{I}NSD - The Fabulous Forgers' Fantastic Favourites - it's techniques all the way for Lisa

Welcome again to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge {I}NSD online event where we hope to offer you some inspiration by sharing our favourites with you.

I've been um'ing and ah'ing about which of my favourites to share - go-to designs, colour schemes, techniques, embellishments... and it took a good cup of strong English tea to come up with the result!

I know the posts and favourites that are going to come up on the blog here over the next 24 hours so I think that techniques (for this not-so-techniquey girl) might be a good one.

First off, anyone who knows my scrapping knows that I'm pretty lazy. And I'm not so keen on lots of wet, messy, fun stuff such as the mixed media which is all the rage round now. So I adapt the techniques I like to use to fit my laziness and need for instant gratification (I hate waiting for things to dry - LOL). So with that in mind, let's see what my top 10 favourite techniques are for adding interest and often dimension on my pages without all the waiting and effort! This is a (REALLY) long post because I wanted to show you examples of each one and how the same technique can be used in really different ways - hope you don't mind :-)

1. Ink splats - whether small or large and splotty, I love adding some ink to the background, or across my page, to add some background interest.

2. Embossing - I particularly love a high-gloss metallic embossing powder to highlight particular elements and it always takes way less time than I think it's going to.

3. Masking - I've been known to mask with mists but there is a bit of a risk that the paper will warp so my latest preference is just to use a little ink and make it really subtle. With my love for white cardstock, this can really add some pretty detail effect to that stark background.

4. Layering - my main go-to in the technique department. I don't think I ever make a page without some layering of one sort or another. It's a way to maximise the pretty paper on a layout, create dimension and interest on the page, and provide extra interest.

5. Flow - with this I mean generating that sweep across the page either by using a visual triangle which brings the eye around the page to take in the important elements or more often for me, a diagonal flow from left to right.

6. Stitching - whether it's machine stitching or hand-stitched, I never fail to love the effect stitching has when I've made the effort to sit down and add some thread to my pages. Sometimes, all that's needed is a stitched border around the edge but a real favourite of mine is creating a stitched grid. The texture it gives the page works every time and I love leaving machine stitched threads loose on the page for a more relaxed, messy look.

7. Sprinkling - I sprinkle, a lot! Glitter, mini die cuts, sequins or my new favourite (thanks Susan!) is confetti. It can add interest and dimension, fill up an empty space or support the colour scheme of the page.

8. Distressing - ink or roughed up edges can give a lovely grungy feel to the page. I don't ink edges as much as I used to (laziness again) but you can often find me tearing the corners of the paper, using my paper distresser or even using my fingernails to raise those edges. In the past I used the wet technique to really roll the edges as taught my Nic Howard (miss her!) but there is a slight warp effect there which I try to avoid these days.

9. Fussy cutting - I go through phases where I fussy cut everything - every sheet of paper is examined for what could be cut out and layered up for more impact. Then, not so much. But it's a technique which never fails to make me happy when I am in that phase. It never takes as long as you think it's going to and is a really therapeutic thing to do in front of the TV in preparation for a page.

10. Clustering - my top technique if I'm honest (ok, now I have two top techniques!). I cluster everything. Another technique learnt from the Queen of Clustering, Nic Howard, and something I definitely take to extremes sometimes. But I simply adore bringing my embellishments into a not-so neat cluster which I hope makes the viewer want to look underneath and see all the details that've been included.

Which techniques are your favourites and which one/s will you be using this weekend?

Happy {Inter}National Scrapbook Day everyone! Come back early tomorrow for more inspiration and ways to use your Counterfeit kits.

Sending love across the miles, Lisa

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If you’ve been inspired to create by any of our “Fabulous Forgers’ Fantastic Favourites”, we’d LOVE to hear from you over on our Link-up page.

Of course, you could also use this inspiration to join in with our member blog hop later in the month. You can find out how to be part of the hop on this help page or at the bottom of our regular challenges.

So be sure to let us know you're following along and how you're using up your kit this month.