Just a Girl with Ideas

SHE IS...

2012-02-01T20:50:00.003+10:00

Wow just found out I am featured this week at C.S.I for #3 casefile woot woot!

[insert big smile].

I'm having lots of fun over there, trying to include all the evidence and testimony to my pages but am also loving just scrapbooking for me for a change. I have been so busy with writing articles and filming classes that I haven't had much time to do anything else these past couple of weeks so C.S.I has been my sanity saver, thanks Debbie and team you guys have helped me get through a crazy busy start to 2012!

Anyways this weeks Casefile #4 is a ripper and I'm loving all the criteria. The palette is right up my alley with those aquamarine tones along with an injection of mustard that shocks the senses so the perfect motivator for sure.
Here is my sub and I decided to do a page about my gorgeous sis in-law. She rocks it like no other! Loved spending time with you over Christmas hunnie & miss ya heaps! xox

Okay well, better get back Notting Hill and my hot choccie, oooh thats the life! Thanks for stopping by. xox

ON A JOURNEY...

2012-01-30T21:29:00.002+10:00

The current word prompt at Bird is the Word has been revealed... 'Journey'. So if your looking for a fabulous challenge site that gives you a little push in the right direction then BITW is what your looking for.

Here is my DT page, yep another digi of me and my precious little goo-gaa, hope you like it. Its a bit of a step away from my usual digi style but I am playing with the idea of keeping my pages very minimal and with more of a graphic edge, not sure I achieved that here but its a step[albeit baby steps... lol

[I think I prefer the yellow base!]

I also thought I'd sub for the 'Casefile #02' at the new fun challenge site CSI, I know thats well past the close date but I loved the prompts for that weeks challenge so gave it a go.

Okay time to go lay on the couch and watch a bit of the box, have a great night everyone. xo

HANGING OUT WITH FAMILY!

2012-01-27T11:01:00.002+10:00

The Color Rooms Palette #95 has just been released. Its a gorgeous bold and beautiful array of colours. Here is my digital DT page hope you like it and the palette below :)

Have a fabulous day!

I'M BURSTING WITH EXCITEMENT!

2012-01-25T17:04:00.001+10:00

I have some very exciting news that I have been sitting on for a couple of months now and have been given the go ahead to ~~share with you~~, scream it out to the whole wide world... so I am not going to waste anymore time and just spill the beans!

I DESIGN FOR

SCRAP365 Magazine

[insert SQUEAL here]

How cool is that☺

I was soooo buzzed when I found an email from the editor saying she had discovered my blog and wanted to offer me a position as a freelance contributor in both the digital and paper sections and of course I was doing cartwheels and ~~felt~~ feel so honoured to be involved with this exciting new UK publication.

I had to take a piccie of me moments after reading this little gem of an email just so as to capture the smile I had on my dial...

Can you see how big it is? um I think you can![teehee]

If you aren't already familiar with Scrap365 here is their site where you can get subscription information and the Scrap365 Blog for all the latest news.

The Current Issue.

Anyways, there you have it, my incredible news. I can't wait to see my first article published and hope that you will enjoy what tips and tricks I'll be sharing with you as a contributor!

xox

HE MAY NEVER TALK TO ME AGAIN, BUT...

2012-01-24T13:36:00.000+10:00

...I just had to share [insert evil chuckle and wringing of hands], piccies I found on my puter in the photobooth app this morning when I was cleaning it out. These little rippers were destined to be exposed in Blogland and FB, dont you agree?

Now surely you can see why I feel so blessed to have said 'I do' to this man, thats gotta be a given!

...ain't he just the most gorgeous catch...my hubby is a handsome, bright and intelligent man as is so clearly depicted in these priceless snaps.

I have to assume that he left these pics for me to share with you and to have a good laugh over, I mean surely after 16 years together he would'nt think I'd leave them unveiled in the puter, he couldn't be that neglectful?

Anyways they made me laugh so much that I choked on my coffee so was compelled to share them here with you [giggle, giggle]

Hope you have a fun day with at the very least one good belly chuckle in your day and a big thank you Cookie for still being able to make me laugh! xox

P.S I wonder if that is a good enough compliment to keep me safe from any pay back?...ermmm ;)

NOT LONG TO WAIT!

2012-01-23T11:31:00.000+10:00

I'm so so excited to see the new Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, you wait until you see this awesomely designed interactive website. The new look eMag will be wowing everyone with its clever navigation and web viewing capabilities and from what I have been privvy to so far it will not disappoint I can promise you that!

If your interested in a subscription for the new site all details will be revealed shortly at the moment admin are crazy busy transfering the forum over to the new server and adding the final touches to the security and privacy settings and then it will be all systems go... I am doing some serious cartwheels and am biting at the bit for the launch to get underway, where's the MOET CHANDON!!!!

Until the big launch you can access the January Issue here although the forum is closed you can still see the January calls and classes.

Signing off with a big squeal! xox

REMEMBER?

2012-01-17T19:38:00.000+10:00

Remember when it was absolutely acceptable and cool to wear bright, bold and loud massive prints. Even better when the colours clashed, were ghastly mission browns, or a kaleidoscope of primaries? Well I do, I seem to recall my childhood being a bright happy time, one filled with diagonal stripes, large fluffy cloud shapes and whirling butterflies.

This weeks word prompt at 'Bird is the Word' is 'Remember' and thats exactly what I decided I'd do...take a wee stroll down memory lane at the fabulously colourful clothes we used to wear in the 70's. Before I go into a big blurb here is this weeks DT page another digi delight hope you like it!

Its of me (the littlest one) aged 4 maybe 5 with my 3rd cousins when I lived in Sydney. Check out the clothes seriously fantastic!

Anyways here are some examples of the fabrics I am talking about. The designs were common place over 30 years ago but a little harder to come by these days however even in my wishful state to be a proud owner of a huge collection (I absolutely love them)I do have a few pearlers in my stash and am happy to admit it no matter how gaudy they may seem.
There are some fabbo examples that you can find here if your feeling an urge to pur-chase a few! tee hee

We also seemed to have an uncanny ability at morphing into our surroundings just like a cameleon would thanks to said bold delights!( LMTooshO)

I also found this fantastic site Retro Print Revival that has me in an absolute spin, I have definitely gotta get to Melbourne this year and pop in for a looksie OMLordy I am in L.O.V.E with this place and I can see several of these lamps in my home especially this one my all time fave-or-rite thats a cert!

Thanks so much for stopping by and remember if your needing some simple but much needed inspo head on over to BITW for a new word prompt every fortnight! xox

ME AND MY BOY!

2012-01-14T09:38:00.000+10:00

Wow what a week of scrapping...with creating digi designs galour, planning lots of trad lo's and 4 video tutorials I havent had a chance to do anything else, so inbetween all the madness I decided to take some time out, charge up the Photobooth on my mac and start posing, the perfecto op to take some shots of Tige and me.

Here's some happy snaps, not the best quality but fun none-the-less!

Oh and I do have a page I can share with you. Its for this weeks palette release at The Color Room, of which I didn't get completed in time for the DT release yesterday. Here is palette #93,

and my digi page. 'Girls Day Out' a sensational piccie of my Grandma and her friends out and about circa 1940.

Credits:Sunbursts & scalloped paper Buffet by Pugly Pixel; Heart Backdrop by Joanne Bains Designs; Alpha: Prim'n'Purple by DA; Stitching: Essential Stitching by Syrin; Flowers: SMJ Designs; Other:Emma Stafrace

Hope you have a fabulous weekend and thank you for stopping by. xox

A LITTLE BIT OF BERRY71BLEU FOR YOU

2012-01-11T18:17:00.001+10:00

I am so excited to be sharing with you my Guest DT spot at Berry71Bleu: Handmade Tags, Pages and more. The wonderful Mari (Marivic) sent me a box of scrapping goodies all the way from Texas which included some awesome little tags that we had to incorporate in a page or project.

I included a Berry71Bleu Tag in a baby Shower gift the altered art challenge that she set. It was a perfect match for a little boy bubba.

Tip: Save baby formula tins they make perfect containers and are easy to cover in patterned papers.

This LO was for little Bethany who was celebrating her 4th birthday. The Berry71bleu tag had cute little cake embellishments on it so was a perfect fit for these photos and a great way to add hidden journaling.

Tip: Repetition of shapes on your page really create an eye catching and resolved design. If circles are your main shape then include some journaling strips to add some extra points of interest.

This layout was an extra page using some of the other bits and bobs Mari sent me.

Tip: Try different ways of using your photo's, this layered mosaic format is an easy way to add some fun to any page.

Mari also asked for a quick Tutorial so I decided to do one on making stencils. This is one of my all time fave things to do and really adds a unique touch to your pages.

HOW TO MAKE A CUSTOMISED STENCIL

Have you ever used a stencil or template in your project, if so do you love the effects you can create using them? In this tutorial we will look at how to create your very own unique re-usable stencil so that you can customise and add some extra points of interest to your projects. Here is a page I create dusing the stencil below.

Materials needed:

12X12 plastic stencil sheeting

Craft Knife

Ruler

Marker Pen

Photocopied Image of design

Step 1:

Mark your 12"x 12" border on the plastic sheeting; this acts as a guide for your overall size of template.

