Unicorns, Sunshine & Spring Road Trips | Bella Blvd...

Hey Friends! Just wanted to pop in here and let you know my latest Bella Blvd project is up on the blog.  You can check it out here..x

Thanks for visiting..x

17 Turtles Guest Designer | Cut Files...

Hi Everyone!  I just wanted to share with you today that I am guest designing for Juliana Michaels: 17 Turtles and her etsy store - 17 Turtles Digital Cut Files.  She has a lovely collection of digital cut files to create with and I am very excited to help her spread the word of her new venture.

 

I have been playing with two of these cut files and created a layout for each file individually.  The first layout features the "Roses" digital cut file.

 

 "Mulan"

  

products used: cs - gold glitter, American Crafts; pp - Scraptastic Club Kit (Worth Wondering); alpha - Jillibean Soup (beanboards) ; other - embroidery thread; tools - silhouette  portrait, typewriter.

Right from the start these blooms reminded me of my daughter's dance solo where she was Mulan.  Isn't it funny how certain images can trigger memories!  *grin*  I cut the "roses" from gold glitter cardstock and instead of using a traditional green leaf to go with them, opted for brown instead.  These colours not only support my photo but lean heavily towards an Asian influence.

You can find this cut file and many more over in Juliana's etsy shop.
 

 

My second layout is up, over at Juliana's blog today as well.  I think I drooled a little bit when I saw the "Pie Chart Love" cut file!!! Here's a sneak peek..  ps - I've used the Scraptastic Club Kit "The Girl" to create this layout.

 

 

If you get the chance, head on over to 17 Turtles and discover what I've created with this awesome background cut file!  Thanks for visiting...x

 

 



Scraptastic Club | Pinterest Monday...

Hi Friends!  Today I wanted to share with you a layout I created for Scraptastic Club recently.  It was for a Pinterest challenge/Moodboard that Kim Jeffress and I put together.

 

 

 

Plenty of fun & funky stripes!!

 

This is the layout I was inspired to created...

 

"Loving This"

 

products used: cs - white Kaisercraft; Scraptastic club - Either Way kit, Either Way add-on, Either Way Cut aparts, Either Way Flair Badges; other - watercolour paint, typewriter, Heidi Swapp colorshine (gold).

 

 

I wanted the stripes to go in different directions  to create a little bit of interest on my page.

 

 

I fussy cut some of the larger blooms from one of the patterned papers and threw in some spots for good measure! *grin*

 

 

But before I added all my layers to my white cardstock, I decided that I wanted a subtle hint of colour wash using my water colour paints.  For.the.first.time.ever! LOL!  I wasn't very bold with it.  In fact I was quite timid! LOL!  Maybe next time.  And I will be a little more patient with the drying time too!

 

 

I hope you get a chance to visit the wonderful team over at Scraptastic (ps - There's a DT call going out over there).  There is always plenty of inspiration from the team.  Thanks for visiting me today..x

 

 

Bella Blvd | Pinterest Inspiration...

Hi Everyone!  I am back this week with another Bella Blvd Pinterest Inspired layout and it has everything to do with sequins!

 

 

Last week I created a very masculine page.  This week and with these colours, I've gone very feminine.  Besides, surely you can't have sequins in an Inspiration Photo and NOT go girly!  LOL!

 

 

 

"Easter Prayer"

products used: cs - Kaisercraft; pp - Bella Blvd (Molly, Lucky Starz); alpha - Bella Blvd; other - Bella Blvd: stickers; sequins, embroidery floss; tools - hand stitching, foam tape.

The colour palette (minus the purple) and the sequins dominated my thought process when creating this layout.  Even the way the colour strips were added to the Inspiration photo, I pulled into the layout but in a horizontal way rather than vertical.

 

The fussy cut flowers and stars create a beautiful feature on the layout which balances my square black and white photo.  The sequins are just an added bonus!  I love sequins!! *grin*  And the pink and silver subtly entwined with the fussy cut element s creates a magical trail of sparkle across my page.

 

 

If you would like to see what the other designers created with this Inspiration photo, please head on over to the Bella Blvd blog.  Thanks for visiting...x

 

Hampton Art | Watercolour flower tutorial...

