Off the Rails - Masks & Stencils Challenge

I was VERY happy when I found out the latest challenge at Off the Rails, as there isn't a layout of mine that doesn't use a mask or stencil at the moment. (No masks or stencils...now THAT would be a challenge!) I tend to use a lot of these to add depth and texture to my layout backgrounds.

Here is what I created for this challenge...

Although it may not be obvious, I assure you there were plenty of stencils used in the making of this layout! I used a variety of mediums with my stencils - gesso, texture paste and Gelatos.

Here are some close ups...

{Large flower from Manor House Creations, flair button from Flutterby Designs}

{Gorgeous butterfly pin from A little bit fANTsy}

{Printed paper flower from Prima, clay button from Charms Creations}

{Here you can see the stencilled houndstooth texture; plus some shimmer, shine & more flowers...yum!}

I do hope you will join in with the challenge at Off the Rails. There is a fabulous prize up for grabs from DARKROOM DOOR (who have amaaaazing stamps!)

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and for those who leave me comments. I really do appreciate it, and love to read them! Don't forget to leave me a comment if you have time, so I know to visit your blog and return the love! X

Scrap the Boys March Challenge

Lately, it seems like I have only had time to scrap to meet my DT commitments, so with 2 days in the month remaining, I thought it was time to challenge myself! I love a good colour challenge, and with 2 little men in my life whose pics need scrapping, I couldn't pass up the March challenge at Scrap the Boys - green / blue / yellow.

Here is my take on it...

I really enjoyed this colour combo, which was perfect for these pics of my youngest (by 2 mins!) little man Kaden, at play with the hose. (Note that the hearts covering his bottom are not on the actual layout, I have just edited them in to cover up his "nudity" hehe)

Here's some close-ups...

I love these gorgeous little pegs by Amy Tangerine for American Crafts that I picked up the other day when I went to see Heidi Swapp at Spotlight...

Charms Creations lollipop in lime and more gauze (loving gauze atm!) which I coloured using Heidi Swapp Color Shine...

Thanks for stopping by! X

Bo Bunny for Wild About Scrap

Back again to share my latest projects for Wild About Scrap. These layouts were created using Bo Bunny's Head Over Heels range, which features a delicious pink / red / black / white colour palette. For this first layout I decided to focus on the pink, as it's been a while since I indulged in some pinkness!

I decided to let loose a bit on this layout, and used many more flowers than I normally would. Usually, I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to my flowers. *sigh* What I wouldn't give to have a huge pile of beautiful flowers at my disposal - I would scrap like this all the time as I SO love the end result! (Sometimes it sucks to have to be frugal - AKA Tight Ass! hehe) The flowers are a mix of Manor House Creations, Kaisercraft, Green Tara and probably a few other assorted ones I have forgotten.

Lots of layers, textures and little details on this layout...

For more close-ups of this layout and an explanation of my creative process, see my post on the Wild About Scrap DT blog HERE

My second layout was created in basically the same manner as my first. Once again, I used Bo Bunny's Head Over Heels range, and lots of flowers...

And some of the details...

I hope I have inspired you to do a little scrapping yourself! Before you do, why don't you pop over to the Wild About Scrap store HERE and grab yourself a bargain. It's Wild About Scrap's birthday, so you get the present - 20% off until 30th April. Shop til you drop! X

Show Us Your Stuff March Challenge!

BLOG HOP HERE

Finally had a chance to share my take on the Show Us Your Stuff challenge this month. My munchkins and I have all been down with the flu this past week. Thankfully, we all seem to be on the road to recovery now.

Anyway, without further ado, here is my take on the gorgeously green March mood board at SUYS...

Close up of my journaling, and the handmade item I included on my layout - a flair from Flutterby Designs. (The tab under the edge of the photo is also from Flutterby.)

I love the painted effect on this paper (from the "Finnley"collection by Glitz Designs), and just because it's a boy layout, doesn't mean it can't have bling!

If you haven't already seen the challenge, be sure to pop over HERE to see the details. There is an awesome prize up for grabs from Catie's Craft Corner! Entries are open until the end of the month. Happy scrapping!

Off the Rails Blog Hop!

Welcome to everyone who has landed here who is participating in the Off the Rails Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from the amazingly talented Felicity Wilson's blog. (If you have just stumbled on this post by chance and you would like to participate, hop over to the Off the Rails blog to get started!)

As you see, this hop is all about embellishments. I have prepared a layout highlighting one of my favourite embellishments - can you guess what it is?

How about a hint?

Yes, it's DOILIES!!!

I love how versatile doilies can be. I have included a variety of them on my layout - paper, die cut, and even a piece of a crochet doiley. I also used a paper doiley as a mask to mist onto my background.

Now - what do YOU need to do?

1. Finish the blog hop - make sure you are a follower and leave a comment on each of the DT blogs. (Take note of all the embellishments used along the way.)
2. Be a follower of the Off the Rails blog, and leave a comment stating you have finished the blog hop.
3. Create a layout using 4 of the Design Team's favourite embellishments.
4. Blog your own layout, stating which 4 embellishments you have used and which Design Team member's blog you got them from, then link your layout to the Off the Rails blog.