Step 2:

You could draw your design directly onto the sheeting or create a design in a photo-editing programme like Photoshop or PSE. If you choose this option, print out your image and use that as your design guide just as I have here.

Step 3:

When you are happy with your design align it underneath your plastic sheeting making sure the image remains confined within the outlined 12X12 border. Tape it along with the sheeting to your cutting mat to prevent it from moving then begin the careful cutting process.

Hope you find this tutorial a fun way to add that little extra something to your layouts and projects.

Happy stencilling!

Em Stafrace

WATER WONDERLAND...

2011-12-23T15:47:00.000+10:00

Tige experienced his first swim in the big pool in our complex a couple of weeks ago. Aunty Leonie was visiting and we decided the weather was perfect for a quick dip in the pool. Although he loves the bath Tige was a little less impressed at first but within a minute he was splishing and splashing like a seasoned water baby.

The current word prompt at BITW is 'Wonder'...the perfect word to use in the title of this recent milestone in Tige's now aquatic life tee hee.

Isn't he the cutest little water bubba you ever laid eyes on, lol... thought I'd share with you that I also created a customised misting/inking sun ray screen for this one cutting it out of plastic stencil sheeting which you can grab from your local art store or Spotlight.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a fabbo day xox

7 DOTS STUDIO 'DREAMER' PAPERS

2011-12-05T21:35:00.005+10:00

OMGoodness, when Leanne from Mad About Scrappin approached me to Guest DT I was excited but when she showed me the gorgeous papers from 7 Dots Studio latest PP release I was doing cartwheels. These papers are absolutely divine. The A sides are an explosion of colour, layers and textures and the B sides are soft, warm and simply divine. So I had an absolute blast with these papers here's a product image of the range.

So if you like what you see here and are interested in buying a kit to create similar projects to the ones below scoot on over to Leannes FB Page and snaffle up a kit before they sell out or buy yourself some of the papers! :)
Here is an image of the 7 Dots Studio release,

and below are my layouts using the 'Dreamer' range.
I used black tea to stain the paper and create some lush grungy drips. I also used a paper doiley as a mask to ink the background. Tip: To add some extra bling why not glue some beads to your page they are as cheap as chips and are an unexpected little addition to any page.
Below is a close up of the beads I used Dimensional magic to adhere them.

Cut your photos into circles is a great way to add some interest to your page rather than the same old same old standard formats.

Tip: Layer lots of different masks, tapes, stamps and stitching to create and interesting focal point.

Cut out some random shapes from card stock and lay them directly onto your paper before inking. This is a perfect way to add some points of interest to an already very busy patterned paper.

Tip: Try using some transparent embellishments to add a little extra something without being too obvious.

Gesso, Gesso, Gesso, this should be a staple in your scrap stash. Its an awesome way to tone down an intricate paper without detracting from it. Its also a perfect preparation for inking and misting on top of.

Tip: Layer lots of elements and cluster them tightly, this is a rule of thumb when I create a page. Also consider using lots of different textured materials and fibres, particularly things you can find around the house...Save onion and garlic bags they are priceless!

And finally, combine all those tips into one page, tee hee. Masking, Inking and gessoing are fantastic techniques and tools to include in all your pages.

Tip: Dont feel like you always have to have lots on your page, less is more in some instances, often just one embellishment and or one wordart speaks volumes.

Hope you likey! xox

BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-05T15:20:00.008+10:00

This weeks palette release at The Color Room is a fabulous combo of christmassy colours. Lydell also created a gorgeous sketch with lots of trees for inspiration. I loved that idea so instead of using the obvious I popped a bit of foliage into my design. Here it is featuring none other than the spectacular Master Tige in his Santa's little Helper costume, doesn't he look so cute and still so happy after all that toy making...

and palette #88 with lots of Shimmerz, vibez and blingz to play with.

I also completely forgot about sharing last weeks palette and DT LO here they are and yep another Christmas theme this time but using non-traditional colours. Hope you like them both :)

I dont normally do Christmas layouts but with such an awesome little model I couldn't resist this year! I think I'm hooked tee hee.

Have a great week everyone,

See ya soon xox

I TRY...

2011-12-05T14:59:00.001+10:00

BITW has another ripper of a word prompt for you and this challenge is all about 'TIME' that very precious commodity that eludes most of us. I know it seems I am doing a few pages on me lately, hope I am not boring you guys with these ones but after this word reveal I promise to stop the self obsession for a little while tee hee.

I had a small epiphany recently after thinking about what I was going to do for my DT page I realised I spend way too much money and time accumilating papers and scrap related products that most of my allocated scrapping time is spent in complete disarray and of course time is of the essence when you have a busy little adventurous boy on your hands.

So rather than wasting these valuable minutes sorting, arranging and cleaning my space I have set a challenge 'to use up as much of my stash as possible!' My Scraproom is absolutely chockers I need nothing else except more minutes in the day, so even though this is a small idea it may prove to create 'perfect harmony' in my life between scrapping more constructively and freeing up more time with Tig-let.

Thats the story behind this DT page, do you think I can do it? To be honest I am not sure I can stick to my guns on this one, I am such a scrapstash hoarder I am one of the worst, tee hee.
Thank you for stopping by xox

JANUARY CALLS AT SNR

2011-12-03T08:01:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone, the January calls are now open at Scrapbook News and Review if you would like to get published in one of the largest online scrapbooking magazines, here is a list of the calls for January 2012 both traditional, hybrid and digi scrappers are welcome. Submissions end 24th December 2011.

8.5x11 Pages
Being Us/Our Love/Love Stories
Funny Faces
Goals/Resolutions/What I Want for 2012
All About Me: Things You May Not Know
Color of the Month: Black and White
Free for All: Anything goes
KISS: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart. Less is more in this category.
One Word: Curiosity
Recipe
Scrap Your Stash: Chipboard
Whimsical-Digital
Doodle It-Digital
Family Game Night-Digital
Hybrid-Digital

Here's a link for more details on the Card, Stamping and Mixed Media calls.

MOVEMBER...

2011-11-24T20:25:00.003+10:00

Me again, I know I seem to be posting every second day but its been a busy week and I am in a spin...so much has happened all of which I can not share yet, but I am so excited even Tige keeps trying to look at my face because it feels like forever since I've had such a tremendous smile on my dial.

Anyhoo I should be able to reveal this awesome news with you very shortly, until then its Friday and you know what that means...its time to reveal the new TCR palette #86 but firstly here is my DT page and yep its another digi. I had to do a page of my husband and son supporting the Movember charity, Dan has managed to raise $300 so far and only a few days left to help this worthy cause and support men's health.

Anyways I had a tonne of fun doing this page using all my own elements except for the Kathryn Balint Shabby Button and the JWDigiscraps Mayflower ribbon.
Here's the palette for insporation.

I really hope to see some more digi scrappers venturing over to TCR we love seeing your work in the gallery so don;t be shy come and have some colourful fun :)TFL xox

I AM...???

2011-11-21T21:58:00.000+10:00

The new word reveal for BITW is 'TRUST'. This word prompt got me thinking about who I am and how I would describe myself, certainly a hard one to pinpoint for me, I guess 'I am...' so many things so how do you chose the perfect word to describe yourself or someone else for that matter?

Anyways, I was reading all about one of my all time fave artists Rosalie Gascoigne although kiwi born she resided in Canberra, Australia and was encompassed as one of Australia's very own. I had the wonderful opportunity to actually meet her many moons ago when I was an art student and she a resident artist with the Canberra School of Art. Not only was she an inspiring person but her work is spectacular I love it and have always found her work impacting and stimulating. Here's one of her pieces its so very urban and bold and so very me one day I'll have my very own Rosalie G tee hee...

and here is a link to one of her galleries just incase your interested in seeing more of her sculptures and mixed media.

Now because its not likely I'll ever have an original I thought I'd play around with the idea of collaging lots of adjectives that describe me drawing from Rosalie's idea of cutting up the common road sign. So I printed a tonne of adjectives in bold black text on yellow cardstock then inked the edges before gluing them together to form the base cardstock!

So Here is my LO for BITW using the word prompt 'trust' and trustful in my design. Hope you like both it and the digital version too :)

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I can't wait to see what you come up with using this word prompt. Mwah

ITS A SCRAPPING FRENZY...

2011-11-18T19:53:00.002+10:00

Its Friday again, where did this week go??? I have been crazy busy with getting all of my usual DT work done and to add to that I have been asked to Guest DT at two seperate places so have been working on the kits for those. On top of that and in my insanity I have accepted a very special scrapbooking gig thats yet to be revealed (insert extreme excitement here), so have some wonderful things on the go for this one and can't wait to share but will have to be patient until the new year for those little rippers to be revealed. Most of the projects are done which is great I wanted to have them signed, sealed and delivered before I head off on our holiday down south in a fortnights time and I think I am tracking well within that time frame.

So as you can imagine its been all systems go here. I have managed this past week and a bit to scrap 7 traditional and 4 digi LO's plus 16 sketch templates yep 16, I have even created an OTP this week which is so out of my comfort zone...OMG that is crazy stuff seeing it like that! Let me tell you I am a non smoker but I could go a tall glass of scotch and a big puff on a ciggie right now but I finally think my head is above water which feels like I have achieved a massive feat this week...she says smiling widely hope I don't collapse into a ball of hysteria tee hee!

