Loved by you.

 It's great to capture these sweet moments - it doesn't take much for Caden to share a kiss - he LOVES his hugs and kisses.  And we LOVE it too!

I've used this photo for a LO that I've created for the Aussie Scrap Source - Make it yourself challenge - the past week was Make Your Own Flower.  How fun is that!!

So the idea is to make your own flowers - I really wanted to use something that I had laying around and also something quick and easy. I decided on twine!!  Here are some close-up's:

 I've punched out a few different shapes - circles and scallops - tie a knot at the end of the twine and adhere to the centre of your shape.  I've used a foam dot for this so it would stay in place right away.  Twist the twine around until you are happy with the result - I've glued the twine in place.  Finish off with a brad - you could even add a button - that would look really cute too!
I've attached my flowers to some chipboard - Sea Grass from Stuff 2 Scrap (designed by Leeann Pearce)

Here I've covered an extra large button in some doily lace - I'm going thru my stash of fabrics and doilies and putting them to good use.

Papers are October Afternoon - Schoolhouse.  I've done some misting on the base with a plastic doily and glimmer-mist.

And a bunting using punches and twine - love my punches.

Now I'm off to check out the next challenge!!

Come back tommorow as we have a brand new challenge up at Stuff 2 Scrap blog - you are going to LOVE it as well as the opportunity to win some great chipboard.

Have a great day and happy crafting.

The best fun

Caden has the best fun on the beach making sand-bombs - this is his favourite at the moment.  I love the expression on his face - pure delight!!  The colours in this pictures went well with the Sassafrass cardstock I had - I've joined in with the challenge over at the Sassafrass Blog - just sneaking in this one for the March challenge of BLOCKING.  I haven't done this style in ages but I just LOVE it and will hopefully use it some more.
I've used the Cherry Delicious range from Sassafrass for this LO, except for the base which is Kraft cardstock. 
Here's some close-up's of the details:

 Sassafrass - in a stitch blossoms  - attached to a white tag.

another flower, a doily and some Fimo magic from the Chip-Chop Shop!

and this cute birdie button from the Chip-Chop shop to compliment the beachy theme.

I've also done some stitching around the edges of the rectangle block.
Ok, hope you like - this LO took me all of an hour - that's a record for me, as my LO's usually sit on my desk for a day or so!!  I have more to share soon!!

Etsy shop update

some new things have been added to my shop----------
* more doilies in colours and natural
* big birdie buttons (more to come soon as soon as my supplies arrive)
* ruffled flowers - my favourites - these are larger and more ruffled

-------- so take a peek: Creative Bits

celebrate the ordinary everyday moments

 I just love those 'one of' pictures that you get - a fleeting moment, but still precious.  This was one of them and I used it for the challenge at Aussie Scrap Source. The latest challenge is to make your own stamps - WOW - how fun and I love that idea!!

I decided to make a BG stamp to compliment this LO - so the red textured look in the BG is my homemade stamp - but I'll get to that at the end of this post.

Here's some close-up's:

Some lace doily trim and ruffled ribbon - I've also been playing with Fimo and made this textured heart!

 Bird and cloud by the Chip-Chop shop - and a close up of the BG stamp with light misting of glimmer-mist.

So this is how I made my stamp:

 I've used some foam flower stickers - purchase from a local discount store.  I've picked out a few different sizes, then poped them into an embossing folder and put thru my Cuttlebug - this has given me a texture on my stamps.  And foam embosses very easily!!  Next I've arranged the foam flowers onto an acrylic block as shown below.

Now I have my homemade stamp, ready to use - I've simply inked it up using Real Red by Stampin'Up and stamped onto my LO!!  Really easy and really fun.

Thanks for coming by and happy crafting.

big brother & little brother

 I've used the palette over at The Colour Room for this LO - it's their 50th palette and they have a great blog hop happening with all the designers showcasing their LO's and talent.  So take a peek!!
This colour palette is really a good one for me - with boys we can always use blue!
I'm really enjoying making different BG's for my LO's - for this page I've used a stamp, white ink and embossing powder - once the image was embossed, I've lightly sprayed with glimmer-mist, allowing the white image to show thru.  I love this effect and will def. do this again - I have tonnes of stamps to use!
Here's some close-up's:

 a large birdie button (keep an eye out for these - I have some for my Etsy shop)

 I used Leeann's technique to colour bakers twine and pegs with glimmer-mist - it worked great - I used these pegs and twine to make a little bunting.

 Here I've used the Arty Tree Road from Stuff 2 Scrap - I've used white ink to colour the chipboard, stamped up some small words onto the chipboard, then embellished the trees with buttons. This sits on a white doily and I've added in some roses and blue/white twine.

