Monique's "Family Memories" Layout

Hi Everyone,

Monique here, popping in to share my second layout for this month's "You've Got Mail" challenge.
This time I went back to my old shabby chic/vintage style and used some of the gorgeous papers from this beautiful paper pad by Stamparia.  It has such gorgeous images of postcards, stamps and postmarks - how could I resist?

Here is my layout:

I just loved layering up all the papers to create depth and texture, as well as glimpses of all the "mail" ephemera.

Here are some close ups:

Here is a full list of all the products I used from the fabulous Scrap Matrix Shop:

Stamperia 12"x12" Double Sided Paper Pad"Around The World"

12"x12' TCW Stencil "Tuscan Wall"

Paper Artsy Fresco Finish - Seth Apgar Boxed Paints (Set 3)

7 Dots Studio Hazy Days Clear Stamp Set

Blue Fern Studio Roman Clock Set - Large

7 Dots Studio "Air Mail" chipboard

Um Wow Studio - Flair "Written"

TCW Light and Fluffy Modelling Paste

Big Words - Fly Away 13 Arts 12"x12" Chipboard

Scrap Matrix Metal - Passport

Thank you for popping by the blog today, I hope I have inspired you to enter our fabulous challenge.  You still have a few more days - simply upload your entry into the "You've Got Mail" Album on the Scrap Matrix Shares Page.

Take care and Happy Scrapping!

"Envelope Junk Journal Tutorial'' by Elisa Ablett

Hi Everyone, 

My turn up on the blog today with my latest design team inspiration based on this month's 'You've Got Mail' challenge over on the Scrap Matrix Shares Facebook Group

I had come across this awesome Envelope Journal tutorial and thought I would put my spin on it. The original video (giving credit where credit is due!) that I watched is - Emora Designs - Papercraft Star - Envelope Journal Tutorial

Here are my attempts at a tutorial for you all 😂😂

Now you may be asking yourself ' why is she laughing' well to put a disclaimer on my videos for you, i was battling a chest infection, coughing, losing my train of thought, my cheeky puppy dog that ran into my table and knocked my camera askew..I decided just to run with it, so you will have to be kind to be me and hopefully if you can get past all what went wrong with the videos, you may find something in there you may want to try.

Here are my finished Envelope Journals - 

Here are the Youtube links to my tutorial videos - Head on over if you want a bit of a laugh and perhaps learn how to put together an Envelope Junk Journal.

https://youtu.be/Qz67kQEwtLU  - Part 1

https://youtu.be/gtG3Sg3LHnM - Parts 2 and 3

Here are some close ups of the Gel Print Envelope Junk Journal

Here are some close ups of the front cover of the Shabby Chic Junk Journal using the Stamperia Blues Collection from Scrap Matrix.

 Products used from Scrap Matrix :-

Stamperia Blues Paper Collection

Distress Inks - Vintage Photo, Black Soot and Walnut

Paper Artsy Fresco Paints

Paper Artsy Stamps and Stencils

Gel Press - A4 Gel Plate

Scrap Matrix Metal Feather Embellishments

Scrap Matrix Twine

Scrap Matrix Postage Stamp Wood Veneer

Dina Wakely Stencil

Well that's it from me today, I hope you are inspired to give this month's challenge a whirl!!

Hugs

Elisa xx

You've got mail - a second post with Helen

Welcome back to the Scrap Matrix challenge where this month

the challenge is to be inspired by this mood board.
"You've got mail" 

With this project, I want to pay tribute to my Husband's ancestor, Mary Tully, who migrated to Australia from Ireland, in 1858.
When she got mail from her Mother, it travelled by ship taking about 66 days to reach her.  Quite amazing really, as the Suez Canal had not yet been dug.

I chose papers from the 7 Dots Studio, Garden Party Collection.
To begin, I applied a layer of clear gesso, as I planned to use texture paste, paints and mists.

I cut a third of the deep purple paper off and joined it to the lighter paper, as I wanted to create a "Picture Rail" effect, like the one in the dining room of my childhood family home.

Using a TCW stencil "Tuscan Floral" and Prima Acrylic paints, I added some colour and texture on the lighter paper.

After adding gesso to these chipboard pieces, I added a coat of Prima Opal Magic, Violet/Green

Delighted with the look of the chipboard, I tossed some Prima Art Stones into a puddle of the same Opal Magic.  I just love the shot taffeta look they give.   Hmmm!   You may not be old enough to remember shot taffeta, but I had many a ball gown made of it in my youth!   It gave a gorgeous shimmery two tone look to the fabric. Delicious when the skirt flared out during a waltz!   
But I digress....moving on....

