Some more girliness...

After finishing this layout, I was in a girly kind of mood, and keen to make another pink one.   I was inspired by the colours in this gorgeous picture from Cupcake Inspirations:

This one is a double using some delicious Echo Park 'Life is Good' papers:


Click to enlarge

I made two paper flowers (box folded) and one felt flower with pinched petals and a button in the middle:



I also used:  Green Tara 7cm flower, (no idea what brand the big one is!) American Crafts 'Dear Lizzy' Glitter Thickers "Bliss".

I'm entering my layout at:
# Berry7Bleu ~ Pink and mint + three handmade flowers
# Kaboodle Doodles ~ Pretty Doily
# Paper Sundaes ~ Anything Goes

Celebrating 49...

I didn't get any really nice photographs this year for P's birthday - actually, only one shot turned out. As a scrapper, I must admit I'm guilty of procrastination when it comes to photographs I'm not happy with - silly, I know. 

It should be all about capturing the memories, not showcasing a perfect photograph. So, I got motivated this week to print out a few 'not so perfect' photographs and I started scrapping. 

I started with this inspiration photo at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge this week:

Focussing on the orange balloons, I went with a birthday theme, and scrapped this layout:



Almost everything I used is from We R Memory Keepers 'Fiesta' collection - kindly given to me by my friend Melissa. Mel - it took me a while, but I finally used some of those papers!! The only extras are the foam Thickers from American Crafts, and the May Arts red gingham ribbon.

I'm submitting my layout at:
# Celebrate the Occasion ~ Use ribbon
# Deep Ocean ~ Happy birthday

Another Lily Bee layout

I've been using more Lily Bee - I *love* these papers! My Craft Spot wants to see ribbon, and I based my on a sketch at Pixie Dust Paperie:

Edited 29/9: My friend Roxy suggested I enter my layout at Seriously Creative Challenges this month - where the criteria is: 1 ribbon (May Arts gingham); at least 2 embellishments (Prima flowers, buttons, pin, Jillibean Soup journalling card); 3 patterned papers (Lily Bee 'Picket Fence' x2, Making Memories 'Noteworthy' page x1).

A little conservative...

This week's brief at Scrap Boutique "Passion for Fashion" was CONSERVATIVE (feminine/demure).

Colours - Pastel, soft blends, muted rainbows.
Lines - Simple flows, rounded curves and semi- fitted.
Textures - Light, flowing, lace,usually old-fashioned small print.
Effects - Fragile, soft, charming, innocent and very feminine.
Favourite Accessory - Very simple accessories, sometimes diamond accessories.
Note: Notice the simple accessories, its pastel colours and rounded lines.

This is how I interpretted the criteria:


Click to enlarge

My favourite bits are the yo-yo flowers, which I made myself, and the organza ribbons:



I'm also submitting my layout at:
# Crafty Ribbons ~ Anything Goes ~ I used pale pink satin-edged organza ribbons

A Passion for Fashion - Week 2

Week 2 of the Scrap Boutique 'Passion for Fashion' challenge, was all about being dramatic...

My layout:



How I interpretted the criteria:

DRAMATIC(Theatrical)  This style creates a glamorous and glitzy impact.
Colour: Strong, vivid, and contrasting (black is a favourite).
I chose a black background (Core'dinations 'Nightfall') and contrasted with red.
Lines: Severe, sharp and unusually asymmetrical. Bold and often overwhelmingly fitted with open slits.
I think the second statement describes Betty's usual attire!  But I grabbed onto the idea of sharp lines, and I created an asymmetrical stitched border with both straight and zigzag stitches. 
Textures: Rare and trendy.
I tried to mix up the textures a bit.
Effects: Confident, chic, sexy and catchy.
Betty Boop's persona captures the first three, and her theme song and signature phrase are catchy :)
Needs: Custom-made or altered to fit.
I made a silver 'spotlight' and I added a line of brads to the black matt to mimic the look of a film strip.
Favourite Accessory: Bold statement, usually metallic.
I chose silver for the accessories, and also a glittery title (American Crafts Thickers).  
Note:  Notice the fit, its impact and its open slits. Sometimes open back design or see-through materials are used.
I used lace for the see-though element

Other products:  Cosmo Cricket 'Circa 1934' papers - I chose these to match the era of Betty Boop :)  The flowers are Bella (red) and Petaloo (black). The little journalling pin is from my2angels, and was a RAK from my friend Melissa.  Thank you xx

Owl Love

It's recipe time at C.R.A.F.T Challenge this week and I always seem to struggle with these ones.  Probably because I tend to overthink the criteria and then get a mental block... anyway, I pulled out my scraps folder and just started shuffling bits around, and then I found a card sketch that would work, and this card happened:



The recipe?  Three squares (which I layered on top of each other), two ribbons, and one circle (the button).  On top of it all is the adorable 'Owl Love' image from our sponsor, Bows and Berries.

I used scraps from Crate Paper 'Crush' range, and printed the owl onto a scrap of MME. The fabric is from a pack of Junkitz swatches I found in the bottom of a box last week!  The button is from American Crafts (I only know that because it was still in the blister pack) but I have no idea what brand of ribbons they are...

