Vicki Boutin

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:

 

Be my valentine | Nicole Nowosad

Hey there everyone!

 

Valentine's Day is just around the corner - SO, why not use some of your Storyteller collection to create some fun and easy valentines for those you love.

 

I used Vicki's Art Crayons in red and black, a stencil brush and 1 stencil to create all three of these fun cards, in just a few simple steps. It is not hard to use some basic suppllies and really make a heart warming gift for someone that means so much to you.

I cut down some basic white cardstock into some heart designs and used those on my cards here:

I love how each card is unique, but all using the same supplies! You can easily pull together a few cards like this in a pinch and give to someone you love!

SIt back and create a few with me now:

Thanks for joining me today! If you make a few valentines with Storyteller, woudld love it if you would share with us in Vicki's Facebook Group!

 

 

Quick Holiday Cards | Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to show you how easy you can transform Storyteller into Christmas cards.   I know most of us are rather busy (even at home) during the holiday season.  Well, let me show you two ideas to create cards in a flash, all you are going to need is patterned paper, a cutting template (cut file, dies or a good print and cut pattern), embossing ink and a few embellishments.

I kept my cards plain and simple, and easy to build, too!

For my JOYFUL card, I started with a piece of ripped tissue paper ( I happened to have a bit of gold from a present we had just opened).  This was attached to a Foundation paper panel (4.5"x5.5") with a bit of Matte Acrylic Gel.

 

While the gel dried, I used a die from Altenew (Poinsettia Builder) to cut the Poinsettia from the Wild Child paper, and also fussy cut two of the Medley leaves.  I simply glued them to the panel to form my focal point.

 

To finish the card, I mixed a bit of glitter with Matte acrylic gel to make my snow on the paper ( lots of glitter, little gel), then used it around the card. The sentiment comes from the 6x12 sticker sheet.  Simple, easy and took no time to build it up.

 

For this card/tag,  I am using one of the tags from the mini tag album.  Here, I used Vicki's exclusive Christmas stamp to create the wreath in the middle of the tag.  I simple heat embossed the image with gold powder.

 

I used FOundations paper to cut the J and Y, twice, using an Altenew Die.  I glued them together so that they look like chipboard, and then attached them to the tag, so that they read JOY in a vertical way, with the wreath as the "O".

 

 

This time, I used a sentiment from the Sticker tablet, and a few of the puffy stars to embellish the tag!  Simple and, once again, easy to put together!

 

I hope this inspires you to use Storyteller to create your Holiday crafts!

XO,

Holiday cards with Storyteller

Hey there Vicki Boutin fans! Nicole here to share a collection of cards I made for the holidays using Vicki's Storyteller collection.

 

I created my first card with some Foundations paper and watered down gold glaze. I diecut a holly design from JustNick and backed it with patterned papers from the Storyteller collection.

 

I love the vellum circle paper and punched out a large circle to layer behind the holly design. Here is a little close up of some stitching over the gold glazed background.

 

I created two cards using a gold glaze splattered background made from Foundations paper. I simply watered down some gold and iridescent glaze and splattered it all over the paper and let dry. Once it was good and dry, I ran it through my digital cutter and cut several snowflakes for my next 2 cards.

I created the next card using one of Vicki's pre-made mixed media backgrounds! I was drawn to the colorful circles with the gold foiling already done for me!

I added a gold glaze splattered snowflake that I dicecut from JustNick as well, and used chipboard letters for the sentiment on my card front.

I used another pre-made mixed media background for the last card too. I just love the watercolor effect it has and added another gold glaze splattered snowflake as the star of the card, adding in another sentiment with the Storyteller chipboard letters.

 

I love how striking the snowflake looks on this one, with all that pretty splatter from the glaze on it.

 

 

I hope you are inspired to break out the Storyteller collection and pre-made mixed media backgrounds to create some cards for the holidays!

 

Using cut files with mixed media | Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a new layout using the beautiful Let's Wander collection and one of Vicki's new free cut files.   I love combining cut files with simple mixed media on the background; this combination brings all the details of the cut out  and also adds a subtle touch of color on the page.   Plus who can resist those fun cut files VIcki just released on her shop.   I just needed to use one... 

