OMG so surprised and happy!

I got the surprise of my life today when I clicked onto one of my favorite challenge sites, 'White with 1', to see how everyone was going with the November challenge. To see my layout amongst the winners was extraordinarily surprising. The talent that these ladies show each month, both on the design team and in the entries inspires me immensely, so to say I was shocked was an understatement. Thank-you. I am flattered to think that anyone would take much notice of my little layout about the big love of my life. Flattered and surprised and happy!

Prima Roadshow 2011 visits Warragul

Woo hoo! Cari Fennell and the Prima Roadshow made their stop in Warragul at Fat Cat Scrappin' last night!

 Flowers, flowers and more flowers, glimmermist and lots of laughs. What fun we all had creating our scalloped canvas mini album. Cari was a hoot and we had a nice relaxed evening yapping and scrapping.

Thanks for organising the event Leesa, it was well and truly worth the wait.

The photos don't nearly do the project justice, but the lovely canvas album is filled to the brim with Prima papers and flowers.
We go to play with some Donna Downey stamps and lots of glimmermist. I'm sure I'm not alone in going to work today with blue hands from the lovely dragonfly glimmermist.

With lots of product left over you will be seeing many more projects featuring Prima!

Thanks to Prima http://www.primamarketinginc.com/

and Leesa at Fat Cat Scrappin' for hosting this event http://www.fatcatscrappin.com.au/shop/

and a special thanks to the lovely Cari Fennell who travelled all the way from New York to teach us http://meandmymaryjanes.blogspot.com/

Lets Get Shabby - Challenge #29

Challenge #29 called for a  monochromatic project, using only shades or variations of one colour with NO black or white in any quantity. 

Take a look at the very talented design team projects here: http://letsgetshabby.blogspot.com/

Here's my take:

Love you beyond measure

This is a photo of my beautiful daughter Savannah at just 2 days old. 

Like every parent we love her beyond measure.

I chose to use a cream through to brown palette. In reality, this is an all Kraft and tea-dyed page. I have used a lovely Martha Stewart border punch to excess for my background. Layer upon layer of punched kraft border strips which I inked with Tim Holtz distress ink - vintage photo.

I used some Kaisercraft patterned paper from the "Timeless" 6.5 inch paper pad to matt my photo which was printed on kraft in sepia tones.

I dyed my scrap of doily, ribbons and lace in some tea until I was happy with the hue, and settled down with a cuppa for myself. The Websters pages cameo pin has also been inked slightly so that it is no longer white, as has the heart brad. The flat back badge was a lucky find in my 'hmm, gotta have it, don't know what I'll do with it' box of goodies and since I can't get enough butterflies lately I inked some Scrapware butterflies and added them just for fun.

I'm really happy with my first attempt at a Let's Get Shabby challenge, and think I might try this monochromatic challenge again - its a great way to use up the many scraps we scrap-bookers can never seem to part with!

123 Challenge for October

I'm always up for a challenge, and this one was no different. The requirements were to use leather and or suede/lace, gold and the word YOU.

Handmade for you

I have always loved to make clothes for my children, but until now I don't think I've ever documented it. I particularly like to sew using vintage patterns, and this one has come from my mum's collection. Dated 1979 I'd say it was originally made for me - gotta love that!

 

I used leather to add petals to my Graphic 45 Staples flower. Lace was used as a trim on the layout, and is incorporated in the beautiful Prima Say-it-in-crystals. Gold paint was used on my photo frame, and Pearl-ex paint (much like twinkling H2os) was used randomly on the layout. Notably I have used it to add shade and shine to my larger dress form, and to highlight my journalling.

If you haven't checked out this challenge you should.

Go to http://ourbrightstarsandus.typepad.com/123challenge/ Not only is there a great challenge each month, but you can get some great ideas and step by step tutorials from the DT, this month Lou Nelson shares her simple brilliance with us all.

Due to popular demand (hm, hm, that is code for nagging from my husband lol) here are my recent prizes from this years' Royal Melbourne Agricultural Show.

