Rachel's Mixed Media Challenge - JULY 2023

Hey Hey . . . and Hi!

I just can't keep up with where these weeks and months are flying!!

We have had weeks and weeks of a heatwave here in the UK but finally have some cooler temperatures, it's nice to have a little cooler air!

We've enjoyed dining outdoors as a family, family festivals, trips to the park, various sporting events at school and the tooth fairy visited Mackenzie for the first time too!

Thank you to all of you who joined us through June. The participation coupons will be coming soon plus an extra treat for @chai who is our winner drawn at random, congrats!

July 2023 Challenge

Following on from my customer feedback survey I bookmarked that some of you requested some tips for creating mixed media clusters.

You asked for help creating clusters from scratch including combining stamps and paints with dimensional elements. You also asked for tips on what makes a great ephemera cluster.

Here is a page that I have created with my up and coming August Build Your Own Collection (a VIP sneak peek he he). For our challenge this month we are going to be experimenting with stamps and ephemera and how learn how they can help with finishing our pages and adding a mixed media or artsy twist.



Stamps and paint can help . . . the eye to wander and to create flow, assist in creating shape and extending extend lines, to fill some empty space and to add texture.

Consider using a variety of different stamps to add texture and interest and draw out areas of your composition that already exist. When considering variety look out for text fragments, splatters, defined pattern stamps like stars or dots, scribbles and abstract marks that include lines.

Study your page and look for areas that can be 'drawn out' by adding some stamps, we can exaggerate lines or areas by making them longer or wider by adding marks and stamps.

A good ephemera cluster doesn't detract from your photograph or main focal point and is great for adding contrast and depth. It can also help to create shape and movement when paper bits are stacked and are lying at different angles with each other.

Consider your colours and ensure they compliment or just add some needed contrast to your photograph or the main focal point to your page. Neutral or monochrome colours are a good starting point. Again, consider using a variety of different types of ephemera to add texture and interest. When considering variety look for tickets or papers that contain text, and then also items that have pattern or print. Personally I love to add pops of black and white for contrast but it depends on your page what will suit, it's just a matter of experimenting.

In my page I have used the paper scraps/ephemera to add a little extra height behind my photo and to create depth by layering at least three or four paper items. I also took the liberty of a few extra little things peeking between my clusters and a piece of fabric poking out of the side to add a different texture to the paper stacks.

Don't forget about 'dressing your cluster up', I like to add trailing threads, bits of stitching and scattered sequins or beads so that things are not so rigid or uniform.

Here is a short video showing my layout without my paper stacks and stamps and what a difference they make and how they can create shape.



Here are some other examples of paper stacks working really well and how stamps have been used to create strong composition and add texture.

I created this additional layout after the video with the new Stellar Memory Pockets Monthly and my New Stellar Add ons (product links in the gallery). Whilst the ephemera cluster in this one is simplistic I used the techniques to elongate my composition away from my photo towards the area of white space.



Aly has used ephemera to create simple clusters to mount her photos and kept the colours minimal, she has used a combo of plain tickets, some including text and some pattern and pops of blue. Coupled with a combo of botanical stamps, splatters, text fragments and a bold dimensional cluster and just a few trailing threads and scatters.



Dalis uses a combination of circular motions around her photo and then uses the strings, stamps, word art and stamps to elongate along the width of the page.



The ultimate cluster from Sheri, a great mix of pattern and print and a minimal colour palette, lovely long trailing strips of paper to elongate the page, text stamps arrows and paint to elongate and add texture and movements, trailing threads and a sprinkling of elements. So much gorgeous stacking here and the stamps and paint on the painted background finish it off so perfectly.



Peace and serenity from Marijke, a more minimal example but oh so artsy, gorgeous ephemera layering to mount the top and bottom of the photo allowing it space to breathe, beautiful use of minimal stamps around the bottom and corners, unimposing, everything carefully placed just to to add just the right amount of stark black contrast and a little extra interest and texture to an otherwise perfect page.



And a brand new stunning page from Roxana as inspiration!



Challenge Requirements:

• Your challenge is to experiment with the techniques and inspiration contained within this months text and or video to create a new scrapbook layout or creative project.
• Your page should include at least four stamps or paint or a combo of both and at least three layers of paper ephemera such as misc paper bits or torn papers, tickets, vintage imagery etc.
• Your goal is to practise using an ephemera cluster somehow within your page and to practise using digital stamps and or paint to further enhance your composition - that could be for e.g to extend lines, create balance, add contrast or texture or all of those things.
• You can use more ephemera and stamps and paint if you wish and any other additional elements as long as you use the minimums noted above.
• This challenge is designed to help you design your own pages, therefore ready made ephemera clustered background papers or ready made stacked elements or templates are not permitted for this challenge.
• Photos are optional!
• Use at least 75% of Rachel's Product. Any remaining percentage must be product from another current TLP designer.
• The product can be currently available in the TLP Shop or be retired products from Rachel or a current TLP designer.
• Hybrid projects are also welcome and the same product rules apply. Where digital products are used in a hybrid project they must all come from current The LilyPad designers, and at least 75% must be Rachel's Product.
• Upload your layout to the Rachel Jefferies Designs Gallery at TLP with your product credits.
• For your challenge entry to be counted, you MUST upload your finished layout to this thread. Please link your gallery image to your post in this thread, as it helps us leave love on your layout (and validate your project).
• No double-dipping… your layout must be created for this challenge only, no others. You must create a NEW layout for this challenge.
• This challenge will remain open for the monthly coupons through 31st July 2023.

Prizes and other important notes:

• All participants who post their page during the challenge month by the end of month deadline and meet the criteria will be eligible for a coupon of 15% off their next order (from Rachel's shop) of $10 or more.
• ONE lucky random winner who posts their page during the challenge month by the end of month deadline and meets the criteria will receive an $8.00 coupon for Rachel's Shop here at The LilyPad!
• Complete ALL twelve of Rachel's Mixed Media Challenges at The LilyPad in 2023 for a chance to enter her Annual Draw. The first drawn winner will be offered a three month Guest Gig on her Creative Team and the second drawn winner will receive a $20 coupon to her shop here at The LilyPad!
• In order to be eligible for the annual drawings for the Guest Gig or the $20 coupon to Rachel's shop, you will need to do the following:
• Complete ALL twelve of Rachel's Mixed Media Challenges at the LilyPad in 2023 by December 31, 2023 by 11:59 PM PDT. (Featured Product Challenges and Hear My Voice Challenges are excluded from the tracker and annual draw).
• Post the challenge layout in the appropriate challenge month thread for Rachel's Jefferies Mixed Media Challenges. We will keep an accumulative list for you in each month's challenge thread to make this easier. For example: Your January Challenge layout must be posted in the January Challenge thread and linked back to the gallery --even if you complete it in November, it must still be posted in the January Thread).
• Complete your tracker form with links to each challenge layout by December 31, 2023 by 11:59 PM PDT.
• Note: for the annual drawings, challenge pages will be accepted for individual challenges after the actual challenge month and the end of month deadlines have both passed.
• In order to qualify for the monthly winners coupon draw of $8 and the participation coupon you must complete the challenge during the challenge month by the end of month deadline as stated in each challenge thread.
• Find your 2023 Tracker Submission Form Here
• Past Challenges are here: JAN 2023 | FEB 2023 | MAR 2023 | APRIL 2023 | MAY 2023 | JUNE 2023

If you have any questions about the challenge please tag me @Rachel Jefferies

 

You're welcome and it's so lovely to hear you are enjoying the challenges and learning at the same time, thanks for letting me know!

 

Closed for entries that count towards the winners and participation coupons this month - i'll be back with the August Challenge within the next day or two and will announce the winners of July - thanks for participating!!