The Graphic 45 Blog Has Move to G45papers.com

 

Click here to access the new Graphic 45 website. 

Spotlight: The Sea is Calling - Mixed Media Layout By Katelyn Grosart

Hello, G45ers!

 

Welcome to another week full of introductions to the Graphic 45 Brand Ambassadors for 2017. Today, we have the pleasure of introducing the wildly talented Katelyn Grosart. Katelyn has been crafting for years, been a part of the Graphic 45 family this last year as well, and is now joining us again. We could not be more thrilled to get to share her wonderful creations with you all. Today we will also share her magical mixed media layout she created using Voyage Beneath the Sea, complete with SnapGuide so you can see how she compose each element. Before we talk about Katelyn, we have to mention this week's prize-to enter to win just comment here on the blog each day today through Thursday or on Facebook. We will announce the winner right here on the blog, this Friday. And the winner will receive...

 

Vintage Hollywood 12x12 Paper Pad, 12x12 Patterns & Solids Paper Pad, 2 Chipboard, Tags & Pockets Die-Cuts, 8x8 paper pad, Ephemera & Journaling Cards, Black ATC Tags, Square Tags & Pockets Mini Albu, Square Deep Matchbook Box, Metal Drawer Pulls, Metal Lion's Head Knockers, and Vintage Hollywood Stamps, total value $135+.  

Katelyn Grosart

“Hey G45 Fans! I’m Katelyn Grosart and I live on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC with my boyfriend of 7 years.

I’ve spent the last 8 years in the papercrafting world, working in a scrapbook store, as well as teaching a variety of classes. You’ll find me most of the time in my scrapbook room designing various cards, mixed media pages, scrapbook layouts, mini albums, and altered items.

In my spare time I love to read a good book while drinking a green tea latte or London Fog from Starbucks. When I’m not reading, I love to spend time with friends or watch a good movie. When the weather is nice, you’ll often find me outside taking advantage of the beautiful Canadian weather.”

Katelyn’s Blog

Katelyn’s Instagram

Katelyn’s Snapguide

Katelyn’s Pinterest

Fun Facts:

1. My all time favourite paper collection from Graphic 45 would be Botanical Tea, although Nature Sketchbook would be a close second.
   
   
2. I’m a big Netflix watcher while I craft. My current favourite Netflix shows are: Grace & Frankie, House of Cards and Schitts Creek.
   
   
3. I can’t live or craft without my fussy cutting scissors. I have 5 pairs just for fussy cutting in case I lose one in a pile while I’m crafting.

Now that you’ve learned a bit about Katelyn, she’s going to share with you a new project.

 

The Sea is Calling and I Must Go

Scrapbook Layout By Katelyn Grosart

 

“I love to explore new trends in the paper crafting industry. One of the new trends I decided that I wanted to explore is adding a mixed media element to my project. By using paint and texture paste with a stencil as well as a few other mixed media elements on a scrapbook layout freak the heck out of me and it’s something that I tend to avoid. So I challenged myself to explore this trend of using mixed media elements on a scrapbook layout. By mixing paint, texture paste, stenciling, a few embellishments and fussy cut images I was able to create this beautiful sea inspired layout. Grab a cup of your favourite beverage and enjoy the photos and tutorial of my sea inspired layout.” ~Katelyn Grosart

 

Check out How to Create a Mixed Media Sea Layout by Katelyn Grosart on Snapguide.

 

 

Tip:
Once your layout is put together, using white paint, add splatter marks over your entire layout.

Tip:
To add extra interest on your stenciled circles, rub on Opal Magic Wax in Blue and Green.

 

Here’s something I learned while exploring this technique:  Keep adding paint, stenciled images, stamped images and wax to the base page of your layout. It will get better when you continue to add different layers and elements.

