Bring on 2012!

First of all, I want to wish all my scrappy friends and blog readers a fantastic New Year! I hope that 2012 will be the best year yet!

I haven't been scrapping at all for the last 2 weeks. My DH has taken 2 weeks off work and will be home for another week. We have been enjoying some lovely family time and lots of socialising with friends.

I have some exciting scrappy news to share though. Scrap The Girls has announced the new CT and I'm one of them!  I seriously love this challenge site. Malinda sets the coolest challenges and if you have girls (or even just one, like me) you will love it too!  To see the announcement and the rest of the CT's stunning examples, go over HERE.

The challenge is to create a layout using a monochromatic colour scheme. Minimal black and white is allowed and remember 'ONLY GIRLS'.

Here is my example.  I love these pics of my gorgeous girl.  So happy and carefree. :)  I've used a combonation of Echo Park 'Victoria Gardens' and Authentique 'Uncommon' pattern papers.

A close up of my flower cluster. I've used a combonation of Prima flowers, Green Tara Mini roses, Kaisercraft paper blooms and Kaisercraft resin blossoms. The leaves were made using a Martha Stewart 'Frond' punch.

The chippies is from Dusty Attic. I've painted it, distressed it a bit then added some Diamond Dust over the top.

The edges were punched using the Martha Stewart 'Swirling Lace' Punch around the Edge set and the rhinestone flourish is from Kaisercraft.

All the products used are from Handmade by Suzanne.
I hope you will have a go at this challenge too. Can't wait to see what you create. :)
That's all for now (I think). I'm hoping to visit my favourite blogs very soon for a catch up.
Have a great week and thanks for visiting.
Until next time.
M xox

Once Upon A Sketch

It's been a long time since my last post.  I'm sure most of you will be able to relate to my situation of not having enough time in your day at this time of year. :)
As you probably already know, Handmade by Suzanne is sponsoring 'Once Upon A Sketch' this month. Nadia has asked the DT members to play along.  You can see the gorgeous layouts of the other DT members here.  And here is the challenge:

December 15th Challenge

Journalling Criteria/theme: Our Christmas traditions.

We would love to hear how everyone spends Christmas Day. Even if you do NOT celebrate Christmas, what do you do on Christmas Day?

Remember that you are allowed to also create a card or altered project based on this sketch and instead of the journalling criteria you need to use a quote.

Things to consider when playing along...

**This is an international blog, so anyone can enter

**You are allowed to create a card, layout or off-the-page item based on the provided sketch and additional journalling criteria. If you are creating a card or altered item you only need to include a quote.

**You are also allowed to flip or rotate the sketch or alter it to suit your needs, but please make sure its still recognisable.

**Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery and link it on the sidebar of this blog using the Link tool. Please provide a direct link to your post, not your entire blog.If the link tool is down, please leave a comment on the comments section and link your layout there.

** The deadline for this challenge is midnight December 31st, Australian Eastern Standard Time . The Design Team will vote and the winners and the Top 5 project will be announced soon after the challenge has finished.

**You may enter as many times as you like and combine this with other challenges.

**Also, please consider turning off word verification for comments on your blog.

Here is my take on this gorgeous sketch. I've used the Simple Stories '25 Days to Christmas' collection for this. All products available from Handmade by Suzanne.

 A couple of close ups. :)

This will probably be my last post for 2011. So many exciting things happening in 2012... I can't wait! I want to wish all my blog readers a wonderful Christmas and I hope your 2012 will be awesome!  Thanks for your continued support. I appreciate every single word of encouragement.  Your gorgeous comments often changed an average day into a beautiful day. :)

Until next time!

M xox

Movember

Hi everyone! I'm sure by now you are well organised and have everything ready for Christmas!  Eeeek! I am so behind... Time is running away with me this year. Hopefully our tree will be up after the weekend...
Just want to quickly share my take on Handmade by Suzanne's December Sketch Challenge.  It's another beautiful sketch designed by Shell. Love her sketches. :)
Just to remind you what the sketch look like:

And here is my take on it.  DH decided to play along with some of the guys at the office and do the Movember thing in 2009.  I always wanted to scrap these pics and when I saw the new Echo Park 'Times and Seasons' collection, I knew it would be perfect. 

