This post is a story about using a main and junior kit together which truly worked in perfect harmony! It is also a story about moving out of my mixed media comfort zone into the totally new (for me) zone of using cut files and absolutely no paint- not a drop!  Here is the cut file I used!

It could be an actual quilt pattern...and it gave me a new appreciation of the talent (and patience) that quilters have! Backing this file with patterned papers took me through about 3 consecutive episodes of watching my shows on Amazon Prime...but it was totally relaxing! This cut file is exclusively available in the Changing Seasons kit right now but will be for sale a la carte at My Crafty Corner on Etsy when the class is no longer available. 

I'm not gonna lie- it did occur to me that I could machine or hand stitch the entire quilt pattern. As you can see, I decided against it. I am not sure that my sanity would have been able to withstand that endeavor. 

The die cut embellishments (you get 3 packs!) in the Changing Seasons Junior kit are so cute and the colors work so well with the papers in either kit! My favorite is the pack of vellum leaves! 

Here are more close ups!

Of course- there are things I learned in the process of backing this file that I would do better next time and I will share them with you so you can think about your design in a smarter way than I did!

1. Choose 3-4 patterned papers and vary the scale of the pattern also. I talked to my friend who is a quilter and she says that when choosing fabric she likes to do this and also to choose at least one fabric in a color that has strong contrast against the other patterns. So applying this to the paper patterns sounds good!

2. Be symmetrical: In this "quilt" there is a pattern in each of the 3 rows and columns. Try to back each one of those rows and columns in a way that is congruent or mirror images on each side. I was symmetrical by rows (horizontally) but by columns (vertically) not so much.
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3. Once you have backed your cut file, most of the layout is done! Do not overdo the embellishments because the quilted pattern will move the viewers eye all around the page with lots of interest minimizing the need for more stuff! 

For finishing touches, I varied the height of the embellishment clusters with foam tape and added some random copper metallic thread messy knots to the page! I had printed my photo in black and white but used an iOS app called Color Pop  to recolor just the boys' pumpkins to emphasize the memory in the photo. This app is available for Android also.  

I hope you enjoyed this post and layout! I'll see you again soon!
​-xGia

Enjoy these close ups!

Hi everyone! Happy Fall! 

I wanted to share with you all a quick post all about embellishing your journals/notebooks with a splash of color here and there, so it's not all just writing and lists. I have a few travelers notebooks and journals... and basically, I just pick the ones I feel like using at any given time and write and doodle and scribble and write notes to self. 

Some of my pages are beautiful.. others can be a scribbly mess! 

I used some of the BELIEVE papers inside the Miss Mamamint Believe kit and papers for this one... I just had to show off these colorful papers... they're all double sided, next on my list is to create a colorful happy journal using these papers! I also used the black and white ephemera pieces from the Give Me Color kit, also from Ms. Mamamint. 

Get these papers while they're still available in the shop, if you haven't snagged them already... there are so many pretty things in the shop right now.. don't miss all the goodies! 

Hi everybody! It's Gia. I am sure you can tell this already... but I love color. Boy layouts for me can be a challenge sometimes. In this layout I decided to steer clear of  traditional masculine colors and opt for using the bright palette in the Studio Light Art by Marlene Kit. 

I made some freehand wonky circles with some of the gelatos in the kit and used a waterbrush over the lines. I also machine stitched even more wonky circles with black thread for some contrast. I used the same gelatos diluted in water to sprinkle some color all around my background. To add texture to my background I used some modeling paste from Bad Girls Couture in the Bad Ass Art Journal Kit with the Studio Light grunge stencil in the Art by Marlene kit.

Next I fussy cut some of the circle elements in the collage papers  and started to lay out a cluster to surround my photo from my son's first grade back to school photo. I used more black thread stitching to tie in the circular background with the fussy cut circles repeating this texture a couple times. You might notice that by choosing to use repetition of  some elements of your design whether shapes, motifs, or textures the layout begins to come together cohesively even with a lot going on!
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The only items I used on this layout that were not in the collage kit were some On a Whim Thickers by Amy Tangerine which were sold a while back in the Clique Kits shop and a roller stamp by Vicki Boutin to add some messy stamping to my background. When it comes to mixed media collage technique, I have 5 basic "layers" that I tend to incorporate into every project.

1. a media layer
2. a paint layer
3. a stitching layer
4. a stamping and/or handwriting layer
5. a paper layer

You will get different effects of course depending on what order you add these layers but no matter what you will end up with a rich, dimensional and textured design. You just have to play and experiment to find combinations you like.

Finally, I added some washi strips and fussy cut collage paper flowers here and there once I had my photo planted where it looked appealing to me.  Before adhering my paper pieces to the page, I varied the height using foam dots and tape. This layout did not require a lot of journaling because the photo gave away the theme of the memory I am documenting and many of the chipboard pieces served as more of my "story." 

