Monday, August 1, 2011

Today . . . I met you for the first time. Reveal for ScrapFIt Challenge #49 Put A Banner On It!

I am so excited! This is my first FITgirl layout. I had so much fun creating this page for my scrapping friend who recently gave birth to a precious and beautiful daughter.


Banners of all kinds have become popular in the scrapbooking world. They can be pre-made or hand made, big or small. You can showcase your title on it or just decorate it to go with your layout. Let's see how you showcase your banner creativity!

Here is my example for you:


Look at the fabulous prize sponsored by Precocious Paper going to the winner of this challenge:


Before I get to the close-ups and details I normally share about my layouts, I have some exciting news!

To celebrate having the honor of being a FITgirl, I'm offering a little RAK this month. If you are already one of my followers, or become one, and complete any of the ScrapFIT challenges or Weekend Warm Ups in August, I'll put your name in the hat for a RAK ~ a dozen of my hand crocheted little flowers (yes, created by me) made of bamboo thread, so they can be dyed with your scrapbooking inks to coordinate with your page.  For each ScrapFIT Challenge/Warm Up you complete your name gets put in the hat. To be eligible:

~ Follow my blog
~ Complete and link your layout on the ScrapFIT blog
~ Leave a comment(s) here on this post telling me which challenge(s) you completed.

Feel free to post my RAK on your blog, but you do not need to in order to be eligible.

I'll be announcing the winner of my RAK on September 1.

I'll be adding a photo of the flowers later on, and if I get enough responses, I just might add on to my RAK, so be sure to check back. 

Techniques:



1) I created the two rose color flowers based on tutorials from the oh so talented Paulien Van de Bosch posted here and here at My Creative Scrapbook. I made some modifications, most notably to the lolipop flower. I cut circles from cardstock using my circle cutter every 1/4 inch from 1 inch to 3 inches and used them as a rough pattern to cut the circles of fabric. I dyed every other fabric circle a deeper shade of rose to give more dimension. As you can see my flower center is simply a dollop of Fabri-Tac topped with microbeads, and to the edges of the petals, I applied Art Institute glue and sprinkled with microfine glitter. 

The center of the petal flower is made of glass pebbles colored with alcohol ink and again adhered with a dollop of Fabri-Tac. I dabbed Fabri-Tac on the edges of each petal one at a time and sprinkled with Diamond Dust.

2) I purchased the crocheted doily at a craft store and used a foam make-up applicator to apply a light touch of rose distress ink to the outside edges. I wanted a delicate look, so I stitched the wispy lace to the back of the doily so that the long wisps would extend out beyond the doily.


3) The Bank Creek chipboard flourish was painted with gesso, then when dry, coated heavily with white puffy paint. On my first try I didn't use enough puffy paint, so ended up scraping it off and starting over again. Let the puffy paint dry at least an hour, then heat it with a heat tool until it starts to puff up like a marshmallow roasted over a fire. I wanted a bit of brown, so kept the heat tool on the puffy paint, until the edges of it turned a slight golden brown. To get the shimmer, I painted the puffed up paint with iridescent medium. I cut the flourish in half to use on both sides of my flowers.


4) I took a clear rhinestone flourishe and applied rose alcohol ink with a very fine tip paint brush. I put a drop or two of alcohol ink on my craft mat, and used my brush to apply the ink to each rhinestone. It's really not as time consuming as it sounds.

5) This isn't really a technique, but I had to point out the two white vintage buttons from my stash. They are kind of on the unattractive side sitting by themselves, but look so pretty on this page! I used wire cutters to remove the shank from the back, then sanded what was left with my Basic Grey files.

6) The journal block was cut from plain white cardstock, then I used a foam pad to rub several colors of Distress ink over it in a circular motion to get the color I needed. Use a craft mat or piece of wax paper and start rubbing on the mat and pull the foam onto the block to avoid square foam marks on your journal block. Distress inks do blend, so you can get such depth and color variations with them. I just experimented on a scrap until I found the combination and order to achieve the color I wanted. Once I colored the block, I used pumice stone distress ink on the edges to give it a little pop against a similarly colored background. 


