New Sketches

Hi Everyone!
Don't miss our 3 brand new sketches in the gallery (Click on the SKETCHES button of the top menu). Be inspired to create something beautiful.

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Inspired to Scrap with Emma Stafrace

Lizzy Hill for Scrap Friends
Hi there!
Welcome to our new blog section where you can meet fabulous and talented designers. Find your inspiration with us.
Please welcome our first designer:

Emma Stafrace is an amazing scrappy lady, who is full of inspiration & some fascinating views on this hobby/addiction we all share! She very kindly agreed to share some of her thoughts about the way she scraps….you’ll find some great tips & wonderful ideas here, so read on…

Tell us a little about your scrapping journey

“I was bitten and the fever hit!”

• Background in Visual Arts – studied Printmaking & Design - & had a career in Visual Marketing
• Started playing a little with scrap stuff about 8 years ago
• Became obsessed about 3 years ago after joining an online scrapping challenge site
• I currently design for Scrap 365 Magazine, Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, The Color Room, Bird Is the Word Challenge Site and Mad About Scrappin’.

Motivation to Scrap?

“My unwavering desire to create & capture those tiny moments or thoughts.”

Type of Scrapper?
“It’s a bit like a visual diary of colour, texture and images.”

• Not big on journaling
• Use imagery to express myself
• Interested – but not essentially technique driven…
• BUT I’m exploring image transfer, collage & creating my own backgrounds atm, as they’re easy peasy & add that extra something to make your work unique
• I like to mix styles, but I tend towards the artistic grungy approach that’s minimal in design

Your Inspiration comes from?
“…Blog hopping is my all-time fave. It’s such a fun way to get ideas and discover new trends and amazing artists.”

 The scrappy world – forums, sites, friendly community – we’re so lucky to have such an inspiring place!

• European scrappers – there’s an explosion of talent atm. I’m loving their focus on collage & mixed media. Some of my faves are Carolyn Rondel, Magda Bolinska and Sabine 
• Pinterest. Link to mine HERE!

Inspiration outside the Scrappy World?
“What I mean is, why CAN’T you mix patterns, colours and brands? You’ll be surprised by how well they work together.”

• The fashion industry
• Interior decoration
• They use the principles of layering up pattern, colour & texture
• It’s fun applying these design trends to scrapping pages - & surprising how successful they are 

Something to try:
“With just a little considered decision-making you could use up all those papers in your stash by combining them with less obvious choices. I guess ultimately stepping out of the confines of paper kits and matching embellishments can be really empowering not to mention breathe new life into your scrappy stash, so when you shop for papers look at how different products can marry together.”

Sometimes the ‘mojo’ seems to go. Ideas for getting it back? 
“Look out for some great scrapbooking challenge sites…you’ll make some lovely lasting friendships with like-minded people & your scrapping experience will be for more enriched.”

• ‘Tools Down’ - no point pushing it, as it can be an upward battle
• Check out some sketch sites
• Look at Pinterest or similar blogs
• Chat with your buddies – ask what’s inspiring them – sharing ideas helps
• Get online – there are so many forums and webpages to choose from domestically and O/S that share great techniques and inspiration like word prompting, colour combos and photography tips 

Tell us a little about your blog ‘Page Drafts’ 
“I thought ‘Why not share the love?’ When I create a sketch – why not share it?” 

• I still use sketches to create my traditional & hybrid projects all the time
• This blog is where I share my sketches – a few friends suggested I should do so!
• I know how frustrating losing the mojo can be, so this is a way of helping my fellow scrappers

We’d LOVE you to show us your process in creating a sketch & where you draw your inspiration from!
Here’s a quick video of how I create a page:

If you had to choose one, only ONE, layout from 2012 – which would it be & why? Can you share some techniques you’ve used on it?

This layout titled ‘Walking the Dog’ is my favourite page so far this year because it was one that came together in about 1 hour. Don’t you just cheer when that happens?

Some of the techniques used are stenciling, machined crazy stitching and hybrid scrapping. There are several definitions for Hybrid Scrapping, essentially it’s when you print high definition digital images to create and use in your projects, like I have done here using the bold word strips.

I customized my own rub-ons using a product called Grafix Rub-Onz. You can see that in the outlined dog element and the journaling. I also used a great punch called Swiss Cheese by EK Success and used the confetti off cuts to add a point of interest.

I notice you do Digital Scrapping as well. What draws you to this medium?

