A Prima Epiphany Mixed Media Layout

Alright scrapping peeps, I know some of you've been waiting for this and it's my pleasure to present my first ever start-to-finish mixed media video. Now screening on my YouTube channel. Yeah!!!

In this pilot video, I'm sharing a time-lapsed progress in how I created this pearlescent Epiphany mixed media layout using Prima's Epiphany paper collection, Ingvild Bolme's Shabby Chic Treasures, Prima flowers, Colour Bloom Sprays and Finabair's ArtBasics, ArtExtravagance and ArtIngredients. Yes it's a layout that I used almost 90% of Prima goodies!!! Though the general look of this layout look simple, but the work behind is not what you think it is as you will get to see in my video. The Epiphany collection contains a good blend of pastel blue, pink and gray which will be the colour palette I worked towards in building this layout. Filming is not really easy for start-to-finish mixed media videos as I'll have to plan properly to ensure the flow is smooth. Certain tasks such as fussy cutting, planning and positioning of embellishments to waiting for medium to dry are not shown in order to make the video within 30 minutes for maximum pleasure and view ability. I was quite excited yet nervous for this as I was pretty concern that it may not turn out that well. Finally I survived!!!

I had developed this photo of mine and had kept it for quite a long time till I decided to create a layout using Prima's Epiphany collection. The white pureness with a touch of soft pastels of this collection just make my heart flutter. I really love this collection. Moreover I'm a Christian and Epiphany has a biblical meaning to it. Epiphany itself is a traditionally observed church festival held on 6th January to celebrate the manifestation of the divine nature of Christ as represented by Magi (Matthew 2:1-12). Hence, I decided to create a layout to kick start this holiday season (though it's not 6th January yet), to commemorate my status as a child of God and the essence of the Gospel and Christ. Also, as a form of remembrance and realisations I've gotten from God.

Alright, before I bored you guys any further, here I'm presenting this for your crafting inspirations. Feel free to let me know what you think and remember to comment and subscribe to my channel. More photos below and a list of supplies as follows.

Happy crafting!!! Cheers!!!

Here is a list of supplies I used for this layout:

• 12" X 12" Canvas Panel
• Clear Scraps Acrylic Borders & Mixers (ornate border & corner ornate)
• Prima Epiphany (Words to Live By & Striking Appearance)
• Prima Epiphany Clear Stamp 2
• Prima Colour Bloom Spray (cotton candy, pearl white, soft teal & storm cloud)
• Prima 6" X 6" Stencil (decor 1)
• Prima Jute Trim (wheat)
• Prima Charlotte Scalloped Roses (white)
• Finnabair Vanity Big Dolly Clear Stamp
• Finnabair ArtBasic (clear gesso, heavy white gesso, soft matte gel, 3D matte gel & modeling paste)
• Finnabair ArtExtravagance (texture paste clear crackle)
• Finnabair ArtIngredients (art sugar in white, light pink & charcoal, glass glitter in sterling and glass beads in crystal)
• Ingvild Bolme Chalk Edger (attic dust)
• Ingvild Bolme Shabby Chic Treasures (butterflies & door locks)
• Stickles (frosted lace)
• Paper Dolly
• Die-cut Letterings on Foam

Virgin Big Shot Trial on Thanksgiving...

For those who have following me on my Facebook and Instagram, you probably know I finally got myself a Sizzix Big Shot... Yes, after 2 years of procrastination, I managed to get one yesterday and I got it at a pretty good deal with my Spotlight gift voucher... It's a $40 off, so after the deduction I paid $89 (~USD68) for it that comes with an extended multipurpose platform and a set of cutting pads...

My new crafting toy - the Big Shot...

