Scrap Africa Challenge No 28

Hi everyone! It's the middle of the month and with that comes a new challenge at Scrap Africa.  It's all about Distressing with a Difference this month.  The distressing needs to be done with household items and you need to tell us what you''ve used in your blog post.
I have used the beautiful Prima 'Something Blue' collection from The Scrapbook Store for my example layout.  The photos are of my friend's little guy.  Isn't he just the cutest?. :)

My distressing was achieved using masking tape, a torn cardboard box, tea on some of the flowers and the muslin, and all the paper edges were distressed using a pair of scissors.  Here's a close up of my flower cluster which includes the muslin and ink distressed cardstock leaves.

The big calico flower was cut using a die and then distressed using tea. The flair badge is from the Prima 'Everyday Vintage' collection.  I've added torn strips of masking tape to add to the distressed look.

I've used the Tim Holtz 'Bubble' stencil with some texture paste on the background and more torn masking tape and a piece of torn cardboard box.

Strips of hessian and pattern paper for added texture.  The small wood veneer scrap words are from the TSS chipboard collection.

 And finally, a wood veneer title from WOW.

I hope you will take up the challenge and search through your cupboards to see what you can use to distress your layout.  You have until the end of April to get your entries in.  For more information and to see the rest of the DT's awesome examples, have a look HERE.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Until next time.
M xox

April Sketch Challenge at The Scrapbook Store

Hi everyone!  I'm still around, just not getting much time to blog these days.  A bit late with sharing this month's sketch at The Scrapbook Store too.
Here is my take on the sketch, using the MME 'Now & Then Dorothy' collection.

I just love my Petaloo flowers. They come in the most beautiful colours and designs. :) I've used my new Crafters Workshop mini 'Sketch Grid' stencil and some texture paste on the background.

 The enamel shapes in this range were really fun to use.

 A few crocheted doilies I had lying around were just perfect for this sketch.

Here is the gorgeous sketch from PageMaps.   

 

I hope you get a chance to play along.  There's a $40 store voucher with free postage up for grabs.  The winner gets determined by random draw which means anybody can win! To check out the rest of the DT's beautiful examples and to upload your entry, check out the Gallery here.  You have until the end of April to get your entry in.

That's all for today.  I'll be back soon with some DT work for April.  Thank you for visiting my blog.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time.

M xox



Scrap Africa Sketch No 28 and MME 'Now & Then Dorothy'

Hi everyone! Hope you didn't fall for any April Fool's jokes today. Lol!  I must admit, I was extra careful today not to believe everything I hear. Well, it's a new month and there is a new sketch challenge at Scrap Africa.

Here is my take on the sketch. The photo is of my SIL photographing a big tree in the Boranup Forest south of Margaret River.  I have used the new MME Now & Then 'Dorothy' collection.  All products are available from The Scrapbook Store. 

The barcode on the bottom left of my photo and the 'Now and Then' are part of the strip at the bottom of one of the 12 x 12 pattern papers. The Petaloo blooms matched the colours perfectly.

Blue Fern Studios has the most amazing chipboard pieces. I have painted over my title chipboard using gesso and then painted/dabbed on ink in brown and teal until I was happy with the result.  The Tim Holtz 'Rays' stencil is on of my favourites. I've used Lindy Stamp Gang mist to give it a deep sunshiny colour and then created some texture over the top using texture paste and a Scrap FX stencil.

 I love how versatile the Journal card pack is. I've used two of them on this layout.

I hope you get a chance to play along.  There are some awesome prizes up for grabs.  To check out all the gorgeous inspiration from the rest of the DT and Guest DT members, have a look HERE.  You have until the 14th of April to link up your entry.

That's me for today.  I better go and get some sleep (story of my life).  To everyone who wished me luck and my son a happy birthday... the party turned out really great and everyone had a wonderful time.  Now I just need to catch up on all the sleep I've lost!  Thank goodness they only turn 21 once! :)

Thank you so much for popping by my blog today.  I really appreciate you taking the time to have a look.  Have an awesome week.

Until next time.

M xox



'Blue Fern Garden' for The Scrapbook Store

Hi everyone! Hope you had a lovely weekend.  Mine was great, but very busy.  We are getting ready to host our son's 21st birthday party on Saturday.  I can not believe how fast these 21 years went.  It felt like yesterday that I was holding our first tiny (okay maybe not so tiny) little bundle in my arms for the first time. I am so proud of the wonderful young man he is today. :)
I want to share another DT layout I created for The Scrapbook Store using the beautiful Blue Fern Studios 'Blue Fern Garden' collection.  I've used a very old photo of my mum with me, my cousin and my brother, taken in 1967.

I've used the Prima Marketing 'Finnabair - Bubbles' stencil and texture paste on my background. I then painted a variety of watered down inks and mists to create some softness around my photo.  The Petaloo blooms matched in perfectly.

