Scrappin' at Scrapstars

Nicky and I had a fantastic time at the Scrapstars Retreat last weekend which we took the shop up to.  It was held just outside Leeds in a lovely hotel and it was so great to catch up with Caroline, who organised the event, Kirsty Wiseman, Emma Trout and Lida de Witte the, oh so talented, teachers all of whom we had met at the last Retreat.  They were also joined by Joanda Meurs who created a beautiful home decor project and a mini book for her classes.  We also loved catching up with lots of the delegates, many of whom had been at the last Retreat also - just like meeting old friends! - and we were made very welcome.

I didn't take many photos of the event (except lots of the projects for inspiration!) but Nicky took these photos which were taken about midnight on the Saturday so you can see there were lots who were up for some late night scrapping!

Kathy and Lesley - two lovely Yorkshire ladies with the best sense of humour, it was so great seeing you both again :)

Lots of late night scrappers!

Me!  You can tell it is midnight!!!

Nicky and I were able to join in with a couple of classes which we just loved and I can't wait to finish these projects to be able to show you, the teachers are so talented, it is a joy to sit and learn from them.   Inbetween we were able to catch up with some scrapbook layouts of our own which we did manage to finish and thought I would share with you.

'Easter in the Garden' by Nicky Parry

Nicky created this stunning layout using papers from the Glitz Designs 'Pretty in Pink' range and stamping using the IndigoBlu 'Wild Meadow' Rubber Stamp Set and 'Crackleglaze' background stamp.  The effect is just lovely.

Supplies used:-

Cardstock: White, Bazzill

Patterned Paper: Pretty in Pink 'Roses', 'Stripe', Glitz Design

Stamps: 'Wild Meadow Stamp Set', 'Crackleglaze Background Stamp', IndigoBlu

Ink: Distress Ink Pads 'Tattered Rose', 'Antique Linen', Ranger

Ribbon: 'Faux Silk Ribbon - Fuchsia', May Arts

Tools: Edger Punch 'Doily Lace', Martha Stewart, 'Paper Distresser', Tim Holtz Idea-ology

'Added Reason to Visit' by Kate Holliday

I spent a very happy hour or so cutting out these beautiful flowers on one of the papers from the April Kit 'Evangeline'.  The papers are all gorgeous and the page came together really easily - the joy of having a co-ordinated kit!

Supplies Used:-

Evangeline April Monthly Kit

Ink: Distress Ink Pads 'Vintage Photo', 'Tattered Rose', Ranger

Tools: 'Paper Distresser', Tim Holtz Idea-ology

All supplies are available from the website http://www.bellaboo.co.uk/

Love

Kate xx

Love Is...

 ...making a card for a friend!  I thought I would share this card I made for Nicky, whose birthday it was yesterday.  It was made using the 'Love Is' stamp from IndigoBlu which is just so beautiful and detailed it is a joy to use.  The design is along the lines of the 'Ella Bella' card I made last month but with a different colourway.  I had lots of fun using various Distress Inks and blending them until I was happy with the effect.  I do so love the warm colour ranges of the Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick which were toned down on this card by the use of the cooler tones 'Broken China' and 'Mustard Seed'.  I flicked water onto the inks when I had finished blending which reacts with these waterbased dies to give the splattered effect that you see.  Not much water is needed so be careful and then either leave to dry naturally or finish with a heat gun.

Once I had finished the background I stamped the image in the centre using Fired Brick and also parts of the same stamp around the outside and finished off with a red gem.  Matting it against black really makes it stand out.

The inside of the card was done in exactly the same way although here you can see that I got slightly more carried away with the water (hence my warning above!) but I do like the effect so all was not lost!!

Supplies Used:-

White and black cardstock

'Love Is' stamp by IndigoBlu

Distress Ink Pads: Broken China, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Fired Brick

Ink Blending Tool

Ink Blending Foam

Hope you like the card, Nicky seemed pleased :).

Have a lovely day.

And there's more!

Penny has been busy again creating some more stunning layouts with her Madame Boutique Kit which I am really pleased she has shared with us and lovely to see the detail in the close up pictures.

Penny has added a few of her own embellishments to the Kit, but I am sure you will agree that the layouts, once again, are stunning.  Thank you for sharing Penny :).

Gorgeous Madame Boutique Layouts

I was delighted to be sent photos of these layouts by Penny Kafai after she purchased our Madame Boutique Kit.  I met Penny at last year's Scrapstars Retreat (so looking forward to the next one coming up in a couple of weeks time) and she is a very talented 'scrapper'.  I love what she has done using the kit and that she was kind enough to share her layouts with us.