Did i mention my niece is the star of this page!!!  The new cut files are simply amazing, so i used just a bit of mixed media to make them come to live in my page:

 

I used a bit of light blue and teal art crayon to add the color on a foundation paper, then followed the application by stamping a few floral images using diluted prism glaze.  To finish, i added a few splatters of fuchsia and violet  art crayon and iridiscent glaze.

 

 

I kept the rest of the layout simple, first i cut the cut file from Foundation paper (Silhouette cameo 2: coverstock settimg, 2 passes) and used foam adhesive to attach it to the background on a slant.

 

 

The pictures were backed and layered with papers from the Let's Wander collection.   However the soft butterflies from the WIlflower and Honey specialty paper are just soft and perfect for the page.

 

The last touch was coloring the title for the page,  I used the cut file to cut the word wonderful two time from Foundation paper. These were stacked and glued together, followed by a bit of coloring using the Prism glaze.  To continue the colors in the background, i combined art crayon with iridiscent  and created a soft ombre effect on the chipboard alphas.  You can see the layout come together in the following video:

 

VIDEO

 

I hope this has inspire you to check out Vicki's new shop and her cut files, and then create a project mixing them with color and texture.  I cannot wait to see what you create.

 

Keep Safe, friends!

 

VICKI BOUTIN Materials Used:

 

One stencil three ways - Cards with Nicole

Hi there! Nicole here today on the blog to provide some inspiration on how to use one stencil in three different ways! 

I am sharing three fun and pretty cards, all using the same stencil and a few different techniques. I used one of the new Let's Wander stencils on each of these cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first card I created using the stencil and some Molding Paste. I used a palette knife and transferred the molding paste through portions of the stencil, leaving some areas open.  Make sure not to use too much molding paste, but add a nice thin layer through the stencil - the palette knife is a great tool for this! You can get a lot of great control with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will take some time to dry - but one the molding paste is dry you can color it with Watercolor Markers, Art Crayons, Texture Pastes or one of the Glazes - or a mix of both!

I chose to use some art crayons to create a watercolor like paint and used the kissing technique to add some pink to the card front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I used the Pigment Powders to add some color to the same molding paste and applied that to a card front made from Foundations Paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started by adding a touch of the coral color to the molding paste and then spread a thin layer to the top of the card front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I added more Pigment Powder to the same molding paste to make a darker color and added another row of pink beneath the first row.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One more addition of Pigment Powder to make another darker variation of the pink and one last row of color to the card front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once all three colors of pink were through the stencil, I pulled the stencil off and set the design to dry. You will note that by adding in the pigment powder in three stages, you have a nice ombre pink textured card!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last card was the quickest to make - using the same stencil, Art Crayons and a stencil brush. For this card, I created a square with some purple tape - this both holds the card in place and gives you a place to do your stenciling. I added in some white art crayon, along with some pink to soften the pink color a little.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This creates a nice soft feel to a card front. I love the little window of pattern it creates on the card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each of the cards were embellished with some fussy cut flowers from Let's Wander and some stamps from WIldflower & Honey. I love the simple stamped sentiments on a label with little clusters of embellishments to keep the cards simple but each unique too!

I hope you are inspired to break out your stencils and create some pretty cards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recreating Backgrounds with Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a new project with you all.   I hope you all are staying safe in this unprecedented time.  Having an artistic outlet is the perfect way to bring some silver linings to your day.   Today, i am channeling my inner dark side to recreate a card background into a scrapbook layout.   Here is where practicing and creating small  catalogue of your ideas comes in handy.  I simply recreated the card background and updated it to this page:

The background for the page was inspired by this card (created in last week's post):

 

This background is so easy and quick to put together; the key here is to have all the materials ready beforehand, and some quick actions.

 

I started by adding  a bit of Metallic Gunmetal Acrylic paint to a foundation paper.   Right after the application, i used a stencil and stencil brush to lift and redeposit some of the paint on the page.  For this, i slightly wet the tip of my brush, and used a circular motion on top of the stencil to lift the color; then redeposit the leftover paint in the brush, but repeating the motion to the left of the paint application.

 

The last step in this background is to apply some stamping ( you can replace it with a stencil impression or textural impression).  I used the script stamp from Vicki's second collection to add the impression to the right of the paint application.

 

I used two pictures on this page, and backed them with papers from the Let's Wander collection, then added foam adhesive between the next layers of paper.   All the florals in the clusters were fussy cut from the Sunshine and Smiles paper.  A few stickers and embellishments from the sticker tablet, chipboard and cardstock sticker were also added to the clusters.

