Vicki Boutin

JOURNALING with COLOR STUDY | Nathalie

Hello there!

Nathalie with you today to bring you a bit more of inspiration with Color Study.   As I have mentioned before, I am first and foremost a journaler.  I love TNs and notebooks!  For years, I kept my days written on TNs until just 4 years ago when I started tying the stories on my notebooks to the pictures in my film roll.   So, today I want to share a bit of my Gratitude journal with you

 

 

This year, I am keeping my gratitude journal as a year long project in Heidi Swapp's Chapters notebooks ( and loving the size).   I think I have about 3  filled by now.   But, what I want you to see is how versatile Vicki's collections are!

 

 

I love using larger photos and/or multiple photos and the two pages for this project.  In this layout, I am using a 12x9" stripe to create the background for the photo.  Then using ephemera and stickers to embellish the picture.   

 

 

The most important part is the journal (for me!). So, I pulled one of the library cards from Storyteller to add my journal on it.   Then placed it  on the bottom right corner of the patterned paper along with some puffy stickers to make the title.   Simple, colorful and quick.

 

 

This spread uses scrap stripes to create the background of the page.  All the stripes are glued through the two pages of the spread.  Then I framed the photo on a paper from the 6x8 pad. I kept the strip at the top to help me tie all the colors together on the page.

 

 

The clips in the ephemera and stickers are probably one of the most used in my pages, as they help to give the pages a bit of dimension, and a feel of lose papers being held together.

 

 

Another one of my favorite pieces for my journals are tabs and stickers.  They add interest without adding dimension, which helps in this format.   

 

I hope these inspire you to use Color Study in your projects regardless of the format of your choice

 

XO

 

Journaling the everyday with Storyteller | Nathalie

Hello there!

My life story is kept in notebooks.  Since, I was a little girl we always had pen and pads of paper/notebooks to play with.  I think that is how my love for journaling got started.  About 10 years ago, I discovered Traveler's Notebooks, and it was love at first sight.   Fast forward to  2016, and scrapbooking showed up in my life, and  transformed my journal into a more graphic format.  So, today, I want to share a bit of my everyday documenting. 

 

 

Here is one of layouts in my Gratitude Journal (Heidi Swapp Storyline Chapters Insert).   Sometimes it is about the story and paper before mixed media!

 

I started by trimming a piece of the Moonbeams paper to 9x12in.   Then I trimmed cut the strip into a 7.5x9" and a 4.5X9".  The larger one was glued to the left of the spread, as the background for my picture.   I then used a piece of Mosaic paper to mat my picture (4.5x4.5 ").  Since I have quite a bit of ephemera still left in my stash, I pulled pieces to create the large cluster at the bottom of the photo.  I added a few pieces of the Sticker album to complete this page.

 

Let's just say that after moderating a few of Vicki's classes, I have picked up an idea or two, such as this pocket idea.   I started by folding the right page of the spread in half.   Then, I used the left over strip of the Moonbeams paper to right side of the next page.   Here, I used double sided red line tape to keep the fold in place, and then create the pocket( I added red line tape around the edge of the folded page, but NOT on the folded edge.

 

I used the large ephemera florals to create a large cluster at the top right edge of the fold.  The large ephemera pieces also worked to help me create the title for the page.  I just made sure to the adhesive to the part of the flowers that sit to the left of the fold edge.  

 

Now to hold my journaling, I pulled the peachy paper from the 6x8 paper pad, then trimmed the 3x4 cut apart  paper into a 4x6" strip.  I  glued it b-side up, so that I could use the grid side to add my journal.  To embellish the page, I ran  a bit of washi tape at the bottom of the strip, then added ephemera to complement my journaling.

 

 

I hope this gives you an insight to my most beloved possession, my journals.   There is so much you can create with Vicki's collections and products, all you need is to make it your own!   

 

XO

 

Materials Used:

 

 

Tag Journal Mini Album with Nicole

Hey there! Nicole here today to share with you a FUN mini book using the Let's Wander tag and journaling piecs package.

