Christmas Layout

Joy Overload Layout 

By Sue Smyth 

With Christmas on the way, we will all have lots of photos to scrapbook , I also like to make layouts to give as gifts, I have given my nieces an album each and every year I add to it in the form of new layouts. I am sure this will be one that I will send their way too.

I love to start a layout with white cardstock and make my own mixed media background. Here I have used shimmer dusts to make a water colour style background. Then I have used Deck the Halls paper pack to embellish, from Bee Arty.

Here are a few close ups, the frame is a die cut piece that I have used cotton to sew on, you could actually to this to a chipboard frame too with a bit of patience and a hole punch. 

Here is a quick how to to make the Pine trees look so snowy 

To alter the chipboard fir trees, I have used a mix I like to use often, Faux snow, which is 1 part white gesso and 1 part white glitter with a few drops of dimensional magic too.

But this time I have painted over the top in sections to resemble a gree tree with snowy branches. I have used Fern shimmer dust from Colour Blast. While wet I have sprinkled with lots of fine white glitter. You can also use the faux snow mix to paint the chipboard snowflakes too and then sprinkle with more glitter.

Happy Crafting 

The Chipbord I used 

Sue Smyth November post

Christmas Canvas and Super Star Layout 

By Sue Smyth 

This month as we head towards Christmas I have made a dimensional 

canvas from cheap children's wooden blocks.

(be sure to check out Decembers post to see what I did 

with the rest of the blocks)

I have used Imaginarium Chipboard to alter the fronts of some of 

the blocks to spell out Merry Christmas and 

other appropriate words.

Some of the blocks have been cut in half with a saw for a 

lower profile and give a variety of dimension.

I have tucked some red wood fibre along the sides 

to hide the gap between the blocks and the 

canvas edge 

Cover some blocks with small squares of scrap patterned paper

 and use buttons and small decorations to add to blocks

that do not have an alpha on them 

I have reversed the canvas and arrange the blocks inside the cavity

then adhered them in place with strong glue.

When dry I have painted with gesso and sprayed 

with Red Dylusions or similar 

Then cover with spray adhesive and sprinkle liberally

with white glitter.

Decorate as above.

We all love a good boy page, so this month I have made a layout 

about my middle child who is quite the rock star.(well in his mind anyway )

He is talented with the guitar and I wanted to capture his

first performance in a layout.

By placing the arched window over the photo I 

am directing the viewer to notice the middle of 

the photo where the face and guitar is.

Add the Super Star title and of course lots

of gold embossed stars and you have your own Super Star layout.

I have covered the title with dimensional magic and black glitter.

Glitter comes in wonderful colours these days and is 

under rated as a medium 

Here I have added a splot of distress ink for an

enamel red arrow to sit.

I have used a bright red Utee to get that gorgeous glossy colour.

Emboss stars with a variety of gold powders for a great variation in colours 

To emboss the arch I have randomly applied embossing fluid, sprinkled with 

an aged gold embossing powder and heat set.

Once cool rub over black in to cover the areas that the 

powder has missed. Wipe off excess ink with a wet wipe.

Some candid shots of my work space 

I need to have all of my materials where I can see them

so I remember where they are! So I store the majority of 

my things in clear glass jars including my ribbons.

I have  a huge corkboard which I pin layouts onto, and I

have just added the white cane bird cage for displaying 

small items. I like to display my work to keep me 

inspired. 

All of my punches and dies, again I like to see them to 

be inspired as I work 

Other side of my garage( it is a 2 car garage) are 2 banks of  book shelves

with papers, projects and books in them

My three tables are usually only clean in 

between projects and classes, never during them lol

My newest purchase was this multi drawed cabinet 

which holds all of my tools and then some.

Each draw is labeled and though I cannot 

see the tools, the labels work well for me. And 

it makes putting away so much easier.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a little of my works space

I think it is important to have it as creative as you can, 

to inspire you all of the time.

Happy Crafting 

Dont forget to leave a comment to go in the 

running for an Imaginarium chipboard prize