Anyways its Friday like I said before I started rambling and The Color Room has a fantastic palette on offer this week I really think you'll like the reveal. Here it is followed by my DT page a digi for this week.

Its such a bright happy and bold combo hope you have fun with it and I really look forward to seeing your pages in the gallery. Happy Scrapping! xox

BESTFRIENDS...

2011-11-11T07:21:00.000+10:00

Its Friday which means its time for the reveal at TCR. This weeks palette #84 is a yummy whitewashed one using colour from brown and sandy tones. Its such a scrummy palette, which lends itself to using all those woodgrain pp's in your stash ;) If your a card maker or OTP fanatic The Color Room would love to see your designs in the gallery so come on over and share your gorgeous designs we'd love to see them.

Here's my digi page of one of my dearest friends Shanthe with her daughter Tegan on Teegs 21st birthday. It blows my mind that Teegs is 21 it only seems like yesterday when I got the call she was born and scooted off to hospital to see an 8 week premmie bubba and then in a blink of an eye she is grown up, at uni studying Criminology and is a gorgeous young woman.

I created the digital paper base by photographing a paper I had made using gesso, The Crafters Workshop Circle Grid template and masking tape then converting the colour to work with the palette, here is the original paper design.

Thanks for stopping by everyone and hope you have a fantastic weekend xox

I ADORE THEM

2011-11-07T07:05:00.003+10:00

If your looking for a great word prompt to get your started on a new project this fortnights word at Bird is the Word is 'Adore' which has got to get the mojo in full swing. Starting from the 6th and ending on the 20th November, you have plenty of time to create a fun project and sub it using the inlinkz gadget at BITW to be in the running for a fabbo kit from Tidbitz In Time.

Here's my take I decided to go a little different to what I have been lately and do something simple and relaxed. I finally used the Tim Holtz set of 'Ransom' alpha masks that I have been hoarding for a good year maybe longer and paired that with his Barn Door Distress Ink along with my all time fave Hambly Prints 3/4" Graph Overlay and yeeesh of course Basic Grey as the base. I can't go past their grungy textural B sides they simply rock for me!

Anyways hope you like it and hope you can join us over at BITW I love seeing all the gorgeous pages in the gallery it blows me away how many people play over there. Thank you for stopping by and hope you have a fabulous week:)

TIME TO SHINE

2011-11-05T07:29:00.000+10:00

The Color Room palette for this week is a beauty. I am inlove with the colours and decided to create a shabby chic-esque (is that a word)style digital page for this weeks release all about moi!

The digital base paper I created by photographing a piece of cardstock that I had gessoed and then collaged the border with lace, masking tape and cheesecloth in between each layer adding more gesso. Here it is before I played with it on PSE.

I love how it turned out so will be making more of these for sure maybe to add into kits, what do you think? I would love some feedback on this as some vintage train tickets I made sold in minutes over at Mad About Scrappin on their FB page, you can see one of them in use here both in a digital and traditional format.

Thank you for stopping by guys and would really appreciate your feedback on the handmade paper :) Have a fantastic weekend xox

HANDMADE HALO 'ME-TIME MOJOVATOR'

2011-11-01T06:53:00.003+10:00

Welcome everyone to the first Handmade Halo ' Mojovator' ! I am so thrilled to see you here! Our mojovator is a simple easy but fun one using a sketch I created. The challenge will finish midnight Wednesday November 30th AEST and the winners will be announced December 2nd on both the Halo Blog and FB page. We hope you can join in to be in the running to win a fantastic prize pack from Handmade Halo all details will be posted on the Halo blog...

The Mojovation for this month is...

1:Create a page or other project using this sketch template as your inspiration. You can turn it any which way so long as you stick close to the original design.

Here's my page of my bubba's first Spag Bol feast...I used the 'Antique Store' pp range from Pretty Little Studio and glass cabochon pebble.

2:Add a set of wings to your project. You might like to use a chipboard, embellishment, rub-on, mask or the word in your title, it is entirely up to you what you do so long as 'wings' in some form or another make an appearance.

3:Become a follower of Handmade Halo's blog.

4:Post your project to your blog and then use the inlinkz feature at Handmade Halo to share you project with us.

Optional: To have your project posted in the Halo FB gallery email your image to corinne@handmadehalo.com.au

If you would like to see what the other DT have created using the sketch you can check them out here:

Hope you can join in and can't wait to see your fabulous creations linked on the Halo blog, happy scrapping everyone!

SWEET SUMMER

2011-10-28T06:49:00.040+10:00

Its time for another palette reveal at TCR. This one is an early ring in for Christmas using a non traditional colour palette, it is also another one of TCR's beautiful palettes to be featured in the Scandinavian Magazine Inzpira Magazine which was published earlier this week.

Here is my digi design, unfortunately I dont have a traditional page to share with you this week but I will get onto that asap ;) I know the theme isn't Christmassy but it does evoke all those lovely feelings I have for Christmas like time spent with family, summery warm days, relaxing outside under a big tree with a tummy full of delish ham and seafood...mmmmm, I can't wait for Christmas this year tee hee.

Credits: Worn Page Edges by Lynn Grieveson, Ledger Brush by Katie Pertiet, Font: Splendid66. All other Elements and Masks by Emma Stafrace

Hope you have a fantastic, sunny and bright week-end, thanks for stopping by and can't wait to see what you guys sub in The Color Room Gallery! xox

MY WISH FOR YOU...

2011-10-24T21:17:00.001+10:00

The new challenge word at BITW to use on your page or other project is 'WISH'. You have one month to complete your project in order to be in the running to win a kit from Tidbitz In Time.

Can't wait to see your designs in the gallery here's mine which I hope gives you some inspiration of course I have done a page on the one thing that inspires me, my little man Tig-let and my 'WISH'for him is to keep on smiling...

I used The Crafters Workshop new mini Cubist template which is a perfect design to just add that little extra bit of interest without being too defined, love it, love it, love it and also used some of the PP's from Pretty Little Studio and their 'Antique Store' collection. You can get your hands on these little pretties at Handmade Halo!

Hope you have a wonderful week and can't wait to see what your wishes are! xox

WOT A PRANKSTER!

2011-10-22T19:31:00.001+10:00

Here's this weeks TCR reveal, such a groovy boy palette so had to do one of Dan a few years back on NYE, making prank calls...hmmm seems a few too many beers brought the prankster out in him and I don't know why but I want say "Wot a prankster" with a pommie accent, havent a clue why?????

Thanks for stopping by :)

ME & YOU...

2011-10-14T09:57:00.003+10:00

Its that time of the week again, time to reveal the new palette #80 and my DT project for TCR check out the details here.

Here's both the traditional and digi versions of the layout and the palette below which I reckon is a loud & bright one, so had lots of fun playing with it.

I am loving the 'Authentique' PP range so used it as my base for this project, added some of my own Digital elements and used another mini diagonal customised mask that I created which you can just see peeking out from under the photo in orange paint.

The strange thing that happened is BITW have a challenge set using 'YOU&ME' as the word/phrase inspiration which you can see here, but the really strange bit is that I had already created this lo for TCR weeks ago well before the You and Me challenge was set at 'Bird is the Word', dont you think that is freaky???? or maybe just some kind of symmetry going on between two of my fave scrappin' hang outs lol! Anyways just had to share that tee hee.

Have a wonderful weekend guys hope you get some serious scrappin' going on!

TOGETHER... we have it all!

2011-10-10T09:08:00.005+10:00

So so very excited to share with you my first DT design for Bird is the Word and this fortnights word reveal is 'TOGETHER'. Go check out all the particulars here. Its such a popular challenge site with often over 70 subs which amazes me, so I am itching to see what eye candy will be subbed this release!

Here is my page called 'Together...we have it all'.

I used an old October Afternoon PP, Basic Grey PP, Imaginarium Designs chippies, my all time fave Grafix Rub-Onz and of course lots of handmade fimo and glass cabachon embellies and finally a touch of lace (I don't usually go for lace, I hear some of you gasping, tee hee), but these purdy little lace flowers are simply gorgeous. Anyways you can get your hands on these goodies at Handmade Halo.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you like my first DT page for BITW :)

SCRAPPING LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!

2011-10-09T07:00:00.007+10:00

I have been busy trying to pass my time with Dan gone for an extra week this hitch, so inbetween Tige's sleeps I have grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and scrapped DT work like there is no tomorrow!

This week I did a couple of layouts for Handmade Halo using the gorgeouse Pretty Little Studio papers which you can pre-order through Halo. They are a fabbo vintage/retro inspired range of papers with heaps of cute little accessories and Corinne also makes some awesome embellishments that compliment the papers so go check PLS out, then drop Corinne a line and she will tee you up.

Anyways here are the couple of LO's I have done using the Vintage Shop and the April Showers Paper ranges and some of the fantastic new stencils from The Crafters Workshop, I have got a serious crush on these new designs and have yet to play with some of them!

Its also 2 days past TCR reveal and again I am late in sharing my DT page. So better rectify that and pop it in this post.

