What exactly is the advantageous kit, you might be asking? Well, after numerous positive responses from you, it's the name I decided to go with after realizing the true potential and benefits of promoting self-made kits as I've come to realize that "all of us" have an abundance of supplies awaiting use on some project or another. Advantageous insinuates "taking advantage of", so it seemed perfectly fitting given the goal of the self-made kit. It's simple, really; Hunt, Collect, Collage and Create. Every other week, I'm going to debut a carefully coordinated, exquisite arrangement of papers, modern embellishments, vintage notions and unique baubles here on my blog. I'll then bring forth a project made from the items displayed (+ a few extras in light of change) a few days following their presentation. By doing this, I hope to inspire you to reinvent your very own self-made kit by either echoing what is shown or delving into a kit that is reflective of your most current needs. I'm sure that in earnest, you'll work magic with your collaborated items and you'll have done it without the requirement of would be extras. Progress feels so good, doesn't it?
Patterned Papers: Pebbles Dandy {Happy Go Lucky}, Heather Bailey Zinnia, Sassafras Floral Fields {Sweetly Smitten}, American Crafts Cilantro {a la Carte}, American Crafts Orchid {I Do}, Cosmo Cricket Boardwalk {Snorkel}, MLSB In Stitches {Sew Cute}, The Girls Paperie English Garden {Vintage Whimsy}, Jillibean Diced Tomatoes {Old World Cabbage Stew}, Anna Griffin Green {Carmen}
Cardstock: American Crafts Vanilla, Clay, Crimson, Sky, Lavender, Plum, Kraft
Stickers: KI Memories Hot Strips {Quick Strips}, Jillibean Blossom Soup {Cardstock Stickers}, Bella Blvd. Spinach & Pickle Juice {Sophisticates}, Cosmo Cricket Upcycle {Cardstock Stickers}, The Girls Paperie Jubilee {Sticker Market}, American Crafts Enchanted Accent {Remarks}, Jenni Bowlin Vintage Label {Strip Sticker}, Jenni Bowlin Blue {Label Sticker}, Anna Griffin Mackenzie {Circle Epoxy Stickers}, KI Memories {Elsie Flannigan Stickers - Retired}
Chipboard: K & Company BW Flora & Fauna Butterflies, Scenic Route Butterflies {Plain Chipboard}
Rub-Ons: Basic Grey Olio {Rub-On Booklet}
Journaling Spots: Jillibean Chilled Strawberry Soup {Journaling Sprout}, Martha Stewart Flourish Tags
Florals: Bella Blvd. Blooms A Bella Rosa, Prima Blue {Flower Sculptures}, Sassafras Ellie's Pick {Foldies}
Brads & Rhinestones: My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Gertie "Delightful" {Decorative Brads}, Doodlebug Designs Lilac {Jewels Adhesive Rhinestones}
Misc: Anna Griffin Carmen {Vellum Quotes}
What do you think of the strip assortment pieced together from the many pattern papers in the kit? Isn't it truly delightful - it's what really gives the layout it's mismatched piece-mealy feel. I think I must of fell in love with all the papers when I decided to do this because I had difficulty in choosing just a few of them. Instead, I opted to go "all out" and started cutting strips from all of them! I then layered a couple of them with small border stickers and various decorative punched-shape borders. Each strip is hand-cut in a sort of imperfect fashion to create that not-so-perfect look. After gluing them down, I sewed over them with my sewing machine {Yes, I'm sewing more! It's actually easier than I originally thought it would be.}
*The embellishments, Journal Spot and Photo were placed into position after the creation of the background. :)
Remember the naked chipboard butterfly from the previous post? I took it up a notch with the addition of hand-trimmed vintage book paper, a square transparency frame {Fancy Pants}, and a second vintage yellow button. The frame is adhered into position with the help of Spray Adhesive {Love the stuff!} Beneath the butterfly sits a large square journal spot {Jenni Bowlin} & light blue gold foil journal spot {K & Company}.
You'll notice a couple of extra products that hadn't been mentioned in the kit supply list - I stated earlier on via this post that I'd be throwing in an extra item or two along the way . This is because I'm one of those undecided designer type folks! Feel free to to do the same with your own self-made kit if you'd like..the kit contents aren't set in stone!
Above is another one my personally created 3-D stickers {love making them!}. The "Happiness" sticker {KI Memories} fits in perfectly because it echoes the various golds found throughout the layout {buttons, butterfly, etc.}. The label behind the two-part sticker combo is of a French scrapbook company that I no longer remember the name of - anyone feel like taking a guess?
This is my most favorite quote from the Anna Griffin Vellum Quote booklet. The red ornate label style frame is gorgeous! I'm also a huge fan of vellum! The key to working with vellum is to back it with something interesting like a journal card or a piece of subtle patterned paper - it'll lend it character and curb appeal! Behind mine sits a polka-dot journal card {October Afternoon} and a small snippet of flashcard {October Afternoon} - use Ranger's mini stapler when playing with vellum or a regular ol' stapler if you're without the mini one.
You obviously know that I succumb to flowers on almost every single one of my layouts - yes, I can't seem to forgo them. They're what I call my "right hand man" when faced with large voids of empty space!! When appealing to size, flowers don't count 'cause one is allowed to make them as large or small as they want..though I don't recommend a full 12" x 12" flower! Mine usually range from 2" to 4" , are made from eclectic assortment of materials and house at least one or two pop dots. The chosen materials are meticulously hidden from me at the beginning {not a single one is ever planned!}, so it takes quite a bit of time for me to produce each individual flower.
There's a wee bit of cleverness happening here..it's minor, though it demonstrates an idea for those misc. apostrophes that are a routine addition to the popular alpha sets we seem to collect on a regular basis. In setting up the word "eleven", I positioned apostrophes on either side of it. Turns out, they're a great accent option!
* The Happy Day Ticket; Creative Cafe {Creative Imaginations) - possibly retired.
An improved, closer look at the layout's background. Glue first, Sew last. Then, add embellishments. Test various arrangements before officially deciding on the placement of the strips. Go from light to bold to promote contrast and also pay attention to pattern sizes! Big next to small, geometrics next to florals, solids next to mixed colored patterns, etc.
This concludes The Advantageous Kit feature - I'll have another for you in the next couple of weeks {every Two!}. In another day or two, Pretty Lil' Things is to return - I've three brand new cards to share that have found their way into the box! They're absolutely beautiful, as usual {detailed and intricate}...have a lovely Monday everyone! I'll see you soon!~Christine M.
