Modest washi tape collection? Err...that was so last year!

Did I mention that I caved and finally got some new patterned paper after 6 months of going cold turkey? That's like 3.5 years in dog years! *LOL* 40% off does help to push one over the edge of no return eh?

As you can see, I have really been enjoying the pairing of MT washi tape with patterned paper of late. It is partly to assuage the guilt of purchasing copious amounts of washi tape on a recent trip to Taiwan. Let's just say the modest amount I had previously has multiplied 5 times [dramatic music plays in the background...*winks*]. 

I'm joining the talented ladies this week on the City Crafter blog as their guest designer and the theme is Bon Voyage. :)

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How to incorporate a photo on your mixed media canvas

Back in August 2012, I shared how to create a simple mixed media canvas. Today I'm sharing how to  incorporate a photo on your mixed media canvas.

Start by picking a photo. The photo will help to guide your colour choices. Alternatively, you can go with a black and white photo. Decide where your photo will be placed on the canvas.

Scrunch and adhere some wrapping tissue to the base of your gesso-primed canvas, keeping your creases to areas outside the designated spot for your photo. This makes it easier to adhere your photo later.

Start adding various painted colours to your canvas. Acrylic paints tend to look "plasticky" so I like to mix in shimmering mediums to the paint. The colours are built gradually by layers. I apply the first layer with a palette knife to spread the colours all over the canvas, then use my fingers to dab another layer of colours. . It is quite a labour-intensive process so you may want to work on a smaller canvas [mine measures 8 x 8].

Then I add in the gold and bronze paint colours, making sure they get in-between the creases. I finish off with a thin layer of gesso on the palm of my hand which I distribute all over the canvas. The white helps to pull the colours together and applying with your palm creates an interesting texture. I added PearlEx to create even more shimmer on the background.

Then adhere your photo to a piece of patterned paper [it's harder to stick photos directly on the textured surface] that serves as a photo mat. And start embellishing with dimensional objects like buttons, charms and blooms. [Spot the washi? *winks*]

There you have it. A photo on your mixed media canvas. Not too difficult right? What do you think?

P/s: This canvas was done for this month's challenge at Zeus and Zoe is to scrap about yourself right now and to incorporate buttons. :)

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A formidable force to reckon with.....*winks*

So the niece S turned 2 late last month. And is now a formidable force to reckon with. *LOL* You know how it is at this age.....cute and exasperating at the same time. 

I love it when she's independent and eats by herself quietly next to me [yep...she actually has pretty decent motor skills...the contents of her spoon actually make it into her mouth with no spillage! *LOL*]. 

And hate it when she cries to get her way...what's up with kids doing the "pretend" cry complete with tears? I apply the "distraction" strategy..."Who wants to go for a walk?" and the crying stops instantly. *winks*

Having lots of fun with washi tape and mists. And check out the sequins courtesy of my bloggy pal Alice Wertz...yeah...sensing a new obsession in the making... hahaha...

Playing along with the sketch by Sian Fair at Sketchbook 365.

*Edited* This layout made Super Scrapper at Sketchbook 365.

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Can I paint? Err...it is evident I need help...

I am pretty excited about the re-opening of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on April 13. I was lucky to have visited in 2002 before it closed for a 10-year renovation in 2003. It is notably famous for the painting The Night Watch which I actually didn't think much of at that time...[I blame it on youth..*winks*]...

Err...it is evident that I need some help when it comes to painting a landscape...*LOL*

Fortunately, there are "tools" to help me with my painting! :)

Check out my step-by-step tutorial on 'Painting' with Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor Pencils and Gelatos. :)

P/s: Happy weekend friends! Don't forget to play along with my guest Lizzy's fussy-cutting and/or handjournaling challenge, LESSology Challenge #24: Are you a Cover girl?, the sketch challenge at Purple Pumpkin and Zeus and Zoe's About Me challenge.

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Upcycled washi tape-covered plastic bottle...

Don't you just love it when you score something around the house that you can apply your latest obsession on? *winks*

I found this plastic bottle at home [packaging for flour] and immediately knew which craft supplies I wanted to use. :)

Washi tape!!! :)

Super easy right? Hmmm....what should I put in it?

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Fussy-cut your photos and hand journaling with Lizzy Hill!

G'day mates! My guest today is the vivacious Lizzy Hill [waves enthusiastically to Lizzy..."We are on the same continent right now!"]. Her style is is an eclectic explosion of patterns, colours and ooooh... so awesome textures. There are always clever little bits and pieces on her creations that make me go..."Hmmm...I so want to try that technique...or that washi tape" Yes friends, she has been a key contributor to my current washi tape obsession *winks*. I love that she goes to the heart of why we scrapbook - to keep authentic memories of our lives and not just use pretty things - as reflected in the humour she injects as well as the hand journaling she includes on her projects. Today, she shares how to fussy-cut your photos and incorporate hand journaling. She is also hosting a challenge with a fabulous RAK for a winner! :)

But first, let's admire her lovely body of work....

