Our Trip (Scallop Acrylic Album)

This is one of my assignments for "My Acrylic Album" as their guest designer for the month of August. It's a scallop acrylic album on a short trip taken by my family to an island.

Here are the steps to it.

1) On the front cover, I've layered few pieces of pattern papers and card stock to create the strip in the center. To soften the look. I've added a strip of lace too. I've heat embossed some stamped images to create the tag for the word "Trip" and the word "OUR" are actually chipboard alphas which I've enhanced it by doodling on it. Beside the tag, I've cut out a scallop circle out of alcohol inked transparency and used some acrylic embellishments from "My Acrylic Album" to create the flower. I've stamped the embellishment using some solvent ink and painted the edges using acrylic paints. I've also cut out a flower out of transparency which I've painted and doodled on the edges. The butterflies are actually stamped on transparency using solvent ink and folded up for some dimensions. I've also added some glitters (Stickles) for some bling.
2) On page 2, I've layered the page with several pattern papers and card stock. I've also painted some random dots on the upper right corner of the page using a template that I've created using the "Reverse Look of Bubble Wrapper Printing" technique. The flower is cut out from a pattern paper and later curled on the petals for some dimensions.

3) On Page 3, I've created another transparency flower which I've layered with a Prima paper flower on the lower right of the page. The butterfly is stamped on transparency and cut out.
4) On Page 4, I've layered a piece of pattern paper and doodled a huge circle in the center. I've stamped the word "MEMORIES" using solvent ink and later doodled the edges using a white gel pen. To ground the design, I've added a strip of rick rack on the right border of the page.
5) On Page 5, I've created a stamped strip on the bottom of the page. I've also stamped some flourishes and added a journaling spot on the upper left of the page.

6) On Page 6, I've used the "Stamping to Create Layers on Acrylic" technique to create the layering and added a strip of pattern paper on the bottom. I've also added a circle on the lower left corner which I've added some flowers for dimensions and colours.
7) On Page 7, I've layered the photographs with a huge circle of pattern paper. I've stitched both photographs in the center before attaching them to the page. I've also created a huge transparency flower for this page which I've also layered with a flower which I've created using a pattern paper.
8) On Page 8, I've layered the photograph with a pattern papers and some pieces of pattern papers which I've created using the "Reverse Look of Bubble Wrapper Printing" technique. The wave had been cut out from card stock which I've also stamped and doodled on.

9) On Page 9, I've added a Hambly Screen Print to frame the photograph. The strip pf swirls on the left is actually felt scrolls from Queen & Co. The word "Oriental" are actually painted chipboard alphas.
10) Lastly, on Page 10, I've layered the photograph with various pattern papers. I've also added some stamping and a strip of lace on the right.

I've had so much fun creating on this good quality thick acrylic album from "My Acrylic Album". It is a very sturdy piece to work on and the clearness of it, adds some elegance to the overall look of the album.

General tips: I've used glue dots to attached most of my pieces to the acrylic pages. (especially embellishments). Try to use double sided pattern papers or you could do liked what I've done where I've inked or stamped on the back of all my pattern papers. Use solvent ink for your stamping on acrylics.

Sources: Acrylic Album: My Acrylic Album; Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Pattern Paper: Basic Grey, Stamp It; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink, Ranger Alcohol Ink, Tsukineko Staz On, Ranger Emboss It; Stamps: Heidi Swapp, Autumn Leaves, Making Memories, Stampers Anonymous, Studio G, Hero Arts, Norsk Stempelblad AS; Overlays:Hambly Screen Prints; Brads: Making Memories; Chipboard: K& Company, Fancy Pants; Others: acrylic paints (Making Memories/ Ranger), Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Zig Pens, flower (prima), glue dots, laces, ribbons, embossing powder, transparency, glitters (Ranger Stickles), buttons.

Stamping to Create Layers on Acrylic

This is one of the technique tutorials that I've created for My Acrylic Album as their guest designer for the month of August. This is a very simple technique. It’s actually quite similar as to how you would do on paper.

Here are the steps to it.

1) Use any paper and cut out a square or rectangle in the middle. I’ve cut out a square in the picture above. Then use a temporary adhesive tape to secure it onto the acrylic page.

2)Get some stamps and some solvent ink such as Tsukineko Staz On. Start stamping randomly all over the area that is cut out from the paper.

3)Then, remove the template and you will have a see through layer of pattern paper on your acrylic page. You can repeat this technique on the same acrylic page to create more layers of clear pattern papers.

