What??? A canvas?!?

Can you believe that it's not only the 1st of the month again, but it's the LAST 1st of the month for 2011??? That means new challenges have been posted today and my last challenge for 2011 is up at Scrapbooking Top 50. To end the year with a bang, I've set a technique challenge for everyone - MIXED MEDIA! With the recent popularity of mixed media art influencing scrapping, I have decided to challenge everyone to try it themselves. Having said that, I am still happy for people to do what they are most comfortable with (i.e. layouts / cards / ATCs) but would love to see people challenge themselves to try something different such as a canvas / altered book / home decor item. (The key to this challenge is the techniques and use of materials & mediums!)

Of course I had to "practice what I preach", so I challenged myself to do a canvas and am pretty happy with the result...

I have posted a tutorial over at Top 50 HERE about how I created this canvas (although I am sure there are plenty of  REAL mixed media artists that will shake their heads at my "process"...LOL)

Despite not producing a layout, I still managed to squeeze on a few items from Handmade Halo. Down the bottom there are a couple of gorgeous little aqua resin flowers, and I also used a beautiful handmade ribbon flower to add some extra dimension.

I am SO looking forward to seeing people's creations for this challenge, so if you are one reading this who would love to give mixed media a go, pop over and check out the challenge details HERE

Update 27/12: I am linking this post up to Tip Junkie's 'Tip Me Tuesday' to share my creation. :)

My 'Spring Carnival' CC Challenge!

The 'Spring Carnival' Cyber Crop is now underway at Scrapbooking Top 50, and NO it's not too late to join in! All four challenges have now been posted and you have until Sunday 27th November to complete them. This is our last crop for the year (because who has time to scrap in December right? LOL) and there are some fantastic prizes to be won, so why not give one (or all) of the challenges a go? You can find all the challenges listed HERE

My challenge for the crop was inspired by the centrepiece of the Spring Carnival - the horses! The challenge is to scrap a pic/s that include an animal and to also include something chipboard. The winner of my challenge will receive an awesome prize from Handmade Halo (and yes, I am only slightly biased!)

Here is my sample layout...

I used Pretty Little Studio 'Antique Store' pps and embellishments for this LO, which are available exclusively in Australia from Handmade Halo. I also used a fabric button (from the 'Country Cottage' set) and some bookprint butterflies, both from my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs. The flower is Prima and the gorgeous woodgrain cardstock is from Coredinations (LOVE it!)

NEW Lovelybug Bits n Bobs Stock!

OK, here it comes...NEW STOCK!!! :-)

I will only post pics here to minimise the length of this post. (Still long though - sorry!) For all the details & prices, just click over onto the Lovelybug page via the tab at the top of the page.

New kits...

New buttons...

Remember you can purchase via email or by popping over to the Facebook shop HERE, where you can order & pay instantly with Paypal. And don't forget to become a Lovelybug Facebook fan for all the latest news, sales & giveaways - you can find the page HERE!

It's SALE TIME again!!!

Don't forget that NEW Lovelybug Bits n Bobs stock will go ON SALE TONIGHT via the Scrapbooking Top 50 Crafters Market. You will be able to access the Lovelybug sale folder directly HERE.

For anyone that can't make it to tonight's market, stock will also be posted here on the blog and in the new Facebook shop over the weekend. I have LOTS of gorgeous new goodies to share with you all!!!

Here are a few sneaks...

And a few more...

And a couple more...

If you see anything that catches your eye, be sure to pop by the market tonight to ensure you don't miss out! And to ensure you don't miss out on any of the latest Lovelybug news, sneak peeks & special offers, make sure you are a fan of the Lovelybug Bits n Bobs Facebook page. :-)

The Halo "Mojovator"!?!

This month sees the introduction of the first ever "Mojovator" from Handmade Halo. So called, because we don't want to add to your list of chores, but rather give you an opportunity and inspiration to create something for YOU!

Our first mojovator is a sketch, designed by our very own talented DT member Em Stafrace. In addition to using Em's sketch as mojo-vation for your project, (and in keeping with the Halo theme), you will also need to include a set of wings on your creation. Here is the sketch...

For my LO, I used the Pretty Little Studio 'Antique Store' pps, which are available exclusively in Australia from Handmade Halo. I have also included a cute little Halo ladybug pebble, and one of my own (soon to be released) Lovelybug Bits n Bobs buttons.