.... and here's the colour palette if you would like to play along too!  There's a sketch to use as well; which I started out with, but then as my LO progressed, I shuffled things around a little.

Thanks for coming by!

Fishing

 A scrappy LO of my twin boys doing what they love best: Fishing!!  They could sit out there all day.
This LO uses the March Sketch from Handmade By Suzanne - sketch created by the talented Michelle Fowler - I had a fun time with this one and really enjoyed the different layers.  My background is some gesso and glimmer-mist.
Here's some close-up's:

 I made the fish using a stencil from the kids craft box - traced onto pattern paper by Cosmo Cricket - Salt Air.  I've sponged the edges and added a button!
I've also added in some clouds and birdie pin from the Chip-Chop Shop!

 A little tag with a spotty button from Lil Red Rocket.  The 'Summer Favourites' tag is from October Afternoon.

 ... and some American Craft black letters - can't seem to do a LO without them.

Here's the sketch if you would like to join in!  Thanks for a fabulous sketch Michelle!!

On a side note:  my sketch challenge for Creative bits has now closed - we only got a few entries in but a big thanks for those that did play along.
I've drawn a random winner and it's SUE from Broomehill who sent her entry in by email - thanks Sue - please give me a quick email and I'll arrange your goodies.

Colour Combo's Galore 183

Hello - hope you are all having a fabulous week.  I've been having internet woes so haven't had much time on here - which can be a good thing - yesterday I cleaned my craft room and it's sooooo neat - I can see the stuff I want to use!!  Anway, I finished up this LO for CCG the other day and today I saw it's in the gallery faves - so really happy about that.

Here is the colour and inspiration picture:

And here's my LO:

I'm enjoying misting and went with the butterfly inspiration to use different butterflies as masks to create this background with glimmer-mist.

The journalling reads: ..... to capture your expressions as you run towards me, arms out-stretch, and to hear you say 'I love you mum'..... is something very special.

Here are some close-ups:

I've made this butterfly from two pieces of chipboard - Corner #1 from Stuff 2 Scrap - when I poped them together, it really looked just like a butterfly - I've added a few rhinestones to finish it off.  I've painted the chipboard with black paint.

A Prima flower and swirls of orange/white twine which you can find in my shop - Creative Bits.

Assorted buttons and paper roses attached to a tag!

I really love how this LO came together - I created it after having a wonderful visit with the amazing Leeann Pearce - it was so lovely to meet her IRL and to see her AMAZING craft room - wow - I couldn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day!!!

Thanks for coming by and happy crafting.

new goodies in the shop

There's some new goodies in my shop - Creative Bits !!

I've been going thru my stash of fabrics and doilies and putting them to good use by making some buttons.  Limited stock only!!

Restocking of twine, doily delights and lace trims.

Go and check it out.

a perfect moment

Hello and happy Friday - don't they come around fast.  I've had a busy week getting some new things ready for my Etsy shop - stay tuned for details.......... but managed to squeeze in a LO last night.  This is for Stuff 2 Scrap - sharing with you some of their fabulous chipboard!

I love this picture of my twin boys with their little brother - they love him to bits!!  It was taken late last year, so another one for 2010 scrapbook.

I've used a Kraft base and sprayed with blue glimmer-mist - masking off a heart doily.  (really into masking atm)

The pattern paper is by Bo Bunny Ad Lib collection - love these, especially that the paper have little words and saying, helps for titles and journalling.

Here's a look at the details:

Don't you just love these two Chirpy Birds - they are so cute and I love that they are quite large - I've kept them raw, just adding some buttons for the eyes.

The little buttons with heart is from Bo Bunny too - I love to co-ordinate.
Some American craft letters and stickers by October Afternoon.

Hope you like and please check out the Stuff 2 Scrap shop and Stuff 2 Scrap blog - there's lots of fabulous chippies and a fun challenge!

out of the hat - march challenge

Hi everyone,  I have a LO to share using the latest challenge from Out of the Hat - it's been a while since I've joined in.  This month you need to create a layout using the following three things:

•Use twine

•Use a number in your title

                         •Make your own Journaling spot (use stamps etc)

Here's my LO.

I really enjoyed using this challenge to put my LO together - it's a different style than I would normally use, but I'm happy with the fun colours to reflect the fun time of this picture - my twins boys turning NINE!

I've done a patchwork effect on the top half, using scrap papers and lace trims, spraying over with some glimmer-mist.

For the use of twine, I've sewn some green twine onto cardstock, cut out some shapes and then added to the patchwork effect.  I've also used twine on my journalling spot.