Hi Everyone!  Last week when I shared a link to my Hampton Art stamping tutorial, I also linked you up to my watercolour flower tute as well.  :)  But I didn't share it here.

I just love the watercolour trend at the moment.  It's so alluring and I just wanted to dabble in it.  However, I thought that I just didn't have any watercolour supplies on hand (and I'm not counting the kids' $1 paint in a tray!  LOL!!  Although....) *grin*.  But then I remembered that I actually did have something I could try.  Something I bought a set of, just after high school and never touched because I didn't know where to start.. (umm.. yeah.  I am a bit of a hoarder!)

Enter: my Faber-Castell Watercolour Pencils!  Yay!!

 

 

They were still in good condition thanks to the original tin box they came in.  So I tested them out!

 

 

"Hello Sunshine!"

 

If you would like to see my step by step, please visit the Hampton Art blog here.  I had a lot of fun creating these flowers and they are so simple!  I hope you enjoy. 

.......................................................................

And before I go today I want to share another snippet of the new Bella Blvd CHA collections.  Today it is all about ...

I think this is one of my faves from Snapshots!

 

Head on over to Bella Blvd to win-it-before-you-can-buy-it!!  Good luck..x

And thanks for visiting..x

 

Bella Blvd | colour challenge...

Hi Everyone!!  Today I am sharing my layout that is up on the Bella Blvd blog this week.  This month we have a colour challenge based on the palette below...

 

Isn't it gorgeous!  I love everything about it and gleaned inspiration from the pink gingham table cloth to the title.  *grin*

 

 

"How Sweet It Is"

 

products used: cs - Kaisercraft; pp - Bella Blvd; alpha - Bella Blvd; other - Bella Blvd: designer tape; Jillibean Soup twine; tools - black pen, foam tape.

 

 

 

After two attempts at this challenge, (the first being ALL wrong because I kept looking at the inspiration photo on my phone!), I am happy with the end result.  I've played with a bit of the designer tape too.  Treating it a little like a ribbon, I've folded it so it overlaps itself and then cut a pennant notch from one of the ends.

 

My hubby bought these flowers for me last month.  He knows how much I adore tulips and when he saw them, he went ahead and brought home two bunches for me.  No other reason.  Well, no other reason that I know of!!  *grin*

 

If you would like to learn a little more about this layout, head on over to the Bella blog where there's heaps more inspiration to be found.  Thanks for visiting today..x

 



The Scrapbook Store | Video Tutorial...

Hi Everyone.  Just sharing with you all today the super quick (!) video tutorial I created for The Scrapbook Store.  I even spoke on this video! Wow!  Now that is a first.  *grin*

I have put together a basic step by step guide on how you can create your own 3in x 4in cards for either Project Life or as I have used it.. on a layout.

 "Crazy Beautiful & Perfect"

products used:  cs - Kaisercraft; pp - Pink Paislee Cottage Farms; other - Pink Paislee Cottage Farms: Burlap Flowers, Photo Frames, Ephemera paper goods; Girls' Paperie cardstock stickers, paperclip, Green Tara mini rose (dusty pink), glimmermist; tools - Silhouette Portrait, machine stitching, small circle punch, corner rounder, black pen.

If you are keen to have a little look, please visit The Scrapbook Store.  (This link should take you straight to the tutorial.)  Thank you so much for visiting..x

 

The Scrapbook Store | You + Me...

Hello Friends!  I'm back today to share with you another layout I created for my Mother's Day tribute this month.  I was thrilled when I saw this gorgeous DT kit from The Scrapbook Store, made up of the beautiful Pink Paislee Cottage Farms collection.  And even though I LOVE the pink, I did feel daunted by the task ahead of me... These patterned papers were not necessarily what I would have immediately chosen for myself! *grin*  However, I am so glad I got to play with them.

 



"You + Me"

 

products used: cs - bazzill, Kaisercraft; pp - Pink Paislee; alpha - BasicGrey; other - Pink Paislee burlap flower, ephemera pack; Amy Tan clear stamps, Green Tara mini roses, Greatest View chalk board badge/flair & sequins, textured paste, mist, ink; tools - Jo Sonja paints, machine stitching, black pen, small circle punch, The Crafter's Workshop circle template.



