EVERYTHING HAS BEAUTY By Krisy Podolak

Hi Colour Blast Lovelies.

This is my last share as a part of the Colour Blast team. It has been an awesome 2 years however, real life is happening and I have decided to return to study to start a new career path.

This project is a little close to my heart.  As you probably know, I had adult braces that were removed last November.  The orthodontist offered to sterilise them so I could take them home.  Why not I thought.  Then I could show my kids but on the way home I had a better idea....

Here it is here:

 This project started off as a Rat trap that I altered just a little. Here are a few of the things I used.

 I have a process video so I won't go into too much detail here but here's a quick breakdown of what I did.  I pulled apart the trap.  My plan was to replace the "trap" part with my braces.  Once the trap was ready, I prepared it with a base that would provide good tooth for the colours and layers to stick too.  Using a large brush I added a layer of Colour Blast White Gesso.

Then I added some crackle paste and mulberry paper for texture.  Once the paste had dried and crackled I added some paint for a vibrant pink.  Then I knocked back the colour with some Acrylic Paint and then at the end I added some Colour Spray in Roadbase.

Once I was happy with all my layers and colour, I added some stamping and ink splatters. Then I added my final "embellishments" gluing everything into place with hot glue.

I really love how this project turned out and that I have a momento of my braces experience I can hang on the wall.

Here are a few close ups:

I hope that I have inspired you not only today but in my whole time as a Design Team Member with Colour Blast Australia. Thank you for seeing something in me and taking me on as part of the team Tenisha.

Here is the link to the process video if you are interested. Click Here.

Krisy xx

Altered Ballet Shoe by Krisy Podolak

Hi Colour Blast Lovelies,

Today I am sharing a little off the page project with you an Altered Pointe Ballet Shoe.  I am not a dancer but I love ballet.  A few years ago I had an idea to alter a ballet shoe.  I got a bit excited and bought four or five pairs.  So, I am slowly making my way through altering them.

Here is my Shoe....

And this is my process:

I started with a blank shoe and covered it in a layer of Apple of My Eye Colour Paste. I applied it using a paint brush.  Colour Paste is really sticky and you don't need to prepare your surface in anyway before adding the colour.  It just sticks beautifully.

I left it to dry naturally so that it wouldn't bubble or blister like Colour Paste tends to do when you hit it with a heat gun. This is what it looked like when it dried.

When it was completely dry, I added some stamping using a permanent ink.  This is important as I am adding more wet mediums and I don't want the ink to react.

Once I was happy with my stamping, I coloured the flower using some Colour Paste in Sunshine and Bling.  I applied the colour roughly using a thin paint brush.  I left it rough for a bit of texture and visual interest.

This is what the flowers looked like when they were dry.

To the inside of the shoe I added layers of tissue paper applied using Decoupage glue.  Once the base (inside and out) was dry, I went to town gluing on flowers.

I added a photo and some stamping on the inside and my shoe is finished.  I will be gifting this to the ballerina in the photo.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed this project.

Krisy xx

Air Con Selfies by Krisy Podolak

Hi Colour Blast Lovelies,

Krisy back again today to share with you a layout I created inspired by a pattern from within my photo.  This layout features a series of photos of my daughters taking "selfies" of themselves using a toy mobile photo and the HOT air from the Air Conditioning unit.  It was a really hot day and the air blasting from the unit was HOT but they thought it made them beautiful.

My daughter Poppy, is wearing a playsuit with a paisley type pattern on it so I decided I would try and mimic this in my layout.

This is my layout.

I used a Damask stencil and some Impasto paste to create a base pattern.  The Impasto paste drys almost like plastic and is shiny.  I knew that this would resist Colour Shimmer Dust.  The colour would take around it and probably a little bit on the Impasto paste but not enough to hide the pattern.  I used a palette of Midnight and Lollipop Colour Shimmer Dusts to create a wash over the Impasto pattern.  I used a lot or water and worked quite quickly to allow the colours to mix and blend.

Once I was happy with the blending, I dried it with a heat gun before stamping over the top with some permanent ink and a range of stamps.

Here are a few close ups:

You can really see the shimmer in this photo.

In the image below you can see how the colour has bled a little under the Impasto paste but it has mainly resisted it.

There is a process video to go with this layout so head over to POPLEOPOD on YouTube to check it out.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Krisy xx

You Are the Best by Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! Sue Plumb here today to share my latest design team project with you. Today I have a 12x12" mixed media layout that I created using a kit by Krisy Podolak. The kit was from Krisy's Colour Blast class that she taught at last years Brisbane Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo (minus the mediums of course, as I already had plenty of Colour Blast products in my stash). ;)

Here is what I started with...

I decided not to use the black cardstock from the kit as my background, and used white instead.

Here is what I came up with...

I started this page by stamping onto my cardstock, then I mixed up some Peacock Colour Shimmer Dust with water and used a water brush to apply the colour to selected areas of my page. (I seriously love this colour!)

Next, I added some Dusty Charcoal Colour Paste to random areas using a palette knife and then set it aside to dry. (Don't smear it gently if you want the texture to show.)

