Simply stencils - Mixed Media Layout

Hello there! Here comes my final project with the May kit. For this layout I wanted to mainly use the Stampendous stamps set (by Nathalie Kalbach). I just love these designs!! And there is also a free template included in the stamp set, by the way!!! Therefore, be prepared for yet another stencil project :) ...

This is how I did the layout background:

I sprayed some yellow and green spray ink directly onto the white cardstock. The colours I used are by Lindy´s Stamp Gang (Yellow Rose of Texas and Rusty Lantern Lime). 

Next I took some black and grey dye ink and stamped with the "Wired" stamp set near the areas where my photos would later be. The grey ink is a shadow ink and will end up being a much lighter tone, when dry.

After that I applied some black Glimmer Glaze and created random ink splatters for contrast. 

I really like adding ink splatters to my layout background so I added a few more :). This time I first used the "New Sprout" ink spray (from the kit). And a Lindy´s Starburst colour "Shabby Turbine Teal". 

Then I proceeded by placing the stencil that was included in the stamp set over the cardstock and dabbed randomly over the stencil with VersaMark ink. 

After that I just first poured some grey embossing powder over the inked area and after that added the green powder. Then I just heated the powder with a heat gun. 

This is how my background looked before adding the photos, embellishments, the title and journaling.

This is the finished layout. I added some vellum paper to the edges and painted it with the blue "Beach Hut" tone and stamped with black dye ink and the circle dot stamp from the kit over it. I love the look of the vellum when painted with the Fresco Paints!! I also treated the wooden heart with the light green chalk ink that was in the kit. Other than that I left the embellishments as they were (untreated).

I hope you have enjoyed this little step-by-step and get those stencils and stamps out and play a little :)!!

xoxo, Sanna

Tweet

A rusted background layout

Hello there! Today I´m sharing with you one more project I used the March mixed media kit for. This time I created a rusted layout background. This is also the very first project to my "simply stencils" series. I use stencils on almost every layout I make and love using them, so you will be seeing more of those on my future projects.

Here is how I did it:

 

I first applied some Glue n´ Seal with a paint brush onto the cardstock and then poured the powder over the "glued" areas. Next I sprayed some white winegar over the powdered areas and let the media react.

And this is the rusted paper result I ended up with! Really, really like this effect alot! I then added some mist splatters here and there as they perfectly matched the rust colour.

 

Next I added some stamping (used a Frog Dog Studio exclusive stamp).

After that I added some circles onto the background for additional detail. Here I used a TCW stencil (by Ronda Palazzari) with black Distress Ink. Love the effect the simple circles create on the background! Now the background was all done and I just needed to add some decoration and the title.

 

I used all the leftover pieces of chipboard, foil tape and corrugated cardboard. Added some sticker elements, some twine, some doodling and some white ink (Liquitex Ink! Titanium white) for detail. This is what the finished layout looks like:

It was so much fun creating this page! I really like the rusting powder on paper!

xoxo, Sanna

Tweet

Playful Musings: Halloween Design Fun

Understanding basic design terms and element theory, helps one layout their design and how to use color.

You can stamp into Embossing Paste!  Let set up about 10-15 minutes (test your area, humidity or dryness of weather can affect drying times!  Experiment to see how long it takes.).  You don't want the paste all the way dry but you don't want it wet.  A stamp can be impressed into the paste and leave an impression without the paste leaving residue on the stamp.

I not only sprayed the film viewer piece, but used the stem from the sprayer to add splats of paint.  This is from Lindsey's Stamp Gang and is a part of your KIT!!!

The moldable film was used with a die cut machine to cut out the bat.  If you wanted to curl the wings, zap it with a stamping heat tool and bend up or down the wing edges.


Design Terms

When designing a layout, I have a basic idea but as I work, things change according to how I want to add colors or following basic ideals of design elements.

Here is my basic layout.  You can see while it is nice, it is lacking something or looks unfinished.

Adding Contrast to layout
Adding splats of green color to film viewer, suddenly adds contrast and dimension to the area.  The viewer no longer looks flat.

The Embossing Paste adds contrast with texture, also adding texture.

Adding dimensional items to flat, also adds contrast.

Bright yellow web adds contrast next to a more muted color.

Repetition
Repetition of colors or textures, elements, adds interest to the piece.  Mostly they say as rule of thumb is "odds" is more pleasing to the eye.  Different elements placed to create an odd number can work, or an even number such as 2 can work if there is contrast in size or color so elements do not get lost in the art.

Creating a number of 5, and drawing the eye around the layout is the bat, witch sign, cardstock web, little boy, and pumpkin.  While the boy is the focal point, you want other elements to carry your eye around the layout.  The film view is actually 1 which is odd (try not to have too many 1 element unless it adds texture or contrast) but it also makes 3 with the silver web charm and the bottle hanging down.

As far as colors go...The Gelli printed background (See September LTD Kit), has yellow, orange and green.  Different shades of orange was used for repetition, purple was added a couple places as repetition and contrast, and the green.

Bridging
Bridging connects elements of the layout together.  This way there is balance and elements are not just floating.  If there are 2 elements together, a 3rd (the bridge) can tie them together.

The boy collage piece is a bridge for the Gelli print and the Embossing Paste texture.  The chipboard web further bridges the collage element to the Gelli print.  The collage image bridges the film viewer.  The  witch sign and bat is also a bridge.

Here is the October kit packed with so many goodies to play with.  So many, you can do several mixed media art pieces!  Check my October 9th post to see how I used the art parts, stencil, along with the the embossing paste, and embossing powder!!!

Knowing and understanding basic design terms can change the way you create your art.  You no longer have a lost feeling - what goes where??  What colors do I use???  Why does my art look off-balanced?

To read about more design terms and about color theory, check out my book, Creative Art Concepts for Papercrafts, published by C&T Publishing (Amazon and other sources too.).

After some creating and practicing, the ideals of design will come second nature to you!  The ideals/terms come in handy as a reference when you are stumped or struggling with what you want to create.

Frog Dog Studio Kits take the worry out of creating because all the products inside are matched to go together or for the individualist, can be used separately.  Remember, a kit from the month(s) before can be used in a current kit :-D  I love that!  Because of the orange and fluorescent colors, I was able to use ink, and other items from the regular September kit.

Cre8tively Yours - Lea 

Tweet