'Strong'; a step-by-step single layout by Ingeborg Dijkstra

I took this picture of my husband recently. When I saw the KaiserCraft Offshore Collection, I knew the colours would look perfect together! I have loved KaiserCraft papers for years now, because of the versatily and the fact that they are double-sided too! I started with a sheet of 'White Cap' paper (see below).

On the back of this paper was a wavy pattern, which I decided to cut out. I also added a strip of the striped 'Tide' paper.

I placed my photo a bit under the light blue curve and I also stamped some flourishes in the corners (sorry I didn't take a picture of this).

I wanted to add a personal touch to the layout and decided to grab one of my favourite products: the Bazzil In Stitch Template Formal Flourish:

I wanted to keep the wavy pattern going, so I chose this template:

I first pierced the holes and then I handstitched the flourish in blue.

The layout looked like this at this stage:

I used another sheet of the Offshore Collection ('Breaker') to further embellish the layout. I cut a journaling tag from the sheet. I cut some of the orange and blue 'splashes' out of the paper too.

Using foam dots I stuck the splashes on the layout. I also inked the edges to make them stand out a bit more.

I wrote the following Scripture on the tag:"That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

Done!

A Patterned Background Technique - layout by Sue Smith

My layout this week features a technique to create an original background for your layout or card using ribbons, lace and fabric (or whatever else you choose to use).




For this wedding photo I wanted to use the Bella Diecut as a shaped layout rather than the traditional square. Sometimes finding the right patterned papers for wedding photos can be a bit of a challenge, so I came up with the idea of attaching strips of texture as an all-over background. I love the combination of white and cream, flowers and lace, for wedding photos, and this layout indulges all of that.

First of all I raided my stash and found lots of white lace, ribbon and fabric and started to lay it across the diecut background. I swapped lots of bits and pieces before I came up with the final configuration.



Once I was happy with how it looked, I stuck down each of the different strips with Pritt Power Gel, using little blobs in places that couldn't be seen, and when the glue was dry, I then stitched around the edge to secure all the layers.



Then I trimmed the excess from around the edge, so that it looked like this....



After that, I attached the photo which was sanded around the edge and mounted using foam double-sided tape to raise it up over the lumpy bumpy background. I then added lots of flowers in cream and white, plus pearl and rhinestone bling.



Here is a list of the items I used for this layout....

* Bella Damsel Paperz in cream

* Weave Extras tiny teeny stickers

* Yillup Designs Beaded Crocheted Centre in silver

* Kaisercraft Pearl Bling

* Kaisercraft Rhinestones

* Kaisercraft Rhinestone Words - Cherish

* Assorted flowers

* Upstairs Downstairs - Felt Frame Oval

* Birch Pearl Trimming in white

* Green Tara - Organza Flower Glitter Design

* Assorted lace and other trim

Hope you like this technique...it's a great way to use up bits and pieces of lace and ribbon (or an excuse to buy some beautiful new ones). Until next Monday...happy scrapping everyone! xxx

....and go the St George-Illawarra Dragons!! :) (my home team)

A card with handmade embellishments by Ingeborg Dijkstra

Materials:

• Blue Cardstock (Core'Dinations)
• Patterned Paper Lime Rickey 'Tutti Frutti' (Basic Grey)
• Red Flowers (Crafty Flower)
• Rhinestones Silver (KaiserCraft)
• Rubons 'Sentiments Set 2' (Scenic Route)
• Embroidery Thread
• Wire

Instructions:

I made two flowers out of some wire. This is what I did ... I cut a piece of wire (photo 1). I used a pen to wrap my wire around (photo 2). I have also made these flowers using a much thicker 'object', this will obviously give you much larger loops. I made sure that I made a complete loop (photo 3 and 4).


I removed the pen and twisted the end to make the loop 'stay in position' (photo 5 and 6). I repeated this process again to make a second loop (photo 7 and 8).

I repeated this until I had five wire petals (photo 9). I cut the ends of the wire (photo 10). The middle of the flower looks a bit 'messy' (photo 11) and therefore I covered that with a paper flower (picture 12).

On the back of the blue cardstock I drew a stem and two petals for each flower with a pencil. Using a hole piercer I made holes a few mm apart.

I handstitched the stems and the petals.

I added a strip of the patterned paper at the bottom. I glued the wire flowers on the card, added a sentiment and some bling and done!