And I just had to use this little Prima resin angel.  These are brand new to the store and oh so cute. :)

The Blue Fern Studios 'Small Garden Daisies' chipboard is so gorgeous too. I've covered it in a layer of gesso and then inks and mists until I was happy with the result. 

Just added a bit of stamping here and there on my page using the Kaisercraft 'Sheet Music' texture stamp and my page was complete. 
Now it's time for bed, as tomorrow is Monday and a work day for me.  Thank you for visiting my blog and for all the beautiful comments I always receive.  I really appreciate it.  Have a wonderful week!
Until next time.
M xox

Scrap Africa Challenge No 27

Hi everyone!  Scrap Africa has a new challenge and it's all about 'Stars and Stitching'.  Include these 2 elements on your scrapbook page or card and link your entry by the 31st of March to be in the running for some awesome prizes.  Simple hey?!  For more information and to see the beautiful examples of the Design Team, have a look HERE.
For my example I have used the stunning Blue Fern Studios 'Blue Fern Garden' collection.  These gorgeous papers are part of my March DT kit from The Scrapbook Store. The photo is of my mum and dad taken in 2007.

A close up of the flower cluster.  I have used a mixture of Green Tara and Prima flowers.

I've used the Blue Fern Studios 'Graduated Circles' chipboard. I gave it a coat of gesso, inked the whole surface in an olive green colour and all the edges in brown. To create some depth I stamped onto the surface using the Kaisercraft 'Crackle' texture stamp and black Staz-On ink.  I've stitched the frame to my page in random places using hemp twine.

 The Green Tara flower stems work perfectly around a circle like this.

For my background I used the Crafters Workshop ''Mini Punchinella' stencil and some texture paste. I then went over it with light blue ink using my finger.

I hope you get a chance to play along at Scrap Africa.  We would love to see your take on this challenge.

That's all for today.  Thank you so much for popping by.  Have a wonderful week.

Until next time.

M xox

March Sketch Challenge at The Scrapbook Store

I can't believe that I have totally forgotten to post this earlier!  Actually, I can believe just about anything can happen after these last 10 days.  What a busy time we've had!  My WA blog friends will probably know that The Scrapbook Store has moved into warehouse premises in North Perth.  We moved in on the 1st of March and the Grand Opening took place on Saturday, the 8th.  I must tell you I didn't realise that there were that many crafters in Perth... the place was buzzing!  It was a very busy but totally wonderful day!  We will also now be open every Wednesday and Friday afternoon as well as Saturday mornings, so I'm hoping to meet many more lovely crafty ladies soon. :)

Anyway, the reason I'm here is to share the March Sketch with you.  It's a PageMaps sketch and a very easy one to adapt to your own style.  Just have a look at all the beautiful examples from the DT in the Gallery.
Here is my take on it.  I've used more of the Echo Park 'Times and Seasons 2' collection that was part of my DT kit for February.

I've used a WOW chipboard word and a sticker from the collection to form my title.

Another close up of some of the layers.  All are papers, stickers of layered chipboard from the collection.

And another close up... just for fun. :)

And here is the gorgeous PageMaps sketch. 

I hope you get a chance to play along. There is a $40 store voucher up for grabs and it includes free shipping too.  The winner gets determined by random draw so anyone can win!  All you have to do, is enter. :)

That's all I have for today.  Hope you have a fantastic day!

Until next time.

M xox

 

More 'Times & Seasons' and Scrap Africa Sketch Challenge no. 27

Hi everyone!  Today I want to share my take on Scrap Africa's March sketch challenge.  I have used more of my February DT kit from The Scrapbook Store.  The photos are of my hubby.  He decided to grow his beard over his 2 week December break. I couldn't decide wether I liked it or not.  When he finally shaved before going back to work, I sort of missed it! Lol!
I've used the Echo Park 'Times and Seasons 2' collection.  I simply love the colours of this range.

A close up some of the embellishments.  The chicken wire chipboard is from Dusty Attic and the metal gears from Tim Holtz.

 The arrow charm is available from the TSS store. 

A metal button, a Petaloo flower and a camera charm.  The mesh is plasters mesh from my local hardware store. :)

I've cut my title using my Silhouette Cameo machine and created depth by applying foam tape between the two layers.

And here is the gorgeous sketch.  For more detail and to check out the stunning examples from the rest of the DT members and Guest DT members, have a look HERE.

It's a great sketch, so why not play along?  There are great prizes up for grabs!  You have until the 14th of March to get your entry in.

That's all for today.  Thank you so much for visiting.  Have a great week!

Until next time.

M xox

 

Echo Park 'Times & Seasons 2'

Hi everyone! I am rushing this post through as there are only a few minutes left to get my entry in for Stuck?! Sketches.  I completed this layout over the weekend but haven't had a chance to take photos or do a blog post! Lol! Nothing like working under pressure, hey?!
Well here is my entry using the wonderful Echo Park 'Times & Seasons 2' collection. The photo is of my DS when he went to Malaysia and Singapore in February 2012.  He thought he was very clever by covering the 'et' of Market Place to discover his very own place. :)

 I painted the wood veneer title from WOW to suit the colours of my layout.

