WORKING THE CAMERA!

After the past few weeks with my head down bottom up learning the ropes as a digital designer I have'nt had a chance to really play and scrapbook....but there must be some lil angels of fun lurking about because I have managed to get my scrappin' on the past couple of days!

Here is my page for the Kraft Plus Challenge Site which is open to digi scrappers too....YAY... I am so happy that it is because I love the palette & image swatch and really wanted to play along with this one. 

So here is my sub and yep it features the lil mister again! hehe. I decided to reference the photo prompt by emulating the 3 layers of colour and then layered my sequence of photos on top of some stacked textured and pattern paper pieces. You can see I have used the Kraft paper as a base which is part of the criteria and then I also added some more Kraft into the page with the addition of a row of pennants. I really had fun with this challenge and think I might continue playing along ;)

'Working the Camera'

Digital Credits:

THE NIFTY PIXEL| Pick Your Destiny Digital Kit

VALORIE WIBBENS| Orbits Stitched Elements Pack & Sprinkles V.31

SISSY SPARROWS| Scribble & Paint Vol.1 Brush Set

For all the challenge deets click the image below.

⬇︎

This is my DT page for the current CSI Casefile #155. I changed it up a bit by rotating the sketch which you can grab for free as a digital download if you want to by heading over to my other blog The Nifty Pixel. The link is below in the credits ;)

EVIDENCE: I included a photo of Tige learning to ride his {Bicycle}. Some scribbles for the{Pen Work} a {Stamped} chevron accent and a {Metal} fastener on the letter 'B'. 

TESTIMONY: I used the prompt {Write about a stage of life}. I journaled about learning new things and how exciting that is but also to find balance early on in life so it puts him in good stead for the rest of it!

'B is for Balance'

Digital Credits:

THE NIFTY PIXEL| CSI #155 Page Drafts Sketch Freebie

STUDIO 68| Never Mind Digital Elements Pack and Never Mind Paper Pack

For all the challenge deets click the image below.

⬇︎ 

Lastly this was a page I created for a challenge I had over at my other blog the one I mentioned before ;) I offered a free download of JC's and other elements called the 'Plus Side' and invited people to create a digital or Hybrid project using them. I am lovin' Pocket pages they are tonnes of fun and so easy to do. I am also swooning over graphic modern patterns, gotta lurve a big PLUS SIGN! hehe

'Be the Best Version of You'

Digital Credits:

THE NIFTY PIXEL| Dreams Come True Digital Kit and Plus Side Journal Cards and Elements Freebie Pack.

Thanks for stopping by,

Em xo

WOWAH IM BACK!

Well hello guys, this poor blog has been negelected the past few weeks...I have been so busy with my store launch! Did you know I have a store now? Did you know I am a legit digital designer? Did you know I am on cloud 9 to finally be working (having fun) doing my dream job?! hehehe

Its almost a week since my little business The Nifty Pixel opened its doors over at Scrap Stacks! Its been a long time coming but finally its kicked off and things have gone great so far (touch wood) lol. I have been busy and on the biggest learning curve, designing and packaging, planning my releases and coordinating my fab team of digital and hybrid scrappers which has been tonnes of fun, albeit pulling long hours but hey thats what you do at start up don't you??? Or am I seriously lacking organisational skills, I know my filing abilities are shocking spent most of yesterday sorting out my folders on 3 different External HD's flippen cray cray!

Anyways I thought just incase you havent been over to my business blog which is HERE, I'd share some of my pages created using my digital kits and packs hope thats okay. I am just a little excited by all this so figured a little showing off would be totally okay with you guys hehehe. The first two pages  not only feature my first digital kit 'Dreams Come True' but they also showcase a series of packs I have released tonight that are what I call 'The Nifty Tool Kits', handy little packs ;)

As a scrapper I love paper collections and digital kits that are really versatile. I seem to gravitate toward ones that are fairly non specific in theme. I reckon thats because it enables you to really go to town with your own theme. I do love a touch of modern mixed with vintage and will be going this way with most of my kits so as to get the extra mileage out of a kit.

Look at these two pages...they are a great example of how different they look yet both use the same digital kit!! You can create an elegant feminine page or mix it up a bit with some cool screenprint style alpha like my Pencilled In Alpha Pack to create a funky boy page. See what I mean?

