Bring it on!

I hope you've had a super start to 2011!  I'm positive this year is going to be 100% on the last. Almost everyone I know says they're happy to see the end of 2010! I say, ditto! Good riddens and bring on 2011!

I've vowed this year to make less impact on the environment, aiming to reduce our household waste and reuse as much as we can. It only makes sense that my scrapping goal this year is to use something recycled on my layouts, whether it be fabric offcuts, packaging or something that would normally be thrown in the garbage.

I'm also going to use as much of my old stash as I can before buying new stuff, as tempting as it is.  I think that's going to be the hardest part for me :)

To start the year off on the right foot, I'd like to thank White with 1 and their January challenge.

Here's my take on "white + navy/royal blue + a banner".
I used some old demin offcuts to make the banner and dug a heap of old blue stuff out of my stash. I even managed to use the negative from the threading water punch. Can you pick it?

May your year be full of blessings - here's to 2011!

Inspiration

I've been exploring and found some cool blog challenges - Kraft it up and White with 1. Far out, it's been way too long since I scrapped! Can't wait to get stuck into these. I miss my gorgeous scrappy friends. Definitely need another scrappy session together soon! xx

Vintage Moon cards

I loved these gorgeous Pink Paislee Vintage Moon papers when I bought them, and I still do! This card is the second of Liz's birthday card projects. Loved making this cute flower in the middle. I used my giga and mega punches, and just hand cut out that shape on the right.



Love the vibrancy and the variety of patterns in this range too, and hoo could resist this cute little owl! :) I've cut him and the branch out, and I've used Helen's technique of raising the edges of the leaves with some scrapdots! Thanks lovie for the excellent tip!!! Mwah!!

Some scrappy stuff for a change :)

I've really been inspired by some of the gorgeous projects that Liz has posted for the 2nd birthday celebrations at ScrapBoutique.

I saw this project on Jewls' blog and just had to have a go. I loved how easy it was to make, and only took about 30mins. I didn't decorate it much, as the papers were doing that nicely. Don't you just adore these gorgeous papers!! They are definitely my fav's of the moment!

Then I just wanted to keep scrapping... but the kids woke up! So, I set them to work cutting and pasting some of the goodies in their "useful box", which I created this card (another one of Liz's projects). I just adored this flower and will definitely be using this technique again soon! PS notice the super old papers I'm using up here.

Scrapbooking can be dangerous!

Yep, Erin has proved that scrapbooking can be dangerous! When she was 10mths old, she was playing on the floor in my scrap room, and must have picked up a tiny epoxy letter sticker (pictured below on the heart). Needless to say, we ended up at the Mater Hospital at 1am trying to remove it.

I designed this layout for Karen's challenge over at Scrap Pile.

The requirements were to use the following:
1. Lots of blue
2. Diecut cardstock
3. Transparency
4. Flowers and/or hearts
5. Ribbon

Just Magnolia challenge

I've really been enjoying my colouring lately, AND I received these 2 gorgeous stamps in the mail today!!! Yippeeee!!! My first Magnolia's! So, I decided to enter a challenge on the Just Magnolia blog. It's also my entry for the Belles 'n Whistles Guest Design Team member call. So, wish me luck!



It's focus was paper piecing, and I've cut out 2 of the little butterflies in the background and pasted them on, as well as Tilda, holding a flower. I used my twinkling H20s again, but on canvas paper this time, which proved kind of difficult, but I love the end result - nice and textured. I left her arms and plaits unstuck, so they add dimension. I think she's kinda cute :)

CPS #110

Here's the CPS sketch

and my interpretation of it.

Here's my first card using a Card Positioning System (CPS) sketch. I had great fun playing with this one. Tried to keep it as simple as possible for my first go. I just couldn't resist using these gorgeous Kaiser papers. I've had them sitting in my drawer for way too long.

Christmas in July Cypercrop

We had a great night last Friday night at the Christmas in July Cybercrop over at Scrap Pile.

I am so excited to say that I completed all of the challenges! Thanks Jewls, Mel and Melanie for the super challenges, and to all of the participants for a great night!

My challenge was to create a layout using last year's Christmas stash. No specifics, just use as much stash as you can! Here's my example...



Here's my take of Mel's challenge to use only red and white about a Christmas tradition.


Some cards I made for Jewls' cool Christmas card challenge using some beaut little design sketches. I had a heap of fun making these, thank Jewls!


And here's my take of Mel's black, white, silver & blue challenge (8.5x11in).

Wanna have some fun over at Scrap-Pile?

A little while ago Maree suggested that we run a challenge to custom-design patterned paper... and Maree, I have to say, it was a long time in the making, but it's finally here! Check out our SUPER MINI CHALLENGE - Design your own patterned paper. I had heaps of fun designing a matching range of 3 papers and have done a few other examples which I'll post in the Scrap-Pile gallery shortly... but for now... here's a sneak peak at my 'playful' range... (PS I thought it would be a bit of fun to do it up all professional like the CHA previews)

New and Fresh

Last night we held the May CC themed, "New and Fresh" at Scrap-pile and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for all the challenges.

My challenge was to:

Create a layout about something new or fresh in your life using two colours you wouldn't normally use together and incorporate one or more of the following techniques (that you haven't tried before).
Doodling, Paper piercing, Painting, Sanding, Stamping, Sewing/stitching (hand or machine), Hidden journalling/photos, Altering embellishments, Paper folding, Bubble-wrap painting, Paper rolling (Quilling).

You can view the entire thread here.

Here's my example...


and with the tab pulled out...


I also published a little tutorial on how to make your own pockets for hidden journalling or photos just like the one above.

Sketch Challenge

Although I've been flat out with work lately, I did manage to squeeze a little scrapping in for the Scrap Pile Mothers' Day themed CC on Friday night. I designed a sketch and my challenge was to use the sketch as a base and scrap about a favourite Mother memory.

Here's the sketch...



and here's my example...



I'm looking forward to scrapping some of the other challenges, as they looks like loads of fun. Deb's challenged us to make flowers from scraps, Jewls put a gorgeous flower card challenge forward and Melanie challenged us to make a heritage layout with pearls. A great opportunity to create some beauty for Mum on Mothers' Day!

Scrap Pile Cyber Crop

Tonight I'm hosting my first CyberCrop at Scrap Pile (6pm Qld time), so wish me luck! Four DT challenges will be posted throughout the night, so get your gear ready to scrap the night away! There will be the usual BINGO and another quiz as well as many prizes to snap up! Come along early and if you're one of the first 3 people to sign in, you get to post a challenge for our Guest Designers, Renee & Gilly to be completed before midnight. So, no excuses, get down to Scrap Pile tonight and join in the fun!