CTMH Australasian Blog - Hello Darlin'

Hello, and welcome to our 'Hello Darlin’ Australasian 'Blog Hop'. If you've arrived here from Doris Taylor - Creative Inspirations, then you're in the right place.

If you've landed here by accident, then welcome to the fun! Please join in by following the link at the bottom of this blog.

We're nearly at the end of this month, so many of you will no doubt already have at least one pack of the Hello Darlin papers, and other bits and pieces from the range.

When I first saw it in the catalogue, it came across as quite a bold red, white and blue combo. We had the Kings coronation still ahead of us at that time, but unfortunately I didn't end up with any photos that would use the paper.

However.....I now have very little of the paper pack left, due to finding so many things that were suited to this colour scheme. I've also really enjoyed the digital artwork with this set. In particular the flower clusters that I've done with both cardstock and vellum.

Here's some examples of my projects with this beautiful range.

My first dive into the packet was coupled with using the 'The future is bright' stamp and thin cuts. 

The layout celebrates the graduation of one of the Assistance Dogs in New Zealand. ADNZ is a charitable organisation that raises, trains and pairs dogs with people in the community who need the help to do everyday things. The dogs are incredibly clever and each is trained to do whatever the person they're matched with needs. 

This dog is Ranger, and as he graduated, he was off to join his young charge. With Ranger by his side, the young man involved is now able to go to the supermarket, and many other places of interest that he wasn't previously able to. 

There is a process video here, if you'd like to watch it.

The video was done for a topic called 'Schools Out' 😀

A few weeks later, I completed the companion page with a process video. 

Whilst I used some red on the page for Ranger, it was only to reflect his scarf (there's a story there!), but the brand colour of ADNZ is dark blue.

So I simply cut the red stripe out of the stripes for this page. 

Using the blue stars on the left hand side links it to the left page, so the double page layout celebrates the three dogs that all graduated on the same day.

The other layout I have done with this paper pack is documenting my time in the Girls Brigade when I was a kid. The colours are perfect, as our uniform was red, white and blue. It was a fun page to put together, and I am particularly happy with the flower clusters, made with the cricut, using the Hello Darlin digital artwork. 

You can watch the process video for this layout here.

Of course, this  paper is ideal for cards too. I didn't get the card making kit, but have lots of off cuts that I can use to make some special cards. 

I've made a start with this gate fold card. 

The red star paper is the background to the embossed white daisy. 

The flowers along the bottom add a colourful touch, and that is repeated on the inside, making a frame for note writing. 

I also found that the flourish layer stamp set (D2109) has some delightful little rosebud stamps that work really well with this range. I've stamped three on the inside underneath the writing spot.   

There are still workshop and card making kits available in this range, along with PML cards, embellishments, and of course the digital artwork. 

If you don't have a consultant and live in New Zealand, I'd love to hear from you. Alternatively, you can place an order through my website.

You can also join me on Facebook and Instagram, and of course YouTube if you'd like to see more of my projects.

I'd love it if you left a comment below, before heading off to Danielle Edwards - Scrappychicks.

Thanks for reading. 

Cheers for now. 

Happy crafting. 

Lynda

CTMH Australasian Blog - Silhouettes

Hello, and welcome to our 'Silhouettes’ Australasian 'Blog Hop'. If you've arrived here from Lauren Moore - CTMH Craftings, then you're in the right place. 

If you've landed here by accident, then welcome to the fun! Please join in by following the link at the bottom of this blog.

As you may have guessed from the title, todays blog is all about Silhouettes.

The definition of a silhouette is: the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible in restricted light against a brighter background.

The first thing that comes to mind is a sunset or sunrise, as you look into the bright sun. When I use the camera in these situations, I've found that it's good to have a clearly discernible shape as a silhouette. For example, a person standing still can come out as a bit of a dark blob, but if you get them to do a star jump, the shape it creates has far more interest in the resulting photo. 

Another tip - if the person you're photographing has their arms folded, it will add nothing to an image, but if you get them to put their hands on their hips, it helps create more shape. 

This month CTMH has a 'stamp of the month' called Botanical Shadows. 

There are two main scenes, plus some branches and some words. Whilst it can be used with any colour ink to provide some nice looks, it also lends itself quite well to making silhouettes. I've concentrated on cards for this blog, and have done a bit of experimentation with different papers, inks and some acetate.

First up though, I'll share some basic silhouettes incorporated into black and white cards.In one, I've added a little red (candy apple), to add some colour. 

The two with black card backgrounds have been embossed through the cuttlebug, with one of the CTMH embossing folders. 

The red heart on the slimline card comes from the flourish stamp set in the current core catalogue. 

I really challenged myself with this stamp set. I was really keen to get a card or two with reflections. So, after doing some research, discovered it's possible by using some acetate to transfer the image to the bottom section. I initially tried the distress watercolour paper, but the image didn't transfer well at all with using the acetate. It was much easier to transfer on normal white daisy cardstock. My attempts are all recorded on video, so I'll try and get a video together that shows the process. In the end I did end up with a couple I'm happy with.....

This one was using our normal inks on white daisy card stock.

I stamped with archival black first, directly onto the card stock. Then I stamped the same image onto acetate, and turned it so it was a mirror image of the first stamp. Pressing down on the acetate to transfer the image in the right place worked pretty well in this instance. 

Once it was all dry, I then coloured with the inks using the mini blending tool. 

I also stamped another one the same, and coloured it with distress oxide inks (as I love the way they blend), but due to them being more opaque inks, the ink stayed on top of the trees, making them look a bit chalky. That one went in the bin!

This card was my next attempt with the distress oxide inks, which I sponged on first, and then stamped over the top. 

Again, it is using white daisy cardstock. 

There was a lot of inking and stamping (and the odd frustrated comment) that went in to getting these two reflection cards. But like all good paper crafters, I try not to throw too much away...lol. 

So my failed reflection attempts were trimmed down, and repurposed to make the following cards.

Slimline with a black background, and Sundance cardstock. The stamp comes from the 'Always near' set in the current seasonal catalogue. 

The inking on this card was with our inks, using the mini blending tool. 

This card was prepared on watercolour paper with the textured side up. The colour was added with our watercolour pencils and blended with the water brush. 

The sentiment is also from the 'Always Near' set. 

Because the original sample had to be cut to get rid of a failed reflection, I've added a strip of black below and above, along with a piece of melon at the top. 

Inked on watercolour paper, and backed with the Sundance paper from the dreammaker coordinating paper pack. 

And finally.....

a small card that is the size of half a slimline card. 

The stamp of the month is available for purchase on it's own, but if you have a qualifying purchase of $88.00 (NZD) it can be yours for $10.00. 

If you're a VIP, its free with the same qualifying purchase. 

If you want to know more about becoming a VIP, get in touch. It's well worth it!

If you don't have a consultant and live in New Zealand, I'd love to hear from you. Alternatively, you can place an order through my website.

You can also join me on Facebook and Instagram if you'd like to see more of my projects.

I'd love it if you left a comment below, before heading off to Danielle Edwards - Scrappychicks.

Thanks for reading. 

Cheers for now. 

Happy crafting. 

Lynda