Vicki Boutin

Creating a Soft and Delicate layout with Color Study | Nathalie D.

Hi there!

Nathalie with you today to share a new layout created using Color Study and the new Gel crayons.   I have played with gel crayons before -as a bible journaling medium-, but toady, I want to show you how they can help you create a soft and delicate background for your page.

 

Though the new collection is bright, bold and beautiful, it is also very versatile.   And what better way to showcase the papers than with a bit of mixed media.

 

The key to working with gel crayons is to have a well gessoed  paper.  Gel crayons are like butter on gesso, and due to their formulation, they produce a soft watercolor look  on the page.

 

To continue bringing that soft look to the page.  I chose a soft flower impression -new Fresh stencil set- made with art crayon and  stencil brush.   The delicate floral impression shows as a shadow on the background.

 

Now that the background is ready, it is all about assembling the page.   I fussy cut florals and butterflies from the Journal and Pretty Things papers to bring the soft side of Color Study to the page.   The puffy word stickers are just the easiest way to add a title to your project.

 

 

I am using the  b side of the Pencil Drawings paper to bring the colors of the picture together in the page.  I am also repeating the same paper in the frame of the layout.  However all the flowers and butterflies just soften the vibrant color of the paper.     I created a process video, so you can see how the page comes together>

VIDEO

 

I hope this inspires you to check the new gel crayons and Color Study collection.  There is so much you can create with it!!

 

XO

 

 

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Color Study Crush - Nathalie

Hello everyone!

Nathalie with you today to share a new layout with Color Study.  If you have received the new collection, then you will understand why we all are crushing on every single piece.  It is amazing!!!

I had to right away break into it and create a new page - the first with this collection-.

 

 

The inspiration for the page were the colors of the balloon and the clothes my niece are wearing.   Of course, I had to add a splash of mixed media to the page

 

 

A bit of diluted (gray and black) art crayon create the first layer of mixed media on the page. Once it dried, I used one of the new stencils to add a bit of texture to the page with Iridescent glaze.

 

 

To bring a pop of color, I chose to add a bit of fuchsia art crayon with my stencil brush to the stenciled application, ending with a few splashes of the same diluted color.

 

A celebration of becoming a teenager needs a explosion of color... and COLOR STUDY delivers it beatutifully.   I mixed some of the papers with ( all from the paper pad) with ephemera and stickers.   The small slit on the side of the layout creates a peek-a-boo style detail that helps to anchor the small banners to the page.

 

I will never get tired of seeing Vicki's handwriting!  and  the chipboard piece that forms part of the title is amazing, plus gold foiled.   I added the number 13 as part of the title, then used the stamp set to help add more movement to the page.    The finishing touch all the small gold foiled dots scattered around like confetti!

I have created a video so you can see how the page came together:

VIDEO

 

The new Color Study collection is just all sorts of amazing!  I cannot wait to see what you create with it!!

XO

 

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iNSD 2021 Stencil Challenge with Nathalie

Hi there, and Happy NSD!

Today we are celebrating, what Vicki calls Christmas for Scrapbookers, interNATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY.   While Vicki is busy sharing a new Color Study class with a large group of attendees.  Mari, Nicole, and I want to share a bit of inspiration, fun, and a chance to win prizes.

 

 

My challenge today is all about using a stencil on your project.   I just love the new stencil designs from Color Study, and wanted to use them to add a bit of texture to my page.

 

I used one of the new premade mixed media backgrounds as the starting point for my page, then added pops of color with art crayons.  To add texture on my page,  I chose to mix gesso and gold glaze and use the pie chart stencil to create the impression on the page.

 

 

I have created a fun cut file for my page, and you can download a free copy of  in the Vicki Boutin community page.

 

I have created a process video to show you how this page came together. 

 

VIDEO

 

Remember to join in the challenge.   All you have to do is create a project using stencils, post it in the Vicki Boutin Community page ( under the comment section for this image).  One winner will be chosen from all the entries to the challenge.  The winner will be awarded a $25 Gift Certificate to Vicki's shop.  The deadline for the challenge is Friday, May 7th ( 10 am EDT).  All winners will be announced in Vicki's Friday Night live

Cannot wait to see what you create!!

XO

 

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Foiling Mixed Media with Storyteller | Nathalie

Hi there!

