It's January .. with Sandi Clarkson

Hello, Blue Fern Studios fans!

 My name is Sandi Clarkson and I am thrilled to begin my Second Term with the Blue Fern Design Team.  Having worked with the Blue Fern Studios owner, staff and many of my fellow team members, this tuly feels like home! It also doesn't hurt that I live in the same state where Blue Fern is manufactured to strengthen my sense of belonging! (Texas, USA)  Because of that proximity, I am sometimes the very first designer to get to see the new products! Talk about exciting!! 

I'm married with three grown, married daughters and a growing number of grandkids! By profession, I'm a very recently retired Audiologist (last week) and am excited to have more free time to get "lost" in creating! I enjoy trying new techniques but am usually happiest when the results still fit my "pretty" criteria. My scrap room is my happy place. I kind of love that my desks have paint, gesso and runaway micro beads all over them. I'm mostly a layout girl but love, love, love doing the occasional canvas. 

Please visit my blog at Soft Side of Sandi to see more of my work. 

So, onward with January's projects ...

"XOXO" (based on the January sketch and flipped)

This month I actually did 2 masculine layouts! Or maybe it is safer to say that I've used masculine photos and then did my own thing! For this first one, I've pulled out some older papers from the Sanctuary collection along with some older chipboard pieces. But I've paired them with some of the new embossing powders that I was dying to try .. Oatmeal and Sage. 

The background for this one was created with a stencil, super heavy gesso, tissue tape and a couple of mists, Persimmon and Jingle Bells. The Persimmon helped pull out some of the peachy, red tones from the paper itself. 

Beneath my photo layers is the Paisley and Vine Medley split in half which I've first gessoed and then embossed with the Oatmeal Embossing Powder. The XOXO title was treated the same but double embossed. I've included the Notebook Edges pieces of chipboard which lend themselves nicely to "guy" projects. For them, I've used the new Sage Embossing Powder and then splashed them with white paint. 

My lower cluster includes a Notebook piece as well as more of the Chelsea Vines which were used around the photo as well. Some variegation was created with my gelatos. 

Most of the Blue Fern paper collections come with a Calling Cards sheet which is ideal for photo layers and titles/subtitles. And I generally add some corrugated cardboard for increased dimension. 

I finished my page with flowers and specks of splattered paint, first white, then black. 

Blue Fern Products used:

Paper:

Santaury Birdsong Melody

Sanctuary Garden Plaza

Sanctuary Calling Cards

Chipboard:

Paisley and Vine Medley

Notebook Edges

XOXO

Chelsea Vines

Mist:

Persimmon

Jingle Bells

Embossing Powder:

Sage

Oatmeal

***

"Delightful"

I've been dying to scrap this sweet father/son photo and challenged myself to get it done this month. 
Since they look a little "chilly" I wanted to give the page a frosty feel, so I've pulled out the Autumn Anthology Cottage piece. 

I'm not usually one to mix my "blues" but I just went for it here and am very pleased with the results. I've used the Sky Imagine Ink on the background and paper and on the Floral Lattice Bits. 
For the Roman Clock set, I opted to use the new Heavenly Embossing Powder. Wow, this one really glistens! If you like sparkle, this is the one for you! It's amazing! 

My word title is from the Optimist Set and is simply lightly inked with some brown ink. 

Aren't the Clock Hands intricate and beautiful? 

And the Heavenly Embossing Powder, wow! 

The Floral Lattice anchors the opposite side of the page. You can also see a good view of the Texture 1 stamp being used on my background layer.

Blue Fern Studios Products used:

Paper:

Autumn Anthology Cottage
Autumn Anthology Calling Cards

Chipboard:
Roman Clock Set large
Floral Lattice bits
The Optimist Word Set

Mist:
Sky

Embossing Powder:
Heavenly

Stamp:
Texture 1

***

And now a girly page! 

 "True Love"

Lastly, I'm digging my hands into my new Blush collection stash! These papers are so my colors! I love me some teal with peachy-pink and a touch of yellow. They feel so warm to me. 

Lots of background interest was created on the Enamored paper, side B with Mists and stamps as listed below. And of course, some stenciling. For paper layering, I've torn some of the Enamored, side A as well as the Fondness papers and then the Valentine Cards to tuck here and there. 

I still had a few bits of the Floral Lattice Bits on my desk and decided to just paint them white and let them be a nice contrast to the other colors. I made some circles on my paper, being sure to capture those sweet red hearts near the top! Aren't they cute? 

You can also see part of the Chelsea Medallion that I've used as a photo layer. I misted it with Winter Fern and then heat embossed with Fern Embossing Powder. 

