It's time for May Team Training ...

Welcome to our May edition of Team Training brought to you this month by our very creative team member Di Hasthorpe - Di always thinks outside the square!

Each month one of our team will inspire you with a little tutorial, tip or trick to help you in your scrapbooking pursuits. 


USING YOUR GARDEN TO MAKE UNIQUE BACKGROUND PAPERS.

This is a technique I've played with and used, fairly frequently. The only equipment you need to start off with, is some good quality paper (laser print paper, thick watercolour paper), a Cuttlebug, Big Shot or similar machine, various flowers and leaves from your garden and  some paper towelling and you're set to go.

* NOTE: I try to gather smallish flowers that aren't too chunky. Remember to think about herbs as well. If flowers are chunky (like dahlias or roses) you can use individual petals. If you are using aromatic flowers or plants (like scented geranium leaves or lavender) you do have an additional bonus (for a little while anyway), of the most delightful perfume on the paper.

STEP 1.

Have your paper of choice an A4 size (or slightly less for a Cuttlebug). Fold it in half (shorter sides meeting) and then reopen. On one side, place a selection of flowers, leaves, grass heads, so that their right side is facing upwards. This can be a random placement or a more constructed arrangement.

Cover  them with the other half of the paper and sandwich between your machine's plates. I use the thick base plate and the 2 clear B plates. There needs to be a satisfying 'scrunch' as you pass the lot through your machine and the feel of some resistance...... like when using an embossing folder.

* NOTE: If the flowers you have used are particularly fine, you will also need some form of shim. You could use the shim plate designed for your machine or just pad up with some thicker cardboard. After pressing your arrangement, just check to see if there is any leakage from the plants you have used... some can be very juicy. Just clean the machine with some paper towelling.

Open your paper carefully and lift away the squished flowers and leaves. Some pieces may not come off at this stage, but don't worry about this, as the bits usually brush off when dry. Set aside to dry naturally. You will notice that you now have two prints to use.

If you feel that there is not enough print on your page, when dry, you can add more flowers, leaves etc. and run them through again. I tend to make sure that I don't overlap the plant material too much, but you can play around and experiment.

Now, what to do with your unique papers. These make the most delightful backgrounds for cards, ATC's, bookmarks, photo mats and of course to make flowers using diecuts or punches.

I've done a selection of cards and a bookmark to show how I've used these papers.

Card 1:

I've stamped directly onto my print and highlighted some sections with pearl pen and dry-brushed modelling cream.

Card 2: 

Direct stamping with highlights in gold ink.

Card 3:

Direct stamping. Some sections painted with dry-brushed modelling cream to enhance colours. Highlights with glitter pen.

Card 4:

Two small panels. One has been left as is with the addition of a stamped and fussy cut butterfly and the other directly stamped and enhanced with modelling cream and glitter pens.

Card 5:

Direct stamping. Enhanced with gold ink and pearl pens.

Card 6: 

This has been left as is and a sentiment added.

Bookmark 

I've used three pieces of the plant printed paper with direct stamping. Colour enhancement  has been done with chalk ink edgers, dry-brushed on with highlights in pearl pen. These have been placed onto another piece of the print paper and the lot matted onto black card.

NOTE: The pearl pens and modelling creams I've used are from the Viva Decor range. Direct stamping was in black Archival Ink.

If you look at my layout for this month, I've used some of my papers to make flowers.

These were diecut and then constructed. Part of this construction meant dampening the papers. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that I hadn't lost any colouration in the process.

I don't know how long the prints will last, as I don't have any pieces more than three years old (and these are doing well, with no signs of fading).  Just have fun with the experimenting and playing around to see what you can come up with.

Just stunning Di and so very creative - amazing work.

Don't forget to have your entry in for our challenge this month.  Some lovely prizes on offer - one prize by vote, another completely by random draw and a guest designer spot with RAK to offer one lucky entrant.  You have until 11.55 on the final day of the month to have your submission linked.