Folding card

I have a fun card to share - this one is a little more intricate than my usual ones. I followed this tutorial and created this:



I used papers from Kaisercraft and Bo Bunny, and a few leftovers from Cosmo Cricket and MME.  The flower, ribbon and button have been floating around on my desk for months, and it was time to use them!

Today I'm playing along at:
# Our Creative Corner ~ Fancy folds
# Charisma Cardz ~ Anything goes
# One Stop Craft ~ No sentiments

Jasmine's card

Jasmine is a Junior DT at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge, and will try to create something every week, if she has finished all her homework!  This week she's on track, and made a lovely card for the colour challenge:



She used: 7Gypsies and Carolee's Creations patterned papers, Spellbinders 'Labels Four' dies, Tim Holtz 'Tattered Florals' dies, sentiment stamps (unknown company), StazOn 'Timber Brown' ink

Autumn colours...

The theme this week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge is autumn colours - and this is the palette we are working from:

My submission is a little different this time - it's a knitted scarf that I made for my friend's birthday:

I tried some 'bobbly' fibre for the first time - and while I loved the finished effect, it wasn't all that easy to knit with, and it took me waaaaay longer than I expected!  And I must admit I loved it so much that it was very hard to part with!!

Celebrating "Odd" style!

My Dollie-friend Kristy is celebrating her birthday this month - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTY!!   Pop across to her blog for some amazing tutorials, product showcases and other fun stuff - the girl really knows how to host a party!




My most recent card using a Some Odd Girl image is here, and you can find the full collection of amazing Some Odd Girl images in the store HERE.

A little bit grungy

I've been enjoying the Passion for Fashion challenges at Scrap Boutique over the past few weeks, and loving the chance to push myself a bit.   This week it's all about grunge - a style I love but don't actually indulge in very often:

GRUNGE - A category which was made popular during the early 90's. It creates an emphasis of younger generations, exaggerated constructions, the ripped, unloved look was popular.

Colour - Could be anything. Camoflage was popular.
Lines - Unstructured, sometimes exaggerated and unusual.
Textures - Popular (natural, blend or synthetic fibers), knits or canvas, frayed hems.
Effects - Youthful, confident but sometimes impractical. Most designs died quickly.
Needs - Easy pieces, but sometimes wild and usually inexpensive.
Favourite accessory - All kinds, real or fakes, inexpensive accessories including disposables.
Note: Notice the exaggerated lines, sometimes out-of-this-world. Different styles were popularized by Madonna and Cindy Lauper in the 80's. Very artistic and sometimes unexplainable designs.


Click to enlarge

I had fun with the paper-tearing, paint and stapling.  My layout focuses on thecriteria of unstructured lines and inexpensive accessories, and the overall effect of youth, confidence, and sometimes wild.  The photographs were taken at the 21st Century Kids program at GOMA in Brisbane - there was a giant twin slippery slide inside the gallery foyer!

I wrote a letter to my love...

This week at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge the theme is Autumn.  I made a card using autumn colours:



Our sponsor this week is Some Odd Girl - and I chose to showcase the adorable "Love Letter Kaylee" from the store. I also used: CTMH cardstock and paper, Echo Park 'For the Record' paper, and Cosmo Cricket alpha stickers. And I couldn't resist a little doodling too :)

The Odd Girl herself is celebrating her birthday this month - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTY!!  Pop across to her blog for some amazing tutorials, product showcases and other fun stuff.



I'm submitting my card at:
# Simon Says ~ Nursery rhyme (A-tisket, A-tasket)

Elegant?

I don't really consider myself an "elegant" scrapper so last week's Passion for Fashion challenge at Scrap Boutique stretched me a bit.  The layout was based on a provided sketch, and was inspired by the criteria:

ELEGANT This style includes expensive designer's reproduction, but should not be misunderstood as "haute" or high fashion.
Colour ~ Unusual, muted solid colors (gray, black and white)
Lines ~ Mostly uncomplicated and well fitted (Chanel type)
Textures ~ Fabrics, usually expensive materials.
Effects ~ Very refined, status and executive-looking.
Needs ~  Semi custom-made or altered to fit.
Favorite Accessory ~ Coordinated and matching real gold and diamond accessories.
Note: Notice the emphasis on the uncomplicated, well fitted status look.

