Thursday, October 6, 2016

October Inspiration with Cathi

This month I wanted to do some more autumn themed layouts, because, well, I am in love with the autumn season, the colors, the leaves, everything... And of course I love the Blue Fern Studios Autumn Anthology and knew it needed to be used for this season!!


My first layout features my eldest Aine a few years back with an autumnal backdrop. Her red hair is always great for autumn layouts too!! For the base of the layout I used the gorgeous Penmanship paper. I just love the illustrations, a mixture of gorgeous fall flowers and mushrooms and fountain pens and vintage illustrations!  I always find the Calling Cards cutouts perfect for layering under my photos and the back side of the calling cards was just as gorgeous as the cut out images.


Here you can see the I Think You're Wonderful and Circle Flourish- Small chipboards embossed in the Tangerine Imagine Ink Embossing Powder.


I chose some beautiful peach colored Attic Charm Daisies and Courtship Blooms in dark brown to add to my layout. In the background you can see the splashes of ink and stamping I added to the layout using the Halftone stamp set, the Making Plans Stamp and the Essential Textures stamp set. I love the extra depth and texture stamping can give.


In my final photo here you can see the Turkish Bits chipboard I tucked in under the photo cluster. I used the gorgeous Amethyst Imagine Ink Embossing Powder to add a gorgeous color to it.

Blue Fern Studios Supplies:

Paper:
Blue Fern Studios Autumn Anthology Collection~Penmanship
Blue Fern Studios Seaside Cottage Collection~Calling Cards

Chipboard:
I Think You're Wonderful
Circle Flourish - Small
Turkish Bits

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder:
Tangerine
Amethyst

Stamps:
Halftone
Making Plans
Essential Textures

Flowers:
Courtship Blooms
Attic Charm Daisies


I went for a mix of modern and vintage for this layout. I had this great photo of my girls and some friends from years back and there are some adorable smiles in this photo, so of course it had to have the Million Dollar Smile as it title!  The paper I used here for the base is the flip side of the same paper above, Penmanship. I loved both sides so had to use both my papers this time!!



Here you can see I used the Million Dollar Smile for the title of my layout, embossing it and the Captured arrow chipboard from the Picture Perfect set in the beautiful Sea Mist Imagine Ink Embossing Powder. 


Here you can see the Calling Cards cutouts I layered under the photo, as well as the splashing and stamping I did in the background using the Forever stamp set.  I cut a piece down from the smaller Film Strip chipboard set and embossed it in Melon Imagine Ink Embossing Powder.


In my final photo for this layout you can see the big Film Strip accent I added again in the Melon Imagine Ink Embossing Powder, along with the beautiful orange Tranquil Bloom and aqua colored Spring Lily.

Blue Fern Studios Supplies:

Paper:
Blue Fern Studios Autumn Anthology Collection~Penmanship
Blue Fern Studios Seaside Cottage Collection~Calling Cards

Chipboard:
Million Dollar Smile
Film Strips
Picture Perfect

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder:
Sea Mist
Melon

Stamps:
Forever

Flowers:
Tranquil Blooms
Spring Lilies


For my final layout I used the beautiful Timeless collection. The base paper is the beautiful Papillon paper. My eldest as you might have guessed from past months, loves to dance, so  it won't surprise you to see another photo of her and her friends in swan gear this time! Such a lovely photo captured, I just had to scrap it, my girl is the second from the right lol. 


For the title of my page I used the Dreams Come True chipboard.  The photo is clustered yet again on the top of the always perfect Calling Cards cutouts used for layering behind the photo. Here you can see a good view of the mixed media background I did using mist splatters, watercolors, molding paste and masking and lots of stamps including the Making Plans, Forever and Essential Textures stamps.


The flowers I included in the layout are the Attic Charm Daisies, Courtship Blooms and Harvest Lilies, so beautiful!


In this photo you can see the Tattered Diamond Bits and Royal Monarch chipboard. The diamonds have been embossed in the Oatmeal Imagine Ink Embossing Powder while the butterfly has been embossed with the Cotton Candy Imagine Ink Embossing Powder and the edges have been additionally embossed in 14 Karat Imagine Ink Embossing Powder.

Blue Fern Studios Supplies:

Paper:
Blue Fern Studios Autumn Anthology Collection~Papillons
Blue Fern Studios Seaside Cottage Collection~Calling Cards

Chipboard:
Dreams Come True
Tattered Diamond Bits
Royal Monarchs

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder:
Cotton Candy
Oatmeal
14 Karat

Stamps:
Making Plans
Essential Textures
Forever

Flowers:
Harvest Lilies
Courtship Blooms
Attic Charm Daisies

I have really enjoyed making this month's layouts and am very much looking forward to the gorgeous new Memoires collection to work with next month!! Thank you so much for visiting!!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

We have a Winner!

