CHASING SHADOWS...

I absolutely love the new word prompt 'SHADOWS' at Bird is the Word. I had the perfect pics to go with it so created another digi page using some fabulous Sahlin Studio digi goodness.

This page is of Tige indulging in a little 'Meet and Greet' with his shadow. When he first saw it he thought it was a new friend and started talking to it, gesturing at it and then when it didn't respond he politely waved goodbye and went on his merry way! It was a priceless moment, so glad I was able to get this series of happy snaps capturing it ;)

'Chasing Shadows'

Credits: Sahlin Studio

Fresh Add-On Kit

Grunge Add-On Kit

Art & soul Add-On Kit

Some Elements from Country Fair Picnic & Key to My Heart Kits

Stamps by Karah Fredricks/Summer Bucket List Collab

Barely There Mask Set 1 by Tiffany Tillman

Bad Sewing by Traci Reed
and finally some elements from my own free digital kit 'Little Boy Blue'

We also have a fantastic new sponsor at BITW, the fabulous

'Paper Stories'

which specialise in pre-designed page and scrapbooking kits using the latest release products. With Paper Stories, there is no need to worry about committing to a subscription, being online for release dates or ending up with kits that just aren't your style! Their kits are available to you 24/7 and unlike most kit clubs, they offer a variety of kits to suit every style of scrapper as well an extensive selection of latest release products!  

So pop on over to their website have a look around you'll be sure to find a kit or product that ya gotta have! 

And dont forget to play in the challenge at BITW :))

YOU COLOUR MY WORLD

The new word 'COLOURS' is now brightening up your scrappy challenge at BITW. I love this word prompt, it was just what the doc ordered lending itself to lots of bright colours and loud patterns.

So here is my digi page, featuring none other than Master Tige and yep his ever so clever face pulling brilliance, he takes after me in that department.

The base paper is actually a section from one of the pages I have created for a circle journal I am currently involved in and love how that can be used in a digital page too, gotta love bridging gaps tee hee.

Anyways hope you'll come and join in on the fun over at Bird is the Word for the latest word reveal and be in the running for a great gift voucher from our sponsor Scrap Locker.

Can't wait to see your entries happy scrapping everyone :)

CHANGE IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!

This weeks word at Bird is the Word went live yesterday. CHANGE is the perfect word this week given BITW has some fabulous new DT members, so exciting! So pop over and check out the new team, their links are here in the current word post and I am certain you'll get lots of fresh inspo from these creative ladies.

This weeks word is also a perfect fit for me,  its almost like the change in weather was a catalyst for finally actioning an all important change in my own life.

I suspect many of you are like me and dont talk about your personal life well atleast in a forum like this. Generally I tend to harbour my difficulties because I am scared that if exposed it will be taken advantage of as it has been in the past. Its sad but this past year I have experienced some major disappointments, and hey that is just a part of lifes intricacies I get that. But I feel like I have finally decided after months of allowing this to affect me, that this feeling of hurt really has no place in my life that its time to let go. Time to make 'change', time to unburden myself of the pain of being let down and start to focus on what I can share, contribute and encompass in a way that helps me evolve in a more positive way.

This page below is actually a digital layout, however the background is a collage I created for a circle journal I am involved in at the moment (will share in another post). I loved how the page background came together that I decided to photograph it to create a digital paper.  I also think the quote sums up my new way of thinking perfectly...now to put it to practice ;)

Thank you for stopping by and if your keen for a cha[lla]nge then head on over to BITW and join in on the fun the prize is a $25 voucher from our new sponsor Scrap Locker who are also in addition offering 10% off any order placed during the month of June for BITW subscribers only. How cool is that!

SMILE WITH A SASSAFRAS LASS!

Today brings us the new word prompt 'Smile' at Bird is the Word. Here is my DT page using an old Sassafras Lass patterned paper 'Sweet Marmalade- With Love' I think this might be the B side.

I used some tiny bits of chipboard and painted them to echo the colours and shapes in the pattern. Then machine stitched some circles around the photo and embellishments clusters to ground them. The sprinkling of confetti was created using my EK Success Swiss Cheese Large paper punch, which has finally been dragged out of the drawer its been confined in for almost 2 years and used it in another page that I will share over the next couple of days.