It seems fitting to start working some hearts into my creations, so I've used a couple of pieces from the Valentine Hearts chipboard set. Both were gessoed, then misted with Persimmon and finally heat embossed with the new Garnet color. The top piece with the keyhole is so fun! For that one I mixed in some 14 Karat EP with a double embossing technique. 

Just a closer look at this sweet hearts! And the wings. 

On the right, I've made a Valentine Cards cluster and layered in some flowers and resin. One little fussy cut butterfly is in the mix. He's from the Frolic collection. The Weathered Doilies stamping come into view in this close-up, as well as the Photography stamp. 

A fun dimensional shot! 

Blue Fern Studios Products used:
Paper:
Blush Enamored
Blush Fondness
Blush Valentine Cards

Chipboard:
Chelsea Medallion
Floral Lattice bits
Valentine Hearts

Mist:
Persimmon
Winter Mint

Embossing Powder:
Garnet
14 Karat
Fern

Stamps:
Texture 1
Photography
Weathered Doilies

Thanks for hanging in there with me for this rather long post this month! 
Please be sure to check out the sketch challenge HERE
See you next time! 
Sandi

My First Projects for Blue Fern Studios: Nicole Doiron

Hello all you Blue Fern Studios fans!!  

I am thrilled to be here with you today to share my very first post and projects as DT!

First, let me introduce myself properly!  I'm Nicole Doiron from Canada's beautiful East coast!

I share my home and my life with my fiance Yves and our fur baby Sugar the cat.  I love reading, music, social game nights with friends, road trips, quality time with family and spending as much time in my scraproom as I can.  I have a shabby chic romantic style and I love to dabble in mixed media techniques.  I started scrapping in 2004 and started blogging about it in 2011, and it's been a marvelous adventure ever since!  I am super excited to be creating for Blue Fern Studios as laser-cut chipboard is my #1 crafty product and Blue Fern Studios designs are the most beautiful!

You can visit my blog at http://scrap-utopia.blogspot.com to see more of my creations!

I created 3 layouts to share with you today!

This page of my 2 beautiful nieces features the Timeless collection.
The papers from this line are so gorgeous, romantic and elegant, exactly my style.
I added some added texture and design to my background with the Texture Circles stamp set.

I treated both the Flutter Medley and Grande Cage chipboard pieces the same,
by first covering them with a thick coat of gesso which I heated until it bubbled.

I then experimented with a coat of Oatmeal Imagine Ink embossing powder,
and decided to add some brown paint, topping it off with a coat of
ivory metallic shimmer paint to give it a polished brassy look.

Blue Fern Studios products used:

paper: Timeless (Papillons, Main Street, Calling Cards)

chipboard: Flutter Medley, Grande Cages

embossing powder: Cotton Candy, Oatmeal

stamps: Texture Circles

I gave tribute this month to the 3 most important ladies in my life,

my nieces in my layout above, and my mom in this next one.

Using papers from the Blush collection, I combined the soft feminine colors

to create layers of pretty flowery designs perfect for such a special photo.

The word 'Amazing' from the Brilliant, Amazing, Dazzling set seemed like
a very fitting title as my mother is certainly an amazing person.

There are so many beautiful pieces in the Blue Fern Studios chipboard selection,

but I have to say that the Medley designs are my favorite, this one called

Flourish Medley being no exception. I cut it into 2 pieces in order to be able to

border the complete right side of my page.

On both the title and the Flourish Medley, I used the Honey embossing powder,
and then dabbed on some yellow and white paint with a sponge.
Adding a whitewash effect with dabs of white paint over my paper
and embellishments is somewhat of a signature style that I use on pretty much
all my creations as you will be able to see in the coming months.

Blue Fern Studios products used:

paper: Blush (Reminisce, Fondness, Calling Cards)

chipboard: Flourish Medley, Amazing word

embossing powder: Honey

My last share for this first post is this Winter-themed layout inspired by the January sketch.

I have combined papers from 2 different older collections to create this page:

the background is from Montage and the teal paper as well as the text strips 

are from Paisley & Vine.  I loved the very Winter-y white and teal color combo!

On my background I stamped some designs from Essential Textures and Love Story 1

to create some patterns flowing out from under the Snowflake Frame (a must have 

for your Winter chipboard stash) and the flower clusters.

I first treated the chipboard with white gesso and then added some embossing powder

opting for Pearl for the snowflakes and Fern for the title.  I then dabbed on

some white acrylic paint and added a little shimmery gloss.

This picture is very special as it depicts my maternal grand parents' house,

a home that holds so many awesome childhood memories.