Whilst the background was drying, I took the opportunity to alter the chipboard pieces I was going to use. I decide to emboss them using Dusty Charcoal Colour Embossing Powder so it would match the paste I had already added to my page. (You will note in the close up photo, the rough, textured look of the embossed chipboard - this is exactly the effect that I like. If you prefer a thicker, smoother result then I would recommend a second coat.)

After the chipboard was done, it was time to construct my layout. The first thing I added was the Flutterby Designs kit exclusives. I used the two frames to add some layers under my photo and then took the cheesecloth from the kit and cut some pieces which I frayed and placed under my photo. I also added the Flutterby remember tab to draw attention to my photo.

I used the cord from the kit to make a rough frame on top of my photo, which I attached using staples. Then I took the beads and added them around my page to add some extra colour and texture.

Next, it was time to add my embossed chipboard pieces, which I adhered right over the top of some of the beads. (Make sure your beads are stuck down with a strong glue or you might find the chipboard pieces will lift the beads from the page.)

I also added a few extra Flutterby Designs Sticky Quotes from my stash.

And last but not least, don't forget some splatters of Road Base Colour Spray! (Because every good grungy page needs black splatters, right?) I just take the nozzle out of the bottle and flick it right on. (Remember to cover up your photo if you don't want it splattered too!)

That's all from me today. I really enjoyed creating using this kit (thanks Krisy!) Krisy will be teaching for Colour Blast again at this year's Brisbane Scrapbook and Papercraft Expo in June, so if you are visiting make sure you check out the Colour Blast classes on offer and visit the stand.

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Steampunk Bunny by Krisy Podolak

Hi Colour Blast Lovelies.

Krisy back again today to share with you a project that I started back in November but then I put it aside and finally found time to finish it.  This project is a KMart hack.  It started as a $5 cheap looking money box and I think it ended up pretty awesome.

Here's what it looked like in the beginning:

And this is what it looks like now:

 So how did I go about altering this little bunny? 

First, I applied a base layer of colour.  I used Colour Paste in Leather and a paint brush.  I applied quite thick layer and then over the top I applied a rough layer of Bling.  Then I set it aside to dry.

Once it was dry, mark out some armour lines with a white marker and glued on some modelling clay in long "snake" rolls.  This was to become the welding of the armour.  I didn't wait for it to air dry I just glued it on and carried on with the next step which was gluing on bits and bobs. Steampunk is a style that incorporates all things mechanical.  The definition as defined by Wikipedia "Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery."  

So, I set about gluing on cogs, metal pieces, wings, clocks, letters, a bottle cap.  At this point I am not concerned at all by colour.  I will be applying more layers over the top.  At this stage this is what it looked like from all sides.  I am not concerned by the hot glue showing either.  This will add to the "welded" look.

Then I started adding more layers of colour.  

I started with Dusty Charcoal Colour Paste and began focusing mainly along the welds.  Then I applied a layer of Leather focusing mainly on highlighting and covering any raw chipboard/wood veneer pieces.  Over the top of that I added some Deep Water Colour Paste.  The idea of the Deep Water is to create an oxidised effect. The same process as when copper is exposed to air over time.  It is only light and rough.  All these layers are applied with a really stiff old brush.  I am looking for texture also and the stiff brush helps achieve this.

I should note I applied colour where it was required without any concern for what I was covering. Colour Paste sticks to everything.  So I didn't need to prep anything so that it would "stick".  I just painted it on.

Next I added more layers.  I added some Steel Colour Paste because frankly Steel is a metal so the colour would be required and it is a nice contrast to all the dark colours.  Finally, I added some Bling Colour Paste.  I didn't dry between any of these colours.  It was a hot day and plus I wanted the colours to mix a little bit and blend.  As a final colour step, I added some Colour Mica Powder in Espresso randomly over the whole piece to give it a little shine and a tiny bit of Polar.  I added it with a dry brush and loosely brushed it on the tacky Colour Paste. I mainly focused on areas that needed a highlight like inside the ears and under the arms.

As a final touch, I added some more embellishments keeping them raw so they are a nice contrast to the ones covered in Colour Paste.  I added some old copper eyelets, a clock, some old watch cogs and a chain for his monocle.  And that is it.  Once it's fully dry in a few days I am going to apply a layer of Matte Spray varnish to seal it. Here is what the finished piece looks like from all angles.  The shine of the Colour Paste and the Mica Powder make it hard to photography properly but it is pretty awesome.

Thanks for looking today.  I hope I have inspired you to look at cheap finds a little differently.

Krisy xx

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' by Krisy Podolak

Hi Colour Blast Lovelies,

Today I am sharing a layout that is a series of photos that I just love and of course they had to be set on a mixed media background.

I went back to my favourite technique of Colour Shimmer Dusts and Stamping.  A tried and tested (my favourite) technique.

For this layout I used Peacock, Lollipop and Passion Colour Shimmer Dusts to create a rough water colour background.  The trick is to use a fair it of water and a large loose bristle brush.  My favourite is a large round brush.

I then Stamped over the top with Permanent Ink.

I tried to take a photo of the shimmer here to show you how awesome it is but it is very hard to photograph because it is so fine.

Finally I added embellishments and a title.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope I have showed you how to create an awesome mixed media background without too much effort.  Get out your Colour Shimmer Dusts and have a play.

Krisy xx