I am sure you are dying to know what you could win? Our fabulous sponsor is none other than...

Graphic 45 is an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company. We offer vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920's and 30's - with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that's both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album or home decor project.

Graphic 45 have generously supplied a package of goodies from the "By the Sea" range, that includes a 12x12 paper pad; 8x8 paper pad; stickers; die cuts; and chipboard...

OK, that's all from me, time for you to hop over to visit the lovely ROSE ANDREW'S blog to see which embellishment she has showcased with a gorgeous creation. Thanks for hopping by! X

Off the Rails - Bling Challenge

The latest challenge has been posted at Off the Rails, and this time it is BLING (anything that sparkles). I have been itching to do a canvas lately as I haven't done one in a while, so this was the perfect opportunity. It was inspired by my daughter, and a game we often play - "I love you more than...". Every time we play, she always finishes the game with this quote and then tells me that I "can't go more than infinity". {Awwww}

For my bling I used pearls, and incorporated lots of sparkle & shine into my background using metallic gelatos and mists...

I also used some ric rac that contained iridescent thread...

I do hope you will join in this challenge! You can enter any type of project you like (layout, card, canvas, OTP, Project Life, etc), as long as it meets the criteria. You are also welcome to combine the challenge with any other challenges that permit. The winner will receive a gift certificate from Hobbies from the Heart.

Show Us Your Stuff Feb Challenge!

Oops! Almost forgot to post this one! Can you believe it is almost the end of February already? I am still trying to figure out where the start of the year went!
Anyway, this month's challenge at Show Us Your Stuff is to include the beautiful quote "Follow your heart and happiness will follow" (and of course, something handmade!)

Here is my layout...

{Published in Scrapbooking Memories Vol 17 No 5}

I included a Lovelybug Bits n Bobs felt flower and a chippie heart button from Burdy's Handmade...

Lots of yummy layering and texture...

{I used a mask & texture paste, which I painted using gelatos once dry.

You can also see some of my fave EVER Hambly transparency here}

I do hope you will join in on our challenge this month - there is a fabulous prize up for grabs from...ME!!!! Lovelybug Bits n Bobs is sponsoring this month and I promise to create a gorgeous bundle of goodies for the winner. You have til the end of the month to get your entries in (which isn't far off, so get scrapping!) X

Back on deck for Wild About Scrap!

Don't pretend I am the only one who hasn't scrapped all their Christmas photos yet!
Now the kids are back at school and normal life has resumed, it is the perfect time to get those Christmas pics done! The best part about doing it now, is most Christmas themed supplies are on sale and you can grab a bargain. (See what is available in the Wild About Scrap store HERE.)

For my layout, I used Bo Bunny's Elf Magic range, which is full of gorgeous colours and cute embellishments...

I couldn't help myself but use a messy, mixed media style background for this layout. I just love the process of all the layering (and getting my hands dirty!)

I also couldn't help but sneak a bit of Lovelybug Bits n Bobs goodness onto it (isn't he cute?)...

For more close-ups, and an explanation of my process for creating this layout, see my post on the Wild About Scrap DT Blog HERE

Off the Rails Latest Challenge!

Just a quick post from me to remind everyone about the current challenge at Off the Rails - use a photo or memorabilia of a loved one. Remember at Off the Rails that you can create ANY sort of project (layouts, cards, canvases, OTP, Project Life) as long as it is a new creation and fits with the challenge criteria.

I decided to try something different and scrapped a pocket style page about my daughter's school sports day...

I included an item of memorabilia - the ribbon she received...

This challenge definitely has a prize worth playing for! Fancy Pants Designs have graciously donated a prize pack that includes a "Be.Loved." collection kit, button set, decorative bags AND an ephemera pack! (It's gorgeous - so if you win, can you please share it with me?  hehe)

There is just over a week remaining to get your entries in. You will find the challenge HERE

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!

Off The Rails - Challenge 2!

The second challenge is now up at Off the Rails, and this time the challenge is..."Free For All!" Yep, that's right, it's open to ANYTHING! You can create a card, layout, mixed media project...whatever you like! FUN!!!

I was initially going to do a mixed media canvas, but this photo kept calling me, so I HAD to use it and went with a LO instead...

I used Heidi Swapp "Sugar Chic" papers, some of which I fussy cut and layered using mounting tape, and found some old Prima flowers in my stash to include...

And what's a girly LO without butterflies, right? I just love them! This time I used a couple of chipboard ones that I painted with gesso, inked lightly and then sprayed with iridescent gold mist to give them shimmer (as always, hard to show in the pics!)...

I do hope you will let your creativity run wild and play along with this challenge at Off the Rails! There's a great prize up for grabs from Dusty Attic to be won. :)

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...

Off the Rails - first challenge!

Just a reminder to let everyone know that the first challenge is now up at Off the Rails! If you haven't already done so, make sure you pop over and check out this BRAND NEW challenge blog & the awesome international DT representing it. Be sure to become a follower so you don't miss anything, (and check out Off the Rails on all the social media platforms too!) I will be joining in the second challenge with the rest of the DT, but in the meantime I hope you all play along with challenge one!