I started by making a few base pages for my mini album using some Foundations paper and the kissing technique using Vicki's Art Crayons in three different colors. I did the kissing technique across three sheets of the card size version of the Foundations paper and then added some droplets with the left over art crayon watercolor. Once it was all dry, i trimmed them down to 4x6 sized sheets for my album.

I backed each piece of Foundations paper with various patterned papers in the Let's Wander collection and stitched them all together on my sewing machine. I got to work by starting with the front cover of the album, adding the fun camera piece from the Tag and Journaling Card set to the front of the album.

This album has tons of layers to it, without a lot of effort. I love the wood veneer embellishments in Let's Wander and added a few to the front cover of the album.

 

Alright, let's take a look inside the album! I added in tags and journaling cards from the Tag & Journaling Pieces packages throughout the album. I added in lots of stickers, washi tape and die cuts all from Let's Wander. I tried to keep each page spread color co-ordinated, adding journaling to the right side of the spread, over the watercolored background in the album. 

I didn't want to cover all that pretty watercoloring, but added strips of journaling throughout the album sheets and onto the journaling tags too.

 

I had a lot of room on the pages and added in some additional tags and die-cut pieces throughout to add more interest!

I love the variation of tags in the package and how some are large enough to add photos directly on!

I even had a few small photos left over and stacked them up and added them inside the tag into the album. I first added some Rose Gold Glaze to the tag using one of the Let's Wander stencils to add some lovely texture!

 

I hope you are inspired to put together an album like this on your own using a few mixed media techniques and the Let's Wander collection!

Vicki's Christmas Mini Album Kit with Leigh

Hello Mixed Media friends! Leigh here, to share the cover and title page in the Mini Album Kit Vicki has for sale. The Simple Stories kits are so cute, and she has put together everything you need in one place to document your December. The photo prompts she shared in the Mixed Media Community on Facebook make it easy to photograph your day and skip around to different prompts because they are not numbered.

 

 

 

I placed the Capture The Season photo prompts from Vicki on the from cover so I simply have to open the album to see the prompts! I added some die cuts, included in the kit, and embellished them with the VB Gold Glaze. You can add baker's twine to give some dimension to the inside cover. I thought you could also stamp a heart by each prompt you have completed. 

 

 

 

The title page is very simple. I added VB Gold Glaze to the printed image on the pre-cut 6x8 paper from the kit. I added a title with American Crafts Thickers, and called it done. This mini album is a simple way to document the month, because it doesn't focus on a photo  every day. You could take five of the photos on one day, and tell your story as it happens. I like the versatility of using  prompts without numbers. Great idea Vicki!

 

 

 

Here are the inside cover and title page together, so you can see how they coordinate. I added VB Gold Glaze to both pages, to create unity. Have you ever made a Christmas Mini Album? I have made quite a few as gifts, and always wish I had made a copy for myself. Do you have plans to make a Holiday Album?

 

 

 

At this angle, you can see the dimension on the inside cover. I used pop dots to raise the die cuts up. This trick always helps if the page is looking too flat. Adding the layer of Gold Glaze and the baker's twine also adds dimension to the page. I love that photo Vicki gave us in the Facebook Group!

 

 

 

For the cover, you can see I added the baker's twine and the bells just like Vicki did on her example. This will be fun way to hold the precious memories of the season. I hope you have a joyful holiday, and get to create something fun! Thanks for visiting today, Leigh.

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLIES: 

Vicki Boutin Christmas Mini Album Kit

Vicki Boutin Gold Glaze 

SCT Colour Suite and a DecoArts Giveaway!!!

Happy Friday!!!  I can't believe the week is done.  What a quick March Break.  I have a nice way to end this week...with some inspiration and another GIVEAWAY!!!

