And again!!!

Yep, I managed to squeeze out another LO, so have finished just in time to enter it for Ant's January Monthly Challenge @ SBT50. The criteria for her '2011' challenge were 2 - patterned papers; 0 - a circle; 1 - photo; 1 - word title. Here's what I came up with (in keeping with my resolution to journal more, its pretty "journalling laden")...

Here's a close-up of the journalling...

It's been a while since I used a die cut background like this, so it was nice to dust off this cute one from My Little Shoebox. I paired it with a scrap of MLS pp; journal tag from My Minds Eye; Green Tara mini flowers; 'Sunny - banana' glitter foam Thickers and 4mm 'Sunflower' pearls. (I seriously love these pearls from Handmade By Suzanne - at only $1.80 for 100, they are SUCH good value!) I also used my own hand-dyed recycled doiley and an assortment of flowers I got from My2Angels. My fave embellie on this LO though, is the cute bottletop I bought from Vicki at the Scrapbooking Top 50 Crafters Market. (Pop in this Friday, 4th February for a chance to purchase some awesome handmade embellies for yourself!)

I scrapped again!

Despite feeling sick, I managed to rustle up a bit of mojo last night! I still had lots of gorgeous Bella Blvd 'Sunny Happy Skies' from Handmade By Suzanne left to play with, so picked my favourite sheet (I just love the little hot air ballons on it) and got stuck in. A lack of mojo meant I had to find something not too taxing on my brain though, so I decided to have a go at the sketch challenge from Challenge Heaven. Lucky for me, it seemed a case of the right paper, the right challenge and the right pics, so this LO came together fairly easily...

I couldn't help but drag out one of my all-time fave Thickers - Aqua fabric 'Patchwork' ones for this LO, as they just seemed to go perfectly with the Bella Blvd pps, stickers & Cute Cuts. I also popped on a little piece of 'Sea Mist' satin ribbon and some 4mm turquoise pearls...all available from Handmade By Suzanne. There is also one of my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric buttons and a gorgeous bird pin I purchased from my friend Treens at the last Scrapbooking Top 50 Crafters Market...they play nicely together don't you think??? (And yes, my old friend / foe the sewing machine also made a guest appearance...LOL)

Yes, I scrapped!

Mojo has been a bit hit & miss this week, and given that I woke up this morning feeling not too well, I now know why. (Damn kid germs - thanks Brielle!) I did manage a couple of LOs though (although not entirely happy with them...LOL) This LO was one I completed for the Quote Challenge @ Challenge Heaven. We had to finish the sentence "A Day at the..." and also include ribbon or twine (I used both). I chose to scrap a pic of our family taken at Australia Zoo last year. I actually found this pic quite difficult to scrap because of the colours in it, here's the result...

Included on the LO are a couple of quirky handmade embellishments. The first is a bottletop made by my darling friend Vicki, which I purchased from her via the Scrapbooking Top 50 Crafters Market. (The next market is scheduled to kick off next Friday, 4th February.) The other handmade embellishment is the tree, which I received from another SBT50 member in an embellishment swap.

Unfortunately, I can't share my other LO just yet, as its secret squirrel stuff...but all will be revealed soon! ;-)

We have a winner...

Congrats Linda!!!

Could you please email me at lovelybugbitsnbobs@hotmail.com with your details and I will get your buttons posted off to you. To everyone else, thanks for playing along and for all your wonderful comments and support. My new buttons will be released in just under 2 weeks time, so stay tuned...I think we might have to have another little giveaway to celebrate! ;-)

An Apology...

Just a quick apology to everyone - I know I said I was going to announce a winner of my button bounty giveaway today, but I am holding off til tomorrow as I am feeling a bit 'under the weather' (it's self-inflicted, so no pity required...LOL) Am off to lie down again, will be back tomorrow to announce the winner, sorry for the delay. Good news if you haven't entered it yet though - you now have a last minute chance to enter HERE

Stuck?! Sketches Jan LO!

Well mojo was calling, so I was itching to get into another challenge and decided I couldn't pass up the 1st January sketch at Stuck?! The sketch looked perfectly suited to another 8.5x11" LO, and I thought I would have a go at the same landscape orientation again (it's a perfect size & shape for scrapping a single 6x4 pic), so I flipped it around. Here's my take on Sara's sketch...

Again I used the Bella Blvd 'Sunny Happy Skies' collection from Handmade By Suzanne (currently available at 30% off!), as well as some Bazzill dotted swiss cardstock; May Arts leaf ribbon; Green Tara paper string; 4mm loose pearls (these come in an amazing range of colours and are SUCH awesome value - they are also 30% off right now!); pink taffeta check ribbon; Prima pom pom trim...all products available at Handmade By Suzanne. (OK, I did use paint again too...LOL)

More Bella Blvd!

I finally got back to playing with my DT kit From Handmade by Suzanne, which this month was full of the gorgeous Bella Blvd 'Sunny Happy Skies' collection. I decided to use it to complete one of the challenges at Challenge Heaven, as I haven't had a chance to play along there for a while (although I do have the best of intentions every month! LOL) The challenge I completed was the "Themed Challenge" which this month is about grandparents, and you also had to use Kraft as your base. I decided to do an 8.5x11" LO for this, as I only had one decent pic to scrap. Although I have scrapped this size a few times before, I have never completed one using a landscape orientation. Here is the result...

