There is nothing like the power of Instagram to share the love of art and craftiness. You can find me @kndr2tch and there are lots of other FX girls with feeds too. We post many sneaks of our upcoming projects and lots of projects – like this one – featuring ScrapFX goodies that may not get seen by you here. If you’re on Instagram please find us, we’d love to follow along with you as well!

It all started with this image I posted to Instagram.  I got a ton of feedback and our fearless DT leader, Michelle L. put out a request for me to do a tutorial.  Who am I not to answer a request, right?  Plus so many really loved the results, one IG friend even thought they were real leaves,  why not share the knowledge.

Colorful Leaves Tutorial

In this step I say to use an old brush because you don’t want to be bothered with having to wash it clean it right away. String gel is sticky, like honey, and it won’t come out of a brush readily if you leave it sit for a few minutes. The other mediums are equally as messy so sticking with a brush you don’t care about potentially tossing after or only using for this purpose is a good idea.

Step One: Grab some leaves, mixed (2008106) and coat them with string gel using an old brush.  Let these sit for a minute or two until they get a tad tacky.  Note: I realize many, if not most of you won’t have string gel in your stash of goods to use – don’t fret.  Feel free to use gel medium, school glue, or PVC glue as a replacement.  The results won’t be exactly the same but they’ll be similar – I’ve done this same technique with all three mediums – string gel is just my preferred one.

Notice how I started with different colors on each leaf? I did this to show you it doesn’t matter how you layer the colors. It is really up to you and your personal preference. Just play with it and have fun. Don’t worry about how big or small the droplets wind up being because you can’t control how they spread out but can layer additional color over to change the effect.

Step Two: Select some colors of alcohol ink.  Begin dropping droplets of ink onto the tacky leaves.  The alcohol ink will disperse itself randomly across the gel – like a tie dye effect.  Note: You want to be sure the colors you choose blend together nicely or you’ll end up with a muddy mess.

I wish this picture could truly show you the variation the leaves have in color. They seem a tad dark but the shades and hues are all very different. Lovely effects on each one.

Step Three: Continue adding droplets of various alcohol ink colors to each leaf until fully covered and blended to your liking.  Each leaf will be unique and different.  The outcome is totally unpredictable and varies every time.  Its like magic happening before your eyes!!

Its important to note that you need to wait to color the stems until the leaves are completely dry. They will have a skin on top that is dry first and can easily be pulled off and the whole effect will be ruined. This technique does require patience – heat tools aren’t really suggested.

Step Four: Color the stems with a paint marker.  Note: You can see I left one of the stems in this photo bare.  I like that look as well. It all depends on the project you’re doing and the look you like/are going for.

I added the bare chippie in here so you could see what the pieces looked like when I started and how they looked all dressed up. Pretty drastic difference with such simple steps, right?

Step Five: Sit back and marvel at the beauty of your leaves!!  Add them to your project and prepare to wow some people with them!

The leaves, mixed (2008106) are pliable once the string gel is dry so I was able to bend and shape them before adhering to the page. I love the flow and movement they create within the circle. I also added to the circle theme of the page by using the Adore Scribble Sentiment (2013041). These are perfect additions for titles, subtitles, PL, cards, and more. Love em’.

This is my full page featuring these leaves.  They truly gave this project the extra something I was looking for as I was nearing the end of pulling it all together.  I hope they can give you the same results!

Thanks so much for joining me.  Hope you were inspired, found this easy to follow along with, and give it a try.  If you do please be sure to link on back to our Facebook page and let me know.  I’d love to see your work!

Such as: (No this was NOT intended. I don’t like the charred ash look.)

The story behind the texture is simple, I didn’t pay attention to what I was using. Oil based spray gesso went on first. While it was still wet (because I can’t wait 1 hot minute) I applied acrylic spray paint and got a drippy messy effect I thought was gory but cool looking. Then this: ”What if I added clear embossing powder for extra shine?”

Oil based gesso doesn’t like heat.

It started to bubble up the second I pointed the heat gun at it.

It looked like the skyline was on fire.  ACK!

I added another layer of gesso and some black chalk ink and called it a day.

This page came together in about 35 minutes. I wondered if I should add more detail then decided I really liked it as is. The last item I added was the photo. I chose one I thought would fit the frame and when it turned out bigger I decided to make the discrepancy obvious.