Let's start with the INSPIRATION.  Are you familiar with the awesome Colour Suite Challenge that Summer Fullerton hosts on with Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine blog?  That girl is a true colour lover as am I and she gathers a group of colours, posts them, makes some art and then challenges YOU to make something too!  Once you do, send your project to [email protected] and be entered to win a subscription of Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine!  Awesome!

This month (March) I am playing along.  Here is the colour challenge....

 

Isn't it DELICIOUS!!!!

Here is what I made...

 

I was inspired to just play!  These colour scream "no more snow" and I had a bunch of new product in this palette just begging to be used!  Tim Holtz Alterations Filmstrip die from Sizzix!  New Bella Blvd!  New Amy Tangerine Stickers!  Those Bo Bunny stamps AGAIN!!  And these STICKERS from Jillibean Soup (love them!) And of course, some Queen and Co Trendy Tape and pearls!!!

 

Here is a closer look.  Don't you love that filmstrip diecut!!!??

 

 

The Amy Tangerine Yes, Please stickers are vellum-ish so thaey give a totally "bokeh" (the dots you see in the background of an out of focus photo) look.  LOVE IT!!!

 

Love this palette, love this challenge, LOVE Summer for asking me to play along.  Hope you find as much inspiration as I did and I can't wait to see what you create!!!

 

Giveaway chatter...I have a few to discuss.  First...

 

A DecoArts GIVEAWAY...This one is US only friends.  They offered this little goodie pack (Gesso, Deco-Page, stencils and paint) as a giveaway today!!!  Please leave a comment if you live in the US and I will draw a name for these fabulous items on Monday March 18th.

 

My friends at Bo Bunny are giving a copy of my book away!!!  Go check it out HERE.  Might take a bit for the post so keep checking if it isn't up yet.

 

One more...a Queen and Co goodie pack so my Canucks aren't feeling left out!  Leave a comment and say "I love QUEEN & CO"!!!!

 

Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post as well...more to giveaway on that one, too!!!!

 

Have a great day!!!!

 

 

CKU Special, Some Heidi Swapp Fun and a Giveaway!!

Hey friends!  Hope you are having a fabulous week!  I know for some of you this is back to school week.  Hope you got through that unscathed.  We have a week and a bit before the kids go back.  I am looking forward to it, but a little sad too.

I have been busy working on classes.  LOTS of classes!  September is going to be a crazy month!  Here is a list...

 

First, I will be teaching at CKU in San Jose for Simple Stories.  It is a full day album class with their Year-o-logy line.  Take a look at the sneak peak...

 

 

Did you see this deal from CKU???  You and a few of your friends could come and play...

 

 

Here is some more CKU info...

 

Event dates:

San Jose, CA – September 6-8, 2012

Dallas - Fort Worth, TX – October 11-13, 2012

Stamford CT- November 1-3, 2012  

Cost is $295 (does not include hotel room or food) and includes an album track, four 90 minute classes, evening activities, goodies, prizes, and more.

Register online at www.creatingkeepsakes.com/cku

 

Hope to see you there!!!  This class is super fun!!!!!! 

 

Next, I will be off to Nevada for Inspiration Unlimited!  Can't wait for that!  Flying in to Utah to meet my friend Layle and then driving to the event.

If you are coming to IU, you can pre-order my book now!!!

 

Later in September is Crop & Create Ottawa!!!  Those are always guaranteed good times!  Can't wait to see lots of familiar faces. 

 

Can't Forget Scrapfest Oshawa in October!!!  The Portfolio album class is already sold out with a waiting list. There are spaces in my EDE class on Friday.  This will be a fun fall themed Simple Stories class FULL of product!!!  Go HERE to Register.

 

You know what I love?  Heidi Swapp's product lines!  Seriously...LOVE everything she does!  And I really like her, too.  So when they asked if I could whip something up for a guest post on Heidi's site I said ...heck, yes!!!  Here is what I made, quick like...

 

A little vacation Flip book!!!

