September "Autumn Bloom" Kit from Swirlydoos

I'm so excited to share some of the projects that I've made with the September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit and Add-Ons.

This kit, featuring the Cottage Life collection from 49 & Market is so versatile - perfect for all of your elegant and vintage images, but the rustic feel makes it perfect for all of your "boy" photos, too. And there is  the highlight of the Main Kit: an original sketch created by Swirlydoos Design Team Coordinator Kim Heard.

Here is this month's sketch.

And my layout, featuring this sweet, sweet photo of my Granddaughter, taken by my Daughter-In-Law last summer.

I started by coating both sides of the paper with clear gesso to cut down on the "warpage"; when that was dry, I used a stencil and crackle paste to create bricks. These were heat dried until they bubbled to give them some texture, then colored with Distress Oxide ink. Meanwhile, I die cut several doilies from the gorgeous cardstock that came in the Add-On. And now it was time to assemble my page with matting created from several of the pretty patterns on the "B" sides of the paper and a lot of packaging between the layers to give it all some dimension. I added a frame from one of the flower packages after giving it a coat of gesso. My flower clusters from the Main Kit and the Flower Add-On, along with one of the pretty clips from the Embellishment Add-On. A bit of a cut-out, lace from the flower package and a sprinkling of gems and I was almost finished. The last step: the title cut from those awesome vellum sheets that Krissy packed in the kit!

Here are a few closeups...

Why not visit the Swirlydoos forums to see how YOU can enter our Sketch Challenge? http://www.swirlydoos.com/forums/topic/september-autumn-bloom-sketch-challenge/

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Provence

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Bicycle Ally

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cottage Cut Outs

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Cottage Blooms - Cotton #CB-86097

Core'dinations - Quotes & Titles - 3.37" x 3.37" Vellum Sheets - Inspirational

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Cardstock Add-On*

Darice - Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Vintage Cardstock - Bloom

Darice - Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Vintage Cardstock - Serene

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Cottage Blooms - Bluebell #CB-86110

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

Darice - Self-Stick Gems - Glitter Royal Blue - 40 Pcs #1216-914

Prima - My Prima Planner Collection - Clips - Sweet Toffee #593773

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Mediums Add-On*

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Faded Jeans

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology Collection - Paper Flowers - Assorted Sizes - Ocean Breeze #FM-85762

*Swirlydoos August 2017 Project Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology - Champagne #FM-85694

Other Supplies

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo

Cheery Lynn Dies - English Tea Party #DL101

Cheery Lynn Dies - French Pastry #DL102

Prima - Stencil - Fence 2 #550011

Gesso

Clear Gesso

Crackle Paste

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I mentioned that this kit was perfect for "boy" pages, and here's proof: my twin Grandsons' school photo and a design that captures their personalities.

I started by tearing some of my papers, along with a piece of deeply ribbed packaging. After adhering the first sheet, I created a border by stamping a few barbed wire stamps. Next, I attached the packaging and another torn piece that I stamped to create a bit more interest. I used the same paper to create a photo mat from the corner and added a bit of burlap on the bottom. I kept the actual embellishments simple: a bit of the chippie that came in the Embellishment Add-On, some pine cones from my stash, and a cart and a few lady bugs that were fussy cut from the pattern paper.

And a couple of close-ups...

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cottage Cut Outs

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Fresh Delivery

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Garden Seeds

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Rooster Row

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Embellishment Add-On*

SA Crafters - Laser Cut Chipboard - C-Vive Circles

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Mediums Add-On*

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Abandoned Coral

Other Supplies

The Scrapbook Diaries - Gabrielle Pollacco - Gabi's Textures

The Scrapbook Diaries - Gabrielle Pollacco - Gabi's Crackle

Ranger - Archival Ink - Jet Black

Burlap

Pine Cones

Packaging

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My two older sons took a road trip to Buffalo, NY a few weeks ago and stopped in LeRoy (look it up!) to visit with my sister and her family. My oldest managed to get this incredible shot near the Oatka Creek, featuring a refurbished Statue of Liberty/

