Time-saving tip #1: batch processing

Well friends, like most of you, I'm always on the lookout for time-saving ways to get my art fix. Sometimes I really don't feel like getting a whole bunch of supplies out just to do ONE layout or card or tag. I've found that getting my base supplies prepped and organized aka batch processing works best for me. :)

Just on Saturday, I found a whole stack of white cardstock in my stash.  Since it was also "clean the bathroom day", I decided to replenish my stack of misted backgrounds [The sink gets messy plus I dry my clean stencils on the bathroom floor! *LOL*] So I got out my misting box [just packaging box which fits 12 x 12 papers], grabbed some stencils and mists and had a fun hour doing backgrounds.

Here you can see fun backgrounds I made. No mist is wasted since residual mist is just pressed on to another piece of cardstock. In under an hour, I got about 18 sheets of prepped backgrounds ready for my next layout. I love having options! *winks*

Some tips if you want to try this out...

My new skill

1. Work with 3 mist colours per background. You get enough colour variation to create interest and you can always add more colours or intensify the colours to suit your actual layout. For instance, there wasn't enough green mist on my background so I added more green with washi tape.

A roll of pearls = one hour of entertainment

2. If you are new to misting, consider starting with some light pastel colours. They create subtle backgrounds that don't scream "look at me"! On my layout, the muted colours recede in the background and your eyes are drawn to elements in the photo cluster.

The art class is in session

3. If you are worried about getting muddy colours, wait for each mist colour to dry before adding another colour. White space between each colour does ensure that the colours don't bleed into each other and really helps the patterns pop a little more like on my layout.

The one with the messy background

4. Don't worry if your background looks like a blob of mess. I was overzealous with the residual mists for my background  so I added more white with some light modeling paste through a chevron stencil. I also added washi tape, patterned paper and ribbon to "cover up" some of the mess. So don't discount those "blobs" of messes, you can still "save" them. :)

There you have it. My secret to quick layouts is batch processing my background paper so that I don't have to start on a blank slate! Of course, one clear downside is that I may not always be able to play along with colour combo challenges because I might not have the right mix of colours pre-done...but it still works for sketch or embellishment challenges so maybe you should give this batch processing a go??? *winks*

Another overdone card...

It's becoming a habit. Really. Either my cards are really simple with a few elements or dramatically overdone with lots of texture and bling. *LOL*

I started with good intentions [obviously..*winks*]...

"Hmmm...how about a little Golden fiber paste with The Crafter's Workshop on watercolour paper? for a little white on white texture?"

"Nice. But that white on white is so subtle. It might not show up well when you photograph it..."

"Good point. I'll just add a little mist with shimmer...it will show up in the crevices and look pretty!"

"Eh...how about a little lace for a peek-a-boo effect?"

"Excellent idea!"

"Time to glue down the patterned papers...but wait, I think some mica flakes would add a little more in-your-face kind of shimmer..."

" Okay, let's do an embellishment cluster. The usual...bloom, pearls, leaf. Then I think we're done."

"There's no space for the sentiment!" *groans*

"I'll just write it with a pen. " *disaster averted*

"Okay, I think it's done...or should I add something else?"

"Hmmm...crackle accents on the image?"

"Damn...it's not crackling and there are 2 air bubbles! It's going to look terrible!" *dramatic music plays in the background*

" Okay, I'll add some bling to distract from the failed crackling."

A few hours later, the crackles started to appear! *triumphant music plays in the background!*

I cut the paper to size, distressed the edges and adhered it to a light yellow card base. Another overdone card in my card pile! :)

Bits and pieces on my layout....

Well, I haven't really been up-to-date with my scrapbooking...just found my birthday photos [back in March!] in my stack of photos to scrap. *LOL*

Got a misted background paper [from a newly misted stack of cardstock] and pulled little bits and pieces from my scrap pile to incorporate on my layout.

There is little point in trying to decipher the meaning behind each element because I just stick them down as I go. Unless something is totally off and I know I can't live with the knowledge that the element resides on my layout [which rarely happens because who has time right? *winks*]...

