Sunday 29 March 2015

End of an Era

As stated in my previous post my 12 month term with Imagine if .  . has now come to an end, so after thinking long and hard just how best to show off some of my years work.  While looking through all I've created I just couldn't leave out too many things so  I've put together a few photo collages with some of what I've been up to. 

 
The range of chipboard, MDF & felt products that Imagine if has produced over the last 12 months simply incredible.  Every month Jo had yet another package of 'new releases' for us girls to 'play with' for her. 

 
 Some of these products i.e the hollow book & fairies (both picture 2) I REALLY hit the wall with and had to put them aside in the 'too hard basket' until Jo asked for them, then surprisingly they came together effortlessly and infact have ended up 2 of my most favourites.

 
I've had a real blast being on this team, the other girls have all been fantastic and SOOOO talented, I think we've 'fed' off each other (talentwise of course).
 
Now with the Design Team term at an end, Imagine if will be running challenges for everyone to show off their talents, with the chance of winning a 'Guest Designer' spot.  Good luck to you all.
 
So a big thank you to Jo Johnson and her family for all their hard work.  I hope the business goes from strength to strength for you.  They can be visited at the shop at 25a Canada St, Morrinsville or of course mail order direct from the site here.  

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Farewell Imagine If

It is bittersweet writing this post as it is the last project I'll be sharing in my capacity as Design Team member for Imagine if . .  .  These last 12 months have gone sooooo fast, its really unbelievable its over already.  It's been a fantastic ride as I've been amongst some awesome talent, Jo really picked herself a great bunch of crafters, and I think . . . no, I know we have all really grown from this experience.  Who would have thought 12 months ago the type of creations we have all come up with . . . . wow.  And it's a bit sad too now its all over, but I'm going to try to carry on pushing myself - after I catch my breath of course. 

So here's my farewell layout, using all the new chipboard Jo has produced for us this month.  She sent us dolls, keys & locks & wings to play with.

 
I've used Kaisercraft paper from the 'Precious Moments' and 'Just Believe' collections, and have finally used my Martha Stewart 'Round the Page' punch - LOVE IT.  I've used a DSD stamp under the paper doily, then had lots of fun creating this gorgeous doll.  Sadly I can't take all the credit for her as I have used the idea I saw on Gabrielle Pollacco's awesome blog (and used her dolls head also - thanks Gabbi). 


 
Its such a fun idea and so easy to do.  I then added the sparkling wings, which were painted then finished with a layer of stickles.  The padlocks and keys were heat embossed silver then touched up with TH Vintage Photo ink.  The heart was painted then clear heat embossed.


 
I've used lots of I am Roses blooms, so will be entering this into their monthly challenge also.  Blooms used are Daisy, S10 blooms, small daisies & leaves.
 
I'll also be entering this in the Artfull Crafts colour challenge for this month.
 
Imagine if . .  products used are Angel wings
                                                    hearts
                                                    keys
                                                    locks
                                                    doll


Saturday 21 March 2015

Kaisercraft Design Team 2015 Entry

I am excited to have the opportunity to put together this collection of my creations to showcase my talents, and to be considered for inclusion in this prestigious Design Team.

Firstly I'd like to share this layout created in October 2014, using a 'Honey Chai' paper, with lots of Imagine if chipboard labelled We are Family




Also please visit my 2nd selection here to see a later layout using 'Sandy Toes' paper.

Secondly, my Off the Page project was created in May 2014, is a Memory Box using a 'Timeless Moments' paper, here showing off my flowermaking skills.  A detailed tutorial is linked to this post.

 
Again my 2nd selection is a more recent creation using only Kaisercraft flowers on a decoupaged gift box, please look here
 
Thirdly I have included here my mixed media Journal cover created in January 2014, using lots of 'bits and pieces' including Kaisercraft chipboard
 

 
An extra for this section is a real favourite of mine, but sadly because of present design team restrictions no Kaisercraft products have been used.   I loved constructing this hollow book and adore how the cover ended up.

I am please to be able to put together this wee collection and hope it shows off a bit of my style and capabilities.

 




Thursday 12 March 2015

Playtime

Gee how time has flown.  Here I am back again with my 1st layout since rejoining the Southern Girls Challenge DT.  Lou has selected a 'Boys Theme' for this latest challenge, so I was excited to do something with this awesome photo of my son Troy playing with his xmas present (oh dear, poor neighbours).

 
Such a fun page, which I tried very hard to keep simple . . . . this is real hard for me, and to do a page without flowers is such a rarity.  This is the back side of a Kaisercraft 'Now Boarding' paper, with lots of random bits of paper, stencils & splotches.  Several Imagine if . .  cogs just add a little more of a 'male' feel to the page.
 
When creating this I had in mind to enter a challenge at Artfull Crafts where this month one of their challenges is to add 'splatters & splotches', so now I've ticked both boxes.
 
I would love to see you all support both these challenges, as they are both NZ based, and we've got to support the locals now don't we??

Monday 9 March 2015

Shabby Chic Box

I've had a lot of fun creating this latest box, which was to be a gift for a friend, but as you would have it I've fallen in love with it myself so . . . .  I'll probably have to keep it for myself.




Here I'm showcasing lots of new pieces from Imagine if . . , and as usual this has finished up TOTALLY different to what I had in my mind at the beginning.

Kaisercraft 'Precious Moments' paper was perfect for the shabby look I wanted, this was inked with TH 'Walnut Stain', before it was attached, then I added a bit of texture with a bit of modelling paste thru stencils.  Here is all the 'bits' before assembly.



 
The gorgeous arched window frame received a coat of "Grape" paint, then was dry brushed with gesso.  The wings were embossed, then along with the remaining chipboard received various coats of brown & pink paints, then I applied the solution to 'weather' the paint before painting white.  This all then was inked again with TH Walnut stain. 
I've used a mix of handmade and I am Roses flowers along with muslim, leaves & cones to decorate the corner.  An old brooch was touched up with gesso before being added to the top of the arch.
 
Enjoy these close ups

 
 
I am entering this in the I am Roses monthly challenge, with I am Roses products used  lillies, buds & sweet little S10 blooms.
 
Imagine if . .  products used are  Arched window frame
                                                     keys & locks
                                                     wings
                                                     Quote sheet - Dreams
                                                     open flower
 

Thursday 5 March 2015

Another summer 'Tail'

OMG the beginning of another new month, and luckily we are still very much in the grips of summer.  So why not show off some more awesome summer photos with the fun new chipboard pieces Imagine if . .  have for us. 

Recently I was lucky enough to spend the day fishing at the Hen & Chicks, islands outside the Whangarei harbour, and we had such a fantastic day.  The sea was crazy calm, the weather was awesome, the company was great and the fish were biting - need I say more.

 
Again I've used paper from the Kaisercraft 'Sandy Toes' collection, its just so right for these summer photos.  The brown checkered paper is from my stash.   
 
First step after I distressed the paper was to apply 'bubbles' on the page.  Sadly not easy to see on the big photo, but they can be seen clearer on these closeups.  I applied some gel medium thru the bubble stencil.

 
 
Don't you just LOVE these chipboard tails.  Here I've coated them with modelling paste then when nearly dry I've pressed on the scales and ribbed the tail.  When dry I painted them with silver paint, then when that was dry I used several different Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays in blues & greens.  Did I say how much I LOVE these??



 
Lots of other little 'bits and pieces' finish my summery page.
 
Imagine if products used  -  Tails
                                              'Sun Sea & Sand'
                                              Anchor
                                              Sea horses
                                              Quote Sheet - 'Seasons in Time'
                                              Bubble stencil