I made the flowers myself :)

Shaping up

This week at C.R.A.F.T. there's another recipe challenge.  Usually I struggle with these ones, but this week I really enjoyed myself and found it came together quickly:



The recipe is:
* 1 ribbon - I used some wrinkled ribbon from Prairie Bird Boutique
* 2 shapes - two shaped journalling pages (Making Memories)
* some glitter - glitter alphabet letters (American Crafts "Bliss" Thickers)

I also used: Lily Bee 'Picket Fence' paper, Prima flowers and Bella rhinestones.

It's a fairly basic layout, but I wanted to keep it simple to keep the focus on the photograph.

I'm entering my layout at:
# Papertake Weekly ~ Get in Shape
# Dream Valley ~ Monochrome

The J-girl scraps!

It's been a while since she sat down and focussed on something - but today she found an old photograph of Ella (our guinea pig) and decided to do a layout.

This is her page - I think it's fabulous!



She raided my older stuff and used:  Dream Street paper, striped ribbon (unk), buttons from my habby stash, fabric flowers.  She made the title herself by cutting out WordArt letters and colouring with a watercolour pencil.


Jazi is entering her page at:
# Glitter Geeks ~ Flower power
# Papertake Weekly ~ Anything Goes 
# My Mum's Craft Shop ~ All Creatures Great and Small

Going Casual

Another layout this week, inspired by the Passion for Fashion criteria at Scrap Boutique...

CASUAL - This category includes jeans, Tshirts, feeling at-home, feeling comfortable.
Colour - Any!! Colour is not an issue (brights, pastels, earth tones)
Lines - Unstructured, simple, and easy.
Textures - Popular (natural, blend or synthetic fibers).
Effects - Easy-going, athletic, unpretentious and simple.
Needs - Easy care, home atmosphere and comfortable.
Favorite Accessory - Flip Flops, joggers, basic accessories, including disposables.
Note: Notice the easy-going features and UNSTRUCTURED lines.

Here's my layout - I made a double 8"x8":


Click to enlarge

I used: Basic Grey 'Urban Couture - Cashmere' paper, American Crafts vinyl Thickers, Heidi Swapp journalling spots 'Ledger2'. All the rest is non-commercial stuff - denim from some old jeans, muslin gauze cut from a triangular bandage, buttons, and a broken hairclip:





I'm entering my layout at:
# Hooked on Craft ~ Anything but a card

Is it...

too bright? This week at C.R.A.F.T. the theme is 'bright colours', and this is my contribution:



It was a little tricky to photograph because the shiny cardstock kept reflecting back at me no matter what I tried!  I used the brightest paper in my stash - one of my last remaining scraps of Cosmo Cricket 'DeLovely', and the brightest ribbon (May Arts).  The white cardstock is inked with Versacube 'Pink Petal'.  The adorable image is 'Little Art Mouse' from our sponsor, Meljen's Designs.

I'm entering my card at:
# Craft Your Passion ~ Anything goes (with ribbon)
# Simon Says ~ Sparkle - I used American Crafts pearl cardstock

A little bit Western

Another week of the Scrap Boutique Passion for Fashion challenge, and this time the theme is WESTERN.  The criteria states:

The opposite of conservative. Clothes are reduced from the feminine emphasis.

Colour - Earth tones are favourites.
Lines - Durable, simple, easy and comfortable.
Textures - Natural fibres, basic denim, thick and old-fashioned.
Effects - Tough, strong, manly.
Favourite Accessory - Big is better, cowboy leather boots and thick belt buckles.
Note: Notice the emphasis of earth tone colors

This is my interpretation:


Click to enlarge



I had heaps of fun with this layout - I painted a piece of corrugated cardboard (Kaiserpaint 'lime green') and cut a piece from some old jeans. for the background. I keep a box in the shed with fabric oddments, including several pairs of old jeans (which I kept for patching our current jeans, LOL!). I had to rummage to find it... The denim is held in place with strategically placed staples, hidden under the flowers (Petaloo) and other elements. The buckle has been in my stash for at least 5 years - I hardly ever use metal embies these days and I had to rummage to find my box of metal bits too ;) I painted and inked it to take away the original shiny copper colour. 

What else? Alphas are from October Afternoon and journalling spot is from Jillibean Soup. The little label sticker is from a small sheet I was given; my best guess is Scenic Route, but I'm not sure??  The mesh and jute flower were both RAK's from kind friends - I know the flower was from Melissa, but the mesh - no idea!!

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.