Besides the Bella Blvd goodies (pp, stickers & Cute Cuts) and the Kraft cardstock, I also used some pink taffeta check ribbon; Green Tara paper string; paint (of course...LOL) and one of my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric buttons. Pretty simple, but am happy with the result. :-)

This could be yours...

Just a reminder that there is only a couple of days left to get your entries in for my Lovelybug Bits n Bobs giveaway. The winner will receive a selection of 17 of my fabric buttons, so if you haven't already entered HERE, please do! Don't forget if you re-post about the giveaway to your own blog and then leave me an extra comment telling me, you'll get a bonus entry in the draw. I will announce a winner on Sunday.

My pre-release of new buttons will be Friday 4th February, at the Scrapbooking Top 50 Crafters Market, and then they will be officially released to my blog the following day. So if you want to get in early, or would like to check out some of the other handmade goodies on offer, be sure to stop by. A big thanks to everyone who has already placed orders with me & happy scrapping! X

Wanna win some Polka Dot Place Goodness???

For those of you that don't already know, my mate Bridgette Hatton (AKA Scrapbooking Memories Master 2011!) has her very own, very new, online scrapbooking kit business. Bridge's kits are absolutely DIVINE and at the moment she is having a giveaway to celebrate and help promote her business The Polka Dot Place. Here's what is up for grabs...

You too can be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous kit, all you have to do is stop by Bridge's blog and check out the the post HERE

More CC Challs!

I definitely capitalised on my mojo this week and managed to finish ALL of the challenges for the Scrapbooking Top 50 'Celebrations' Cyber Crop (and well ahead of this Sunday's deadline too!) First up, here is the card I created for the Opening Night mini challenge. The criteria was to create a card for a 'celebration' and to use a handmade embellishment. Of course, I used one of my own Lovelybug Bits & Bobs fabric buttons (pirate) for this 21st card for my nephew...

Next up, was Vicki's Challenge, where the criteria was to scrap a LO using the word "party" to represent the criteria. So for P we had to use paint / punch; A - arrow / acetate; R - rhinestones / ribbon; T - tape / tabs; Y - yellow / word 'you' in title. (Not surprisingly, I ended up with a shamelessly PINK LO again...LOL) Again, I used one of my own buttons, plus a journal tag and couple of different flowers I have received in some of the SBT50 embellishment swaps (thanks girls!) I also used my yummy Japanese washi tape again, which I got from Kawaii Goodies.

Last challenge was guest DT (and my sister!) Mandy's challenge, where we had to use lyrics from Pink's song "Raise Your Glass". We also had to use bright colours, mixed alpha title and doodling. I had been waiting for a chance to scrap this cool pic of Brielle and the line from the song "where's the rock & roll?" was perfect for it. Included on this LO is a gorgeous crocheted doiley from (the equally gorgeous) Becci at Lime Tree Creations. Becci has just posted a new release over at LTC, so pop over to see her new goodies and check out her specials - you won't be sorry!

You still have until midnight Sunday 23rd to enter the challenges for the SBT50 'Celebrations' CC, so be sure to stop by and check out the challenges - you could win an awesome prize from one of our sponsors! Or you could win a prize from me...if you enter my Lovelybug Bits n Bobs giveaway! Go to this post HERE for your chance to win!!! (Remember if you re-post your own blog, I'll give you an extra entry in the draw. Please help spread the word!) :-)

A Cyber Crop LO!

I finally got to play with my January DT kit from Handmade By Suzanne, which was bursting with Bella Boulevard 'Sunny Happy Skies' goodies this month...YUMMO! :-) Lots of bright colours, hot air balloons, clouds, flowers, trees...it's super cute and right now is on sale at 30% off!!! (That means the papers are down to only $0.91 each!) If you are looking for something to top up your stash at a great price, then I highly recommend this collection!

Anyway, I used some of my kit to create a LO for Ant's Challenge for the Scrapbooking Top 50 'Celebrations' CC which is currently underway. The criteria for the challenge were to scrap a LO about a celebration from 2010, use more than 1 pic, and include something red & something clear. I scrapped a series of pics I took of Brielle during her Easter egg hunt (I know - slack!)...

Besides all the Bella Boulevard goodness, I also used American Crafts cardstock in 'Lipgloss', hot pink Kaisercraft alpha stickers, Basic Grey micro mono alphas, Prima pom pom trim and some gorgeous 'Candy' coloured loose pearls - all from Handmade by Suzanne of course! You can get all these items in store right now, with almost all of them currently on sale at 30-40% off!!! (A great excuse to go shopping...hehe)

I just noticed...I'm having a very "pink" start to the year aren't I??? LOL

HBS January Sketch Challenge!

