Back to nature

Mondays are usually my busiest days and the chance to do any scrapping is just about zero. That doesn't mean that I can't take 10 to 15 minutes to blog though! I'm lucky that I do have something to blog about today. I had a scrappy day on Saturday with some great friends and manage to create a few layouts.
I had heaps of fun with this one I did for 'Bird Is The Word'. The word to use this time is 'Together'. I don't often use these earthy tones on my layouts but I so enjoy it when I do.  The pic is of my friend's two little boys at the lake.  They are such gorgeous kids and I absolutely adore this pic of them.
I've used some old October Afternoon paper for the background and then added Tim Holtz Kraft Core cardstock (a new product from Coredinations), Dusty Attic chipboard picket fence and chicken wire, some hessian leaves, twine, stained muslin, Kaisercraft paper blooms and a few other bits and pieces. The Cheery Lynn Designs Spiderweb die is new to Handmade by Suzanne. Isn't it gorgeous?

 That's all for today! Hope you are having a great Monday! Thank you so much for visiting and for the lovely comments you always leave. :)
Until next time.
M xox

Summer Memories

Happy Friday everyone! Lol! Have I told you before how much I love Fridays? I have another layout to share today. I've done this one 2 weekends ago but it wasn't quite finished so I thought that since I haven't done any other crafting and it's Friday, I'll share it today. :)
This is a 'just because' layout. I just love this gorgeous Crate Paper  'Farmhouse' collection and had to use it.  The pic is of the kids and I on holiday near Margaret River, WA in 2008.

 A close up of some of the flowers I cut from one of the pattern papers.

 The banner is an older pre-made one from Pink Paislee.

Just a quick reminder. You still have time to do the October Sketch Challenge at Handmade by Suzanne. You can win an awesome prize. Find all the details in our October newsletter here.
That's all for today! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for visiting!
Until next time.
N xox

Sibling harmony...

Lol! Well, at least there was sibling harmony during this photoshoot. :) This is my entry for Sue's sketch challenge at Top 50's October CC.  I've used my Handmade by Suzanne DT kit and I tried to use the colours from the Jillibean 'Apple Cheddar Soup' that I haven't used much of in my other 3 layouts. Not my usual colour combo, but I think I like it. :)

The extra criteria for this challenge was to include at least 2 handmade items on your layout. I've made these flowers using a Tim Holtz die, hessian, some denim fabric and buttons.

 The grosgrain ribbon is new to the HBS store and comes in a variety of colours. So easy to use.

And I just love using the 'Mini Brick' template from the Crafters Workshop. I've used Tim Holtz 'Brushed Corduroy' Distress Ink with it.  The orange alphas come with the Jillibean Soup sticker sheet.

That's all for today. Thanks for popping by. Have a fabulous week!
Until next time.
M xox

An apple a day...

Happy Friday everbody! I love Fridays! :) Before I dash out to go and have some lunch with some lovely friends (and some kids), I quickly want to share a layout.  Lol! This layout turned out a bit different to what I planned. I had these gorgeous papers in my DT kit from Handmade by Suzanne and I desperately wanted to take some pics of DD eating a apple. Am I the only scrapper who do things like this????  DD was on her way out with a friend when I stopped her for a 'quick photoshoot'. Her response to me was "Okay Mum. I'll do it, but you owe me money for lunch. It will be a dollar a photo."  Lol! As I normally give her money for lunch anyway, I easily agreed. I took 5 pics before she had enough and before I thought it was getting too expensive... hehehe...So instead of just calling my layout something 'apple related' I thought to tell the story of the 'PAID photoshoot' to remember (in years to come) what I would do for the right photo.
Here's my layout.  I've used pattern papers and stickers from the Jillibean Soup 'Apple Cheddar Soup' range. The kraft paper background was misted using OA 'Red Wagon' Sprinklers and the Crafters Workshop 'Mini Circle Grid' template. I love how 'non-shiney' this mist is. :)

 A little close up of my fabric bow and some other details. :)

The yellow doily is from 'The Chip Chop Shop' and the the rosette flower was cut using the Tim Holtz mini paper rosette die. The bottle cap is from the HBS shop too.

I've got more to share, but I've run out of time. :(
Thank you for visiting!
Until next time.
M xox

Tree Top Walk

Hi scrappy friends! Hope you all had a great weekend! I got together with some scrappy friends on Saturday and managed to do 2 layouts. I'll share the one with you now, as the other one is still awaiting journaling. :) I've used my gorgeous DT pack from Handmade by Suzanne for this.  The pic was taken in 2007 when my parents were visiting and we did the Tree Top Walk in Walpole, WA. I've used the Jillibean Soup ' Apple Cheddar Soup' collection.

Love these Jillibean Soup 'Burlap' chipboard alphas.  The wooden tree is from Kaisercraft and I've punched out little flowers using my EK Success flower punch and added some pearl centres. The grass was created using the MFT 'Fresh cut grass' die. Cool hey?

 A flower cut from hessian using a Tim Holtz flower die, finished of a button and some natural hemp twine.

That's all for today.  I'm hoping to catch up on all my favourite blogs tomorrow. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week!
Until next time.
M xox

October sketch at Handmade by Suzanne

Hi there scrappy friends!  I hope your week is going well. I personally can't wait for the weekend. Not that I had a bad week... weekends are just better. :)  I'm also looking forward to catching up with two scrappy friends on Saturday and hopefuly I will have something to share on Monday. :)
Here is Handmade by Suzanne's gorgeous sketch for the October challenge.  Shell designs the best sketches, don't you think?  You can get all the details here.