Blue Fern Studios products used:

paper: Montage (Fairyland), Paisley & Vine (Splendor, Playing Cards)

chipboard: Shabby Flakes, Snowflake Frame, Dream word

embossing powder: Pearl, Fern

stamps: Essential Textures, Love Story 1

I really hope that I have inspired you to take out your Blue Fern Studios products and create today!

My first projects for Blue Fern Studios: Marie-Eve Bernard

Hello,

I'm so happy to present you my first three projects for Blue Fern Studios!  I'm so proud of being choose to be part of this great talented team.  I really hop to inspire you all year long.

My name is Marie-Eve Bernard.  I live in the beautiful Quebec City, Canada, with my family.  I'm the mother of two girls, Delphine and Mathilde, and pregnant of the third one (It's for July).  My husband, Laurent, will be surrounded by pink and princesses!  My family is my source of inspiration.  I'm a scrapbooker since more then 10 years now.  My style changed a lot over the past years.  I'm now passionate by mixed media.  I can't do a layout without getting my fingers dirty.  One thing that do not change over the years: my love of gorgeous papers, chipboards and flowers. So, I'm in heaven here with Blue Fern Studios products.

You can follow me there:

My blog:  www.lescreationsdemarieve.blogspot.ca

My Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/lescreationsdemarieve/

First Layout: Laughter

My first layout is made with the gorgeous Déjà Vu collection. I love the soft look of this collection.

On this flourish piece, I completely recovered it with the Iris Embossing Powder.  After, I emboss it a second time entirely with the Pearl Embossing Powder.  Finally, I add a little touch of Icicle Embossing powder.

The frame is simply embossed with the Icicle Embossing Powder.  For my title piece, I cover it with heavy Gesso and create texture with a stiff brush, just like stucco.  When the gesso is dry, I used a spray ink to color it.

Blue Fern Studios Products used:

Papers

- Déjà Vu Lustre (background paper)

- Déjà Vu Luminaries

Chipboards

- Laughter, Happy, Smile

- Blooming Flourish

- Ever After Frame Set

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder

- Pearl

- Iris

- Icicle

Stamps set:

-  Texture Circle

Second Layout:  Sweetheart

My second layout is ma with the brand new collection Blush!  This collection is simply gorgeous, girly and romantique.  It is completely my style and fall in love with it immediately.

On my background work, you can see that I use two Blue Fern Studios Stamp set (listed bellow).  On my Berry stems, I used Garnet Embossing Powder first and a little touch of the Otmeal one. My title is cut from the Valentine Cards paper. I use a tool to distress it on the edges.

Blue Fern Studios Products used:

Papers

- Blush Fondness  (background paper)

- Blush Valentine Cards

- Blush Celebration

Chipboards

- Berry Stems

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder

- Oatmeal

- Garnet

Stamps set:

-  Brocade Texture

- Vintage Edges

Third Layout:  Fairytale

My third layout is  made with the new Timeless Collection.  Such a wonderful collection too!  I was perfect for a picture of me in front of the Château de Chambord in France.  

I covered my frame with the Garnet Embossing Powder and ad touch of Mistic Plum.  I cut the corner flourish in two to have one on each side of my photo.  I use Mystic Plum Embossing Powder on the flourish pieces. For my title, I use the same technique from the first layout, but i apply two colours of spray ink.

Blue Fern Studios Products used:

Papers

- Timeless Maçonnerie (background paper)

- Timeless Freedom

Chipboards

- Story, Fairytale, Magic

- Corner Flourishes

- Ever After Frame Set

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder

- Garnet

- Mystic Plum

Stamps set:

- Texture Circles

- Vintage Edges

I hop you enjoy.
Thank you for passing by and see you next month!

Marie-Eve

My First Projects for Blue Fern Studios: Cathi O'Neill

Hi, I am so excited to be here today with my first projects for Blue Fern Studios!

My name is Cathi O'Neill and I am an American who wandered the world and married an Irishman. I have been living in Ireland since 1997. I live in a beautiful village on the Shannon River with my DH of 20 years (wow, that makes me feel old!) and my two beautiful daughters, Aine (onya) 13 and Aisling (ashling) 11, who are the subject of many of my projects!!

I have always loved crafting since I was a little girl. My grandmother taught me to knit and crochet and I remember sewing Barbie doll clothes with her on her front porch! I am a knitter and quilter as well, but have recently in the last few years found cardmaking and scrapbooking, and an obsession was born!! Barely a day goes by when I haven't done something crafty!!

