~More Autumn Anthology from Blue Fern Studios~

Here are more images of the new collection - Autumn Anthology, designed by the very talented Michele Singh.  This is going to be a long post, with a lot of images, because there is so much to see!

We begin with the paper collection.  In addition to the beautiful colors, you will find an array of dainty lace patterns, a charming cottage and gazebo, classic ironwork, and vintage newsprint adorning this collection of 10 patterned papers.  There are also plenty of items just perfect for fussy cutting, and numerous cards for you to cut apart and tuck into your projects.

But that's not all!  This collection is packed with enough products to get your creativity going, and keep it flowing for quite some time.  Each item in this release builds on the others!

For the first time, we are excited to add a collection of  mists that were selected to further bring alive the colors in this collection:

Imagine Ink Mica Color Mist - Leaf

(a leafy green with silver mica)

Imagine Ink Mica Color Mist - Persimmon 

(a beautiful coral red with bronze mica)

Imagine Ink Mica Color Mist - Sky 

(a beautiful sky blue with silver mica)

What would a release be without some new chipboard pieces to go along with it?  

French Ironwork

Iron Signage

Ironwork Edges

We round out this amazing collection with a couple of elegant stamp sets.

Flight & Flair

Parisian Ironwork

Wow!  This is an amazing collection and we are so excited to bring it to you.  It is available in our Store now, and will be shipping to your favorite retailer soon!

My August Blue Fern Studios Projects

Hello, everyone! 

Sandi here with you today sharing my August projects!

"Capture the Moment"

The B side of the Frolic Friendship paper is so gorgeous and I thought it would make a lovely background for this photo of my brother and youngest niece. I wanted to go with a bit of a monochromatic feel, so my chipboard was altered to blend in with the paper colors. 

The Jeweled Frame was so perfect for my photo because 1.) it is elegant and 2.) our family name is "Key." I kept my alterations pretty simple with mists and inks but did add some microbeads here and there throughout the entire page. You can also see the use of the Halftone stamp. 

This is a close-up of the Memories Captured title piece which is a nice 2 piece set. 

Blue Fern products used:

Paper:

Frolic Friendship

Frolic Adorn both sides

Frolic Calling Cards

Chipboard:

Jeweled Frame

Memories Captured

Stamp:
Halftone

***

"Smile"

I tried to go clean and simple on this layout. This beautiful damask paper from the Frolic collection, Petits Moments, is just divine and can stand on its own. Also, I wanted simple backdrop for the Timeless Floral Corner chipboard. I added a little bit of mixed media and did some stamping with the "Forever" stamp to add dimension. The Geometric Bits were misted and used as layers. 

Isn't that Corner piece awesome? So much beautiful detail! There are so many ways to alter this one but  I used mists, dimensional beads and some old nearly dried up glitter paint.  Loving this fun photo of two of the grandkids! 

Microbeads are a fun way to add a little umph to your chipboard without really doing too much .. just gel and beads and you're done! 

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Paper:

Frolic Petits Moments

Frolic Calling Cards

Frolic Adorn

Frolic Dans Le Jardin

Chipboard:

Timeless Floral Corner

Geometric Bits

Arrow Words

Stamps:

Forever

***

'Everyday Moments"

My next project was done with the Paisley and Vine collection. It was "in progress" when my Frolic collection arrived and I set it aside to work on a Frolic project for you. So, I decided to go back and finish this one up! 

I actually embossed the Frolic Bird Ornament this time! But the Treasured Floral Frame is fairly plain. Just gessoed and then some color added to the floral part with water colors. And also a dab of embossing on the ends. 

My Sweet Arrow Word was colored with water colors.  I also took this opportunity to use up some older flowers that were in my stash. Yay for that! 

Blue Fern Studios Products Used:

Paper:

Paisley and Vine Nature

Paisley and Vine Bohemian

Paisley and Vine Playing Cards

Chipboard:

Treasured Floral Frame

Arrow Words

Frolic Bird Ornaments

That's it for me this time! 

Be sure to ask your retailers to carry Blue Fern Studios if they are not already. 

There is an information tab at the top! 

See you next time! 

Autumn Anthology ~ Blue Fern Studios

The newest collection from Blue Fern Studios is in the Blue Fern Studios store and has begun shipping to retailers! 

I cannot wait for this one to arrive in my Design Team box! 

More details coming soon! 

"Posh" layout with Sandi

Hello, everyone! 

Sandi here with you today sharing a layout created with papers from the "Posh" collection. Classic teal, florals and leopard … so yummy! 

I did a small bit of mixed media work on the background but kept it very light. I wanted that floral paper to really shine front and center. 

Then I built up a few layers with media, papers, embellies and flowers. I even pulled out a fabric flower I've had for YEARS~ but it was so perfect for this photo!

Here are a few close-ups:

That's it from me today.
Thanks for coming by today! 