 A close up of my title and that cute little moustache that was included in the sticker sheet.  Used the Crafter's Workshop 'chicken wire' template for my background. :)
You've got until the end of December to get your entry in. There is a $30 store voucher with free postage up for grabs and the winner gets determined by random draw. I can't wait to see your take on the sketch!
That's all for today! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to make a list of 'things to do before Christmas'.  Lol! It's going to be a loooooong one!
Until next time.
M xox

Once Upon A Sketch

Handmade by Suzanne is sponsoring the Once Upon A Sketch challenges this month and a couple of the DT members have played along. You can see all the layouts here.  It's a gorgeous sketch and I loved the challenge. If you would like to play along, this is what you have to do:

December 1st Challenge

Journalling Criteria/theme: The thing I look most forward to in December.

Write at least 2 sentences on what you look forward to in the next month. December is a festive month so your journalling could be about the Christmas season, the holidays, the presents or if you do not celebrate Christmas what does December bring for you that you look most forward to? Note:You layout DOES NOT have to be about Christmas! It can be about anything December brings.

Other ideas for journalling: an annual holiday or celebration, a specific event such as putting up the Christmas tree or pre Christmas traditions you might have leading up to Christmas, family time, snow covered fields or warmer weather, time off work, school holidays, change of weather, new season fruit.

 

And here is my take on the challenge. I've used the October Afternoon 'Sidewalks' collection and some of my favourite Green Tara Mini Roses. I've misted the paper doilies using October Afternoon Sprinklers 'Red Wagon'. Everything available from Handmade by Suzanne.

 And some close ups. :)

 

The winner of this challenge, as chosen by the Design Team, will win a spot on our Design Team for the month of January. As well as that, the winner will also receive a AUD$20.00 voucher (plus FREE shipping) to spend in the store at Handmade By Suzanne who is ALSO having a 20% sale storewide ALL of December!!

Here at Once Upon A...Sketch we LOVE to encourage EVERYONE to participate, even those that are fairly new to scrapbooking so this is why we like to offer some prizes for RANDOMLY chosen winner so that everyone feels like they have a chance to win!

One lucky person will receive this prize from Handmade By Suzanne!

Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folder Set (Collage)

And one lucky person will win this..

A set of My Mind's Eye 6 x 6 paper pads in 4 different collections.

****

Things to consider when playing along...

**This is an international blog, so anyone can enter

**You are allowed to create a card, layout or off-the-page item based on the provided sketch and additional journalling criteria. If you are creating a card or altered item you only need to include a quote.

**You are also allowed to flip or rotate the sketch or alter it to suit your needs, but please make sure its still recognisable.

**Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery and link it on the sidebar of this blog using the Link tool. Please provide a direct link to your post, not your entire blog.If the link tool is down, please leave a comment on the comments section and link your layout there.

** The deadline for this challenge is midnight December14th, Australian Eastern Standard Time . The Design Team will vote and the winners and the Top 5 project will be announced soon after the challenge has finished.

**You may enter as many times as you like and combine this with other challenges.

 

I can't wait to see what you all create with this sketch.  Thanks for visiting.

Until next time.

M xox

Birthday Sale and New Sketch at Handmade by Suzanne

Hi there scrappy friends! I hope you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend. No doubt, it will be a busy one with Christmas getting closer, but we won't get into that too much. :) Our tree isn't even up yet!!
Instead of rambling on about how unprepared I am for Christmas, I'll rather share some good news with you.  Handmade by Suzanne is having a Birthday Sale with 20% off storewide!! With Suzanne's already LOW prices and HUGE range, you will be getting all your scrappy needs for a steal.  To check it out, have a look over HERE. You'll be glad you did!  You can also read all the latest news in the December newsletter here.
And now for the December sketch challenge.  Shell has designed another beautiful sketch for this month's challenge.

If you would like to stand the chance to win a $30 store voucher, give this challenge a go. The winner gets determined by random draw, which means anybody can win!

I think that's all for today.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time.

