 Q & A CK: In New Zealand, do you have big chain stores that sell craft supplies or small shops just for papercrafters? Do you have any favorites? Melissa: We have Spotlight, and some smaller shops. I buy essential supplies like adhesive and cardstock from Spotlight, but otherwise I shop online from overseas because most shops here are not my style. CK: What are some favorite foods unique to New Zealand? Melissa: Kumara (sweet potato) and Hangi (which is Maori for earth oven) - it is food cooked in the ground over hot coals and is delicious. I'd like to say Pavlova (which is a big meringue covered in cream) is unique to New Zealand, but there is ongoing rivalry with our neighbours Australia, who claim it as theirs! CK: Are there any other New Zealand scrapbookers who you follow and who inspire you? Melissa: Virginia Walker, Dianne Williams (Dearly Dee) and Lara Moss. CK: What are some of your family traditions? Melissa: Our main family traditions happen during December, and I love it. We don't put the Christmas Tree up until 1 December, the kids have an advent calendar each, and they help me decorate the tree. We go to our local Saturday Market (which is only open during the warmer months), bake, and watch Christmas movies. And of course all of this is documented in my December Daily. CK: Some favorite places to visit in New Zealand... Melissa: I live in Queenstown, which is an alpine ski resort. So I love visiting the coast and going to the beach! CK: Are there other genres of arts or crafts that are part of the local culture where you live? Melissa: I live in a town that is one of New Zealand's most popular tourists spots, and it has a very international community with people from all around the world working and living here. Local arts and crafts include artists who paint the landscapes, and the performing arts scene is big here too. CK: Can you teach us some of the words or phrases in the New Zealand version of English? Melissa: "Kia Ora" which is Maori for "hello". Another thing we say which I don't particularly like is "yeah nah" which is a non-committal way of saying "no"!! CK: Three things that most people do not know about you... Melissa: 1) I'm naturally an introvert except when I sing, 2) I had Kidney disease when I was 23 and had part of my kidney removed 3) One day I plan to write a Christian book about parenting. CK: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about life in New Zealand? Melissa: I love living in New Zealand, especially Queenstown. I never take our beautiful mountainous landscape for granted, and feel blessed to call Queenstown home. We have 4 very distinctive seasons and I love them all. The outdoor sports here are great; within 20 minutes I can be on the ski field riding my snowboard in winter, and in summer I can be riding my mountain bike on the trails within 5 minutes from our house. It's a great place to raise a family!  This is a tourism photo I found of Melissa's hometown of Queenstown. It truly looks like a place I would love to see someday! How about you?
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Amber is back today sharing a layout that is twice as much fun! That's because unlike the majority of 12 x 12 scrapbook layouts these days Amber created a two page spread for us. I love that she created a cohesive design with repeating elements and used several different photos to tell her story.  Here is what Amber had to say about this project! We left Tucson, Arizona where it was already having temps in the 100s... when we headed up to Williams, Arizona where it was nice and cool... it even snowed on us in May! The cold weather was welcome even when we were fishing and provided beautiful cloud coverage for photos! I loved this beautiful paper from the Simple Stories Happy Trails collection named "Lakeside" with its monochromatic fish swimming about, perfect for a fishing page! And so much fishing related ephemera in this collection! I tried to keep the two page layout as monochromatic (like the Lakeside paper) with various blues and teals including the mixed media background and the blue paper used for backing some of the photos (from the collection, but was only identified by being a cut apart sheet for 4x6 elements). The title was appropriate as my family did not get a single fish to bite that day! All the other families we camped with caught several fish! I tried to utilize the journaling tag and fishing rod from the sticker sheet to look like it was being reeled in with the fish attached for a little whimsy for my journaling.   Here is a close up of her beautiful mixed media sparkly lake/water inspired background! Those blues and aquas are stunning!  I know that lots of you have been doing some camping, fishing, and hiking this past summer because the Happy Trails collection kit from Simple Stories sold out mighty fast! I would love to hear some of YOUR fish tales! Leave us a comment below if you have fishing photos you need to scrap. You can also post your projects in the Clique group anytime. We'd love to see them!
