelatos are a great item for chipboard as they require no primer & do not

 cause the chipboard to become wet like mists & sprays do.  

"Gorgeous"

Next up is the layout I contributed earlier this month to the CSI Challenge site 

HERE where some of us 2Crafty Chipboard ladies are guest designing.

I used the "Hello" from one of the  "Circle Word Sets" that comes in a multipack

 of 6 words.  For all the chipboard pieces on this page I inked them in Olde Golde

then sponged lightly & randomly with gesso {white acrylic paint will work fine too}.

The "Gorgeous" word/title is finely cut in a beautiful font.  I love 

the way the classy 2Crafty Chipboard titles really finish off a page.

Lastly I used an "Edgar Swirl" which I LOVE the look of here!!  They come in

 a double-pack & add the perfect touch of class right where you need it :)

"My Sister My Friend CANVAS"

Lastly I created this cute little canvas for my younger daughter's bedroom,

using the "Love Circle Word" from one of the "Circle Word Sets" as well as 

some ''Chicken Wire", an "Tiny Vivian's Frame" & the "My Sister, My Friend" title.  

I really enjoyed creating this pretty piece.  It is nice & small so even though

 there is a lot of luscious detail it didn't take me too long!  I glittered up the

 chipboard with high quality glass glitter that is really shiny!!

You can't really go wrong with pink & purple, glitter, sequins & micro-

beads for young girls & all of them look great on or around chipboard!

Just for interest sake - the black grid box you see on my canvas is actually Prima

 Plywood packaging from their wooden embellishments.  I have kept all the little

 boxes as they fit small canvases perfectly & are less than one inch deep

 so make perfect little printer's trays/shadow boxes.  

 And remember, to find a 2Crafty stockist near you, drop an email to...
salesat2crafty@optusnet.com.au

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.  

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.

 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.

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.  

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. 

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.  

 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