Inspired?... You will be!

This month I'd like to focus on a trend that has been around for some time and there are many products out there that would be relatively easy to counterfeit.

Gold!

Out of favour for a long time, gold is back. I think we first saw the big comeback of this regal colour with Dear Lizzy's gold spotted vellum (I never did manage to track that down!) in her 5th & Frolic collection and then Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper has used a lot in her collections. I'm sure it's never really been gone but these two really jump out for me.

However, just looking around the internet and there's a LOT of gold to be found. From the vellums and papers, to embellishments and alphabets. Gold sequins are scattered everywhere and gold mist is used in abundance. Here are just a few items available:

Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic (out of stock but view on Two Peas here)

Prima collection (available here)

Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper Thickers (available here)

Then there's all the layouts for inspiration that can be seen all over the internet - here are just a few of the recent featured layouts over at Two Peas by the Garden Girls:

Jennifer Kinkade: This gorgeous spread can be found, along with the video here

Jennifer Kinkade: Look at that fabulous glitter! Layout here

Wilna Furstenberg: Check out the gold tipped feathers! Link here

Sharon Tidwell: Foil confetti and a banner as well as fringing. Glam galore here

If you look closely at the layouts and products, there are so many that could be counterfeited with just a few supplies that you are bound to have in your craft room or even the kitchen (see last point!).

• Try misting some vellum with gold using a polka dot mask
• Apply gold glitter to existing chipboard or die cut items
• go fine like Sharon
• just dip the tips like Wilna
• go big and chunky like Jennifer
• Cut up some wrapping paper foil as funky embellishments
• Apply some gold pen work to alphas, die cuts or papers
• Sprinkle gold confetti 
• Fish out that gold ribbon and thread that you've got for Christmas and stitch, wrap and tie 
• Take some neutral coloured flowers or elements and paint them gold to bring sparkle to your clusters
• Track down those somewhat underused gold doilies that are at the back of your baking cupboard and show them some love on your layouts or even use standard doilies and mist them gold

Hope this trend is inspiring you as much as it is me! Why not try it out and link up on our Mr Linky page (here) We'd love to see what you make