Farewell from Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

It's Sue Plumb here today with my final blog post for Colour Blast. Yes, after 2 and a half years on the Colour Blast team the time has come for me to say goodbye. I've worked with some amazing people over the last couple of years; and had lots of fun playing with the Colour Blast products (and will still continue to do so).

To wrap up my time, I wanted to share with you ten of my favourite scrapbook layouts (in no particular order) that I created for Colour Blast over the last couple of years.

"You Are My Happy" - July 2017

"Smile" - May 2018

"Together" - December 2018

"You Are the Best" - April 2017

"Happy Days" - October 2018

"Right Here" - January 2019

"Browser Brain" - June 2018

"Shine Bright" - November 2017

"This is Awesome" - June 2017

"Limited Edition" - March 2019

Finally, I would like to say take this opportunity to thank Tenisha; Kaye; Mel; and all the designers (past and present) I have had the pleasure of working alongside.

That's all from me, over and out! X

"Be You!" by Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

It's Sue Plumb here with my latest design team project for you. Today I am sharing a mixed media scrapbook layout that I created using the 'Limited Edition' collection. The theme of this collection is all about being yourself so I thought I would document a couple of cheeky selfies (which pretty much sum me up. hehe)

Here's a look at the supplies I started with...

I began with the One of a Kind patterned paper from the 'Limited Edition' collection as my page background. The first step was to add some White Heavy Gesso to the area I decided was going to be the focal point of my page. I did this using a small brayer.

Whilst the gesso was drying, I gathered some pieces of the 'Stand Out' patterned paper and layered them together to form a mat for my photos. 

I then went back to my background sheet and added some stamping around the edge of the focal area using the Peony Dreams stamp set from the 'Spread Your Wings' collection and 'Faded Jeans' Distress Oxide.

Next, I wanted to add some subtle texture to the page. I used the 'That Way' stencil from the 'Going My Way' release with 'Apple of My Eye' Colour Paste; applying small amounts randomly around the page using a palette knife.

At this point I felt my layout needed some black to tie in with the black in my photos and also to provide a some contrast. I used 'Soot' Colour Artist Ink, and simply used the dropper from the bottle to drip some directly onto the page. I then set my page aside for a little while to dry. 

Once it was dry, I added the layered mat I had created earlier; bending up the edges of each of the pieces to give the stack more dimension, before sticking my photos on top.

I then took the floral cut files from Cut to You and tucked them in under the edges of my photos. I also created a circular frame using coloured wire, which I stapled on top of my photos.

With all of the main structure in place, it was simply a matter of adding some finishing touches. I added some messy black cotton thread, which I tucked in amongst my layers.

I fussy cut three small bees from the Glorious Tags paper and added those to the page.

I finished off my layout by adding three phrases cut from the Exception Word Sheet paper, placing two above my photos and one below.

That's all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to get messy too. Until next time, happy scrapping! 

"Brave Wings" by Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

Sue Plumb here with my latest design team project for you. Today I have a mixed media scrapbook layout to share featuring the 'Spread Your Wings' collection combined with pieces of the 'Graffiti Grunge' collection; Colour Paste; Colour Shimmer Cubes and Heavy White Gesso. I also took the opportunity to do some flower stash-busting. 

This page was created to document a cool selfie of my bestie and I as we sat on top of Mount Beerwah (after climbing it in 36 degree heat.) 

Here's a look at the supplies I pulled out to start my project with...

I began with the Fly paper from the 'Spread Your Wings' collection for my background. To give the page some extra depth, I added some stamping using the Do It Stamp Set and 'Stormy Sky' Distress Oxide.

I then added a piece of the Fearless paper from the 'Graffiti Grunge' collection across the centre of the page, distressing the edges to give texture, before stamping over the left edge to blend it in with the background sheet.

Next, I wanted to tone down some of the colour and pattern, so I used a small brayer to apply Heavy White Gesso to the centre of my page.

Whilst the gesso was drying, I gathered up some paper pieces to create a layered mat for my photo. I arranged the pieces in a small stack and secured them with staples before sticking it down.

Next, I took the Peony Dreams paper and fussy cut some of the large floral designs from it, which I then tucked in under the edges of my photo mat. 

Once the floral pieces were stuck in place, I rubbed a small amount of white gesso over each of them to help blend them into the background.

Then it was time for some texture! I wanted it to be subtle, so I used a small floral design stencil with 'Snow White' Colour Paste and applied it in a few areas on the page and left it to dry.

To embellish my layout, I dug through my (extensive) flower stash and pulled out an assortment of paper and fabric blooms (most of these were from D-lish Scraps). I created a circle using a pip berry stem, which I layered behind and over my photo before sticking my photo down. I then adhered the flowers on my page using hot glue; starting with the largest flowers first and working my way down in size until I was happy with the arrangement.

With the flowers all stuck in place, I then dry-brushed a small amount of gesso over them. This helped tone down some of the brighter colours to make them more subtle.

