"Remember This" by Sue Plumb

Hi everyone! 

Sue Plumb here with my latest design team project with you. Today I have a mixed media scrapbook layout to share that features a combination of Colour Spray, Colour Shimmer Spray, and Colour Paste. It also features a photo of my kids that I took at Easter time at school last year.

For this layout I decided to pull out some products that I hadn't used in a while - my sprays. (Since the Colour Artist Inks were released I have tended to use those more often as I like the brighter, more vibrant colours and they also tend to fit better with the techniques I use.) However, I didn't want my older supplies being totally neglected so I decided to re-visit them for this page. 

I began by sticking a stencil over the top third of my page, masking off the areas that I din't want sprayed with the Colour Spray using scrap paper. (I always stick my stencils down with old washi tape, as it makes removal so much easier afterwards.) I started with a light spray of Lagoon, then added a little Saffron over the top. 

Once I had applied a light covering, I carefully removed the stencil and allowed it to dry. You can see how I chose a stencil with a very "organic" pattern, and how when I masked off the top edge I did it with paper torn unevenly to avoid a straight edge along the top.

Next, I want to go for a completely different look in the bottom portion of the page. I selected some complimentary Colour Shimmer Sprays (Deep Water, Sunshine and Apple of My Eye) and applied the spray directly from the bottles using a brush. I added small amounts of colour along the bottom edge of the stencilled section of the page, holding the cardstock vertically and allowing the colour to run down the page. 

I started with the Deep Water spray, then followed with Sunshine and Apple of My Eye. I allowed a short time for each colour to dry a little before moving onto the next one. I also tried to place the colours to limit the amount of blending that would occur, as I wanted each one to be visible. (You can see how they look once dry in the bottom photo below.)

With all my "runs" in place, it was time to work on the line where they met the stencilled pattern above on the page. I wanted to add a little texture, and also define the focal point for my layout, so I chose a stencil so I could apply a single floral line. Just like the sprays I had used, I also wanted a combination of colours so I chose Sunshine, Singin' the Blues and Apple of My Eye Colour Pastes. 

I used a narrow palette knife and started with the Sunshine paste, applying it to the stencil without covering it completely. I then added the Apple of My Eye and Singin' the Blues pastes, filling in the gaps I had left and overlapping the colours. 

The result was a gorgeous mix that showcased all three colours within the stencilled design, and blended perfectly with the sprays I had already applied to the page. I then left the paste to dry.

Once dry, I was happy with my background and set about creating the structure of my page. Again I did some stash-busting and used some older supplies (this time some scraps of a Jillibean Soup collection from long ago) that matched perfectly with my colour palette.

I added a torn strip of paper along the focal line of my page, as well as a couple of strips along the top edge of my page. I then used various pieces of paper, along with coordinating die cuts and stickers to create layers under and around my photo. 

Next, I fussy cut a number of butterflies from one of the patterned papers, which I adhered along the paint runs in the bottom section of the page. I stuck each butterfly by the middle section only, allowing me to bend up the wings away from the page to give it dimension.

To help balance out all the butterflies in the bottom section of my page, I also added a small embellishment cluster near the top edge of my layout. 

To finish off my layout I used a roller stamp and some grey ink to stamp out the word smile repeatedly near the butterflies. 

That's all from me today, thanks for stopping by. I will be back in a couple of weeks with another project to share. 
Until then, happy scrapping! 

Stay Fierce by Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

Happy hump day! It's Sue Plumb here to share my latest Colour Blast design team project with you. Today I am sharing a mixed media piece I created using Colour Artist Inks and Colour Paste. For this post I decided to re-visit a project style I have created previously, but this time I mixed it up a bit by changing some of my materials and altering my process steps. 

First, here's a look at my completed piece...

And now to my process...

I started this project with a page torn from a large, glossy wedding magazine that I picked up at an op shop. I have never created one of these girls on gloss paper before, so thought I would give it a go. I deliberately didn't use any gesso on the paper as I wanted to as I wanted to see how the Colour Artist Inks behaved on a different substrate. 

I stuck with a range of warm colours - Citrus, Sunburnt,Cranberry, Slipper and Cider. To apply, I simply dropped the ink randomly onto the page from the dropper, then spread using a brush. I then set it aside to dry. When I returned I noticed that the inks had dried a bit lighter than they would usually, obviously from reacting with the gloss paper - and I loved the effect!

Once the background colour was in place, it was time to add my focal image. I used a fabulous face stencil from StencilGirl that was designed by Andrea Matus deMeng, and I simply used Staz On ink and a sponge to apply it. I then used a Sharpie to fill in the small gaps left from the stencil in the hair and along the edges of the face.

Next, I added a few torn pieces of paper. This paper was from Flutterby Designs and featured a mixed media design. I wanted to use the paper over the top of parts of the stencilled design to push the face back into my design by building over the top of it. (This is different from my usual process, when I usually have the face more in the foreground; but as this face was larger and quite bold I wanted to soften it a bit.)

The next step was to add some stamping using rubber stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. The purpose of the stamping was to add depth and interest to my layers.

I followed this with some contrasting colour detail using Oasis Colour Artist Ink applied with a small brush directly from the bottle. (When doing this, you need to remember that the colour will blend a bit with the colour underneath, so make sure you use colours that will work together.)

Then it was time to add some texture. I used a stencil from Flutterby Designs, along with Lovely Lilac Colour Paste. Using lilac gave me a good bridge between the warm and cool colours, and also helped to blend the lilac colour that was on the paper pieces I had used.

After the Colour Paste, I went in with a white Posca pen and added white highlights to the eyes, lips and bridge of the nose; as well as some other defining detail around the face.

With all the structure in place, it was time to add my focal words. These were fussy cut from a Flutterby Designs card; attached with a liquid adhesive, then stapled to add extra detail. I also used some Flutterby phrase stickers.

For the final details on my piece, I used a Stabilo All pencil to add some scribbles to help highlight the words and add a bit of a border; then used Slipper Colour Artist Ink and a small brush to add some splatters over the top.

When you look closely you can see all the layers at play, and despite its simplicity at first glance, it demonstrates how much depth this piece really has. I will be popping this one into a frame for sure!

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to try something similar using your Colour Blast supplies. (If you don't have a face stencil, make sure you check out the Michelle Grant designed ones available in the Colour Blast store HERE or you could even try using a magazine image.)

If I have inspired you to create something similar, I would love to see it! Make sure you share it in the Colour Blast Creative Corner on Facebook or tag me on Instagram - @sue.plumb

Until next time, happy creating!