I know its another LO using the same photo agggggaaain, but I love this image of my mum and my aunty they were both such cute little girls and its also because I am trying to get more in touch with the vintagey girl within me and this photo inspires that. Not so sure I managed to capture what it is I am going for but I just love this photo.

I also used this page for Halo because the handmade flower is one I created from sheets of Microfiche film similar to the one below,

Corinne added to my DT pack to see what I could come up with. So I decided I'd make a Transparent flower, by inking the film with alcohol inks then melting the edges with the heatgun. Very cute flower me thinks...

Okay going to scoot now time for Tig-lets breaky could do with some toast and a cuppa myself. Hope you have a beautiful relaxing Sunday and a fun week ahead.

Thanks for stopping by xox

LOOKING BACK...

2011-09-30T15:00:00.002+10:00

Its been months since mum was here last in fact just before Tig-let was born, and with her came a box of our old family photos. In this little treasure trove were heaps of photo's of my grandma in the late 30's early 40's. I love looking at these little gems of days gone by especially the ones at the beach.

This weeks palette reveal at The Color Room is a gorgeous one that reminds me of Summer and the promise of lots of sandy, sunny fun. So I decided a picture of my Grandma with her friend at the beach was a perfect pairing with palette #78, hope you think so too...

A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME!

2011-09-27T10:44:00.001+10:00

Woohoo, I am so happy to be sharing with you all my exciting news!

I have joined the design team at

'BIRD IS THE WORD'

Thank you so much Wendy for offering me a spot with your team I can't wait to get started. They are all such a lovely bunch of ladies and hugely friendly group of followers with lots of international flavour too. Can't wait to get to know everyone and discover loads of wonderfully inspiring talent out there, so had better scoot to do a little blog lurking and snooping now I think lol!

Oh and there's no time like the present to start plugging BITW (giggling) so if your up for a challenge the word prompt this week is 'YOU & ME' with a gorgeous sketch created by Mary Thomas.
Have a gr8t day! xox

ITS SWELL!

2011-09-20T19:35:00.007+10:00

Phew I finally did a catch up on my hybrid versions of past TCR layouts. Here's 'Sweet Serenity'from palette #75 and 'Be True'below that from palette #71.

To create the diagonal stripes on this layout I hand cut a screen from stencil sheeting, its a very affordable way to customise your designs and lots of quick and easy fun. All you do is draw up your design using a sharpie, mark the areas you want to cut out with a 'C'for CUT this helps keep you on track and then carefully cut out your design using a scalpel or stanley knife.

Oh and almost forgot to share some piccies from the weekend. We went on a little family outing down to Currumbin to introduce Tige to the wonders of sculpture and art. The Swell Sculpture Festival is an annual event up here and is well worth a look if you ever in town during this time. Here were some of our faves and a couple of piccies of Tige to throw in the mix!

Little Tig-let holding the bottle on his own!

Tig-let trying to suck his thumb and drink at the same time.

a little hot and bothered...

having some fun with daddy!

and a cool entry/vestibule into a block of units tucked away in one of the streets we were walking around. I had to stop and take a piccie I felt like I was transported elsewhere to some far away exotic land!

Now back to dreaming of travel, oh to just jump on a plane! ;)

HAPPINESS IS...

2011-09-16T16:08:00.008+10:00

Everyday I pinch myself just to make sure I'm not dreaming, is this truely my life...am I really a mother? OMG what an amazing thing it is to be so so happy.

I love motherhood, all the quizzillion mummy's out there would say they love the awesomeness of those little cuddles and kisses, and for some of us we will even go as far as saying we love being puked on, because every little up chuck is a reminder that I have a gorgeous little boy, a little fella who is my forever expanding universe!

This was something my mum said to me a few years ago about what I meant to her and now I completely understand the sentiment and meaning behind those 4 words 'my forever expanding universe' Tige is everything I hope to be, if that at all makes sense.

So in light of my little blurb above my hybrid and digi DT pages for this weeks palette #76 reveal from The Color Room are yep you guessed it..all about 'my forever expanding universe' Master Tige. I also thought I'd mention the fantastic Tim Holtz Make your own masks that I used to create the 'Chevron' pattern on the hybrid page, you can grab some of this awesomeness at Scraptherapy. The misted circles are created using the customised misting screen I made using my Cricut machine.

Okay better finish off the hybrid LO from last weeks palette eeek, always doing a catch up! Have a fabulous weekend everyone, waving at you excitedly!xox

SWEET SERENITY

2011-09-09T20:35:00.003+10:00

Hi Everyone, just wanted to share with you that The Color Room is celebrating its 75th palette this week and we have a very special offer for you to mark the occasion. Recently Lydell Quin and I joined forces and collaborated on creating a digital kit called 'Sweet Serenity' for you to purchase. The DT at TCR were given the kit and all created incredibly beautiful hybrid and digital pages, so we thought why not make it available to all the TCR members

Here's a little preview of whats in the kit, not everything is displayed but its chocka block full of prettiness.

and here is Palette #75 that inspired the kit...

and here is my page created using the 'Sweet Serenity' Digi Kit.

So if you are interested in purchasing the kit for a teeny tiny donation of $6 pop over here and click on the donate button located on the left side bar of the TCR home page, you may have to sign up first to be eligible!

Also if you are already a TCR member you can grab yourself a free .jpeg or .png printable sheet of selected embellishments all saved at 300dpi for premium printing quality so you can get started on those gorgeous hybrid pages straight away...tee hee

We really hope you enjoy 'Sweet Serenity' and if you do make a page or other project using the kit please let me know we would love to have a look at your creations :)

Hope you have a wonderful and creative weekend...mwah

DARE 2 DREAM

2011-09-04T13:43:00.010+10:00

I realise now more so than ever before that having a child not only means a lot of joy and happiness but it also presents itself with the importance of thinking about what kind of advice you would pass on to your children.

Amongst so many possiblilites the one thing I truly want for Tig-let is that he never lay idle...that he experience life to its fullest, I know thats a cliche but I still stand by it as one of my top 5 pearls of wisdom. Dare to dream, be true to yourself, dont procrastinate & simply make your aspirations come true.

This layout is about just that it is also about wanting Tige to see the world to experience people and their countries and make some amazing memories to cherish something I wish I had done! ahhh I hear you say but it is never too late, and yep so true my time will come when I am a Super Annuate, ba ha ha! The colour inspo came from TCR and this weeks palette #74.

I used a bit of Basic Grey and the little clocks are glass pebbles created by Handmade Halo, go check the store out. Thought I might add that the clouds are inked using a handcut stencil I created sometime ago.

I also thought I might sub it for this weeks word challenge 'Memory' (which I used in the journalling and as extra accents on the page) at Bird is a Word Challenge site, go check them out they are currently looking for new DT members and sketch artist which I'd love to apply for, one of my pet loves is designing sketches but I just dont have enough time with my other DT commitments..

Okay better go, little Tig-let is whinging and crying poor poppet needs a sleep. Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a great Sunday and a wonderful week!

READY FOR THE PICKING!

2011-08-30T09:25:00.002+10:00

Goooood morning all! I thought I had better load up this weeks palette release and my DT layout. So here you are hope you like my tips and pointers...insert giggle here!

Thanks For stopping by xox

HE'S MY SONSHINE...

2011-08-20T21:38:00.002+10:00

Its nearly Sunday and again I am late with the new palette release from TCR...here's my design inspired by palette #72 and this week I have included a sketch template for those of you who like to collect them. Hope you have a fun with it and would love to see your designs using it!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a fantastic sunday!

L.O.V.E

2011-08-19T10:11:00.006+10:00

I am on a roll this week! I have created a few layouts some yet to be revealed but I am feeling like Mr Mojo is hanging around. I reckon though its mostly due to some awesome challenge sites I have stumbled across. This new layout was inspired by a site called Bird is the Word its a challenge site that sets words as your inspo. Its funny I hadn't heard of this site before and when I came across it through a new bloggy/scrappy friend Rachael Funnell I had to have a play. I always sing "bird, bird, bird... Bird is the word!" to Tige so kinda felt an affinity with this challenge site...tee hee!

Anyhoo here is the layout, its one of those photo's you snap when no-one is around to take it for you. The type that you point and shoot and hope you haven't cut off too much! I think it worked out just fine! To create the dry embossed stars I cut my own misting template using the cricut then I placed the cardstock over the top of the template then using a paper creaser or burnisher whichever you have handy, and then I rubbed over the top of the cardstock to create the embossed indentation of the star. This adds another fun dimensional layer to your page and works equally as well with The Crafters Workshop Templates.

I also used some handmade Fimo buntings made by the gorgeous Corinne Harrison of Hand Made Halo, go check them out. Lastly I also scored some seriously purdy antique maps from my friend Kyla, cheering for that little gift of love...thanks Kyla,mwah!

Hope you have a spectacular weekend guys! xox

CUDDLES...

2011-08-18T08:35:00.003+10:00

Here's my entry for this months challenge at Scrap the Boys just loved the inspo so gave it a go!

I used the last of my stash of Imaginarium Designs cogs and gears set anxiety has set in so am going to have to make a wee purchase for some more and here was the inspo piccie just incase you want to give this months challenge a go!

Also thought I'd share that I am published in the current August Issue of SNR Magazine.