I'm submitting my card at:
# Frosted Designs ~ Card sketch
# Papertake Weekly ~ Things with wings

A new favourite

Fickle, fickle, fickle...  my favourites constantly change.  I can't decide on a favourite colour - it's different every week.  I can't decide on a favourite food - it depends on my mood.  Same with favourite clothes.  Favourite papercrafts company - almost impossible!  Right now, it's Lily Bee Designs.  My last few layouts have been created using the 'Picket Fence' collection and I just love how easily the papers coordinate.  So... here's another one:




I'm joining in these challenges:
# The Paper Variety ~ Favourite papercrafts company
I used Lily Bee papers, alphabet stickers and cardstock sticker all from the 'Picket Fence' collection.
# Scrap Lounge ~ September technique ~ Paper tearing and scrunching
# Craft Your Days Away ~ Make your own flowers 
The large flower is made from a scrunched up paper doiley

Haute Couture?

My scrap-mojo needs a serious kickstart, so Passion for Fashion 2011 at Scrap Boutique couldn't have come at a better time for me:

Week 1 was all about 'Haute Couture'.  I know next to nothing about high fashion, but what's fabulous about the challenge is that the criteria can be interpretted however you like!   

My layout:



My take on the criteria:

Colours - Unusual and rare 

Orange, yellow and terracotta - unusual and rarely to everyone's taste, I'm sure, but it worked for me :D

Lines - Unusually layered, fitted to suit, very specific individual taste

I have five layers, not counting the photograph or the base cardstock. The mix of patterns are  individual to my eclectic taste.
Textures - Unusual and rare
I used a mesh bag that came with my lemons!  Other textures are the tulle, damask and felt letters. Rare?  Well, the damask swatch is from a Junkitz collection and since the company went bankrupt a few years back it's pretty rare now, LOL!

Effect - One-of-a-kind, very unique

Not sure if I achieved this?

Needs of customer - Custom-made, designer's originals
I made my own custom background by ModPodging the glittered tulle to the cardstock.

Favourite Accessory - Coordinated, matching and custom made pieces

The flowers are custom made by me from the same tulle as the background.

The flowers are my favourite part - I had fun making them and deciding how I would use them on the page:



I think I covered all of the criteria except for "expensive" - but I did invest a lot of time in the layout and I do have lots of gold flecks in the tulle!

And most importantly I had a lot of fun with it, used up some more older stash, and got another photograph onto the page.

The miracle of the moment

I've been playing with Lily Bee papers again!  During the July school holidays we took a day trip to O'Reilly's, putting our little soft-roader through its paces on a local 4WD only road.  It was a fun day out, with gorgeous scenery, brisk weather and some quality family time together.  One of the highlights was the Treetop Walk and climb to the top of the observation deck 30m (110ft) off the ground.  I took some lovely photographs throughout the day, but these ones of Jasmine reaching the upper deck were my favourites.  She was so nervous, but also so proud that she climbed all the way to the top:



My layout was created with the following challenges in mind:
# Scrapping Everyday Miracles ~ Miracle of the moment
# The Paper Variety ~ Favourite photographs
# Frosted Designs ~ Sketch-Along Tuesday

My first Lily Bee

I have to admit, I've never used any Lily Bee products before.  But after receiving some Lilybee 'Picket Fence' papers, stickers and alphas in my Scrap Pile design kit this month I think I have found a new favourite!  Fickle me, I have lots of favourites!!  I found it very easy to put together some layouts using mostly product from a single collection.

This is the first layout I created, with a few little Prima 'Essentials' and a Little Yellow Bicycle journalling card to mix it up a bit:



I based my layout on the sketch I designed for Scrap Pile this month:



Digital credits: 'BnW Grunge' papers by Toucan Scraps; journalling card ('Daily Planner') by Michelle Underwood; 'Feed the Birds' paper flakes by Dianne Rigdon


I'm entering my layout at:
# The Paper Variety ~ Monochromatic
# Lime Tree Creations ~ August/September
The gorgeous lime green doiley is made by Becci at Lime Tree Creations.

For a child...

The daughter of a special friend is turning 6 this week, so I made a card and decorated a little (store-bought) plastic case full of little-girl trinkets:

 



The timing was just perfect too, because this week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge it's all about children - any project for a child or featuring a child can be entered.  The cute digital image I used on my card is called Balloon Leah, generously provided by our sponsor, Whimsie Doodles.

I also used: American Crafts 'Vanilla' cardstock, BoBunny 'Jazmyne' paper and alphabet stickers, American Crafts 'Dear Lizzy' paper (for the paper piecing), Martha Stewart border punch, and a few assorted flowers from my stash.