The journalling spot is a piece of cardboard, a stamp, pattern paper and some journalling printed out - finished off with some twine.

And I've included two numbers in my title - Turning 9 2gether.

Here are some close up's of the details:

The journalling spot and a big birdie button from the Chip-Chop Shop.

American Craft black letter, chipboard 9 covered in clear glass beads and zig-zag stitching with sewing machine.

A pencil button embellishment and ruffled paper heart using an old dictionary.

So here you have it - I think I'll be doing this style a little more, it's a great way to use up bits of pattern papers in your stash.  Thanks for a fun challenge!

Thanks for coming by and happy crafting.

get picky - inspiration challenge #5

 isn't this picture just BEAUTIFUL?  this is the inspiration picture for the Get Picky Challenge #5. 
I've used some pretty pictures of my niece to create a scrapbook page - they were taken some six months ago and when I see her now, these photo's remind me that she is growing up very fast!  Using all things beautiful - I was inspired by all the white .... and the subtle shades of blue and pink....... and I just love all those roses.
Here's my LO:

 I've used some chipboard as a mask and sprayed some blue glimmer-mist in the background.  The design is fairly simple and I've used on a few different embellishments today, keeping the focus on the photo's.
Here's some close-up's:

... a cluster of gems, pearl sprays, roses and a title card using a stamped frame.  I've also added in a paper lace doily and pink lace trim.

...a garland made with circle and scallop punches and of course some baby pink twine.

This LO came together so easily and I love how it's turned out. 
I have another LO on it's way - something different and I will share that with you soon.

Thanks for coming by and happy crafting.

Lace trims in my shop.

I have just added lace trims to my shop - Creative Bits - have been sorting and cleaning out.  Three generous lengths for $3.00 USD - a bargain and they will go quick - one already gone!!

If you follow my scrapbooking and craft, you will know that I use these heaps!!

Challenge #1 at Stuff 2 Scrap

The first challenge is up at Stuff 2 Scrap!!  The fabulous Leeann from the Creative Team has set the first challenge and it's a FUN one. 

Grab a piece of chipboard and think about taking it to the next level...

- don't just paint it and cover it with pattern paper take it a little further than you normally would...
...so do you want to play CAUSE there's a prize up for grabs if you do.
- embellished a piece of chipboard more than you normally would
- it can be on the page or take it off the page
- we would LOVE it to be Stuff 2 Scrap chipboard BUT if you don't have some we are OK with another brand this time.


- you have until the 31st MARCH 2011

Here's what I've come up with:


 I've used the large bubble border and made it into a frame for my scrappy LO.
The whole LO is rather simple, most of the details are on the frame or close by.
Here are some close-up's of the details:

 The frame has been covered in glue then sprinkled with sand.  I've added buttons to imitate a wave.  I've even added in some real shells from the beach where we live.
The background is some gauze I raided from the first aid kit - I think it really suits this beachy theme.

 Little black letters for the title and a chipboard bird onto which I've stamped a leaf pattern.

I've used some glimmer-mist on the 'beach' title - have also added in a ticket with a birdie stamp.

So this challenge was heaps of fun for me - i love how it turned out - please head over to the Stuff 2 Scrap to see all the details of how you can join in - there's lots of great inspiration from the Creative Team - we are really looking forward to see what you all come up with.

Thanks for coming by and happy crafting.

enjoy - colour combo's galore #181

Hello and hope your week has started out great - our hot weather is continuing in the West, though the nights have been a bit cooler which is really nice.  Today I'm sharing a LO with you - I've managed to sneak in another challenge from CCG - love these and the inspiration they provide - really gets you thinking and creating in different ways!

Here's the inspiration board:

 And here's my LO:

 I was inspired by the pretty roses and intricate lace detail in the picture, so I've added little bits and peices from my stash.
I've been enjoying using stamps on my LO's and have used a BG stamp from Stampin'up with the different words coming out in the background.
I've cut out some detail from a Webster page and this was also the idea for my title - enjoy.
Here are some close-up's of the details:

 This pretty lace detail comes all the way from Venice - my sister brought me some cute things from her recent travels to Europe!  I thought it was perfect for this challenge.

 A chipboard bird from Stuff 2 Scrap - I've sponged the edges and added some stamping.
There's also a small pebble from basic grey - first time I've used these.

 I just got some of the doily lace by Basic Grey - it's so pretty and delicate - I've used it as a border here.
Also a title made with stamps, tag and flower.

Another tag with some doily lace and rose.  I've added a border of twine around the page - this is done with my sewing machine - by placing the twine between the guide foot - once you are sewing the twine just follows!

I'm loving how this turned out - great colours and inspiration to work with.
Thanks for coming by and happy crafting.