Happy New Year!!!

Hello 2012.  I am ready to see where you will lead me this year.  I am ready to be inspired and I am ready to play.  How exciting is that!!  Woot Woot!!

Lets start the year off with some scrapping.

This is my last post for Sketchabilities.  Or rather it is time for the new DT to share their interpretations of Karan's awesome sketches.  I've had 6 months at Sketchabilities and enjoyed every moment there.  This is sketch #62...

And here is my layout...

 {H2O boy}

I wanted to keep this layout relatively clean and I've been working on emphasizing my white space lately.

There's a lovely mix of Lily Bee and Bella! papers on this page.  So, there we have it.  My last Sketchabilities assignment.  Thanks for visiting and I hope your new year has started off with a bang!!

Create + Sketchabilities...

I'm back!  So soon... Did you miss me? hee hee... Today I wanted to share my second to last layout for Sketchabilities.  Six months of fun and fabulous sketches by the lovely Karan.  I can't wait to see what the new DT has to reveal.

But back to the present...! Here is sketch #61.

And there are those circles again!! LOL!  But guess what... I changed it up a bit... :D

My layout:

products used: cs - Stampin' Up, bazzill; pp - Bella!; alpha - American Crafts thickers, Kaisercraft mini alphas; other - kaisercraft: clear stamp; October Afternoon label sticker; string; star punch; Martha Stewart circle punch; machine stitching; Sharpie pen; ink: versacolor.

Well... not overly much... but you can see I rebelled a little bit! LOL!  Thanks for visiting..x

Create with Sketchabilities...

Hello Friends!  It certainly has been a busy week!  If you are looking for the Pretty Little Studio Happy Holidays Blog Hop...........Please visit here!!

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Today however, I want to share with you my layout for the latest Sketchabilities sketch #60. 

Karan's gorgeous sketch looks like this...

And from this sketch I was inspired to create this layout...

[Stolen Moment]

products used: cs- bazzill; pp - Lily Bee, Kaisercraft, Nikki Sivils, Bella!; alpha - cre8tive foam letters; other - Abi's Craft paper flowers; homemade flowers; kaisercraft: pearl strips, ink, grosgrain ribbon; machine stitching; hessian; office stamp; black pen (sharpie).

OMGosh!!! And look at that!  I am in these photos!! LOL!  Shock! Horror!! hee hee..

I hope you will play along.  See you there...x

Create + DT call...

Hi Everyone.  It time for the new sketch reveal over at Sketchabilities! And if you wanted a challenge for scrapping multiple photos on a layout, then this fortnight is the place to visit!  Check out Karan's new sketch...

[Water Fight]

products used: cs - DCWV, Stampin' Up; alpha - October Afternoon; other - machine stitching, Tim Holtz ink, versacolor ink, foam tape, black pen (sharpie), fiskars circle template.

I love that I got to scrap these photos so quickly!  They are from our camping trip, in early October.  The water was freezing cold.  No.  It was actually ridiculously cold.  All the kids wanted to go swimming but no-one wanted to go in the water.  LOL!  I think it was one of the adults that started the water fight... Mark probably!   hee hee.. But the kids soon got involved and then it was just Tahlia and our camping buddy Liam R (note: not her brother Liam!). 

In the end Liam just picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and dunked Tahlia in the water!!
 

And then there were fireworks!!  LOL!!  Meanwhile... all of us (supposed) grown-ups were rolling on the ground with laughter!! Definitely a good day.  Well... for most of us!!

Sooo... If you would like to have a good day as well, head on over to Sketchabilities and give this sketch challenge a go.  And while you are there check out the details for Karan's new DT Call.  This is a such a fun place to visit and you will create some wonderful layouts.  Don't be shy.  Submit your entry now.  Good luck..x

Create + Sketchabilities...

Hello!  I'm back.  Again.  hee hee. (did you miss me??!)

I have another reveal I can share with you all today.  It's time for Sketchabilities #58.  And OMGosh!  The DT has gone crazy!  I mean... Their work has produced some stunning examples!  You need to go.  Right now.  And check them out!  LOL!

Okay.......................

So here is the fabulous sketch (and wait for it... It involves circles! Aaarrggghhhh!!).

Can I just say... Karan ALWAYS challenges me.  Especially with those circles!  hee hee..  But I have to admit, it is still a pretty cool sketch.  :D

Here's my take:

[Today]

products used:  cs - bazzill; pp - bo bunny, jillibean soup, kaisercraft, bella blvd, book paper;  alpha - jillibean soup: blossom; other - scrap fx chipboard branch; jillibean: diecut shape, stickers & journal card; kaisercraft: ink, flowers, ticket & rhinestones; string; twine; bling brads; machine stitching; tim holtz distress ink; black pen.

A little bit different for me.  I think it is the whole circle thing!  LOL!  And there are quite a few more textural elements.  It was really nice to have a play with those elements I don't usually associate myself with.  I should probably change it up more often!!  LOL!