M xox

1951

Hi everybody from a much cooler Perth this time!  I am so grateful for this weather after it being very hot for a couple of days.  I must admit that it seems so petty to worry about the heat when people a little further down south in Margaret River have lost their homes due to a devestating fire. My heart goes out to everybody affected by this tragedy. :(
I just want to share a layout I've done using the gorgeous Kaisercraft 'Madame Boutique' collection. I thought it was perfect for this pic of my mum and her best friend taken in 1951. They were students and only 19 years old at the time. :) I've enterd this into Ant's challenge for Scrapbooking Top 50's November CC. The criteria was to create a 'fashion themed' layout.

I have used Kaisercraft paper blooms and mini paper blooms as well as Prima flowers and Green Tara mini roses. The wooden leaves and lace (for the bow) are from Kaisercraft too.
 I've threaded grosgrain ribbon through the holes of the lace die cut. The doilies are from my stash and the I've used some of the collectables for this range to 'frame' the photo.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent get well wishes to my DS. He is doing so much better now and he can at least eat the same food as us again, instead of having everything liquidised.
Thats all for today. Thank you for visiting and I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Until next time!
M xox

123...

It's really hot in Perth today and apparently tomorrow is going to be worse. No rain in sight either. :(  My DD and some friends were off to the beach mid morning already, but I think I'll stay indoors by the aircon and maybe even scrap a little. :)  Any excuse, hey?
Today I'm sharing my take on the 123 Challenge for November. The criteria for this month:
COLOUR: Grey
WORD: Please
TECHNIQUE: Unusual Stamping {stamp on something different, stampWITH something different... its up to you!
I've gone with a pic of my DS when he was 14 years old. This boy makes me smile (and laugh out loud) every day. He is almost always happy, always friendly and so easy to please.  Unfortunately he has been very ill this last week. The doc thinks he has glandular fever. Just waiting for the last results from the blood tests. Poor boy. :(
Anyways, back to my layout.  I had loads of fun with this one. I painted gesso over the grey background. I've used a sheet from the Authentique 'Blissful' collection for this.  I've stamped over the gesso using the Kaisercraft 'Bubble wrap' clear stamp.  My flowers were cut from canvas using a Tim Holtz die cut and then stamped on using the Kaisercraft 'Script' clear stamp. I've got some muslin peeping out of the openings on the sides. Used the last piece of my Dusty Attic 'Chicken Wire Panel' too. (Will have to get some more.) All the products used are available from Handmade by Suzanne.

 A close up of my canvas flower.

 Another little canvas flower under the yellow button.

 Some of the 'bubble wrap' stamping.

And another little close up, just because I can. :)

That's all for today! Hope you are having a great week. Thanks for visiting and for all your lovely comments. They make my day.

Until next time!

M xox

Scrap the Girls

Hi scrappy friends! I hope you are all having a great weekend. Well, what's left of it anyway...
I've been MIA this last week. :( Had so much going on, but I'm planning on being more blog active this week. :)  I've played along at Scrap the Girls again this month.  The criteria for this months challenge is to use PINK as the dominant colour, multiple pics and polka dots. I've used an old Kaisercraft range, called 'Hey Birdie'. Also added lots of twine. Lol! Seem to love the stuff at the moment. :)

 I've threaded the twine through the holes in the die-cut. Like the dimension it gives.

 Love those glittery Thickers.

 A close up of my little cluster at the top.

I will have another layout to share later in the week. Just have to do the finishing touches. I hope you had a creative weekend too.  Wil be visiting all my favourite blogs soon. :)
Thank you for popping by and have a wonderful week.
Until next time.
M xox

More Christmas goodness...

Happy Friday everyone! Just want to share a few Christmas cards and layout before I go to bed. :)  I've created with the gorgeous Simple Stories '25 Days to Christmas' collection and it really was so easy to use. Love the touches of black in this range. The leaves were punched using the Martha Stewart 'Branch' punch. The flowers are Green Tara Mini Roses and the twill ribbon is from the shop too. 

With this one I punched a strip of the same colour cardstock using the Martha Stewart 'Vine Trim' punch. Quite like the 'embossed' effect it gives. :)

This one was pretty straight forward using satin ribbon and the Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace' border punch.

And a layout capturing my goofy kids on Christmas Eve 2008. I've used an old Crafter's Workshop template and some Glimmer Mist to create the circles and dots on the background. The rubons are old ones from Kaisercraft that I had in my ever growing stash and the button was covered using HBS 'Christmas' Fabric Scraps and a self cover button tool kit from the shop.

