June CKC Kits, Country Cousins

June Counterfeit Kit Challenge has all of four kits to choose from. But why choose, if you can have it all? The inspiration kits are from Scraptastic Kit Club

The Kits are named "After the Storm" "After the Storm Add-on" "Destination Unknown" and "Destination Unknown Add-On"

Clockwise from top left: After the Storm; ATS add-on; Destination Unknown add-on; Destination Unknown

The first attempt at shopping my stash to assemble these kits was not a success. Turns out that in my mega stash of paper, the patterns were not well represented. And since a trip to Scrapbook Outlet (6914 76 Ave. Edmonton, Alberta)  was on the calendar, I took printouts of the kits and their contents and had a sweet little spree. Picked up more embellies than paper, I think, but it's all good. The rock bottom clearance prices at this outlet store are unbelievable. If you can, go!

In an effort to provide honest disclosure; this is the new stash that I put into these kits:

 These are the papers that made the cut:

Or should I say, that will be cut?

 The new stash and the paper grid photos are in the same order as the kit grid photo, above.

Comparing the inspiration kits to my CKC kits looks like this:

After the Storm, (above); Country Cousins, Sam  (below)

After the Storm add-on, (above); Country Cousins, Mel, (below)

Destination Unknown, (above); Country Cousins, Heather, (below)

Destination Unknown add-on (above), Country Cousins, Gwen, (below)

And now the details. Feel free to scroll quickly, past the fine print.

Country Cousins, Sam

Papers:
Bazzill, Dino-mite, Swamp Scales
My Mind's Eye, Quite Contrary, jack & Jill, Favorite Thing, Bright Argyle
Harmonie, Jardin Angelique
Bo Bunny, C'est La vie, Art Nouveau 
My Mind's Eye, Lime Twist, Out of the Blue, Family, Chevron
     -for this one I cut out the red strip of the chevron as there was no red in the inspiration kit.
Counterfeit Bokeh
    -using white 12x12 paper I dropped and drizzled Sunflower Glimmer Mist, Denim Blue Glimmer Mist, Green Bottle green Adirondack alcohol ink, Aqua Adirondack Alcohol Ink, Gray Whale ColorBox Chalk Ink.

Counterfeit Bokeh

Cardstock:
Taupe from K&Co mega pack bought at Costco. It is actually an extra heavy patterned paper with rows of turquoise dots down the middle
Light yellow, light blue and lime green all manufacture unknown (muk)
Alphas:
Basic Grey, Chip Stickers, Wander
Embellishments:
October Afternoon, Hometown Shapes
Theresa Collins, Every Day Moments, Chipboard Elements
Little Yellow Bicycle, Layered Flower Button Dots 
Studio Calico, Badges, Take Note
Studio /calico, Rub-ons, Clouds
sei, Grandpa's Attic, die cut tags, (3)
Studio Calico, die cut tags, "fresh"
Making Memories, Vintage Findings, 2 stick pins, blue ribbon
K&Co, tiny word tags
Little Yellow Bicycle, flower button dots (2), canvas border, green corrugated shapes
Large green tag, muk
Green mesh ribbon, muk
Gramma's button box, assortment of buttons

Country Cousins, Mel 

Papers:
Cactus Pink, Decades Art Deco, Jeepers
My Mind's Eye, Follow Your Heart, Be Amazing, Blue Doily 
Multi-Stipe muk
Bo Bunny, Mama-razzi2, Focus
Little Yellow Bicycle, Diamond Dust
Cardstock:
Green and Yellow by Bazzill, colour names not known.
Alphas:
Basic Grey, Origins, Micro Mono Stickers, yellow
Basic Grey, Chipboard Stickers, Kioshi
Embellishments:
Simple Stories, 24/Seven, Vertical Journaling Card Elements
Glitz, Cardstock Stickers, Scarlett Journaling
Creative Memories, Enchanted, Epoxy Stickers, Glitter Accents
Washi, Green Chevron, muk
Library cards, yellow and grey, muk

