Archive for the ‘Morag Cutts’ Category

The Lulu and Roy collection is the perfect excuse for a little shabby chic, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be too shabby!

I’ve gone for a fairly basic layout, but the border sticker gives it that wow factor with a stunning focal point.

You can see on this picture that I backed the with a little gauze (from a bandage) which I have sprayed with ink first to add colour. To add more texture, I also punched out some leaves and used the collectables for more detail and interest.

A little bit of stamping helps to add some depth without any more bulk – I used Friends which is really versatile.

You can find the full collection of Lulu and Roy here.

Thanks for popping in.

Morag x

Overlays can add a luxurious feel to a layout and this 12×12 acetate overlay from the Lulu and Roy collection adds real impact to my layout.

Using overlays can feel a little scary as adhering it to the background needs a little forethought. I wanted to cluster my photo and embellishments and these areas are ideal for hiding the adhesive.

I normally have to connect my elements together, so I really had to break out of my comfort zone and create two distinctive areas on the layout. The border pieces from the 6 1/2″ paper pad forms the basis of this grouping. I added pieces from the collectables layering several altogether and mixing them in with punched leaves and stickers. I added more flags below the border and topped it off with a new Bijou  Button – Utterly Butterfly.

To give some balance to the layout, I replicated the embellishment cluster around my photo.

I hope that you’ll enjoy the Lulu and Roy collection as much as I did!

Morag x

I have  certainly enjoyed playing with the Lulu and Roy collection! My ‘banner’ theme continues with this easy to do layout.

Create various strips of differing widths from several sheets of paper. Trim out the points to form a triangle. The key to this is to use different lengths and widths so that they overlap unevenly.

For the focal point, I added my own touches to really make the most of the collectables. Simply layer gauze, leaves and more flags before topping off with a mixture of collectables.

I hope that you’ll have a go with banners for yourself!

Thanks for popping in.

Morag x

Lulu and Roy is such an interesting collection with an eclectic mix of patterned papers. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy working with papers that seem quite different to one another, but I was totally surprised to find myself  whisking off some layouts in no time at all!

For this layout, starting with a black base automatically makes everything pop! The stickers and collectables are teaming with fabulous images which can be layered and become a feature.

I am having a lot of fun with ‘flags’. It’s a great way to add pattern without overpowering your layout. Simply cut some strips and snip out a triangle at the end. Distress and layer them so that they are different lengths.

For more texture, I took some bandage and snipped the edges allowing it to fray, scrunch it allowing the edges to poke out from behind the flowers and leaves for a soft touch!

I continued the theme along the flower border adding smaller flags. I snipped these from the 6 1/2″ paper pad. Add some pearls so that they look like they are dropping from the border too.
Find Lulu & Roy collection here. I also used the Sticker Sheet, Collectables and pearls.

Thanks for stopping by.

Morag x

What I love about the Marigold collection is the versatility and mix of patterns. On one side there are gorgeous, vintage-inspired prints while on the other they have a modern feel.

The Ornate Die-cut paper (unfortunately no longer available) is stunning and as you can see, looks like a really expensive frame!

I didn’t really need to do much to add my own twist so I used two frames from the Collectables. I trimmed around the flowers and tucked the first frame below and the second frame is mounted with foam tape.

The background paper is already lovely, but to add a little pizzazz I used the rub-ons to add a quote. I then sliced around  the edge of the frame and layered different papers below, distressing them so that they curl slightly.

To make sure the layout is balanced, I also distressed the top left corner, this time peeling back the background, placing paper from the Paper Pad below and tucking in  journal card.

Check out the Marigold collection for yourself!

Thanks for popping in.

Morag x

I am playing with the Marigold collection all month. There are gorgeous pretty patterns on one side and the reverse feature more graphic patterns which I totally adore. So for a change, I am mainly using the b-side of the papers to create my layouts.

Colour blocking as I understand it, is where blocks of colour are laid down in layers. It is something I used to do more of and I was kind of missing it. Gorgeous patterns like these really suit this style of scrapping.

Blocks can be an easy way to scrap but it doesn’t have to be boring or too simple either. I  inked the edges for added definition before sewing into position. Try using a mixture of sewing stitches for extra interest.

Layering embellishments really help to break up the blocks. You can see in this picture that the die-cuts have text running through them which I really love. There are loads of frames and gorgeous images to choose from.

I thought I would also dust off some brads to accent one of the blocks. Mixing in old stash with new is a great way to revive them.

I think that this style of block scrapping translates really well into a sketch so I thought it might be fun to share!

I would love for you to try out the sketch too and share it with us. If you have never used one before, you can use the sketch quite literally or adapt it to suit your photos. For example you may have one 6×4 photo or a portrait photo may mean that you need to flip things around.

