Saturday 6 September 2014

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


11 comments:

  1. This is so amazing. It comes together and tells a beautiful story.

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    1. Thank you Cathy! It always makes me happy to find lovely comments on my blog!

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  2. Oh Zsuzsa, Where do I start!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS! I have two boys the youngest (Daniel) is 14 and the oldest is soon to be 24 (in Nov). They are 9.5 years apart and the best of friends. However, I had my oldest (Jacob) for 10 years all to myself and when it came his time to FLY, I was devastated, to say the least. This page touches my heart in sooooooooo many ways I can't even being to tell you (even though I am trying my best without getting too too mushy).
    Thank you as well for all the really useful and great information you gave with each step. I had no idea that jute was what burlap was made from. Actually I didn't know what jute was until I heard Sylvia mention it in one of her videos. I really enjoy the detail you give with each step it's very helpful to me as I'm a "like to know why & how" kinda person.
    Ok I have to stop now or I could go on and on about this piece. Please show more of this "scrap booking" you have so much knowledge & I would love to do more of this sort of stuff. I have tons and tons of family pics, mostly digital, that I would love to put into family albums in this manner.
    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Did I mention that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this post ?????
    HUGE HUGS to you and your son!!
    Reeah.

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    1. And the longest comment award goes to...LOL! I'm so happy that my blog entry has touched you on a personal level, Maria! It makes it all worthwhile!
      It's funny you should mention Sylvia's video! Although I used jute in my project, I didn't know what it was called, until I heard her mention it in her video. Then I googled it - that's how I found out that burlap is made from jute. It's all fresh information for me too!
      Thank you so much for your heart-felt comments! Really made my day!

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    2. I'm so glad. This group has just inspired me in so many ways. I love all of you and it warms my heart to be a part of this Kommunity.
      Big Hugs!
      Reeah.

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  3. Wow! This is gorgeous! I am loving all the textures and layers the most, but the colors are running a close second! Simply beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Eunice! It means a lot to me to know that people enjoy looking at my projects.

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  4. Wonderful layout!! The backround with the texture and the inks and stamping is beautiful

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    1. Thank you for your visit, Susan! Glad you like it!

      (by the way, did you notice the similarities in our names? My first name is the Hungarian equivalent of Susan and my maiden surname is Karoly, which sounds a lot like Carol! How weird is that?)

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