I deliberately put aside a sheet of the Rooster Row paper for this page, knowing that the color and the pattern would make a good background. After coating both sides with clear gesso, I used Scor Tape to adhere it to some USPS packaging (I'll explain "why" later) and applied a thin coat of crackle paste through a favorite stencil and allowed it to dry naturally. Meanwhile, I took some scraps and a lot of fussy-cut images (this collection is a fussy cutter's paradise!) and played around until I was satisfied. I stapled the layers together, then adhered it to the page. I attached my photo, then added a few more bits and pieces, including the tag that holds the hand-written title. My flower cluster is made with one of the packages from the Flower Add-On, along with some blooms from the July and August kits. I finished my layout by hammering a few of the nail heads from the kit (and that's why I used the USPS packaging).

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Enjoy the Sweet Life

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Garland

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Rooster Row

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 4 Double Sided Paper - Bonus Cut Outs

Darice - Jewelry Designer Collection - Round Nailheads - Nickel - 40 Pcs #1892-39

Swirlydoos - Jute - 2-ply - 2 Yd

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Blossom Blends - Poppy #BB-86172

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology Collection - Paper Flowers - Assorted Sizes - Ocean Breeze #FM-85762

*Swirlydoos August 2017 Project Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology - Champagne #FM-85694

Other Supplies

Prima - Royal Menagerie Collection - 6 x 6 Stencil - Decor 1 #582975

Prima - Art Extravagance - Texture Paste - White Crackle #961503

Clear Gesso

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This layout was created as my example for the November All That Flutters Challenge that I'm hosting for Swirlydoos. (Details here http://www.swirlydoos.com/forums/topic/november-2017-all-that-flutters-challenge-all-about-family/) As the theme says, it's all about family; the lady second to the left is my Great-Grandmother McCormick, the bewhiskered gentleman in the center is my Great-Grandfather McCormick and the smiling lady holding the baby is my Grandma Darby with my Uncle Jack back in 1917.

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I dug out a stamp from a long-ago Swirlydoos kit to create a border and a birdcage dangling from a cluster of flowers. The matting was kept simple with a died cut from one of the papers. Next, I framed the photo with one of the pieces of the Dusty Attic shapes from the Embellishment Add-On. There's actually a lot going on with the cluster: blooms from the Main Kit and Flower Add-On, resin feathers and a lot of fussy cut images (I think I already mentioned that this collection is a fussy cutter's dream). I finished by adding a Dusty Attic butterfly (altered with Distress Oxide ink) and, from the same package, my title.

Supplies

*Swirlydoos September 2017 "Autumn Bloom" Kit*

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Garland

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Bicycle Ally

49 and Market - Cottage Life Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Cottage Cut Outs

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Cottage Blooms - Cotton #CB-86097

Prima - Resin Collection - Resin Embellishments - Feather #573355

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Flower Add-On*

49 and Market- Handmade Flowers - Seaside Blooms - Natural Blush #SB86059

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

Dusty Attic - 49 and Market - Laser Cut Shapes - Archival Board - Happy Moments - White

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Mediums Add-On*

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Faded Jeans

*Swirlydoos August 2017 Project Add-On*

49 and Market - Floral Mixology - Champagne #FM-85694

*Swirlydoos July 2011 Embellishment Add-On*

Pink Paislee - Butterfly Garden Collection - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Impressions #00445

Other Supplies

Spellbinders - Nestabilities - Card Creators - Elegant Labels 4 #S6005

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Check out this month's Project Kit - a Stickles Storage Carousel from SA Crafters that will hold 48 individual bottles of Stickles, Liquid Pearls and similar sized items! (I'm also using it for Alcohol Inks, as you can see.)

I've made mine Shabby Chic, covering it with gesso, then painting it with the Martha Stewart Glitter Paint that came in the kit. I've added some lace to the sides, then flowers from my stash, all topped with a ginormous metal butterfly.