You will see my complete project using this technique in a day ow two. Try this technique in your next acrylic page!

Ranger Prize!!

Here's what I've received for winning the Ranger Contest at Serendipity.com. Isn't it cool? I've been wanting these stuffs to experiment with for sometime already. Thanks Kristen! I'm so going to use them in my next project! Be prepared for the fun of using Perfect Pearls!

My Family My Home

Since I'm a little busy with my acrylic projects, I thought I would create a fast layout to share with all of you for the time being. This layout is about the three most important people in my life. They are my family. I just love that pick seeing three of them together walking at a park. Since it's summer now, I just thought it would be great to share a layout with an outdoor activity that my family loves.

The inspirations for the colours and design are all from my interpretation of the park on that day. Lots of flowers and greens everywhere.

Here are the steps to it.

1) I've masked and stenciled various circles on the background pattern paper.

2) I've also masked and stamped on the strip of red pattern paper on the bottom of the page.

3) I've also used the "Freshen Up your Flowers" technique on the flowers.

4) I've hand stitched a circle with some diamonds shapes in between on the background.

5) The swirls or flourishes are actually die-cuts from a very good friend of mine.

This is a rather simple layout compared to most of my layouts but I love how it turned out.

Sources: Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Pattern Paper: Basic Grey, Scenic Route; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink, Tsukineko Staz On, Hampton Art; Stamps: Heidi Swapp, Prima Marketing, Autumn Leaves; Rub-Ons: Basic Grey; Brads: Making Memories; Others: Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Zig Pens, flower (prima), Glossy accents (Ranger).

I'm featured!

Woohoo! I'm featured on another blog today. I've done a short interview with them. Do check it out if your wish.
Here's the link. "Scrapbook Ideas" .

Chloe (Acrylic Layout)

As promised, here's a project to further illustrate the tips for "clear on clear". This is a hanging page that I've created using an acrylic sheet. You could also use an acrylic wall plaque for this project. (Check out "My Acrylic Album" for more fun shapes acrylic pieces to create on)

As you can see, I've tried to keep as much as see through as possible in this page.

1) I've painted the edges of the page using acrylic paint.

2) I've stamped all the flourishes, flowers, tiara and the little girl onto transparency using solvent ink and cut them out. To add details to them and make them more visible, I've added doodling (using paint markers and gel pens), rhinestones and glitters (Stickles). I've even added a flower and ribbon to the girl.

3) I've also stamped the butterfly on transparency and later fold up the wings to give some dimensions to the page. To add some bling to it, I've added some glitters and crystals too.

4) The quote is printed onto vellum and inked on the edges with distress ink (shabby shutters).

5)To frame the quote. I've used a Hambly Screen Print and inked it with some alcohol inks. (meadow, silver mixatives, butterscotch, oregano, expresso and blending solution). I've also added some glitters around the quotes.

6)I've used some felt swirls from Queen & Co on the lower right of the page. The title had been hand written using paint marker on transparency and cut it out.

7) The flowers on the bottom of the page are actually cut out from two alcohol inked vellum and later added some glitters to it.

8) All pieces had been attached to the acrylic sheet using glue dots.

I just love the beauty of see through in this page. It really gives an elegant and cool look to your project. So next time when you've bought any see through embellishments or products to work with, try not to cover them all up with pattern papers. Try maximizing the see through-ness in your project.

Sources: Ink: Ranger Distress Ink, Tsukineko Staz On, Ranger Alcohol Ink; Stamps: Making Memories, Impression Obsession, Heidi Swapp, Autumn Leaves, Hanglar & Stanglar; Brads: Making Memories; Overlay: Hambly Screen Prints; Others: paint markers, Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, acrylic paint (Making Memories), vellum, crystals, rhinestones, glitters (Stickles), beads, acrylic sheet, flower, ribbon, crafting wire, decorative clips, felt fusion (Queen & Co) and Glue Dots.

Tips for "Clear on Clear"

What is "Clear on Clear"? It's when you used some clear materials or embellishments on top of another clear material such as acrylic, transparency or even plastic.

If you just attached them together, you won't get much depth, textures and visual effects. Therefore, here are some tips on how to use them together.

1) There is always the basic method of adding pattern papers to your clear embellishment from the back of it (ie. acrylic embellishment), This will instantly add colour to them but you won't get much of a see through effect after that.