I used the following designs on this page:

Hash corners model #2013079

Around The City wordlet model #2013091 (altered)

City Life frame model #2013095 (altered)

The next projects started at this size:

Several problems with this page which was intended for the blog hop.
1. Sombre color and haphazard mist placement. I love the Pebbles ledger kraft print and the Tim Holtz subway poster stamp I embossed with clear powder. My problem came when I chose my usual red layer and the black mist circles. They distract from the main composition.

2. The tags look great with the twine but they take up so much visual space they make the page unbalanced as there is no corresponding visual equivalent in a smaller quantity at the bottom right hand corner.

3.”Right Now” title is disappearing into the woodgrain backgrounds. I used a small amount of spray paint to lighten the background just a bit in order to get the title to pop more.

Final version looks a little crowded but has a more cohesive design. I found out something really cool when making the mist circles- you can get different effects by altering the spray caps. I have a cap that only sprays fine droplets and a cap that sprays wide “o”s. I wish mist product makers would sell the caps already altered- these effects were made when I either boiled the cap to clean out a clog or by clogged paint- not exactly predictable.

First up, is the first canvas I’ve ever made with out a photo on it! My family was kind of flabbergasted, in fact they kept asking if there was room for a photo somewhere.

I got the idea for this canvas while sitting in the choir loft at my church.I was sort of daydreaming, and then this idea of a tree growing from a healthy, bright red and swooping heart came to mind. I immediately got home and got to work! The base is just vintage book papers torn into pieces, and decoupaged onto the canvas. I then used the ScrapFX stencil, and created that lovely swirling background with different inks and embossing powder.

I painted the tree and leaves with different natural colors, and tried to make it look as blended into the heart as much as possible. The heart was hand drawn, and then filled in with Art Anthology paint in a firey, sparkling red. I then outline it all with a fineliner.

Finally, I painted the lovely butterfly flourish, and connected it to the heart, to create a flowing movement across the project. I was really pleased with how it came out, especially for a first try!

This ScrapFX project used the following products:

Round Tree, Large 2012016

Butterfly Flourish 2013022

Scribble Heart 2013046

Garden In Paradise Stencil 2013028

My Next project is a BIG new favorite of mine. I created a mini album, that hangs from a vintage embroidery hoop, and is backed with upcycled denim.

The wrought iron corners and circle, as well as the ruffled wing, were fun to use for the cover, which was made of corrugated cardboard.

I could seriously use these gorgeous flutterbys over and over……….they’re so elegant and dainty.

I think this little mini album features these photos of my daughter in a perfect vintage, grungy way, and will be fun to have hanging up during her 8th grade promotion ceremony!

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you were inspired to go get grungy with your gorgeous ScrapFX chipboard! For more close ups, and a look at the inside of this mini, visit my blog at www.sparklinggnome.com

I used these ScrapFX products on this project:

Flutterby with curly feelers 2013011

Flutterby I patterned

Wrought Iron Circle 2013085

Wrought Iron Corners 2013084

ruffled wing 2011070

Finally it’s my turn to be sharing with you again. This time I’ve cooked up something bright, vibrant and messy for you.

No romantic touches this time;) I love yellow..can’t get enough of it, and the whole world falls in to place when I use it on my work.

You can match it with ANY color, honestly!

Here is my layout:  

“Sweet”

The background is made with gesso on top of magic mesh, and the yellow is various paint, mist and chalk.

I like to use circles on my layout, and the chipboard piece I’ve used here was the perfect circle:

Graphic Frame

I treated the chipboard with both gesso and pan pastel..so lovely!

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My second layout is made with my second favoritecolor: turquoise!

I even threw in a gold doilie for you, to get it nice and shiny;)

I’ve treated the background again with gesso, magic mesh, paint and mists.

The title says:  “Birthday Boy.”

Again I’ve added circular elements: the doilie, the big flower and this chipboard:

Wrought iron circle

Sometimes you look for the extra-extra to put on your page, and I found me this one:

Birdhouse brooche

I hope you feel inspired, the way I am, working with these layouts and the chipboards from ScrapFX  inspires me over and over again!

Thank you so much for stopping by<3

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It has begun my friends, we are off and running with our “Get to know the Design Team”  Blog Hop!!!!!

Our fabulous Scrap FX Design Team has come together to share their many varied styles of scrapping.

On show from Friday17th May 9.00 am to Monday 20th May midnight.

Join us for an inspirational and insightful ride, I can assure you our talented DT will not disappoint!

You may even win yourself some candy or even the Scrap FX major prize full of chippie goodness!!!!