I L.O.V.E digi scrapping! I can honestly say the digital process often challenges me more than traditional. My approach to digi is to create pages that look as realistic as possible. I know, that’s befuddling to the purists out there. I can hear them ask why bother when you can just create one using paper, scissors and glue? My answer would be I love to push the boundaries with digital design. Seeking the knowledge and know-how is really exciting and never boring. And, hey! If I can just have one person questioning if that page is a ‘digital or traditional’ one, then I feel like I am close to achieving those goals.

Last thoughts, Em?
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, whether it is in your day-to-day life or creatively, as they are priceless little gems that make up the rich tapestry of our lives.”

• Take your time – don’t be hasty to finish a page. Be attentive & sensitive
• Remember these are your heartfelt thoughts & feelings
• Be selective & varied - don’t think you must scrap everything – this can be overwhelming & you’ll lose the joy of scrapping
• Choose wisely, but still scrap the good, the bad, the ugly & the indifferent – this is your legacy to your children’s children & beyond – your reality in perpetuity

A  quote that exemplifies ‘you’?
This quote is so poignant - & being typed on a Salvation shoppers docket makes it even more so, don’t you think?

Waving excitedly at you,
Em xo

Isn’t she GREAT? Pop on over to Em’s blog ‘JUST A GIRL WITH IDEAS’ to check out what she’s up to atm. Hoping this has helped motivate you in your own scrappy journey ~ happy scrapping!!!!

Delicious from Evalicious

Hi Everyone!

These are absolutely fantastic!
Make your heart flutter with these beautiful embellishments from Evalicious.
Use these cute flatback buttons, stickers and felt embellies in your travel and everyday projects to give them some dimension and make them stand out without overwhelming the other elements.

Perfect to document a week in your Project Life album or to use in just an everyday project.

Watch for more new products to be featured next week

                                                                                                     

One Mask 3 Ways

Gwen Wruck for Scrap Friends
Hi Everyone,
Gwen here today to share with you some techniques for using your Prima masks.  I recently purchased this Prima beauty and instantly fell in love!  As part of a layout I will share today, we will use it in 3 different ways.
1.  As a Template with Gesso for a background.  
2.  As a Mask with Glimmer mist and 
3.  As a Traceable Template.

{Steps:}
1.  Gather materials.

2. Create a mixture of 1 part medium paste, 2 parts gesso - medium paste has an opaqueness to it adding the Gesso makes it a nice bright white.

3. Lay the template onto your Kraft cardstock - sit it slightly to one side of your page.  Then using an old credit card or business card as a scrapper, generously scrape over the mixture being sure to fill in all the gaps between the template.  I find it best to use a criss-cross pattern and not to worry about it being neat; in this case, the messier you make this, the better the end result.

4. Gently lift off your template to reveal the pattern for your background.

5. Next, we will now use the template as a tracer.  Place onto some cream card stock and using a pencil trace around various shapes within the template.  I have chosen, leaves, flowers and some nice long branches.  A variety is good.  Using a pencil will allow you to rub out any remaining line marks once you have cut these out.

6. Now comes my favorite bit, fussy cutting!!  Cut them all out and then ruff them up with your hands, scruch them a bit and flick their petals outwards.  Then take some Glimmer mist and a sponge and roughly apply around the edges of each cut piece.  These bits and pieces will form the base of your flower cluster for the page.

7.  Next we will use the mask with a different colour mist - grab another sheet of cream or white cardstock and spray - best results are achieved when sections are not even.  I have also then removed the spray cap and added drips over the lot - be sure to do this before removing your template.

8.  Next remove your template and more cutting.  This time you need to leave a gap though, do not cut too close to the shapes or you will cut off the outline where your mist is.  What you are after for this layer is just the general shape of the leaves and flowers, that is, a basic outline.

9.  Now, is the time to layer everything up - I use double sided foam to give more dimension between each layer.  First is your base kraftstock with the gesso.  Next, the misted sheet with the general outline.

10.  Time to arrange your pattern papers and your photo.  Lots of layers for me and more double sided foam.

11.  Lucky last, you will remember those cute little bits we fussy cut in step six.... they will now be teamed with some Prima flowers to create a flower cluster and page feature.  I have also added some brads to a few of the flower centers.  Lastly, add you lettering, a tab for hidden journaling if you wish and you're done.

 Products:

thanks
Gwen