 

All that was left to do was add a title  using a large piece of ephemera and chipboard stickers, then added my lines of journal to the left of the title.  The following video will show you how it all came together:

VIDEO

 

 

I hope this has inspired you!  Keeping a small reference library of techniques makes it so easy to recreate them on a larger format in no time.   Remember you can always contact me with any questions.

 

Until next time, keep safe!

 

Materials used (images contain affiliate links)

 

Mixed Media Cards with Nathalie

 hi there!

Nathalie with you today with a few ideas on how to  use mixed media to create cards.   With the state of the world at this moment, most of us are enjoying the  comforts of our home.   I hope you are using a bit of your time to get creative and adding color to your corner of the world.  This week, i took a couple hours to create cards using Vicki's Mixed media products.  

 

 

i kept my cards very CAS, and decided to  work with almost all the things,  and just had fun building all of these:

I started with a 6x8 foundation paper, and created a card with it.  I masked the front of the card to frame the panel, and then added a bit of diluted art crayon to the page.   Once it dried, i used a bit of the metallic ink, a stencil and brush to add a bit of shimmering shadow to the watercolor.

 

All that was left to do was stamped the flower and leaf images then added a simple phrase sentiment and a few gems to complete the card.

 

Now let's look at a a watercolor card:

 

I chose to play with the floral embossing folder and powder pigments for the front card panel.

 

 

 

For my next card  I chose to work with the embossing folder and Prism Glaze.

 

I diluted a bit of the glaze and painted the circles with it before running it through the die cutting machine.  This was a perfect solution to bring color, dimension and texture to the card.

A large ephemera piece and a sticker sentiment complete this card.     The next card  is a great solution and idea for those who don't have embossing folders.

 

I used one of the new stencils and a piece of fun foam to emboss the cardstock with it.  Then added a bit of Rose Gold acrylic paint with a stencil brush to to the raised impression.

 

I trimmed the  embossed cardstock to fit a square card and used the extra piece to create the faux sleeve on the  card panel.  A few pieces of ephemera from the two latest collections complete the card.

 

I love the look of Texture paste on Kraft paper! so, i created the front to the card using one of the new stencils and texture paste on the front of the card.   The simple sentiment and embellishments keep the background as the focus of the card.

 

For my last card, i chose a simple but impactful idea for the focal point of the card.  I added a few brushstrokes of Gunmetal acrylic paint  to the front of the card.   Once the paint dried, i used the metallic inks to stamp the Script stamp on top of the paintstrokes.

 

I heat embossed the sentiment, and then added the large butterfly ephemera followed by a few sequins.  Totally love how this turned out.

Want to see a more in depth look on how i created these cards, the following video will show you how easily they came together:

VIDEO

 

 

I hope these inspire you to pull your VIcki goodies and use them to add some fun to your card making.  As always do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

 

Keep Safe!

 

Materials used:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stamping and Watercolor with Nathalie

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a few ideas on how to combine Stamping and the new Watercolor Markers in cardmaking.  I am not an avid card maker, but i think this simple ideas will help you use your watercolors and stamps when personalizing cards, and trust me you are going to love how Vicki's products make this cards come together easily.

 

 

For  my first card, i chose to create a background using watercolor markers, only.   For this ( and all the cards here), i cut a mixed media paper insert for the junque journal in half,thus creating 4x6in card pannels.

 

A bit of painter's tape was used to secure the card and create a frame on the pannel.   Then small amounts of water was added to the pannel followed by some watercolor pigment.  A brush helped to move the pigment around.  These steps were repeated for all the colors and then the pannel was set aside to dry completely.

 

To assemble the card, first two butterfly images were stamped on vellum using pigment ink.   These were layered together with a glue dots, this creates the dimension on the wings, and then glued to the card.   The Sentiment was then embossed to the card base.   The pannel was backed with papers from the Color Kaleidoscope collection and then glued to a card base.  Simple and clean card with lots of color and dimension.  

 

 

For the second card, the flowers and leaf from the Color Kaleidoscope collection was used to gold embossed a few images on mixed media paper.   These were detailed using a bit of water and pigment from the watercolor markers.    