In the scrapbooking off the page category I was fortunate enough to win first, second and third places and take out the Best Scrapbooking exhibit prize. In the family and friends category I won second place and received a highly commended.

I must also congratulate the lovely Jean Ryan, one of my Fat Cat Scrappin' friends, for her success at the show - well done!

Ooooo - and only 6 more sleeps until the Prima Roadshow arrives in Warragul. Can't wait.

So many photos to scrap!

Had a great weekend - daughter played her first basketball game and they won - went to meet Douglas the greyhound, a potential new pet in our household (please support GAP and Greyhound Safety Net, both organisations rehouse ex-racing greyhounds) - had a beautiful dinner with friends on Saturday night - went to Billy Cart Derby with the Cub scouts on Sunday and we all had a ball.

Thought I might share some pics of the billy-lids enjoying a very muddy Sunday morning.

Pulling through the mud pit was always going to be hard work.

Towards the end of the run the kids had to do a creek crossing.

Once the winner was decided it was time for a mud bath.

These are the mud monsters we had to take home!

 

 

This is the layout I created for last years' Billy Cart "Dirty", but I'm convinced the kids got a whole lot muddier this year. At the end of the day its just dirt and water, can't hurt anybody, but boy - can you have fun with it!

Scrap the boys October Challenge

Scrap the boys October challenge - use handmade boy embellishments

Men at work

 

I have wanted to do something with these photos since I took them. They capture a special moment when my boys are working together, and my little boy is showing real signs of the man he will become.

I have made my embellishment by rolling lengths of patterned paper into cylinders and creating a 'faux grass' to complement the theme. I don't usually use a grid pattern, but think I will do so again in the future, it made for a really quick layout.

White with 1 October Challenge

Another challenge completed! I'm on a roll.

White with 1 October challenge - white, black and paint/mists

Aflutter

Okay, okay, my name is Felicity and I'm a butterfly addict. I just can't seem to help myself lately, they are so sweet and simple, you can use cardstock, pretty papers, fabrics, die cuts, punches........ I could go on all day. 

My hubby hasn't seen this page yet so he may not be too pleased that I've teamed pretty butterflies with him, but the sentiment is true, you still set my heart aflutter and they are gorgeous aren't they?

October Challenges

I'm getting the jump on my favorite challenge sites this month and have already completed my Kraft it up layout and Scrap the girls.

Kraft it up! October Challenge - create a layout using a monochromatic, minimalist or vintage/romantic/shabby chic style

In contrast to my usual style I have opted for a minimalist layout.

go Blues no.12

I love this footy photo of my son and thought it deserved pride of place, I was extra proud of him this game. 

The journalling reads:

It was a tough game by all accounts. 

Connor kicked a behind in the first quarter but Yarragon were playing at home and leading by 5 goals at 3/4 time. 

Then the Blues fought back to lead by 3 goals. 

In full back Connor smothered a certain goal. The final siren sounds - the Warragul Blues have won! 

For his fantastic efforts, and possibly saving the match Connor wins the coaches award - well done.

Scrap the girls October Challenge - create a layout with the word "love" in the title and use distressing

Love

I love that you love to snuggle, 1 month old November 2003

I am really loving the smaller page size, and have used my new typewriter on just about all of my layouts lately.

I have so few photos of Savannah when she was a little baby, in the dawn of digital photos we lost so many pictures by not backing up files, so this photo is very precious.

So glad I now have this Sizzix die, the flowers are so cute! I distressed the edges of my page and the little kraft leaves I cut. 

Plus, all of the inking was with Tim Holtz distress ink!

Fat Cat Scrappin' September Kit

I picked up my altered book from the shop this week. Not happy with the way it turned out, but will try altering another book, there are just so many great examples out there I know I can do better.

Inchies swap - senders choice - Vintage

I have started swapping inchies again, they are such fun to make and a quick project for someone like me who suffles papers endlessly.