'Leap of Faith'

Digital Credits:

THE NIFTY PIXEL| Dreams Come True Digital Kit, Dreams Come True Alpha, Dreams Come True Journal Cards, Collage Textures V.1, Gold Threads V.1 & The Nifty Gals Extravaganza V.1 Page Drafts freebie pack.

'My Boy'

Digital credits:

THE NIFTY PIXEL| Dreams Come True Digital Kit, Dreams Come True Vellum Paper Pack, Gold Threads V.1, A Tad Torn Photo Clipping Masks, Pencilled In Alpha Clipping Masks, Gesso Goodness V.1, Collage Textures V.1 & Collage Textures V.2

These next few pages are all CT work, I have been meaning to share these here for ages arghhh!

'A Big Boy'

Digital Credits:

THE NIFTY PIXEL|  The Nifty Gals Extravaganza V.1 Page Drafts freebie pack & Great Things Ahead Collaboration by The Scrap Stacks Team.

'The Nose Picker'

Digital Credits;

STUDIO 68| Love Struck Kit & Border Madness

THE NIFTY PIXEL|  Flag a Bunting Vol.1 Page Drafts

'Swippery Duckie'

Digital Credits:

PINK REPTILE DESIGNS| Slice of Lemon Elements Pack, Slice of Lemon Paper Pack & First & Second Class Fonts

'#1 Nutter'

Digital Credits:

SISSY SPARROWS| Secret Madness Word Art, Secret Madness Overlay Pack & Secret Madness Paper Pack

If you want to keep up to date on my designing why not follow ✚The Nifty Pixel Blog, I'll post all Page Drafts related stuffs there and of course all my new releases are talked about over there too :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs Em xo

MY TOP 12 FOR 2014!

After a couple of years that were so incredibly difficult, 2014 has turned out to be a bit of a reprieve from all that uncertainty and I cannot wait to pop that cork and celebrate 2014, what a ripper of a year it was!

It really has been an amazing 12 months! A year where Dan and I have had to get to know the new versions of ourselves. Its not been easy but I really like where we are at now. You see we very nearly left our marriage. I have talked about my depression before which came as a result of this. Putting on the brave face wasn't cutting the mustard for me, in the end my saddness took over. I was hurt and continually hurting I honestly didnt think life could get any worse. But now what really makes me proud is that we stuck it out! I am soooo grateful that we did, he has my back I have his and our Tigey is our shining light!

2015 is shaping up and promising to be a big year! Life works in mysterious ways after all this emotional struggle...at 44 I can say I feel happy and grounded. One of the newest blessings is that I finally have my dream job as a digital designer! Creating and designing kits and graphics packs is going to be my 9-5'er so whilst I'll be doing less scrapbooking I will be having fun creating and hopefully selling some of my goodies. If youre interested scoot over and check out my business blog THE NIFTY PIXEL for all the deets ;)

So, I thought a nice way to wrap up 2014 with a big bright bow is to share my top 12 pages from this year, one for each month and ones that I absolutely love. Its been fun working for some of the best designers in the digital industry another thing I feel blessed for, they are amazing and inspire me so much! Thank you Jules and Don (Sissy Sparrows), Krista Sahlin (Sahlin Studio) and Mirjam Schurings (Pink Reptile Designs) you guys rock, now I can say I am following the ranks it was you guys that gave me the confidence to give this a go, so thank you so much lovelies xox

'Kiss Me'Valorie Wibbens| Sprinkles V.22 and Sprinkles V.23, Sara Gleason| Love Story Confetti, Lynne-Marie Designs| Tattered Overlays 02 and by The Lilypad Designers| COLLAB Kit: Spring has Sprung 

'This Day'

A wonderful Day Kit by Sahlin Studio 

Artsy Cameras No.1 by Anna Aspnes

ScriptTease FotoBlendzNo.3 by Anna Aspnes

SubtleQuotes Spring No.1 by Anna Aspnes

Project 366 WordART No.1 by Anna Aspnes

'Look At Me'

Sissy Sparrows| Room 19 Project #3

'Ride Like The Wind'

Sahlin Studio| September 2014 Freebie Template, Grunge Kit & December Daily Numbers Pack

'Wake Up Mummy'

PRD| Picture This Papers, Scribledeedoo Brushes and Stamps, Gesso It Vol 2, What I Like About You Full Kit and Rain or Shine Collab Kit  & Cut and Paste Alpha

'Love You Daddy'

SAHLIN STUDIO| Flashback Elements Pack & Flashback Paper Pack. 

