Keep Curious Forever – Mixed media layout by Kim Arnold

This is my first project using the amazing new Curators Botanical Collection. I have created a mixed media 12×12 inch page using this collection. I choose to create an inspirational page for myself which I have framed and will put on my office wall to remind me to always stay curious and be open to opportunities.

I started with the Anthology paper which is available as part of the Botanical collection pack as well as separately. I love the B side of this paper and how it already has some simple collage style paper elements as part of the design. I knew this could be used as the basis of my project, building the clusters of collage elements on this base.

I started by selecting a range of elements from the Botanical Ephemera Bits, Botanical Laser Cut Elements, and Botanical Rub-on Transfers. I then laid out the various elements in a rough design so I knew approximately where the main elements would be in the final design. I knew I would add more bits and pieces, but this gave me the main structure of the design. I then take a picture of this with my phone.

I then removed everything and added a large piece of Curators Essential 4” Wasi Tape Roll Adverts on the bottom right edge of the page before adding swipes of green and white paint across the Anthology paper in the spots where I am going to build my collage clusters in order to add more depth and interest to the collage. The washi tape was just added to the printed paper collage elements before adding the paint.

I then added in some more washi tape elements – more of the 4” Advert on the left side and some washi stamps over that and further up the left side. I then started building the collage clusters starting with the base rub-ons and referring to my photograph for placement.
I added in extra Botanical rub-ons, ephemera, and laser-cut elements as needed to fill out the clusters, along with some of the stitching from the Washi Tape Stitched Set, which I just love as it blends into the background and totally looks like I stitched on the page!

I added some hand drawn flowers on the left and right sides, but this is purely optional if you are not comfortable with drawing on your project. I also like to add some pencil work around the collage elements. Just use a soft lead pencil and draw around each element and then softly smudge it with your finger. Experiment on a scrap of paper first to see how dark you should make the line and how much you should smudge it.
The title can be made with a chipboard word over the beautiful laser-cut frame. I painted the chipboard word gold and then splattered gold paint over the project to tie it together.

49 and Market products:

I hope you have an opportunity to get some creative time in soon.
Happy scrapping
Kim x