All you need to do is visit EVERY blog listed below, gain an insight into how our girls tick, then head on over to the Scrap FX Australia Facebook page, ‘like’ us or leave a comment on our blog here, and you are in the draw to win the fabulous Scrap FX goodies shown below!!!

This is open for one and all world wide, so what have you got to loose?!!!

ENJOY!!!

To view the full range of unique Scrap FX products go to:   www.scrapfx.com.au

Claire here for a few layouts…

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First layout on which I used the Chinese Dragon chipboard that I cut to use only the “Chinese” on these pictures of my girl disguised as a Chinese girl…

(I now have to find pictures of dragons to use the other half!! ^^)

I also used a word of the Cherish pack that I painted black.

Items used:

Words Cherish (2013053), 

Chinese Dragon (2013110)

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Second layout is more simple, with more white space…

I used the clouds and raindrops stencil to draw clouds next to my pictures. I love this effect.

Items used:

speech bubbles A (2012371),

clouds and raindrops stencil (2012169)

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And lastly, just 2 words of love on this layout to put some 3D on these pictures of my little one…

Item used: words of love (2013050)

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Thanks for visiting Scrap FX blog and have a nice creative day!

Be sure to get back to us later in the week to join in the fun…. we guarantee an inspirational, insightful and creative good time!!!

 First a very simple card for  Mothers Day, (for my mother in law).

 I used white cardstock and some lace to start with as a background. I then painted the Scribble Heart in turquoise and put a splash of bronze on it. The Love wordlets I painted in white and crackled it with Crackle accents. I sewed all the elements on the card and it was ready to go.

Products I used:

Scribble Heart, small (2013043)

Words of love (2013050)

This Layout was inspired by my wonderful hubby Sascha! He’s a great artist and I love the inspiration we share!

It’s my first Layout without a photo! And I love it! I amm really bad at drawing! Here I have given my best.

The background is made with Tissue paper from Tim Holtz ( I LOVE it , Gesso, some stamps, black, gold and bronze ink – and of course – stencils. After I drew the face, I altered my chipboards. I put on all chipboards ( Graphic Circles, Graphic Corner, Roman Numerals) a copper priming. Some I have brushed with patina, with shimmering watercolors H2O´s in turquoise and brown. After drying I glued all the pieces on my page.

Products I used:

Graphic Circles (2013076)

Graphic Corner (2013078)

Roman Numerals (2013087)

Thank you for looking and wish you tons of inspiration!

Maria

Hello, I am here to share a couple LO’s I did using this months new releases.

Jill you did a amazing job again I just love all the chippies!!!!!

The Scrap Fx Chipboard used on this LO:

• Wordlet, Moment in Time (2008155),
• Chicken Wire (2011186),
• Compass (2010346),
• Wings C Feathered (2011071)
•  Hash Corner (201379).
• Here is a closer look:

I used walnut stain on the chicken wire.

I cut “Moment in” from the “time” part of the wordlet.

I used walnut stain & rock candy crackle on “Moment” & when that dried I rubbed in Viva Inka Gold Metallic Rub (Old Silver) & (Copper).

On the wings, clock & compass I first applied Perfect Pearls Mists (biscotti) then inked the edges with brown. I also rubbed in some Viva onto the Wings. I glued the clock on to a piece of paper I was working with,then used rock candy crackle in the word in…..

I used walnut stain on the hash corner,then rubbed in some Viva……

On the Time part of the wordlet I used walnut stain,then rock candy crackle & when that dried I rubbed in some Viva….

“No Hard Work”

Here is another LO I did for this month “No Hard Work”. The photo is of my youngest son Tandri, hard at  work.  We tease him & tell him there is no hard work in his job………..

The Scrap Fx Chipboard used on this LO:

• Graphic Frame (2013077),
• Ruler & Compass (2013080),
• Roman Numerals (2013087),
• Graphic Circle (2013076)
• Fasten it Alpha.

Here are some close ups …..

I first applied walnut stain on all the chipboard.

On the compass & alpha I then applied rock candy crackle. While the crackle was still wet on the alpha I placed numbers & jump rings, then when that dried I applied another coat of rock candy. Once that all dried I rubbed in Old Silver & Copper Viva Inka Gold rub with my finger………..

I used Walnut Stain on the Graphic Frame, Ruler, Graphic Circles & Roman Numerals, I also rubbed Viva into these pieces.

Thank you so much for taking the time to look…..Rachelle