Vicki Boutin

Butterflies & Daisies | Mari Clarke

Hi friends, it's Mari Clarke here!  Hope you are all doing well!  Today I have a layout to share with lots of butterflies and daisies!

 

I started with a 2x12 inch strip of the Daisies paper and a 10x12 inch strip of the Stardust paper.  I put the daisies at the top and the text paper on the bottom and ran a strip of the Memoir paper over the seam.  I added a strip of kraft cardstock along the Memoir paper. The kraft cardstock was punched with a scallop border punch.

I mat my two photos (2.2x2.2 black and white) with the Memoir paper from the 8x6 paper pad. I added these to the text paper on an angle; one photo is in the lower left and the other above and to the right.  I then added fussy cut butterflies, daisies and punched circles across the layout in a curved line.

I added more fussy cut elements to the upper left area.  All of the fussy cut pieces are added with dimensional adhesive except for the bottom layers.

I finished the layout by adding a strip of washi across the bottom, a chipboard title, some journaling strips, as well as gold and white splatters.

You can see all of the details and products used in this video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/eqmRHSLISg8

Thank you for stopping by the blog!

Mari

 

Make the most of your mess | Nicole Nowosad

Hey there mixed media fans! Nicole here today to share a project I made while playing around with some Vicki Boutin Crayons.

 

I really wanted to create something with a piece of paper that went too far, and this was the result. I decided to trim my paper down into floral shapes to use as embellishments on my project.

 

It is easy to play around with mixed media techniques and use those playful "messes" on your project! There really is no garbage when it comes to mixed media. Trim it down into strips, punch it or run your "mess" through a digital cutter and make something pretty with it.

 

 

I really love how fun and playful you can turn somethung you once thought of as a mess, and make it into something unique and eye catching - one of a kind in fact!

Here is how my project came together:

 

Sit back and watch how this project came together with a little patience and play;

 

 

 

Thanks for joining me today, see you again soon!

Creating a Mixed Media Rainbow with Nathalie

Hi there!

Today, I want to share a fun and colorful idea for your next layout.   I have been toying with this background idea for a while in my mind.  So, I decided to make it a go, and love how easy and fast this came together.  Let me show you:

 

Rainbow background, rainbow papers, and my cute baby... let's call it a win!!  It all started with the idea of mixing two forms of rainbow in one background in a super simple way.

 

 

I started by adding diluted art crayon (following a rainbow order) to a Foundation paper using the edge of an acetate piece (an old gift card, palette knife, old credit card would provide a similar result).  By dragging the watercolor with the straight edge, I was able to create the flowing effect at the bottom of the background.

 

 

Once the dragged watercolor dried, I then used one of the Storyteller stencils and stencil brushes to create the stenciled impression atop the dragged art crayon marks.   I used the same colors of art crayon so that I can have a unified rainbow effect on the two sides of the background.

 

I took advantage of the line that divides the two sides of the rainbow background to ground my layout.  I used scraps of papers from the Storyteller collection, and quite a few embellishments.  I tried to color block the embellishment to the background.

 

 

I used a few of the puffy stickers to accent each of the color blocks, and then used a few of the feather embellishments to tie the clusters together.   The design of the page presented the perfect spot for my journal lines, too.

 

 

In order to continue the rainbow theme, I trim the bottom edge, and then create a small slit in the edge.  Once the corners of the slit were folded up, I backed the space with a rainbow paper strip, and used the slit to add the title of the page.  The following video will show you how the page comes together:

VIDEO

 

I hope this inspires you to bring a rainbow to your next paper crafting project

 

XO

 

 

 

Making a Layout With a Cut File & Storyteller | Mari Clarke

Welcome to the Vicki Boutin Blog today!  I am sharing a layout I created with Storyteller and a JustNick cut file; combine Vicki's collection and Nicole's cut files and you have a match made in heaven!

I started by cutting the Stay Focused cut file from some white cardstock.  I then backed the cut file with the Bohemian paper as well as papers from the 8x6 paper pad.  I fussy cut florals from the 8x6 Freshcut paper to embellish the layout as well.

I added some stenciling to the white background with Speckled Egg Distress Oxide Ink using one of the Wild Soul stencils.  I cut my photo with a 2 inch circle punch and added it to the lens of the camera.  I added some Plot paper behind the camera and the fussy cut florals to both sides of the cut file.  

I added a strip of washi tape, a strip of the Bohemian paper and a white strip of paper trimmed with a border punch to the top of the layout. I did my title work with the Decoupage Thickers and a Puffy sticker as well.

I added another floral cluster to the lower right edge of the layout.  I sized the white background down one quarter of an inch on three sides and added it to a sheet of the Bohemian paper.  I added machine stitching around the perimeter of the white background.  I added lots of splatters in white, gold and black for a bit of extra texture and some cardstock stickers from the 6x12 sticker sheets.