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Voyage Beneath the Sea 12x12 Patterned Paper: Voyage Beneath the Sea, Neptune’s Adventure, Deep Blue Dreams, Aquatic Passage, Mermaid Melody, Steampunk Splash, Wild Waves.
• Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keys
• Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keyholes

Other Supplies:

• Elizabeth Craft Designs: Stitched Circles
• Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mixed Media 2
• Prima Marketing: Art Alchemey Opal Magic Wax - Blue Velvet & Green Brocade
• Emerald Creek Craft Supplies: Burnt Copper Leaves Embossing Powder
• Southern Ridge Trading Company: Tiny Bubbles
• Dylusions for Ranger Ink: Polished Jade and Vibrant Turquoise Paint  
• Dina Wakley for Ranger Ink: Palette Knife and White Gesso
• Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink: Distress Crayons - Lucky Clover, Peacock Feathers and Mermaid Lagoon
• Ranger Ink: Texture Paste Opaque Matte

 

Thanks for joining me today as I share with you my mixed media “The Sea is Calling and I Must Go” Scrapbook layout." ~Katelyn Grosart

...and thanks to Katelyn for sharing such a gorgeous layout. We hope we have helped get your week off to a great start. We have many more introductions to share with you this week. We are constantly amazed at and humbled by the talent of the Graphic 45 Brand Ambassadors. Stay tuned for more. We'd love to hear about some of your favorite projects by Katelyn in the comments below and remember that each comment is a chance to win this week's blog prize. 

 

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator  

Spotlight: Elena Olinevich 2017 G45 Brand Ambassador

Hello, G45ers!

We hope you are having a great Friday and are ready for one more Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador announcement before the weekend gets started. Today, we are honoring Elena Olinevich, who is joining us again for 2017. Elena has done so many creative projects for us this last year, and we are looking forward to seeing more of her inspiring cards, layouts, and watercolor/mixed media techniques. Today, she shares some interesting details about her own life, along with a terrific Vintage Hollywood mini-album, complete with YouTube tutorial and insightful tips. Read on to get the inside scoop on Elena's crafting style, and after that, stick around for the announcement of this week's blog prize winner. 

 

Elena Olinevich

 

"First, I would like to share with you my excitement for staying for one more term with Graphic45 family. I am so blessed and lucky to be able to now be named G45 Brand Ambassador.

 Also, I want to thank G45 family and you, the readers and followers of G45 blog for all the kind words you give all the time. I wish I could say thank you to every single comment on the blog, Facebook, and Instagram. I am amazed how many times my projects were pinned from the G45 blog, and it makes me feel really happy that I can be an inspiration for someone.

Well, a few words about myself. I am from Belarus , Eastern Europe, in my middle 30s. I have been a creative person since I was a child. Then a had a long break while I studied at the University and was busy at my full time job. While I had reached a lot in my career life, I felt that I missed something. I had no time to enjoy life, so it was a hard decision, but I decided to step away. I took a break to decide what I really want to do, since I had a 3 year old daughter and I wanted to be a mother, a wife, and a person, not just a key account manager.

As you might  have realized, my life has changed since that time  in 2010 - I started crafting again. I feel so very happy that now I am a full time artist, and I still have the time for me, for my work, for my family.

 

Fun Facts:

• I craft daily (almost), even for a few hours.
• I prefer to craft when there is no one at home, and I prefer the silence. If I turn on the music, I start singing, not crafting.
• I am very obsessed with the details; that is why even creating a card can take me more than one day.
• I love watercolor and I am trying to combine my 2 passions - watercoloring and papercrafting.
• I started as a cardmaker, then I switched to creating scrapbooking pages. After that I felt that mixed media was something that attracted me most of all, and I love doing big elements and complicated albums. What hasn’t captured me yet - it seems that off the page projects are still something that I haven’t tried enough.

 

Vintage Hollywood Tag Mini Album

by Elena Olinevich

"In creating with Graphic 45 products, I have discovered some new ideas. I used to create big albums , but what a joy I felt creating a cute mini-album using the Staples Tags.

 Vintage Hollywood is my one of my favorite collections at the moment.

A few months ago I made a Camera box using the Book box for one of my assignments. If you are interestied, you can check it on the Graphic 45 blog here.

 So I wondered what kind of mini album I could create to put it into that box and I decided to make a Tag mini album with alphas from the Alpha Banner set - using the word CINEMA for the large alphas, and HOLLYWOOD for the smaller ones.

 It was something new for me. I have never used them for the banner. I always put them as an embellishment into my projects, but actually it was a good idea to put the main words into my album to keep the idea of Vintage Hollywood.

 I also determined that I needed to use all of the Tags and Pockets pack and to showcase the Ephemera cards, as their back side is full of awesome background for putting notes or memories.

 I would like to share some of the tips I have discovered while working on my project.