 

You can see the whole thing over on Heidi's blog HERE!  Tell her I said "hi"!!!  Can't wait to get some of her new CHA-Summer releases, look HERE!!  What is your FAV??  One of mine is the Color Magic...oh and the chipboard Memory Files...oh and the new stickers and Color Magic notes...you get my point...LOVE her stuff!!!!

 

Now for a give away...actually 3 giveaways...of the same prize.

I love Sassafras.  They closed their doors this year.  Sad.  But Tim and Becc are still designing...I see their stuff and know it right away.  I decided I wanted to share my love and put together 3 Sassafrass Loving Prize Packs!!!  Felt, stamps, blossoms and more!!  I think these are great add ons for mini books, journals, Smash book and that kind of jazz.  Cards, too.  But heck, they will work on layouts as well!  It is a nice little goodie pack!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  I will draw 3 names on Monday, August 27th.

 

Ok!  That's it for today!  Have a great Thursday!!!  

 

 

 

Look What Kelly Made!

What a busy couple of days!  We were in a hockey tournament this past weekend and then Riley came down with the flu on Sunday and couldn't play in the semi-finals.  He is still sick today, poor guy.  That has meant limited computer time for me and more mommy time with him.  I am feeling a little off today...I hope it passes.  No time for the flu.

I can not believe Easter is this weekend!!!  How did that sneak up on me?  I swear the older I get the faster time flies by.  Do you have any big plans for the weekend?  We will decorate eggs on Good Friday.  Dinner and an egg hunt at my brothers on Saturday and then plans with Rich's family, too.  I LOVE Easter!!!  It is a sure sign that spring is right around the corner!

Speaking of Easter, I have to share a project the talented Kelly Goree made!  Kelly contributed a few projects to Creative Foundations and she can make a layout like nobodies business!!!  When I first asked her to play along and try some techniques for the book she of course said yes but I could sense a little hesitation.  After playing with the stuff and getting her hands dirty she remembered how much she LOVED this kind of creating and rediscovered her college "art" roots.  That is what it is all about my friends!  Let go of what you think you know and love and try something totally new!  YOU CAN NOT FAIL!  You can't.  It is all about playing and allowing yourself the freedom to enjoy the process without the pressure to always do it "right" the first time.  Who decides what is "right" anyway?

Look at what Kelly made...

She used a variation of the ENCASED technique from Creative Foundations.  I LOVE THESE EGGS!!!!  You can read all about how she made them on the Scrapbook & Cards, Today blog HERE.  Kelly is doing a monthly series called Old, New, Borrowed, Cool.  Make sure to check it out!  And you can follow Kelly on her blog HERE.  Thanks, sweet friend!  I can't wait to see what else inspires you from the book!!! 

After seeing this project from Kelly it made me want to see more!!!  Maybe I should start a monthly Creative Foundations challenge!  I know a lot of you have the book...what are you making?  Have you looked at it yet?  LOL!  I am telling you...get it out and play!  What have you tried?  I want to see your "stuff".  Then I can share it here!  Let me know!

Ok.  Back to the sick boy.  He needs a popsicle.  Have a GREAT Tuesday!!!

 

 

It's a Creative Foundations Blog Hop With Book Giveaways!!!! CLOSED

Happy Monday!!!  I've got a great way to start the week.  How about another blog hop!?!?  This one highlights Creative Foundations!!!

 

 

And a bunch of the wonderful and talented ladies who contributed their artwork and all around craftiness to a section in the book called "A Little Help From My Friends"

You need to go on a little cyber journey and collect the word featured at each blog.  Put the words together to make the phrase and post it here for a chance to win one of four copies of Creative Foundations!!!!  

Make sure to leave the ladies some love...they worked hard to help make this book a success and they have some special stuff to share today, too!!!

 

Here is the list...

 Rhonna Farrer

Linda Albrecht 

Kelly Goree

Bethany Kartchner

Danielle Flanders

Wendy Vecchi

Melissa Phillips

 

And then come back here and post the phrase!!

The oh so talented Greta Hammond is a not a blogger but I still needed to share her lovely work.  She made this card....