Today we are excited to announce the winners of our September Mood Board Challenge.  
We will also have a few layouts to feature, so let's get started. 

The winner, based on a random draw is:

 
Lucky #13 is the winner this month, and entry #13 belongs to Ewelina Gryglak.
 As the winner, you will receive a package of Blue Fern Studios chipboard.  
Please send an e-mail, within the next 7 days, to {valerie(at)bluefernstudios(dot)com} to claim your prize.
 
Take a look at the awesome layout Ewelina created for the Mood Board:


Your projects for our challenges always amaze us and we would like to feature a few layouts that caught our eye:


Annie Carignan's layout captures the light, airy, feel of the Mood Board with the combination of blue and yellow.




Hee Sun Kim took a very different approach with this interesting mixed media heart canvas.  The texture she has created is amazing!
 
 
 

And of course we had to feature a layout that took the beach theme all the way!  This one from Hiromi has it all - the colors, the feel, and the texture of our Mood Board.  What a fun layout. 


Congratulations to the winner and those who were featured!

To all of you who participated, we say Thank You!  

We hope you will join us for our October Sketch Challenge.  All the details can be found in our sidebar. 



Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Stories Worth Telling With Blue Fern Studios And Renea Harrison

Welcome to October!! I am soooo ready for some cooler weather!
For my Blue Fern Studios October projects, I have 2 layouts and a mini album to share with you. The first layout is based on this month's Blue Fern Studios Sketch:


It features a Rustic~Country feel, and incorporates the sketches main design into one of my FAV styles.


I used 2 layers of Blue Fern Serendipity Paper.  The 1st layer is Fascination, and the 2nd layer is Inspiration Paper that I cut down, inked and water distressed, layering some lace under the distressing.


I added some metal latches coated with gesso to the sides, and then matted the photo out using the Serendipity Contemplation Paper and some burlap.


I added a Blue Fern Small Roman Clock that was heat embossed with Imagine Ink Oatmeal Embossing Powder  to the top corner of my photo, then added some feathers, mulberry paper flowers, and a cream Blue Fern Courtship Rose.




I did some brick stenciling with sand paste.


I then replicated the design from the sketch using a Blue Fern Ironwork Arch Chipboard Piece that I heat embossed with some Imagine Ink Oatmeal Embossing Powder. I then strung some little charms with burlap string and hung them like the pieces in the sketch. I added a sweet little rose and some of my handcrafted Tiny Treasure Delicate Beauty Butterflies.


Here you can see the texture that the Oatmeal Embossing Powder gives the chipboard. (Oatmeal is one of my FAVS. I find myself grabbing it over and over again and so will you!! )



I added some feathers, mulberry paper flowers, and a cream Blue Fern Courtship Rose.


Blue Fern Studios Supply List:
Paper:
Serendipity Collection:
Fascination
Inspiration
Contemplation

Chipboard:
Ironwork Arch
Small Roman Clocks

Flowers:
Courtship Roses

Imagine Ink:
Oatmeal Embossing Powder


For my 2nd Blue Fern Studios October Project, I created a super romantic layout that features the Blush Paper Collection:


The bottom layer of paper is the Fondness Paper. I then took a Blue Fern Large Roman Clock Chipboard piece, and I painted it white. 



Next, I stamped it using clear embossing powder and then heat set embossed with the Imagine Ink Ebony Embossing Powder.  I then created puddles of glitter glass, silver seed beads and Imagine Ink Mystic Plum Embossing Powder.


I added lace on the bottom, and heat set a Blue Fern Blissful Chipboard piece, that I heat embossed with the Imagine Ink Ebony Embossing Powder that I used on the clock, and added a little piece of bling to it and then added it to my layout.


I added a matte for my photo that is 2 pieces of the Blush-Key To My Heart Paper that I glued to form a pocket, and then cut out one of the Calling Card pieces, added a rhinestone button, and created a tuck in that you can pull out and journal on.
The butterflies are my handcrafted Sweetheart Soft Yellow Butterflies.


Next, I added a Mulberry paper Rose, some light green leaves, and 2 of the Blue Fern Courtship Roses.


I tucked a resin frame behind the matte of my photo at the opposite top corner,


 and then formed a large flower layer at the bottom corner with some mulberry paper flowers, more leaves, a chiffon flower, and more Courtship Roses then tucked in a Ballerina Die Cut.



And here is a side view so that you can see the dimension of all those gorgeous Blue Fern details!!

Blue Fern Studios Supply List:

Blush Paper Collection:
Valentine Cards
Reminisce
Fondness
Key To My Heart Paper 

Chipboard:
Large Roman Clocks
Blissful, Jubilation, Patience (I used Blissful)

Imagine Ink:
Ebony Embossing Powder
Mystic Plum Embossing Powder

Stamp:
Serendipity Medley

Flowers:
Courtship Roses

For my 3rd Blue Fern Studios October Project, I have a Shabby Chic Mini Album that I created with the super feminine Courtship Lane Paper Collection.



