Easter Halen

This week at CRAFT Challenge we have an inspiration challenge with this picture as the starting point:

We are sponsored by Sew Many Cards whose cute 'Halen Hare' image is featured on my card:

I was inspired by all the white tulle and rose clusters in the picture.  I paper-pieced the image with scraps of Dream Street paper and Bazzill cardstock.  I also used: Cuttlebug 'Jamara' EF, and Prairie Bird Boutique wrinkled seam binding.

I'm entering my card at:
# Paper Playtime ~ Challenge #42 ~ Digi Monday
# Crafty Creations ~ Challenge #120 ~ Bunnies
# Wild Orchid ~ Challenge 20 ~ sketch 
I turned the sketch on its side, and I used Wild Orchid roses - which were part of a wonderful 'Sweet Stuff' gift from Jacque)

For the Record

I was so thrilled to get my March kit in the mail from Scrap Pile - lots of Echo Park 'For the Record' goodies to play with!  These are the first two layouts I created:



Just a little detail shot of the roses (ZVA) and my paper ruffles:



# The Studio ~ 20th March ~ layout sketch (and ruffles)
# Sugar Creek Hollow ~ Sensational Stitching
# ABC Challenge ~ R is for ~ Roses


And this layout has one of my favourite photographs from last year:



I had fun with some playing around with Photoshop brushes for the first time in ages!  I used Kalijean's "Silent Night"  

I'm entering my layout at:
# Secret Crafter ~ Challenge #127 ~ Christmas

Girly Time

Fourth Monday of the month, so it must be Design Dollies 'Trifecta' day...

I found it really challenging this time around - I think the 'something about me' element really threw me - but it was also somewhat satisfying to pull something together and meet the challenge:



The other Design Dollies rocked this challenge - be sure to visit the Dollhouse and check out their work, and join in for the chance to win a gift voucher from our generous sponsor, One Stop Card Crafts.

I'm also entering my layout at:
# Paper Cutz ~ Challenge #84 ~ Three patterned papers
The base one is Dream Street, and I have no idea what the next one is (with all the circles) or the solid pink piece (beneath the title). The cardstock piece is Bazzill; hopefully it's okay to include plain cardstock with this challenge.
# Stamp, Scrap & Doodle ~  Inspiration picture
My inspiration is the butterfly.  My mum found a box of these butterflies in different colours at our local markets, and I've been dying to use one!
# Paper Crafting Journey ~ Challenge 6 ~ Up in the Air

I also used:  Glitz Designs alpha stickers,  Bella chipboard word shapes, Cuttlebug "You" EF

Welcome, little one

I hardly ever need to make baby cards, so this week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge was something a bit out of the box for me. I moved away from 'traditional' baby colours and went with brights so I could use some more of my Echo Park 'A Walk in the Park' sticker sheets:



I also used: Kaisercraft rhinestones, Cuttlebug 'Daisy Design' EF, May Arts woven check ribbon

I'm entering my card at:
# Creative Card Crew ~ No stamps
# Paper Cutz ~ Challenge 83 ~ Your choice
# Sarah Hurley ~ Challenge 34 ~ Embossing

A tiny bit of scrapping

While the northern hemisphere is enjoying spring, it's autumn Down Under.  Over at Scrap Pile this month, my teamie Nicole challenged us to create an autumn-themed ATC. I'm all about keeping it simple, and this is what I came up with:



What I did:
* Cut a piece of Kraft cardstock 2.5" x 3.5"
* Tear a piece of vintage bookpage, and adhere to the base
* Add some fussy-cut patterned paper leaves (I used Scenic Route)
* Spray with Glimmer Mist (Terracotta Gold)
* Add a doodled line border (Faber-Castelle PITT artist pen)
* Add alphabet stickers (Kaisercraft Tiny Alpha Stickers - Chocolate)

I'm submitting my ATC at:
# Tuesday Throwdown ~ Anything but a card
# Creative Card Crew ~ No stamps


The next one was actually the first one I made, and I almost ditched it.  I wasn't happy with the way the colours came together.  The quote was supposed to be brown, but my one of my ink cartridges ran out and it came out olive green instead.  But it's kind of grown on me and I decided to keep it and share my happy accident:



I used: Crate Paper 'Crush' offcut (for the base), Basic Grey 'Origin' offcuts (punched butterflies), Kraft cardstock, Kaisercraft rhinestones.