If you have a subscription check out the Strut your Stuff-Digital Section I think there are 6 layouts in this issue :)

Have a great day everyone, and thanks for stopping by xox

I MAY NOT BE GLAMOROUS BUT...

2011-08-15T23:08:00.003+10:00

I am always honest and true...oops just a tad late in loading up my DT digi for The Color Room, here is palette #71 and my layout for this week hope you guys like it. I used a cute little airplane element that I photographed to create a digi embellishment from but you can get the real macoy from my friend Cozzie's online store called Hand Made Halo in a bronze colour only :)

I had a lovely weekend catching up with friends, I saw Tan and met her new bubba boy Jed who is just way too cute for words, so teeny tiny compared to Tige but for how long I wonder...I am guessing this kid is going to grow up quickly and tower over Tige but for now Tige looks massive compared... here is a pic of the 2 boys exactly 6 months apart!

Here's one of the two of them testing out their vocal cords, I wonder who has the biggest set of lungs?

and here is my precious little grumble BUMble bee, feeling very sorry for himself because he is teething at the mo! OUCH!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week! xox

SUCH A CUTIE!

2011-07-29T17:17:00.007+10:00

Hi everyone,
Its that time of the week again...the Friday palette and sketch reveal at The Color Room, and I am so excited by this weeks colours they are right up my alley. The Sketch is actually my very own but re-drawn in Lydell's style so I'm twice as excited to see my sketch on a Color Room palette, woot woot!

Anyhoo, here is the Digi page for palette #69 reveal. All elements are my own except for the curled string which I credit the fabulous Lydell Quin for! :)

Here is the ridgy-didge/hybrid version which I am absolutely chuffed by how it worked out.

I spent most of the week procrastinating on how I was going to replicate the diamond repeat pattern on the background paper of the digi version and decided that since I didnt have a diamond pre-cut stencil at hand I would make my own using some plastic sheeting and a steady hand...gosh I was transported back to my Art School days as a screenprinter anyhoo here's the stencil that I used along with Tim Holtz Barn Door Distress Ink...both are my new favorite scrap booking tools of the moment! tee hee

...and here is the palette for this week if your in need of some seriously awesome inspo then pop into TCR and say hello!

Okay well got a pot of Chicken soup on the stove in preparation for a scrap & chat night I'm hosting tomorrow night so had better taste test that and ice the cupcakes I baked as a little treat for the girls...can't wait bring on tomorrow woot woot!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend and thank you for stopping by! xox

MY AUNTY...

2011-07-22T12:42:00.003+10:00

Well howdy everyone! I am so so feeling much better after a good nights sleep, after a stress filled month I have finally slept without waking up except to feed master Tige...Don't you just hate it when your brain goes into over drive just as your head is on the pillow? It's sods law, without a doubt that is when I start thinking about stresses or concerns I might have and then sleep eludes me. However last night I plonked into bed at 10pm (so early for me) and the sleep fairy sprinkled some of her shut eye dust on me and that was that I got myself some restful zzzzz's.

Okay so now that I have bored you with my insomnia problems tee hee I thought I would share with you my latest layout created using palette #68 for The Color Room that was released this morning.

This page is of my aunty and I. The photo was taken when I was about a week old, mid August 1970. I have always shared a closeness with my Aunty Lol(short for Laurel) she is just one of the most beautiful and kind people I have ever had the fortune to know and love her so much.

Here's the digi version and the palette below it...

Okay well better head off to battle the shopping trolley at Woolies, if you need some inspo head over to The Color Room everyone is so friendly and supportive there you are bound to have some fun.

Thanks for stopping by xox

A TOUCH OF ANZAC PRIDE!

2011-07-20T11:37:00.003+10:00

I'm not sure what it is..but for some reason I have been thinking heaps about my grandpa these past couple of weeks. It could be that we have recently re-connected with his side of the family both here in Australia and in the U.K which has been such a wonderful experience, but I do know that I miss him so very much and wish that my son could have met him. I know grandpa would have been a very proud great granddaddy and Tige would have found a kindred spirit in him both are so very cheeky.

This weeks palette #67 at the Color Room is a beauty the khaki inspired colours reminded me of Grandpa's service in the military as a Rat of Tobruk, so I thought I'd do an Anzac inspired page in dedication to him and his fellow soldiers.

Here's the digital design but I didn't get a chance this week to do the traditional layout, so sorry Leanne from Mad About Scrapping
I so know how much I dissappointed you with last weeks reveal I'm sorry to say I did it again...LOL...but stay tuned hunnie I promise to get it done eventually!

Credits: Allison Pennington- Sunday Girl Woodgrain Paper

& the rest is all mine :)

Here's the Palette so if your up for a colour and sketch challenge go here this palette is running until thursday night.

Thanks again for stopping by and have a fabulous rest of the week! xox

OUR LITTLE ADVENTURER

2011-07-10T16:49:00.005+10:00

Faaar out I am sure my weekly posts start the same way every week with 'where do the days go?', but it really does shock me that time flies so quickly. Tige is now 5 months old and growing so quickly I just want the clock to slow down. I spend once a day taking at least 300 photos of him and can't delete any of them. This in itself is becoming a problem because I haven't got the storage so have to get yet another external harddrive just for photos of Tige and load that one up too tee hee.
Here is my little chappy looking so very cute...

The one below is not the best technically speaking but it makes my heart sing!

So its now Sunday and after a funfilled weekend hanging out with the girls eating chocolate (thanks Heather your a bad influence tee hee) and cooking up a storm I completely forgot to load up this weeks palette and DT layout for The Color Room...oops I'm bad, anyways fabbo palette and an awesome sketch this week so pop into TCR for a look. Here's the palette and below that my digital LO using all my own digital elements.

Okay better scoot...have a great week everyone and thankyou so much for stopping by!xox

GRANDPA'S l'il SIDEKICK

2011-07-04T15:02:00.005+10:00

Wow what a weekend...I love it when its busy busy. Tige and I are keen for a quiet next couple of days after being in what felt like central station this weekend. Its been a stressful time these past couple of weeks with Tige needing surgery, I haven't really been feeling on top of the world but fortunately I have some lovely friends that kept me busy over the weekend and between those visits and phone calls, (thanks Sammy and Lucy I love you girls) I havent had a chance to do much scrapping. I did managed to get some done this morning though whilst the little fella slept. These days he is wanting much more play time with mummy so I steal fleeting moments when I can to do the usual stuff and some of the more preferred time wasting stuff like scrapping.

In time for last Fridays release of Palette #65 I completed the digi version using ~~all~~ mostly my own digitally designed elements(bar the horse which is a tag from Kikki K, naughty) which I am having so much fun creating and learning how to render,

and finally this morning I managed to create the Hybrid version which you can see below,

so if your looking for a fresh challenge scoot over to The Color Room this palette will still be up until this coming Friday!

Thanks for stopping by I hope you have a fabbo week!xox

WHY SO SERIOUS?

2011-06-17T17:17:00.005+10:00

Yep yet another week has passed and now we are up to Palette #63...I am having so much fun lately creating digital elements and papers so you'll be seeing a lot more of my digital layouts and this week is no exception.
I love the palettes from The Color Room, number 63 is one of my faves...so much so I think I will design a kit using the palette above as inspo...
anyways here is the digital and traditional pages and a sketch template incase your in need of some mojo.

Thanks for stopping by :)

MY 2 PEAS!

2011-06-11T10:39:00.005+10:00

Well we have finally settled in to our new place and am loving the extra space, I now have a fully fledged scraproom again and so much more room I don;t know what to do with tee hee.

Anyways the boxes are unpacked and little Tiges room is coming together nicely. I have completely changed his theme to green and yellow sounds a little patriotic I know, but its bright and happy just like he is so is the perfect space for a little boy to grow with.

I have also been scrapping again after 3 weeks of very little creativity taking place I am back into the swing of things and loving the mojo, bring it on!

This weekend is the Scrapbook and Paper Craft Expo, gosh I wish I could go :( but with the monster pram I think I'll be pinging a few shoppers off so have decided to refrain from the spending splurge, but if any of you lovely ladies make it there please pop a vote for me in the 'Express Yourself' competition/digital scrapping section, I'm desperate for a new printer, lol!

Okay so its another week full of colour at The Color Room, with yesterdays launch of the white washed palette #62 from the sun room. Here's my take using a misting screen I created with my cricut and the palette itself.

Have a great weekend and happy shopping lucky peeps!

ON THE MOVE!

2011-05-24T08:09:00.004+10:00

I have been crazy busy packing up the house and cleaning it, but thought I'd quickly pop on here and add a little post before I go off line for a few days until we can be re-connected in the new abode. I have been wanting to get my digi kits up and running for weeks but with Tige and the house move everything has gone on the back burner. I have been crazily creating and learning new paths on PS and hopefully with in the month I can share some more kits with you.

Here is a digi I created of my friend Heather using some of the elements and papers I have designed for the 'On the Move' kit...I only wish I had some sneak peeks/Quick Grabs done for the other 4 kits I have created, big bummer but I promise I will get sorted soon!

Anyways here is the LO for you to get an idea...the kit includes a Polaroid Frame, Baroque Frame, Textured papers and a selection of elements most of which I haven't used in this page but you get the idea...