This Album is packed full of Blue Fern Courtship Lane Paper that includes:Parkway, Main Street, 
Lover's Lane, Concert Lane, Royal Street, Town Gossip, East Plaza, West Plaza, and Calling Cards. 



Here you can see all the dimension that I created with all the details and packed full pages.


The focal point of the cover, is a Blue Fern Studios Charlotte's Dres Chipboard Piece that I gussied up.


I heat embossed the little hanger from the set with Imagine Ink Icicle Embossing Power, painted the dress form with Ivory Acrylic Paint and then stamped it using the Blue Fern Serendipity Melody Stamp.



I decorated it with water distress "ruffles" from the paper collection, tulle, lace and a mini rose~So Yummy with all that texture!!


I added layers of lace to the bottom and then added flower details, a little nest, a bobbin that I hit with texture paste,



and some metal scissors that I rubbed with gesso. The Dragonflies are some of my handcrafted Shabby Pink Roses Dragonflies.


I added a crochet doily behind the dress form and then added a Blue Fern Courtship Rose along with a mulberry paper rose, small resin frame topped with a "handmade" charm and the sentiment "Dream" that I cut from the papers.


The cover has a top pocket that houses a double sided over sized tag that was created from some of the papers, given a hand dyed seam binding bow and topped with a button.



Page One And Page Two feature pockets that house 4 Double Sided pull outs created from the Calling Cards Paper,  there is also a Metal Clip with a glass cabochon that I cut a butterfly from the paper and glued underneath it, mulberry paper gardenia and leaf accents.


Here you can see the pull outs untucked.



Pages Three & Four, feature 1-small and 1-large die cut space for photos, lace details and Blue Fern Attic Charm Daisies.



Page Three Features a pocket that house another double sided, oversized tag.


Page Five features a large photo spot, lace, and mulberry paper accent, & Page Six features a pocket created out of a fussy cut Violin piece from the papers that was formed into a pocket, and then I tucked in a double sided Calling card topped with a little metal hanger and mini rose.



Both Page Five & Six Feature a Pocket with double sided, oversized tags.
This is what the tags look like pulled out of their pockets.


Page Seven & Page Eight features pockets accented with lace, a metal lock, a metal key and mini mulberry paper roses. The pockets house 4-double sided pull outs for journaling and small photos.


Here is a shot with the pieces untucked from the pockets.


And here is a shot of the backside that I did out in the matching papers for a finished look.

I hope that you have enjoyed all 3 of my Blue Fern October Projects!! I really appreciate you stopping by!! Hugs ~Renea

Blue Fern Studios Supply List:
Courtship Lane Collection Paper:
Parkway
Main Street
Lover's Lane
Concert Lane
Royal Street
Town Gossip
East Plaza
West Plaza
Calling Cards

Chipboard:
Charlotte's Dress Set

Imagine Ink:
Icicle Embossing Powder

Stamp:
Serendipity Medley

Flowers:
Courtship Lane Roses

Attic Charm Daisies

Saturday, October 1, 2016

October Challenge

Hi everyone!  Are you ready for a new challenge?  We hope you like that we have been featuring a different challenge each month.  This month we return to a favorite, our sketch challenge.  We know many of you love the sketches created by designer Michele Singh, and she has a a beautiful one for us to use this month. 


This sketch calls for two photos, but of course, you can use one if you choose. 
You will see in our Creative Team examples below, that we show it both ways.  


Follow Your Bliss by Debbie Burns



Sunset by Renea Harrison



Yesterday by Sandi Clarkson



Heaven Sent Blessings by Maja Nowak



Now it is your turn! Whether you are new to our Sketch Challenge or have participated in the past,
 we would love for you to grab some Blue Fern products and use the sketch as inspiration for a project. 
We will have a prize package for one lucky winner (from a random draw),
and will feature a few projects from YOU at the end of the month!

We ask that you follow these guidelines:

1.) Feel free to interpret the sketch as you please.  You may use the sketch as-is or
flip/turn/mirror as you like, but please make sure your layout resembles the sketch.

2). You can create any project you please - a layout, card, canvas, altered item
- whatever suits your mood and style! We would love to see the different 
ways our sketch can be used.

3.) You must use at least one piece of Blue Fern Studios chipboard OR use Blue Fern Studios paper
on your project. Please note that you do not need to use the chipboard pieces or paper
featured in the sketch. You can find a list of stores that carry Blue Fern products  HERE.
 {Do not use any other brand of chipboard on your project, please!}

4.) Upload your project using the Inlinkz tool below by midnight EST on September 30, 2016.

Have fun with it.  We can't wait to see your projects using this month's sketch.