Supplies

 

*Swirlydoos September 2017 Stickles Bottle Holder Project Kit*

SA Crafters - MDF Wood - Stickles Carousel Storage

Ranger Ink - Liquid Pearls - Dimensional Paint - Rose Gold

Ranger Ink - Stickles Glitter Glue - Sprinkled Sugar

Martha Stewart Crafts - Multi-Surface Glitter Acrylic Paint - Sugar Cube #32185

Other Supplies

Gesso

Lace Trim

Flowers

Metal Butterfly

Paint Brush

Matte Medium

Aleene's Tacky Glue

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If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!

A Few October Challenges from Swirlydoos

It's October and that means Halloween - one of my favorite Crafty Holidays! To start the celebration, I've given both of the Swirlydoos Challenges that I'm hosting this month an eerie flavor.

First, the ATF (All That Flutters) Challenge, where it's basically anything goes, as long as the entry follows that month's theme. All you have to do is create a project (scrapbook layout, canvas, card, tag, OTP project, it’s up to you) that includes something that “flutters” – butterflies, dragonflies, bees, ladybugs, birds, fairies – we all have these among our embellies, dies and punches, right?

There's a random draw for a small RAK at the end of the month; I've given the details here in the Swirlydoos Forums.

I've created this layout as an example and I've taken some liberties with the flutterbies, using an owl, a bat, a couple of witches and assorted ghosts.

I've used the Ocean Voyage paper from Blue Fern Studios' Wanderlust collection as my base, knowing that once I inked the edges with a bit of Distress Ink, the colors and textures would be perfect. I applied a very heavy layer of Graphite Texture Paste through an old (and loved) Crafter's Workshop stencil and allowed it to air dry. Meanwhile, I dug out some Creative Embellishment chippies left over from last year, primed them with gesso and then painted them with Raven Black Sparks paint. There were also a couple of tombstones in the pack; a few spritzes of Color Bloom in Frost on the bare chippies was all they needed.

And now for assemblage: The photo was adhered to some packaging to make it pop and glued to the paper. Next, I arranged my "mist", gluing the cheesecloth here and there and adding the tombstones to one side. The rest of the chippies came next; and then my "ghosts": some of the new Tim Holtz Paper Dolls, some simply glued, others attached with foam tape. I finished my page by scattering some black pearls here and there to fill in the empty spaces.

Some ghostly closeups:

Supplies

*Swirlydoos August 2017 "Sunshine" Kit*

Blue Fern Studios - Wanderlust Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Ocean Voyage

Other Supplies

The Crafter's Workshop - 12 x 12 Doodling Templates - Branches Reversed #TCW251

Creative Embellishments - Laser Cut Chipboard - Halloween Scene 2

Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection  - Paper Dolls - Ancestors

Kaisercraft - Self Adhesive Pearls - Black #SB793

Prima - Art Extravagance - Texture Paste - Graphite

Prima - Finnabair - Art Alchemy - Sparks Acrylic Paint - Raven Black

Prima - Color Bloom - Spray Mist - Frost

Golden - Gesso

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Hickory Smoke

Cheesecloth

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Black Foam Tape

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Next is the Card Challenge - a fun and easy way to use up some scraps and to create some "make aheads" for upcoming celebrations.

Well, that's what it usually is; but this month, it's all about Halloween. I've given all of the details here; meanwhile here are a few ATC cards that I put together as examples.

I decided to make my own background paper for these. I cut a few pieces of cream cardstock to 3.25" x 2.25" and rounded the edges. They were stamped with a script stamp and then colored with Distress Ink and glued to black cardstock that was cut to regular ATC size.

All of the images are from Tim Holtz's Halloween themed ephemera; I've added some bling from my stash.

Supplies

Recollections - 8.5 x 11 Cardstock - Cream

Recollections - 8.5 x 11 Cardstock - Black

Inkadinkadoo - Wood Mounted Stamp - DH Letter #ink8347

Ranger - Archival Ink - Jet Black

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Carved Pumpkin

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Hickory Smoke

Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection - Ephemera Pack - Halloween

Kaisercraft - Self Adhesive Pearls - Black #SB793

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Black Foam Tape

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If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!