 I love adding hessian to my male pages. The flair badge matches the whole theme perfectly. :)

The chipboard clock face frame and circle are from 2Crafty.  I first gave it a layer of gesso and then inked it using a couple of different coloured inks.  I finally added some Diamond Dust in random spots.

A matching tag for my journaling.  All the butterflies have been fussy cut from this piece of patterned paper and then painted using 'Smooch Glitz' to give it some sparkle.

Here is the Stuck sketch from the 1st of February which I based my layout on.

That's all for today.  Now I better hit the 'publish' button and get my entry linked up, before it's too late!

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely day.

Until next time.

M xox

Scrap Africa Challenge # 26 and FabScraps 'French Heritage'

Hi everyone! Today I want to share Scrap Africa's new challenge with you.  It's called 'Chipboard with a difference' and it means you need to use some chipboard on your layout, card or altered piece, but it cannot be left raw and must be altered.  Easy hey?  To get all the details and to see all the fantastic examples from the rest of the DT and Guest DT member, have a look HERE.
Here is my example.  I've used my February DT kit from The Scrapbook Store for this. I was lucky enough to receive the beautiful FabScraps 'French Heritage' collection this month. :)

A close up of my flower cluster and background work.  I've painted the 'Filagree Edge' chipboard shape using gesso and then added some pearls in some spots. The big flower is a Velvet Rose from Green Tara and I've used the Memory Box 'Tessatina' stencil and texture paste on the background.

A few Petaloo flowers as well as a mixture of Prima flowers from my stash.

This one shows the birdcage chipboard from this collection.  I've painted it with gesso and then backed it with pattern paper and added some pearl strips and flowers.

I've also altered he WOW wood veneer title by inking it in a colour to match my layout.

I hope you will get a chance to play along with us. There are some awesome prizes up for grabs!

 

That's all I have for today.  Thank you so much for visiting. Hope you are having a wonderful week.

 

Until next time.

M xox

FabScraps 'French Heritage'

I've been working with the FabScraps 'French Heritage' collection this month as part of my DT work for The Scrapbook Store. I had great fun with this layout and since it is Valentines Day today, I thought it would be perfect. :)

A close up of my flower cluster.  I've used a mixture of Prima flowers as well as a few Manor House flowers.  The metal frame and flower are from my stash. 

Another small cluster. I've cut the 'Wishes' and 'Dreams' as well as the butterfly from die cut pack that comes with this collection. I've used a Scrap FX stencil and some texture paste to create the textured 'bubbles' behind the photo.

That's all I have for today.  I'll be back in a few days to share the new Scrap Africa challenge with you.  Thank you so much for visiting.  Hope you have a fabulous Valentines Day and a wonderful weekend!
Until next time.
M xox

February Sketch Challenge at The Scrapbook Store

Hi everyone! Hope you had a great weekend and is ready for the week ahead. :)  Today I want to share The Scrapbook Store's February Sketch Challenge with you.  Here is my example layout.  I've used the Kaisercraft 'Tea Break' collection.  The photo is of my DD and my mum.  They share a very special bond.

 A close up or two. :)

 And the sketch from PageMaps.

I hope you get a chance to play along.  There is a $40 store voucher up for grabs and you'll get free postage too!  The winner gets determined by random draw, so anyone can win.  You have until the end of the month to get your entries in.

That's all for today.  Thank you so much for visiting.  Hope you have a wonderful week!

Until next time.

M xox

Sketch Challenge #26 at Scrap Africa

Hi everyone! I haven't been around for ages, but I do have something to share today. Scrap Africa has a new sketch and its gorgeous!  To see all the beautiful creations from the rest of the Design Team and Guest designers, have a look HERE.

 

I have used my DT kit from The Scrapbook Store for my take on the sketch.  All the papers, the black ornate frame and the flowers are from Manor House Creations. :)

 I've added a piece of old pizza box for a bit of added texture. ;)  The title is a wood veneer word from WOW. I've used Stampendous 'Aged Teal' embossing enamel on it and then added some more teal ink afterwards.

I love my new Memory Box 'Worn Out Alpha' stencil. I've used texture paste mixed with Shimmerz Paints Dazzlers 'Liqorice Stick' over the stencil.

My flower cluster using Manor House flowers in all different shapes, colours and sizes.

It would be great if you can play along!  There are some great prizes up for grabs.  You have until the 14th of February to get your entries in.  Good luck!

That's all I have for today.  I'm hoping to stay more in touch with things this week.  Every week is a new beginning, right? :)

Thank you so much for visiting. Wishing you a wonderful week.

Until next time.

M xox