'He's Got The Smarts'

PINK REPTILE DESIGNS|Everyday of the Week Paper Pack, Everyday of the Week Elements and Alpha Insta-frame Templates by SAHLIN STUDIO

'Nature Boy'

SISSY SPARROWS| Acid Wash Elements, Alpha Studio Mix 55 and Nice Threads.

KAY WINIECKI| Paper Mats Divided

KARAH FREDRICKS| Love Is Keely Date Stamps

'Sweetheart'

Digital Credits:

Vinnie Pearce| Chinee 11 Paper Pack and Upgraded Elements Pack

Page Drafts Teamplate #31.2 by The Nifty Pixel 

'My Happy Place'

SAHLIN STUDIO|  Drift Away

'Full of Love'

'Hello Happiness'

Thank you everyone for continuing to follow my blog its great to get your feedback and love that you guys stop by to leave me lovin'. Some of you pm me, others even call almost a unique experience these days with texting and social media...lol So thank you so very very much you guys also ROCK! he he

Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year!

Hugs Em xox

THE MOMENT YOU DISCOVER...

....you are holding your breath! For those of you who have experience that moment when you feel a lump in your breast you will no doubt relate to that and also what I am about to say....
I was FAAAAREAKIN OUT!

I wasn't running around the house in panic mode but I sure did feel the blood rush to my head probably because I was unknowingly holding my breath. It was that cold shiver that came over me that shook me for a 6 and brought me back to reality. I stood infront of my bathroom mirror and a quiz zillion baszzzillion thoughts went through my head. To see your breast red and inflamed but experiencing no pain spooked the beejeezus outta me and after self examination I discovered a small lump. Of course I called my GP but couldnt get an appointment until the next morning and by that time the lump had doubled in size.

I've had the ultrasound and mammogram (which was surprisingly not uncomfortable) and will be consulting my doctor tomorrow to see what they want to do next. Everything is okay according to teh Radiologists report phewwww, but in amongst the cluster of cysts there is one (cyst) that is quite complex in structure thankfully there are no lesions but it does require monitoring so am not sure what this means. If I have to have another ultrasound in a week or if they do a biopsy then of course I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

But here's the thing....although I know deep down that everything is going to be okay, I have realised something and that is that I spend way too much time in front of the computer! OMG she has finally admitted it and out loud too! lol Look I love what I do but really is that how I want to spend my life, hauled up inside like a mushroom constantly working? Thats the downside to running a business from home there is no clock off time. So I have decided to make some drastic changes to my work load. Its just working out how and what exactly.

I am most certainly going to continue to scrapbook and fullfill my DT commitments, thats fun and keeps me sane, but I honestly need to work out how I can change my situation. Life is tenative at the best of times but when something like this bumps into you and very nearly topples you over you start to reassess your life and the way you view it becomes an extremely lucid moment...that I am very certain of!

If there is one thing I want to impart onto you is if you are like me and have lumpy breasts it can be hard to discern what you are feeling in a self examination so please take yourselves off to your GP and have a clinical breast examination, its peace of mind and hey early detection is paramount!

Anyways I'll keep you all posted with updates but I am sure its going to be fine so dont worry 'bout me I'm a tough old boot and positivity is the only outlook allowed in my world right now he he.

Okay so on a lighter note I thought I'd share a couple of pages I recently created but havent yet had a chance to share. This first one is of Tige with his Godparents kiddies, my godson Kellan and his big sis Jenna.

