"SnapChat" by Melissa Struhs

Hello Again Colour Blast Fans! I am very honoured to be back for a third term with the Design Team and look forward to inspiring some new ideas and uses for our favourite product.

I have only a few pieces of papers left from the 7 Dots Studio Cotton Candy Dreams collection and thought it would pair nicely with some black and white mini prints. There has recently been some discussions about seeing more double layouts as well as multiple photo's in our Creative Corner Facebook Group, so I will willing rise to the challenge.

Firstly, my idea began with colouring some metal filigree embellishments a few different ways and in various colours.

I have this need to reach for green colours frequently and Cool Mint Colour Mica Powder is just gorgeous.

Painting your metals can be a quick and simple idea for altering items, White Heavy Gesso is a great base if you would like to create a pastel shade.

I just continue to add the mica powder into the gesso and mix well with a palette knife, before adding any more.

The above photo is one layer of my custom pastel mix, you can add more until you get the coverage that you require. The photo below, is a great example of what a second layer can do, definitely more minty!

The matte finish of the metal piece can be embellished a little more by inking with a Versamark ink

and sprinkling lightly with Envy Colour Embossing Powder...a little heat and you have something unique.

Of course, all brand new products must be used immediately, and the Black Heavy Gesso has been an exciting arrival and addition to the product lines. Already our customers are asking what we think...I love that is has amazing coverage, dries quickly and dries like a matte chalkboard. I applied just one coat over the raw circular chipboard fame and set aside to dry.

With  a different metal filigree shape, I wanted something very different to the previous pieces and opted to

spray with Roadbase Colour Spray and while the liquid was pooling

then added Stormy Weather Colour Embossing Powder

and when heat set looked exactly like I had used an ink.

Next, came the title and I have to really search to find enough letters to even make a small title lately as I have very little left in my stash. I actually had to mix a couple of different colours together to piece together "SnapChat".

Using the White Heavy Gesso again, I was able create a crisp finish over the teal and black lettering and a base colour for the next product. Steel Colour Shimmer Spray was spritzed lightly

to add a pale grey look to the layouts heading.

Here are a few close up's of the Colour Blasted embellishments and you can now see how beautiful they look with the paper selection.

The metal filagrees and black chipboard frame have been layered between torn lengths of distressed patterned papers and cardstock off cuts that run across the width of the background paper.

As my embellishment clusters began to come together, I decided to add some splashes of the

Steel Colour Shimmer Spray and Roadbase Colour Spray in those three spots also.

The lettering was glued onto the chipboard frame, creating a gentle sweeping curve to the title.

That's all from me for now, enjoy a crafty weekend!

Mel.