7) My letters were cut from scraps of the background papers. To darken them and make them sparkle, I used a paint brush to apply stickles. I also applied stickles to the outer, pink portion of the banner flags. This gives the appearance of glitter paper, but is so much easier to cut! Painted on stickles dry much more quickly than thick dots of stickles.

If you plan to complete a banner layout, head on over to Scrap-Friendzy too. I just posted a recipe challenge there using my "Today" layout for an example. Here are the ingredients for the recipe:

Banner
Glitter or stickles (on my flowers)
At least 8 of something (9 flowers)
Something liquid (Puffy Paint, Gesso, Iridescent Medium)
Distress (around the circle and large square mats)
A handmade by you element (rose color flowers)
*** the items in the ( ) are the examples I used in my layout. You can choose anything that fits the ingredient for your page. 

You can create one LO for both of these challenges!

Paper:
My Mind's Eye ~ Laundry Line Stack ~ 4 sheets
Green CS ~ from my stash
White Card Stock scrap ~ from my stash

Embellishments:
Darice ~ 10 inch doily
Creek Bank Creations ~ chipboard flourish ~ 12 x 12 chipboard set - Light and Swirls
White Vintage Buttons ~ from my stash
Queen & Co ~ Pearls ~ Sunflower Yellow
Colorbok ~ Rhinestone Accents Adhesive Flourishes ~ Nocturne
My Mind's Eye Baker's Twine ~ Lime Twist, Out of the Blue "Smile"
Teal Feathers ~ gift from my scrappy friend, Thanks Kelly!
Petaloo Floral Embelishments ~ Chantilly Collection Mixed Blooms x 6 - blue/green
Petaloo Floral Embelishments ~ Velvet Hydrangeas ~ blue
Whispy Lace ~ Hobby Lobby purchase

Technique Products:
Glass Pebbles ~ found in floral department
Martha Stewart ~ Metallic Glass Microbeads ~ Florentine Gold
Floracraft ~ Diamond Dust Twinklets 
Crystal Glitter Ritz ~ MicroFine Glitter ~ Cool Highlight
Liquitex ~ Gesso
Tulip Puffy Paint ~ white
Windsor & Newton ~ Water Colour Iridescent Medium
Ranger Distress Ink ~ Pumice Stone, Victorian Velvet, Tattered Rose, Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage, Stormy Sky, Pine Needles
Ranger Alcohol Ink ~ Butterscotch
Tulip Puffy Paint ~ white
Ranger Perfect Pearls ~ Plum
Ranger Stickles ~ Patina, Fruit Punch
Y & C Gel Xtreme 0.7 Gel Pen ~ Gold
Crinkle Organza, Ivory ~ from my stash
Art Institute Glue for glitter ~ clear
Fabri-Tac

Tools:
Martha Stewart ~ large circle cutter
Fiskars ~ circle cutter (small)
Darice ~ Decorative Scissors
Tonic Studios ~ Paper Distresser
Scotch Advanced Tape Glider
Darice ~ Heat Tool
Basic Grey ~ Precision File Set
Gazelle to cut Journal block and Title
Font ~ Mauritius Becker ~ from the internet

Now, be sure to head on over to ScrapFIT to take a look at the other DT examples and get inspired to join us in creating a banner LO, card, or project. You have until the end of August to complete an link your project. I can't wait to see YOUR work.

While you're there be sure to check out the Weekend Warm Up challenge to use those border punches and be in the running to be a featured artist at ScrapFIT! You have until this Friday, August 5 to enter your border punch project.

I have entered this in:
Bird is the Word ~ Today Challenge: I enjoy playing here, so when designing my LO, I took a peak at the current challenge words. When I saw the word "Today" I knew it was the perfect title to begin my journaling for this page. "Today . . . I met you for the very first time."

The Shabby Tea Room ~ Week 73 Mix and Match: Photo inspiration and use at least 3 different patterned papers. I used 4 patterned papers and was inspired by the photo's shabby chic style and colors!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I treasure your comments. 

Don't forget to come back and leave a comment each time you link a project for a ScrapFIT challenge in August for a chance to win my hand crocheted flowers. (Please leave a comment even if you're not participating in a challenge. Your feedback is such an encouragement to me.)