I also featured them in my video tutorial. I didn’t made a long boring film process, I only showed some of my tips in my first video

 

Vintage Tag Mini Album YouTube Tutorial

 

 

 

1. If you create a Tag mini album, think on how to add some functional pockets. Since the size of tag mini album is very limited such kind of extra space allows you to put more pictures or cards inside.
   
   
2. I suggest people to use the Ephemera cards. They add more texture and their backside can be used for many occasions such as putting the note, keeping the photos, and so on.
   
   
3. Since the Pockets made specially for this collection have the awesome design and color, I suggest to adhere them one size - to one tag size, and the other - to the backside. In fact, you receive 2 separate pockets at once, and you still showcase the beautiful pattern (You can check my video on how to do that.)
   
   
4. Make you alpha banners more creative. Play with the background for them. You can take the more busy background or even play with the images on it. In my case, I put the image of the embracing couple under the alpha, and you still see them, however there is something secret in this.
   
   
5. While decorating the tags for your mini, keep in my that they can be used not only as the beautiful cards, but also can be a part of embellishments for your photos. That is why it is a good idea to keep some space for this.

I also filmed the video tour of my Tag mini album, you are welcome to check it too." ~Elena Olinevich

Video Tour of the Complete Mini Album

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Vintage Hollywood 12x12 Pad
• Vintage Hollywood 8x8 Pad
• Vintage Hollywood Patterns & Solids Pad
• Vintage Hollywood Tags and Pockets
• Vintage Hollywood Ephemera Cards

Graphic45 Staples:

• Regular Tag Album - Black
• Alpha Banner - Black
• Alpha Banner - ATC Black
• Alpha Banner - ATC Red

 

This week's randomly chosen winner is...Whendi Whalen, who commented on Facebook to say, "What pretty papers, I love all G45 items! Thanks for the chance to win!" Congratulations, Whendi! Please contact info@g45papers.com with your shipping details to claim your prize.

This week's prize package includes two 12x12 Off to the Races Paper pads, design and Patterns & Solids, Die-Cut Banners, Chipboard, Shabby Chic Metal Clock Keys, Black Regular Tag Album, and Celebrate ATC Ivory Tags, a $76 value!

Thanks for joining us for another day of Brand Ambassador announcements. We are so happy to feature Elena and her beautiful Vintage Hollywood mini-album. Thanks to her for sharing so much of herself and her work with us today with her thoughtful and details biography and project. Congratulations again to our weekly winner, Whendi. We will see you all back here next week for more Brand Ambassador introductions and more beautiful crafting inspiration. 

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator  

 

Happy Birthday Jeff! Featuring a Vintage Hollywood Pop-up Card Tutorial

Hello, G45ers!

We have a surprise birthday blog for you today honoring Jeff Filimoehala, our Production Designer!  In this post we will be sharing an extra special birthday card step by step tutorial by the one and only Annette Green.  This stunning card features Jeff's favorite color and collection, Vintage Hollywood.  Let's jump into this fun filled post, and please be sure to join us in wishing Jeff a Happy Birthday in the comments.  To kick off the party, we have a special message from our CEO and Head Designer, Diane Schultz.

"Jeffery, I hope you know that I love you not just because you're my son, but because you're an amazing person. Thank you for all you do for me and for Graphic 45. Thank you for your creativity and your muscle (brain and brawn) AND for never complaining. Thank you especially, for your wonderful sense of humor... for giving all of us at G45 so many reasons to smile.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!" ~Mom

"I started at Graphic 45 a few years ago ,helping with CHA and other trade shows, you know, doing the “heavy lifting” and working the shows.  The craziness it took for the shows and the projects to come together was quite overwhelming and really came as a shock to me.  All of the amazing projects, inspirational cards, and beautiful albums that were created using G45 products made me realize that there truly is a passion out there and an amazing community of people eager to tell stories and create in the most illuminating ways. Needless to say I was hooked!  Soon enough I was designing marketing materials, project sheets, and doing other production design work.  I truly feel so thankful to be surrounded by such imaginative people (some which, just happen to be family,) in a most astonishing environment each day." ~Jeff

 

 

Vintage Hollywood Masculine Pop-up Card

By Annette Green

 

"After watching Graphic 45’s most recent Facebook Live, I learned that Jeff Filimoehala’s birthday is June 8th. I also learned that his favorite collection is Vintage Hollywood and he loves the color orange, so this was the perfect opportunity to create a fun, masculine pop-up card for his special day. (I hope he likes it!) I’ve created this pop-up book-style card inspired by an SVG file from Lori Whitlock. I think this would also make a wonderful Father’s Day card." ~Annette Green

 

 

 

1. Cut a card base from orange cardstock to make a 5” x 7” card when folded. Follow the paper cutting measures in the photo and layer pieces onto the card front. The unmarked border strip is 3 ½” by approximately ¾”. (Notice there will be an open space not covered with paper.)
   
