Scrap Matrix Blog: Tam's Sweet Memories.....

Hi there Scrap Matrix lovelies!

Tammy here today to share my first creation for our current "How Sweet it Is" Challenge.

So I bet you can all guess what inspired me about the moodboard..... Why COLOUR of course!

Here it is......

All that glorious colour!!

I was also totally inspired by the shapes of the lollies and the shapes of the macaroons.

So I went a bit crazy with the circle theme. I pretty much dug out every circle stamp I have!

I also went with the 'Sweet' Theme, both in my title and in the theme.
I scrapped my kids eating Kitchener Buns. Oh how they LOVE them!

And do you know what? I got so inspired whilst creating this layout that I totally forgot to take step by step photos!!
WHOOPS!!!

But don't worry, I decided to recreate it in my art journal, just so I could show you the steps.

So here goes......

First of all I stamped onto my page using one of the gorgeous new Aall & Create Stamps. This one is No 63 by Olga Heldwein. Such a beautiful stamp that I just know I will get a lot of use out of.

I stamped using an Archival Ink, as I knew I wanted to add wet mediums and I wanted to ensure the stamping didn't run.

Please note that on my layout, I added a layer of clear gesso to my white cardstock before stamping.

Next I added a few more stamps using another Aall & Create Stamp. This one is No 34 by Tracy Evans.

I love how much they remind me of the macaroons!!

Finally I added some swirly circles from my favourite stamp set by Paper Artsy - Tracy Scott's 09

Ok, that's the base work done.

Now onto the colour!

I used my Prima 'Tropicals' Watercolour Set, and began by colouring in the circles, using the colours in the moodboard as my inspiration.

I then wanted them to drip down the page, so I added some water, held up the page and let the magic happen.

I wanted to add some more colour, so from various scraps (some are literally scraps left from other creations, others are ones I made using my Gel Plate). These are still from the first experimental batch I made.....I've used them to death. For tags, for layers, for stamping.

I love their vibrancy and really must make some more.

Once stamped, I cut them out. To my layout I attached them using foam tape, to add some dimension, but in my journal I just stuck them down with some Soft Matte Gel.

I don't use foam tape in my journal as it would just be too bulky.

Next I added some stamps from 7Dots Studio - Hazy Days I love this set and use it all the time. I added the paint splodge onto the background, and then used that small stamp - which looks like flicks of paint.

I then used this stitched looking stamp from the first Aall & Create stamp that I used. (No. 63)

I love how this one can fill in the gaps, and again I know I will use it over and over again!

I really wanted those large black splodgy stamps to stand out a bit more, so I grabbed my Pico Embellisher IrRESISTable in black (I love this stuff so much - I love the gorgeous resin finish it gives and how fluid it is).

I swirled this around the circles and then added some scribbles.

I feel that this really finished off the background and 'pulled' it all together.

So now I moved onto layering behind my photos, which I didn't do on my art journal page, but basically I used a few tags from 7Dots and I also made my own tags from those papers that I used earlier (the ones I created using a Gelli Plate), plus I added a few scraps of leftover papers.

To add some extra textures, I added some tissue paper by Dina Wakley, which I recently purchased on a lovely shopping spree!!

Vicki really does get in the BEST stuff!!

I added a few circle stickers, word stickers and Die cuts from various 7Dots ranges.

I'm a big fan of 7Dots word stickers and really love how they seem to suit EVERY layout that I create!!

I added a title using the MAMBI Chip Stickers, these also seem to end up on every layout I create!!

So that's about it!!

For my art journal page, I added a quote....... here's the finished page

And here's a few more pics of the layout........

I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Oh wait, I've just remembered the final step is to swipe black paint around the edges.

I try to be as messy as possible with this step. I think it gives it an 'arty' feel.

It also acts as a border to the layout.

Here's a reminder of the moodboard that inspired me.......

I hope I've inspired you to enter our challenge....you could win some free gorgeous Scrap Matrix products and also the chance to be a Guest Designer and play along with us!!!

For those of you who have played along before, we now run the challenge in a single calendar month! Easier to keep track of and that means you have until the 31st of July to get your entries in.

All you need to do is create something using this moodboard as inspiration....it could be a layout, some cards, some tags, an art journal page.......you must use at least one product available from Scrap Matrix (obviously the more the better).

You don't need a blog, just upload your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares group.....pop it in the right album, and just let us know in the comments section what Scrap Matrix Products you used.

I can't wait to see all your SWEET creations.....

Until next time, happy creating!

And if you can't wait that long you can see more on my blog HERE