We are anxiously waiting for Color Study to arrive at our doorsteps ( any day now!!!). Meanwhile, we are using and making the best out of Storyteller.  There are so much to love in each of Vicki's collections,  so I thought about elevating a simple background with foil.   Wait til you see how easy it is!

love the shine of the gold/pink ombre foil.   The background is just the ideal canvas for all sorts of memories and celebrations, and it is actually fairly simple to put together.

 

 

First, I added a bit of diluted art crayon ( warm and neutral sets) and added it to a foundation paper. I set the page to dry completely.

 

Next, I used a stencil and diluted art crayon to create a faint impression of the design on the background.  This time, I added extra crayon in order to deepen the color of the stencil.

 

 

All of Vicki's glazes can be used to add foil to a project.  This time, I am using Matter Acrylic Gel, a stencil brush to create the design on the page.  Once the gel dries, then I am able to add the foil using a laminator system.

 

 

I used an ombre foil (gold to fuchsia) to add the shine of the page. I had to keep the picture and embellishments small and monochromatic, so that the shiny stars will pop off the page

 

 

SInce, I am documenting my daughter's "graduation", I pulled embellishments that reminded me of school and such.   The book was just the perfect piece for the page, and a great title placement, too.  I have created a video that will show you how the page came together, enjoy!

VIDEO

 

 

I hope this inspires you to pull your foiling machine and get adding shine to your pages!

 

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

 

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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

 

 

 

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

 

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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!

 

 

 

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

 

 

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VALENTINES/HEART week | Nathalie

Hi there!

Valentine's Day is fastly approaching, and this week we are working projects that are all about love/hearts with a twist.  Well, nothing could be more true about my project this week. Let's just say this was a rescue mission from the original idea.  I still love the final result even after a major transformation because it reflects dents and knicks just like the love my grandparents had for over 50 years.  So, I tried at best to rescue the page...

 

I love lots of white and mixed media, and that was my intended purpose, but accidentally, I spilled paint on the original layout as I was about to photograph it.  So I had to do some paper surgery to create this.  Let me  show you how it all started:

 

1.  I used a rubber stamp from SSS that features an old love letter in the background.  I used Watering Can Archival ink  - the ink does not run with water-  to stamp the image onto white foundation paper just along the right edge of the page.

2.  Using gray, light blue and teal art crayons, water and a brayer, I added color to the page.  I wanted to just have color on the right of the page, and faded as it moved to the bottom and left of the page.  I added drops of diluted teal and black art crayon to make the color pop, and add to the distress of the background.

 

3.  The sentiments in the Storyteller stamp set are beautiful.  I used one of them to add sentiments around the background.  I used Watering Can archival ink , as it is waterproof.

 

 

4.  I used an older stencil from VIcki's collections and a bit of Matte Acrylic Gel to create a soft impression on the background.  I chose to use a stencil brush as I wanted a soft not so crisp impression with no texture.  

 

5.  Once the gel dried, I used Champagne gold foil and my MInc to add shine to my page.   I love the shimmer of the page when it catches the light.   As you can see, my background was done at this point, but as prepared to take the final pictures of my completed page, the water with paint that I was working with spilled on my page, and over half this background.   So, I quickly went to the rescue.

 

 

 

First I cut about 7 inches from the left of the background ( it was destroyed) which left me with most of the mixed media, but lost the trail of the splatters and some foiling.   I glued this strip onto two strips (on each side) of the Daisies paper, and glued this to the right of the center of the page.

 

Unfortunately I had to change the picture and layers of the layout, but thankfully I own the digital version of this picture of my grandparents (I miss them everyday more and more).  To bring the hearts, I drew two interlaced hearts and then handstitched them.   I opted for a large cluster of daisies to the right of the picture, and tried to add most of the embellishments to the right of the layout.

 

I used the edge of the stitched heart to add my title by combining alphas and stickers from the tablet.  I used butterflies to tie all the clusters together.  The large one, I created a few weeks ago for another project (using Vicki's Storyteller stamp, Metallic ink pads, clear embossing powder, and vellum), and worked great with the size of the flowers. 

 

This layout  is totally different from the original version of it, but I love it.  Not just because of the subject, but the soft colors and how I work to rescue it.  I hope this inspires you to use VIcki and a bit of color (not red or pink) to document your Love stories.

 

XO