Here I've added some lace from my Mother's stash, a die cut frame, a tag, a title and some random flowers from my stash.
I shuffled things, added, discarded, left it all for a day or so and just couldn't find a way to cluster things that looked lovely.

Eventually I managed to arrange a couple of clusters that were pleasing to me & quickly attached them with Art Basics soft matte gel.  The perfect medium for glueing anything bulky.

I popped a few seed beads into the middle of the medallions

and painted the wooden stamp frame with Prima Acrylic paint.

The little tufts of purple net are from my Mother's millinery stash.

 I decided to tuck an envelope behind the photo and to include in it, a letter that Mary received from her  Mother, Bridget Tully in Ireland.  We think Bridget was illiterate, so the letter was probably written by the Parish Priest.

I've included a copy of the letter here if you are interested.

Kells Co. Meath, Ireland,

17th. Aug., 1858

Dear Mary,

I had the greatest pleasure and consolation of receiving your welcome letter dated 11th June last; and we are all overjoyed to hear from you and finding you in good health as we all are here at present-blessed be to God for all the mercies and goodness to us- your father is at present working at Drewstown but you know his wages is low.  Your brother Henry is very well, he is living near Trim.  I have not seen him these two years but once, and that is lately.

Farrell remains with Mr. Nelson and Biddy is living at home.  Mr. Gilsenan and his family are all in good health and also all other friends and well wishers, Mr. And Mrs. Fay and family are right well, likewise Pat Murtagh and family.

The crops are generally very good this season with the exception that the oats is short and light, but the potatoes are as good as you ever saw them in the best of times.

Nothing strange has occurred hear since unless the deaths of Doctor Bennett-Patrick Plunkett at the cross-also big Mrs. Maguire of Cross Street and the Rev. Father Dillon of Kilbeg.

I request most particularly that you will not neglect to write to us frequently-at least once every six months-and let us know all particulars about your situation, and I trust the Almighty will favour you with a good one where you will see not bad morals and where you will be convenient to a chapel and have liberty to attend punctually to your religious duties.

Your old mistress in Dublin wrote twice to me asking about you.  James Carrol and wife are well.  Biddy and Farrell join with me in love to you and hoping to hear from you before Christmas.

I remain dear Mary

Your affectionate Mother

Bridget Tully.

      

Marked with a cross, her mark   

           x

Old Mrs. Bradley got a letter on yesterday from her daughter Anne in Sydney-she is well and is married to a man of the name of Masterson-but I don’t know his Christian name.  Her address is No.32 Francis St., Wooloomooloo, Sydney.

Scrap Matrix Products used.
Dina Wakley clear gesso
7 Dots Studio Paper
7 Dots studio Paper
7 Dots Studio Paper - Annual
7 Dots Hazy Days tags
Wood postage stamp frame

Prima Opal Magic
Art Basics - Soft Matte Gel

These two items are also from Scrap Matrix
but are currently not available.

Blue Fern Chipboard - Layering Stems
TCW Stencil - Tuscan Floral

Thanks for calling in today, I hope you find time to play along, 
just add your entry to the Scrap Matrix Shares page in the corresponding folder; 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 from the generous Vicki Christensen and perhaps a Guest Design Team spot down the track.

Art Journal Page .. by Lynn Good

Morning, Lynn here with my second project for this months challenge - You've Got Mail.

This time I have created an art journal page:

here is the moodboard for the challenge:

I began by adding some Ranger Idea-Ology Collage Paper and Tim Holtz Tissue paper to the art journal page using Matt Medium

I have then applied some paint using some stencils to push the tissue paper to the background.

I have stamped out the word travel and suitcase from the Paper Artsy stamp - I have used these as they fit into my the of letters being mailed when travelling around - that was before the days of blogs and facebook and emails!

Postcards being another form of mail - I have stamped a postcard stamp onto paper and aged it with distress ink and stamped using a Tim Holtz text stamp - the same stamp that is in the background of the art journal.

Here are some close ups:

1. 

I hope that this has inspired you to create a project for this months challenge.  It is simple to enter - just upload your entry into the You've got Mail album in the facebook Scrapmatrix Shares page found here

Products used 

Dylusions Art Journal

Paper Artsy Paints

Ranger Ideaology collage paper

7 Dots Mail words

Paper Artsy Stamp

Til next time - happy crafting

'Dear Me' by Tam

Hi everyone, Tam here and today I'm sharing with you something very personal, something that I have struggled with over the years.
I am definitely putting myself out there and I am actually terrified.  But I am doing it for a few reasons.

