A Layout from Valerie

Hello Blue Fern fans!  It has been a great start to 2014 here at Blue Fern Studios.  I sure hope you've enjoyed what our new design team has shown you so far this year.  They sure are a talented group of women, and there's so much more to come this month.

Today it's my turn to share a layout with you, titled "Best of Times". 

I have used 4 different pieces of Blue Fern chipboard, although they might not be obvious at first glance.  I'll start with one of the most obvious, the frame, from the Memory Frames set.  Ever struggle with a title?  I do all the time, so I love it when an embellishment, such as chipboard, provides the title.  I coated this piece with gesso and used a black paint dabber.  It was very quick and easy.  Then adhere the frame to your photo, and cut around it!

I also used the Berry Stems in my flower cluster.  Once again, I coated the chipboard with gesso, and used a dabber style paint.  Not only does it go on quickly, but there is no mess!

I also used one of the pieces from the Winter Page Dangles set of 3.  I cut it in half and used it in two places on my layout.  These pieces were also coated with gesso, then some gold paint that had some shimmery bits in it, which gave it a rough texture.  I then applied a little Inka Gold. 

 

The fourth piece of chipboard is from the Ever After Frame Set. It's a little oval frame that I have tucked behind my photo on the top right side.  Who says frames have to go over your photos?  I also used a paint dabber on that piece, and when dry, used some permanent ink and a text stamp.

I urge you to not only use your embellishments for the obvious, but try to find other ways to use them, as well.

That's all for today.  Be sure to check back to see what our other designers have for you!

A layout and a tag with Camilla

Hi everybody! I am Camilla Ekman and I am so happy to be a returning design team member here at Blue Fern Studios! Yay! And guess what...I have some new Blue Fern Studios projects to share. 

First I have made a baby layout using two of the Spring Branch and one of the Grande Cages. These chipboards I have painted with white gesso and then stamped with embossing ink and then added golden embossing powder.

This is what the chipboards look like close up:

My second project is a small tag to give away. For my tag I have used the True Love title from the 2 Hearts Set, a heart from the Heart Set and two Ornate Medallions. The heart and the title are just painted in white gesso and I have added a few pearls to the heart. The Ornate Medallions are painted in white and then stamped on with black ink and covered with glossy accents.

Make sure to check back the day after tomorrow to get some more inspiration from the design team!

Camilla

GIVEAWAY: Blue Fern Garden {Our NEW Paper Collection!}

Today is a very exciting day, because we finally get to reveal to you {in its entirety} our BRAND NEW paper collection:

 Blue Fern Garden

AND we're giving some away- how would you LOVE to win this one for yourself? First take a look at these gorgeous papers, and then scroll down to see how you can make it your OWN!

Are you in love yet? I know we are!

Now, for your chance to WIN:

-You can gain {one} entry by simply entering the link to your blog using the Inlinkz tool below. 

-Gain a {second} entry by sharing this giveaway on your blog {in a blog post}; simply enter the link to that post using the Inlinkz tool.

-Please be sure you are following us!

-We'd love to see this shared on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. Why? By getting the word out there, we get more entries- but what does that mean for you? 

*~*Every time we reach an additional 50 entries, we will give away ANOTHER paper collection! Therefore, if we get 50 entries, we give away 2 collections. 100 entries, we give away 3, and so on...The more you share, the better your chances of snagging one of these collections for yourself!*~*

So enter, share, and cross your fingers! This giveaway runs through January 20th, 2014 at midnight {Central Time}. The lucky winner{s} will be chosen by random draw shortly thereafter.

Good luck!

WINNERS: December Sketch Challenge!

It's time to reveal the winner and features for our December Sketch Challenge!

We had a fabulous batch of entries amidst the busy holiday season, and we enjoyed each and every one. 

THANK-YOU for submitting your talent!!

First up, we have the lucky winner of our chipboard prize pack:

Congratulations to............

Carrie Sedlack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please contact me at {erin@bluefernstudios.com} within 7 days to claim your prize!

Next up, our Top 3 Features!

#1

Taniko

#2

Emilia van den Heuvel

#3

Donna

Thank-you for playing along! 

Join us this month for our January Sketch Challenge- it's another beauty!!

The Flat Iron Building, Snowflakes and Making Something Old New Again

 Happy New Year!!! Lisa here with the first round of Design Team 2014 projects. With winter in full swing in some parts of the country, it made me think about our trips into the city on snowy days. New York City that is. One of the most fascinating iconic treasures is The Flat Iron Building. If you've never been, it sure is one of the buildings you have to visit. I chose to use one of my favorite winter pictures of the building for this layout and do it in a more grungy style.

 To keep in the chipboard theme, I used 2 pieces of Kraft paper to complete this layout. Gesso, paint, stamping and embossing round it all out in techniques. I even used some washi tape!!

The Manor Hinge was painted with black acrylic paint then kissed with Viva Colour Metallic rub in bronze. I used the rub on the nailhead brads as well. 