Country Cousins, Heather

Papers: 
Simple Stories, Sn@p Red Dot/Stripe
Crate Paper, Randon Collection, Vintage
Bo Bunny, Country Garden, Dot
Packaging from Prima Marketing 12x12 Mask
October Afternoon, Sidewalks, Red Light Green Light
Red with blue strips, from Ebay overbuy, muk
Moxxie, Make the Grade, School Dot, will use to counterfeit one of the journal cards in kit.
Cardstock: 
Yellow, Mustang Sally
Butter Cream, actually a pp, muk
Red, muk
Alphas:
Basic Grey, Chipboard Stickers, Wisteria
Embellishments: 
October Afternoon, Detours Shapes
Simple Stories, Vintage Bliss, Bingo Cards
Little Yellow Bicycle, Delightful Collection, Fabric Tabs and Labels, Playful 
My Mind's Eye, Follow Your Heart, Decorative Buttons
Studio calico, Die Cuts, Grid tags (2)
American Crafts, Flair, Adhesive Badges, Botanique Flair Beauty
Harmonie, Amour, Ruler Borders
Making Memories, Vintage Findings, gold sequins
Flag Pins, muk, (seem to remember these being American Crafts)
Pink and blue flower sequins, muk

Country Cousins, Gwen

Papers:
Bo Bunny, Serenity Lanterns, B-side
Subtle blue pattern, muk
sei, Holiday Hoopla, Snazzy Santa
orange floral on turquoise, muk
Autumn Leaves, Foliage Oak Leaf Words
Simple Stories, I {Heart} summer, Title Strip Elements
Vellum, Magenta, Memor, Green Berry Branch
Cardstock: 
Bright/light blue, muk
Taupe, heavyweight patterned paper by K&Co 
Alphas:
American Crafts, Thickers, Patchwork, Ladybug
Embellishments: 
Theresa Collins, Chipboard Elements, Spring Fling
Cosmo Cricket, Stacked Stickers, Tea for Two
Yellow tag, muk
Above Average, die cut, muk
Definition Stickers, muk
Scenic Route, Round Chipboard Die Cuts, Sonoma, Happy Together

 I also plan to use some of my counterfeit project life journal cards

If you are thinking I am a little crazy to build four kits at once, I am inclined to agree with you. Have never tired having multiple kits going at the same time. Albeit, Mel and Sam will play well together, as will Heather and Gwen. Also, between the lot of them, I don't think there will be much need to ransack the back stash, to maintain design sensibility. When I get them about half completed, I will try putting them all together. Worst case scenario, kits get dismantled and put back in the drawers. Meanwhile, I can't wait to get to get into all these new goodies. We have a rainy forecast ahead. If the weather service is correct, there will be some serious productivity from these kits.

Thanks for dropping round. Double thanks for comments.

Messy Masking Memories

Hello friends

Did you arrive here from Candace?  If not you may want to start with Jemma, who is the first stop in this hop.

My month as guest designer for Counterfeit Kit Challenge has felt like a lovely feather in my cap. The validation of being recognized by your peers give a boost to one's self-esteem, for sure.

Have not spent a lot of time in the studio. Winter has gone on vacation. We are going to be hosting the garden club in June.But I will make up for lack of scrap production when the weather turns. Too wet, too hot, or too cold (hope that isn't until October) will chase me back inside. Or maybe too many mosquitoes. They have been on the assault this week already.

For today I would like to share a couple of layouts that were made with my favorite student. My grandson Cohen, has been scrapping (with assistance) since he was four. His style is the antithesis to mine. Ink, paint, stamps, braying, if it need water to clean it up, he's all in!

These two layouts began as art projects with the intent to just play with products. After the messy background work had been completed, they looked so good we decided to turn them into layouts. The referencing support of the backgrounds to the photos, in both examples, was completely serendipitous.

It's a boy thing. Using a stipple brush, acrylic paints and an old plastic doily. Cohen pounced the paint with some colours overlapping. Then we dropped some alcohol inks on the top corner and used a Tim Holtz stamp. The tinker-toy ferris wheel he is building is referenced in the mask and the compass in the stamp, behind Mona's image. Chipboard die-cuts, brads, titles, and washi tape round it out. The "if you dream it, you can do it." was cut up to fit onto the chip ticket.

