Scrapbooking Top 50 February Challenges

Talk about last minute! I found myself at a bit of a loose end today so decided to do a challenge. I found this cute "Love" themed mood board at Scrapbooking Top 50 so thought I would give it a go...

The first thing that jumped out at me was the red, white & black colour combo, along with the pop of glittery gold; I also drew inspiration from the doilies, the word 'love' and of course, hearts.

Here's what I came up with...

{Papers by Prima Marketing}

Given that these are not the usual style of papers I scrap with, I was pretty happy with how this layout came out. Here's some close-ups...

{Flair, flowers and gold doily from D-lish Scraps}

{Large flower from Manor House Creations, other flowers from D-lish Scraps, die cut by Shimelle for American Crafts}

I wasn't the only one scrapping today - my 6 year old daughter Brielle was also busy. She spotted the kids challenge that had also been posted on Top 50 and insisted on having a go (her first ever challenge!) The kids challenge was to create a layout and include at least one heart.

Here is her layout...

She says "this layout is about my birthday party last year. I used the scrapbooking stuff mum and dad gave me for Christmas. Mum cut me some hearts and I chose green glitter paper".

I think she got enough hearts on there! So proud of her efforts. (I had to help her by cutting the paper to her specifics, as I usually cut with a ruler & knife and I don't trust her with that yet!) The design is all her own (but I do think I can see some influence of my style in her work). :)

Thanks for popping by! (If you do happen to leave any words of encouragement for Brielle, I will make sure she sees them, thank you!) X

Happy New Year!

Happy new year to all! It's shaping up to be a busy start to my scrap year and I have a few things to share, so please bear with me...

*** Firstly, I am VERY pleased to announce I have re-joined the Design Team at Wild About Scrap. For those who have been following my journey, you will remember my term with WAS was interrupted with the premature arrival of my boys. Now that I have FINALLY started to get my scrap on again, Veronica has graciously accepted me back on the team. Look out for some Wild About Scrap projects coming soon!

*** Secondly, I am also pleased to announce that I have joined the Design Team for Show Us Your Stuff. SUYS has recently changed hands, and is now being managed by my darling friend Vicki (who also owns Scrapbooking Top 50 and Burdy's Handmade)...she knew I couldn't say no to her! hehe I am thrilled to be working alongside some awesome creative peeps too!

For anyone that doesn't already know, Show Us your Stuff is a challenge blog devoted to showcasing all things HANDMADE via monthly challenges. If you love to use handmade items (they don't have to be made by you!) on your layouts / cards / OTPs, then be sure to check it out! The January challenge is this mood board...

I took my inspiration from the fireworks (but put a twist on it), the date (the date my photo was taken, which I included on the LO) and (obviously) the bright colours. Here is my take on the challenge...

{Layout published in Scrapbooking Memories Vol 17 No 1}

For my handmade items I included a lollipop flower from Burdy's Handmade, and a fabric button & felt flower from my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs...

*** I will also be continuing as a DT member for Off The Rails Scrapbooking - an Aussie challenge blog featuring an international DT, fortnightly challenges & awesome prizes. Entry to the challenges is open to traditional layouts (paper / digi / hybrid); cards; mixed media art or OTP projects, as long as they fit the challenge criteria.

The current challenge at Off the Rails is HEIGHT - add dimension to your project. I decided to create a card (as I needed one for my nephew's birthday) and I don't tend to do cards very often. Here's what I came up with...

(No close-ups sorry, my camera went flat.)

I added dimension to my card by layering the elements using foam mounting tape. I also created the illusion of extra dimension by adding borders to each of the elements.

*** Last, but not least, don't forget to enter my Quote Challenge at Scrapbooking Top 50 this month. Not only am I the guest DT for this challenge, but my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs is the sponsor too!

If you have stuck with me to the end of this post, thank you! I hope to see you joining in on the challenges I have mentioned and I look forward to sharing more creations with you soon!

Week 8 - Final Monopoly Challenge!

I did it!!! I managed to complete my final layout for the Scrapbooking Top 50 Monopoly Challenge! (Even if it was hard finding time to get them done over the past 2 weeks.) For my final challenge I landed on "Splatter Street" which was to use a photo larger than 6 x 4" (I used a 5 x 7"), and include washi tape and splatters.

Here is what I came up with...

I loved working with this vibrant green, it was perfect for adding some other bright colour accents. I also used one of my favourite things - transparency, and even dragged out some old rub-ons...

Love these shiny Thickers...

And of course, I HAD to include a little Lovelybug goodness...

I am a Guest DT & Sponsor!