The quote is from Hymn to Intellectual Beauty, by Percy Shelley

I'm submitting this one at:
# Sentimental Sundays ~ Challenge #47 ~ Let's Get Sentimental
# ABC Challenge ~ Q is for ~ Quilting or sewing
# Wild Orchid ~ Challenge 19 ~ Punch it out
# Lollipop Crafts ~ Challenge 31 ~ Butterflies

Cybercropping, Part 2

Well, I'm pleased to say I finished two more challenges at the Scrap Boutique cybercrop over the weekend.

Manon hosted a not-so-lucky dip - a challenge comprising a set of criteria designed to stretch the boundaries a bit.  Manon knows my scrappy style so she asked me to create something with pastels, heat embossing, and no flowers.  I made a title page for my birthday album:



I used: Prima 'Annalee' papers, a small scrap of MME 'Front Porch' paper,Scrap FX lasercut butterfly, Collections chipboard hearts, Versamark pale pink inkpad, Brilliance white inkpad, Moonglow clear embossing powder, Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Labels Four' dies

I'm entering my page at:
# Paper Sundaes ~ Challenge #61 ~ Embossing
# Lollipop Crafts ~ Challenge 31 ~ Butterflies
# Sentimental Sundays ~ Challenge #47 ~ Let's Get Sentimental
I used WordArt from Raindrop Echo, which was a freebie in May 2010


Back at the cybercrop, Chels hosted a speed scrap - always lots of fun, and amazing what you can come up with in under an hour when the pressure is on!  We were asked to bring three photographs, and were provided with a basic sketch; this is my layout:



I often go back and doctor my speed scrap layouts later on, because there's never enough time to add all the bits I want, or fiddle with the embellishments till they are just right.  But since recently completing Karen Gurnberg's "Embrace Imperfection" class I have decided I'm going to leave it. I'm tempted to undo the title and straighten it.  And I like the idea of adding some wooden flourishes, and some smaller flowers to balance the ones that are there.  But I won't.  I'm happy now to just leave it, file it in my album, and move on.  I totally recommend Karen's free class, by the way.  It's very liberating!

I used: lots of older stash - Bo Bunny 'Love Shack', K&Co 'Jubilee' and Little Yellow Bicycle 'Love Notes' papers; AC fabric 'Patchwork' Thickers, Heidi Swapp chipboard clocks, BlueyeDezines paper flowers.  No new product at all!!

Sketchy goodness

I had fun with this week's sketch challenge over at Design Dollies!  I pulled out some newish photographs (January 2011 - I just noticed I photographed the layout before I added the date) and teamed them with some older product, and I'm thrilled with the result!

Click to enlarge

This is also for:
# Our Creative Corner ~ Dont' throw that away!
# Basic Grey Challenges ~ Challenge 40 ~ Something Recycled

I used: Basic Grey papers ('Two Scoops' and 'Urban Couture' ranges) and mesh from an orange bag (!)  I first tried using recycled mesh last year for this layout and it's so much fun.  I also used:  MME chipboard diecut, AC vinyl Thickers



I've also joined in the March challenge at Blue Moon Scrapbooking.  It's my first time to play there, and I just loved the sketch by Julie Bonner:


Click to enlarge

I used:  Prima 'Annalee' papers, Glimmer Mist, Maya Road felt flower, Glitz Designs alpha stickers, scraps of:  MME and Cosmo Cricket papers.

Cybercropping, Part 1

I might be a bit optimistic making this post a "Part 1" - but I'm really hoping to finish off at least one more layout this weekend and make a "Part 2" post too!   This weekend I played along at Scrap Boutique - one of my favourite Aussie forums.  It's the first cybercrop I've managed to participate in for ages.  The last few times, something has popped up at home or work, and I haven't finished the challenges.  The theme is "Out of the Comfort Zone" and it really has been!  Soooo, here's what I've done so far.  All can be clicked to enlarge:

Sonia set a sketch challenge, with a twist that at least one major element had to be out of my comfort zone.  For me, that's the purple.  I also resisted the urge to add machine stitching, so that was a challenge too:



I used:  Bazzill cardstock (from my daughter's stash... makes a nice turnaround!), Glitz Designs 'Distressed Couture Floral' patterned paper, Blueyedezines flowers, Bella chip alphas, May Arts ribbon, unk brads), Green Tara lace.