Zuma. Once again we used pouncing. This time over a piece of metal gift wrap ribbon that has all these holes in it. Lots more alcohol ink drops and another Tim Holtz stamp. When Cohen plays Zuma, he plays to loose. He cheers and laughs as his balls fall "down the drain." Cohen drew a Zuma track around some of the alcohol drops with smooch paint. CTMH buttons are arranged like the balls in the game. Cohen added the washi tape. Gramma penned the dotted border. And sticker letters for the title because who doesn't love to play with stickers?

Scrapping with children is so extremely rewarding.  Their naivety from not knowing any "rules" brings "outside of the box" thinking to the project. It has been a struggle to contain Cohen to thinking that his canvas should have a top and a bottom, as he places multiple photos in random orientations on the same layout.   And the pages serve us twofold. Once for the memory captured in the photo(s). And again when we look at the layout and remember the time we shared making it. I am blessed, indeed.

Thus concludes the CKC blog hop. I'll be back in a week or so, with a final report on  this months kit, "Mother May I?"and the layouts produced from it.

Thanks for dropping by. Double thanks for comments.

Messy Masking

It has always taken a big push to get me to dabble in messy techniques. I much prefer snipping bits of paper and putting glue dots on buttons, to anything that requires water in the application or clean-up.

So of course, my challenge from Bethany at CKC would be a gooder. I was asked to show a masking technique.

First I created a high-tech spray booth, using a box and a utility knife. 

I cut up triangles of white cardstock. Using a wee bit of adhesive runner on each piece, I laid them out in the pattern of a banner and spritzed with olive Glimmer Mist. Then I layered the next banner and spritzed the blue. Then the third banner and spritzed on the pink Glimmer Mist.

But why do just one. The mess is already there. May as well give it a second go.

Cutting up some more triangles and again, securing them lightly, this time I used a brayer and the same colours. I preferred the "water colour" effect that was achieved with this application.

The other thing that I liked was how the little triangles turned out with their mottled mixes. They had to show up on the layouts!

Lifting from Jaine at MyStampBox.com I used this blog-banner as my inspiration,

http://mystampbox.com/2013/04/blog-banner/

 

to put together two layouts. The first on the "brayerd" version.

 Where did the time go? If I had been a memory keeper a long time ago, I would know about this picture. Where are we? Why are we there? And
who's dog is that?

In between the title words, the details, as best as I can recall are in pencil.  This was done, not with the option to change the answers, but to indicate the uncertainty of my memories.

Where: Alberta Game Farm?
Did: Possibly the Teddy Bear's Picnic
Time: Around 1985 (July or August)

The tag on the left that prompts me to  "Remember"  but with the rest of it blank to indicate my ambiguity of loss.

The bottom left was a paper napkin that I Mod Podged on, (another messy technique, yea me!) just because I liked it. Not sure that was the best direction to go but it's done now. Heavy thread on the sewing machine adds texture.

By the second layout, I must have been getting my sea-legs. I like the balance and flow much better.

Family Matters. A moment in time. Easter Sunday spent at the home of Ivan and Janice Griffin, April 4, 2010. The Griffins gather to wave goodby as we leave. What do you you call a bunch of Griffins? A group? A gaggle? Or if you consider Janice's cute laugh...A giggle of Griffins.

I snuck in one of my counterfeit Project Life cards here. and used the same stitching idea. After they were both done. I changed my mind and preferred the spritzed method as it supports the whole layout. The brayerd one appears insipid and washed out.

So my best advice, besides making your self a spray-booth to contain the mess, is to try a variation or two. If you don't like how something looks, it doesn't have to turn into a layout. You might find another use for it. I have a 12x12 sheet that didn't make the grade being used as a drawer liner in my bedside table. Or it could go to the kid's craft box or even the circular file. Just let yourself try something outside of your usual techniques and see where you go with it.