Hello fellow scrappers – I’m honoured [& a tad overwhelmed, I must add] to be here on Yvonne’s FABBO blog!

Who am I? An Aussie who lives just above Sydney on the Central Coast. I have 2 grown up sons & 1 grandbaby, plus a pile of ‘steps’….a great assortment of scrappy subjects! I’ve been scrapping about 4 years…& I’m currently on the DT for Scrap Friends. I’ve also had a few pages published in Scrapbooking Memories, an Australian scrapping magazine.

I’m a bit of an eclectic scrapper – I THINK my style is rather bold…I LOVE challenges & challenging myself & I’ll have a go at anything scrappy wise – on or off the page. Lately, I’ve been drawn to badges, mists & masking, & using liquid pearls. I usually journal on my pages – often by hand - & I’ve been really enjoying fussy cutting up my photos…..& that’s my challenge to you!

Here’s my example:

You see, the background is completely nebulous…so, I got rid of it. Easier to ‘tell the story’ without that distraction!

Here’s my hand journaling, telling the ‘story’.

A badge! And since feathers seem to be ‘hot’ atm…I added some I picked up outside our house – you don’t need to spend a fortune on scrap supplies. And they can be misted, if you want…

I really like to make elements ‘mine’ – sooo I added Prima alphabet stickers to this banner I made…the seam binding ribbon gave it a nice dimension, too. Similarly, I tend to ‘mix’ products – so there’s a pile of different manufacturers featured here. Try it! I think it gives your scrapping a more ‘individual’ flavour!

I do LOTS of blogging…& see stuff that I think ‘Ha! I’d forgotten about that.’ Hence the bottle cap here – it’s nice to revisit stuff you haven’t used or thought about using for a while! And you can use little scraps of paper & create a unique embellishment of your very own easily. This one is finished off with Glossy Accents.

That tab had the ‘wrong’ word on it – so I just covered it with another sticker. Easy peasy. LOVE those glass beads & you can see my Liquid Pearls in there, too.

When adding photos like this, you need to ‘ground’ them – so I’ve tucked them into strips of paper to make them look more ‘finished’.

Hope this has given you some inspiration for cutting into those photos - there’s nothing like moving outta that comfort zone & stretching your creativity….soooooo my challenge is this:

 I’d LOVE to see you FUSSY CUTTING around those photos AND/OR using HAND JOURNALING on your creation! Which is your biggest fear? Now’s the time to conquer them & have a bit of fun…I’ve a wee RAK up for grabs…of course, you may love using these techniques…in which case, I’d LOVE to see what you come up with!!!

__________________________________

Ready to play along with Lizzy's fabulous challenge? Please link your newly created projects featuring fussy-cutting AND/OR using hand journaling via Inklinz [located at the end of the post] by Friday May 3rd, 11.59pm (GMT+8).

As always, please leave a little love for my guest Lizzy. :)

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10 things around your home to upcycle

There are many "treasures" within our homes that we can give a new lease of life to just by thinking a little creatively. Here are 10 things around your home to upcycle. :)

Cake box to pretty gift box

1. Turn an ordinary cake box into a pretty box.

One of the easiest things to upcycle is a sturdy box. They make great storage as well as gift boxes.

Make your own embellishment using packaging materials

2. Packaging materials can be "prettied" up and made into embellishments.

Add little buttons and trinkets to packaging materials to create your own one-of-a-kind embellishment.

Old clock to mixed media photo frame

3. An old glass clock can be turned into a fabulous photo frame.

So the old clock is no longer working? Turn it into a fabulous photo frame with a photo of your loved ones.

Old board book to wall hanging

4. An old board book can make a cool wall hanging.

Too lazy to make a mini album with an old board book? Cut a window, glue the pages together, throw on some paint and add embellishments for a cool wall hanging!

CD container to gift box

5. A CD container can be turned into a unique gift box.

A little washi tape and pretty bloom turned an ordinary CD container into a sweet gift box that can be a pretty display too. :)

Compact case to grandma's brag "book"

6. An old compact case makes a lightweight brag book to carry around.

An alternative to carrying a mini album....this is great for whipping out in public to show off pics of your loved ones.

Tart molds to tiered stand

7. Old tart molds make a sturdy tiered stand for little knick knacks.

Old tart molds can be given a new lease of life with patterned papers, mediums and embellishments.

Mini packaging boxes to chest of drawers

8. Little trinkets boxes can be piled up to make a cute chest of drawers.

Combine little trinket boxes to create a cute chest of drawers that make a fun and unique packaging for small gifts.

Shipping box to decorated shipping box

9. Priority boxes can be given a vintage makeover.

Sturdy shipping boxes can be decorated into lovely boxes to be mailed off.

Tea tin to trinket holder 

10. Tea tins make excellent trinket holders.

Use scrap paper and left-over embellishments to decorate a tea tin to store your little trinkets. They deserve a pretty home too! :)

There you have it. 10 things around your home to upcycle. What do you think?

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