1.  It's something I've been meaning to do for years, but never have - always making excuses.
2.  I believe scrapbooking/creating is a highly personal as well as therapeutic process.  It is definitely somewhere I turn in times of stress.  I need it to cope with life's challenges. So it's important that I scrap the darkness as well as the light. 
3. I'm all about words and photos. About telling your story. So much of what we create now has no journaling, no handwriting. My voice, my words are an integral part of my creating. If I don't have a story, then I struggle - I just sit and shuffle. For me, the story is the base for everything else, it's the spark.
4. Maybe, just maybe this idea will resonate with some of you.
5. It's therapeutic for me. I need to do this.

So here goes....

As soon as I saw the 'You've got Mail' Challenge, my mind began whispering "it's time..." I tried so hard to ignore it, but it was very persistent!
I have written myself a letter, a very important letter of forgiveness and acceptance.

So it's titled 'Just for You' and it begins 'Dear Me' and ends with 'Love Me'.

Once I'd made the decision to create this page, it just kind of happened, it flowed out of me and onto the paper and I'm so glad it did.  The words were added without a draft, there was no need to practice, my heart knew what it needed to say.

It was so therapeutic.

As this page was all about myself.....I decided to have a go at hand painting and then fussy cutting some roses and leaves (something else I've wanted to do for a long time) and mixing these up with my favourite 'Aall & Create' Stamp.

So let's look at how this page came together....

I began by adding a thin layer of white gesso to some white cardstock.

Whilst this was drying, I began painting my roses and leaves.

I used my Prima Watercolours - I have 'Tropical'.  I LOVE the colours.
I ended up not using the yellow roses or the green leaves, so they are on my desk waiting for something else.

Once dry, I cut them all out.

I then stamped using Archival Ink and that gorgeous AALL & Create Stamp.  As you can see they didn't stamp perfectly - I need to refill my ink I think. (lol - I sound like Dr Suess!) but that really doesn't matter. I'm happy with imperfection.
If an area really bothered me, I just went over it with my Fudeball black pen.

Ok, time to go back to the background.

I used the 'packaging technique' for the background. 
I added some watercolour to some old plastic packaging, and then I turned this over onto my backround, smoodging and smooshing as I went!!

I really love the effect this technique gives, and the amount of control I have over where the paint ends up!

I then added layers behind my photos, and I created some tags from leftover scraps of paper.

I began poking these out from underneath my photos.

I then began to add the flowers and leaves - I wanted them to look like they were cascading down the page.
I also knew I wanted to write the letter directly onto the background and so I made sure I left enough space for that.

Time to write that letter....
I added a 13Arts Clear Sticker as my title.....I popped this down first so I knew where to start the words.

Some of the flowers are adhered with foam dots to give extra dimension.

I love the look of the black and white stamped images alongside the bright flowers.

I added a few embellishments too - a little chippy heart and that gorgeous 'German Scrap Pen Nib'.

 

 

I also added in some 13 Arts Clear phrase stickers.....they were just perfect, and I love the way they become part of the background.

I will definitely be using more painted flowers in the future..... I see a whole new style evolving.

 

Have you thought about writing yourself a letter?.......what would you say to your 15 year old self? What does your soul need to hear?
I recommend it.

Here's a quick reminder of the moodboard to use for inspiration:

Just pop your entry in the 'You've Got Mail' folder over on our Scrap Matrix Shares Facebook Group. It doesn't have to be a scrapbooking layout....it could be an Art Journal page, some cards, a canvas. Just let us know what Scrap Matrix Products you used in the comments and you could win either a $20 voucher at the store or a chance to guest design in one of our upcoming challenges!!

I really hope you have enjoyed this post, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
 
Love Tam
xxx

Scrap Matrix products used:

White Gesso
White Bazzill
Watercolour Paper Pad
Prima Watercolours - Tropical
AALL & Create Stamp #20
13Arts Marta's Small Message Clear Stickers
13 Arts Stickers Clear - Secret Letter
13 Arts Paper -
7Dots Studio Paper Pad - Verano Azul
German Scrap Pen Nib Black
7Dots Airmail Die Cut Elements
Fudeball pen
Ranger Ink Black