Family Time // Digi Scrapping

There's no time like the present, and I didn't feel like sitting at my scrap desk tonight, so I thought I'd have a play with the free Sweethearts digi kit I downloaded from ScrapOrchard by the awesome SuzieQScraps. I got a Christmas layout done too! Now I just have to work out the cheapest way to print these digi layouts.

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

Decluttering

Woohoo, I'm feeling fantastic! I love SPRING and the feeling of light, bright and sunshine it brings. Well, even though it's been raining a LOT lately, there have been a few little bursts of sunshine through the cloud, which has made me rethink my scrap space. I've done a bit of spring cleaning, down-sizing, moved things around and decluttered, leaving my space much lighter and brighter! I LOVE IT!

All this means I have a few things left over that I no longer need. I'll take some photographs in the next few days, but to give you an idea, I have...

Spice racks & jars
Various shelf racks
Plastic upright paper holders + inserts
Plastic drawers
Tote bags
Tools

If you're interested, check back soon for an update.

How time flies! It's already March, and I can hardly believe it! My little girl is nearly 3 - YES THREE and she's getting all excited about her little Tinkerbell party. She's picked out a cute dolly varden style cake with Tinkerbell instead of Barbie in the centre! Yes, I get carried away with the birthday cakes, but I love making them, and the kids love choosing them! I love watching their eyes light up when they look through the cake book - it reminds me of when I used to do the same thing with Mum! Memories I will treasure forever!

When I was three, my Mum got my ears pierced, and as I was putting Erin to bed tonight I asked her if she wanted to get her ears pierced for her 3rd birthday, like Mummy, or did she want to wait til she was older, she said, "Mummy, I think I'll get earrings when I'm all grown up - how 'bout when I'm 3!". So cute.

On another note, I've been doing little creating since the Lazy Days of Summer Comp, which I was lucky enough to win second prize in ;) A huge congrats to Maree for winning - her entries were awesome!

Here are my entries in no particular order plus a few other layouts I've done lately.

Until next time xx

Creations ~ the last few months

Thought I'd better update to include a few creations over my *SLACK BLOGGER* period. See, I really have been busy!! ;)

Loved the Kev Carmody - Cannot Buy My Soul concert. We had the best time!

 

Aiden and his diggers.It's a pity he's grown out of Thomas, he really did love playing with Jack, Alfie and Max & Monty, and I loved watching him play for hours in the dirt! Typical boy!

The first time we painted her nails. She was so excited!Although there was a near disaster afterwards, the moment wasn't lost.

Aiden at his Playgroup Party. Just hanging around on the swings.

I did this for my big sister in Sweden, who visited in December. I hope it got home safely, sis!

 

Loved these pics of us girls at the Scrap Pile retreat

in July last year. We had such a ball!

Over and out for now, and I hope to keep up to date a bit more regularly in 2010!

Lazy Days of Summer

It's been a while since I've been around, but I'm back! A busy time over Christmas with work, and lots happening with the family, so all is kind of back to normal around here, except we are one arm down (Al broke his wrist playing soccer on Friday night), and our world is about to be turned upside down again for about 6-8weeks. He's been given 6 weeks off work, but being the male he is, wants to go back on Wednesday! Silly bugger! Although I'll leave the decision making up to him, I'm not too sure how he plans to get to work with his right arm plastered from thumb to elbow! I'm certainly not going to be able to play TAXI for him AND the kids!

The kids are both starting new care arrangements at the end of this week, and they are both a little hesitant, but very excited, in anticipation of the changes. Aiden is really looking forward to starting Kindy (big school) with a gorgeous new friend, and I'm not sure Erin really knows what's going on with her new daycare, but I have no doubt she'll slot into the new centre easily.

Man, they are both growing up though! Just today they were having races across the pool, and although Aiden won most, Erin wasn't far behind (and mostly because she was lifting her head to breath as she goes). It wasn't long ago we had to hold them in the pool ourselves, and now they have their independence, there's no stopping them. It's so lovely to watch them play together, and although they're not always angels, it's days like today that make my heart happy. I really wanted to get some pool snaps today, but I was enjoying the water too much, and Al reckoned he wouldn't be able to use the camera left handed! (pfff, what an excuse!)

Although I did manage to scrap a pic of Aiden in the pool from last November for Karen's Water Fun challenge (part of the Lazy Days of Summer Comp over at Scrap Pile).

I also managed to finish Leanne's Inspiration challenge...

using a photo of Leone and I at the chocolate factory near Mel's place in Malanda! What a fun day that was! I won't forget that trip in a long time.

Ooh la la!

A couple of weeks back, I was fortunate enough to meet the gorgeous Zoe Pearn. Zoe is one very talented chickie, and such an inspiration! Zoe designs paper products for My Minds Eye as well as digi scrapping goodies for Sweet Shoppe Designs.

I was also lucky enough to take one of Zoe's classes, and create this gorgeous layout using her pretty Ooh la la range!

Another layout that I've finally had a chance to photograph. Aiden hanging around after his playgroup party. I've been reading up on my camera manual and playing with the manual functions a lot more lately. I was really pleased with how this one turned out (even if it is a little out of focus).

Our budding artist

Erin's been loving painting her little heart out lately! I took this photo a couple of months ago, and was planning on scrapping it at our little get together at Flourish a couple of weeks ago. How time flies! Anyway, I finally got to scrap it on the weekend. It fit Karen's fresh challenge over at Scrap-Pile perfectly! Very hard not to add too many embellishments, but I really do love the end result, especially the soft colours.

Pink Paislee Pastels

I've finally organised all my papers by manufacturer. I think I must be the last to do this in the entire scrapping world, but now it's done, and I'm loving it! As a result of my big clean-up, I found these gorgeous Pink Paislee papers hiding away, so just had to bring them to life!


This is Erin playing peek-a-boo in the cubby house. Love this pic and how her eyes really shine!


Here are our kids with my brother's boys. They all get on so well!

Some boy layouts for a change :)

I know a big smack on my bottom for not updating sooner, but here are a couple of layouts I did last week.

Aiden was so cute when he inquisitively asked, "Mum, are we having grasshopper meat for dinner?", as I pulled the roast chicken out of the oven. I couldn't stop laughing.

I used some recycled corrugated cardboard from a huge box I tore up from one of the kids toys. I just couldn't throw it out! I painted it with some Tim Holtz crackle paint. Loved the effect.


And our little Harry Potter. All dressed up for Becca & Zoe's Fairy and Wizard party. He wore Al's old school tie, a cape I bought from spotlight, the glasses $2 from Woolies and a hint of eyeliner for the scar! Easy peasy wizard outfit!

A gorgeous day with friends

It's been way too long since I've scrapped, and sadly, the drought wasn't broken today, even though I had a fantastic time at a friend's place scrapping (more like chatting) with the girls. Thanks for the great company and yummy scrummy eats too!! So nice to have some adult conversation!

But, hey, I did manage to make a card for Manon's challenge at ScrapBoutique. I haven't added photos yet, so I'll post another day, but OMG I can say that I just adore the "never ending card idea"! Leone and I were mesmerised by this cool card. Check out the instructions over at Scrap Boutique. Definitely worth a go!

Since I don't have much to share in the way of scrapping lately, here are the layouts I did for the Stamp and Scrapbook Madness classes I taught back in June/July.

Speed scrapping across the universe...

LOL funny how those old songs just pop into your head at a totally irrelevant time... star trekking across the universe... sorry, it's getting late!

So, we've been speed scrapping tonight over at Scrap Pile. I created a nice little sketch for the girls to play with, and OMG they came up with some beauties in an hour and a half! Nice work girls!

Here's my sketch - using elements from Shabby Miss Jenn Designs Little Buckaroo Princess kit.


My paper based example


My digi scrapping example - again using elements from Shabby Miss Jenn Designs Little Buckaroo Princess kit.


and a card I made tonight using the sketch! (loving these new Kaiser papers!!)


Phew, I'm stuffed now! Leone came round to have a play, and she created a gorgeous layout too! I'm sure she'll put it up here soon :) We had some yummy choc coated strawberries and cherries to keep us busy too!!

Going digital???

I've been thinking about digital scrapping a lot lately. In fact, two of my favourite brands, Hero Arts and Kaisercraft have just started producing digital kits and stamps and all sorts of other yummy things digital. OMG it's totally freaking me out! Well, not really, but as much as I love digital designing, I just can't bear the thought of parting with my crafty, lumpy, bumpy goods, nor sitting at my computer for work and play!

I design websites and online graphics all day every day (well, while I'm working), and although I wouldn't give it up for the world, if there's one thing I could change, it would be sitting in front of a computer screen all day. I need a release, a rest from the screen. In fact, I can still see the words, "I could never sit at a desk all day" written all over my face when my Mum asked me what kind of job I wanted. And still, here I am sitting in front of a computer, behind a desk!

In my mind, I see the positives of digital scrapping:
- quicker
- cheaper
- unlimited products
- immediate access to products (once purchased)
- no need to print out individual photos

and the negatives:
- no hands on crafty work (which I so dearly love)
- would need to buy an A3 printer
- unsure of longevity of final print out (although I guess you could say the same about home-printed photos)

So, the dilemma of whether to scrap digitally or not continues... for now I might just try integrating a few little things into my cards and layouts, like these gorgeous Kaisercraft Apple Tree brushes and flourishes and see how I go!

I'd love to hear your thoughts about digital scrapping, and if you've ever tried it, what medium do you use to print them out on so they last?

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

A couple of birthdays...

Firsty, a HUGE happy birthday to a sweet friend's little girl, Emily, who turned 1 yesterday. Unfortunately I missed the party, but still got to create this gorgeous card for her :)


I really love using these Prima journalling cards that Mel gave me on cards... the funny thing was I said they weren't my style, well.... I take my words back Mel, but they are now my most favouritist thing in the world (well, apart from stamps!!)