Materials used:

• Marigold Collection: Lemon, Tawny, 6 1/2″ Paper Pad, Sticker Sheet, Collectables
• Stash Panache – The Great Outdoors

Thanks for popping in!

Morag x

One collection – so many different looks. The Marigold collection is just that. I love the fact that with one collection I can do vintage and modern layouts depending on my subject.

I like to mix up my scrapping style and for this layout I went for a graphic approach. The b-sides of the papers have gorgeous prints that co-ordinate beautifully. Chevrons are definitely the shape of the moment so incorporating those was a must.

You can draw attention to the chevrons by adding your favourite Boutique Button – mine was from The Daily Grind.

Materials used:

• The Marigold Collection – Tawny, Citron, Lemon, Straw, Collectables
• Boutique Buttons - The Daily Grind

I also made a sketch of this layout – I hope that you might try out the layout for yourself!

Thanks for popping in.

Morag x

Some of us enjoyed the recent wintry weather (perhaps some more than others). My kids definitely enjoyed it for a while at least, but without themed papers, it can be a challenge to give a layout that winter look.

I have gone for the b-side of the Marigold papers but have mixed them with more delicate touches to get a graphic look with a vintage feel (not sure if that’s an oxymoron?)

First off, I used a recently acquired stencil and pushed texture paste through before sprinkling it with glitter.

You can dress up any flowers with a little snow paste or texture paste. I apply mine with a coffee stirrer and dab the paste over the top of the flowers (no need to be neat). I then sprinkle glitter over the top and let it dry. You get a lovely frosting to flowers and leaves.

To ‘frame’ the outside of my paper, I stamped the lace pattern all the way around. You can line up the clear stamp pretty easily and if you want your corners to be quite neat, just use a piece of paper or post-it note to mask off.

I cut out one of the flower designs from the Amber paper to add a delicate touch to the layout.

Materials Used:

• The Marigold Collection - Amber, Tawny,  Maple,  6 1/2″ Paper Pad
• Stamps – Delicate Lace
• Boutique Button –  The Vintage Garden

Thanks for stopping by.

Morag x

Do you ever find  yourself with time to scrap but don’t know where to start? That was my situation recently. I sat down to scrap but really didn’t know what to do. This layout, although simple actually took several attempts to complete. It sat waiting to be finished for so long.

I think that one reason was my stack of photos was distinctly lacking because of the bad weather. Once I had managed to get out with the kids to a park, I grabbed a bunch of great photos and hey presto! I suddenly felt like I could finish what I had started.

The Secret Admirer Collection has such pretty papers, colours and images. My starting point was actually the banners. I cut out pretty doilies and combined them with the Collectables die-cuts.

Adding a touch of Ice Stickles to the doilies gave each one a sparkly touch as did setting  the Aqua Rhinestones in a droplet effect.

The stunning Sweet Love designer paper has lovely glossy detail as well as these gorgeous images. I used the Quotes Sticker Sheet which has dozens of fab quotes in different sizes.

As part of my focal point, I layered up the Collectables die-cuts before adding Mini Paper Blooms. There is a fabulous selection of blooms that co-ordinates perfectly and don’t forget to add  leaves to a grouping – you’ll be amazed how  they set lovely flowers off.

The lacing detail was easy – just cut and distress the edges, before setting eyelets evenly along the edges. Mine are about 2cm apart. Then lace and add patterned paper behind.

So if you get stuck in a scrapping void, try getting some new photos to kick start your creativity.

Morag x

With Valentine’s Day approaching, my mind turned to hearts and a treasure box for my daughter to stash her favourite trinkets and possessions. Secret Admirer is perfect for creating pretty gifts.

I used the 6 1/2″ Paper Pad throughout. There are stunning patterns and papers with glossy detail with enough to not only cover a box but go to town with cards and layouts too.

For the base of the box, I thought it would be fun to add some lacing detail. This is really easy to achieve – simply cut out two strips of the hot pink paper and trim so that there is a 2cm gap. Select another pattern to cover the gap. Set eyelets at regular intervals  before taping into position.  Then just thread twine to lace up. One thing to note: don’t set the eyelets too high or you’ll have difficulty closing it.  To keep things neat, I added some fancy trim to the base of my box.

For the lid, I punched a border strip from some vellum which I then stuck into place, pleating as I went. I covered the background with more pretty paper. It’s a good idea to ink the edges for a little definition before sticking into place.

To decorate, I used the Collectables, Paper Blooms , Mini Blooms and those gorgeous rhinestones to give it that added sparkle.

This makes a great gift on its own or fill with chocolates to give to someone you love.

Thanks for stopping by.

Morag x