I used  a piece from the Film Strips pack to display the title of my layout. The Bits Of Honey pieces were rubbed with the bronze metallic rub as well. They look like actual metal pieces.

This next project is another entry into my art journal. I think the  Winter Page Dangles fit perfectly in my journal as they were the perfect size.  I followed the sketch from our January Sketch Challenge. I hope you join in and create something with the sketch.

The Blue Fern Studios Shabby Snowflakes were coated with Glitter then topped with a pink rhinestone to enhance the color of the rose in the photo. It adds just a touch of warmth.

The Winter Page Dangles were painted and then covered with a thick Lacquer medium and sprinkled with glitter. The lacquer is dimensional makes them look like jewels.  Rhinestones were also attached to the page dangles.

 This last layout is a redo of an older layout I had stashed in my pile of layouts. Long ago, I had created some rolled roses for this page and attached some store bought butterflies. It needed a serious wonderful new facelift, so I pulled off the flowers and butterflies, picked out my Blue Fern Studios chipboard and created my redo. I love it even better than the old version. It is bright and cheery and makes me think of a summer garden.

The Fantasy Butterfly set has the most beautiful pattern in the wings. Open and lacy and perfect for this frilly page. I used a pearl pen for the body and antennae, then painted the wings with acrylic paint and sprinkled some glitter on while the paint was still wet. The photo needed some corner adornments so I used 2 of the Small Symphony corners that I painted with acrylic paint and then rubbed metallic rub on lightly for added shine.

 Thank you for stopping by for some inspiration. I hope you join our Sketch Challenge. There is an awesome prize to be won!!! Till next time, Happy New Year!! May the new year bring you wonderful creativity!!

January Sketch Challenge!!

Well, folks- here it is:

 Our very first sketch challenge of the brand NEW year! We're kicking it off with our NEW Design Team- and we just know you will be blown away by their incredible examples. Perhaps you will want to dive right in and play along? We sure hope so ;)!

Here is January's breathtaking sketch, designed by Michele Singh:

And hold on to your seats- we've got some inspiration coming your way! 

Keren Tamir

Joyce Lawrence

Marie-Josee Hamel

Yuko Tanaka

Camilla Ekman

Jackie Clark

Jelissa Mei

Lisa Griffith

Rae Moses

And we have a brand NEW batch of goodies for you too- including some of our NEWEST designs, hot off the press! Take a look at what one lucky randomly drawn winning participant will win from this month's sketch challenge:

In addition to our prize winner, we will also select a Top 3 to feature in our winner post!

 

We have just a few simple rules to follow if you would like to participate in our sketch challenge:

1.) Feel free to interpret the sketch as you please by means of taking it as-is or flipping/turning/mirroring it to suit your needs! **Please note that you can do whatever type of project you please- a layout, card, tag, canvas, altered item- whatever suits your mood and style! We would love to see the different ways our sketch can be used.**

2.) You must use at least one piece of Blue Fern Studios chipboard- but you do not need to use the pieces featured in the sketch! You can find the store nearest you HERE. {Do not use any other brand of chipboard on your project please!}

3.) Upload your project using the Inlinkz tool below by midnight EST on January 31st, 2014.

We look forward to your entries!

December projects with Kerryn Lawson

As another year draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to share my final Blue Fern Studios projects with you.  It has been a fabulous 6 months.  Thankyou for allowing me to share my work with you.

Today I have a couple of cards and a layout to share.  First up is a general purpose card featuring the Tweet Friends chipboard.

After being primed with gesso a combination of green paints was applied to the branches and leaves.  By applying the gesso first the paint goes on beautifully and rich.  The birds were painted with a combination of blue paints with a touch of gold glitter applied to the wings as a finishing touch.

For my second card I focussed on creating a bold centrepiece using a Quatrefoil Garden Panel. 

Again the chipboard was primed with gesso and once dry gold paint was applied with a paintbrush.  Afterwards bronze paint was applied with my finger to give a rustic, random finish.  The sentiment, from the Optimist word set, was painted with black paint to provide a lovely contrast against the bolder colours of the Quatrefoil Garden Panel and the other embellishments.

For my final project I have a layout of my daughter with a background featuring the cut-out pieces from the Quatrefoil Panel.

I have a bag full of these fabulous little cut-out pieces and I refuse to part with them.  They are a great way to add texture and interest to a background as well as creating a great opportunity to play with inks, mists and paints.

The cut-out pieces were primed with gesso and adhered in position on the page.  They were first painted with a textured paint before being painted with Shimmerz paints to better match the colour palette I was looking for.  The Bits of Honey piece was painted with a combination of mists that complemented the papers I had chosen to use.

The same products were used repeatedly on the page.  The same combination of mists and paints were used on the chipboard and on the background to create an element of consistency to the page.  The same is true for the Garden Daisies - Small, with mists already used elsewhere on the page being used to paint it.

It has been an absolute pleasure to design for Blue Fern Studios. 

Thankyou,

Kerryn