I'm submitting my card at:
# Crop Suey ~ Numbers
# The Stamping Boutique ~ Birthday
# Raise the Bar ~ Paper Piecing 
# The Paper Variety ~ Use stamps

I'm submitting the decorated case at:
# Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes (with flowers)

Jasmine's card

The J-girl has been using up my scraps to create some cards. This one is a thank you card, using a butterfly punch:



Jasmine is submitting her card at:
# Creative Card Crew ~ Anything Goes
# Cute Card Thursday ~ A pinch and a punch

A bit sketchy

I really enjoyed making a quick and easy card for C.R.A.F.T. Challenge this week ~ it's a sketch challenge and the fabulous, versatile sketch was designed by Kevin, who was previously on the DT with us.  Here's my card:



I used an image called 'Top Hat for a Lady' from our generous sponsor, Floppy Latte Designs.  I also used:  Kraft cardstock, Spellbinders 'Blossom' diecut, Basic Grey 'Black Tie' and Echo Park 'For the Record' papers, Bella flower and Making Memories metal flower (shows how old some of my stash is!!)

This is also for:
# Simon Says ~ Anything Goes

Butterfly Garden

It's been a while since I posted any Scrap Pile layouts. These are some layouts I completed in July, featuring Pink Paislee 'Butterfly Garden' papers, but due to some computer issues I couldn't open a whole bunch of image files.  To make matters worse, I couldn't find my original layouts to re-photograph them.  This weekend I found them - safely filed away in a pizzabox which had fallen down the back of my desk!

The first one is for the August technique challenge - to use chipboard on a layout.  There's still time to enter this challenge - it's EASY, and we don't usually get a lot of entries, so the odds of a prize win are pretty good too ;)  I used Dusty Attic 'Park Bench' - when it arrived in my kit I was a bit stumped.  It's beautiful but I didn't know how I would use it.  Turns out it was just perfect for this photograph:



The next two are super simple - with lots of roses ~





The last one is another from the same series of photographs:



Now that I've found these again, I've filed them into the album they were intended for - Mother's Day 2011.  Tthis album is still a work in progress - I have a few more photographs remaining.

Colour Fiesta

This week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge it's all about the colour palette:

 

I delved into my old stash and found some Creative Imaginations (turquoise) and K&Company (pink) papers, and I also rediscovered some chipboard shapes that I picked up at the Scrapbook Expo years ago.  This is what I came up with:

I also used: Bella journalling card, Rouge de Garance felt alpha stickers, flowers from Prima, Green Tara, Bazzill and a few others I don't remember!

This layout is also for:
# Creative Craft ~ Anything but a card
# Tuesday Throwdown ~ Dimension and texture
Chipboard for dimension, felt alphas and a mix of flowers for the texture

Another 1000 sheets...

 

Holy dooley... Amy is giving away another mountain of patterned paper!! Not only is she an amazing paper crafter and stamp designer ~ this amazing giveaway shows just how generous she is too :)  Fingers crossed!!

Crafty Ribbons

My online friend Mandy shared some news about Crafty Ribbons and their new challenge blog, which is launching in September. To celebrate, they are hosting a fun giveaway, and they are also seeking a design team. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

So... This is where I'm sharing some of my favourite 'ribbon or lace' projects that I've created this year - each of these can be clickety-clicked to enlarge:

It was hard to choose my overall favourites so I went with three cards and three layouts :)

A little gift

This week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge the theme is Gifts. I kept it super simple and made a few little 'candy wrappers' with a little giftcard. This is the story ~ my daughter went on a week-long school excursion to Canberra, by bus. She took some spending money with her, but I didn't want her to spend it all on snacks, so I sent along a little care package of her favourite muesli bars. I wrapped them individually, and gave her two for the first part of the trip, and I hid the rest in her suitcase so she would find them later (and not eat the whole box on the first day!!)



The image is called Sailing, Sailing from our sponsor, Robyn's Fetish - coloured with watercolour pencils.

I used: Gin-X paper, Martha Stewart 'Lattice Arch' border punch, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops' patterned paper (for the card)

I'm entering my project at these challenges - popular theme this week!
# Deep Ocean ~ Sea
# CES Challenge ~ Water it
# By the Cute and Girly ~ Sea

Loving red...

I made another 'Thank You' card...  this one for my Zumba instructor.  (The water bottle is a kind of in-joke between us.)





I used:  Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket alpha stickers, Green Tara flower, Robyn's Fetish image - coloured digitally

I'm entering my card at:
# Allsorts ~ Red
# Lollipop Crafts ~ Monochromatic
# Cute Card Thursday ~ No designer paper

Another thank you

I really enjoyed making my gift wrapper yesterday, so I made another one today.  This one is a 'Thank you' for my yoga instructor:



Why all the 'thank you' things lately?  It's nice to let people know you appreciate them not for something *special* they did, but for what they do for you every time you see them :)   It's so nice to bring a smile to someone's day.  I've got a few other people on my gratitude list this month... and a few other projects in mind.

I used: Echo Park 'Walk in the Park' papers and element card, Prairie Bird Boutique wrinkled ribbon, Studio 18 rhinestone, Bazzill Bitty flower (white), unk silk flower (yellow), Fiskars 'Threading Water' border punch.

I'm submitting my project at:
# One Stop Craft ~ Sentimental
# Papertake Weekly ~ Anything Goes

I also want to say thank you to Really Reasonable Ribbon for the lovely prize I received in the mail: