Shenanigans are Afoot

Hello Shimmerz friends!

I sincerely hope that you and your families are doing well as we manuever through these unchartered waters. As a teacher, I am home for six weeks but truly wishing I were back in the classroom with my students. However, since I'm not, I have been spending a lot of time in my craft room creating. I suppose I'll suffer through it.

Today, I want to share a layout I created using the following Shimmerz products:

Dazzlerz Puttin' on the Glitz

Coloringz Heidi Ho Blue

Coloringz My Bleeding Heart

Coloringz Ahoy Matey

To create the background, I quite literally poured small amounts of the paints onto a mat and smeared a bit of the Dazzlerz in random places. Next, I took a piece of Vicki Boutin mixed media paper and pressed it onto the mat several times and in several places. 

The next step was to paint the same colors in different areas to add more saturated color. Once the background was completely dry (this took a while), I used some Elle's Studio stamps to add sentiments on top of the paints. After stamping the sentiments, I used a stencil with black ink to add the triangle shapes.

With the background done, I went to work layering papers and embellishments from Carta Bella's Family Night collection around the photo. I have to say that the quality of my picture is not the best, but it captures my kiddos perfectly.

I added the title using Thickers as well as enamel dots from the same collection. 

I love how the background looks with the bright colors of the papers and embellishments.

Here's one last look at the completed layout.

Remember, if you need supplies, stop by the Shimmerz Shop! Type JENNIFER in the comments at checkout to receive a freebie with your order!

Thank you so much for stopping by today - I hope you are inspired to create.

- Jennifer

Jolly Good Cheer | Christmas Layout with process video

Hello everyone!

Thank you so much for joining me today for another colorful, Christmassy layout. From start to finish, this layout took me about 3 hours to complete, but most of it was spent backing the cutfile and waiting for the base to dry. In terms of patterned paper and embellishments, I paired Simple Stories Holly Jolly and Say Cheese Christmas collections; and the cutfile is called Santa Hats background by Virginia Walker (I'll leave the links to her shop and cutfile at the end of this post). You'll find the link to the process video there as well.

I first began my layout by backing the cutfile. I cut it out on white cardstock, and used the text paper from Say Cheese Christmas collection to place a Christmas-themed word on the border of the Santa hats. Various papers were used to back the actual hats. For some texture, I used Dazzlerz Puttin' On The Glitz and Paige Evan's star stencil on some light blue cardstock; this was used to back the little balls at the end of the Santa Hats.

For my base, I used a Vicki Boutin Foundations papers, Shimmerz Mists and white acrylic paint. Sprayed some water onto the paper to give the mists some extra wiggle and blending space, and sprayed Cotton Candy, Jeni B Blue, and Hermit the Frog. I realized that the colors were a bit too bright when compared to the patterned paper that I had used so I sprayed some Chance of Rain and Razzle Dazzle Berry also and let them blend together. Without waiting for the mists to dry, I watered down some white acrylic paint and splattered it onto the base. This techniques creates a marbled look, almost looking like a galaxy! Before setting the base aside to dry, I watered down some Dazzlerz Puttin' on the Glitz and splattered it unto the background just to add a bit of glitter to it.

While my base was drying, I matted my pictures using the same light blue cardstock and added some craft foam behind them for some dimension. I then began to pull embellishments out from the Simple Stories Holly Jolly Collection and divide them among the pictures. Once my base was completely dry, I added in the cutfile (also on craft foam) and then placed my pictures. Glued down my embellishments and finished off the layout by adding the title to the upper left hand corner using foam thickers by Pink Paislee and a die cut from Simple Stories. And that's it! Here are a few more close-ups.

I love this layout; so much so that I've placed it in a 12x12 shadow box and it's part of the Christmas decor in my living room!

Here are the links:

- Process video: https://youtu.be/xhi6xg5HSbU

- Virginia's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/COAPACutfiles?ref=search_shop_redirect

- Cutfile: https://www.etsy.com/listing/752391867/santa-hat-background-cut-file-svg-pdf?ref=shop_home_active_6&crt=1 

Hope I've inspired you to create gorgeous layouts using lots of Shimmerz colors. Remember, you can receive some free paint by typing in my name in the comments section of your next Shimmerz order. Thanks for looking!

Have a great day!

Stay Crafty!

- Lorimar

Holiday Favorite

Hey Shimmerz friends! It's Jen today with a project highlighting several beautiful Shimmerz paints to document one of my favorite holiday traditions - watching A Christmas Carol.

I am in full holiday mode and have been using many of the Christmas collections from my stash - including Fancy Pants Designs and Pinkfresh Studio - along with some of my favorite Shimmerz products.

Coloringz My Bleeding Heart

Shimmeringz Goldie Lox

Creameez Lettuce Get Together

Dazzlerz Puttin' on the Glitz 

Here's a look at my project . . .

This layout began with white cardstock, which I used to create the background. My first step was to use a stencil with Dazzlerz Puttin' on the Glitz to create a bit of texture and sparkle. I let this sit overnight to completely dry before getting back to work on the project the following day.

For the background colors, I grabbed Coloringz My Bleeding Heart, Creameez Lettuce Get Together, and Shimmeringz Goldie Lox. One at a time, I applied the paints to the cardstock allowing each to completely dry before applying the next. I did use my heat tool to speed up the process a bit.

During the painting process, I continually laid the photos on the area where I knew they'd be placed to create a fitting backdrop. 

Once the paints were dried, I used Pinkfresh and Crate Paper stamps to create a frame of sorts for the photos. I love the black ink against the bright colors - it provides depth of color and gives weight to the background.

The photos were backed with patterned paper and tissue paper. After they were adhered using foam squares, I placed die cuts, wood/enamel brads, and enamel dots around them.

The layout was completed with machine stitching around the border, a bit of journaling along the left side, and the title using wood alphabet stickers from Pinkfresh. I love the warm wood tones with the bright colors. They add the perfect touch!

I hope this project inspires you to break out your holiday crafty stash along with your Shimmerz paints to document your memories. 

Need supplies? Remember to type JENNIFER in the comments when picking up your Shimmerz goodies to receive a freebie with your order.

Have a great day!!

- Jen