Playing along with Enli Ten Butik's challenge to:

1. Use mist - Used mists on my base paper

2. Have Stitching (real or faux) - Used stitching stickers

3. At least 3 patterned papers - Used 6 different patterned papers

The failed paint swatch card

I know that a lot of people do swatches of their coloured mediums to keep track of what they have. Something I thought would be a good idea for me....so I proceeded to cut watercolour paper to fit my planner and  did my first paint swatch with my latest purchase - 12 set watercolours from Sennelier.

But once I had the colours down on paper, I started to wonder how would the watercolours react with my Liquitex white opaque flakes [you know, the one I put in cold storage because it was a little "pokey"? *winks*]...

Since it turned out quite nice, I trimmed it down to size and made a card! :)

So the planner filed with paint swatches has no paint swatches for now....and it won't have any if I continue to be "distracted"...*LOL*

I distressed the edges for a little texture and added pretty lace right down the center to hide the white lines.

And finished with glittered diecuts, pearls, bloom and wood token.

Playing along with The Mixed Media Card Challenge.

Happy weekend friends! :)

Let's make pancakes today!

It is nice to have some help around the house...especially when you are making chocolate chip pancakes! *winks*

Nephew #2 was very serious about measuring the ingredients. Even the niece got in on the action by sifting the flour while nephew #3 was busy playing on the stairs. *LOL*

Still working hard on dwindling the scrap pile [I see a dim light at the end of the long tunnel...lol]...

Have you noticed that I like to use buttons? I have tons of them because for some strange reason, people love to give me buttons. [I hoard all the pretty vintage ones!] :)

Playing along with Stuck?! Sketches.

Another decorated paper bag...

Since July this year,  I've been obsessed with making sweet treats from scratch. Really. :)

Free time is spent looking at recipes online, reading through the reviews, buying the ingredients and testing them out on weekends. 

So far, I've made pancakes, panna cotta, brownies, bundt cakes, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, marble cake and madeleines. The Gangster Gang [aka nephews + niece] have been instrumental in giving feedback...you know... by devouring everything I make in a flash. *LOL*

Of course, the next step would be to share [split the calories..haha] the sweet treats I make with others...and packaging them in something pretty - like a decorated paper bag. *winks*

These are super easy to make and can be stored away flat until you need to use them.

A piece of patterned paper, some pretties from Maya Road and the help of a hot glue gun....and I'm all done!

P/s: Do you have any fave recipes to share with me? 

Pencil drawing of a cute bunny...

So I thought I should take a break from portrait drawings to attempt a pencil drawing of a cute bunny. I used a reference photo but I made mine a little bit more fluffy with the overzealous addition of fur! *LOL*

The gray toned paper helped to save a little time but the fur took like forever [okay, like 2 hours!] to draw and blend. But the bunny turned out quite cute, eh? *winks*

Happy weekend friends! 

This is why I can get my cards done in 5 minutes...

Whenever I get new dies from Maya Road, I tend to grab my paper scraps and my die-cutting machine...and spend the next few hours "in the zone". *winks*

Since I'm the lazy sort who will not get my die-cutting machine out every single time I need a die-cut, this is the best way for me. :)

I also have my card bases cut out, scored and within easy reach.

This is why I can get my cards done in 5 minutes...[my butt doesn't leave the chair! *LOL*]

One fine Saturday....

I love watching the nephews and niece interact with each other. They exclaim openly how much they "hate each other" but really stand together when it comes to exasperating their fave aunt. *winks*

Case in point: Photo #1. We were early in sending the niece for ballet class so we had to hang around the nearby sports store. Of course, they were loud and ran around the store. They only behaved when I said I didn't bring my wallet and if they broke anything, they had to work a very long time there to pay off their debt. *LOL*

This fine Saturday was also the day when the Gangster Gang refused to pose for photos. *A bad day for auntrazzi...*

Still working through my scrap pile...:)

Playing along with Stuck?! Sketches.