Off the Rails November Challenge!

Hi friends!

Can you believe it's actually November? I can't!!! Eeeeeeeekkkkk!

Anyway, I am here today sharing my first Design Team share for the month, and this one is for the challenge at Off the Rails.

This month's mood board challenge looks like this...

And here is what I came up with...

{Papers by Jillibean Soup; Glitz Design and Cocoa Vanilla Studio}

This layout was a bit of an experiment for me - quite unlike my usual style which uses lots more paper than this, but I am pleased with how it turned out. (I am also pleased that it used up some scraps I had sitting around.)

It was SO hard being restrained with my embellishments though! I used a combination of Cocoa Vanilla Studio wood veneer pieces and enamel dots; and some Jillibean Soup die cuts, plus my Tim Holtz tiny attacher...

I quite enjoyed this departure from my usual style, and I think I will challenge myself to try it again. (I really did struggle to know when to leave it alone, but in hindsight I am glad I did!) 

Thanks for stopping by today, let me know what you think of this change up in style from me - should I try it again???

I am looking forward to seeing what this challenge inspires from everyone else! You have until the end of the month to link your entries up on the Off the Rails blog.

Til next time, happy scrapping! X

Off the Rails July Challenge!

Welcome to July and my first DT challenge reveal. (I don't know about you, but I get incredibly excited on the 1st of each month with all the new challenges announced.) This month I am starting off with the new challenge at Off the Rails Scrapbooking.

This month, there is TWO mood palettes to choose from, so you can pick the one to suit you best...

Here is what I created using the second one. (I loved the soft colours, but went slightly "off the rails" by adding a few tiny splashes of turquoise to it.)

{Papers by Glitz Designs; Kaisercraft; Heidi Swapp. Transparency by Hambly Screen Prints}

The inspiration for the title of this layout came from the fact that since the boys were born, it seems like every second person comes up to me and says "you've got your hands full" (along with several other stereotypical comments). The photo was taken by my dear friend Anthea when she was holidaying with her family here in Qld and I have waited a long time to use it. (Thanks Ant! X)

{Charms Creations heart; D-lish Scraps flowers; Rainbow Splendour vellum dots}

{D-lish Scraps flowers, sequin bow and hand-dyed muslin; American Crafts Dear Lizzy die cut}

Thanks for stopping by so I could share my work with you. I hope you will join us for this month's challenge at Off the Rails, there is a fabulous prize on offer from Imaginarium Designs! Entries close at the end of the month.

Happy scrapping! X

Mothers Day card!

Hi everyone!
Just popping in quickly today to share this card I created for my mum for Mothers Day. (Yes - A CARD!!! Those who know me will giggle, as I am not known for my penchant for card making.)
If you would like to know how I created this card, I have a step by step tutorial over on the Off the Rails blog today. You can find it HERE

{Patterned papers by Cocoa Vanilla Studio; blank card by Kaisercraft}

Here's a close-up of some of the details...

{Freckled Fawn arrow paperclip, paper leaves & flowers, loose sequins - all available from D-lish Scraps;
glitter bow by Crate Paper}

I would love for you to pop over to the Off the Rails blog and see my whole tutorial. While you are there, don't forget to check out the current challenge too. There are only a few days left to enter and be in the running for a fabulous prize from 2Crafty!

Off the Rails May Challenge!

May? Seriously? (I swear it was only March yesterday!) First of the month means new challenge day again, and this month I am starting with Off the Rails Scrapbooking. The May mood palette was once again designed by the very talented Fiona Paltridge.

Here's what it looks like...

And here is my take on it...

{Papers by Kaisercraft and Basic Grey; frame by My Minds Eye; stickers also by Basic Grey}

Lots and lots of layers went into this layout. I love how much depth it has...

{Paper flowers from D-lish Scraps; fabric flower by Prima; vellum bow from Rainbow Splendour} 

{Prima fabric flower; D-lish Scraps paper blooms and flair}

Thanks for visiting today. I hope I have inspired you to add this month's Off the Rails challenge to your list! There is a fabulous prize up for grabs from 2Crafty chipboard. Entries close at the end month - happy scrapping & good luck! X

Who's "A Planner"?

So, who out there amongst you is "a planner"? If you are, then today this one's for you!

I recently acquired this gorgeous Kikki K leather planner. This is what it looked like when it came to me. (|Pretty, but not "me" enough for my liking!)

So, being a papercrafter with all the tools already at my disposal, I decided to dip my toe into the world of "planning" by seeing what I could do to put my own personality into my planner. I started by creating my own custom made dividers using some gorgeous "Sugar & Spice" papers from Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Here they are...

I also added some gorgeous Kaisercraft and Project Life pocket cards to my planner.
Here's how they look inside. I am so happy with it!

If you would like to see how I made these, you will find the instructions in my post up on the Off the Rails Scrapbooking blog HERE. Pop over and see how easy it is!

Til next time, happy scrapping! (Or planning!) X

Off The Rails March Challenge!

First day of another month and I am back again to share a new challenge and layout with you all! The first one I have to share this month is for Off the Rails Scrapbooking.

Now I have to admit, I didn't love this month's mood palette when I first saw it, as it screamed vintage to me - not my forte at all. Once I stepped back a bit and decided to do it in my own style, I had no problem though. (And I was gently reminded that this is supposed to be a challenge after all!)

Here is what I came up with...

{Papers by Graphic 45; Kaisercraft and Basic Grey; also Kaisercraft Captured Moments pocket cards}

This layout was another great stash buster for me, as I was able to pick through my stash and use up some older product (and some even older scraps!) It was just a matter of finding papers to suit the palette and then off I went.

Here is the palette I was working with...

I took the basic "bones" of the sketch and the colours from the palette as my inspiration to start, but I also incorporated some small details from the photos - such as the pink flower and the book paper.