~ Blessings ~

33 comments:

  1. This is layout is absolutely stunning! I am always amazed with your work, you have such awesome embellishments!!! It would be an honor to receive some of your work! I am going to check out the challenge!! Thanks!!!

    Laurie
    serenityscrappers

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  2. stunning layout, the roses are beautiful!!!

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  3. I ABSOLUTLEY FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS LAYOUT! EVERYTHING IS JUST SO PERFECTLY PUT TOGETHER I CAN SEE THE LOVE AND EFFORT YOU POURED INTO THIS PAGE!

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  4. Very pretty Tracey! Bet she loves it!

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  5. Beautiful colors, beautiful texture, beautiful blooms!

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  6. gorgeous page and fun banner work!!! love all the details you have going on!!! those flowers are stunning!!!

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  7. What a beautiful page, you can really tell how much work you have put into it. I love the fibres underneath your flowers, so clever!

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  8. Love it! What amazing texture and detail :) Love how used the banner as part of a title phrase.

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  9. Hi Tracey - just found your blog today. I'm so glad I found it - you have lots of talent and I love being inspired. I'd love it if you would visit my little blog and follow me. Thanks for sharing your work!
    Karen
    karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com

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  10. i love what you did with the doily and using the puffy paint. I'm gonna have to try it!

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  11. Hello Tracey~ this is simply stunning! It is elegant, delicate, ethereal & just gorgeous. I can appreciate all the work you put into it. All the detail & dimension. I just want to reach out & touch it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
    Love that I found your blog. You truly inspire so many crafters!!!
    Crafty best wishes,
    Sonia

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  12. WOW Tracey!!! A Gorgeous Layout & with So much Beautiful details too it...
    Thanks for sharing some of your Techniques!
    May have to borrow a couple... hehehe
    Also Thanks so very much for playing along @ BITW!!!
    xx

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  13. Incredible Tracey, this is just breath taking.

    Hugs, Lori m

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  14. Hi.. what a special moment to scrap.. how absolutely beautiful this layout is too.. really beautiful. wonderful take on the challenge!!

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  15. Thanks for the tutorial and the cool ideas! Your layout is beautiful! Thanks for playing with us at BITW!!!

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  16. Oh my this is such a BEAUTIFUL layout!AMAZING job with it,I LOVE the great details and the sweet picture,SO precious!!:)

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  17. OMG! So SWEET! Great layout! Thanks for sharing with us this week at The Tea Room ;-)

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  18. This page is absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on becoming a Fit girl! I'm happy to become a new follower of yours!

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  19. P.S. I did workout #49--would love to try your bamboo crochet flowers! :-)

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  20. WOW Tracey such a gorgeous LO full of beautiful details and techniques!! ADORE your handmade flowers!! Thanks so much for joining in at BITW :)))

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  21. What a fabulous, detailed page...I am in love with it---and what a special thing to do for your friend...I am going to check out your flower links---can't wait.

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  22. this is just gorgeous!! your friend will adore this for years to come!!

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  23. GORGEOUS STUNNING FABULOUS what a wonderful layout!!!!! I really fell in love with this!!!!!Excellent work!!!!!

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  24. What a beautiful layout, so many pretty detail! Love the flowers and the soft colors. And I LOVE banners so I think I might give this challenge a go!

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  25. i applied for scrap friendzy DT and I participated in ScrapFit's Challenge!! woot. wish me luck!!

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  26. This is stunning - the words, the soft colors, just gorgeous!!!

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  27. Beautiful layout! Love all of your tips and techniques. I will have to try some of them for sure.. Beautiful!!! :)

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  28. Absolutely beautiful layout! Thanks so much for playing at Bird is the Word :)

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  29. Such a precious layout. -And the flowers are just awesome. I will be back later to have a closer look at the tutorial. Thanks a lot!

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  30. Gorgeous page!! thanks for playing along at BITW :-)

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  31. Hi Tracey,
    I Just arrived at you blog. Oh my, do I love your art and creative mind! I'll be watching this blog closely, thank you for giving us so much of your time and mind.Thank you for the Techniques!
    Hugs from Marina

    Please visit my kreative Blog too and enjoy!

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Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a message! I treasure your comments.