   
   
   
2. Cut apart elements from the papers and select chipboard pieces. (I used the blue framed chipboard tag, the small black tag, and three round circles.) The star strips are approximately ¼” wide x 6 ¾” long and will go on the inside of the card. Ink edges as desired.
   
   
   
   
3. Cut two pieces of Silver Screen as directed and adhere to the inside, close to the inner fold, then adhere the two star borders from the previous step on the outer edges.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Cut the orange paper with words from the Patterns and Solids pad as directed. Score the paper at the measures listed below the photo, being careful to start and stop 1” away from the top and bottom of the paper as shown by the dark lines. The score at 5 ⅛” is the only one to go all the way down the paper.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Now carefully use a craft knife to cut from left to the right (the first and last score lines) making sure to start and stop 1” away from the edges as shown by the dark lines. Repeat at the bottom.
   
   
   
   
6. Fold the piece as shown. The large center portion should look like a book popping up slightly.
   
   
   
   
7. Follow the paper cutting measures in the photo and ink all edges. The “Born” borders are approximately ⅝” wide x 4 ⅛” tall.
   
   
   
   
8. Adhere all the pieces to the folded unit as shown.
   
   
   
   
9. Gently fold the unit closed, making sure all scored folds are crisp and the unit closes easily.
   
   
   
   
10. The unit should fold nice and flat. If not, use a bone folder to burnish on the folds to make them crisp.
    
    
11. Place double-sided adhesive tape on the areas shown.
    
    
    
    
12. Peel and stick this portion into the card approximately ½” from the card’s edge, pressing firmly.
    
    
    
    
13. Place double-sided adhesive tape on the other side in the same manner as before.
    
    
    
    
14. Fold the card closed and press. 
    
    
    
    
15. Adhere the scalloped border unit and fussy cuts (from Step 5) to the front of the card.
    
    
    
    
16. If you like, stamp a sentiment on the blue chipboard tag then join the two chipboard tags with waxed twine tied into a bow. Pop up the Super Star fussy cut with dimensional foam and add the three chipboard circles to the card as desired.
    
    

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Vintage Hollywood 12 x 12 papers:
• Delightful Debut
• Glitz & Glamour
• Star Studded
• Tinseltown
• Silver Screen
• Spotlight
  
  

• 3 different sheets Vintage Hollywood 12 x 12 Patterns and Solids paper
• Vintage Hollywood Journaling Chipboard
• Colorbox Decades ink pad: Photogenic for inking edges

Other Supplies:

• Orange Cardstock
• Black Waxed Twine

Happy Birthday Jeff, we hope this day is as special as you are!  Big thanks to Annette for sharing that incredible masculine card that is perfect for this month's challenge. 

 

Join our #G45Gentleman Challenge!

• Create a masculine project using Graphic 45 product
• Upload your project to our Facebook page using #G45Gentleman 
• BONUS! Use our new Master Detective collection and your entry will count as two entries 
• WIN a $150 prize pack, one winner will be selected randomly 
• Deadline: June 30th, 2017 
• You can enter multiple times
• Winner will be announced in the July 6th, 2017 newsletter

This month we're celebrating those special gentlemen in our lives, dads, brothers, sons, friends, and heroes. Have fun taking part in our June Challenge. We look forward to seeing your projects!  

 

Thanks again! 

 

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator  

 

Spotlight: Einat Kessler 2017 G45 Brand Ambassador

Hello, G45er!

Thanks for joining us again today, as we continue to reveal our brand new Graphic 45 Brand Ambassadors. We are so happy to get to introduce the oh-so-talented Einat Kessler. We will let her tell you a little more about herself in her own words below, and after that, be sure to check out the vibrant Voyage Beneath the Sea tag set she has created. We love her seamless integration of stamped and fussy cut imagery from the collection, and the way the watercolor technique brings it all together. She also includes a SnapGuide tutorial for those of you who want to dive deep into this type of project.

