Daddy Dearest.......

Father's Day was celebrated a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to do a layout that focused on the relationship that my children have with their Dad.  I'd been pondering how best to capture it when I overheard the girls repeating one of their favourite sayings "Daddy's the Best & Daddy's the Best"! 

And I knew what I was doing. 

This is a saying that has been regularly used, since inception, a couple of years ago and I know that if I didn't record it - it would be one of the small things that gets overlooked and forgotten.....  I paired it up with a photo taken a couple of years ago, when we were in Beijing which really just summed it up. 

To create this layout I used the First Avenue June Kit from Scrapbook Circle, with a smattering of mist to add that little 'extra'.  This was a fun kit to work with......

This layout is my contribution to Scrapbook Circle's Challenge #54

thanks for stopping by

Time to Dust off the Cobwebs......

Goodness, it has been a while since I last posted.  It really doesn't seem like it was that long ago but it's been.....ahem......a while.  And so much has been happening that unfortunately, my little crafting corner has been neglected......


To get back on track thought I would share some fantastic, fun news. 

I have been published!!! 

Life. Paper. Scrapbook is an Australian quarterly online magazine that is FREE.  It's chocka-full of crafting inspiration.  Head over to their fabulous site for challenges, inspiration and of course the magazine click here.

Here is my layout that was accepted for submission.

If you go to Page 52 of the magazine you'll find it. 

The photo is one of my absolute favourites and I've been waiting for the 'right' paper, embellishments etc to use.  With the May kit from Scrapbook Circle I found the 'perfect' product for it.  It all came together so quickly, as just put it together and didn't try to second guess myself....which I know I do far too often.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Page Maps: Ruby Rock-It Sketch Contest

I've been a follower (& user) of Page Maps for a long time.  This is the first time though that I created a layout for one of their challenges.  As soon as I saw the sketch I knew not only what photo to use (as it's one story I've been wanting to put down for a while now) but what I would use to create it with.  I used the latest Studio Calico "Sock Hop" kit. 

It's alot of fun using a sketch as it will give me a starting point...sometimes I follow exactly, sometimes I veer off but whatever the end result gotta love a fun sketch!

Thanks for looking.

Simple Joy

Challenge #34 at Challenge Me Happy was to use a sketch.  I do enjoy using sketches as they help me kick start an idea, especially when I need a little help.

Here is my take on the sketch.  For some reason the photo isn't looking so good - for a better view please click on it.

I stamped the background for abit of interest - I love my French Script stamp.  I used the leftovers from a Scrapbook Circle kit & it all came together rather well.  Love those hexagons.

Thanks for looking.

The Paddling Pool is missing!

Challenge #33 at Challenge Me Happy was to use a colour combo.  I managed to find the colours in an older Scrapbook Circle kit, which I hadn't finished up.  I kept it quite simple as wanted the photo and the story to shine. 

I love this photo of the girls as well as the story behind it ......so pleased I got it down!

a new card

I've been holding off putting this post up as I made this card for a friend and I wanted it to be a surprise for her, so waited until she had received it.

This is the card I made for Mum.  I really like how the orange and green work together.  These papers came from Amy Tangerine's Ready, Set Go.  The Hello There I cut from the paper & used some Stickles on the lettering to give some glimmer.  Not sure if that was a good idea but Mum liked the card which is the only goal. 

 



I thought I would also use this design for a friend.  I made the card smaller (I think 3 x 4 inches - might get her to confirm it as like the size).  Love the colour combo of orange and blue....

 

I really like the simplicity of this design so think this will be one of my go-to selections !!

Yay !!!

Just thought I'd share that my Pure Happy Delight layout was selected as the winner of Challenge #40 for Scrapbook Circle.  Was a great way to start my day this morning.

Pure Happy Delight

Challenge #40 at Scrapbook Circle was to use a colour palette of aqua, pink, yellow and grey.  This colour palette matched perfectly with the colours found in the News Flash kit - which I have to say is another favourite!!

I love the printable this month so was also able to incorporate elements from that.  I did use some white mist as really like the little splashes of colour.

Thanks for looking.

I'm not quite sure why the cardstock looks like it's got water marks or something on it in this photo.  If you click on the photo to enlarge it they disappear and looks much better.