After that, it was the exciting part - playing with my new toy... For someone like me who never use a die-cut machine before, this was seriously a "BIG" event... I know once I own a Big Shot, I'll venture into dies which is one of the reasons why I refused to get one previously because it will burn my pockets deeply... Hmmm, timing was kinda right; Black Friday is just round the corner and alot of sites are having an early start... With all the good deals such as Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folders offering as cheap as USD1.26 for a pack of two, and Sizzlits as cheap as USD4 each, who couldn't resist the temptation?!? I AM definitely factoring I don't have a library of collection yet... Indeed, with all the excitement in exploring all other crafting possibilities, I bought a total of 30 dies and embossing folders during this Black Friday sale... Ouch!

Alright, after getting these great deals (even it had burned my pocket), suddenly I had this sense of satisfaction and I feel complete... While I'll need to give the merchants some time for them to ship my orders out, I seriously can't wait... With all the excitement hovering around me, I desperately want to attempt my virgin trial on the Big Shot.. Thankfully, I've a few Thinlits and Framelits in my DT package, thanks to the generosities of Graphic 45 and Sizzix... Woohoo!!! Yes and I excitingly cut my cardstocks, sandwiched them and run through the machine... Then I heard a "thug" sound, at that moment I was like OMG!!! Did I broke my die?!? I quickly passed through the entire cutting pads and extender and was taken aback to find that my die is still intact... So why is there a sound?!? Concerning that it might damage my Big Shot, I contacted one of my scrapping peeps and she told me it's an indication that the die had performed its cut onto the cardstock... I was also told by her that I may develop a liking to the sounds of Big Shot... LOL!!! Is that a kind of creative stimulus??

Nonetheless, I finally performed my very virgin trial on my Big Shot!!! I'm a happy camper!!! So now sharing here my virgin Big Shot project using Elegant flip-its card Framelits and Graphic 45 Botanical Tea paper collection... For someone like me who is not really good in making cards, this card Framelits definitely make cardmaking so much easier... It's indeed one such virgin project performed on Thanksgiving...

Hope you guys enjoy what I've shared here...

Cheers!!! And happy crafting!!!

Upcoming Prima Class at Made with Love

It's coming to end of 2014, time really flies... To welcome 2015 and to offer more fresher inspirations, I've designed this mixed media altered notebook for my next upcoming Prima class at Made with Love... Happening this late December and early January next year...

For this time round, I'm shifting away from project-based lessons to technique-based classes, this is to ensure scrappers who attend my classes will get to learn something... I'd have to bring across to scrappers that this may not be a pure beginner's mixed media class as this involves creating of a vintage background before embellishing... There's intricate fussy cutting involve as well..

Below is the promotional collage and pictures of the project you will be learning and taking home... I hope to see you guys again!!!

Cheers!!!

Shimmerz Design Team

Working on paints and mediums is always on my list and I always love to explore more, to learn more and discover new techniques... It's also one way to train my creativity brain cells and in hope I can extend my skills and teach...

I've heard so much about Shimmerz and finally I'm in their Design Team next year... So exciting and hope I'm able to bring in more inspirations..

Cheers!!!

My Graphic 45 DT Paper Crafter's Library Spotlight

Today is my turn to be on the Paper Crafter's Library Spotlight as a Graphic 45 DT member.. All thanks to Graphic 45, as their DT member we will at least get a chance to be featured in such amazing crafting blog...

What I'm sharing is this handmade butterfly necklace together with this altered box... Using Graphic 45 retired collection, Secret Garden and Graphic 45 Staples, I created this exquisite gift for one of my close girlfriend who is currently facing some tough times in her marriage and perusal as an actor...

I'm not someone who is really very good in accessories making, and seriously this butterfly pendant is my very first attempt... I've seen several projects using embossed metal pieces and perhaps I should give it a try... So I embossed some floral designs onto the metal butterflies using an embossing gadget I borrow from my friend... I was so afraid it will damaged the embosser, but luckily it didn't and it worked!!!

This little gift may not help or improve her situation, but I hope it will give her some sunshine in her life, brave her heart up and fly like a butterfly...

Hope over to Paper Crafter's Library to view more pictures on this project... There's a prize pack awaiting to be won, so don't forget to do so...

Good luck!!!