Thanks for popping by. Double thanks for comments.

(Scr)happy Cinco de Mayo!

And welcome to the first stop in a  progressive tour of creative spaces. If you are here from Counterfeit Kit Challenge, you know the drill. If you are popping in from other directions, I hope you join in for a whirlwind tour of where the design team creates. so grab your beverage of choice and come with me to see some incredible spaces. You will come away with a least a few very good ideas for your current or future creative space.

As guest designer this month, I get to be your first host. My basement studio is about 12x30. Formerly a poorly lit "ruckus room" , we emptied the space of its contents, cleaned,repaired and painted the walls and ceiling. After adding full spectrum lighting, my upstairs studio downstairs was moved downstairs and now I can host scrappy events for the day or sometimes even overnight.

Won't you please come in?

As I close the door behind you, to the left is my store corner. I have been a Creative Memories consultant for almost four years.

 Please forgive me if I am being kind of obsessive about my lighting. There are seven of these fixtures in the room. The full-spectrum bulbs make such a difference that we are changing out all the basement fixtures to these.

 The first wall of organizers. Who doesn't love Ikea's Expedite cabinets? Will be adding doors and drawers later this year to curtail the clutter.

CTMH Inks and Pens in tower organizer.

 Next is the Cricut corner. The drawers in this desk organize the "messy technique" supplies. Two Ikea, Besta Burs stretch across the wall. They provide a display space on top and hidden storage, inside.

 Inside the first one is the Cricut paraphernalia.

Followed by Cuttlebug, Copics and other pen sets, and the Zyron I got at a charity shop for peanuts.

 This little glass cabinet is filled with...

 Harmonie mosaic squares,

And other delights.

The cardstock tower is followed by the printer stand, which is actually a microwave stand I picked up at the local "take it or leave it".  I just notice from the picture that I still have one handle on backwards.

 Next to which is another Expedite. (There are more of these upstairs in the living room where I keep finished albums) This one is holding various crafting supplies and the back-up, emergency Cricut.

 On top of this Expedite are the "cold files" Learn more about this storage system in Stacey's book.

A fabric tote/file box is used to organize and store my Creative Memories pallets.

Above this, the second Besta Burs holds arylic stamps. I use Stampin' Up's plastic storage boxes to keep them organized. On the right side are CTMH stamps and more random craft supplies.

 The sewing nook is followed by the TV corner. Fabric stash is in another room

Top shelf keeps my monster guillotine out of reach of little people.

 Closet storage is next. Followed by the library.

 Tens of thousands of photographs to choose from.

Old photos are in decade boxes. Newer ones are in Creative Memory picfolios.

In the library are books and magazines, mostly on scrapbooking, but other crafty goodness as well. This camera is the first one I ever used.

 The Double D Diva award was presented to me after collecting over 400 bras to send to Mexico for breast cancer survivors. Sometimes I slip on my tiara while I am scrapping.

 Little people are always welcome. Tickle trunk for dress up. Tea party toys and lots of books in these cupboards.

We have made our way around the room and you are probably eager to see my work station.

 I expect you are asking by now, "Where did you get those?"

 You can find these incredible drawer units at http://www.bestscrapbookshelf.com/

Under the hutch shelf, We added a restaurant chit rail. I use it to hold photos and other bits that need to be kept safe and available. There are also chit rails under four of the light fixtures. Guests can hang their finished layouts to be admired. The original artwork to the left of the hutch was painted by a high-school girl with incredible talent. Below it is a desk top photo printer. And a Pampered Chef swivel utensil organizer keeps the critical tools super handy.

 It would be nice at this point to have a wide angle lens, But here are the "four corner" views of the room.

 Using folding tables, (that were moved out for photographing the room) up to five people can set up and scrap their socks off.

Future plans for this space involves having a proper floor installed. And to continue to re-organize and improve the storage systems. And to scrap. Yep, mustn't forget that.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. Hope you enjoyed the grand tour. Next we can all go over to Andreas at http://snappingmonsters.blogspot.com/

Have a happy, scrappy, 5th of May.