Bella Blvd Studio Blog

Together | Erica Thompson

This week we are sharing something or someone we are thankful for! There are so many people I am thankful for but I really wanted to document my husband Mike! He is my everything and I am so thankful and blessed to have him in our lives! 

I dug into my stash of Bella Blvd products and pulled some papers that matched this small piece of borders paper I had left. I love the colors in this paper and I knew I wanted to use them all. I used some small leaf dies from my stash and cut out a bunch with the papers I pulled.

I cut apart all of the borders and added some to the top and bottom of my white 12x12 cardstock. I distressed the edges a little to give them a bit of texture. I also found this white with black polka dot paper in my stash and cut a few strips to add to the layout. 

The photo of Mike and I was taken at the White Sox game over the summer. I printed it out in black and white and added a few layers of patterned paper behind it. I placed it towards the bottom right corner of my page. I added the die cut leaves from the bottom right corner of the page going up to the top left of the page. I also added some puffy heart stickers, here is a look at my completed layout.

Make sure to keep coming back this week for even more design team inspiration! Have a great day!

 

Home Sweet Home Doohickey | Illustrated Faith You Are Loved | Secrets of the Sea | Mind Your Manners | Oh My Stars | Wish Big | She Loves Color Exclusive | Matte Enamel Dots | Puffy Heart Stickers

Tips and tricks when using Mixed Media on a layout!

Hey there Bella Blvd friends! It is Leanne here today sharing a fun mixed media project. I love creating texture on my layouts and the best way to achieve this is with a little paint, ink and textured paste!

Today I want to share a few simple tips when looking at creating details with mixed media products. These items don't need to be expensive and quite often you can use tools you already have available to you. For this layout I started out by playing with textured paste.

After trimming my white cardstock to size, I used a small chevron stencil and layered textured paste directly to my background. I wanted it to be rough and uneven, to create the base for my messy watercolor application. The paste took 24 hours to dry properly and while it was drying, I weighted my cardstock down to try and make it flat again. Using mixed media products will warp and buckle cardstock and patterned papers during the creative process.

To layer paint onto the cardstock, it needs to be completed in stages. If multiple colors are added at the same time, they will mix and become muddy. Allowing drying time between each color on your page, will highlight focal points rather than distract from them.

For the larger bodies of paint, add a generous amount of watercolor paint to plastic packaging. Quickly apply the plastic packaging, face down, onto the cardstock. Gently rub the reverse side of the plastic to move the paint on the cardstock. Once again, allow the paint to dry between colous. Flicking or dropping paint onto the layout also adds to the overall messy mixed media technique.

Ink is another great way to add dimension to a layout that includes mixed media. After fussy cutting the reindeer and gingerbread people, I inked the edges with a complementary brown color to grunge them up a bit. Curl the edges of fussy cut pieces to make them appear like they are lifting from the page.

All of these techniques combined create a textured look for your layout. If you have the patience and you like to get messy, I highly recommend having a little paper play fun! Thanks for visiting the blog today.

 

 

Santa Squad: Ho Ho Ho patterned paper, Ephemera Icons, Epoxy Christmas Words; Freehand Graph & Dot: Bell Pepper Freehand Graph & Dot, Pony Freehand Graph & Dot; Florence Alphabet Stickers: Pony. Other - textured paste, watercolor paint, brown ink.

Thankful For Us Layout |Tegan Skwiat

Since this week is all about things we're thankful for, I wanted to document the most recent photo of hubby and I. I am grateful for him every day and I appreciated the fact that we finally made some time for a date night. I love making colorful backgrounds using cut files and so I couldn't wait to use the Bella Blvd Leaves Cut File! And I LOVE all of the color and fun elements that the Squeeze the Day collection adds!

I used the adorable Bella Blvd Leaves Cut File to create this fun background. The leaves come with a few different layering parts so I welded them together in my cutting machine software to create one leaf shape. I then just had fun rotating them and placing them in a scattered leaf circle. I then cut this pattern out of white cardstock and backed it with colorful Squeeze the Day patterned papers. I used Heart Hugs, heart stickers, Ephemera pieces, and Word Salad Stickers to embellish the leaves. Aren't they just so much fun?!

I used all 3 layers of the leaves cut files to create a few colorful leaves to place around my photo. I used Florence Alphabet Stickers to start my title and the 'US' Ephemera die cut to complete it. The little round enamel dots are great for adding little extra pops of color!

I absolutely love all of the color on this layout! And the little unexpected fruit slices add the cutest little design elements. All of the leaves are just so cute, I can't decide which are my favorites! Can you?!? 

Thanks for stopping in today! I hope I have inspired you to document someone you are thankful for with a colorful collection like Squeeze the Day! 