Anyway.....  I hope you will join in and enter your version of the sketch.  I'd love to see some familiar names.  Thanks for visiting..x

Create + Share...

Hello Friends!  If you are looking for the GET PICKY blog hop, please scroll down here to the next post!

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Today however, I want to share with you, the next sketch reveal from Sketchabilities:

 #57

I think I say it every time, but Karan really has some wonderful sketches!!  I always seem to create something fun with them!  So..... Here is my layout:

[My Phone]

products used: cs - core'dinations; pp - October Afternoon, Kaisercraft, American Crafts, Authentique; Bella Blvd;  alpha - American Crafts; other - machine stitching, ink: versacolor; brad; buttons; kaisercraft: paper blooms & rhinestones; hessian; paper doily; string; black pen; martha stewart 1" circle punch; homemade satin flowers; shimmerz spritz; glimmer glaze.

journaling says: technology is worth embracing, especially when we are sitting in the car!  It really amazes me @ how easily the kids can work out the gadgets on my phone... Sept 2011

Every now and then (not very often..) I'll let the kids play a game on my i-phone.  I am constantly telling them "my phone is not a toy!" LOL!  But it certainly comes in handy in confined places... such as the car.. while we are doing some waiting.  :D  Even Cameron (my youngest) loves to play and I have found a really simple game for him. He likes to pop balloons by just touching the screen. And of course... the other two like to get in on the act as well.

By the way... did you notice all the flowers, doily and bling on my boys' layout?   Just mixing it up a little and challenging myself.

Thanks for visiting...x

Create x 2...

Hi Everyone!  Firstly I just want to say thanks to all the wonderful bloggers and friends who always leave such nice comments on my blog.  I appreciate every single one of them.  Even more so when I blog about my family and the things we do together.  I know it probably doesn't interest most people! LOL!  But I have to keep "the Family" happy and so I try to intersperse my day to day happenings with the creativeness of scrapping, here on my blog!  Tricky balance huh?! hee hee...

So... Onto the creative stuff!

Today I wanted to share the new sketch release from Sketchabilities as well as the Inspiration Challenge found over at Get Picky.

I loved Sketch #56 as soon as I saw it!!  It has such a classic feel to it...

It's very easy to create a layout from this sketch, so of course, what do I do to it?  Mixed it up a little.

[DinoCakes]

 products used: cs - bazzill, best creations; pp - October Afternoon, Kaisercraft, Echo Park; alpha - My Little Shoebox, Collage Press; other - Jenni Bowlin stickers, Bella! chipboard, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, button, machine stitching, black pen, pink paislee washi tape, kaisercraft printed chipboard, versacolor ink.

It's kinda shabby now! LOL!  I can't wait to see what you can do with this sketch!  Head on over to Sketchabilities and give it a go!!

And if you are in the mood to create more and are just looking for some inspiration, Tanya and Nikki have a fabulous challenge ready for you over at Get Picky!!

This month,we have chosen the word...

"Celebrate"

as the focus for our layouts. 

  You can choose to use the word (or a variation of it, ie. 'celebration') as part of your title or journaling, or you can use the theme of celebrating a special day or holiday like Christmas, someones birthday, celebrate life, good times....

We have so much to be grateful for each and every day, so we want to see how that translates into any or every aspect of your life through what and how you celebrate!

 

The Design Team have still been working with Best Creation products for this challenge and this is what I came up with...

[Celebrate Book Week]

 products used: cs - best creation (glitter); pp - best creation (happy haunting); alphas - American Crafts, best creation; other - best creation stickers, kaisercraft: ink & rhinestones, black pen (sharpie), versacolor ink, machine stitching.

 

I hope these layouts have inspired you to get your scrapping stuff out and try a challenge or two!!  And like I said before... I can't wait to see you over at either site!!  Happy Scrapping!  

 

Thanks for visiting...x

Create + Share...

Hi again!  Today I wanted to share the latest reveal over at Sketchabilities.  This is another really fun and easy sketch to follow.

[surf dancing act]

products used: cs - American Crafts; pp - Echo Park, Bella!, kaisercraft, October Afternoon; alpha - American Crafts fabric thickers; other - Jillibean Soup journaling sprouts, bella!: brads + chipboard stickers, embroidery floss, staples, machine stitching, kaisercraft: ink + shapes and tags, ink: versacolor, Pretty Little Studio journaling card, basic grey glazed brad, MS butterfly + circle punch, paper flowers (unknown).

I am also very excited to share that I will be returning to the Sketchabilities Design Team for a second term.  I love the sketches Karan puts together!!  She has such a talent for them.  Please go and visit here to see what the other team members created.  And I hope you will come and play along!!

Thanks for visiting..x

Create + Share...

Hi All!  I'm back again with another scrappy share already!!  hee hee.. I have the new Sketchabilities sketch to share with you.

And this my version of the layout:

[Sugar & Spice]

products used:  pp - kaisercraft (Chapter One), kaszazz; other - basic grey fabric brad, American Crafts thickers, embroidery floss, versacolor ink, kaisercraft: ink, pearls, paper blooms, paper flowers, wooden birdcage flourish,crochet doily, diecut shapes & mini alphas; paper doily, string, foam tape.  