New Zealand guest designer Melissa Vining is back today to share another drop dead gorgeous cut file layout she created using the Just a Little Lovely collection from Pinkfresh Studios. She wanted to document her daughter's 100th day of school in her sweet princess outfit. Melissa is sharing the story below!  Hi it's Melissa and I'm so happy to be back with you again to share another layout I made with the gorgeous Just a Little Lovely Kit. For this layout I really wanted to focus on all the different flowers in the kit, and I imagined them growing down a wall. I knew that Confessions of a Paper Addict had the perfect cut file to achieve what I wanted. The flowers I used included puffy stickers, ephemera, acetate, fabric flowers, and fussy cut flowers and leaves from one of the patterned papers. I painted the cut file grey with my water colours, and backed it on one of the patterned papers. My photo is of our third child Brielle, and it was to celebrate the 100th day of school in New Zealand for 2019. She had her princess dress on which matched the colour tones in the kit perfectly. Once I decided where to position my photo I just started embellishing and layering the different types of flowers on the wall. Thanks so much for looking.    Thanks for sharing Melissa! These kits are almost sold out but if there are any left you can grab one here! Just when you thought Mariah's style was all about clean lines and matted photos she decided to surprise us all with this beauty. She used a combination of wet media on her background paper repeating the circular grain of the wood and picking up a little color from the patterned papers she selected to contrast perfectly with the black. Read on below for Mariah's own words.  This was a super fun layout. I really think I should be honest here and share that I haven't made a layout in quite a few years. I've been concentrating on my photography. In fact, this photo was done in pure manual and I am using spot metering now. I've been shooting in manual for quite sometime but the metering is different. If anyone has questions about that, I will gladly answer. Anyhow, for this layout I started with a base of color with inks and sprays...which were dried out. So I made the best of it and used the few items I have that weren't dried out (like I said it's been a while for paper crafting). I added some garden paint I had in tiny bottles to add the black. Some of the ink spots are Tim Holtz ink. I added water to the ink that I had pressed onto a plate. Just push the stamp pad down and add water. It's really versatile. I really wanted to define the circular pattern of the paper from Simple Stories "Happy Trails" kit. I love the messy look, really and truly. I cut apart some of the papers and added some embellishments from Clique Kits past kits to complete the layout. I'm really happy with the layout and if you have any questions about the layout or photography, just ask.  It's been a lot of fun having Mariah as a guest. I am glad that she is getting back to papercrafting and I can't wait to see her share her work in the Clique facebook group.
Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to capture and document the moments in life that are truly so meaningful to look back on and enjoy savoring over and over again. As time goes on when you look at your scrapbooks it will be the photos after the passage of time that give meaning to this hobby! It doesn't have to be overwhelming to get those photos off your computer or phone and into a real life album creatively. Read on as Mariah shares two clean and simple style layouts about her family's outdoor fun.  The Simple Stories "Happy Trails" kit is a cute and fun kit to document your outdoor adventures. For this layout, I wanted to make it simple and easy. So, I printed 3 (4x4) photos off. I usually use that ratio when using my cell phone for photos because it converts so much easier on Instagram. I also happen to just really like that format. I loved all of the Ephemera Bits and Pieces contained in the kit. I used some to add fun and cute details to the layout. It was super simple and fun to put together. Also, don't let anyone tell you girls can't fish because that fish was the biggest of the day and an awesome walleye at that. Capture those Details! When we spend time in the great outdoors, we tend to always document the big picture. We document what people are doing or the landscapes we are exploring. It's always important to catch the small details as well. I loved how the light was shining on these flowers as my family and I walked up the creek bed so I took a quick photo. For this layout, I used the Simple Stories "Happy Trails" kit. I tried to keep it simple with the focus on the photo. I used the ephemera that came with the kit to create little details on the page. I love to use the border strips that come on the bottom of the 12x12 sheet as well. I also got out my butterfly diecut to add some three dimensional elements to the page. The photo was a 6x8. I matted it on black paper to make the yellow stand out. The ephemera was a perfect little title for the image. Next time you are out and about on your adventures, don't forget to document the little things too. The next time you hear someone say they don't have time to scrapbook or are not creative enough to make a layout that is appealing and meaningful...point them toward The Clique! ;)
 Today I am introducing Mariah Hechler, our second guest designer who chose to share her outdoorsy summer layouts using the Simple Stories Happy Trails collection kit! Mariah has a claim to fame that you may not know about her...she was actually our very first Clique Kits subscriber when we opened our club back in 2014 and she was a continuous subscriber until our very last subscription kit. That's right...from our humble beginning to the present time, Mariah has been an honored Clique member! So when I put a call out for Clique Members who wanted to guest design with this collection to provide some inspiration to get us through the dog days of August (whew...such a hot one!) how could I not choose Mariah? A quick note from MariahHi, I'm Mariah. I am married to my high school sweetheart. He's the football player and I'm the cheerleader. We have three boys ages 16, 14, and 12. We love to hunt, fish, and camp. I love to read. I will read pretty much anything. I also love to take pictures and blog. Mariah is a photographer and blogger and I absolutely love all of her photographs. You can follow her here: Mariah's Blog Mariah's Instagram I really admire the way Mariah's photos take center stage in her layouts. And she usually has a style I would describe as clean and simple...except when she is in the mood to get messy. Either way, her creativity and eye for good design are always spot on! Stay tuned for some inspiration from Mariah!