{Book print chippy heart button from Burdy's Embellies; large flower by Prima; other flowers from D-lish Scraps}

{Flair from D-lish Scraps; photo tab from Flutterby Designs}

You have until the end of the month to join in this challenge and be in the running to win a fabulous prize from Imaginarium Designs. 

Thanks for popping in, and for everyone who takes time out of their day to leave me comments - they really are very much appreciated! X

A Couple of Canvas Creations!

Just a quick share from me of a couple of canvas creations I recently made as Christmas gifts. I shared these over on the Off the Rails blog the other day, as part of my post about using Project Life cards for something other than Project Life.
(You can see my post on the OTR blog HERE, which includes my tip about printing on PL cards)

Here are my canvases...

A closer look at some of the detail...

Thanks for popping in! :)

Off the Rails January Challenge!

Another mid-month reveal from me, and this one is for Off the Rails Scrapbooking. This month's challenge is a gorgeous summery mood palette.

Here's what I came up with...

{Papers by The Girls' Paperie; Jillibean Soup; Bo Bunny; October Afternoon; Pretty Little Studio; 

also included are Becky Higgins Project Life cards}

And here is the palette...

I am pretty happy with the way this layout turned out. (Especially since I was able to use so many different papers from my stash!) As tempted as I am to always grab my most recent purchases, lately I have been making a concerted effort to use up some "older" products I already have...it just seems a waste for them to sit there. I find that colour challenges are perfect for this - I just go through and grab out whatever matches the palette and then choose a mix that work together. (Stash buster!)

Here's a closer look at some of those layers...

{Prima Divine Rose; Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric bunny button}

{Prima & D-lish Scraps flowers; D-lish Scraps sequin bow; gold spot washi tape; gold doiley & scalloped gold trim}

{This pretty girl is from Pretty Little Studio; flowers from Green Tara and D-lish Scraps}

I hope I have inspired you to bust your own stash or give the challenge a go. I would love to see what you come up with (and how much of your old product you can use too!) Thanks for stopping by and to everyone who takes the time to leave me a comment on my work. (I always try to repay the favour by visiting yours, so make sure I can find you!)
Happy scrapping! X

Off the Rails November Challenge

The November challenge at Off the Rails is another beautiful mood palette inspired by autumn tones with a touch of purple...

I was immediately drawn to the yellows and green on the palette, but studiously ignored the purple (purple is not my favourite...LOL) I also thought I would use the quote as a title, and include flowers too.

Here is what I came up with...

{Papers by Echo Park; Jillibean Soup; Glitz Design; American Crafts; Sassafras Lass; Hambly Screenprints}

A couple of close-ups...

{Some gorgeous D-lish Scraps flowers, and my fave EVER piece of Hambly transparency}

{I love this cut out piece from Jillibean Soup's "Chilled Cucumber" range, it was perfect for this photo}

So there you have it - short & sweet today. You have until the end of the month to scrap your take on the mood palette and link it up on the blog. 

Happy scrapping! 

Canvas for Off the Rails

Just popping in today to share a canvas I created based on this month's mood palette at Off the Rails Scrapbooking. For those who haven't seen the palette yet, it looks like this...

As soon as I saw it, I was drawn to the bright, happy colours and I loved the quote too. It made me think of a special friend of mine who has been through some really tough times this year, and now she is coming out the other side, I wanted to create something for her to celebrate that.

Here's what I came up with...

Initially I had planned to use all the colours from the palette, but as my project evolved I found myself sticking to just the warm tones instead. I used a variety of materials for this canvas. Besides my mediums (gesso, mists, texture paste, gel medium), and the obvious flowers, I also included twine; a number of chipboard pieces (painted with gesso, then highlighted with mists brushed on); gauze; pearls; skeleton leaves; sequin butterflies; pins; and Project Life cards.

Here's a couple of close ups...

Now, I didn't end up stopping at just one canvas. After seeing what I had made, my partner asked me to create one for someone special to us following a death in our family. I decided it was easiest to simply stick to the same design, change the quote and use the remaining 2 colours from the palette instead.  

This is the only photograph I have of it which was taken on my phone in full sun outside the funeral, so the photo is less than perfect...

Thank you for stopping by and for all those who take the time to leave me comments. They really are appreciated. X

Off the Rails September Challenge!

Back again with another challenge share for you, this time it's for the Off the Rails September challenge, which is a gorgeous mood palette designed by Fiona Paltridge.
Here is the palette...

And here is my take on it...

{Papers by Graphic 45 & Teresa Collins; Alphas by American Crafts
Published Scrapbooking Memories - Vol 17 No 12}

I was inspired by a number of elements from this palette. I love that it had me create this layout using a colour combo I would not necessarily have used otherwise. I was also drawn to the gold glitter, and incorporated that by die cutting some shapes from gold glittered cardstock - including feathers, another featured element of the palette.

{Dies & cardstock both by American Crafts; assorted flowers from D-lish Scraps}

I also created my own custom glittery gold background using a stencil, texture paste and loose glitter. I simply sprinkled the glitter onto the texture paste whilst still wet, then shook off the excess once dry.

{Flair button from D-lish Scraps}

{Prima feature bloom from Wild About Scrap; gold butterfly coming soon to Lovelybug bits n Bobs!}

The final element I took inspiration from was the theme of the palette and the quote "free yourself". I put my spin on it by using these pics of my daughter behind a wire fence, and some personal journaling to her about how I hope she is always free to be herself. (I used a gold gel pen for my journaling, so it doesn't overshadow the layout composition, but still fits the colour scheme.)

I do hope you will try this beautiful palette, and I hope you find it as inspiring as I did! Don't forget to link your layouts up to the Off the Rails blog HERE before the end of the month. Happy scrapping! X