 

This week's prize package includes two 12x12 Off to the Races Paper pads, design and Patterns & Solids, Die-Cut Banners, Chipboard, Shabby Chic Metal Clock Keys, Black Regular Tag Album, and Celebrate ATC Ivory Tags, a $76 value!  To enter to win this prize package just leave a comment here and/or on our Facebook page.  The winner will be announced, Friday, June 9th.  

 

 

Einat Kessler

 

"I’m Einat Kessler, creative professional, mixed media artist, scrapbook and paper designer, altering enthusiast and class instructor from Israel.

As a little girl I remember sitting in my grandparents living room with a huge scrapbook on my knees (I was only 6 years old so the scrapbook seemed larger than it really was), looking through the photos of faraway places my grandparents visited. As a master bookbinder, my grandfather built a new scrapbook from scratch for every trip he and my grandma took. After the book was ready he filled it with photos, postcards, images he cut from magazines, tickets and lots more. I thought it was pure magic.

Years later when my first son was born my grandfather suggested I create a scrapbook for him. This was the first scrapbook I created. In those days there were no scrapbooking supplies in the stores here and I had to be creative and create everything from scratch. One day while online I searched the word scrapbooking and BAM!! A whole new world just gushed into my life! I was completely hooked!

Slowly the new hobby took over my life until I decided to quit my job and open my own business. I started a blog, a Facebook page and a YouTube channel. Today my brand has evolved beyond scrapbooking to include mixed media, DIY projects, altering and recycling. I teach online classes and sell my creations on my Etsy shop.  I’ve recently launched a members-only creative club with exciting video tutorials, tips & techniques, and amazing giveaways. I love sharing what I do with as many people as possible and the more I give the more I receive.

 

Fun Facts

• I can’t create if there is quiet around me. So I always listen to music while I work. I wanted to install a TV in my craft room but my hubby said it would distract me from my work. I think he’s right so I’m sticking to music!
  
  
• It may come as a shock to you, but I didn’t like Graphic 45 when I started creating. As I developed and grew as an artist I started appreciating the complexity, the beauty and versatility of the G45 papers and completely fell in love with them. My first collection was Mother Goose. I really loved it and created several projects from it. I still save the leftover scraps of papers until today!
  
  
• When I sit down to create I can forget myself for hours. I don’t eat or drink or even go to the bathroom… That’s why I always have a bottle of water on my desk to remind me to drink. The reason I use a bottle and not a glass or cup is because when I keep dipping my dirty brushes in my cup of water instead of the cleaning water jar!

 

Voyage Beneath the Sea Tags

By Einat Kessler

 

In this project I decided to explore water colors with the Graphic 45 stamps. I used water colors before but this time I wanted to see if I could use them to create a background for the tags. I chose to use the Voyage Beneath the Sea papers because they match the sea water look of the water colors on the tags. I have a very modest set of water colors but that didn’t matter because I blended a few colors together to create more colors. After all the sea has so many colors of blue and green in it and the water colors capture that exactly because they blend so well together and they have a transparent effect that looks like water.

The best tip I learned is layering. Yes you can layer water colors and you should if you want to create a water effect. Apply the first layer of water colors and then dry it. Once it’s completely dry you can add a second layer that will not blend with the first one. You can add more layers until you are happy with the result.

Another tip is use the water colors properties to your advantage. Control the fluidity to create dripage or splatters. Mix colors directly on the paper while they’re wet and create gradual change of colors.

Check out the tutorial to create water color tags too." ~Einat Kessler

 

 

 

 

Check out How to Create Water Color Tags by Einat Kessler on Snapguide.

 

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• 8 x 8 Voyage Beneath the Sea papers
• Staples - Square Ivory Tag Album
• Voyage Beneath the Sea Cling Stamps

 

Other Supplies:

• Water Colors and a water brush

 

Thanks for joining us to celebrate another talented member of the all new Graphic 45 Brand Ambassadors. We are so lucky to have so many talented people creating with our paper, including all you readers out there as well. We hope you enjoyed Einat's story and creative dip into crafting with watercolors. We'd love to hear about some of your other favorite projects she has created in the comments below. See you here tomorrow for more Brand Ambassador introductions and keep an eye out today for a special bonus blog.

 

Happy Papercrafting!

Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products?  Store Locator