We are excited to introduce you to our May Guest Designer, Jennifer Gallacher! Jennifer has created some fabulous, bright, and happy projects to share with us today. And along with those projects, she has also added a few fun challenges, for those of you that would like to play along!
Hi everyone! It's Jennifer Gallacher here. I currently work with Echo Park Paper as their Marketing Coordinator/Managing Editor. In addition I serve as a Garden Girl for www.twopeasinabucket.com. You may have seen my work as an Assistant and Contributing Editor for a few of Northridge Publishing titles including Cricut Magazine, Scrapbook Trends Magazine, and the Create Idea Book Series. In my 15 year career as a designer, teacher, and editor in the industry I've had the opportunity to work for such companies as Making Memories, Little Yellow Bicycle, Li'l Davis Designs, and Karen Foster Design. I have taught and demonstrated at CHA tradeshows and local scrapbook stores and had many projects published in the leading papercrating magazines. I enjoy both traditional, hybrid, and even digital paper crafting. When I'm not designing, I enjoy reading and watching English Period Piece movies. My husband doesn't quite understand how I can watch a Jane Austen movie five times in a row, but I think it's wonderful!
I am super excited to be joining Bella Blvd as a Guest Designer this month. Bella Blvd has such playful, bright color schemes and patterns; and since I am always drawn to color, I was thrilled to be designing with several of their collections this month.
"Summer", by Jennifer Gallacher.
For my first creation, I designed a layout using the "Sunshine & Happiness" collection. We're finally starting to get warmer weather, and that makes me long for picnics at the park, trips to the pool, and just anything sunshine related. This layout is a tribute to my niece who is definitely full of sunshine and happiness. We love it when she comes to visit, and she loves to be outside in our yard.
I am a big fan of the banner trend so I cut several pieces from the "b side" of the "Sunshine & Happiness" collection. I cut each banner to a random length and width and then either cut the banner on a diagonal or notched the ends. I overlapped them with stickers and then machine stitched some of them in place. To complete the banner, I created a little scene with stickers and cut out shapes from the paper. I also printed my journaling on yellow cardstock and mounted it on the yellow chevron word bubble. Layering like this draws the eye to the larger elements on the page and balances your photos.
Challenge: Cut your favorite Bella Blvd. papers into banner shapes, overlapping them as you place them on your page. Lay them horizontally or vertically depending on your layout design. Be sure to cut them varying widths and lengths to keep them interesting.
"Friends" gift jar, by Jennifer Gallacher.
For my second creation, I wanted a little gift that I could deliver to a friend. I think I have a crush on this chevron pear shape. I covered an empty jar with patterned paper, a ribbon, and the cut out pear shape. I also layered on a sentiment "friends" sticker and a button tied with twine on the jar front. I then filled the jar with green and white bubble gum. I keep empty jars and containers on hand just for occasions such as these. I can't wait to deliver this little gift to my neighbor as I know she'll love it!
Challenge: Cover a container or empty jar with elements from any of the beautiful Bella Blvd. collections. Then select a treat that matches the colors and patterns found within the paper and embellishments. Then deliver it to a friend or neighbor. You can also create a coordinating card with leftover supplies.
"Spring" frame, by Jennifer Gallacher.
For my final project, I wanted a home decor art piece showcasing the spring season. In addition to keeping jars and containers around, I stock up on cute frames so I can alter them at will. For this frame, I filled the inside with cloud patterned paper, the rainbow shape die cut, and the chipboard sunshine sticker. I cut an additional rainbow shape from a second sheet of paper and layered the clouds on top of the first shape. I like using adhesive foam squares to create shadows and depth on my project between layers.
To create the banner, I hand cut triangle shapes from some "Sunshine & Happiness" patterned paper (don't be afraid to mix and match collections as Bella Blvd.'s collection work very well together). Then I layered the chipboard "SPRING" letters on each banner and strung them from string attached to my frame. I love how this makes me excited for all our beautiful spring weather.
Challenge: Fill a frame with a seasonal themed scene using the shapes you can cut out from the patterned paper. Mix in buttons, tape, stamps, and chipboard stickers for even more texture and interest. Place elements within the frame (removing the glass), and outside the frame to make it more exciting!
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I really enjoyed working with the Bella Blvd collections. I already have even more projects in mind and can't wait to start creating. Thanks for joining me today in creating some spring and summer projects.
Bella Blvd and Jennifer Gallacher - I love when my favorite companies match with my favorite artistas! Love the chevrons and the black and white photos with the bright colors. Happy Spring!!! Karen S.
Posted by: Karen Wolfe Severeide | May 07, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Gorgeous creations Jennifer! Wowwwwww!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | May 07, 2012 at 09:16 AM
Love your layout!!
Posted by: Jamie Greene | May 07, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Too too cute Jennifer!!! LOVE!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | May 07, 2012 at 11:06 AM
adorable projects!
Posted by: Kelly | May 07, 2012 at 11:06 AM
oh my goodness! I LOOOVe these projects!! Great job Jennifer!
Posted by: Diana Waite | May 07, 2012 at 06:28 PM
These are all fabulous! Great projects Jennifer!
Posted by: Tiffany Hood | May 08, 2012 at 11:36 PM
I love anything with a banner on it, but that frame with the banner on the bottom is to die for!
Posted by: Kelly Sas | May 10, 2012 at 11:58 PM