To see the rest of the DT's take on this month's mojovator, and to find out exactly how you could win some gorgeous Halo goodies of your own, pop over to the Halo blog HERE for all the details.
Get your mojo running!!!

"Time is White" Challenge!

I can't believe we are so close to the end of the year!!! That being said, it's new challenge day again (who doesn't love that right?) and to kick it off, here is my November Monthly Challenge for Scrapbooking Top 50. This month I have a word challenge for everyone and I am calling it the "Time is White" challenge. The challenge is to create a LO using the word "time" in the title / subtitle / prominently in the journalling + include a clock / watch + a white cardstock base. (Now the challenge name makes sense doesn't it?)

Here's my take on it...

I have used Pretty Little Studio 'Antique Store' pps & coordinating embellishments, all available from Handmade Halo. I have also included a handmade 'Ropeable' flower from Halo, and teamed it with some Kaisercraft transparency (the clocks - which might be a bit hard to see in the pic?). I created the background using glimmermist and my 'Woodgrain' Crafters workshop template. (How I love those two things!)

I do hope you will give my challenge a go this month. (You might even win an awesome prize!) You can pop over HERE to see what other challenges the DT girls have on offer this month!

Lovelybug Bits n Bobs NEWS!

Just thought I would post a quick update for everyone regarding Lovelybug Bits n Bobs. (For those of you who follow on the Facebook page, much of this will not be new information.)

* I now OFFER PAYPAL as a method of payment.  If you are ordering via email, please indicate if you wish to pay this way.

* I have recently added a NEW SHOP on the Facebook page. (You can access it HERE) Through the shop you are now able to order & pay instantly via Paypal. This means no delay to orders whilst waiting for me to confirm your order or for direct deposit payments to clear.

* Large EMBELLISHMENT KITS are currently on sale at 25% OFF! There are also a number of items that are on clearance at UP TO 33% OFF. These are end of line items and available in very limited quantities. I have updated the Lovelybug page here on the blog to reflect the current sale pricing.

* Last but not least - NEW STOCK is coming!!! This will be released first via the Scrapbooking Top 50 Crafters Market on Friday 11th November, and then to both the blog & shop soon after. I will start posting some sneaks as the sale approaches.

As always, I thank everyone for their ongoing support & encouragement, it is very much appreciated! XXX

October White With 1!

At last - she scraps! After my poor mojo decided to pack up and take an extended break these last few weeks, the October White With 1 challenge has managed to coax it out of hiding. This month's challenge is white + black + mists / paint. How could I resist?

Here's my take on it...

I used some Pretty Little Studio 'Scaredy Cat' pp and matching tag for this LO. Pretty Little Studio collections are currently available exclusively in Australia from Handmade Halo. I also used my Crafters Workshop 'Houndstooth' template and some Kaisercraft transparency.

The gorgeous flower pin is also from Handmade Halo, whilst the satin & resin flowers are from my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs...

This little cutie is also from Halo...

My October Monthly Challenge!

1st of the month and fresh (well, that's questionable! LOL) off a plane from Nth Qld, I thought I would quickly post my October monthly challenge for Scrapbooking Top 50 before I flake out for the night. This month, in honour of 'Pink Ribbon Month', I couldn't pass up the chance to do a PINK themed challenge! (You all know how much I looooove it!) Anyway, my criteria are what I have affectionately termed my "Triple P" challenge - PINK, PETALS & PEARLS. (Yep, it definitely calls for girly this month!)

Here's what I did with it...

The pic is one of Brielle that I took on her 3rd birthday and was the first pic that came to mind when I thought "pink". It was also the perfect opportunity to use the gorgeous flower trim I had in my stash and this little cutie from My Little Bit of Whimsy...

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and left me some love over the last couple of weeks, and my apologies for not returning the favour. Once I am settled back into routine this week I will be hopping around to see what you've all been up to while I was away! XXX

A Couple of Halo LOs!

I was lucky enough to receive a big box bursting with lots of goodies from Handmade Halo the other day and couldn't wait to get stuck into them! I received some of the new Pretty Little Studio paper collections, coordinating embellishments and (of course) some handmade goodies too. First up was the 'Scaredy Cat' collection, which is a Halloween themed one featuring lots of cool patterns and spooky pics. Despite all that, it can also be used for non-Halloween LO's which is what I did...

This Easter pic of Brielle was a perfect choice to use with the bingo card from the 'Seen a Ghost' coordinating embellishment set. I also used a Halo heart shaped pebble on the bingo card...