Squeeze the Day collection: Slice of Life Patterned Paper, Fruity Hearts Patterned Paper, Bananas For You Patterned Paper, Orange You Glad Patterned Paper, Zesty Patterned Paper, So Berry Patterned Paper, Doohickey Stickers, Ephemera Icons, Ephemera Words, Chipboard, Epoxy Icons, Sweetness Washi, Acrylic Berries

Florence Alphabet Stickers in Black

Heart Hugs: Black and White, Pretty in Pink, Halloween, Sunshine

Cut File: Bella Blvd Leaves

 

Christmas Themed Mixed Media Scrapbooking Layout

Hello everyone.  Heather Leopard here with a Christmas themed mixed media scrapbooking layout that was super fun to make. I always enjoy mixing and matching paper, splashes of ink and embellishments. Let's take a look at my project and how it came together...

To get started, I pulled in a few Christmas word cut files from the Silhouette store and sized them up and down so that it resembled a Christmas tree. 

Once I had everything sized to my liking, I started cutting the words out using my CAMEO. While the words were being cut, I moved on to the mixed media stage and added Gesso to my white cardstock. This helps create a nice foundation for the color so that it can be more fluid and not immediately set into the paper.  Next, I added splashes of color in the shape of the tree with the intention of NOT having perfect lines for the triangle. I wanted it to be a bit fluid. Set aside to dry.

Once the ink was dry, I added the words to the page starting from the bottom up. As you can see there were empty spots between the words and I had a plan for that. The word Christmas was fun to create as each letter has some element that is pieced together.  I love that file!

I positioned my photo on the tree and then filled the empty spots with "ornaments" so to speak. 

I topped the tree with an acrylic star! I completed the rest of the paper with additional embellishments.

I hope you've enjoyed this layout and that it inspires you this season!

Santa Squad: 6x6 paper pad, Ho Ho Ho 12x12 patterned paper, Blizzard 12x12 patterned paper, Bella Besties, Caio Chips, Doohickey Stickers, Christmas Words epoxy, Hearts Christmas mix epoxy, Snow Fun epoxy, Squad epoxy; Star Mix acrylic shapes; Cut Files: Merry word, joy, believe - Christmas, Christmas Word, Pickle Juice Mix and Ice Mix Puffy Star Stickers

Shine On - Digital Scrapbook Mixed Media layout with Tya

Hi there Bella Blvd fans! Welcome to the blog today! This week we are getting messy! Well -  maybe me, not so much - my layout doesn't have real paint or watercolors, or twine or staples...but it sure looks like it does! Believe it or not - you can still have fun with mixed media on your digital layouts too! And bonus! No mess to clean up after your done! And if you accidentally place paint somewhere you don't want it -  simply hit the delete button and start fresh! See isn't Digi scrapbooking fun lol? 

I used the lovely "Make Your  Mark" Digital Collection to create my layout. The digital collections don't include all of the paint splatters, twine, etc. But a simple google search of "digital paint splatters" or  "digital bakers twine" produced plenty of sites that I can download these types of elements that you can use again and again digitally! I had a blast making this page of my daughter - who will be graduating high school this year - so this collection was perfect for giving her some encouraging words for this pivotal and exciting time in her life. 

I appreciate you stopping by today and taking a peek at my layout! Stay tuned all week for more fabulous inspiration from my design team friends on how you too can get a little messy on your layouts! Mixed media (either real - or digital) is such a great way to add interest and depth to your layouts! I love how eyecatching just a little paint or ribbon can make on a layout! Have a great week and  Happy Crafting!

 

 

Make Your Mark Collection Bundle

Team mixed-media with a large cut file by Kim Watson

Hello Bella fans, Kim here with a new project for Get Messy week!

This project was SO much fun to create using the BRAND NEW Santa Squad collection & coordinating cut files. To create this page, I got messy with shimmer powders & paints from Lindy's stamp gang & some cool Bella cut-files. 

Joy by Kim Watson

 

The oversized title cut file from the Bella Blvd silhouette store was my starting point. I cut it from a piece of Bazzill Marshmallow cardstock, pre-treated with gel medium, on the 'coverstock' Cameo setting. Then I just had fun. I played with glimmer paints, sprays & shimmer powders, until I got the desired effect. Honestly I wasn't sure where I was going & "added color" until it "looked good!"

Once dry, I backed it with the sweet plaid design from the Borders sheet. The pink & red color combination complimented the mixed media around the title perfectly. 

I cut a variety of trees in white textured card stock from the Bella Blvd Silhouette Store, covering them in gesso before adding shimmer sprays & paint. I love the evergreen, mixed, artsy result. 

Next came the photos added to a roughened mat of patterned paper, with a sweet little Santa peeking out from underneath! I embellished him with a mixture of the new products released with this Santa Squad collection. The enamel shapes, layered die cuts & stickers are colorful & graphic in style, and although very different from the vibe of my page...add a playful touch as well as gorgeous pops of color. 

A scalloped punch & green star paper create the perfect border for the top of the page to balance out all the green as well as adding necessary tension to the bold title. The little gingerbread man cluster on the edge of the page with a tab & washi tape, work together to form a visual anchor. 