Marion Smith Products used:

Posh Brooklyn

Posh Ritzy (both sides)

Posh Finer Things

Junque and Gems Resin flower

Marion Smith Gift Card Envie!

Well, hello! Sandi here today, wiping her brow! 

Have you ever had a project that fought you all the way? Well, that was this one!  

I thought it would be fun and quick but my little project seemed doomed from the start. 

But you know what? I persevered and now I love it so much, I'm not sure I can give it away! 

Anyway, I was wanting to make this little gift card/memory envelope from the Time Keeper Tinker paper shown above. And I wanted to pair it with a variety of paper that might not been done before. It's always a fun thing to rummage through my MSD stuff and decide what I want to use! I ended up with Mad Tea Party, Romance Novel Chapter 2, Junque Gypsy and of course, Time Keeper. 

Loved adding a second diagonal pocket on the front and a couple of extra cards tucked inside there! Mixing the collections was actually loads of fun! Everything Marion Smith designs goes together so seamlessly. 

Of course,  finding the "perfect" embellishments is not always the easiest thing to do when you are trying to accomplish multiple tasks.  I finally settled on a vine from my stash. Also, I've had this little wooden bird forever and could never find a use for him but he's perfect here!  

Do be careful not to glue your papers to wrong side of the envie.  Just sayin'. Don't you love the fussy cut butterfly? So classic! 

I took such pains to use the green and cream Mad Tea Party "Tea Party" papers and then mostly covered them up but they are oh, so pretty, sigh! I still adore that collection! Then, I've used lots of fussy cut pieces. The rhinestones were just a little remnant that I hadn't used. Love when that happens! 

After several hours of messing around on the front, seriously, yes, I didn't do anything to the back except add the buttons for closure. One is sewn and the other added with a foam adhesive, Next time, I'll plan ahead and sew and them both on.

I'm excited about my end result and think it will be perfect for gift card giving this summer!

Actually, I can't wait to get started on another! 

Marion Smith Products Used:

Time Keeper Tinker 

Time Keeper Exploratorium

Mad Tea Party - Tea Party

Mad Tea Party Cut & Create Small Ephemera 

Junque Gypsy Faux Pas

Romance Novel Chapter 2, My Type

Sandi

Blue Fern Studios August Sketch Challenge

Welcome to August, everyone!

It is sure sizzling hot here in Texas. 

  It's time for another new sketch challenge for you over at Blue Fern Studios. 
 Michele Singh has created this beautiful sketch exclusively for Blue Fern! Isn't it gorgeous?

Here are the sketch challenge details:

One lucky winner, selected by a random draw, will receive a prize package of Blue Fern Studios chipboard!

In addition, we will also select 3 (or more) layouts to feature.

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! 

2). Please note that you can do whatever type of 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 pieces featured in the sketch

- use whatever suits your fancy! You can find the store nearest you HERE.
 {Do not use any other brand of chipboard on your project please!}

4.) Upload your project using the Inlinkz tool on the Blue Fern Studios Blog

midnight EST on June 30, 2015

We look forward to seeing how you use our sketch and Blue Fern Studios products.
Thanks for coming by!

My Creative Scrapbook July tutorial

Hello, everyone! 

Sandi here with you today sharing a quick tutorial. 

I heard through the grapevine that some of you ladies like to see projects with less mixed media and more of just the papers and embellishments from the Kit. So, this layout kind of fits the bill. It has minimal mixed media and is mainly just product from the July Limited Edition Kit. 

Because I knew that I would be adding some stenciled work, I did apply clear Gesso to both sides of the  hot pink paper and let each side dry before continuing to the next. Then, instead of using modeling paste with my stencil, I used super heavy gesso which is so much whiter. It does seem to be a bit runnier and has a tendency to bleed through but I like it's white-ness. 

Anyway,  I am so happy that paper tearing has truly come back in vogue with a vengeneance, not that I ever gave it up. But I can really do it with abandon right now because it's the "thing" to do! The printed paper was torn true to how the design would be if it were still all one sheet of paper. I loved that printed paper and thought the houses and butterflies were so gorgeous! Of course laying it on the hot pink paper really makes the colors and designs pop even more!  

This close-up shows how the white core is dominant which I generally prefer. It kind of depends on what I'm doing … and I do go back and for the using it and not using it. That black piece of twine is from my stash. I've had it for 100 years! You probably have some too! 

I had so much fun working on this center cluster and really piled on the layers! Lots of paper. chipboard, flowers, feathers, netting, parts and pieces from the Kit. Omigosh! There was tons of product in this Kit and I was determined to use it all! 

You can see in the background where I used my butterfly stamp. My original intent was to stamp the butterfly and then fussy cut them but I have been a super busy girl this summer and opted to try them this way and was very happy with the look! 

Did you notices chipboard layered on chipboard? Yep, you can do that! 

Anyway, that is my very quick two cents for today! I encourage you to rip that paper! There is always more where that came from! It's only paper. 

Don't be afraid .. it's fun! 

Thanks for coming by.