I thoroughly enjoyed layering week this week, and I hope you did too! It’s a technique I’ve admired for ages but had never learned to do. But with all that I learned this week, I have a feeling that my layouts will have a bit more oomph & depth soon

Here are the Top 12 Things I Learned About Layering This Week ….

1. Layers do not need straight lines. Who knew?!? {Note to self: Step away from the paper trimmer!}
2. Foam adhesives (like 3-D Dots) are a must. I hope Michael’s has enough in stock to cover all the PCC readers who’ll be stocking up this weekend!
3. You can do really cool stuff with stickers! Time to dig back into my stash. Good thing I never throw anything away! I think the diecuts & stickers in my ScrapRack just found new life!
4. If you move the paper when fussy-cutting (not the scissors), you’ll get smoother cuts. (Great tip, Emma!)
5. Layering doesn’t have to mean messy. No matter your style, layering seems to add a little somethin’-somethin’ to it.
6. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to figure-out the per page cost of your project after a good layering frenzy. Some things aren’t meant to be calculated. I think there’s a good inventory term like “sunk costs” in there somewhere.
7. You can do a lot more with paper scraps than I realized. I need to organize my paper scraps so I can use them more!
8. Mist. Paint. Splatter. Stamp. Gesso. Ink. Journal. Doodle. Stitch.
9. Speaking of which, I need to buy some gesso!
10. You can cluster & adhere items together before sticking them to the background. Genius!
11. Layering and “perfection” don’t mix. The imperfection is part of the charm!
12. I totally, totally, totally need to purchase and learn to use a sewing machine. Period.

What about you? What were some of your favorite layering tips, techniques & inspiration from this week?

We featured two fabulous tutorials created JUST for us for our special Layering Week coverage. Thank you Emma and Corrie!

Here are a few more tutorials I thought you might be interested in checking out …. Click the photo to be taken directly to the original blog post or tutorial shown / referenced….

Ronda Palazzari

Ronda is contributing a signed copy of her brand new book, Art of Layers, to our Layering Loot giveaway this week. Here are links to two different tutorials on her blog that I thought you would particularly enjoy….

Ronda Palazzari - "Anatomy of My Layers" - Mar 29, 2012

Ronda Palazzari - Simple Layers Walk Through - May 2011

Jennifer Evans for Pink Paislee

There were a full 5 days of layering tips and techniques on the Pink Paislee blog earlier this month. Jennifer Evans created this layout ….

Layout by Jennifer Evans for Pink Paislee - march 2012

In the written part of her tutorial, Jennifer talks about which adhesives she selects for which layers of project and why. And for fun, she also created a 4 1/2 minute “fast speed” video showing her process start to finish.  After watching Corrie’s video yesterday, I was interested to note that Jennifer *does* use a trimmer for most of her layers

Annabelle O’Malley for Webster’s Pages

Annabelle O’Malley shared this layout created for Webster’s Pages, and discussed, “How Do I Know My Layout is Finished?”  In it she walks through the 4 main steps she takes on her layouts and her thought processes for knowing each — including when she knows it’s DONE.

Layout by Annabell O'Malley for Webster's Pages - march 2012

Nic Howard for Fancy Pants

Nic Howard is the teacher for one class in the “layering” bundle of classes in our Layering Loot giveaway. She created this “30-minute” layout for Fancy Pants and provided her step-by-step photo tutorial.

Layout by Nic Howard for Fancy Pants - March 2012

Have you enjoyed our Layering Week? I know I have! I’ve learned SO much this week and I hope you have too! Just one more post will be our final “layer” on the week …

Corrie Jones joins us today for day four of Layering Week at PaperCrafter’s Corner.  Corrie is a bit of a “rising star” in the paper crafting world, but that’s really no surprise considering her clean yet layered & trendy style. Corrie is on the design teams for American Crafts, Pink Paislee, SRM Stickers and Hambly.

Today, Corrie has put together an AMAZING video tutorial shot in fast-motion that will let you see the entire process as she creates one of her signature clean-yet-layered pages. When I watched it, I felt like I was standing over her shoulder at a crop and having her talk me through each step — but in super fast motion without getting bored (she edited out the “sitting & thinking” parts) and without my feet getting tired:)

As you watch the video, keep your eyes peeled. You’ll see her using a few of the items included in our Layering Loot giveaway, including Washi Tape, SRM Stickers (galore!), Thickers and her Slick Writer

Corrie Jones on Layering

Layering on a scrapbook page is my favorite way to scrapbook.  The layers add texture and dimension to my pages and I feel like it really helps to showcase my photos.  Besides that, it is such a fun technique!  I have been known to get lost in my layering and have had to cut myself off before the page gets too thick to put in a page protector.  But I guess that would be a great use for one of those shadow boxes.

Layering also seems to open up the supply possibilities.  I can go wild in a Michaels and not even hit the scrapbooking aisle.  And then there are the office supplies stores!  Random papers, clips, tabs and shipping tags can all be used.  I can even find fun stuff at the grocery store to use in my layering like magazine pages and paper doilies.  Layering supplies can really get the creative juices flowing!

Corrie’s Process

• Anyway, because the photos are really the focal point on my pages, not the layers, I do start with my photos.  Then I jump around.  So, always photos first.  Then I choose a background for my page.  I like to stick with neutral cardstock, but I will use a lightly patterned neutral patterned paper as well.

• With the photos and background chosen, I start back at the photos and build my layers down towards the background.  Often the design idea I started with will change during the layering process, so instead of layering up, layering down gives me more leeway to change things.