Also BITW has a brand new 'pep me up' look. The fresh new blog background, badges and blinkies were all created by moi, so am very excited to announce the reveal that went live yesterday, thanks Wendy for trusting in me to give BITW a new identity I had a lot of fun with it xox. Go check out the blog here but below is the header which gives you a rough idea of the new concept.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful week, and just to foreworn you I'll be posting a couple of times this week so I hope I don't annoy you tee hee!
Em

WHATEVER THE FUTURE BRINGS...

....I am happy!

I just notified work that I'd be extending my parental leave for another 12 months and am cheering about the chance to stay at home for a little bit longer with Tige. This extra year up my sleeve affords me the opportunity to re-evalute my life and in which direction I want to go.

I love my job and really miss that connection with people and tapping into my creative side differently with the visual marketing aspect, but I really have a whole different set of values now that I have a little person in my life and returning to work right now is not a priority. I may not even return to my conventional 9-5'er, who knows. I mean I would love to persue my love of paper crafting in a more professional way and have lots of ideas up my sleeve, so I wonder what is in my future and hey whatever it is I am thankful.

This weeks word prompt at Bird is the Word is 'FUTURE' (lol..I know that was pretty obvious given my blurb up above) and its the perfect fit for me right now, so many life changing decisions to be made, therefore I tread carefully always with an open mind.

Here's my DT page:

I didnt use a lot of product in this one only some bazzil cardstock, Distress Ink-'Spun Sugar', VersaColor Cube-187 Sage, Chalkboard Mist- Banana Pudding and of course Grafix Rub-Onz for the flowers, word art and the halftone dot portrait of moi.

I did however use a palette from The Color Room this week for inspo, 

I am still trying to catch up with all those earlier palette's that I missed :)

Thanks for stopping by hope you all had a fabulous chocolaty filled Easter! xox

Y.O.U S.P.A.R.K.L.E

Here is my latest dt page for Bird is the Word, where the new word prompt is 'SPARKLE' so why not head on over and check out what the rest of the design team created, there are some pearlers this round and its such a great word to inspire.

I used an old Basic Grey paper, I think its called 'Obscure'. Its one I have been hoarding for ages, and am feeling happy that I am making my way through my paper collection, slowly and steady wins the race at whittling away the mountainous pile of pretty papers. I'll also be making up a heap of kits to sell for a much needed scrappy stash clear out, so will let you all know when and where in the coming weeks.

Well hope your all having a good start to your week and that the rest of it SPARKLES! tee hee

xox

HE'S A BIG BOY NOW!

Here is my DT page for Bird is the Word . The current word prompt is 'Discover' which lends itself to tonnes of fun pages and project themes.

Its the cutest piccie of Tig-let at his birthday party, and was taken by Sarah Rickard who snapped so many cool photo's thanks so much hunnie, check out her blog 'My life with Pirates, Jedis and Superheroes' Sarah also has a fabulous business called 'Little Birdie Nappies'.

It was Tige's 1st birthday on the 7th feb and we celebrated that following weekend when his daddy was home form the rig, with a fun 'Cheeky Monkey' themed Pool Party.

We had so much fun swimming, eating and hanging with friends. I had a cool photobooth set up with cheeky monkey masks that I found at my fave site called Oh Happy Day in their downloadable freebie section.

Here are some of the fun piccies we took and of course the cake and all that jazz.

Thanks for stopping by xox

THE WORD IS HEART...

HEART is the perfect word for this weeks prompt at Bird is the Word given today is Valentines Day!  I had to chuckle at the co-incidence or maybe Wendy planned it that way ;)


Anyhoo here is my digi layout for this fortnight, I called it 'i HEART you' and shot the photo through a toilet roll [obviously a moment of sheer boredom] but love the effect.

I also love this digi, it started as a challenge between me and my friend Leanne to try our hand at creating an all white page and as you can see i failed miserably. I dont know what it is but for some reason I can't do it! I think its harder than it sounds. I have attempted 2 pages now and both ended up with at the very least one more colour whether it be grey or the palest of creams, either way I am not sure I am a purest and am certain this challenge is a massive FAIL for me, lol hope you have better luck Lea!


Have any of you tried a white on white on white page if so share me some links I wanna see your genius creations!


Happy Valentines ❤X

ON A JOURNEY...

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

REMEMBER?

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

WATER WONDERLAND...

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

I TRY...

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

I AM...???

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

I ADORE THEM

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:)

MY WISH FOR YOU...

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

TOGETHER... we have it all!

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 :)

A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME!

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

DARE 2 DREAM

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!

L.O.V.E

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