BPC Happy Mail Challenge #2

Another Happy Mail Challenge up and another completed card for my mum.  This challenge was to use two different sized circles.  I went through my Scrapbook Circle kits, or to be more specific, what was left of my kits to find something to use.  One of my kits didn't have much left but what did remain is perfect for cards.  So I put it to use.

I love the bright colours of this Jillibean paper - perfect for making someone's day brighter.  I teamed it up with a large circle emblishment, a small circle that came with the kit's monthly printable and a button.

 

 



I'm really enjoying creating a weekly card for mum.  Probably because I know how much she enjoys receiving them and what they mean.  It's also great too as when my girls see me putting together a card they go and create something to be included with it, whether it's a letter or a drawing.  All without being asked - got to love that they're getting into the concept of Happy Mail and want to be a part of it.

Thanks for looking.

An Afternoon at the Cinema

Challenge #32 at Challenge Me Happy was to use a photo for inspiration.  It was a gorgeous photo (as you can see) and I had so many stories that would have fit perfectly with this.  We live in a city where lanterns are part of the history and culture, and where many of the celebrations have lanterns as part of their decorations.



I had received October's Scrapbook Circle Kit "News Flash" and it really helped me select the photo that I wanted to use.  I was lucky to have included in my kit some Crate On Trend Vellum Garlands that I just had to use.  Plus the colours of the Crate On Trend paper and Dear Lizzy's 5th & Frolic sticker's were just perfect - those gold stickers!! 

All of this, plus the above photo helped me choose my story I wanted to scrapbook.  This photo was taken at Chinese New Year (HUGE celebration) where the lanterns are out in force and they just bring such a happy vibe to the city.  It's a time to celebrate and enjoy being with family.

U R 2 CUTE

Challenge #31 for Challenge Me Happy was anything goes.  I do enjoy these types of challenges as you can stick to your usual style, try something new or whatever.  I'm coming to the end of my Scrapbook Circle "Sunshine Day" kit.  This was a favourite kit - was full of great papers, colours, products - I just loved it and I'm sorrry that it's just about used up.

I've been putting my 2012 Project Life album together and as usual, I always manage to print too many photos....not a bad thing of course.  I came across this photo of my elder daughter reading to her younger sister and knew it needed a special LO.

BPC October Happy Mail Challenge

Big Picture Classes have put out their first Happy Mail Challenge.  And as it was World Card Making Day on Saturday plus as I needed to make my Mum her weekly card I couldn't pass it up.  The challenge is as follows :

CHALLENGE: Make HAPPY MAIL with these three colors, teal, black, and orange
The card can be any season and you can use any products, just use the colors below.



I love the colour combo of teal and orange and knew I had some that I could put to use.  A friend had recently given me some gorgeous Prima flowers which I knew would be perfect. 

 

I love the simplicity of this card and I'm sure my Mum will enjoy receiving it.

 

Thanks for looking.

iPod Stories

I do use my Studio Calico kits.  I do!!  But probably not as much as I should.  And I should attempt to use them all up BEFORE I move on to the next one.  A friend of mine mentioned that she also like this but is trying to do something about it.  One way that she is tackling is is to do the weekly Sunday Sketches that Studio Calico puts out.  I thought that it was a great idea, so am following her example.

Here is my take on the Sunday Sketch

Cards

So far I have been sticking to my resolution of making a card a week.  I haven't been so good at posting them on my blog but they're still getting made.....  I've found that by doing this I'm not only using my scraps up - of which it is a never ending pile - but more importantly am starting to overcome my 'fear' of cardmaking.  Making a card always seemed to intimidate me for some reason but little by little I'm getting there.  I think it helps by keeping them simple....

The cards I've made so far.

It's Well, Bling Bling

I'm settling back into my scrapbooking routine and I have to say it's good to be able to work on it during the day with natural light rather than in the evening....

The challenge for the Southern Girls Challenge this time was to incorporate bling.  And having two girls I do tend to have....a bit of bling!!!

This photo of my mum and girls is a great one.  I used a Studio Calico kit and just love how the colours of it worked so well with the colours in the photo.  I've also used stickles for more shine and sparkle.

Thanks for looking.

Oh So LadyLike...

Now that my children are settled back at school, my husband has returned to work (he's one of the lucky ones that gets the summer off) MY routine can be restored !!!