I haven't done much scrapping this week and am having withdrawals but here is another past Color Room palette knocked off the list #28 and both the traditional & digital versions to compare. I have also decided to include a sketch template for those of you needing a boost in the mojo department.

So tomorrow is the big day, the day we close the doors to our old life and begin a new one. Although I am all excited about this move I'm already feeling a sadness come over me...we have lived here for almost 6 years, its were we shared good times with our two gorgeous doggies Kales and Osky before they passed.

Its also where we have created some wonderful memories, but its time to move on, time for a bigger house and time to start afresh.

Well better get motivated and pack the scrap room up and start getting organised for tomorrows big move. Catch you all in a few days! xox

BECAUSE OF YOU DADDY

2011-05-15T08:20:00.007+10:00

This month one of The Color Room sponsors are Imaginarium Designs a fabulous & relatively new company that designs chipboard accents. The DT's were all sent a bag full of goodies to play with and use on our pages.

This week I created a soft masculine page of my two boys called 'Because of you Daddy',

using the Imaginarium cog and gears chippies as elements(which come in 2 different size packs)and Palette#58 which comes from the sunroom, you can read about it here.

I also have been doing a bit of a catch up with the palettes, this is one I did a couple of weeks ago but forgot to post here.
Its called 'The tinniest thing...' and the colour palette#17 which I used for inspiration.

Hope you have a lovely lazy Sunday! xox

SCRAPBOOKING MEMORIES 'EXPRESS YOURSELF'

2011-05-14T07:01:00.004+10:00

A couple of weeks ago whilst trying to find the current submission themes for Scrapbooking Memories, I stumbled across the 'Express Yourself' competition. I decided what have I got to lose so entered both the digital and traditional versions of my 'I Heart Woodgrain'layout into the competition.

Wednesday morning I received an email to say that my submission had been selected for the top 10 entries in the digital section...WOW!

My layout will be on display along with the other 9 digi finalists at the Brisbane Scrapbook & Papercraft Expo over the June long weekend. Show attendes will then vote for their favourite design!

So here is my digital layout (you have seen it before), I thought I'd display it again so you can take a mental piccie tee hee!

Credits:

Basic Grey-Alyssa Woodgrain Texture Overlay

Puglypixels-Round Doiley Element

Other elements including, Pretty in Pink Grunge paper, ornate gilt frame, magnetic word art, sewing pin, misted circles, wooden button & woograin flair button are all created by me.

Here's the traditional/hybrid version using the gorgeous Sassafras-Starters range of patterned papers.

Thanks for stopping by!

CREATING A MISTING SCREEN USING YOUR CRICUT

2011-05-11T15:11:00.008+10:00

I know I said I'd update the last post by showing you the layout I created using the Color room Palette #35 and the self portrait I did yesterday... but last night, I had a brain wave and came up with an idea using the fabbo Cricut Machine.
Here's the layout first and then the tut on how to create your own misting mask.

and The Color Room Palette#35

The idea grew out of the need for a unique misting mask to use in the layout I had in mind. I wanted a very stylised repeat leaf pattern but didn't have anything that would suit in my misting screen/mask stash so thought quite literally 'A-HA', what could I create using my cricut?

The 'Accent Essentials' Cartridge had the perfect leaf, I had some thick acetate so I got cracking. Sadly I did not think to take piccies of that but did so when I went crazy cutting several customised screens later, tee hee.
Here's what I did...

CREATING A MISTING SCREEN USING YOUR CRICUT

Step 1:
Load your acetate into the Cricut and set the page size. This is done by navigating the blade to the top right hand corner using the arrow buttons. Once you have set it the blade will automatically return to the top left hand corner.
NB:This step only applies if you are using a piece of paper or acetate smaller than a 12X12.

Step 2:
Select portrait or landscape depending on your paper placement on the cutting mat. Then select the shape/accent you want to use and enter the size you want by toggling the size wheel.

Step 3:
Press Autofill, this will calculate how many accents it can cut within the confines of the paper size. At this point the machine will automatically begin to cut. When cutting has finished remove the acetate from the cutting mat.

Step 4:

Carefully remove the accents making sure not to tear the acetate then keep the accents to use in other projects (Idea:You can ink them using Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks, paint them or leave them clear)

Step 5:

Mist away using your very own customised screen!

NB:You could also use a thicker stencil acetate (which you can buy at your local art/craft stockist or Spotlight if you have one in your area) which is an opaque sheet and comes in different sizes. In order to use this you will have to house a deeper cut blade into your cricut for it to work.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and thank you for stopping by xox

{SPC#1}-SELF PORTRAIT IN A TREE!

2011-05-10T14:16:00.004+10:00

I know strange title for a post but this is a fun one I just had to share with you guys! Go check out this new blog called 'Self Portrait Challenge'... SPC for short (no its not a can of baked beans) its actually a great Photography Challenge site that is all about 'YOU'...yep its time to take some piccies of yourself rather than everyone else and ones that are set within the confines of a theme that will be revealed each month.

This months theme is 'TREE' so of course I had to take a piccie of me hiding behind the tree in our back yard. I know its a bit 'Where's Wally' but I had to get amongst it...tee hee

Anyways there you have it SPC #1, the first challenge done and now to scrap book it using Palette #35 from The Color Room,

so stay tuned for an edit on this post.

TFStopping by!

THE ONLY THING...

2011-05-06T13:25:00.003+10:00

Here's my DT layout both Traditional and the digi(using some of my own digi elements) and the inspiration behind them Palette#57 which was launched today at the Color Room, you can check all the details out here.

I missed last weeks palette so have a catch up to do, but here is the weeks before page about my all time fave book 'Memoires of a Geisha' and the colour inspiration Palette#55.

here's the digi version (this too incorporates my own digital elements)...

TFL xox

I HEART WOODGRAIN!

2011-04-16T10:20:00.007+10:00

Yep another week and another LO and a palette (#54) that I am certain will inspire you, the colours are gorgeous this week. I am so stuck on citrus combo's and as you all know equally stuck on woodgrain! Some of you will think this is hilarious as this weeks layout is dedicated to my absolute infactuation with everything woodgrain!

Here's the glue and paper version albeit some hybrid elements using my current digi designs from my not yet launched 'LOVE ME' digi kit! I also used yet again the tried true and tested awesomeness of Grafix Rub-Onz to create the journalling and word art. Can I also say a little blurb too on the gorgeous new range of Sassafras papers called 'Starters'...OMG I am sooo inlove with this range its just so dreamy. Its full of fun, soft and vintage yet graphic layers that screams out to me actually sings out to me would be more the right description and well, has to be my fave PP range at the mo!

...and my digi version

I have plenty of ATC's to share too but haven't had a chance to photograph them so will post them some time over the weekend...TFL and have a gr8t day! xox

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME....

2011-04-10T14:05:00.004+10:00

Yet another week has flown by and I am scratching my head wondering where did it go? I know I was a busy mummy but gosh at the blink of an eye time is passing me by and before I know it I'll have a little boy running around like a crazy person.

Tige is 9 weeks on Monday and on Friday he had his 2 month immunisations, poor little poppet. He was none too pleased when he got the jabs especially as he was sound asleep after a nice belly full of milk. Anyways it has to be done and its done until his next round of shots... still it broke my heart to hear that scream, all I can say is thank the lord there weren't tears that would break my heart...hmmm thats got me wondering when will my bubba make tears?

Anyways with a new week comes a new palette at 'The Color Room' and this week's #53 is a gorgeous color story from the His room collection. Here's my take on the palette and below it the palette itself.

A big thanks for stopping by I hope I get time to pop into everyones blog this week, its been frantic for a while now and I feel like I have a big blog world catch up to do!

Mwah

COLOR ROOM PALETTE #52 IS HERE!

2011-04-04T09:30:00.003+10:00

Morning all,
Master Tige is having a snooze right now so thought I'd upload my latest LO for this weeks palette at the Color Room who is celebrating its 1st Birthday this week. If your in need of a challenge and inspiration go HERE to check out the palette and for some eye candy in go to the GALLERY, its never short of inspiring designs and techniques.

This week I decided to do a digi LO of my mum and aunty when they were little girls. I used the JW-Digi Scraps 'Mayflower' Kit for the flowers, ribbon and string frame, the rest of the elements are mine including the ornate patina frame which you can have for free just right click on its image below and save as a .png .

Its also been a busy weekend with little Tige changing so much I have had to keep the camera pointed at him constantly. He is now smiling much more and talks under wet cement, quite the chitty chatty my boy is, here are a couple pics of him looking sooo cute I melt everytime I see him, tee hee

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoy the free digi frame and if you do use it let me know would love to see your work!

JUST A TOUCH OF RETAIL THERAPY!

2011-03-31T14:53:00.000+10:00

Well its been 5 nearly 6 years since we moved into our current place and although I will be sad to say goodbye I am so excited to be moving into our new home at the end of May...bring on the modern luxuries of dishwashers and dryers and extra space, we just wont know ourselves.

We just took delivery on our new modular lounge suite from Freedom which we have been cooing over all day today...here it is!

So as you can imagine with the new couch comes the desire to completely overhaul everything I own and discard the old and hello baby in comes the new tee hee...