I was really pleased with these finished little canvases - I used the Kasiercraft Vintage Timeless paper pad and rubons, with lots of paper collage, distress ink, gold H2os and tiny Kaisercraft pearls. Hope my swap partner likes them.

Scrap the Girls September challenge - use clips (paper, binder, stationary products)

Playing with my newest toy is such fun, I bought a typewriter on ebay!

So glad I finally go to scrap this photo of my daughter and her bff on the last day of school last year. Loving the plain cardstock, I get to use lots of glimmermist, and have found another project where my handmade felt flowers fit the part perfectly! The clip was easy to include, they are regular features on many of my layouts.

Fat Cat Scrappin'

Completed my project with the September kit today, created an off the page altered book. I used a proof wedding photo and the pretty floral paper rolled into nice little flowers. Should have taken a photo, but it will have to wait until after I get it back from the shop. Being a smaller project I took advantage of the opportunity and used a piece of doily, a little scrap of picket fence from Scrapware and added some twine that I cut too short for another project. These extra elements added a little more texture and dimension, and allowed me to hide the components of the kit that I wasn't too fond of. Leesa, when are you going to let us use only SOME of the kit?

Last month I was fortunate enough to participate in the Graphic 45 steam punk class with Candy. I loved the mini book we created and now know what to do with these beautiful papers! I always felt quite intimidated by them,with so much detail I never really knew where to start, but I'm practising the techniques Candy taught us and am working on a travel album in a similar style for our break later this month.

Royal Melbourne Show results......

I was so nervous to look at these results after 2 years without success at our little country show, but braved it with my husband by my side, and my 7 year old reminding me that "Mummy, you know you have done your best, it doesn't matter what they think!" Out of the mouths of babes.

.....Anyway, I was really surprised and very pleased by the results.

I entered the family and friends category and won a second place and highly commended and my socks were rocked of when I saw the results for off the page - 1st, 2nd and 3rd to Felicity Ives! 

Best Exhibit Scrapbooking - Felicity Ives!

Stuck Sketches July Challenge

Again, kicking myself that I didn't upload in time, but I'm still really happy with this layout. I used a KI Memories lace diecut as a mask for my glimmermist and the Cuttlebug butterfly die with tissue paper, LYB patterned paper and acetate to make my dimensional butterflies. Lots of machine stitching, some lace and buttons and dimensional magic to make my title pop.

White with 1 July challenge - use Aqua/Teal and chipboard

I was so disappointed I didn't get this layout uploaded in time, I'm really happy with the colors and design. True to my recent style I have used glimmermist and fabric, and just for Jean I added some stickles!

My chipboard elements are the alphas, I have used a variety of ranges from Making Memories, Buzz and Bloom and Reed Crafts. The papers were from Echo Park and the perfect little journal blocks came in handy.

Purple Pumpkin Guest Designer

LIKE Leesa's layout to get her onto the Purple Pumpkin design team!!

Purple Pumpkin Giveaway

 

HUGE Purple Pumpkin GIVEAWAY!!

We are having a HUGE GIVEAWAY to celebrate our first birthday, with not one, not two, but FOUR PRIZES up for grabs! First prize will be a $50 VOUCHER to spend in the next sale. Second prize will be a $25 voucher, third prize will be a $15 voucher, and fourth prize will be a $10 voucher.

The winners will be drawn on the 22nd of July - just before the next sale!




So how can you enter? It's easy!

1. Be a follower of this blog.

2. Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to here.

3. After you've done that, just leave a comment after this post. For an extra entry, post about this giveaway on facebook, or on any message boards, and then leave an extra comment :)
Good Luck!

Little cupcake pincushion

I don't know about anyone else, but I just love all the cute little pins that are available now. I love how they look on layouts, but often once they're home they're out of sight, out of mind.

Not any more! I made this sweet pincushion, kinda like a little cupcake, using a coffee mug and some felt. Simply roll the felt like you would a paper flower and voila! a handy dandy little pincushion that looks good on your desk and keeps your pins and needles nearby.