Challenge #30 for Challenge Me Happy was to make your own emblishments.  I came across this photo of my daughter and couldn't resist it.  I wanted to incorporate the heart sunglasses and wanted to do something slightly different - so I made an origami heart.  The art of creasing paper is not only fun but also you get to create something wonderul.  I must try this again.  The Amy Tangerine papers and all produt used came from one of my Scrapbook Circle kits.  To follow on with creating I misted some Heidi Swapp Banners and alphas to get some specific colour. My journalling card I made with some scrap paper.  I was really pleased with how this LO turned out.

The Happy Mail Challenge

I can't believe that my last post on this blog was in June...well, I guess I can with summer being in the middle.  Now that the girls are back at school and normality has returned I guess so can my blogging.

I am a big, HUGE fan of Big Picture Classes and of course an ENORMOUS fan of Stacy Julian.  Over the past couple of weeks Big Picture Classes have been running their BIG IDEA FESTIVAL.  And it was kicked off by Stacy Julian who had the brilliant idea of Happy Mail.  Bascially this is making a card or writing a letter and posting it to someone - HOW COOL IS THAT!!  How great would that feel to open up your mailbox and discover a letter/card from someone, let alone Stacy.  And on the flip side to know that you made someone smile and feel loved.  You can read more about the idea here
 
This Happy Mail idea was something I had thought about even before Stacy put it out there. for two reason.  The first is that I've been trying to think of ways in which to get Miss 7 to write more ie improve on her writing and thought a really fun way would be for her and her friends to write letter to one another.  In today's technology driven world the simple act of writing tends to be forgotten as let's be honest, it's far easier, quicker and simplier to send an email or message. 

However, the main reason behind happy mail was that my mum no longer has access to her emails and skype due to ill health.  She has her phone but that can prove challenging and I wanted her to still be involved in our lives.  Even though instant communication is abit harder these days for her receiving some post from us full of pictures, letters and love would make her smile.

So I have set myself a challenge to make a card each week and post it to her, complete with drawings (& letters from the girls) and photos.  I've been doing this for 2 weeks and so far have made 2 cards.  A 3rd is in progress on the table. 

Considering I'm not a card maker I'm quite pleased with the end results.

Card No. 1
I used a premade card and attached some patterned paper (October Afternoon), some ribbon, a random flower and a saying that came with the card.

Card No. 2
I used my last premade card, attached paper from Amy Tangerine and emblishment and saying that came with the card.

Why don't you make a card or cards and send them out ......just because !!  You know that you'd make someone's day EXTRA special !!

Challenge Me Happy Hoopla - Word Layout

I had high hopes to get all 7 challenges completed but time has run out on me.  We are now on summer holidays and to celebrate we are going to see family and friends in NZ for a few weeks.  Will be fun but not so sure about those cooler (freezing) temps!!  And then to the beach - am sure I'll have lots of new inspiration to scrap when I get back.

Here is my take on Michelle's challenge incorporating the word HAPPY.  I used mine in the title.  I used a combination of Scrapbook Circle kits to create this layout.  I also used a little washi tape - have to say I'm having fun with this product.....might become a regular staple on my layouts.

NZ Paper Chase June Callenge

The June challenge for NZ Paper Chase was slightly different and for me, took me out of my comfort zone.  There was a fabulous photo that we had to take our inspiration from.  I have to admit I looked at this photo for a few days thinking what can I do.  It was one evening when the girls were in bed I took another look - a closer look and discovered the orange building with the turquoise awning (maybe) beside the right of the tower.  As soon as I saw that I had my 'ha-haa' moment.  I used that colour combo (which I just love) & then used some woodgrain thickers, a wooden button and twine to bring in the elements from the boats.

The banner is Heidi Swapp's colour magic and I used Glimmer mist 'Aquamarine' to get that gorgeous colour.  Loved how it turned out

A sketch for Challenge Me Happy Anniversary Hoopla

Challenge Me Happy have a fun challenge going on at their website for the next month.  There are 7 challenges.  Marie's challenge is to use a sketch.  I saw this and thought immediately of 2 photos which I've been wanting to scrap for a while but have been waiting for the 'right' moment.  This was that moment.  

I had a few pieces left over from one of my Scrapbook Circle kits which I wanted to use.  To also keep in with my 'secret agent' theme I did some hidden journalling on the tag.  I really like how this turned out and my daughter thinks it's pretty cool too.....being a secret agent and all that.