There are heaps more Christmas creations from the very talented Design Team in the Handmade by Suzanne Gallery to inspire you. You can check it out here.
Thank you so much for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend.
Until next time.
M xox

November sketch at Handmade by Suzanne

Hi there scrappy friends! I'm here to do my Monday post. :) Remember that sketch I've shown you in my last post? I'm going to show you again and this time I'll add my take on it. :)  Here's the gorgeous sketch designed by Shell.  You will find all the details in Handmade by Suzanne's November newsletter.

And here is my take on it.  I've combined the first MME 'Lost and Found' collection with the latest MME 'Lost and Found Two' collection called 'Breeze'.  I think it worked pretty well together. :) The pics are of my DS soon after he got his first pair of glasses and how it's making my realise how time flies.

The title is from the second range too. The  birdies and flowers are PORTACraft stickers from my stash.

 I like adding twine and hessian to my boy layouts.

 I've used the Kaisercraft 'Script' texture stamp on the calico behind my pics. Quite like the idea.

I had great fun with the sketch and I hope you will give it a go too.  There is a $30 store voucher up for grabs and the winner gets determined by random draw. So, anybody can win!
That's all for today. Thank you so much for visiting. Have a wonderful week!
Until next time!
M xox

Christmas already?

If you are anything like me, you would not like to hear that there is only 51 days left before Christmas. I find this time of the year a big mad rush to get ready for the holiday season (and Christmas of course). There is some kind of magic and excitement about this time of the year though and I secretly like it, I think. :)
I'm here to share my first Christmas layout with you. We are all getting into the festive spirit this month over at Handmade by Suzanne and the DT will be loading all their Christmas projects into the gallery throughout November. So, if you are looking for some inspiration, don't forget to pop into the HBS gallery during November.
I got to work with the gorgeous Simple Stories '25 Days to Christmas' collection. It's a beautiful range and I just love the touches of black in it.

 I've used some Prima flowers and some Kaisercraft Mini Paper blooms for my clusters. The leaves are from Prima too and I just love the sparkle on them. :)

The title was made using BG mini alpha stickers and the spotty alphas are from the Simple Stories alpha sheet. Some more Prima yumminess too.

I've stitched the string for my baubles using embroidery thread and gave the baubles a 'lift' with some foam tape.  Oh, and I've used my Crafter's Workshop 'Mini Circle Grid' template with some Glimmer Mist to create the spotted background behind my top photo.

 If you're not a subscriber to the Handmade by Suzanne newsletter, then you would've missed out on getting all the news for November. You can read the newsletter here.  You will also find this gorgeous sketch created by Shell in there.  Why not give it a go? You can win an awesome $30 voucher to spend in the store, just for participating.  The winner get determined by random draw.  I'll be back soon with my take on it. :)

That's all for today. I hope you have a great weekend planned!  Thank you for visiting and for the lovely comments you leave. I love reading them. :)
Until next time.
M xox

Random post

Hehe... just using the Crate Paper 'Random' collection, which I love by the way. :)  I haven't realised that I haven't blog for so long.  Must mean I had a great weekend. :)  In fact, it was quite a relaxed weekend. Lol! Everybody in Perth went to see the Queen, except for me. Friday was a public holiday for WA, because of CHOGM and DH took Monday off as well. It was great having him home for 4 days. :) He works way too hard. :(
Now, back to 'Random'. The first one I created for Sue's October challenge at Scrapbooking Top 50. The criteria were Pink, Petals and Pearls. The pics are of my DD not long after her 16th birthday. :)

And a close up of some of the fussy cutting.

I've used my new Martha Stewart 'Swirling Lace' punch to cut the borders and used my Tim Holtz Mini Rosettes die for the blue rossette.

 A homemade denim banner and loads of pearls.

 This one was pretty much created using the papers and Chipboard Accents from this range.

Some fussy cutting. :)

 Some of the yummy chipboard accents.

 More fussy cutting.

 And a card using some of the left overs with a bit of Crate Paper 'Farmhouse' in the mix. This was based on a sketch for Vicki's October challenge at Top 50.

Phew! What a long post. Hope you made it to here. Will try and do more regular post in the future and keep it shorter.  Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
Until next time!
M xox