I found this sketch a little bit of a challenge....After all,  I told myself, I'm not really a circle kinda gal! LOL!  But I actually like the end result.  Even with the lime green and black colours.  Go figure!

Don't forget to check out the other DT layouts here.  Thanks so much for visiting....x

Design Team Call...

Hi All!  Just wanted to let you know that Karan has put out the call for a new DT over at Sketchabilities!

It's a great site full of inspiration.  Go and check out the details!!! Good Luck.....x

Create and Share...

Hi All!  We've just recovered from a long week-end here that's also just happened to include my hubby's birthday yesterday!  Happy Birthday Mark!  We love you lot's!! Mwah...x

(I LOVE hipstamatic!  hee hee..)

Today I also wanted to share some more Sketchabilities and Get Picky layouts.

Firstly Sketch #53 is up over at Sketchabilities....

 [Fly to the Moon]

products used: pp - October Afternoon (Rocket Age), Kaisercraft (Party Animals); Alphas - October Afternoon, American Crafts thickers; Other - Bella! chipboard borders & brads, machine stitching, Basic Grey brads, versacolor ink, kaisercraft clear stamps.

Karan does an amazing job with these sketches and they are so versatile.  If you are looking for a starting point, head on over.. :)

Get Picky also has another fabulous sketch to try and this month they are being sponsored by Scrapmatts!  My wonderful friend, co-DTer for The Boxx and all round super-star, Leanne Jago, is Get Picky's guest designer this month too.  So if nothing else, you need to visit just to check out her work!!

Here's the sketch challenge...

And here

And, here's is what I came up with...

[Come in Peace]

products used:  cs - bazzill; cs - October Afternoon (Rocket Age), Kaisercraft (Party Animals), We R Memory Keepers (Geo-hectic); Alphas - October Afternoon, Basic Grey, Collage Press; Other - 2Crafty alien chipboard, Autumn Leaves & Kaisercraft clear stamps, versacolor & kaisercraft ink, Crate Paper stickers (toy box), Bella! chipboard, toothpick, measuring tape ribbon.

Liam is always coming up with silly/quirky/sometimes downright contradictory sayings!  Just like this one.. "I come in Peace!" At the same time, he's pointing a water pistol at at his next victim!  Hmmmmm...  Trust worthy?  I think not.  We're working on that one though! Hahahaha!

Anyway.. There's a few challenges for you to try out.  Good luck and I hope to see you participate in the fun.  Thanks for visiting and leaving such lovely comments...x

Create...

Hi Everyone.  I am home again after a sad journey home.  I don't really know what to say or write, but I do know that I want to say thank you for all the wonderful and supportive comments left on my blog while I was away.  The best thing for me now though, is to get straight back into what I love doing.  And that's making special memories with my family and documenting them as we go.

I know my Dad enjoyed looking at the photos and stories shared here on my blog... and he especially loved the times where he was featured!  LOL!!  Like in this "gem" created for Storyboard Kits...

[Lil' Mate]

I'll miss you Dad.

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I have a little bit of housekeeping and some layouts to share.  Firstly, this is my take on Sketchabilities #51: 

 

[Dance]

This is also my first layout as a design team member over there.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates!!!

Also, Get Picky has a fun sketch to play with!

[Game On]

The DT even got to play with some fabulous Purple Pumpkin goodies!  Sam is sponsoring the prize this month and trust me!  You really need to be in it to win this prize!  Yum!!

Thanks again everyone, for staying with me.  :)  I can't wait to get back in and play with scissors, paper and glue!

Some exciting "Scrappy" news...

Yay!  Finally!!  Followed closely by a sad farewell... :(

Hi Everyone!!  I have some exciting news to share with you today.  I recently applied for a position over at the sketch site, Sketchabilities, not really expecting to get a call back.  I was thrilled to receive an email a few days ago, asking if I'd like to join the design team!  How exciting!  It is for a three month term only (July - September) but I think that will be enough to keep me busy for a while...especially as my term with Kaisercraft comes to an end this week!

Today starts my last blogging week over there and I can't believe that 12 months has gone so very quickly!

This month is all about Velvet Ensemble and Pink Gelato!  Both stunning new release collections! (I think I am going to miss receiving all those goodies in advance! LOL).  Here's my layout for Velvet Ensemble....

[Ballerina in Training]

I've got a few layers happening here! :)  And the paper flower was added to represent a ballet tutu.

 And of course, there's a little bit of tulle hiding too!  This collection is fabulous if you have a show-off (big or small! hee hee..) in the family.  Especially if they have yen for being on stage.  And think of all those school productions on parade that can now be scrapped!  Love it!

Tomorrow I will be sharing a link to my tutorial for making those little toothpick flags in the previous post.  Oh and Alanna... I will get to my tute for that card!  LOL!  I am so sorry I haven't had time to share yet.  Thanks for visiting...x