I added the lace for:
# Lollipop Crafts ~ Challenge #30 ~ Make it with lace


Amanda set a style challenge, which was basically to scrap a layout in something other that my usual style.  For me, that was paint.  I used lots and lots of paint (Kaisercraft 'Mango' and 'Dusty Pink' on a gesso base, with 'Sunkissed' Smooch Spritz over the top).  It took ages to dry!  Then, I raised the bar a bit and used NO patterned paper, NO storebought flowers, and NO storebought alphas.  I did manage to stash-stomp just a little by using the last of a scrap of ribbon and a handful of FTI brads:



And a little closeup of my painted background and handmade flowers:



And because everything about this layout was my choice, I'm also submitting it at:
# Paper Cutz ~ Challenge #83 ~ Your choice

Some more green

I've got a LOT of different green papers and offcuts in my stash.  So when I unexpectedly found some scrapping time yesterday, I reached for... more green stuff!   And (shock!) another layout with me in the picture.  I admit, I do avoid being in photographs; I'm much more comfortable behind the camera, behind the scenes, quietly doing things in the background.  But I also know that one day, Jasmine will ask why Mum isn't in many photos, so I'm making a huge effort to "get in there", even if it's only once in a while.

Click to enlarge

I used:  Collage Press 'Good Times' diecut paper and 'Margot - Port Royal' patterned paper , lots and lots of paper scraps (Kaisercraft, Chatterbox, Basic Grey, My Little Shoebox, K&Co, Cosmo Cricket, and some unknown),  Fancy Pants 'Krafty Kuts' alpha stickers (matted with more Collage Press), and a Little Affirmations quote card (which I chopped down to fit the layout). 

# The Paper Variety ~ Week 25 ~ sketch by Jana Eubank
# Fab'n'Funky ~ Challenge 64 ~ All things green

A little bit of green

Yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day, and there have been lots of 'green' challenges happening all over blogland.  Despite our part-Irish heritage my family doesn't celebrate St Paddy's, but I do love green so I couldn't resist making a little something:



# Paper Sundaes ~ Challenge 60 ~ Keep it simple
# Sentimental Sunday ~  Challenge 46 ~ Let's go green
# Going Grey with Scrap Creations ~ Anything goes

I used:  'BnW Stars' giftbox template from Toucan Scraps and sentiment sticker from SRM Stickers birthday set.  Papers are Dream Street 'Tea for Two - Green Tea' and a little offcut from a Collage Press 'Port Royal' paper.  Moss green wrinkled seam binding from Prairie Bird Boutique.  Vintage button from my stash.

Paper piecing

I love paper piecing. It's perfect for digital images, especially since I'm still not 100% confident with other colouring media.  It's also perfect for using up paper offcuts, and I've always loved fussy-cutting.  So this week at CRAFT Challenge the biggest challenge for me was deciding which image to select from the fabulous collections offered by our sponsor, Tracey at The Stamping Boutique.

I finally decided on this cute piggie, and made a card:

I'd originally envisaged a monochromatic card, but my final colour choice was inspired by this week's image at Cupcake Inspirations:

I'm thrilled with the pink, white and green combo, and I'm also entering my card at:
# The Stamping Boutique ~ March monthly challenge
# Totally Papercrafts ~ Challenge #57 ~ Shaped cards
# Wild Orchid ~ Challenge 19 ~ Diecuts

I used: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Octagonal' dies, Dreamstreet "Baylee's Garden" and Basic Grey "Romanie" papers, Bazzill cardstock, lace and organza ribbon, unk glitter diecut

Colour with pink

Jasmine has been a bit quiet on the creative front lately, but she was so excited to find about this week's challenge at Make it Colourful.  It's a kid's only challenge to colour with pink, and Zoe was also kind enough to offer a freebie image, which Jasmine used on her card:



This card is also submitted at:
# Papertake Weekly ~ Triple-tastic ~ three foam hearts
# Kona Kid Krafters ~ Anything Goes

Diva territory

At C.R.A.F.T. this week, Challenge 93 is all about door hangers - just make one and upload - no other criteria!  I made one for my daughter's room:

What I did:
1> I made my own template and cut it from recycled cardboard (packaging from a cereal box).
2> I covered it patterned paper (Kaisercraft 'Wish Upon')
3> I added ribbon to make a hanger (Stampin' Up!)
4> I inked up the edges (Colorbox fluid chalk).
5> I printed Glitterbabe's Party Dress image on patterned papers (Prima 'Annalee' and Dream Street 'Baylee's Garden').
6> I matted the foam letters (AC Thickers), a technique I swiped from the Orange guru.
7> I added alphabet stickers (Echo Park).