Anyways I have been flirting with the Vintage Industrial trend of decorating for some time now, and found some exceptional examples of this style on Ebay yesterday and in my excitement I had to share them with you, although I wont purchase these exact items(because they are in Melbourne)they are definitely the vibe I want to create in my house once we have moved in.

Trestle Table with industrial stenciling.

1950's Tripod Fan, scrummy!

gotta have the good old red high gloss school lockers for storage gee they make my heart race...

I am also gooing and gaaing for a rustic wooden dining table mixed with some modern Verner Panton stacking side chairs like these two little beauties, they so would make the perfect pair!

Okay well thats it for me today, little Birdie is getting grizzly now so had better scoot, thanks for stopping by!

COLOR ROOM PALETTE #51

2011-03-26T22:19:00.003+10:00

Yet another fun palette and sketch to get your mojo flowing...come check it out HERE!

Hope your having a fabbo weekend! xox

ITS ALL ABOUT KEEPING CALM...

2011-03-23T12:24:00.002+10:00

Here's a little site I stumbled upon and just had to share with you guys. If your anything like me and absolutely love those 'Keep Calm' posters here's a site that allows you to create your very own little beauty check it out HERE...

Now if you guys know me you'll know how much I love Tim Tam's so in my little chocolate driven world there isn't a better subject to posterize (yummmm) unless I can come up with something about woodgrain!

Thanks for stopping by!

A BLOG HOP TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY!

2011-03-18T08:32:00.007+10:00

Well hello everyone, welcome to the Birthday Blog Hop celebrating a year of fabulous colorful inspiration at The Color Room. Here's Palette #50...

If you have landed here you have probably come from the blog of the gorgeous and incredibly talented Emeline Seet, if so you are on the right track to be eligible for the fabulous 50th Palette prize which will be revealed later on! So remember to leave some love here in the comments below answering a question I have posted at the end of this entry before heading over to the blog of the amazing and talented Emma Trout where you'll leave her some love too.

I am so excited to be joining the Design Team at The Color Room,its such an exciting experience to be working alongside the very talented and skilled scrap bookers of the forum and to rub shoulders with so many amazingly talented artists from around the world.

For those of you who are new to my blog here's a little 'Up Close and Personal' snippet about me, I hope you like what you read and maybe (hopefully) come back for more visits :)
1: I am from the sunny Gold Coast, Australia and am currently designing for The Color Room.
2: I live with my wonderful husband and beautiful baby boy, Tige. We did have a gorgeous furry four legged friend 'Osky' the Kelpie X but sadly he is our angel puppy now as he passed on Christmas Eve aged 15...gosh I miss him terribly.
3: On my desk right now you will find a freshly brewed cup of coffee a couple of Tim Tams (okay the whole empty packet & a few crumbs), my spray adhesive and a messy pile of everything scrappy!!
4: My favorite colours to work with at the moment are quite seriously whatever Lydell decides for the week but before my Color Room addiction I loved using Yellow, Orange and grey actually anything citrus would get the mojo flowing!
5: My favorite themes would have to be recording the day to day stuff...the things, events and thoughts that could easily slip by without even a consideration, the true grit of my day like if I stubbed a toe or bidding for a must have on Ebay, ans of course Master Tige features frequently now!

6: Here's where I scrap...its definitely a cosy little nook & a much smaller space than what I am used to but with bubs arrival he needed a nursery more than I need an entire room to make a mess in...7: My scrapping process starts with me designing a quick sketch template or digital design before committing to paper, scissors & glue. It cuts down the fussing about time which I don't have a lot of now that I have a new born.
8: My all time favorite bite to eat is Chicken Green Curry with coconut rice, oooh I could go some of that right now... Take out here I come!
9: My top 3 tools are my Honey Bee scissors, circle cutter and pop dots, I couldn't create with out them in my kit, they are most definitely my right hand men-tools!
10: I get inspiration from Graphic design and its principles, visual art and my scrap booking friends.
11: Below is my layout or this weeks Palette... I have included a quick tutorial for you to have a go at if you like the flowers I made on my submission page.

In this layout I used some of my own digital designs, both the vintage slide mount and stylised measuring tape flowers

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make the flowers on Photoshop Elements and as a little gift to you here is the .png image of the Tape Measure Flower so you can have a go at making one yourself. Just right click on the image and select 'Save As'.

Open up the .png image of the measuring tape flower and adjust the colour to your desired tonal variation. This is done by pre-selecting the enhanced option and then highlighting the colour variations tab and then tweaking the midtones, shadows, highlights and saturation until you have the exact colour your looking for.

Once you have done that save your image as a high res .jpg file and load it into a blank word document. This enables you to copy and paste the image several times and render its size to your specifications. NB: You will need 3Xcopies of each flower to make 1 single flower.

As you can see here, I have copied the flowers several times and changed the tonal qualities to vary the colours. Then printed them at the highest dpi that your printer allows so you have a clean & crisp image.
Then you cut each flower out, using a pop dot layer 2 of them over the top of each other and curlt eh ends of the petals on the top layer, finally with the third flower cut the center circle out and pop dot that on top again to create the face of the flower. I used some dimensional magic on the circle to create some more texture and definition.

Hope you enjoyed visiting my blog please feel free to try this technique on your challenge this week. Come and join the Color Room and participate HERE.

Don't forget to leave a comment answering the question below to be in the running for this weeks special prize.
What is one of my favorite colors?

Thank you so much for stopping by, next you are heading to Emma's Blog HERE, can't wait to see what she has done with the palette!
Thanks so much for participating and pop in to say hello over at the Color Room.

Em xox

THIS IS GOING TO BE

2011-03-14T05:41:00.012+10:00

SO MUCH FUN!

Here are palettes #48 and #49:

TFL :)

SCRAPPIN HAPPY!

2011-02-26T21:01:00.004+10:00

Me again, and I am feeling on top of the world!!! Can I just say I am absolutely lovin' being a mumma! Tige is an absolute dream bubba, oh yeah sure we have some sleepless nights and he's a milk fiend but for the most part the little Tige-let is just dreamy! I was asked today online by an old school friend if life had changed heaps already and could I remember what my life was like before the little man arrived...it was an interesting question because I realised that although it has only been 3 weeks it seems a lifetime ago that I only had myself and Dan to think about.

I guess the biggest change has been that for the past 40 years I have only had to consider me(a fairly selfish existence I am sure) but now I can finely understand how truely amazing an experience it is to be a mother to have a little person so reliant on you and that indescribable love you feel... its all so consumming. So YES!!! My life has massively changed and no I can not relate to the old me anymore I'm loving the new me much more the multi tasker, the milk maid the new mummy!

The only thing that remains from my former life is my scrapbooking and I have some exciting news that I'll be able to share very soon with you all, but have to hold off just for another week so stay tuned for that newsflash. I also have some ATC's and layouts to share with you that I have managed to get done just prior to Tige's birth and during these past 3 weeks, so here goes...

Here's 2 layouts I have done over at 'The Color Room'

Here's the first layout I've created of Master Tige called 'Celebrating Our Boy' and below is Palette#46 that I drew inspiration from.

this one is called 'I'm so Happy', using Palette#47 for inspiration.

I also managed to get some ATC's completed before Tige was born, they are all for the 'Fullsleeve Swap' This one was for the thme Architectural Detail. I paid homage to one of my fave mid century architects of all time the fantastic Mr Harry Seidler and did an ATC of the house he built for his parents 'The Rose Seidler House'. I opens up to expose the house and a pop up of an iconic chair of the time 'The Butterfly Chair' which is pool side.

this one is also for Fullsleeve and is for the theme 'Sign's' so I thought I'd try to re-create the old bus signs but create one of the beaches along the SE Qld coastline.

Okay well thanks for stopping by, keep smiling a wide one! xoxo

MASTER TIGE HAS ARRIVED!

2011-02-20T10:38:00.001+10:00

Hello everyone! I am so excited to finally tell those of you who dont already know that our little baby arrived on the 7th February 2011. We got ourselves a gorgeous little baby boy called Tige Daniel. He arrived by C Section at 3:44pm in a golden shower...hmmm yeees you read it right Master Tige in true boy form peed everywhere on his way into the big wide world, twas a glorious sunny shower that provided many laughs for the theatre staff.

He weighed 8pd 1.5oz and has managed to pop on a further 470grams this past week so we are very pleased to say the breast feeding is obviously working.

Tige is such a cute placid little man, only getting grizzly when he is wet or poo'd his nappy and of course when he is hungry, though thankfully he is soon off to sleep after a belly full of grub. We had a bit of a restless week last week but I think thats because he had a massive growth spurt plus we were settling into home life which BTW is just fantastic to be home even though my loungeroom looks like a Baby Co showroom floor...guess thats my lot for the next few years until it transforms and morphs into a Toys R Us showroom then a teenage bunker!!!

We have nick named him 'Little Birdie'... this is namely because he chirps and tweets like a little magpie but also because he has a rather unbecoming habit of flipping the bird!!! He sometimes sucks his middle and ring fingers, but on occassion the middle finger slips out and slides up his cheek gesturing the forementioned signal or slots snugly into his nostril, just way too funny, well atleast to us, but I must nip that one in the bud otherwise there could be some awkward moments at Woolworths or visiting the doctor if I don't instill some polite behaviours!

