Out of the Hat - Scrapbooking challenge

I recently discovered the Out of the Hat Scrapbook challenges and I'm so glad I did.  The challenge for March is to use fabric, 3 different sized flower and chipboard.  So here's what I've come up with:

For this layout, I've used a photo of my oldest son, Kyle, who is 10. 

I've started with a base in 12x12" white.  Next I've layered some pattern paper from MME - Bloom and Grow, green fabric and a strip of a lace doily remnant in a peach colour.  The green checked heart is also a piece of fabric.

I've used chipboard letters for the title.  Using a stamp set from SU - I (heart) Hearts - I've stamped directly onto the chipboard in Sahara Sand ink and then also sponged the edges.

I've used three flowers made of fabric.

Another very cute embellishment is the blue dotted fabric button from Lil Red Rocket.

Here's a closer look at the details:

Another March layout completed - I need to get onto Jan and Feb before they disappear too far from sight.  I'm looking forward to seeing another great challenge for April - thanks girls. 

Magnolia Down Under Challenges 1st Birthday Bash CANDY Blog Hop...

Sorry, this post is a little late, but here it goes for the blog hop.......

Hello there Magnolia Lovers and Welcome to the 1st Birthday Blog Hop for Magnolia Down Under Challenges....!!

We are so excited and thrilled to become 1! Who knew that when Magnolia Down Under Challenges started with only 3 members it would be bigger and better a year on. We are all SO EXCITED that we have decided to do a birthday blog hop and what's better is that all the DT are offering CANDY! To be eligible you have to hop on to each Design Team Members blog and leave them some comment lovin affection ;) Winners will be announced on Magnolia Down Under Challenges Blog at the end of the challenge and also on the personal DT blogs on who won their candy.

If you've just happened to come across my blog and didn't start at the beginning, click HERE....  But if you have come from Angela ...........  then you are well on your way into the hop....

Here's my card I created for this Birthday celebration week!

I was going thru all my pre-stamped images and found this handsome Edwin; thought I'd make a masculine card for a nice change.

So here he is, coloured in lightly with inks.  I've used Basic Grey papers from the Origins 6x6 pad.  I've created a tag with a 7gypsies label set and used the Upsy Daisy set for the 'birthday celebrations'.

I've also done some layering in assorted ribbons and twine, then finished off with a row of buttons. 

Here's a closer look:

On the inside of the card, I've made a small pocket so you can add in a gift card or extra note!

And here's my candy for the Birthday Bash.

One of the new stamps from the Easter range, flowers, rhinestones and some lace doilies.

If you love the lace doilies you can find more of these lovelies in my Etsy shop!

So just leave a comment for me to see and you will have the opportunity to win this cute prize pack. 
Thanks for stopping by.... Continue the hop by visiting Debra

Inkspiration Colour Challenge #19

Hello to you all on this lovely Friday.  As part of being in the Design Team for the Inkspiration Challenges, it's my turn to host.  This week is a fun colour challenge:

And here's what I've come up with this week:

My sister-in-law has kindly given me photo's of her cute girl, Amber, so I can create pretty girly scrapbook pages.  So for this weeks challenge, I decided to pick out a picture and use these fun colours to whip up a page.  I must say, I am really happy with the end result!

This is an 8x8" layout and I've started with a base in White,  Then I've added cardstock and pattern paper from the Designer Series paper by Stampin'Up.  I've also printed up some of my own paper with the word 'sweet', to use as a background.

For the embellishments, I've used some fabric flowers and lace doily.  These are items you will find in my Etsy store right here - Simply cards & Creative bits

I've also dug out an old favourite stamp set - Be Happy - by Stampin'Up.  This one is perfect for scrapbooking and you can make some fun embellishments with it.

I've also printed up a line of journalling and matted this onto more pattern paper.

Here's a closer look:

The design team will have some amazing inspiration too, so pop along to their blogs and give them a lovely comment:

Makeesha
Sarah-Jane
Kirsty
Renee
Cindy


Want to play along? - here are some guidelines.
If you would like to play along, all you need to do is follow the directions:
1. Make your creation following the challenge ie, sketch, colour, or inspiration image.
2. Load your creation up onto your blog or a public viewing forum like Splitcoast Stampers, with a direct link back to the post on this website, so that others viewing the post will know where the challenge has come from, and it is courtesy to do so.
3. Then come back to this post so that you can add your name and link in the Mr. Linky!

You have until the Thursday the 18th March midnight to get your entries linked.

I will be announcing the winner and honourable mention on Friday the 19th March in the afternoon.
Thanks for coming by, I do hope you have fun with this challenge and I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with.




Product used:
Stamps: Be Happy
Cardstock: White, Choc Chip, Regal Rose, Taken with Teal, Designer Series pattern paper, computer paper
Ink: Regal Rose, Choc Chip
Others: Fabric embellishments, buttons,

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #36 & Guest Designer

 You know that I really love and enjoying creating with Magnolia stamps and I always try to join in with the challenges over at Magnolia Down Under.  Well, Kellie has invited me to join her Design Team as guest for the month of March.  How fabulous is that?  I'm really excited and can't wait to share with you, my creations for the next four weeks. 