 

 

Here is a closer look....

 

Just gorgeous!!!  And here are a few words from Greta...

 

“I made a quick little card using a few of the techniques in Vicki’s book. For my cardstock flowers, I used flowers in the paper craft kit from LYB. These turned out so fun with Vicki’s technique of misting and shaping them. I also used a strip of power tape to the top of the card and then added red glitter for a very easy border. Finally, I jazzed up my little red chipboard heart with some tissue paper. Just a fun little way to give it some texture. These techniques were all so easy to do but add just a bit of “ooph” to my project!"

 

Take a peek at what I made using techniques from my book:

 

 

I used over 5 techniques from my book to alter this monogram and some of the new Dylusian Ink Sprays from Ranger (love them)!!  It is only partially finished...more to come!!

 You can get a copy of Creative Foundations by following the link on the Amazon button up in the right corner or you can follow this link....HERE.

Have fun!!! See you back here at the end of your creative journey!!!  I will be drawing 4 names on Wednesday, March 14th!!!! Giveaway is closed.  Thanks!!!!!!!

 

PS- check out these bonus pages from the book HERE...if you still needed more convincing!!!

 

 

 

New Blog and a Creative Foundations GIVEAWAY!!!!! CLOSED~~~

It is finally done!!!  This blog has needed an overhaul for such a long time and with the help of my friend Jen Walker it has finally happened!!!  (Thanks, Jen!!!!  You are the best.  Really.) What do you think??  I LOVE it!!!!  Make sure to take a look around.  Here is a verbal tour...

Look at the banner under the blog header...I will be filling these pages with lots of content.  A few free class PDF's are coming.  I am thinking of adding class downloads for a small fee for my current classes, then you play along even if you can't make it to a workshop.

Videos will be coming!!

There is a button to buy my book over there in the top right corner.

Now you can connect to my facebook, twitter, pinterest...(deep breath)...instagram and LIKE my facebook page.  I would LOVE if you LIKED me...I love friends.  Look over there on the right.  See it??  I even made the Instagram button.  yeah...I am getting all "techie".

There are lots of things to check out.  Let me know what you think.  Jen is in the process of adding something like Networked Blogs so you can follow along a little easier.  Because...are you ready for it...I will be posting on a regular basis.  Can ya dig it?  Lots of crafting stuff...photos...inspiration sources...lots of fun stuff.  Let me know what you would like to see.  Let me know if you have question...I will fill up the FAQ area with tons of tidbits.

First thing...

 I am doing this photo challenge I saw Nic Howard post....

She found it HERE.  Wanna play along??  I figure this is something I can commit to and actually do it.   I also want a reason to take photos everyday!  I need something to instagram, tweet, facebook, pinterest and post, after all.  Phew!  and ha!!  So check back later for my interpretation of "UP".  Should be fun!!!

Next...

Check back tomorrow for something I am cooking up with Courtney Walsh. (it's good...really good)  I always knew she was a talented lady...love her ART...have known her for years...been on DT's together...sweet lady...and now an author of something oh so special!!!!  I know!!!  I have lots to say about that tomorrow!!!  You have to go check out her blog today...HERE and the Brave Girls site...HERE.  Lot of GIVEAWAYS over there!!!!  Fabulous.  Truly.

Now...how about a GIVEAWAY!?!?!?  It is a good one.  And I always save the "candy" for the end of the post. To celebrate my new blog and my leap into the social media world and just the plain old good feelings that come with giving stuff away...

 

A copy of my book, CREATIVE FOUNDATIONS !!!!  One copy, signed if you want, will be going to a lucky comment leaver!!!!!!!  Like my facebook page for more chances to win!!!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!  Congrats, JILL!!!!!

So get to it...post, pin, Like, tweet, and stay connected with me.  I love the contact.  I love to interact and I have so much I want to share and would like you to share with me.

And wait 'til you see what's coming.  It will be sooooo goooood.  Can't wait!