Here is a video link for this project where you can find all of the products linked up:

https://youtu.be/reQH9XWJT1Q

I love how this collection is so versatile and I adore the combo of this cut file with Storyteller!  Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!

Have a wonderful day!

xxMari

 

Creating Dark Mixed Media Backgrounds with Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a bit of inspiration and my love for dark backgrounds.   It is no secret that my favorite color combination is Black + White with a hint of rainbow.  If you have been to any of Vicki's live session, then you probably have heard how she refers to me as the dark side.   Well, today, I want to show you how easy you can create a dark background for your next layout using Storyteller and mixed media.

There are about 4 layers of mixed media on this page, and I love how it tells the story of the picture ( my daughter is studying nursing, and we are the practice patients).  Even when a part of my mixed media is hidden, it just provides the perfect background for the picture and makes everything shine.   Here is how I built it:

 

1.  Started by adding a bit of diluted gray art crayon ( neutral set) to  a Foundation paper.  I added lots of splatters and let it dry completely on its own before the next step.

 

2.  Next, I added a bit of diluted black art crayon ( neutral set) to the background.  This time the application is smaller and with lots more splatters.

 

3.   I continued to accent the dark background with a stenciled impression.  I used black art crayon, a splash of water, and a stencil brush  to create the dark impression on the paper. 

 

 

4.  To finish, I applied a mixture of gold and iridescent glaze through a stencil to the background.  I scattered this application just so that it is sparsely placed on the page.  In addition, I added a few splatters of the diluted mixture around each impression.   Once the background dried, I was ready to continue

 

To construct my layout, I added a few layers of paper behind the picture and then used a large piece of ephemera to ground it to the page.  Since the background is busy, I kept the page very simple.   

 

I used the large typewriter ephemera and the Storyteller alphas to create my title.  I chose just a few colored embellishments for the page, that way the picture just pops from the page.

 

 

I used a few of the collections butterflies to add movement and tie all the pieces of this page together.  You can see how the page came together in the following video:

VIDEO 

 

I hope this inspires you to take a leap into the darker side (ha!) and use Vicki's mediums and Storyteller to create a project of your own.  I cannot wait to see what you create!

XO

 

Materials Used:

 

 

Clean Mixed Media | Nicole Nowosad

Hey there everyone! Nicole here today to share a clean style of mixed media project with you.

 

I love playing around with Vicki's art crayons and stencils and they are great products to sit down and practice and play with. I used a few different stencils and embossing folders of Vicki's to create my own patterned paper for the bottom of my layout.

I love how the Storyteller collection mixes so well with the different stencils and art crayons and the embellishments - like these puffy stickers are perfect with any other collection too!

 

Once I had my patterns dry, I simply punche them with my trusty circle punch and stitched them across some simple cardstock to create a pattern. I love the whimsical stitching over top of the design, it adds so much easy texture!

Combining washi tape and different kinds of stickers is a great way to add some simple texture and layers to your photos or a cluster around a title too!

 

SIt back and take a look at how the whole thing came together here:

 

Thanks for stopping by! See you next week

Creating a Companion Layout | Mari Clarke

Hi everyone, welcome to the Vicki Boutin blog today!  I have a layout to share today that I created as a companion layout for an opposing page in a 12x12 album.  I created my companion layout by using the same color scheme, patterned paper and embellishment themes as the layout already created.

To start my layout, I created a mixed media background to use on this project. I started with some Foundations paper and Acrylic Matte Gel Medium.  I used a stencil to add the gel medium to the paper in the top right and lower left corners of the paper. Once dry, I added my Art Crayon pigment with my brayer.

This is a nice subtle mixed media piece to add to the project.  I tore a  4x12 inch strip of this paper for the right side of my layout.  I added machine stitching to the strip with my sewing machine.  I added this strip to the right side of the Stardust paper.

I left a half inch strip of the Stardust paper showing on the far right side.  I printed a black and white photo at 5x3 and added some 8x6 Quill paper to the photo mat.  I also added some collage paper from my stash to the photo mat as well as some die cuts from Storyteller to the right of the photo.  Behind the photo, I added a strip of the 8x6 Stardust paper with the text side showing.

I cut a banner from my mixed media paper and added it to the left of the photo.  I added a journaling die cut and the sweet moon and star themed circular die cut.  I used the Storyteller Decoupage Thickers for my title, as well as some American Crafts tiny gold foam alphas.  To finish, I added white and gold splatters and some of the Puffy Star stickers from the collection.

I had so much fun with this layout!  Here is a link to the project video: https://youtu.be/hV-U3qBBhRM

Thank you for stopping by today!

xxMari

Cut apart part 2!