This month I have accepted a Guest DT spot over at Scrapbooking Top 50 to do one of the December - January monthly challenges. I will also be providing the prize - some scrappy goodies from my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs. I took on the quote challenge, and my challenge was to come up with something a bit festive, but that could also be used for a non-Christmas LO. In the end, I decided to use a quote from one of my favourite Christmas movies...

And here is my LO...

{Published in Scrapbooking Memories Vol 17 No 4}

(As you can see, I decided to go the NON Christmas route!)

This LO was inspired by an online workshop by Gwénaëlle Scharlipp in the Pop & Colours series being run by Studio Shirel and I loved getting my hands dirty putting it together! (I am pretty happy with the result too.)

Given that Lovelybug Bits n Bobs is the sponsor for this challenge, I HAD to include a Lovelybug button. This bird one was perfect...

To create the background I adhered a doiley and small scraps of paper to my base sheet, smeared with Gesso, and then built layers over the top using stencils, mists, inks, stamps, pen, gelatos, washi tape and finally, embellishments. You can see how using the gelatos has highlighted the texture of the doiley here...

This was the perfect quote for my little man Hunter, who LOVES a camera (and makes the perfect selfie partner in crime! hehe)...

I do hope you will join in my challenge, which is open right through until January 31st (plenty of time over the silly season!). You can find the challenge HERE

Monopoly Week 7!

I can't believe that it's almost over! (Or more to the point, that I made it this far! hehe) Only one challenge now remains in the Scrapbooking Top 50 Monopoly game, and I have really enjoyed them all. It was the best kickstart to my mojo I could have asked for, and Vicki, Sarah and Chloe have done a fantastic job organising it all.

So, Week 7 was Quote Week, and I landed on "Bling Chest", which allowed me the choice of challenges, with the extra criteria of bling. I chose the "Lovers Lane" challenge, which was to use hearts and the quote provided.

Here is my LO...

This quote was perfect for a LO of my princess, as I tell her this all the time...

(Not the greatest of pics sorry, as sunny Qld is not quite living up to it's reputation today!)

Monopoly Week 6!

Not much in the way of scrappy time this week thanks to life getting in the way (in fact it took me 3 sittings to get the time to finish this LO), but I am glad I am still managing to stay on track in the Scrapbooking Top 50 Monopoly game.

Week 6 saw me land on "Chance", so I had my choice of the challenges on offer. I chose "Flower Thoroughfare", which was flowers, punching & resin. I also had to include a polaroid frame or film strip.

Here is my take on it...

It was good dusting off some of my punches again (and yes, there really was dust on them!), and I always enjoy rifling through my flower stash. Love this wild rose from D-lish Scraps...

I layered a resin flower over a resin frame and topped it with a punched butterfly (I NEVER get tired of this MS punch!)...

I am hoping that the kids will soon be well again and things settle down enough for me to get more than 1 LO done this week... *crosses fingers*

Monopoly Week 5!

Over half way in the Scrapbooking Top 50 Monopoly game, and I am still LOVING the challenges! (And managing to keep up to date too!) This week (Sketches Week) saw me land on "Circular Quay". The challenge requirements were to use the sketch provided and also include twine. (I did "tweak" the sketch a little.)

Here is my take on it...

I love that I got a chance to scrap these photos of the boys - just another example of how very different in personality they are!

The cute little cupcake button is one I had been hoarding in my stash from My Little Bit of Whimsy. (Such a shame it has now closed!) The little flags I whipped up with toothpicks and washi tape to add to the "celebration" feel of the LO.

Monopoly Week 4!

Week 4 (Techniques Week) in Scrapbooking Top 50's Monopoly, and I scored "Background Boulevard" for my challenge. The criteria were to create a LO with a background that really stands out, and to include leaves.

Here is my take on it...

{Layout published in Scrapbooking Memories Vol 16 No 11}

I used a variety of techniques to create my background - masking & misting; masking & texture paste (with glitter sprinkled over paste whilst wet); stamping; splattering; and stencilling & doodling using gelatos. (Pretty sure that was enough techniques! LOL)

Here is a closer look at some of my background...

For the leaves criteria, I stamped some leaves directly onto the background, and also included some fussy cut leaves in my embellishment clusters...

Really enjoying these challenges so far - can't wait for the next one! :)

Monopoly Week 3!

Week 3 (Colour Week) in the Scrapbooking Top 50 "Monopoly" game, saw me land on "Chance", so I was able to choose from all the other challenges. I chose "Complimentary Close" which (as the name implies), is all about the use of complimentary colours. I chose blue & orange, as I thought this would be the perfect CHANCE to get another boy LO under my belt. The criteria also called for the use of tags and a polaroid frame or film strip.

Here's what I came up with...

I cut my own tags for this LO, and also included a Lovelybug Bits & Bobs star fabric button...

For the filmstrips, I used my TH filmstrip stamp on acetate...

