A Mixed Media (lite!) Scrapbook Layout

Hi there!
Samantha here, and today I'm sharing another layout using (mostly) the same supplies as last week's scrapbook page!

 

     

Since last week I made my littlest Mann's school year page, it was only fair to make one of my oldest little Mann's year! 

Here's how I made this layout!
- first I spread some gesso onto the patterned paper. once ti was dry, I used a stencil and some white embossing paste to add the stars! 
- when the embossing paste was dry, I sprayed some Abandoned Coral and Carved Pumpkin Distress Sprays over it! LOVE how that looks! 
- I used similar colors of patterned paper to back my photo and then popped it all up on my background!

- I heat embossed part of the sentiment, and combined it with some very 'proper-school-like' thickers! love the script and straight contrast in the title!
- the pencils were stamped and colored with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers and then added as embellishments all around the page! 

- I finished off the page by heat embossing the 'school boy' phrase onto a banner of black cardstock to tie everything together!

I have to admit, I only love this layout 98%. I really thought about tearing half of the patterned paper and then adhering it to a white piece of cardstock, just to add more white space and it make it look easier on the eyes...I don't know. I may still go back and do that. 

Do you ever feel that way about your projects? 

I used the First Day of School stamp set, and part of the title was created with the Clear Lettering Alphas! I also used the Big Stars Polka Stencil!

    

Next week is the July release week!! And I can't wait for you all to see it!! It's AMAZING!

~Samantha

   

Hey Girl Layout

Hi there!
Samantha here, and today I'm sharing a layout I created! What?!

     

Well, I was bit by the scrapbook inspiration bug when I went to create a project! So this is what happened! ha! Lots of mixed media, and lots of color! Love it!

Let's make it together!
- on a 12x12 piece of cardstock, cover it in gesso
- once dry, add your watercolor (I used the Kuretaki Gansai Tambi watercolor set)
- once *that* step is dry, you can use the stencil and some embossing paste to add texture!

- while everything was drying, I stamped the flower images multiple times in black ink and then fussy cut them out.
- I arranged them around my photo cluster and then glued them down

- I love how the colors are bold, and so they let the flower images really stand out, as the 'white' space! 

Not a scrapbooker? That's ok! The same background could be adapted and used for a card! 

To create this layout, I used the brand new In Bloom stamp set, along with the Clear Magic Flowers stamp set! I used the Big Hearts Polka stencil to add some texture to the background!

    

I also used some of the Enamel Stickers that Create a Smile Stamps sells! I LOVE THEM!! They have different shapes and colors in each pack!! I can't get enough of them!!

~Samantha

      

Cannonball Layout!

Hi there!
Samantha here and today I'm sharing a layout!

     

It's been a hot minute since I've created a layout, and when I came across this photo of my boys jumping in the pool last summer I knew it was time! 

So let's make this layout!
- using Distress Inks (Peacock Feathers), I smooshed the ink pad onto a piece of old sticker packaging, spritzed with water and then smooshed THAT plastic packaging onto my white cardstock.
- once it was dry, I stamped the "summer time" phrase in the same ink over the watercolored area

- my title uses the CUTE alphabet stickers in yellow, and I LOVE that it tucks right into that space between the two overlapping chipboard hearts!

- I used some white embossing paste and a stencil to create an abstract-y wave look
- I machine stitched a bunch of the elements, including the chevron enamel shapes! LOVE how this layout came together!

The same watercolor/embossing paste look can be created for cards, too! (Just don't include the photo! Ha!)

I used the Curvy Lines stencil for the faux waves! The mini stamp is from the Sending Sunshine Kit, and the letter stickers and enamel dots are from the Beach Party Kit! I used the chipboard Hearts as an embellishment and I LOVE them! 

    

I am in LOVE with those letter stickers! And did you know that they come in a rainbow of colors?! Who doesn't love rainbows!? Ha!

~Samantha

    

  

Going Graphic

Hi there!
Samantha here with you again, and this time I'm sharing a layout I created with a basic shape RAINBOW colors! Ha!

     

I saw this awesome Wall Art on Pinterest, and I just HAD to create something with triangles afterward! And of course...rainbows....!! :D

This layout was actually pretty simple to make, and didn't take that long! The longest part was waiting for it to dry!! Ha!
- using the largest triangle image and a rainbow of stamp pads, stamp onto the background paper. I chose to use Distress Inks and a rainbow pattern!
- once all of your stamping is done, spritz it with water so your colors all run together (Note: this will only work with Distress Ink pads)

- set aside to dry and choose your title. 
- at this point, I also used tissue paper and a black and white diagonal striped streamer to back my photo. 
- once it is all dry, add some color-matching puffy stickers, stitch on your title, and you're done!

- this photo was taken 5 years ago (what?!? BOOOOOOOOO!) at our ice rink, just one of the MANY times those two little Menn went to watch their Daddy play hockey! 

You could EASILY transform this design into a card! Imagine those same colors, with the smaller triangle and big bold sentiment!! and GLITTER! Ha! Circles would be great for this too! :)

I used the super awesome enamel shapes to add some fun to the layout! And, of course, the triangles were created with the Going Graphic stamp set! Love that one! 

    

Did you know that you can get WAY more than just stamps and dies at the Create a Smile Stamps store? Oh yeah! There's paper, washi, flair, sequins and more!!!! 

~Samantha

 

Mandala fun with Terhi Koskinen

Happy Monday all!

Terhi here sharing some really serious Mandala love. I never thought any stamp would make me so inspired and so excited, but this did. The perfect size (about 6"x6"), the perfect rubber material and mostly the perfect design makes me goose bumps.

Not much to say about the idea, I think it's really obvious. I just wanted to some stamping and then try out coloring with watercolors. If take a close look, you can see there is nothing to protect the white cardstock on the background. No gesso, nothing, but still the colors are just about in the right area.

If you want to have free and arty look to your stamping work, forget the rulers and measures. Just let it go and try. You can see my Mandala edges is not straight and even, but the outcome of the layout still works perfectly. Don't be shy, just find your inner artists.

Stamps: Mandala Cling Stamp

Are you following us on Instagram? If not, you should - it's here: @createasmilestamps

Thank you for coming here today!

Terhi xx