Unruly Readers Art Quest 2 - August

This month over at Unruly Paper Arts we are featuring all things Powder from Embossing Powders to Pearl Ex and both Reader's Art Quests for August are now up on the blog for you to be inspired and play along. Whilst RAQ 1 looks at probably the most common powder used in our crafting Embossing Powders, RAQ 2 looks at one that is often forgotten in our toolbox.

For RAQ 2 we want to see you break out your chalks and put them to good use.

I must admit that up until recently (a card I made) I hadn't used my chalks in years, so when I saw this theme I thought I would play along for the challenge and to give my chalks some more use.  Here's my example. It's a simple scrap page using Chalk in three ways.

For my background I have used the Popping Pastels Technique where you stamp an image with a watermark/embossing Ink Pad such as Versamark and then apply the chalk over the top, then I simply Blended/Rubbed some color around the background to soften it some more.

The Third way is using the Chalkboard Technique which is done with a darker cardstock (black in my case). I decided as a contrast to frame my image and use this technique.   You use White Ink (I used Stampin' Up's Whisper White) to stamp your image and then apply your chalk colors over this.

Be sure to check out the other inspiration pieces over at Unruly Paper Arts and with that in mind, ask yourself if you are up to the chalk challenge or looking for an excuse to play with them.  If so then this month's RAQ 2 is just for you.  Come on and be Unruly with us here.

Unruly Paper Arts - RAQ 2 Paper Flowers

Hi Everyone!  Sorry for the silent treatment but I have once again had a rather full on week and not much time in the craft room.  I did however manage to book and attend a Girlfriends Themed Workshop last Saturday out at my Local Scrapbooking Store - Time To Create which was just what the doctor ordered.

As one of the new columnists for Unruly Paper Arts, I have a project to share for your inspiration today playing along with the May Issue's Readers Art Quest 2 - Paper Flowers.  Why not join the fun and share with us your favorite paper flowers incorporated into a project.

Staying in tune with my column's (Color Me Happy)  main focus  I am sharing a page from my journal incorporating some new stamps (Dylusions), my Gelatos and some paper flowers made using my Scallop Oval and Circle Punches.  Punches are such a great way to create an assortment of different flowers and the possibilities are almost endless.

For my flowers today I used one of my Gelli Prints from a previous project.

Using four punched scalloped ovals I simply create two crosses and layer these offset from one another.   I then have layered two different sizes (one large and two of the same size smaller circle) of punched circles together for my flower center and cut in around the bottom circle to meet the top circle giving it a frilled look.

My background is repeated stamping of the same vine stamp at varied heights and intervals which has then been colored in with my Gelatos using my favorite tool, my finger.

This month's issue of Unruly Paper Arts is all about Faux Flowers so be sure to check back regularly for loads of Floral Inspiration  as my fellow team members (the Unruly Columnists) share their creations and techniques with you.