 'Madame Boutique' Layout 1 by Penny Kafai

Close up of lace and flower detail from Layout 1

'Madame Boutique' Layout 2 by Penny Kafai

 Close up of Layout 2

Close up of Layout 2

Penny used just 2 pattern papers from the range, some of the elements, the chipboard body form and the
lace ribbon which she formed into a flower and added the paper roses to the centre.  Penny used her own white cardstock which she prefers for her backgrounds.  I love how the photos and the clustered elements surrounding them really 'pop' against the white space really drawing your eye in.  Thank you so much for sharing Penny, I love what you have produced.

There are still a few 'Madame Boutique' Kits available if you have been inspired by Penny's layouts and  want to purchase one for yourself. 

Our April Kit 'Evangeline' now on Sale

I am really excited by our new April Kit, Evangeline.  It has a great combination of paper designs and is packed full of gorgeous goodies to use alongside them making it extremely versatile.  I know it isn't always easy to see the papers properly from the Kit photo so please find them below:-

Arn't they gorgeous?  I fell in love with this range the minute I saw it and they are even better 'in the flesh'!  As you can see they are all double-sided and are on excellent quality 80lb cardstock weight paper.  You can find details of the Kit and Add-ons here.

A little creativity with IndigoBlu

I absolutely love the new stamps we have in from IndigoBlu and am just itching to make up lots of samples with them.  However, life tends to get in the way a little and so I will have to content myself with the couple I have done so far which I want to share with you.  In addition there is a fun card made by a good friend of mine (a very talented crafter) also using the IndigoBlu stamps.

By Kate Holliday

'Aloysius' is stamped in Vintage Photo Distress Ink, trimmed and the edges distressed with the Tim Holtz Paper Distressor and the edges inked in Antique Linen.  Various papers from the Timeless Paper Pad were layered, first distressing and inking in a selection of colours and various pieces were curled to give an aged look.  The stamped card was matted onto inked card and wound with Bakers Twine and lifted with 3D foam.

Supplies Used: 

Aloysius Stamp - IndigoBlu

Timeless Paper Pad, Vintage - Kaisercraft

Timeless Journal Tags - Kaisercraft

Seafoam Bakers Twine - May Arts

Distress Ink Pads, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen. Weathered Wood - Ranger

Craft Foam Pads - Stix2 

Tools, Ink Blending Tool, Ink Blending Foam - Ranger, Tim Holtz Distressor - Tim Holtz Idea-ology

By Kate Holliday

White card was coloured using a selection of Distress Ink Pads blended using the Blending Tool and Foam.  The 'Ella Bella' stamp was inked using 'Black Soot' and stamped in the middle.  Various swirls on the stamp were then inked again and stamped in the four corners.  This was then matted onto black card and then onto Kraft card and decorated with a  little bling to finish.

Supplies Used:

Ella Bella Stamp - IndigoBlu

Cardstock, Raven, Kraft - Bazzill

Distress Ink Pads, Black Soot, Aged Mahogany, Fired Brick, Rusty Hinge, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick, Antique Photo - Ranger

Jewels, clear - Bazzill

Tools: Ink Blending Tool, Ink Blending Foam - Ranger

By Tracy Harris

I love the technique Tracy has used here on her 'map'.  The Map was inked in Black Soot and stamped onto white cardstock and trimmed.  This was then crumpled, re-smoothed and inked over the top in Antique Linen with a Blending Tool and Foam.  This gives such a wonderful well-worn look to the map which makes a great background to the car stamp and a perfect card for the man in your life - lets face it, they all get nostalgic for their first mini!  Thank you Tracy, great inspiration and I look forward to showcasing some of your other gorgeous creations very soon.

Supplies Used:

Map Background Stamp - IndigoBlu

Distress Ink Pad, Black Soot, Antique Linen - Ranger

Tools, Ink Blending Tool, Ink Blending Foam - Ranger

All other items are Designer's own

We have an Introductory Offer on all IndigoBlu products this week but you will have to hurry as it ends tonight!

Have fun!

April Sneak Peaks

Sorry, it has been a while since I have blogged; does anyone know what happened to March because mine has disappeared!  We have a number of family birthdays during March and that coupled with so many new goodies onto the website means that it has been a really busy month so I do hope you will forgive me?!

Anyway, I promised you I would post some 'sneak peaks' of our gorgeous April Kit (due out on the 1st - no kidding!) and here they are:-

This a beautiful kit with lots of diverse uses so very good value for money.  There are lots of different elements to complement the papers and all very useable so I feel sure you will agree that it is a real winner.  The papers are newly released by a well know, highly soughtafter manufacturer and I can't wait to share the full release with you on Sunday - watch this space!

Until then, have a great weekend.