This LO seemed to come together quite quickly - hopefully that means I am getting the hang of the "boy" thing???

SBT50 Monopoly Week 2!

My week 2 roll in Scrapbooking Top 50's "Monopoly" game that is currently underway earned me a trip down the "Freestyle Freeway". This challenge was RIGHT up my alley! (I definitely felt the mojo return on this one!) The criteria for this challenge were to create a bright page with doodling; unusual journaling technique; and doilies.

Here is my LO...

I took my inspiration from the cake in the photo for the colours of this LO, and had a lot of fun creating a mixed media background.

You can just see one of the paper doilies I used (amongst my many other layers) to add depth & texture to the LO...

And no mistaking the presence of bright colours & doodling...

I am so looking forward to the next challenge in this game already...bring it on!!! For anyone still keen to join in, it's not too late, pop over to the forum and check out all the details HERE

I Dusted Off the Mojo!

I decided that the only way I was going to get creative was if I MADE myself do it (and perhaps with a little nudge from some friends too! hehe) So along came the perfect opportunity to motivate me and dip my toe back into the scrappy waters - the Scrapbooking Top 50 Monopoly Challenge! Although the game has officially started, IT'S NOT TO LATE TO JOIN IN!!! There are heaps of great prizes up for grabs (including a grand prize worth $200!) and the challenges also promise to be great.

Soooo...first up is the "GO" Challenge, which gets you onto the "Go" space on the board. You have to create a LO with the letters GO as the start of a word in your title or subtitle, and include a "game" item such as a ticket, playing card, etc.

Here's what I came up with (first LO in over 18 months and the first one of my boys - I felt SO rusty!)...

I used the word "gorgeous" and included a bingo card (you can see it peeking out from under the pp). I also used one of my own Lovelybug Bits n Bobs fabric buttons...

The next challenge (Week 1) is all about trends. The challenge varies, depending on what number you "rolled" on the board. I landed on "Bling Chest" which meant I could choose any of the other Week 1 challenges, plus include bling on my LO. I chose "Glitter Lane" and the criteria were paints, glitter & stars.

Here is my LO...

There is lots of sparkle & shine on this LO thanks to metallic paint, glimmermist, kindy glitz & sequins (so hard to show in a photo!)...

Now I have 2 challenges done, I am itching for more! LOL (I hope this mojo sticks around!) X

A Quick Share!

Firstly, thanks to everyone for their well wishes over the last several weeks whilst I have been unwell. Your lovely words are very much appreciated and I am thankful to you all for thinking of me. Mwah!

Anyway, back to scrappy business, I just wanted to quickly to share a layout I did for the Scrapbooking Top 50 Feb 'A Novel Approach' Cyber Crop. My challenge was a "Dictionary Challenge", where you had to choose a word from the dictionary to use as a title, and to also include the definition of that word somewhere on your LO.
Here is my sample...

I used Bo Bunny's 'Sweet Tooth' range for this LO, which I think suited this pic of Miss B "helping" me with the baking (AKA licking the bowl...LOL) perfectly.

A bit of Prima from my stash...

My word was "happy", and don't you just love those gorgeous glittered Thickers?...

I'll be back again later with another share (if the sun comes out long enough for me to get a decent pic!) In the meantime, thanks for popping by! XXX

Happy New Year!

Happy new year everyone! Hard to believe that we are now in 2012 isn't it? (Makes me feel old! LOL) Anyway, I'm not going to bore anyone with any resolutions, I'll just get straight into the scrappy stuff...

* First off, Lovelybug Bits n Bobs is sponsoring the January challenge over at Scrap That Song. The theme this month is a fun one - 'nursery rhymes'! Make sure you pop over to the STS blog HERE for all the challenge details and to check out the CT samples using some Lovelybug Bits n Bobs buttons! (There will be more sponsorships to come during 2012 to spread the Lovelybug love!)

* Other exciting things are happening for Lovelybug Bits n Bobs this year! I have some brand new products and packaging I will be unveiling in the near future and other excitement on the horizon too! ;-) If you aren't already a fan of Lovelybug Bits n Bobs on Facebook, be sure to join the page HERE for all the latest news.

* Now onto the January challenges at Scrapbooking Top 50. With Ant away on hols, I have taken on TWO of the challenges! The first is a colour challenge - white + one other colour of choice. Polka dots are the additional criteria.
Here is my sample LO...

Lots of yummy layers - My Minds Eye pp, paper doiley, Hambly transparency, Prima chippie & Manorhouse Creations flower...yummo!

The second challenge I've taken on is a sketch challenge...and I did the sketch!!! I haven't done a sample LO, but I did design the sketch at least! LOL
Here it is...

You can pop over and see the details for all the challenges (including Vicki's challenge) in the forum HERE

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. :)