2) Paint it with acrylic paint. You could paint the edges or all over it. If you would liked to still have the see through effect, I would suggest to only paint the edges or part of it.

3) Stamp on it using solvent ink. This is a very fun technique to add colours or details to your clear embellishment and you can still get the see through effect.

4) Apply alcohol ink to it. I will be showing this method in some of my projects for "My Acrylic Album". So keep watch for this.

5) Add details to it using paint markers or gel pens. This is also a very easy method to add some colours and details to it.

6) Add a sticker to it from the back. This is very fast and easy to do.

7) Apply rub-ons to it to add some fine details to it. You can absolutely use some of your left over rub-ons on a small piece of acrylic embellishment.

8) If you're using transparency, you could fold it up or down to create some dimensions. This will differentiate it from the layer of clear material underneath it.

7) Embellish your clear embellishment with glitter, flowers, brads, ribbons, crystals and etc.

I will be posting a project to showcase some of these techniques soon. (Tip: Try to retain the see through effect in your projects when using clear materials.)

GDT for My Acrylic Album!

I've been chosen to be the guest designer for My Acrylic Album for the month of August! Look at what I've got for my assignments! All of them are thick acrylic albums and embellishment! The acrylic album on the lower left with words of "OUR HOME" is the album that I've won in their June's challenge. They are even able to make customized acrylic albums. You can find all kinds of fun shapes acrylic albums from their store. Here's the link to their store.
"My Acrylic Album"
Check it out! Do check out my projects using all these fabulous acrylic stuffs in August! PS: I will definitely include the how-tos!

What are See Through or Clear?

This post is mainly to answer some of the questions that had been forwarded to my email recently. "What are See Through or Clear?"

First of all, I think you all could see that I've used various see through or clear elements in most of my recent projects.

Here are some of the materials that could be used to get the see through or clear effect.
1) Plastic (you could stamped on them using some solvent ink or even colour them using alcohol ink or paint marker)
2) Transparency (this material gives you some flexibility as it can be bend, cut, coloured and stamped easily)
3) Acrylic (There are actually various thickness of acrylic in the market. There are acrylic sheets which are not that thick and lighter. It's easier to punch through and not easily breakable. There are also thicker acrylic embellishment, albums and home decor pieces which are more sturdier and heavier. Your projects can be displayed in a stand up position easily.)
4) Glass (You can also used some solvent ink to stamped on them our colour them with alcohol ink but this material does not gives the flexibility in cutting it or shaping it)
5) Screen (This is a more lighter material to work with. It can be easily cut with, stamped and coloured. However, it's a bit too soft for fold ups or creating dimensions with it)
6) Crystals (Great embellishment for making your project glow)
7) Dimensional Accents (ie. glaze, crackle, glossy etc) (This is a very flexible embellishing technique as you can cover most embellishments with it's liquid form and leave a dimensional glossy or special effect top to it.)

There are absolutely more materials that you could find besides the list above. There are various see through or clear materials that had been produced for crafting purposes in the market these days and they're so fun and interesting to work with. Try using them more often. I will be posting more on the tips and tricks in using see through or clear materials in my coming posts and there will be special projects to explain more in using them.

A Day

This is just a very simple page to tell my story of a day in my life. I've picked a normal routine day to take these photographs. As you can see, my everyday life is pretty simple and scheduled. I've had fun using some of my Archaic line of papers from Basic Grey here.

Here are the steps to it.

1) I've painted using a brush (dry) with black acrylic paint all around the layout to further distressed it and give a frame effect to it.

2) There are actually various layers of pattern papers and card stocks underneath the photographs. I've also added some stitching around there. All card stocks, pattern papers and photographs had been distressed using the scissors technique.

3) All the transparent clocks are actually from the tip "Recycle your Clear Stamps Packaging". I've added some doodling, stitching, rub-ons and brads to it.

4) I've used the "Pattern Papers as Templates for Stitching" technique to stitched the flourishes on the left and painted in between them using some water colours.

5) I've also stitched the big circle on the right.

6) I've used some black and white acrylic paints to paint around the photographs and the journaling. For details, I've added various rub-ons too.

7) I've used some left over pattern papers to cut out the word "DAY" for the title.

Sources: Card stock: Bazzill Basic; Pattern Papers: Basic Grey; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink; Rub-ons: Basic Grey; Brads: Making Memories; Chipboard: Heidi Swapp; Others: Zig pens, Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, acrylic paint (Making Memories ), watercolours.