Always Be Happy

Digital Credits:

Blue Skies and Lemon Drops Elements Pack by Studio 68

Blue Skies and Lemon Drops Paper Pack by Studio 68

Blue Skies and Lemon Drops Border Madness by Studio 68

Bloomin ' Border Madness by Studio 68

Here. There Wordart pack by Studio 68

Its a Date Elements Pack by Studio 68

Paint Your Story Challenge 01 Freebie by Studio 68

Artsy Camera's No.1 by Anna Aspnes

ScriptTease Happiness No.1 by Anna Aspnes

ScriptTease FotoBlendz No.3 by Anna Aspnes

Dripped Stains Toolset No.5 by Anna Aspnes

 'I Heart Art'
Digital Credits:
ArtPlay Palette Vitality by Anna Aspnes
ArtPlay Vitality Word Labels by Anna Aspnes
ArtPlay Vitality Fotoblendz by Anna Aspnes
Self WordART No.1 by Anna Aspnes
 SkinnyLined Overlays No.2 by Anna Aspnes
ArtPlay Palette Things To Heart  by Anna Aspnes
PinStriped Textures No.1 Brush Set by Anna Aspnes
ScriptTease Love No.1 Brush Set by Anna Aspnes
Messy Stamped On No.3 Alpha by Studio 68

 'Stay Strong'
Digital Credits:
Motivation Wordart by Sahlin Studio
This Carefree Day Kit by Sahlin Studio
Page Drafts Sketch #27.2 by The Nifty Pixel

The following two pages are created using the latest and greatest release by Sissy Sparrows called  'Vintage Vixen' I completely heart this kit, oh my!

 'Best Things In Life'
Digital Credits:
Vintage Vixen Full Kit by Sissy Sparrows
Vintage Vixen Overlays by Sissy Sparrows

'Enjoy The Magical Moments'
Digital Credits:
Vintage Vixen Full Kit by Sissy Sparrows
Vintage Vixen Overlays by Sissy Sparrows
Page Drafts Sketch 27.3 by The Nifty Pixel

Have a great weekend everyone and if anyone has experienced or is experiencing the same thing as me and you need a chat I am absolutely here for you, okay!
Hugs Em xo

WARNING LONG POST AHEAD!

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I had better give a kindly warning that this post is a long one! I have so many things to share and rather than doing a post every 2 days I thought I'd save them all up and share in one extra big post.

Most of you know my exciting news about being the Digital Guru over at Scrapbook Creations Magazine. The current issue #103 of SCMag contains my first official article so I'm just a tad excited about that he he.

If you haven't already taken the plunge into photoshop and scrapped a page digitally, but you're toying with the idea, then this article is a good one to get you started. It looks at the basic commands and tools within photoshop, how to download packs, save and store them and then shows you how you can use digital templates to scrapbook your very first digi creation!

These days most of us are either time poor or naughty Mr Mojo tends to take leave every now and then. Scrapping with a sketch, whether you are a traditional or digital scrapper, is a great way to resolve those two hiccups. For the newbie to digital scrapping the editable sketch templates are also a fantastic way to introduce you to how the layers palette works in the Photoshop workspace. Once you have mastered the layers which honestly is easy peasy, you are well on your way to navigating photoshop.

So why not give it a go... grab the free digital sketch pack to add to your collection and then have a play following the stepped out instructions in my article 'Digital Scrapbooking is a Cinch' which you can find in this months issue #103.

If you would like the whole pack in one download CLICK HERE FOR FULL PACK :) 

Here is my page using the sketch above.

'Seeking Balance'

Digital Credits:

Nevermind Tid Bits Elements Pack by Studio 68

Nevermind Paper Pack by Studio 68

A Maiko's Bird Mini Art Journal Kit by Sissy Sparrows

Soho Alpha by Tracy Martin

Font: Travelling Typewriter

Oh and if you are O/S and can't get the Australian Scrapbook Creations Mag at your local agent you can subscribe to the digital magazine which you can do by clicking HERE.

This week Sissy Sparrows released a couple of cool packs of Paper, Clipping Masks and Elements. They are great to combine with any of the Sissy Sparrows kits which makes them really versatile.

This is the page I created using those packs.

'Count The Times'

Digital Credits

Motley Masks Vol.3 by Sissy Sparrows

Empty Box Vol.1 Paper Pack by Sissy Sparrows

Mixed Media Medallions by Sissy Sparrows

Acid Wash Full Kit by Sissy Sparrows

The next two pages were created using Sissy Sparrows release from last week called 'Insomniac'. This kit is a ripper, its filled to the brim with delicious papers and elements along with some awesome word art, an Alpha and other fabulous doodling style elements packs. They are perfect for AJ projects. Below are my DT pages using the kit.