Last week, I shared a projet using 3x4 cards from the Storyteller 6x8 paper pad. This week, I wanted to mix up different sized cut aparts to use on my project.

I chose 3 different sheets of Storyteller to use and "cut apart" for my project. A 3x4 sheet, 4x6 sheet and one with various items together, all perfect to cut out and use on a variety of projects.

You can quite easily layer the different sizes and types of cut aparts together to create your own look. I love how you can tear down some simple pieces of paper to make them have that washi tape look!

And how great are some cut apart tags layered behind a title/photo combination, to add some subtle pops of color!

You can even stamp on or cut apart your cut aparts, like I did with this larger butterfly too!

So, sit back and join me as I create this project using a variety of Vicki's Storyteller cut aparts!

 

 

 

Creating Texture | Mari Clarke

Welcome to the Vicki Boutin blog!  I have a fun project to share today using lots of texured elements with the beautiful Storyteller collection!

I used the Assemblage paper as my base for my layout; this paper adds texture all by itself with that cool subtle tone on tone design.  I love how the rich deep burgundy of Assemblage coordinates with my photo, adding some contrast.

I added some mixed media techniques to a piece of Vicki's Foundations paper using the Art Crayons, a Storyteller stencil, and a Vicki Boutin stencil brush. I also stamped with the Tim Holtz Perspective stamp using embossing ink and white embossing powder.  These different applications add interest and texture to the layout. I cut a circle from the Fresh Cut paper to add to the top left of the photo mat area.  I sewed around the edge of the circle as well.

I tore the left edge of the white paper and added some machine stitching to that edge as well.  I sized the white paper down to 8.5 x 10 inches and added it to the Assemblage paper.  I added a 2 x 10 inch strip of the Mariposa paper to the back of the torn edge of the white paper. The torn paper and the sewing again add more texture. I added some of the library card paper from the 8x6 paper pad to the photo, as well as die cuts, a piece of the Patchwork paper and a tag from the Plot cut apart sheet. 

To embellish and add texture, I layered more ephemera and fussy cut forals to the lower right of the photo. I added these pieces with lots of foam adhesive to create the dimension and texture I was looking for. I added cardstock stickers with foam to the center of the daisy and the butterflies.  I added some twine to the tag.  To finish, I added splatters of white Gloss Spray and Heidi Swapp Color Shine.  

Much of the texture is also created by bending and folding corners and distressing the edges of the papers.  I love creating texture on a layout!  I think it makes the story come alive!  Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful day!

Here is a link to the video for this layout:

https://youtu.be/DVJwdbbNoes

xxMari

 

 

Mixed Media Placement | Nathalie

Hello there!

Nathalie with you today to share a new project and idea with you all.  A couple weeks ago, I had a few questions on why do we cover the mixed media in our backgrounds with stuff.  Well, I could answer this in many ways as the reasons change based on the layout.  However, I thought of a way to show you a way to add mixed media to an specific spot so that it shines!   In order to demonstrate this concept, I thought the best way would be to work the beautiful Storyteller collection into a banner style layout...

Lots of color, texture in one page, but all placed so that it pops from the background.   This took a few layers of simple media that add up to one explosion of color.

The base of this page is an application of yellowish art crayon on foundation paper.   I made sure that the yellow( a mix of neutral and warm art crayons) was placed right at the center of the page, and it was bigger than the picture.  Once the yellow crayon dried, I  added two areas of color atop the yellow one.   The warm tones/fuchsia application is on the top right corner of the yellow area.  While the cool/teal application is on the bottom left corner.  By placing the colors and all the splatters in these areas, I am making sure that these will show behind the picture and will not be hidden.

 

To  add an extra pop of color to the background, I chose to add a stenciled detail  to each of the color areas.   Using a stencil brush helps to be specific to the placement of the color.  

 

Now to add texture to the page.  For this, I reached for a contrasting stencil shape, and gesso to create the impression on the background.   Using a stencil brush, I added the gesso only to the area between the color applications.   This ensures that only that area has the texture and ties the color applications to a unified reverse L at the bottom of the mixed media application.

 

 

Once I cut the different patterned papers to create my banner.  These were placed so that they just reached  the mixed media application.   After the picture is put on place, you will not see the yellow part of the color application, instead you only have a semi explosion of color that frames the picture.

 

I kept the embellishing minimal, as there is a lot of interest in the large banners and background.  However, did small clusters of  stickers and ephemera so that they form a soft diagonal design on the page.  I have created a  process video that shows how the page is built:

VIDEO

 

Whether you chose to create a large mixed media background or just a little color area for your next layout.  Remember to have fun with your mediums.  

"Til next time!

XO

 

 

Materials Used: