Vicki Boutin

Fall Documenting Fun with Color Study | Nathalie

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are celebrating Thanksgiving here in Canada.  We are so thankful to have all of you as our followers, and all the support you offer all the time.   What better way to celebrate the holiday than with color; and color study is ideal to bring Fall memories and traditions to life in a short amount of time.

 

 

I started with the New Ideas paper for my background.  The dark color is perfect to bring out the details of the embellishments, and make everything more vivid!

 

A bit of simple mixed media is all you need.  I added a bit of gold glaze through one of the stencils to the page.  I soften the edges of the application with my stencil brush, then diluted the left over glaze with water.  I used the diluted glaze to add splatters to the page.

 

 

I used a few papers (even a piece of premade mixed media paper) to create layers behind the photos.  My kids and sisters are wearing a lot of color, so I am bringing the large rainbow tag from the ephemera pack as a layer behind the photo.  I glued this towards the left of the page.

 

 

I pulled a few of the flower pieces from the ephemera pack, and also fussy cut a few more, and tucked them under the photo and to the right of the photo.  This large cluster of flowers balances the page.  

 

 

I brought the large "LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS LIFE" ephemera piece to  be the title of my page.  There was no need to add more embellishments to this side of the page as it is filled with color and large elements.  Instead I added  gold foiled vellum butterfly and a few pieces of ephemera to the top corner of the photo.  

 

 

I love how this turned out. Fall is filled with color, and Color Study is a perfect way to document it!

 

XO

 

Documenting Gratitude with Mixed Media | Nathalie DeSousa

HI there!

Nathalie back with you to share a new layout all about combining a few of Vicki's Artful Technique Prompts and Gratitude.   We are working all our projects this month using some of VIcki's Artful Techniques.   For my page, i decided to use the KRAFT, BOOK PAGE, TEXTURE and GOLD.  Just in case you missed Vicki's challenge announcement, then the following list will give you a better idea of what is included in the challenge:

 

 

There are 50 prompts to get you started into practicing mixed media, or in this case  mix a few of them to create a project:

 

 

To create the background of this page, i opted for a Kraft cardstock and a combination of the new VB Texture past with a an Iridiscent glaze to create the impression of the beehive on the page.

 

 

 

 

Once this first layer of mixed media had dried, i starting adding color to the page. For this i mixed a bit of the Powdered Pigments with Iridiscent Glaze, then diluted the mixture with a bit of water, and splattered the mixture around the stencil impression.  Then repeated the process using Gold Glaze, and adding it to the small cluster at the bottom of the page.

 

 

 

In addition, i chose to work with the Book Page prompt; this time i used the Powdered Pigments and some water to add color to a page of an old book.  I simply splatter some of the diluted  watercolor to the corners of the page, and set it aside to dry.

 

Once all the mixed media had completely dried, then i started to assemble the page.  First i backed the pictures with papers from the Wildflower and Honey paper pad, and also fussy cut a few of the flowers from the Full Bloom paper.   These were all glued to the Book page and then a few extra embellishments (stickers and ephemera pieces from the collection) were added around the page.

 

 

 

I made sure to add a bit of distress to the page by folding some of the edges of the book paper, this ensures that the background and fussy cut flowers show

 

 

To finish the page, i used a stamps set from the Woodland Grove kit from Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine and Altenew black ink.  A small chipboard sticker completes the title.   All was left to do was add my journal and added those cute fussy cut bees.   The following video will show you how it all came together:

 

VIDEO  

 

 

My hopes are that the project has inspired you or given you some ideas on how to use Vicki's products and Artful Techniques to document your gratitude in your next project.  Remember we are always around if you have questions on how this came together.

 

 

Remember to check Vicki's Wildflower and Honey collection and the Artful Techniques challenge, you will love both!

Til next time!

 

 

 

Materials Used:

 

 

 

Mixed Media Cards with Leigh

Hello friends! I have a few Christmas cards to share this week! You can use the Vicki Boutin circle stamps and dies to create holiday ornaments, and this versatile shape works for any season with different colors. I used the Vicki Boutin pigment inks in the Color Wheels for all the ink-blending on these cards. The pigment ink blends like a dream!

 

 

 

Each card uses the circle stamp and dies from Vicki Boutin and ink-blending. The bottom card and the card on the right feature the circle as an ornament simply by stamping a little hanger from the circles in the Escape Stamp and Die Set. All the cards feature the Vicki Boutin White Foundations Mixed Media Art Paper and it is a great paper to ink-blend on!

 

 

 

This card shows how easy it is to create a winter theme, with the circle stamps. I heat embossed white embossing powder first, then used the VB pigment inks to blend on one color at a time. Keep blending while the ink is still wet and you can get a smooth transition from one color to the next.  I started with pink then aqua, blue, cobalt, and magenta from top to bottom. Give it a while to dry, then rub over the embossed areas with a dry paper towel to reveal the white embossed areas. 

 

 

 

This card was heat embossed in the same way as the first card, and then ink-blended. I then cut out the circle with the coordinating die from the set. I placed the ornaments on the card without adhesive to get the placement right so I could stamp the little hanger in black ink. Look at your stamps to see how you can use them in new ways. Then I backed the Art Paper with the All The Good Things patterned paper. The Field Notes Journaling Die Cuts are perfect for a fast sentiment on cards. 

 

 

 

The last card has the same circular ornament,  but I chose to make it monochromatic pink. I again stamped the little circle cluster stamp as the hanger, and then tied a crochet thread bow. I splatted on some watered down VB White Gesso, to add a snow effect. A Journaling Die Cut makes the sentiment quick and easy. The background patterned paper is from the All The Good Things line. The white banner is made from the VB Art paper, and I love that it is so sturdy.  Thanks for visiting today, and be sure to come back this week for more card inspiration!

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLIES:

White Foundations Mixed Media Art Paper 

White Gesso

Color Wheel Pigments Inks: Cool and Warm

Escape Stamp and Die Set

Circles Stamp and Die Set

All The Good Things Patterned Paper 

Field Notes Journaling Die Cuts

Simon Says Stamp Merry Christmas Sentiment

 

It's Tag Tuesday for Scrapbook & Cards Today!!!

Hey Friends!

Today is the last Tuesday of the month so that means....Tag Tuesday on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog!!!

I pulled out some of my Queen and Co Stylish Stix and made this....

 

 

These are the butterfly stamps I used from Hero Arts (Three Artistic Butterflies...one of my fav sets!!!) and I used elements from Little Yellow Bicycles Vintage Summer line.

 

It was super quick to make and I LOVE how it turned out!!

 

Make sure to take a look at the newest issue of SCT magazine!!!  The 30th issue!!!  Pretty darn cool!  Go take a look at the latest issue on line.

 

 

Join me for a little Hero Arts video (hopefully tomorrow) and the third installment of my SN@P! and Simple Stories i {Heart} Summer video series on Friday.

Speaking of Simple Stories...check out this post from Layle...she is one clever girl!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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!!!!

 

 

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!!!

 

 

Stamp Winners and a few Crop & Create Winnipeg Photos!!

Wow, my friends!!!  Thanks for all of the posts and kind words regarding my new stamps with Stamping Bella!  It was wonderful to first have Emily's support when I approached her about making the stamps and then to get such an awesome response here when I posted them...it was good.  Thanks!

If you are interested in buying any of my Creative Foundations stamps you can order them through Stamping Bella HERE.  They have tons of great stamps and stamping accessories.  Check it out!

What else do I want to talk about?  The spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards, Today...

 

is now available and it will knock your socks off!!!  Look at that cover and the inside is good too!  Great ideas to get you in the mood for spring.  I had a chance to flip through it in Winnipeg and I kept telling Catherine and Becky what a great job they did!  Check it out online HERE.

Then Catherine handed me the new CardMaps 2 and I fell in LOVE!!!  I knew the sketches would be great, Becky is just cool like that but then the cards everyone created blew me away!!!  This is a must have card book.  Sketches, techniques, tons of great projects.  Just.  Plain.  Good.

 

If you need info on where to find it go HERE.

So I mentioned I was in Winnipeg for the latest Crop & Create.  It was a blast!!!  I met so many GREAT ladies and saw a few old friends.  The Delta was a suberb hotel with the most courteous and helpful staff!  The food was yummy and the classes went smoothly.  I also have to say that the stores that attended really brought their A game and it was a bustling marketplace!  Thanks Winnipeg for another great event!!!  And thanks to Nicole for helping to TA my classes.  You were such a help!!!

Here are a few photos.  I didn't get as many as usual this time around...

Kimber and Catherine

 

Leica

 

Catherine

 

Beth and Leica

 

Vicki and Beth

 

and just Beth.

 

It was such FUN and now on to Moncton!!!!  Get ready ladies, 'cause here we come!!!!!

 

Now...last but not least!!!!  The stamp winners!!!!

 

I LOVE your stamps!!! The banner one reminds me of your style so much! obviously right??...you designed it, so it reminds me of your classes!! I love everything about stamping, especially adding to my hoarding-like amount of stamps!!

Posted by: Tanya W | March 24, 2012 at 12:28 AM

 

 

Congrats Vicki Love all of your stamp designs. Another accomplishment under your belt. I like the versatility of stamping. THousands of choices of images, different stamping medias,and the fun of seeing your finished project never loses it's appeal.
Thanks a million for this opportunity and your website URL that I now have bookmarked.
Have a great day.

Posted by: Heather Getson | March 22, 2012 at 10:26 AM

 

 

congrats Vicki!!! I LOVE stamping cos it's FUN, creative, and offers so many possibilities!!!! Btw, I LOVE your twirly bird set.... sooo ADORABLE!!!

Posted by: Linda Mok | March 22, 2012 at 09:51 PM

 

 

Holy-O girl.....you are on a roll!!! Congrats to this new endeavour (sp?) Ilove stamping....especially on cards. So many different things to do with stamps....it's never ending!!! ;)

Posted by: Vern | March 22, 2012 at 07:24 PM

 

 

CONGRATS Vicki!

LOVELY stamps indeed!!!

Posted by: Dale Anne Potter | March 22, 2012 at 10:45 AM

 

 

Congrats, ladies!!!!  I will email you for your mailing adresses and Emily the queen Bella will be sending these out!  I will let her decide who gets what!!!  :)

Thanks for all the "love".  Have a good night!!!!!

 

 

Lots Happening Over at SCT!! And a Little BG Love!!

Well I am finally feeling better!  Happy to say the cold has cleared up and now I need to say hello to the world again!  We have celebrated a few birthday here since I last saw you.  My SIL Shelley's birthday was on the 19th, my FIL Claude's birthday was on the 21st and my mommy's birthday was yesterday!!!  Happy Birthday to 3 wonderful people in my life!!!  Thanks Mom for everything you do to make my life better.  I love you more than you will EVER know!!!!

I have so much to talk about...I have been absent from this blog for too many days!  Where to start?  My classes are sold out at Scrapfest in Kitchener...hope to see a lot of familiar faces in April.  Love Scrapfest!  Crop & Create is doing well in Winnipeg and Moncton.  Can't wait for that.  My blog redesign is coming along and should be appearing soon.  I am working on a few videos to go along with this...

So much I want to share and expand upon in this book.  If you haven't got your copy of Creative Foundations yet head over to HERE and get one!  You will want something to reference once the tutorials start.  I have to say THANKS the D. Denton for posting the first book review!!!  Made me a little misty...so much work went in to this book and it was scary to put it all out there...all of your kind words mean a lot.  A lot.  I love to hear about which techniques you are using and I want to see the projects, too!  Maybe we can start a Flickr group or something!  That would be fun!

Can't wait to get it all done.  I have lots to catch up on after being sick.  I hate when life gets in the way of making stuff!  :)  

Lots of exciting stuff happening at Scrapbook & Cards, Today magazine that I want to talk about.  First, 

 

Cardmaps, Today Volume 2 will be hitting the stores soon!!!  Very exciting!!  You can order it HERE.  it is packed full of card sketches and awesome samples!!!

Want a little more good news...now you can find great videos, tutorials and more on the new SCT You Tube Channel!!!!  And the first video is part of a new series by the oh so fabulous Lynn Ghahary called "Create Today"!!   Go HERE to read all about it!!!!  It's a great video!  Congrats, Lynn and SCT!!!  

Be sure to head over to the SCT Fan page on Facebook right HERE and "like" the page.  Lots of exciting stuff going on and you can help them hit the 10,000 "likes" mark!  Wow!  That is a huge number!!!

Now for a little Basic Grey goodness.  I made a number of cards with their new releases for CHA Winter.  Here are a few images I found on their blog...

 

What's Up...it is sooooo pretty!!

New line...What's Up

These are made from the Konnichiwa line.  Delish!

 

This is Plumeria.  Love the grey and purple.  Beautiful stuff.

PB & J...my Fav!!!!  I LOVE this line!!!!

If you haven't done it yet...go check out all of the new releases HERE.  Kelly Goree has created some FABULOUS samples for the CHAW 2012 releases.  I am inspired, how about you??

Crop & Create Markham was a Blast!!!!

I am finally somewhat recovered from another wonderful Crop & Create event!!!  What a fun weekend!   The attendees were wonderful!  The workshops went so well!  The food was so yummy!  The hotel and staff were great!  In all, a superb weekend!

I took a few photos...

Waiting for the doors to open.

Badges waiting to be claimed.

Chairs waiting to be filled.

Let the good times roll!!!

And they did...

 

 

 

 

What a great time, I tell ya!

My classes both went well.  We had a ton of fun and the ladies were happy to get there hands dirty!!  Thanks to my sponsors... Little Yellow Bicycle, American Crafts, Core'dinations, Hero Arts, DecoArt, Harmonie, Maya Road, Authentique and Queen and Co.  If you get a chance plese visit their fan pages on Facebook or their blogs and let them know how you enjoyed the classes and the event!!!

Ok Winnipeg!!!  Get ready!!!  You're the next stop on this craft and fun filled journey!!!!!

Fall Issue of Scrapbook & Cards, Today...Have You Seen It??

Happy Friday!  Tried to get here sooner but I got lost!  But I'm here now to share this...

 
 
The new issue of Scrapbook & Cards, Today magazine!! Isn't it pretty?!?!  Love Kelly Goree's cover.  She is just that good.  Go take a look HERE and there is a blog giveaway HERE.

Fall is my favorite time of the year and that makes this issue a special one for me.  I love the color palette that is prevelant in this issue.  Lots of eye candy!  This month's Designer Notebook features spray inks.  I love those little bottles of magic!  Here is the layout I created.  I actually really like this page!

 

 

I used some of the Pink Paislee Mistable papers and the Mistables mask for the background pattern.

One more thing!!!  Did you get a copy of the 2011 SCT Sketch Calendar last year?!?!?!  Did you love it???  Well, guess what???!!!  The 2012 SCT Sketch Calendar is back!!  It will be available for pre-order on October 14th!!!  Take a peek...

This is going to be a great calendar with a few added bonuses!!!  Keep a look out!  I am sure I will talk Catherine into letting me give one away so check back in October!

Have a great weekend!!!!