Swatching Shimmerz Paintz

Hello, It's Jody.  I have a quick blog sharing how I like to swatch new products especially, watercolors.  I learned this exercise from Irit Landgraf.  She happens to be my very favorite mixed media artist.  I took her online Watercolor Workbook class several months ago and I still use the exercises she provided to help me have fun and be loose with the paints.  Speaking of the paints, Shimmerz Paintz had an unbelievable %40 off sale for New Years.  Heck yeah, I grabbed several! Nine Creameez to be exact in the following colors, Crow's Feet, Purple Rain, Just Peachie, Pink Champagne, She Shells, Raisin Cane. Paradise Punch. Sand of a Beach and Good Ol' Summer Time.

I grabbed my current favorite stamp from Hero Arts and Ranger's Archival Ink in gray,  I put down 9 circle stamps, one for each color.  I opened each watercolor pot and added a little water to activate them.  Then, I just started to paint, splatter and have fun!  There is not a right or wrong way to do this.  My hope is that I'll find a picture that coordinates well with the colors or a paper collection that does so I can use it as a background.  I hope you are inspired to swatch all your new products in a fun way! After all, it's just water, paint, and paper ❤️

This is a video sharing my new Shimmerz Paintz watercolors.

Scrapbooking Layout - Using Crate Paper's La La Love

Hi, it's Jody. I have a new layout for you. I used the adorable La La Love collection from Crate Paper.  I love Valentine's Day collections.  This one is perfect. I love the splashes of blue it has throughout.

First I grabbed a few of my Shimmerz Paintz.  I used Pink Champagne, Good Ol' Summertime, Strawberry Fields, Sky's the Limit and Miner Miner 49er.  I used the simple packaging technique to spread color.  I knew I wanted to put my picture on the left side of my page.  So the watercolors are mostly on that side.  While I let that dry, I added a matte to my picture.  I just love that blue, periwinkle color!  I added another layer using a cute heart pattern paper.  Next, I wanted to add a little weight to the right side of the picture.  I used those super cute grid hearts paper to add a layer.  I also cut a journaling ephemera piece in half to use it on two sides for a pop of red.

Then, I cut out a small slice of the white cardstock and backed it with the red with hearts paper.  This is a great way to add color and texture to a layout.

I added a few more hearts and the cute ribbon chipboard sticker around the picture.  Finally, I just had to add some splatters of my favorite Heidi Swapp Colorshine in Gold 💗  I hope you find some inspiration from my layout.  Please print those pictures and start documenting all your loved ones.

This is a scrapbook processing video using Crate Paper's La La Love Collection and Shimmerz Paintz.

Hip Kit Club Sketch Challenge - Scrapbooking Layout - Love Us

Hey, it's Jody from Floppy Eared Farm.  I participated in last week's Hip Kit Club Facebook group's sketch challenge.  They have one every week and I had time to give it a try.

I love their challenges, not only are they fun sketches but you do not have to use Hip Kit Club products to enter.  The winner gets a $10 gift credit to the site!  I have actually won once before! 

I was pleasantly surprised by our family selfie!  I thought I'd better print it and scrap it because I just don't know when I'll get a decent one! This was taken on Christmas Eve 2018 but the colors we had did not really work with the Christmas collections I have.  So I dug in my stash and found the lovely Shimelle's Go Now Go collection from American Crafts.  It had that perfect light blue and deep red I needed.  I did some fussy cutting from a page with all those cute cameras and put them aside.  I then painted the white stripes.  I used the cheap white acrylic paint from Walmart.  Of course, I had to add some splatters too! While that dried, I added a few layers behind my photo.  I put a simple matte around with the beautiful green paper, then added the December card. Under that, I put craft foam to give it dimension. Finally, I added a large piece of that cute tree pattern paper to anchor it all down. 

I scattered the cute cameras around along with enamel hearts and wood buttons both from the collection. I used a chipboard camera piece right on the photo along with a cut out camera to help move your eyes around the page.  I finished it off with a simple Love Us title in the matching Thickers and added the date.  

I love how this page turned out.  I think using a sketch is always a good idea because you can take it in any direction you would like to.  I hope this inspires you to print those pictures and start documenting your life! 

P.S. I did not win the challenge 😉

This is a process video using a Hip Kit Club sketch with Shimelle's Go Now Go collection.

Distress Oxide Color Wheel

Hi, it's Jody here at Floppy Eared Farm.  I have a super quick blog sharing a color wheel made with Tim Holtz' Distress Oxide inks.  I used Squeezed Lemonade, Candied Apple and Mermaid Lagoon. Those happen to be my favorite yellow, red and blue! I first took a look at various color wheels and found the simplest one to use as a reference.

I started on top with the squeezed lemonade.  I then added the candied apple and then the mermaid lagoon to start my wheel.  Next, I started mixing the colors to get new shades.  For example, I mixed the mermaid lagoon and the candied apple to get that beautiful violet color at the bottom of the wheel. I just went around the wheel adding more of one color and filled in the wheel all the way around.  I just love all these shades I can make with 3 colors!

I also tried it with mustard seed, barn door and faded jeans.  I love doing this exercise with new products and different shades of yellow, red and blue.  Like most, I have a crafting budget so I love when I can make the most out of what I have already.  I hope this inspires you to get messy and start mixing your own colors.  

I also created a process video to accompany this blog post. Check it out below.

Scrapbook Page Christmas Morning Fun

Hey, It's Jody. I have a new scrapbooking layout to share. I used the beautiful Hip Kit Club December 2018 main kit. All but one 12x12 were exclusives from the company. My husband actually bought me another year subscription to the main kit for my birthday! I know, so sweet of him.
As a subscriber, I have access to free cut files. I thought I'd give one a try.  How cute is this stocking?

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the file out.  I added some clear gesso, only because I knew I wanted to paint over it.  I grabbed my cheap metallic watercolors.  I tried to match some of the colors, but really I just had fun painting it all up.  I also added Heidi Swapp Colorshine in Gold.  My personal favorite!!!

I used several chipboard pieces and a few things from the ephemera pack.  I also used some of the exclusive buttons. I love the look of mixed fonts for a title.  Lucky me, I had several words to choose from. I also used the beautiful and bold navy letters from Pink Fresh Studio.  

I really like how it turned out.  I think my little dude helps make it cute also.  I hope this gives you some inspiration to print your pictures and get crafting! 

I also created a process video to accompany this blog. Check it out below.