Back again with some more to share, this time my take on the Handmade By Suzanne January sketch challenge. This month's sketch has been designed by our very talented guest DT, Sam Hauzer. Entry for this challenge is open until midnight 31st January and the randomly drawn winner will receive a $20 voucher to spend in store at Handmade By Suzanne...YAY! Pop over to the HBS gallery to see Sam's original sketch, inspiration from the DT or to enter your own LO. Here's my take on it...

Given that my 'Cupcake Love' prize pack from Little Yellow Bicycle was still sitting on my desk (beckoning me...LOL), I couldn't resist using it to create this LO. I have also used some yummy Japanese washi tape from Kawaii Goodies (an awesome buy at the moment with the Aussie $ so strong, be sure to tell Soury I sent you!) And again, I have used my own fabric button and hand-dyed recycled doiley. :-)

My Top 10 for 2010!

I have seen a few people post their "Top 10" now and thought it might be fun to do it myself...well that's what I first thought, once I started it's like choosing between your kids! LOL

Anyway, here are my 8 fave LOs from last year in no particular order (my other 2 faves are missing coz they are currently out for publication). Many of these might not be my best work, but there are other reasons why I love them...

Flood Appeal!

Scrappers, if you haven't already heard, make sure you check out Rising Waters Flood Appeal to find out how you, as a crafter, can help bring a smile to someone's face in the wake of the devastating Qld floods that are currently unfolding. Sharryn Thomson has created this blog and put out the call to scrappers for their support. Please help if you can!

Also, if you haven't already done so, I urge you to make a donation to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal to raise money for flood victims. Donations can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person, so please give what you can because every little bit helps! For details of how to donate, or to make an online donation, visit the website HERE

My thoughts go out to all my fellow Qlders affected by this disaster, may you all stay safe! XXX

Jan CC Starts Tonight!!!

Don't forget that the Scrapbooking Top 50 Cyber Crop starts tonight - hope to see you all there!

My Lovelybug Bits n Bobs!



Well I have finally taken the plunge (well sort of, LOL) and added an extra page here on my blog for my handmade goodies. I've called it "Lovelybug Bits n Bobs", with the view that one day it might grow enough have a blog of its own. (Well here's hoping!) To celebrate that, and also the fact that I am almost at 50 followers, I have decided to have a giveaway of some of my handmade buttons. To be in the running for my button bounty, simply make sure you are a follower of my blog and leave me a comment here on this post. For an extra entry into the draw, simply post about my giveaway on your own blog and then leave another comment here letting me know you have done it. I'll leave the giveaway open for a couple of weeks and announce a winner the weekend of the 22nd / 23rd January, so please help me spread the word!

Here's what's up for grabs (sorry, it's a night-time pic), a selection of assorted buttons from the sets I currently have available - 17 buttons in total! :-)

To see my full range of buttons available, just click on the 'Lovelybug Bits n Bobs' tab at the top of the page!

My January Challenge!

New year, new challenges, and my first challenge for the year is up @ Scrapbooking Top 50! This month my challenge to everyone is to create a LO that includes stitching, flowers and a bow. (Yes, a very easy one to start the year off!) Here is my sample LO...

How gorgeous are all the flowers there? I've got a some Green Tara mini flowers from Handmade By Suzanne; gardenia, hydrangea and star stemmed flower from My2Angels; My Vintage Blossom satin rose from Wicked Princesses; and a floral spray from D-lish Scraps - quite an assortment! There is also some Green Tara paper string (LOVE this stuff!) and AC 'Remarks' Thickers, both from Handmade By Suzanne. The journal tag came from a swap we had recently on Top 50 - love it! :-)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone out there, I hope that 2011 is a great year and brings all that you hope for!

OK, formalities out of the way, onto a scrappy share. I actually found some time (and mojo) last week and managed to complete the all the December challenges for Scrapbooking Top 50. First up was Vicki's sketch challenge, you can see the sketch here. Here's my take on it...

I used Cosmo Cricket 'Togetherness' pps and stickers for this LO, (currently on sale at 30% off at Handmade By Suzanne); along with one of my own cherry fabric buttons; AC Thickers and a bit of 'Sunflower' glimmermist. I also dragged the sewing machine out and added some red stitching (I think the sewing machine and I might actually be starting to become friends after our rocky beginning...LOL)

Next, I was onto Ant's challenge, which was to create a LO leaving at least 1/2 page of 'white space'. I kept the whole LO fairly simple and embellished using a denim bow and one of my own pirate fabric buttons.

The last challenge I completed was the 'We Dare You' challenge, where members set 4 random criteria for the DT and we have to create something using them (the "darers" also have to complete it). The criteria were orange, black & white colour combo; paint; an animal; one word title / sentiment. I created this card...

Handmade by Suzanne Stocktake Sale!

If you are looking for a scrappy bargain, be sure to pop over to Handmade By Suzanne, for the end of year Stocktake Sale! Almost all products in the store are currently on sale at 30% OFF, which represents a massive saving and means you can buy even more!!! (Gotta love that!) Lucky for me, my parents know to give me cash for Christmas, and of course I can think of nothing better to spend it on than scrappy stuff...YAY for sales!!! :-) So go on...GET SHOPPING!