I would say my style is a mixture of vintage, shabby chic with a hint of mixed media, you will often see me using vintage images! I hope you will come visit me at my blog at http://celticknotted.blogspot.com.

My first project uses the amazing new paper line, Blush. I have chosen a gorgeous vintage image that had just a tint of pink and blue in it...I used those to guide the layout's colors. I chose the beautiful Sweetheart paper for base of my layout.

I used many of the cut out cards and titles from the Blush Calling Card paper, layering them up! You can also see the Postal Textures stamps here in the background, I used Walnut Stain distress ink to make a weathered and distressed stamping background.

You can see two of the chipboard pieces I used, the gorgeous Floral Medley Frame and the Bits of Honey pieces. I used the Imagine Ink Sage and Bonny Blue on the frame leaving some sections plain for an overall distressed look. The Bits of Honey pieces were embossed with the Bonny Blue and I added some Walnut Stain distress ink to age them a little.

I used lots of yummy flowers from my stash in my floral cluster adding a ribbon for extra detail. I finished off the cluster with the heart lock from the Vintage Locks chipboard set.

Blue Fern Studio Supply List:

Paper:

Blush-Sweetheart and Calling Card

Chipboard:

Bits of Honey

Floral Medley Frame

Vintage Locks

Stamp:

PostalTextures

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder:

Sage, Honey, Bonny Blue

My next layout features the gorgeous new Timeless collection and a beautiful selfie my daughter took on my iPad. It is always fun to find new photos to use for my layouts taken for me on the iPad, a selfie addicted girl is great for a scrapper! I have used the Timeless Maçonnerie page for the layout base.

You can see some more layers in this page using the Timeless Calling Cards paper cut outs. Under the photo I have used the middle clock from the Roman Clock Set - Large. I used the Imagine Ink Mystic Plum embossing powder to color up the chipboard, adding some gesso for distressing.

I love the retro font used for the Timeless chipboard! This layout is called Timeless Beauty, which I happen to think my daughter is! I have used Imagine Ink Mystic Plum embossing powder and gesso again to color and distress the title.

I have added some gorgeous flowers and a nest which I think works well with the bird imagery in one of the calling cards. I have also tucked in some tags under the photo cluster. I also used Seedless Preserves distress ink and a stone wall mask to tone in with the papers. I added a bit of blue and brown splashes too.

I finished off my layout with a beautiful handcrafted butterfly by Renea.

Blue Fern Studio Supply List:

Paper:

Timeless -Maçonnerie and Calling Card

Chipboard:

Roman Clocks - Large

Timeless

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder:

Mystic Plum

You might have seen this layout in the challenge post earlier, this is my take on the January sketch challenge. I have used the Frolic Allegro paper for my base. Here is the sketch you can use to play along this month:

I have used the beautiful Royal Monarch butterfly chipboard and embossed it in Imagine Ink Honey and Cotton Candy. I have made a homemade satin and tulle flower and have used the Essential Textures and Texture Circle stamps for my background.

Here you can see lots of layers from the Montage Calling Cards paper and the Turkish Bits and Arrow Words chipboards.

Imagine Ink Honey and Cotton Candy are used here again to color the chipboard. To finish off the layout with my gorgeous vintage ballerina I simply added a little clip to the corner of the photo.

Blue Fern Studio Supply List:

Paper:

Frolic - Allegro

Montage - Calling Cards

Chipboard:

Turkish Bits

Arrow Words

Royal Monarchs
Stamps:
Essential Textures
Texture Circles

Imagine Ink Embossing Powder:

Honey

Cotton Candy

Thank you so much for having a look at my projects for this month. I am so excited to be here!

December Sketch Challenge Winner & Featured Layouts

Hello Blue Fern fans.  We're here today to announce the winner of our December sketch challenge.  

Based on a random draw, the winner is:

Entry #1 belongs to Patty - A Sassy Scrapper.  Congratulations Patty!   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.

Here is the beautiful layout that Patty created using the December sketch.  She used paper from our Vintage Christmas collection.   Patty was not only the first person to enter our sketch challenge last month, but this was also her first time entering our sketch challenge. 

It's our pleasure to feature the following three layouts from the December entries.  

Congratulations to each of you!

Gocchi of Japan

Kathy Bradley

Caroleanne Wright

Thanks to each of you who participated in our December challenge.  

We love seeing how you interpret our sketches and use Blue Fern products.

Our January sketch challenge has been posted on our blog, along with some gorgeous examples from our 2016 design team.  You can find a link to it in our sidebar.  We sure hope you will participate this month!  You just might be the winner of a selection of Blue Fern chipboard, or have your layout featured on our blog.  Good Luck!