 

Once the images dried, they were fussy cut and then layered in a large cluster at the bottom of the card.   A sentiment made up of Chipboard from the Color Kaleidoscope collection complete this colorful and bold card.

 

 

For the last card, i combined a bit of both the previous cards into one.  It all started with having the small dashes embossed onto the card pannel using white powder.   Then the watercolor markers were used to create an ombre background on the entire pannel, and set aside to dry completely.

 

 

 

Once the background dried, a series of banners -created with the Color Kaleidoscope stamp and die set from white cardstock and Color Kaieidoscope papers- were attached to the top part of the pannel.  A simple sentiment from the Field Notes chipboard set completes this card.  I have created a video that shows how these came together:

 

VIDEO

 

I love the clean and simple look of the cards, and how easy it was to mix a bit of stamping with the Watercolor markers to create them.  Remember to check VIcki's stuff, you will love it!  

 

As always if you have questions on how this all came together, please do not hesitate to contact me!

 

 

Materials Used:

Mixed Media Paper INsert - Junque Journal

watercolor Markers - 

Color Kaleidoscope stamps and die set

Watercolor Brushes

Color wheel - warm and cool sets-

Color Kaleidoscope collection:  Chipboard stickers, 12x12 paper pad, 6x8 paper pad

Field Notes collection: Chipboard stickers

 

Christmas Mixed Media Cards with Nathalie

Hi there!

It is starting to feel a lot like Christmas, and we have started working on Christmas project using Vicki's Mixed media line and paper collections to give you some ideas on how to add a mixed media flair to your crafts.  This week we are all about mixed media Christmas cards!  Jana and Leigh Ann have created some beautiful cards, and now it is my turn to show you a few ideas.

 

 

For my cards i decided to combine some simple mixed media, texture, dimension and cut files.  So please feel free to download a copy of the cut file by clicking on the image below:

 

For the first card, I was inspired by gingerbread cookies!  So,I pulled a kraft junque journal insert, and used washi tape to mask area for the card, and then soften the edge of the card by adding some white art crayon using the stencil brush.  Then the mandala stencil from the All The Good Things collection was used to create the impression and set aside to dry.

 

 

To add shine to the card, first a glitter glaze was created my mixing Matte Acrylic Gel and Gold glaze (about 4 to 1 ratio) and then added a bit of fine gold glitter, this glaze will be used in some of the next cards, too.  The watercolor stickers were covered with this glaze followed by a coat of glitter.  Once dried, they were added - with foam adhesive-  to the center of the card.   Love how easily this was put together!

 

 

The glitter glaze was then to an clear acrylic/acetate sheet through a stencil (Mandala and Ink Spill ) and set aside to dry.  While the paste dried, i cut the cut file from a foundation paper and used one of the acetate impressions to back the "O", then backed the cut out with a paper from the Field Notes collection.   Another paper -from the ALl the Good Things collection was added to the card- was glued to the card, so that it frames the card plate. Super simple to build once the glitter glazed acrylic sheet dried.

 

 

This next card was created similarly to the previous one,but this time, i used a foundation paper and art crayons to create the background paper.  I decided to create a messy background that faded along the card.  This time, I moved the star to sit a bit higher on the "o" .  Once again, a simple and colorful card that combines both mixed media and pretty papers.  But, what to do with the negative pieces from the cut out, well...

 

 

The mandala impression created with the glitter glaze on the acrylic sheet was backed with a piece of paper (Field Notes collection). The negative parts of the card plate were then glued straight to the acrylic sheet, and this was glued to a white card.   Super simple and probably my favorite card of the bunch.   I have create a process video so that you can see how easy all of these came together:

VIDEO

 

I hope this week has inspired you to add a bit of mixed media flair and Vicki's paper collections to your Christmas Cards.  Remember to share what you are creating with her products with all of us.  If you have questions on how any of these came together, please do not hesitate to contact me!  

See you all in Decemeber, and be ready to be inspired!!!

 

XO

 

 

Materials used:

Foundations paper

Gesso

Matte Acrylic Gel

Gold Glaze

Gold Fine Glitter

Art Crayon - Neutral and Warm sets-

Stencil Brush

Waterbrush set

Stencils - Mandala, Ink Spill

Acrylic Sheet

All The Good Things collection - 7x10 paper pad, 12x12 paper pad

Field Notes collection - 12x12 Paper pad, watercolor stickers