Scrapbooking Mixed Media Style

My creative journey (some might say "addiction") first started with scrapbooking. However, a few years ago I went digital and I can't even remember the last time I created a physical layout.  The Kraaft Shaak's latest challenge provided me with the perfect opportunity to return to my scrapbooking roots. The challenge asks participants to use mixed media techniques in a way they haven't used before.

Traditionally, my scrapbooking layouts (even the digital ones) used to be clean and simple. Perhaps even a bit boring. Having recently discovered mixed media techniques, however, I've come to enjoy getting my hands (and everything else) really messy. I've discovered ink, paint and texture paste and all kinds of creative techniques, which I haven't used in scrapbooking before . Armed with my newly acquired tools and materials I've set out to create my very first mixed media scrapbooking layout to meet the challenge!

The title of my layout is 'Fly' and it comes with a quote "If you love someone set them free". It features my soon-to-be-ten-year-old son, who's getting more and more independent. I find it scary to think that one day, sooner than I realize, he will fly the nest and make his own way in the world. I want him to know that when the time comes, he's free to go wherever his dreams may take him - I will not put him in a figurative cage! 

I started by trimming a large sheet of watercolour paper to the traditional 12" X 12" scrapbooking size. I then added texture paste over a piece of sequin waste to create a 3 dimensional surface in various places on the sheet. Actually, instead of texture paste, I used a polyfiller available from DIY stores (or in my case, my hubby's secret stash in the garage!). This is not only cheaper, but much better than what I used before. It dries real quick and doesn't dissolve when I apply water to my project (which has happened to my modelling paste!).

Texuring with polyfiller

Next, I added Dylusions inks in Vibrant Turquoise and London Blue. I also added a bit of burnt sienna watercolour paint to create a more distressed/rusted effect. I used to think of burnt sienna, as just a shade of ugly brown, until I realized what it does when mixed with other colours! I used a water mini mister to facilitate the blending of the inks. I played around with this for a while, then I set it aside to dry.

Dylusions ink background

The rusty look was achieved by adding burnt sienna watercolour and blending with the ink

Next, I heat embossed parts of the texture using copper embossing powder. I used the same powder to emboss the three wooden bird cages, which I hung from the top of the page with jute and fastened with mini clothes pegs. Jute is the same material that burlap is made from, which I used as a mat for my photo. I also added some stamping to the background. I used Kaisercraft's numbers and script backgound stamps and my home-made heart foam stamp.

I cut out the bird motif from a napkin, which I mounted on a piece of medium-weight cardstock and sprayed with Dylusions Pure Sunshine and Tangarine Dream inks. I stamped the title on a piece of scrapbooking paper which I then cut into word strips and inked the edges. I made a tag from the same paper, and tucked it behind the photo with some hidden journaling on the back and copper embossing on the front. The key charm came from eBay. That's it, really! Enjoy the pictures!

Mixed media scrapbook layout: Fly

Label maker letter stamps by Tracy Bunkers

A symbolic key charm

The tag is tucked under the photo mat with hidden journaling on the back 

Bird motif cut out of a napkin and sprayed with Dylusions inks

Wooden bird cages heat embossed

Mini clothes pegs fasten the hanging bird cages to the background

Embossing on the tag (I really like how this turned out!)

Inking and stamping added to photo background to distress it