The kids also went to one of their friend Hayley's 4th birthday party on Saturday, and I was so glad Al had to do the rushing around from one to the next! I actually modified the cute little Tilda card in the previous post to make it a "Happy Birthday" card, and the birthday girl absolutely adored it! It sure did stand out amongst all the Barbie cards!

I created this layout this afternoon while the kids were jumping all over me, trying to help in any way possible... Erin even had a go at my twinkling H20s!! OMG she was actually really good too --- at mixing all the colours together!! OMG I nearly screamed.. but she was so quiet and obviously engrossed in her work! I sooooo wish I had my camera on hand so I could show you!! She's such an arty little thing, loves drawing and painting!!

Anyway, here's the end result.

It's for Simonne's last sketch challenge over at Scrap Pile. I decided I needed to document my weight loss journey, and here's my first layout. I was trying to find a smaller (before) photo to put in the gap at the bottom right of the photo that's there, but the only one I could find was of me in my pj's, so might have to stick that on later!!

WAHOOOOO!!! I am getting soooooooooooooooooo excited about heading up to Cairns in a couple of weeks to spend some quality girlie time with my bestest scrappy friends in the world!! Leone & Mel, we're gonna have the bestest time ever!!! How many bottles do you think I'll be able to fit in my bag?????????

Right, well, that's pretty much it from me today... I was hoping to get some cards made after the layout, but after my little helpers efforts, I decided to quit while I was ahead! Maybe sleep time tomorrow?????

Final touches...

I started this layout at the Brissy Scrap Pile gathering in April. It was sitting on my desk for ages, and I just couldn't seem to get it right, but then today it just all fell into place. I used the souffle pen for the border around the page and for the fake stitching around the circle.


I just love Erin's curls, they are just so gorgeous. I hope she keeps them as her hair grows longer :)

Mel started this gorgeous layout for me at the gathering as well, and I just added the title, a little bling, the journalling card and the inked paper doily. I love how it turned out! Thanks Mel, you're a sweetie :)

This is Erin at her 2nd birthday party. A gorgeous friend of mine, Julie, from Bee Happy Puppets painted all the kids faces - she is the most exquisite face painter ever! The detail was just amazing. The kids all looked so cute, but my favourite of the day has to be the birthday girl!!

Heidi Swapp Invisibles

I was over at Ros' blog recently checking out some of her gorgeous work, and I saw she'd used a very cool Heidi Swapp Invisible PP, and I just couldn't resist the temptation!!! OMG I am loving them!!

Here's my latest creation, and Leone's challenge from Scrap Pile...

I used blue acrylic paint and then a tiny bit of pink over the top and then sanded it back until I achieved my desired contrast.

I also made a few cards for kids parties on the weekend, using some of the gorgeous Prima journalling cards that Mel gave me when she was visiting a couple of weeks ago!




I'll definitely be using these again!! Thanks Mel for the inspiration!

Upsy Daisy

Can you believe this is all I have to show for 9hrs of scrapping??? AND I just realised I didn't even add a title! Will be adding that shortly! LOL!

Erin loves watching in the Night Garden, and loves singing and dancing to the "Upsy Daisy" song!


I used the new Fancy Pants Summer range, along with a cute little butterfly thanks to Mel's new Spellbinder and Leone's Cuttlebug! I also used my new Heidi Swapp mask (not as a mask, but as a template), and a cute little checked ribbon I got from the bargain bin at Spotlight on Friday!

Loving Kaisercraft's Mumma Bushka

First of all I just want to thank each and every one of you for leaving such beautiful comments on my blog. I must admit, I tend to neglect my poor little blog from time to time, but your lovely comments keep me going. So a heartfelt thanks for taking the time to drop by and leave your little mark here :)

Now, as for the scrapping, I've been a teensy eansy bit busy today, doing not much of what I should have been doing, but just couldn't resist using these awesome Mumma Bushka papers from Kaisercraft. I so wish I had visited my LSS before the DT call was due. The grey background paper is actually from a really old Kaisercraft range that I had in my stash. I added a Prima crystal flourish and have revived my old retro flower punches with some new ideas from Gabrielle Pollaco's blog (link on sidebar). Mel introduced me to her blog a little while ago, and her work is just so gorgeous and rich. Her pages are like individual works of art, and have so much detail in each one. I also tried her technique of tearing the paper on the side to reveal another layer of scrumptious paper, and loved how it added some balance with the bottom right corner. I also used a gorgeous Stampendous butterfly stamp inked with versamark and chalked with various shades of yellow/oranges.






This cutsie little card was the result of a challenge over at Scrap Pile to create a shaped card (do I get bonus points for using up my scraps???). I am sooo in love with these gorgeous rich papers atm. I just drew the outline on a card freehand, and cut it out, then covered with the 2 different papers.