Hi Everyone,
    Its been a very long time since my last post but I'm hoping the wait will be worth it. I am excited to be using the newly launched, proudly South African paper range, Penelope Dee by the well know Glenda Viljoen. Her first collection is called Blooming Fields and it is truly breathtaking.

                                         

The kit I have created using this collection is called Wildflowers and is particularly suitable for more feminine photos. The layout can accommodate 6 photos of varying sizes and would suit both colour or black and white pics.

The paper collection offers a beautiful section of elements that can be fussy cut to add detail to the layout. The left side of the layout has been distress crumpled with the help of some water.

                                                

Handmade roses add to the floral elements on the page. I will do a follow up post with instructions and photos on how to create these roses.

                                        

Glass pebbles add dimension and interest to the layout, while giving the option to personalize your layout a bit by giving you the choice of image you wish to feature.

                                                  

                                        

Let me know if you are interested in ordering a kit by contacting me on melodyk@mweb.co.za

Hi everyone,
   I have a new kit available. This one is called Catch your Dreams and it is a little Boho inspired featuring a handmade dreamcatcher.

The layout can accommodate 8 photos of varying sizes, on a colour palette of turquoise, red, black and white.

The kit includes instructions on how to weave the dreamcatcher and the feathers are also handmade from printed and plain papers.

The title is featured within a cluster of complimenting elements, raised on foam to add dimension.

Please let me know if you are interested in ordering a kit. Email me at melodyk@mweb.co.za

Hi everyone,
   I have a new kit available. This one is called Simple Pleasures and can fit 6 photos of varying sizes. The theme allows you to use virtually any photos on your layout. The kit includes this stunning paper in blues.

The layout features handmade flowers resembling pinwheels. These flowers have been printed for you so you just have to cut them out and put them together.

The addition of the doily adds to the feminine feel the flowers create.

Foam flocking on the die cut leaves add a softness to the layout.

Please let me know via email (melodyk@mweb.co.za) if you are interested in ordering a kit.

Hi Everyone,
   There is a new kit available and this one is all about travel and sight seeing. The kit is called WHAT A VIEW and can accommodate quite a few small pictures in the hide-away pull out.

The layout can accommodate a total of 11 varying sized photos, hiding 5 of them away in the pull out behind the camera

The layout has a casual travel feel to it with some photos tucked in between postcards

The rolled paper strips add a 3 dimensional element to the page

Please let me know if you are interested in ordering a kit (melodyk@mweb.co.za)

Hi Everyone,
   Happy Easter to you all. I have a new kit available and this one is a super girlie layout called
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL. This layout is created using Fabscraps paper and lots of feminine elements and can accommodate 5 photos.

The pink, grey and black coloured layout incorporates lace, buttons and a zip to emphasize the softness of the theme.

An over sized lacy doily, along with the floral cluster, also adds to the feminine feel.

The chipboard title completes the layout

Please let me know if you would like to order a kit - melodyk@mweb.co.za

Hi Everyone,
   So we are well into 2015 and Valentines day is approaching. With this in mind I designed a layout focused around the month of love.

The new kit layout is called JUST US and is perfect for those couples photos or even wedding pics. I have used photos of my daughter and her very special pup.

To keep things interesting I haven't used traditional valentines colouring but rather used this amazing paper from Simple Stories in black, white and "gold". The layout is simple and effective allowing the 5 photos to take "centre stage".

A cluster of elements carries the title and adds interest.

The 3 dimensional hearts emphasize the theme and colour of the layout, while the brick pattern helps to link all the elements together.

Please let me know if you are interested in ordering a kit. (melodyk@mweb.co.za)

Hi Everyone,
   I'm back with a new kit. This one is called INTO THE WILD and is themed around outdoor activities.A great one with summer arriving. Unfortunately, between not having much in the way of outdoor pics and also not having a decent photo shop around here anymore, I have had to create my layout without photos this time.
The layout can accommodate 6 photos of varying sizes and would be perfect for picnic pics. The colours are mainly blue, red and green, with some natural tones in between.

I have included some distressing techniques and some dry brushing with white paint. As well as masking and inking,

The colourful flags add a fun element to the page.

The lace and the roses carry the fresh outdoor theme through.

Let me know if you are interested in ordering this kit.... melodyk@mweb.co.za

Painting the stamped book paper image using watercolours or Distress Inks.

I used these colours if Distress Inks to colour my images....Peeled Paint, Evergreen Bough & Seedless Preserve.

                                       
 Use a wet paint brush to pick up some of the ink directly from the ink pad. Paint it onto the leaf image. The more water used the light the colour will be. Feel free to play with differnt colours and techniques. Watercolours will work just as well.

Double Slider card for the So Natural kit.

Hi |Everyone,

As promised, here is a step by step breakdown of the Double Slider in the So Natural kit.

These are the pieces needed. The double sided tape was not included in the kit.

Once you have used a craft knife to cut the slits on the dotted line, then slip the plastic strip into the one slit and then exit through the other slit.

Fold the edges of the plastic strip in and attach double sided tape to one edge of the strip. Take care that the tape doesn't extend beyond the strip anywhere otherwise it will stick to the slider and stop movement.

Now attach the other side of the strip to the taped side, pulling it securely but taking care not to pull so tight that is bend the card. Now slide the join to the left of the card just before it would pull through the slit.

Now attach a strip of double sided tape vertically to the left edge of the plastic strip. 

Attach the longer narrow piece horizontally to the centre of the block, lining it up with the left edge. It will extend beyond the right edge.

Flip the whole piece over and attach a strip of double sided take vertically to the left edge of the plastic strip. Again take care not to have any tape sticking over the edge.

Now attach the smaller narrow strip to the centre of the whole piece lining it up with the left edge. It should line up with the right edge too.

When pulled your slider should now look like this. Return it to its closed position and make sure that the longer piece is extending on the top side.

Make sure the slider is positioned in the centre of th card. Attach 5 pieces of foam above the slider piece and 5 pieces below the slider piece. This will help to keep the slider moving correctly on your layout.\

Attach the remaining larger block to the foam squares, lining up the edges with the original piece with the slits in.

Flip the card over and attach foam squares as you did before. These squares will attach the hole double slider to the layout, so can keep their paper covers on for the moment.

Fold the pull tab in half vetically and attach it to the extended edge. Your slider will now look like this.....ready to be embellished with paper and photos for the layout.

Enjoy trying this fun interactive piece for your layout.

Hi everyone,

   Time for a new kit. This one is called  SO NATURAL and is themed very much around garden and nature. The beautiful colour scheme of Lilac, Teal and Green helps the natural garden theme. The layout can accommodate 6 photos, 2 of which are hidden in a double slider.



Included in the techniques are working with liquid ink to create the runs on the layout.

Again you will use watercolours or, if you have, Tim Holtz Distress inks, to add colour to the stamped butterfly and leaf images.  I used the distress inks in 3 colours, namely Evergreen Bough, Seedless Preserve and Peeled Paint. I will include another step by step blog entry to show how I painted the images.

The most challenging technique is the double sided slider where there are 2 photos hidden, or if you prefer you can add hidden journaling.

I will include an extra blog entry with a step by step guide on how to do the Double sided slider.

Please let me know if you are interested in ordering (melodyk@mweb.co.za)