To finish my page off, I fussy cut the with brave wings she flies quote from the Earth Angels paper and stuck it down using a strip of cardboard behind it to pop it up a bit.

I then took 'Apple of My Eye' and 'Singin' the Blues' Colour Shimmer Cubes (these are now discontinued, so simply substitute another product if you don't have them in your stash); and used a small brush to apply pools of colour to the page. This added subtle, shimmery detail to the layout once it had dried. 

You can see how brushing the gesso over the flowers not only toned down the colours, but also provided cohesion to bring the mix all together.

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. Perhaps you might be inspired to pull out some old flowers from your stash and create something too? It's fun mixing old supplies with new!
Until next time, happy scrapping!

"Limited Edition" by Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

Sue Plumb here today to share my latest design team project with you. Today I am sharing a mixed media layout that I created with the April release "Limited Edition" collection; as well as Colour Paste; Colour Shimmer Dust; and a Colour Shimmer Brush Marker. I even used some Colour Embossing Powder, AND dragged out my Big Shot to use the 'Going My Way' die. 

Here is my layout featuring a photo of my daughter and one of her best friends, which is aptly titled "Limited Edition" (just like the collection)...

I've got a really detailed step by step process for you today, so you can follow along at home and create your own version of this page. Here's a look at what I stated with (if you don't have everything the same, just substitute in something similar).

I began with the Individual paper as my page base; then took the Stand Out cut apart paper, and cut it into all the individual pieces. I followed the design on the background paper which featured distressed / torn edges printed at the top and bottom, and created actual tears in both places, securing the edges with small staples. I took one of the cut apart pieces and used it to back both of the tears to add some pops of blue.

Next, I added some stamping to my background using the 'Peony Dreams' stamp set from the January "Spread Your Wings" collection and 'Faded Jeans' Distress Oxide. (You will note I stamped randomly with sections of the stamp - I did not use the entire stamp image as whole.)

After the stamping, it was time to create some texture. I started with 'Bling' Colour Paste and a stencil from Flutterby Designs that featured a circular style design, so I could continue the circular theme from the background paper. After I added a few circles, I then wiped off the excess paste from my palette knife randomly around the page before drying it off with a heat gun.

I then went in with another stencil, this time a scripted design from The Crafters Workshop, and 'Singin' the Blues' Colour Paste. I chose this design so I could add more blue colour, as well as texture to the page, without any real structure. (And yes, you can totally layer one Colour Paste over another, as long as the first one is dry!)

At this point my background looked like this (you can see how I was working with the "rule of threes" which helps bring balance to your page)...

After the paste had dried, it was time to turn to paper again. I used pieces of the Stand Out cut apart paper I had cut earlier, as well as a larger piece of the Uniqueness paper to create a layered mat for my photo to sit on. I also fussy cut the quote from the Stand Out paper and adhered it along the bottom edge of the page.

I then took the 'Going My Way' die (from the 'Going My Way' collection) and another piece of the Uniqueness paper and cut it using my Big Shot. I then added some extra colour to it using 'Duke' Colour Shimmer Dust that I mixed with water and applied with a small brush.

Whilst that was drying, I turned my attention to the chipboard pieces I had chosen for my page, which were a mixture of circular style designs such as cogs and clocks; and a few stars as well. I stamped the pieces with embossing ink; then applied 'Steel' Colour Embossing Powder over the top; before tapping off the excess and using a heat gun to set it. (This is my favourite colour of embossing powder, as it makes the chipboard pieces look like chrome!)

With chipboard pieces ready, it was then time to start embellishing the page. I cut my die cut piece in half and added the two pieces on either side of my photo mat, as well as some frayed gauze on top of the paper layers. I then adhered my chipboard pieces, tucking some in under the edges of my photo mat, and following along the diagonal design of the page. 
With the embellishments in place, I then added my photo, using some scrap cardboard underneath to pop it up a bit.

For my page title, I fussy cut the limited edition plaque from the Exception Word Sheet and added a little extra colour using the 'Duke' Colour Shimmer Dust I had mixed earlier. I also used the brush to add small amounts of blue around the focal area of my page.

I then adhered my title piece onto the chipboard frame I had embossed earlier and tucked it into the layers above my photo.

With my page nearing completion, I took a Silver Colour Shimmer Brush Marker, and added a little extra definition and shimmer to some of the cogs and clocks printed on the page.

To finish off my page I added a scattering of pale blue Cocoa Vanilla Studio sequins.

The circular shape of the sequins helps bring the repeating circular theme of the whole page together and adds an extra layer of texture and interest. 

I hope this detailed insight into my process will help you create your own version of this layout. I love being able to inspire others to create, so make sure you share with me if you do! You can post your creations in the Colour Blast Creative Corner group on Facebook, or tag me @sue.plumb on Instagram.

Until next time, happy scrapping!