As you can see, even though this collection is very graphic in style, it still coordinates well with mixed media pages! The sweet icons & mixture of textures make them really simple to use. Santa Squad has everything you need to create all your Christmas projects. So be sure to grab everything from your favorite scrapbooking store or head on over to the Bella Blvd online store & buy the collection there soon! 

Thanks again for stopping by, remember to stop by each day this week, for more amazing mixed media inspiration from our talented DT. 

Happy Monday y'all! ~Kim XOXO

Collection used: Santa Squad

Stash Busting Santa Squad

Happy Santa Squad week! How cute is this new Christmas collection?!? I'm usually firmly in the "no Christmas before Thanksgiving" camp, but for something this cute, I'm willing to break my own rules! 

I have so many ideas for #alltheprojects I want to do with Santa Squad, and I know that I would have tons of scraps left over that I just can't part with... so I decided to make a page that would "use it all" --- and be a fun scrap busting page! This page feels really simple, with the basic background and repeating shapes, but it gets VERY festive. This would be perfect to do if you had some smaller scraps and a circle punch! (This particular page is digital, but would be SO easy to do physically!) 

What's your favorite way to Stash/Scrap bust? 

 

Santa Squad Layout | Stephanie Buice

Hi everyone! Stephanie here today, sharing my very first layout using the new Santa Squad collection with you. I love Christmas, so it was no surprise to me that I was immediately drawn to all the Santa goodness that this one has to offer. 

My son's elf Zip is such a big part of our holiday traditions, he really is part of Santa's squad in our family, Santa's biggest helper in fact! So my layout title is 100% inspired by the collection name -Santa Squad. 

I chose two of my favorite photos of Zip from over the years and showcased them on this layout, I added in some of the Ephemera Words and Icons, a mix of patterned papers, and Designer Washi tapes as my main embellishments. I grouped a few of the Icons together to make up Santa's cute little squad, and some Florence Alphabet Stickers to finish off my title.

I wanted my journaling to also be a very important part of this layout, telling some of the adventures the Elf has done to date, of my Son's love for the Elf and how much happiness he brings to our Christmas Season. I also wanted to be sure to include some of my feelings about Brady getting older and being faced with the fact that one day soon Santa and his Squad will be only memories of his Childhood. (Insert a giant sigh here, I am so not ready for that yet.)

Have you picked up the Santa Squad collection yet? If not, I think you should!

I hope you've enjoyed my layout and thanks for stopping by!

-xoxo Steph

Supplies Used: Florence Alphabet Stickers: Oreo Black; Enamels: Guacamole; Plaids and Dotty: Oreo Black; All others from Santa Squad Collection.

Santa Squad | Erica Thompson

I am so excited to jump into the new Santa Squad collection! I love every bit of this collection and I can't wait to share everything I have created with this new collection. 

So many fun embellishments in the new Santa Squad collection! I found a December cut file to back with papers from the 6x6 Santa Squad paper pad.

I kept this layout pretty clean and simple. The photo is from my creative holiday weekend and we created a fun backdrop with silly props! I knew the photo would be a great match with this collection!

I used the ephemera packs to embellish the layout and some of the new epoxy shapes! I love all the new Santa Squad epoxy! I tucked in this cute little gingerbread behind one of the letters! I added a couple border stickers from the 12x12 sticker sheet to finish off my layout!

Here is a look at my completed layout using the new Santa Squad collection.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Remember to check out the blog all week for more Santa Squad inspiration!

Santa Squad 6x6 Paper Pad |  Santa Squad Epoxy Snow Fun | Bella Pop S is for Santa | Santa Squad Ephemera Icons | Santa Squad Ephemera Words

Sweet and Spooky Digital Scrapbooking Layout

Hi there Bella Fans! Happy Halloween! It's Tya Smith, and I am so thrilled to be here with you on the blog today sharing my latest digital scrapbook layout. I LOVE the "Sweet and Spooky" line SOOO much! I have had this recent obsession with the color purple lately and was so happy this line had some lovely purple papers and icons! This was a fun line to create this layout of my oldest daughter a few years back having fun on Halloween Night with her friend :)

 

 One of my favorite design techniques is to make clusters of the same shapes. I did this here on this layout with the hearts to the left of the photos. In digital scrapbooking, it is so easy so resize same-sized icons and make them different sized to create interest and height. I did this by changing the drop shadows ever so slightly on each shape to make them appear more higher on the page, kind of like you would with foam tape or dots in traditional scrapbooking. Give it a try on your next page - it's fun to create different looks! 

Thank you for stopping by today! Enjoy your Halloween and don't forget to snap some photos of your Sweet and Spooky little ones today and make a fun scrapbook page documenting this hauntingly fun and festive day! Happy Crafting!

 

 

 

Sweet and Spooky Digital Collection Bundle