rainy days

Hello - I have a LO to share that I created for the Once Upon a ..... Sketch challenge - I always enjoy Nadia's sketches and journalling theme ☺ For August, it's all about seasons and I've chosen Winter!!

 I really did enjoy creating this page, not only because of the challenge but also because I got to use Basic Grey - Clippings collection - totally love this one!!!
I've added some background effects to the base paper using a Unity Stamp called Splatters & Stars from Paper Stories. I've stamped with white ink and also paint!
I've also sneaked in some Hambly and chevron washi tape ☺
And I've used a photo of my youngest boy walking in the Winter rain with his umbrella ☺
Here are some close-up's:

 ... mini rosette die using the Clippings collection papers ... the paper garland is from the same collection - it's already sewn together, you just need to pop it out from the paper and stick to your LO - so easy and so lovely ☺

 ... another rosette and more of the garland papers ... also a flair button from Paper Stories ...

And here is the fabulous sketch should you wish to play along - really love the design of this one ☺

Basic Grey - Clippings Collection can be found at Handmade by Suzanne - this really is a pretty cool collection and I can't wait to use it some more.
Have a great week - we have a birthday in the family tomorrow - my baby is turning FOUR and he's so excited.  I'm looking forward to his little party☺
Happy crafting and thanks for coming by.

she loves to ride

Hello - hope you are enjoying the weekend.  We've had a relaxing day, doing the 'soccer' thing with our boys and relaxing at the beach doing a bit of fishing and playing around.☺

I have another LO to share using October Afternoon - Sasparilla collection from

  Handmade by Suzanne.

 This one features my niece Amber and I love this photo of her - she looks so proud.  I've gone with the star theme, using both sides of the Pony Express 12x12 paper, some of the chipboard embellishments and also the High Noon 12x12 paper with the alphabet to form part of the title.
Here are some close-up's:

 ... little stickers from OA ... a star tin pin and some star chipboard pieces ...

... more of the little sticker letters and another tin-pin ...

I'm loving this October Afternoon collection - I will be back a little later on in the month to inspire you some more.  Happy crafting ♥

horse riding lessons

Hello, hope your week has been going great.  I'm back to share with you another page using October Afternoon - Sasparilla collection - from Handmade by Suzanne. 

 This is a picture of my niece who happens to have horse-riding lessons each week - when I found out I had this collection to work with, I thought of her and asked my sister-in-law for some pictures.  They have been perfect to use for this country collection.
For this LO, I've used a number of the pattern papers, including the picture of the girl with the horse - I've cut a section out and machine stitched onto my page.
Here are some close-up's of the details:

 ... on of the tin pins and also the little flyer flags - such fun embellishments to work with ... I've also added in some of the hemp twine and a small Manor House creations flower ...

 love these little sticker letters - I always tend to outline them in a marker to make them stand-out ☺

... some more of the Manor House flowers and my computer journalling ...

OK, that's a quick one from me today - don't forget about the monthly sketch challenge at Handmade by Suzanne - there will be a random draw for the $40.00 voucher from the shop - WOW - how fantastic would that be.
Hope you have a happy weekend ☺

carefree

This month from Handmade by Suzanne, my DT kit was full of October Afternoon - Sasparilla Collection.  This is based around the cute country western theme and consists of gorgeous pattern papers, fun chipboard pieces, tin pins, little flyer flags and label stickers.

Don't let the 'country and horse' theme put you off - there is plenty of potential for this collection.

I have my first page to share:

 This is a picture of my brother with his daughter on their property - I love the country feel of it and it was perfect for using with October Afternoon ☺
My base paper is Wagon Train  from the OA collection to which I've added in some details of texture with the mini brick CW template, texture paste and ink.
Here are some close-up's of the details:

 ... chipboard title from the chip'n stick ... some of the hemp twine ... Kaisercraft blooms ...

 ... typewriter journalling ... sticker letters OA Mini Market ...