 'Passed The Point'
Digital Credits:
Insomniac Bundle by Sissy Sparrows
Sketch for CSI #105 by Page Drafts

 'The Insomniac'
Digital Credits:
Insomniac Bundle by Sissy Sparrows

This page is my project for the current 'Painted Nest' challenge #23 over at Scrapbook Graphics. It came about after I posted a status stating 'I'm an idiot' on facebook
and the beautiful Helen Wallace replied by saying
'Be gentle with yourself Em...everyone makes mistakes♥︎' 

It really got me thinking about how I can be so hard on myself. I have struggled with depression for such a long time that I can often be my own worst critic. Little hiccups become monumentous failings for me which in many ways has prevented me from having the courage to do what I really want in life. This page was a way that I could ensure that those words Helen said remained as a constant reminder. Thank you Helen, you have no idea how such simple words resonated so deeply with me xo

'Be Gentle with Myself'
Digital Credits:
The Painted Nest Challenge #23 Freebie by Sissy Sparrows

Lastly here is a page I did of my beautiful husband for Sahlin Studio using the latest Word Sentiments

'I Love You'
Digital Credits:
Stamped Sentiments Word No.2: LOVE by Sahlin Studio
Ephemera Stacks by Sahlin Studio
Apple Orchard Kit by Sahlin Studio
Autumn Frost Elements Pack by Sahlin Studio
Everday Love Word Art Pack by Sahlin Studio
Paper Piercing Stitching Holes by Sahlin Studio
Year of Templates Vol: 12 (July sketch 2012) by Sahlin Studio

So there you have it guys, hope I didnt lose you after the first 50 paragraphs lol!
Have a great day! xo

FINDING MY TRUE NORTH!

I can't believe its been 4 weeks since my last post, just goes to show I have been head down bum up getting work done he he..But I have missed my blog and missed you guys so I hope you still remember me ;) I have a few shares for you so here goes. This page is my latest CT page for Sissy Sparrows using the fabulously amazing new Room 19 kit called 'Voyage'.  It is filled to the bring of everything you could possibly need to created a funfilled whimsical and magical style page including papers, elements, handdrawn accents, paint strokes and word art.

'Finding My True North' Credits: Room 19 Project #8- Voyage by Sissy Sparrows Tuesday Template: Week 4 by Megan Turnidge Here are a few more pages created for the Sissy girls I have been slack with my blogging sorry Jules and Don ;)

'Lost in the World of Imagination'

Credits:

'Librarians Daughter Collection' by Sissy Sparrows

'Sweet Sleepy Dreams' Credits: Page Play Overlays Sand Textures Elements Pack Things of Beauty Grunge Stamps Adrift in Dreams Mini Art Journal Kit I also managed to play in the latest Painted Nest Challenge over at Scrapbook Graphics.  Come and join in we'd love to see you there! Here is my page using the freebie and it got a little GSO (Gallery Stand out) bit chuffed I have to say!

'I Love These' Credits: Freebie TPN kit Black Crow Mini Art Journal Kit Can of Crazy Paper Pack Grunge Stamps Vol.2 Unafraid Bubble Wrap Textures Unafraid Full Kit 

Are you still with me I promise I am almost finished he he... just a few more pages and then I'm done jeepers I need a coffee after this post lol...

Anyways here is my last two recent CSI DT Pages the first was also the combined Double agent project for 2Crafty Chipboards so I have a hybrid page to share ...wowzers I know thats a rarity these day for me lol. The one below was for Casefile #84 including the Page Drafts sketch  ;)

'Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining'

Materials:

Chipboards from 2 Crafty Chipboards

Every Cloud Wordart 

Mini Gears

Clock Faces

Chevron Bits 

I also used some digi elements printed on Grafix Rub-Onz from Studio 68.

Border Madness {bloomin'}

This is digi is also for CSI using Casefile #86 as inspiration.

 '2 Cute for Words'

Credits: Studio 68

Love Struck Elements & Paper Pack

Love Struck Border Madness
Additional elements created by me.

...and last but not least this pretty page of my girlfriends daughter Ella looking...

well...I have to say just a bit spesh was created for Studio 68's current release!

'Duckface'

Credits:

Nevermind (the collection) by Studio 68

This page also got a GSO wow on a roll at teh mo ;)

Thanks everyone hope you didnt fall asleep he he.

Have a great weekend filled with lots and lots of fun stuffs! xo