Here's our Buddha Baby rubbing his belly for good luck!

We are so happy and excited to be able to say we are now the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy its been a long time in the making and finally Dan and my dream has come true...thanks so very much little Tige for choosing us we promise to be the best parents we can possibly be.

Thanks for stopping by. xoxox

A TOUCH OF SCRAPPING WHILE I CAN...

2011-01-21T08:43:00.003+10:00

As my due date draws nearer I have this insatiable desire to scrapbook. Thankfully my sis-inlaw the gorgeous Linda sent me some piccies of our niece Miss Anela, so now I have some fresh material to play with.

Below is the paper and glue(traditional)version of a digital page I created a couple of days ago and below that is the digi version both following the TCR(The Color Room)#41 colour palette. I love tinkering on photoshop first before committing a pair of scissors to pricey papers, its also a great way to nut out your design first and resolve your overall image.
So here's the traditional layout...

the digital version,

& The Color Room Palette #41 as inspiration.

I have also embarked on the catch up road of trying to complete past palettes so here is the first of some 30 odd layouts that need working on...eeeeek!

This LO is of my gorgeous sis-inlaws...

and the TCR#37 Palette that inspired it.

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello, time to scoot off and ice the Banana Cake that is beckoning to be eaten....yummmm!

Have a great day! xox

WRITERS BLOCK KIT CALL OUT

2011-01-18T07:12:00.001+10:00

Hello Everyone!
I have some news to share with you all...I have been busily and excitedly designing some digtal scrapbooking kits which is a new venture for me one I am hoping will eventually lend itself to earning a little income from home especially now that bubba is soon to arrive I know I wont want to be heading back to a conventional job every day :)...
but because I am new to all this I have a favour to ask so if you could read below and perhaps forward this info to friends you know who are keen digital scrapbookers I would be so so grateful.

Before I go on with the big blurb here is a little tempter preview image of my very first digitally designed kit called...
'The Writers Block Kit'

which includes all high res .png files:

4X Papers

3X Word Art Phrases

3X Flair Buttons

1X Sheet of Embellishments

1X Alpha

and here's what I am looking for... 5 talented digital scrapbookers who would be willing to trial run this kit for me by creating your digi and/or hybrid Layout and then emailing me a pic with some feedback so I can iron out any problemos before I load them into free file share. I'll include just for you, some extra embellishments and a co-ordinating Numbers Alpha Pack which wouldn't ordinarily come in the kit.

If you like the look of the kit and are interested in helping me out can you email me at

the-emsta@hotmail.com and add as your subject heading Re: Writers Block Kit, so that I can quickly process and forward on the files to you for download (NB: they are all png's and saved at 300dpi)

also here's a sneaky peek at...

'The Take Flight Pack'

which will be available mid next week :)

In the following weeks I have 3 more kits in the pipe line that just need some tweaking before sharing with you so stay tuned!

My fingers are crossed that I get some interested nibbles and will be waiting anxiously to hear from all you digi scrapbookers out there!

mwah ;)

LOTS OF COLOUR AROUND HERE!

2011-01-09T22:48:00.004+10:00

Hi everyone,

Its been a dreary & wet day but not without being productive. I have finally with the help of my gorgeous hubby managed to get the spare room all sorted and organised, a task that has elluded me and kept me up at night thinking how on earth I was going to fit all our stuff in there since the nursery has been set up in what used to be my craft room. Anyways its all done and aside from some final jooshing which I'll finish off tomorrow, I think mum will be quite comfy in there when she stays for a month when bubs arrives.
Some of you may remember I mentioned joining the ning challenge site 'The Color Room'...well...the design team selected my 'Never Doubt' LO I did of my nephew Romeo-J, as one of that weeks palette feature LO's...

so very chuffed I have to say because the forum members are absolutely amazingly talented peeps. Anyways here's to you R-J for being the perfect subject to scrapbook! tee hee

This weeks palette #40 is a goodin, here's my LO called 'Dreams' which is all about my lovely mumzie...

and the palette below was the inspiration, although I think the pink tones of my LO don't lend themselves to this particular colour story which really erks me! Oh well build a bridge...lol

Okay well better scoot off and finish a couple of collages I have been working on in my Art Journal, have a great night and thanks for stopping by! xox

2 DAYS INTO 2011

2011-01-02T15:52:00.023+10:00

As much as I have tried to put on a brave face I haven't been coping very well this past week with Osky's death unfortunately its really been stressing me out but I'm a firm believer that he visited me in my dreams friday night to let me know he is happy and in a magical place well at least it feels that way especially after dreaming we were playing together like we used to do.

Anyways Osky came home on Wednesday...its weird how even though he is in a pretty little wooden box sitting on the credenza, just having him home has calmed me. I feel like I can move to the next level of grief and that is to celebrate what a perfect little furry friend he was and try not to feel so devastated by it all. Here's another page I did of Mister called 'Angel Dog' which I think will be the last grief stricken one I'll do of him, time to do fun loving pages that really reflect his personality from now.

I have also been working on some other pages these past couple of days, its been so nice to freely scrap away my time in between hanging the washing out and sweeping the floors...this whole maternity leave thing is fantastic and in keeping with that here is a Layout all about my fruit fixation these past eight months tee hee!

This one was a page I started at the Scrapboutique retreat in November, but that I had forgotten all about until the other day. Miss Teleah looks so cute with all her friends organised on the trampoline, I just had to scrap it, how cute is she?

Then last but not least I have been secretly admiring for some time the fun colour palette challenges at The Color Room Challenge site but havent been afforded the time to participate because of other DT commitments and work...but with not having to get up early, pop the D.J's face on and go to work I have finally joined the forum and played in the #39 challenge, here's the colour palette and below that is my take on it...

Hope you've all had a fantastic Christmas and New Year and thank you for stopping by my little blog! xox

DO I SMILE OR DO I CRY?

2010-12-29T18:34:00.003+10:00

I know I am so lucky to be soon blessed with the arrival of our special little bubba, its still so surreal and I need to be pinched daily to believe it, thats why I'm smiling...but with such an amazing and incredibly beautiful future I can't help but feel a sadness so painful because of the lose of our most loyal, constant and loving friend Mr Osky our diggy dawg.

Now I know for some people this post may read OTT but for us Oscar was truly an integral part of our family. Not only was he our best friend he was my constant companion for the past 14 years. He showed nothing but loyalty, gentleness and unconditional love, which I can honestly say is more than some people I have crossed paths with in my life have ever offered...he was an awesome dog.

Osky was a stray homeless pup, that found Dan and visited him at the restaurant Dan cheffed at back in Canberra. Osky showed a persistence that all the staff saw. He kept strolling into the restaurant and straight into the kitchen staring up at Dan and wagging his tail. Dan couldn't resist his big brown eyes so brought him home after posting a couple of posters at the local shops. We waited 2 days with our fingers crossed that no-one would claim him and of course no-one did!

Osky was so much fun, he loved his paws being massaged, the perfect solution for calming an energetic puppy, but even as an adult dog Osky loved a paw tickle. Osky ruled the roost..he slept in our bed, told us when it was time to sleep when it was time to get up and when it was time to eat. He kept me sane many a night when Dan was working late and whilst Dan was away with work. He always greeted me at the door with a windmill tail wag the biggest circular rotation that I thought he'd propel off the ground. He leant on me whilst standing, the lean was so severe I reckon you could have measured it at a 45degree angle. I would often get nudged with a paw or wet nose if he wanted my attention. We would sound out 'beep, beep' and he'd walk backwards and he'd stomp his paws on the floor or head butt at the door if he wanted to go out...he just simply was the best dog in the whole wide world!

I am going to miss my boy like there is no tomorrow, I just can't fathom he wont get to meet our baby, that he wont be a part of our new family life, but I know he will always be to Dan and I...

Our very special and loving friend!

Miss you so much snuggle puggle...

xox

ATC FEVER HITS AGAIN!

2010-12-10T15:52:00.003+10:00

With bubba arriving in 8 weeks I have been busily finishing off a lot of the ATC theme's that were set at the Helensvale Ladies, The Fullsleeve Girls and Scrap'N'Art swaps plus a couple of extra's thrown into the mix. I'm absolutely addicted to them...can you tell...tee hee

The groups make such gorgeous and creative cards I don't want to miss having any of them in my hot little hands and collections, so here are what I have been making this past week and ticking off each groups list for 2011, so stay tuned because at this rate I reckon I'll have the whole year finished before too long lol!

Scrap'N'Art 'Abstract' theme.

Scrap'N'Art 'Monochromatic' Theme

Helensvale Ladies 'Feline' Swap

Fullsleeve 'Nursery Rhyme' Theme

Fullsleeve 'Halloween' Theme

Helensvale Ladies 'Steampunk' Theme

Born2Create 'Bucketlist' Theme

Helensvale Ladies 'Lighthouse' Theme

Helensvale Ladies 'Christmas' Theme

I have also finally stepped up into the world of International ACT swapping and have my newely created Flickr page, so if anyone is interested in swapping ATC's you can check me out here the album lists whats avail and the quantities, so lets get swapping...woohoo!

Thanks for stopping by.