We are all moved and 90% unpacked so I got to scrapbook for the first time in months and it was so good to be creating the way I love most again. I have had to edit this video a lot as there were long periods of indecisiveness as I was out of my usual flow, if that makes sense, but I am really happy with how this layout of my Granddaughter posing in a Mermaid cutout turned out.
I cut the shell die cuts with some Kaisercraft Cardstock in my stash, it is a old colour and no longer available. I would suggest trying Kaisercraft Oatmeal and blending inks to get the result you want.
You can view my Process Video by clicking on the pic or video below.
I love how this layout turned out. All the little bits that say I am a Mermaid were just perfect for telling the story of the photos and prompting my memory of it.
Welcome to my first post for Craftonline's new team. I am so excited to be on this team, my creativity is flowing and my brain is full of ideas.
My first idea was to record my memories of taking family to Happy Days Diner so I selected supplies that would coordinate with the colours and theme of the restaurant.
Here is a list of all I ordered that is still available.
I decided to prep my embellishments first, starting with a cute 50's dress embellishment. I was inspired by Farrel's Helmar blog post on making your own embellishments with Helmar Glue and a silicone mold, so I wondered if Craftonline had any silicone molds that would suit a 50's theme and I found this fantastic dress mold.
Due to my mold being much bigger than Farrel's mine would not dry properly, so I decided to try making my own paper clay with archival safe paper scraps and Helmar Acid Free Glue.
I started by tearing up some archival paper scraps and soaking them overnight in water. The next day I used my blender to turn it into paper pulp. E had fun squeezing the water out of the pulp, I got him to do it as it is a great activity for Fine Motor Skills and Sensory Processing.
Once the water was squeezed out of my paper pulp I added Helmar Acid Free Glue until I had a clay consistency, then I dusted my silicone mold with corn flour and filled it with my clay and let it set over night, hitting it with my heat gun a couple of times to help it dry to be sure it dried well.
I had fun painting my dress with Vicki Boutin paints in Cotton Candy and Banana.
I decided to make a second dress but I didn't filly the middle to the top, I wanted to try doing a hollow dress. It turned out really well, I mixed some cyan Versacraft ink with white paint to paint majority of the dress. Then mixed some lilac Versacraft with white pain to do part of the bottom of the dress and a base on the flower and bow. I finished the flower, bow and the very bottom of the dress with cotton candy Vicki Boutin pain mixed with white paint. I then painted the bottom edge with white paint. I absolutely love how this dress turned out.
When I was waiting for my glue attempt of the dress to dry I die cut this awesome die and this amazing Silver Mylar cardstock from Bazzill and I stamped my records and coloured the labels using some distress inks as watercolours.
Now that all my embellishments were ready to go I started scrapbooking. I got 5 layouts done with all my wonderful supplies and I have lots left for more layouts.
We are all moved and 90% unpacked so I got to scrapbook for the first time in months and it was so good to be creating the way I love most again. I have had to edit this video a lot as there were long periods of indecisiveness as I was out of my usual flow, if that makes sense, but I am really happy with how this layout of my Granddaughter posing in a Mermaid cutout turned out.
I cut the shell die cuts with some Kaisercraft Cardstock in my stash, it is a old colour and no longer available. I would suggest trying Kaisercraft Oatmeal and blending inks to get the result you want. 
I glued everything down with Helmar Acid Free Glue, Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive and some Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots were perfect for giving some lift and pop where needed. 
