Scrap Matrix DT December

 The Colour Wheel with Helen

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge this month 
where we have a gorgeous mood board to inspire you.

I've heard a rumour that Christmas is coming, but getting  stuck into a challenge is a sure fire way to de-stress.  I promise!

I decided to challenge myself by using a colour wheel which I bought recently from Scrap Matrix.  I tend to gravitate to the same colours all the time; often using a monochromatic theme.   It gets a bit boring, even for me, so it's time to experiment! 

As I've never studied art at any level, all these combinations are new to me and I choose a Triad (Contrast) theme, with three colours equally spaced on the wheel. 
Green-Blue, Violet-Red and Orange-Yellow.  
  

The eye on the mood board also inspired me and I used a piece of art work, created by Hope Wallace, a truly talented artist in our family.  Thank you Hope.

But, back to the beginning.  I almost always use clear Gesso on my page before I begin, to seal the Card Stock so I can use Mixed media. It seals the background and makes it easier to sop up a any little mistakes.  

I apply it fairly thickly, then smooth it out, often with my hands.  It looks white here, but dries clear.

Next, I added the quote, using a wide bodied printer.

Using a new stencil, I applied a thick layer of texture paste and allowed it to dry overnight. It's Oh so tempting to rush this part, but I've learnt my lesson and leave it well alone these days.

These Scribble Sticks are new to me and I love the creamy texture they add on top of texture paste.  I scribbled directly onto the texture and then added water with a soft brush.

These are the three colours I used,Fuschia, Peacock and Cheddar.  The Cheddar appears orangey in the stick, but it's yellow when scribbled onto the project.

By scribbling the sticks onto a craft mat and adding water, I made liquid colour, which I just flicked around with a brush.

I was trying to simulate a colour wheel; what do you think?

Finally, I added some strips of colour on two of the edges with some punched borders, filled in with card stock.

I hope you find time to play along, just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares page in the corresponding folder and don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a  gift voucher and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Scrap Matrix Products used:-

Color Wheel

Clear Gesso

Modelling paste

Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks

AALL & Create Stencil # 28 - not currently in stock

We're on an Adventure

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge this month 
where we have a unique mood board to inspire you;
it's all about petals and metals.

I chose to scrap a photo of my Grand daughter, 

who loves the great outdoors.

First up I used clear gesso to seal the background paper.

I wanted to use this gorgeous floral stamp by Paper Artsy to frame the photo. I stamped it with Black Archival ink and fussy cut the images, before coloring them with Tim Holtz Distress Oxides. 

Don't be afraid to cut the pieces apart to suit your needs;  it makes the stamps so much more versatile.

 This stencil is wonderfully eclectic, with heaps of different patterns and shapes. Just the thing for adding texture.

It's a fave for me.

  I scraped some texture paste through one corner of it. 

Next I started auditioning various tags to form a nest for my photo.

Adding in a title and some metal flowers.

Fiddling around with placement of the flowers 
and trialling a metal heart.

Hmmm...maybe some chipboard too?  What do you think?

Eventually I'm happy with the placement and add some wax to the chipboard piece to create a metal sheen.

The process of adding bits & bobs, taking them off again, changing the position of pieces, can take ages, as I'm a slow scrapper.

The flicks of yellow Oxide inks add some contrast and 

draw the eye to the texture paste.

The rusted heart seemed the perfect embellishment for the corner.

Voila!  I think it's finished, although I have been known to take it all to pieces in the morning and start again! Luckily there is not enough time to do that for this layout.

I hope you find time to play along this month.  
We'd love to see your take on the challenge.

Just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares Page and don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a $30.00 gift voucher and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Scrap Matrix Products used:-

Clear Gesso TCW

7 Dots Studio - Garden Party.

7 Dots Studio - Tags, Hazy Days.

Paper Artsy stamp - EEB10.

Mambi Chips -Vacation.

Prima Art Alchemy Metallic Wax.

Tim Holtz Archival Ink - Jet Black.

Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, 
Fossilized Amber, Fired Brick, Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint.
Blue Fern Chipboard - Button Wheelies.
Carabelle Stencil - For the Love of Layers.
TCW Texture paste. 
Finnabair Art Basics - Soft Matte Gel.

Prima Mechanicals - Tin Hearts.

Metal Flowers. 

Scrap Matrix DT - Petals & Metals

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge this month 
where we have a unique mood board to inspire you;
it's all about petals and metals.

I've been waiting for the right challenge to scrap this photo of my Father harvesting in the mid North of South Australia.

 This paper from Stamperia, "Clockwise" seemed perfect for the photo.

I decided to team it with a piece of chipboard from 
Blue Fern Studios, "Techno Scape"

Getting the rusty look I was after proved to be a bit time consuming, but it was worth the effort, as I love the result.

This chipboard was raw, so I painted it with white Gesso to seal it.

The first layer of paint after the Gesso was Ranger patina "Moss".

The second layer was a mixture Ranger Patina "Jade" and "Verdigris".

Next came a layer of Prima Rust Paste, "Red Rust". 

Then a layer of Prima Rust Paste, "Gold Rust". 

Ad finally a layer of Prima Rust Paste, "Brown Rust". 

Pheew!  Well may you say, what a load of Bull Rust, but thanks for sticking with me so far, as I have a few close ups to show you.

The metal clock reminds me of my Father's watch face which he protected with a leather cover.  

There is a similar one at the Scrap Matrix shop Here.
I've stencilled a few flowers here.

This stenciling reminds me of the curves and circles left by the machinery, as Dad drove around trees and the uneven terrain.

It was created with a Carabelle Stencil, "For the love of layers"

and TCW light and fluffy modeling paste.

This stencil is super versatile, as I plan to use the whole thing as a background. However for this project, I simply masked off the parts I wanted to use.  It looks a mess with all the ripped post its stuck down, but it allows me to get a crisp result of a particular area. 

No page about a Farmer would be complete without a bit of string!

 A closer look at some of the metal flowers.
Vicki has heaps of metal flowers in her shop Here


I hope you find time to play along this month.  

How about using waxes to simulate metal?  What about an off the page project with some oversize flowers that could be painted a metal colour. You might have an embossing folder or a die which has a metal look.  There's lots of ways you can create a project.

Just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares page in the corresponding folder and don't forget to let us know what Scrap Matrix products you used and what inspired you.  You could be in the running for a $30.00 gift voucher and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Scrap Matrix Products used:-

Stamperia, Clockwise, on back order

Prima Rust Paste

Ranger Patina, Moss, Jade, Verdigris

Blue Fern Chipboard, "Techno Shape"