I truly love how this layout came out and most of all the fact that it is one of a kind and no one else will use the collage papers by Marlene in exactly the same way! I think that is what makes mixed media collage a lot of fun for creative scrapbookers! 
-Hugs,
​Gia

Hey friends, today I'm sharing a gorgeous layout I made using the October Changing Seasons fall sampler kit by Clique Kits. I loved all of the bright colors in the kit and couldn't wait to use them in a layout. I started by fussing cutting the moths out of a Paige Evans paper from the Truly Grateful collection. And the kit also came with her floral die cuts and some bright and colorful Amy Tangerine phrase stickers and puffy stickers. I painted the puffy phrase "Adore" with metallic gold paint so it would fit in with all the warm orange and pink tones I have on my page. I also hand embroidered fun flight paths from each moth with white thread and it adds so much texture and dimension to the page. If you love this layout, you can follow me on YouTube to see more of my creations and what else I end up making with the kits this month! 

While you are over on the You Tube channel checking out Laura's channel you can take a peek at the unboxing video for the Changing Seasons kit and workshop taught by Nicole Kerr! We are so excited to offer this workshop with this kit this fall which will inspire you to create several gorgeous layouts using exclusive cut files also included with the kit! Changing Seasons kits are available and shipping now! Hope you will subscribe to both channels for more  inspiring videos!

Hi everyone! It's Bonita Rose here from MN USA. I've been taking a break from sharing on social media and this is one of my first formal projects that I've completed since deciding to jump in with this gorgeous Ms.Mamamint Give Me Color Kit! The stark black and white along with such a happy yellow makes me want to make a few pages in my journal like this! 

Our first guest this month is a past Clique Kits design team member who has been taking a much needed respite from the online crafting community. Like many of us, she wanted some time away from social media to follow her heart, and recharge her creative batteries. Can anyone else relate to that? Bonita Rose was inspired by the release of the International Series kits from Spain featuring the Miss Mamamint collections. In fact, she told me that seeing these kits prompted her to order all three kits because the bright colors and style of these collections resonated so much with her right now. It made my heart happy to hear that a fellow paper crafter and friend loved these collections as much as I did, and that they brought her back out from her crafty hiding place feeling ready to start sharing her art with the world again! We agreed that it would be perfect for her to public re-boot  to guest design for us! Read on for Bonita's own words and where you can find her online! It is truly a blessing that most people who have at one time or another subscribed to  Clique Kits, designed for us, or took part in our online community are never really fully disconnected from our collective wherever their creative journey takes them!

Next up  I am so excited to introduce Laura!  When I put out a call for designers (which is ongoing by the way!) I received the most cheerful and enthusiastic note from this beautiful sweetie. I just have to share a little excerpt...
"Hey Clique Kits family!
 I was so excited to hear you guys are having a guest designer call because I love your kits and would love to apply for one of your guest positions! I love scrapbooking in 12x12 format, 8.5x11 format, traveler's notebooks and more. 
I have a very girly style and especially love Christmas and Fall themed scrapbooking. I love how Clique kits includes elements for gorgeous mixed media on layouts and your kits are gorgeous!"

This fall Clique Kits has been offering some kits from two A.MA.ZING. European brands...and could not help noticing the stand out work for both the Miss Mamamint  and Studio Forty design teams accomplished by this creative designer! Seeing her gravitate to these companies like I did and then the inspiring projects she creates I knew right away that she is someone I would love to know better! When asked to choose a kit to design with, she said she could not pick just one and asked me to surprise her. So...her box of surprise product is on the way to Barcelona right now ( and I kinda wish I was going with it! It's on my list of places to see!) So later in the month we will get to enjoy seeing what she does with her Clique Kits. While we are waiting I will be sharing and reposting some of her work with Miss Mamamint and Studio Forty products which YOU can find also in some great Clique Kits International Series kits available right now in the shop.

Hello!! My name is Isa and I am 34 years old. I live in a small town near Barcelona with my boyfriend and my two adorable turtles! I discovered scrapbooking at about 7-8 years ago, but I really think that before knowing the term scrapbooking I already did tons of scrapbook myself without realising it. I love the fact of keeping my memories by means of creating art with papers and being able to even inspire others. That is the beauty of this wonderful hobby that I have and love. I most enjoy my free time in my scraproom always thinking of new ideas of creating. My favourite projects are layouts, I cannot live without creating them but I also enjoy decorating traveler's notebooks, copta binding and planners. I am really looking forward to start creating with the kits and being part of this wonderful team! 

You can find Isa here (Instagram @_isa_ng)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsasMix
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_isa_ng_/
Blog: http://isasmix.blogspot.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCu2jOhpt_B_LRupAh0ybIg?view_as=subscriber

In other fun coincidences...Isa lives with two turtles and anyone who knows me or follows my socials would know that any friend of turtles is a friend of mine! Haha! My two tortoises Baby and Clifford have been frequent subjects in my scrapbooks! (I know turtles and tortoises are different but hey...they are both so dang cute!) Not that had anything to do with why she was selected...wink.  It would really mean a lot for you guys to say hello and leave some love for Bonita, Laura, and Isa! Thanks so much for being a part of the Clique!

--Hugs,
Gia