And here is one of my new favourite things, a 'Ropey Ropeable' flower (aren't they awesome?). The little flag you can see is one that I received from Rainbow Splendour...

Next up was the 'April Showers' collection, which is bursting with lots of bright colours & cute patterns. (Right up my alley!) As soon as I saw the papers, they just screamed 'whimsical' to me...

 

And look how cute the little Halo pebble (yes, I love these things!) looks perched in the felt tree from Rainbow Splendour...

If you haven't already popped over to Handmade Halo to check out all the goodies that are on offer, I highly suggest you do! There are new items being added all the time, and don't forget that postage is always FREE!!! Yep, you heard right - FREE POST FOREVER at Handmade Halo! (More money to spend on goodies!) :-)

A Cyber Crop LO!

Here I am posting from my sister's house in sunny Nth Qld. (I am up here helping her & her family while she is recovering from knee surgery.) Unfortunately I have not had much time for scrapping, but I did manage to complete one LO with the limited supplies I have with me. This LO was for the Scrapbooking Top 50 'Spring Fever' CC, which ends tomorrow night. (So there's still time to get a last minute challenge completed!) This LO was for Ant's challenge, which was to scrap a LO using 3 colours from the picture provided, a white cardstock base, and twine.

Here's my take on it...

The photo was one taken recently of my daughter and I wearing our red shirts in memory of Daniel Morcombe.  (I have explained the meaning of the LO on a hidden journal tag behind the photo.) Although I am happy with how the LO came out, I reeeeeally needed my sewing machine and missed the fact I couldn't stitch on it! (It was also difficult to not have my entire embellishment stash at my disposal!) The spotted fabric button you can see is from Lovelybug Bits n Bobs (of course!) and is from the 'Pocket of Posies - Primary' embellishment kit.

'Spring Fever' Cyber Crop Challenge!

The Scrapbooking Top 50 'Spring Fever' Cyber Crop is still underway, with a whole week left to get your challenge entries in! My cyber crop challenge is a quote challenge - 'Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is'. I love this quote as I think it sums up exactly what Spring is all about. In addition to using the quote, you are also required to use outdoor photo/s.

Here is my sample LO...

I created this LO using My Minds Eye as the base, and added a splash of colour with some Kaisercraft 'Miss Nelly'. There are also a few bits of Hambly transparency and a gorgeous Manorhouse Creations flower. All in all, just like the quote, I think it sums up Spring perfectly for me! :-)

A Scrappy Share!

{Warning: colour ahead! hehe}
Here's a layout I completed for Vicki's September Monthly Challenge at Scrapbooking Top 50. Vicki's challenge this month is to simply complete a layout using the sketch provided. (Of course I had to change it by rotating it onto it's side...LOL) Here's my LO...

I used some Echo Park 'Summer Days' as the basis for this LO, which I teamed with some Pink Paislee printed tissue. There is also a Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric flower, a couple of Handmade Halo pebbles (I seriously LOVE these and there are lots of different themes to choose from!), and a little flag I received in a package from Rainbow Splendour...

A resin swallow, also from Handmade Halo...

And you can also spy a Charms Creations lollipop...

In a little bit of exciting news for me, this month I have a card published in Scrapbook Creations magazine which has also been featured online and turned into a downloadable project sheet (you can see it HERE). The card was created as part of my (failed) application for the My Little Shoebox DT, and to my surprise, My Little Shoebox have also shared the link to my project via their Facebook page today. :-) And to top off my scrappy happiness, I also have a LO published in this month's Scrapbooking Memories magazine. The best part about that one though, is my LO is featured on the SAME PAGE as my sister's first published LO!!! (How cool is that when they didn't even know we are sisters?) YAY sis!!!

New Lovelybug Bits n Bobs stock!

Time once again for some new stock! This month I have some new embellishment kits, a couple of button & flower kits, and a few new buttons too!

'Floral Fancy' Embellishment Kit...

'On the Road Again' Embellishment Kit...

'Key To Your Heart' Embellishment Kit...

'Pocket of Posies' (Primary)...

'Pocket of Posies' (Spring)...

'Babushka Dolls' button set...

'Love Birds' button set...

'Orange Tang' button set...

 To see full kit details, pricing and ordering information, please click the Lovelybug Bits n Bobs tab at the top of the page, or click HERE