• Once the paper layers going down are finished, then I paint, mist, add flat things like rub ons and stickers to my background paper.

• Once it is all stuck down it is a great base to my page.  But now the fun begins, going back to the top and adding all the rest.  Thickers, washi tape, buttons, brads, maybe a little bling or a small flower, tags, banners, twine, stitching.  All the great stuff to decorate the page and make it mine.

• I add, adjust, stick, etc. and then step back.  Then add more.  Sometimes more after that.  It is done when it feels done, or when I run out of matching stuff or when I force myself to put down the glue and walk away!

My husband once asked me how much one of my layered pages cost.  Yikes!!!  I really don’t know but it could get pretty high!  But it helps me keep my stash more manageable and I can more easily justify getting the lastest and greatest each CHA.  A girl loves to shop!

The Layout

So, now that you know a bit about Corrie’s process, you are in for a real TREAT as you watch her create THIS gorgeous layout!

The Video

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZrDCk8IF3Y?rel=0&w=480&h=360]
Wasn’t that just amazing? You can’t tell me you weren’t on the edge of your seat just wondering WHAT she was going to do next? And seriously, I can’t believe she doesn’t measure. She just cuts. And it’s not even straight and it doesn’t matter. Love that!!

The Closeups

Look at that detail! So much detail without any clutter at all! So, what do you think? Are you up for giving “layering” a try?

Stay tuned. Layering Week wraps up tomorrow!

Emma Trout joins us today for day two of Layering Week at PaperCrafter’s Corner. I am a long-time admirer of Emma’s gorgeous style so I’m thrilled to have her with us this week!  Emma is on the Webster’s Pages design team and has been on several different teams in recent years. Today, Emma is going to take us step-by-step through her process of creating a layout with lots of beautiful LAYERS. Enjoy!

We have more great “layering” fun planned throughout the week (including an awesome giveaway of all kinds of layer-y goodness) so be sure to stay tuned!

Creating a Layered Scrapbook Page is like Making a Sandwich

I think of layering like making a sandwich!!! Really, bear with me here!!

We all start with a bread base (background paper), and then add some form of spread (the first layer). Now we choose a filling.  Some people may choose cheese, for example (the next layer)  and that is enough sandwich for them . Other people might like to add a small bit of salad…others like to add a lot. At this stage, you could decide to add some mayo too.  The sandwich is finished when the bread top is added (the photo/s) … So we layer our sandwiches until we get the desired result…just like we do with our scrapbooking. It’s all down to personal taste!

It’s all about your own “taste” but here are a few of my favorite hints & tips for creating a layered feel

• Adding layers of mist, paint and stamping can add extra depth and make subsequent layers stand out.
• Using foam adhesive pads and silicon glue immediately adds depth and dimension. By lifting layers you can add interest by tucking extra bits under and on top.
• Don’t worry if your layers look a little untidy as you are building them up. Like a sandwich, it will look fab when you add the top layer (photos). Have a little confidence!
• Use sharp scissors for fussy cutting (I use Tonic Studios (Tim Holtz) scissors). Move the paper as you cut to get a better edge to your shapes.

Here’s the finished layout we’ll be making together….

Don’t be overwhelmed! …. it’s easier than it looks …  Let me walk you through how I did it!

Thought Process

Here was my process for creating this layout about about my recent trip to Amsterdam:

Images: I started by listing things that I associate with Amsterdam:  Flowers/Tulips, Windmills, Bicycles, Houses in rows, Boats, Cafe culture, Coffee/cake, Districts, Travel/Airport/planes, Museums, Fashions.

Colour: The Dutch National football team plays in orange/sky blue so I decided to use this scheme as my base colours. Then I added red/yellow/pink as a nod to the colourful flowers and vibrancy of the city.

Design: I cut out some designs (from my list of images) relating to my photographs from Webster’s Pages papers and pushed them around my page until I had a basic design idea in my mind!

Specific Steps

Begin by spraying ‘Sun Sisters’ Glimmer Mist direct to your cardstock background in the areas that will be your design background.  Don’t worry about misting mistakes too much as you will be layering over the misted area.

I then dry brushed Orange and Magenta Acrylic Paint in the areas that will be layered over and finished by adding aqua paint splatter.

At this stage you may want to add any background stamping, such as the Kaisercraft grid stamp I have used.

Cut a piece of patterned paper to place at the bottom of the layout. Apply Gesso directly to the paper and allow to dry.  Glue into position on layout.

Cut a rectangle of blue paper and spray turquoise mist in centre area. Add to the middle of the page where the orange paper/cardstock joins.

Start building your layers.  Hint: I find that clustering items together, gluing some underneath and some on-top of each other BEFORE adding to the cardstock helps me build a page design.

Continue working around the page adding layers of paper designs and photos as you work.

All of the paper layers are now complete ….

Now just add your doodling around the edges and some journaling. Look at how much more “finished” the layout looks just with the simple doodled lines around the outside.

And you’re finished! Enjoy your layered page. I hope I have given you the confidence to have a go too!  -Em

Supplies Used: All papers: Webster’s Pages, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Making Memories Acrylic Paint, Claudine Hellmuth Gesso, Kaisercraft grid stamp, Pinflair glue, Tonic Studios (Tim Holtz) scissors

Wasn’t that a great tutorial? Thank you, Emma, for sharing that with us today! Stay tuned! We have more planned for layering week coming up soon ….