 The Indigo Mist collection from Rosie's Studio in the Passport: New Zealand August kit was perfect for this photo of Tammy and friends having a great time. I love how the lightbulb paper matches the lit up background of her photo.  In this close up you can see one of the coordinating bling dots that were part of the collection included in the kit. These dots are faceted and have flecks of gold in them which is really pretty and matches her title really well!  Tammy did some paper tearing emphasizing her distressed edges and lots of layering behind her photo adding depth and interest to her layout.  I spy some details I love in the upper right corner and to the left of the photo. Tammy added some mixed media and stitching and though it is subtle it is sometimes these finishing touches that make a layout go from good to incredible! Thanks for sharing with us Tammy!
 As we continue with our spotlight on New Zealand, today I am introducing our next amazing designer! In her own words... Hi my name is Tammy and I am from Palmerston North, New Zealand. I am a mother of two crazy kids, a wife, daughter, sister and mum to 5 fur babies (2 dogs and 3 cats). I live quite a full and busy life working full time as a Test manager at Massey University, as well as creating and selling my work at craft markets. When I do find a bit of spare time I can usually be found out walking with the dogs or trail running with some good friends. One thing I really love about New Zealand is that you are never far away from a some good nature trails. I've always dabbled in some form of art and crafts but I first started scrapbooking while on maternity leave with my daughter, 8 years ago now. My scrapbooking journey has travelled through many different styles, from story telling, to clean layouts, mountains of fussy cutting and my current favourite...mixed media. I have no doubt that over time this will continue to evolve and change with me as my life develops too...I look forward to the journey. Clique Kits is very excited to share Tammy's first project which she created with native New Zealand company Rosie's Studio products! See you soon!
 While camping with my daughter, we like to go for walks and look for wildflowers to try to tuck them into her hair. I knew the Simple Stories Happy Trails "Back to Nature" paper would be perfect for these pictures as soon as I saw it! I utilized both A and B sides for this; the orange with off white polka dots for some of the floral petals of the cut file and then the floral side for large layering behind the cut file.  I loved this paper with its pops of teal! I tied this paper in with the accompanying floral ephemera and added more pops of teal with the tissue paper backing and the background wood grain paper. I wanted the Simple Stories paper to be the main focus so I backed the remaining petals of the floral cut file with lace and rose gold glaze for some different textures. Even camping collections can be made into girly layouts!!  Clique Kits loves everything about this... Here is a close ups of details we love in Amber's layout! Isn't her two year old just the sweetest?  Not surprisingly the Simple Stories Happy Trails collection has sold out. Make sure you message Clique Kits if you would like to see it brought back to the shop!    I'm working with the Just A Little Lovely kit featuring the collection of that name by Pink Fresh Studio. Its such a gorgeous kit with lots of florals and so perfect for scrapbooking my girls (I have 3 girls and 1 son). I decided to use one of the cut files that are free from the Pink Fresh Studio Facebook Group. This one with vines was perfect for the photo of my oldest daughter Azaria (aged 10). I took this photo in Arrowtown, which is a town 10 minutes from where I live. It's the most beautiful town in Autumn, when the leaves start to turn, and this photo was from a little photo shoot I did in April with Azaria and Brielle (aged 5). I cut the vines from one of the patterned papers, and backed it on white card stock. I love that the papers in this collection have a watercolour treatment printed on them, its beautiful and saves me the work of mixed media.  I had fun layering the acetate flowers, ephemera flowers and puffy flowers behind my photo. I backed another one of the frames with patterned paper and used it for my journaling.  I also made a shaker pocket for the exclusive sequin mix from one of the ephemera frames and some packaging which I machined stitched to turn into a pocket.  The layout came together really easily, and one of the puffy words was perfect for my title. I loved making this layout and will be back soon with another.  |
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