This layout is a general reflection on how I feel about being a mother to these four children.  *grin*  I am so thankful for the opportunity because motherhood wasn't anything I initially aspired to.  They have taught me a lot over the years.

Something a little bit different for me.  And I think I fell in love with these stunning Burlap flowers!!  *swoon*  (you will see more of them on other upcoming projects!) So if you like the look of these patterned papers or even the gorgeous flowers, head on over to The Scrapbook Store and check out what they have in stock.  Be warned however, they are disappearing fast! Thanks for visiting..x

 

Bella Blvd | Celebrating Stephanie's Wedding...

 



Hi Everyone!  We have an exciting week starting over at Bella Blvd today as the DT are joining in with the celebrations and sharing with you, our personal wedding layouts and photos, to honour Stephanie's up-coming nuptials this week end!!

 

 

"On This Day"

 

 products used: cs - Kaisercraft; pp - Bella Blvd: Love and Marriage: Esther Fleming Floral, May Eighteenth, Vows; alphas - Bella Blvd: Love and Marriage Alpha+Bits Stickers; other - Bella Blvd: Wedding Day Miniatures, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Freestyle Sophisticates: Freestyle Pickle Juice; & Crochet Hearts: Pickle Juice, mist; tools - machine stitching, date stamp, ink.

 

I have many wonderful memories and photos from my wedding day, fourteen years ago!  But sadly most of my photos are copyrighted by the fabulous photographer we had on the day.  I tried desperately to find some photos that friends or family had taken but it was truly slim pickings!  Nobody in my family picks up a camera except me! How heart breaking is that?! So I have had to think outside the box for this challenge. 

 

I included a large photo (that I eventually found buried beneath a crazy amount of paperwork!!) and a lot of journaling.

 

My children have frequently asked my husband and I, questions about our wedding day and they love to hear the stories of what occurred.  Like most big events, we had our share of drama, but they have been over shadowed by the fun memories we have of our day.  I wanted to journal a few of these memories so that in years to come my children or grandchildren can really get a sense of these special moments.

 

 

You may have noticed that this layout is an odd size and deviation from my usual style.  *grin* Not only is it a rare double but an uneven double at that! LOL.  One side is my regular 8.5in x 11in...

 

 

... and the other is slightly larger at 11in x 11in.

I've fussy cut a lot of the flowers from the Esther Fleming Floral patterned paper and layered them in clusters on my journaling page.  I've added small splashes of mist to enhance the floral and confetti look.  It is a wedding layout after all!! *grin* And well.. I don't really need an excuse to use mist/paint but I really wanted to on this layout! 

 

 

I hope you will join in with us over at Bella, to wish Stephanie an awesome day!  Thanks so much for taking the time to come and visit..x

 

Jillibean Soup | Lost...

Hello Friends!  I've been away on a little Western Queensland adventure with my family for the first part of the school holidays, meeting up with my mother in a little town called Miles.  The kids had a great time exploring, even after a five hour drive to get there... :)

But we didn't get "lost" out there.  What I want to share with you today is a layout featured on the Jillibean Soup blog. 

 

"Lost"

products used: cs - Kaisercraft; pp - Jillibean Soup; alpha - Jillibean Soup; other - Jillibean Soup: stickers, wooden flags, twine, die cuts; October Afternoon sprinklers;  tools - machine stitching, typewriter.

Master Seven can become so engrossed in whatever game he is playing on his hand-me-down iPod, that he becomes lost to the world!  I love that he loves technology but there is only so much that I will let him become immersed in... And so his time spent on it is very much treasured!  LOL!

I also want to share this card created for Jillibean too...

products used: cs - kaisercraft; pp - Jillibean Soup; other - Jillibean Soup die cut, resin flower, ink; tools - Fancy That Dies die (bow).

Can you tell I love this collection of blues, yellows and greens!  sigh.... :)

 

Please don't forget to check out the amazing DT over at Jillibean Soup today.  There are some fun projects being posted!!  Thanks so much for visiting..x