So today, the challenge is a really nice one:

3 papers, 3 flowers, 2 buttons & 1 bow

And here's what I've come up with:

I've used one of the new Magnolia stamps from the Raising the Ceiling collection - this one is Love News Tilda.  You'll be able to use this stamp for lots of different occasions.  I've coloured this Tilda with my Copic markers.

For the three papers I've gone with some pattern paper from Basic Grey and a piece of vintage bookprint. - I thought this went well with the stamp!

For the three flowers I've used two blue flowers and make a ruffled flower with vintage bookprint and added  a corduroy button to the centre.  Then I've placed this onto a blue doily.

I've added a button to the bow - this is a clear button with a punched out circle attached behind.  The other button is on the ruffled flower.

And lastly, the bow in striped blue ribbon finishes off the embellishments.

Here's a closer look at some of the details:

If you would love to join in with this fun and pretty challenge, head over to the Magnolia Down Under Challenge website to view all the details and see lots of inspiration from the Design Team. You can also see what prize you will be playing for.  Stay tuned for next week, 14th March, MDUC is turning ONE and they have come up with something fabulous - you won't want to miss this!

Product used:
Stamps: Tilda Love News
Cardstock: White, Bashful Blue, Basic Grey, Vintage bookprint
Ink: Black ink Memento, Tangerine Tango
Others: Flowers - Bizzy Becs, Doily, ruffled flower, buttons, ribbon,  Window punch (SU)

Denim bears and Vintage Pink

I've added a couple more items to my Etsy Store -

Denim Bear embellishments - just for boys

Vintage Pink - beautiful yoyo flowers with one-of-a-kind buttons

Thanks for looking.

Inkspiration Sketch Challenge #19

It's fabulous Friday and time for another challenge from Makeesha's Inkspiration Challenges.  We are doing a sketch this week:

And here's my card for this sketch week:

I pulled out a Stampin'Up set - Friends 24-7 - and went with a vintage look. 

I've started with a standard 4x6" card in white, then layered Basic Gray cardstock and pattern paper from Nook & Pantry by Basic Grey as per the sketch.

For the main image, I've stamped the bird twice in So Saffron and Basic Gray.  I've cut out the bird, then layered onto the Gray image and then adhered onto the cream doily.  I've also added some ribbon in So Saffron.

Two rhinestone brads have been attached as per the sketch too - these are from the Pretties Kit by SU.

Here's a closer look:

Be sure to check out what the Design Team have come up with for this week - sketches are like a blank canvas, so it's always interested to see what everyone creates.  If you do decide to play along, link your creation at Makeesha's post so we can all see.  Here are the links for the DT members:
Sarah-Jane
Kirsty
Renee
Cindy

Product used:
Stamp: Friends 24-7
Ink: Basic Gray, So Saffron
Cardstock: White, Basic Gray, Nook & Pantry (Basic Grey)
Others: ribbon, doily, brads, lace
Well, thanks for poping past and come back soon, I've have some news to share over the weekend. Til then...

everyday play: Scrapbooking.

I have FINALLY started my family scrapbook album for this year.  It only took me two months!!  Now that I have started, I feel very motivated to keep it up.  I have allowed myself to make at least two layouts per month; if there's more, than that can only be a good thing.

Printing out the photo's was another thing.  I was finding myself getting behind in this too.  So I've just recently bought a new printer - HP Photosmart C5380 All-in-One - now I can just print out the photo's I want to use for my scrapbook layouts and all the rest go to my photography blog and digital storage media.  This way, I won't have boxes and boxes of photo's just sitting there.

Having just opened up my new Etsy store; life has been a little busier, but very fun.  Thanks to those who have been checking it out and even buying some of the embellishment delights.  I'm hoping to bring out some new things soon, including embellishments particularly for boy scrapbook pages.  For those of you that know me, I have four boys!  I love making pretty things, but they don't get used alot for my own personal use - so I'm looking at making some fun boy stuff out of fabric pieces.

Well that enough of the talking, here's the first layout I've done.  These photo's of my little lad Caden, were just taken the other day, so I guess I'll be working back-wards to January.

This is a 12x12 layout - base cardstock in Riding Hood Red by Stampin'Up.  I've used a few bits of pattern paper from my scrap basket and printed out a sheet of lined paper from the internet.

I've used some chipboard letters which I've glossed up with Glossy accents.  The 'everyday' is made from rub-ons by Making Memories.

There's only a small bit of stamping - have used an image from a Basic Grey set - doesn't it look just like a doily?

And then lastly, I've added some embellishments - scrunched up paper circles with buttons and twine.

Here's a closer look:

I would love to have my own hand-writing on my layout, but I've always struggled with my hand-writing - so for now I use cool fonts on my computer and print them out.  In saying that, I am slowly but surely concentrating on my hand-writing style and maybe soon......... I might actually hand-write my journalling.

Thanks for looking.

Product used:
Stamps: Basic Grey
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Wild Wasabi, pattern paper, white lined paper (internet)
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Others: Martha Stewart punch, chipboard letters, rub-on's, button, twine, SU circle punches