Scrap the Girls

Loved the challenge this month, since Pink is on high rotation in the car when I'm on my own (naughty words!) Have had these pics of my own little rock chick for a while, and this is the perfect way to scrap them.

I was inspired by the square design of the artwork, the color and have used a music theme as well. I thought a little grunge with the cardboard, inking, distressing and messy stitching suited the theme.

I'm a rockstar

I was lucky to find the little rockstar badge on a card of badges from a $2 shop, and made the felt flowers. I am loving all the layers I see on Leanne Pearces' layouts lately, and have tried my own hand at it.

Scrap the boys - PLAY

I got into the action and made the Scrap the Boys challenge this month too. I had lots of scraps in these colors and (suprise, surprise) used some gingham to make a ribbon, fussy cut some clouds from my background and tried to keep with the circular theme to match the photo.

Not sure I'm happy with the result, but its another photo scrapped that would otherwise live in a box in the study.

Scrap the girls - there was a little girl who had a little curl

Scrap the girls have a great palette for their challenge this month, and I had just the photos that needed their treatment.

I've made some cute flowers with satin fabric and added diamonte flower centres, gathered some tuelle and used a die cut. Teamed with some little bits and pieces I found lying around I'm pretty happy with the finished layout.

My cutie patootie wanted curls like mum, so we carefully rolled curlers into her hair and she went to bed to wake up with beautiful, tumbling curls. They didn't see the day out but looked just adorable!



White with 1

So much has been going on in my personal life that I have literally had no time to create. Feeling devoid of all inspiration and having lost my mojo I returned to some old friends, challenge sites!

First cab off the rank is White with 1- create a page using red and circles/polka dots.

Loving glimmermist at the momement, so I found some little gems and bling in a drawer and scattered them over the page as a mask, as well as a paper doily. Once dry I stitched tiny red seed beads onto my polka dots and stuck down some little pearls to match my pearl flourish. Some red felt and tuelle with a big Kaisercraft brad and voila! simple little red lollypop flowers that match perfectly.

Fat Cat Scrappin has a great prize pack....

Follow the directions on their facebook and you too could be in the running for an awesome prize pack
 

Want to win this awesome pack??

 

You can by following these rules...
1. 'Like' us
2. Share this on you facebook/blog
...3. Create something, anything!!
4. Upload into the Customer Creations Photo Fie

Do this by midnight Tuesday 31st May!!

Best of luck!!

You can by following these rules...
1. 'Like' us
2. Share this on you facebook/blog
...3. Create something, anything!!
4. Upload into the Customer Creations Photo Fie

Do this by midnight Tuesday 31st May!!

Best of luck!!

ATC's and inchies

I have been playing with my layouts in different sizes lately, so it makes sense that I should attempt ATC's and inchies. Now, I won't say my attempts have been successful - particularly my effort at ATC's, but I really enjoyed creating a little series of 6 inchies for an international swap. If you want to give some swaps ago go to http://www.swap-bot.com/

They offer swaps of all kinds, really well organised and lots of fun.
Go on, give it a go!

Will post my successess and less than successful efforts here soon

Vintage revisted...

Hmmm, I really thought I had a good go at vintage with my layout about my grandparents and all you need is love, but apparently some naysayers reckon I got it wrong.

Following are a couple of layouts I have just completed, I think they may be a little more true to the vintage style, but then what do I know? Tell me what you think.

'71

I took the lead from other vintage layouts I have been inspired by and used lots of glimmer-mist and ink, I embossed the paper covered chipboard squares to add some more texture. I thought the Kaisercraft key was a nice vintage find, and since dad is 21 in the photo, appropriate too. Loved the little scrapware butterflies fluttering off into the mist.

Together

My dad's parents on their wedding day, 1945.

Not as happy with this layout, but got the chance to use my pricey prima vine and doileys. Experiementing with different sized layouts at the moment, a change is as good as a holiday.