... I've used some burlap in the background to give it a natural feel ... a chipboard fence lightly inked around the edges ... one of the tin pins ... some sweet little flyer flags which you can assemble from the pack ...

I hope you have been inspired by the sweet country feel to Sasparilla ☺ I can't wait to show you some more.  Suzanne has this collection in her online store: Handmade by Suzanne, as well as lots of other gorgeous products. Thanks so much for coming by.

journey

Hello - hope you are having a happy weekend ☺

Today I have a LO to share for the White with One challenge for August!

The challenge requirements are: white plus maps plus travel embellishments

And here's my LO:

These are some fun photo's on our way to a camping holiday - whenever we travel, I try and take an inside picture from in the car of us travelling.  Fun to look back on and we are always looking happy and relaxed, 'cause we are on our way to holidays ☺
 I've used papers from the Kaisercraft - Check-in collection - perfect for the travel theme.
Here are some close-up's:

 ... some embellishments - a little flag that I've made from the pattern papers and a tooth-pick. ... a Prima flower and a faux flair button, also using the pattern paper ...

 ... another of my faux flair buttons - using the pattern paper, punch out a 1" circle and then simple stick an epoxy dot over the top to create the shiny effect ...

... two cute car buttons from Lil Red Rocket ... and some background pattern map papers ...

I've kept this LO so simple with clean lines and just a few embellishments.   Such a fun challenge and something a little different.  We hope you will give it a go!!
Check out the blog for more inspiration from the Creative Team - we can't wait to see your pages in the gallery ☺
Thanks for coming by.

happiness

Hello again ☺ Another challenge to share.  A new sketch is up at Handmade by Suzanne designed by the lovely Nadia - I always have such a fantastic time creating for these sketches ♥

Here it is:

 ... and here is my LO:

 I generally end up doing a very 'girly' page with Nadia's sketches - love adding in pretty details.  For this LO I've used Prima - Fairy Belle collection including some of their gorgeous flowers ♥
And I've pretty much kept with the sketch - using the same photo twice, just overlapping it.
Here are some close-up's of the details:

 ... fussy cutting with the gorgeous papers - adding in Prima flowers, Kaisercraft blooms, cabachons and pearls ...

 ... more cuttings, blooms and flowers - the pearls are actually from a 'string of pearls' which I've just cut to size and glued in place ...

 ... a Prima Wood Tickets, doily and some background stamping using a Prima stamp ...

... sticker letters and computer journalling - it's actually a Kaisercraft rub-on quote!!

Be sure to check out the gallery for inspiration from the Design Team!!  We would love to see your entries there too - there is a $40.00 voucher from HBS for the prize - wouldn't that be lovely to spend in the shop ☺

Thanks for coming by and your lovely comments - they make me smile ♥☺♥

by the sea

Hello August ☺  Another month is upon us and it's time to introduce the latest challenge at ARTastic.

There are a few exciting changes happening - we are mixing up the challenges a little and the Design Team will be giving tips and tutorials along the way.

This month we have a very fun challenge and one that is quite popular at the moment: MIXED MEDIA INSPIRED ♥  We have the inspiration painting and also some idea's for mixed media from Design Team member Helene - so pop over to the blog and check it all out!!

 Here's my LO:

 I was inspired by the colour, using mostly blues and browns with the pop of black.  I've also added in texture using modelling paste and a CW stencil.  Here are close-up's of the details:

 ... layers of paper including dress-making patterns decoupaged onto the card stock ... I've complimented the beachy theme with twine, shells and muslin ...

 ... texture created with the CW stencil, modelling paste, mist and ink - I've also added in Dusty Attic chipboard to give it even more dimension ...

... I've used the packaging from some Prima Flowers for the wording banners - perfect for this photo ...

We would love to see lots of entries in our gallery this month - there are some gorgeous prizes to be won.  Be sure to check out the ARTastic blog and also the inspiration from the Design Team.  We hope you enjoy the 'new look' ARTastic and challenges ☺