I was thrilled to use lots more older product and whittle my stash down a little bit more!

This project is also for:
# Stamp Something ~ March Digi Day
# Really Reasonable Ribbons ~ Challenge #19 ~ Green theme
# Simon Says ~ Anything goes

Sketchy stuff

I love sketches!  I created this one for the Scrap Pile monthly sketch challenge:



And this is my layout:



The full criteria for this month's sketch challenge can be found over in the forum - everyone is welcome, and the prize is determined by the number of entries - five or more entries attracts a $10 shopping voucher from the store for the winner, under five entries and the prize is a small product pack.

I used an old digital freebie kit from 2peas ('Splish Splash' by Rhonna Farrer) to create the sketch, and mostly older stash to create my layout - Basic Grey 'Marrakech', KI Memories 'Pop Culture' lace cardstock, packaging from Bella journalling cards.  I also used: offcuts of American Crafts 'Dear Lizzy' and Bella Blvd 'Sunny Happy Skies' papers, Cosmo Cricket 'Tiny Alphas', Bella 'Ruby Rocket' acrylic diecuts and Kaisercraft flowers.

Colourful friends

I have some of the most amazing friends!  This is yet another layout celebrating my special birthday weekend last October, and you can see from the photograph how windy it was that day!



I've used the Design Dollies Colour Challenge colours - MONOCHROMATIC PINK, with a splash of YELLOW.  This is another combo that I set as a personal challenge - I have lots of pink stuff in my stash but I also know that not everyone is comfortable with mono pallettes, so I thought it would be fun to add a splash of another colour.

More stash-busting in this layout - Chatterbox, Basic Grey 'Lily Kate', Kaisercraft 'Lilac Avenue' (the reverse pale yellow side).  I also used:  Cuttlebug 'Moroccan Screen' EF, Prima 'Annalee' 6x6 paper pad (the text paper), Prima 'Got' flowers, Maya Road felt flowers, Green Tara roses, Kindy Glitz, Kaisercraft rhinestones, Martha Stewart 'Floral Lace' edge punch.

I'm joining in my first ever linking party here, with a 'spring fever' theme (October is the middle of spring in Australia)

I'm also submitting my layout at:
# Papertake Weekly ~ Anything goes + something old
# ABC Challenge ~ P is for ~ pink
# Little Claire's ~ Challenge 2 ~ flowers

Getting tactile

Not a design team project in sight today!!  I decided I really just wanted to get tactile and a little bit messy.  So I pulled out some Kraft, and a bottle of Smooch that Leah gave me.  I also wanted to have some * fun * so I chose a sheet of Bella Boulevarde paper that I've been hoarding for a few months.  I distressed, I fussy-cut, and I added lots of machine stitching, because it's what I love to do!!

I started out with the March sketch from Scrap Lounge, but I added some extra elements, and this is what I came up with:


Click to enlarge

I've still got my heart set on the Martha Stewart butterfly punches, but my budget doesn't reach very far at the moment.  A few weeks ago I found a cheap little punch at my local Riot store.  It's a reasonable compromise, and I've been punching butterflies like crazy.  I've punched my way through lots of my "tiny scraps" - I've even sorted and bagged them by colour so they're ready to whip out and use straight away.

This layout is also for:
# Kraft Journal ~ Week 8 ~ Cute as a button
Lots of buttons hidden amongst the butterflies.
# Really Reasonable Ribbon ~ Challenge #19 ~ Green theme
I used lime green tiny ball trim.  Hmmm, a bit crooked, but it adds character, right?

All that I am...

This week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 92 is all about Mother's Day.  In Australia we celebrate Mother's Day in May, so it's a little early for me!  But it never hurts to be prepared, so I made a card:



More purple - but this time it's because my Mum loves purple. I used two different Spellbinders Nestabilities - 'Lacey Squares' and 'Labels Sixteen', Dream Street patterned paper, and sentiment/quote from Elegant Word Art. The Abraham Lincoln quote is a bit hard to read, so click to enlarge.

I'm entering my card at:
# Sentimental Sundays ~ Challenge #44 ~ Anything goes
# Pear Tree Designs ~ Challenge 38 ~ Ribbon
# Top Tip Tuesday ~ Favourites ~ My favourite technique is stitching.

I'm not too happy with the stitching - the 'slow' setting on my machine foot pedal is not working, so it's either 'fast' (which goes too fast for tight curves) or turning the dial manually (which is very hard on the hand after a while).  But I'm hoping my Mum will love it anyway.