Here is my take on it.  I've had this pic for a while now and my DT pack this month was just perfect for it.  Love the new Jillibean Soup.  This is 'Apple Cheddar Soup' and the chippie clouds are from Dusty Attic.

 The Mini Paper Blooms from Kaisercraft is just the perfect size when you want to add that little something.

I've used my Silhouette machine to cut the words 'Wonderful DAY' as I just can never find the right red alphas when I need it. :)

The date and phrase stickers are from Jillibean Soup too, called Soup Lables 'Journaling Sentiments'.

I hope you are going to give the sketch a go this month.  There is a $30 store voucher up for grabs and all you have to do is enter, as the winner gets determined by random draw.  If you haven't seen all the latest arrivals at Handmade by Suzanne yet, then make sure you check them out here.  You won't be disappointed!

That's all for today! Have a fantastic weekend whatever you are planning!

Until next time!

M xox

Exciting News!!

I am very excited to share with you... that I'm Guest Design Team Member at Scrap the Girls this month!! Thank you Mal for asking me and for the warm welcome. :) I have also set the challenge for the month. You can read all about it here.  While you there, check out the awesome examples of the rest of the DT. These girls are seriously talented.  And then you will just have to give is a go, as it is a super easy challenge and you can win some great prizes!
Here is my example layout using the gorgeous MME 'Lost & Found' range.  I know the 'Lost & Found Two' collections are out already, but these papers are just SO beautiful that I couldn't get myself to 'use' them.  They are just so pretty to look at.  With this layout I didn't have to cut into my papers too much, so I was quite happy. Lol! I know I'm a bit weird that way. :)

 And a couple of close ups. :)

Thats all my exciting news for today!! I hope you are having a great week.  Thanks for visiting.
Until next time!
M xx

Scrap the Boys

Hi there! I'm back again! I finally managed to break away from pink and scrapped a layout of my DS.  Thanks to Scrap the Boys for the inspiration.  This month the challenge was to use household/family ephemera on your layout.  I've decided to scrap these pics of DS wearing his new hoodie.  It's not just your average hoodie though... this one has built-in headphones!! Lol! What will they come up with next?
I've used the black tag that came with the hoodie as my ephemera item.  The papers are from the new Crate Paper 'Random' collection and all the smaller tags are from Shabby Chic Crafts. I've also used a Kaisercraft 'Sheet Music' stamp and a Kaiser rub on.

 And  of course... a couple of close ups. :)

Lol! I have a giggle every time I look at these pics.

That's all for today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned.  As for us... we've got some tax papers to finalise. :(
Thank you so much for popping by.
Until next time.
M xox

Scrap the Girls

I'm back with a mid week post! Just want to share my Scrap the Girls entry and get it in before the due date. This month the challenge is to use a CLIP somewhere on your layout...  just HAD to play along. :)  This is my DD and two of her friends on their way to see Rihanna in concert.  I've used my Handmade by Suzanne DT pack for this.  Lol!  Have I mentioned yet how much I love MME??? This is one of their latest ranges called Lost and Found Two 'Blush'.

A little close up of my cluster.  I've used a MME 'Life Stories' journaling card that I had in my stash for ages and the little vintage pic is from Crafty Secrets 'Vintage Photos'. Love the Green Tara mini roses and the bigger flower is a Kaisercraft paper bloom.  The pale pink doily was cut using the Cheery Lyn 'French Pastry' doily die. Oh, and there is my bulldog clip as well. :) 

 I love these little wooden manequins from Kaisercraft. Used my black inkpad on it and tied some seam binding around.

 A close up of my title and that gorgeous Websters Natural lace trim.

I'm hoping to get another layout done before the month is over.  Don't like my chances though. :( 
Hope you are having a great week!  Thanks for visiting!
Until next time.
M xox

First specs

Woohoo! I did another layout for Stuck Sketches! DD got her first pair of glasses a few months ago and I snapped these pics of her looking very cool. :)  I've used the Fancy Pants 'Off to School' range, Kaisercraft Wooden flowers, Jillibean Soup Newsprint chipboard alphas, Crafter's Workshop Mini Harlequin template and a few other bits and pieces. All the products are available at Handmade by Suzanne.  The big specs were cut using my Silhouette machine.

Don't forget about Handmade by Suzanne's Sketch Challenge this month.  It's a beautiful sketch and you can win an awesome $30 store voucher but you've got to be in it to win it.  You've got until the 30th of September to get you entry in. While you are over at the HBS shop, just check out all the yummy new products we've been receiving over the last couple of weeks.  Did you know you can follow Handmade by Suzanne on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest news and products?
Well, that's all for today.  I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and that you will find time to be a little creative. Thank you for visiting!
Until next time.
M xox

I've played along at Stuck sketches

I can't believe it's been more than a week since my last post! Is it just me, or does the clock really tick faster when we get to September?  Lol! I must be getting old! :)
I've decided to play along at Stuck Sketches this month. Here is my take on Sara's gorgeous sketch using my DT kit from Handmade by Suzanne.  I know I've said this before, but MME is one of my favourite manufacturers!!  This is from the new Lost and Found Two 'Blush' collection.

A little close up of my flower cluster. I've used 'A Little Bit FANTsy' hand dyed triple pearl pin on the left (made by my gorgeous scrappy friend Anthea). The wooden fence is from Kaisercraft and the flowers are a mixture of Prima, Kaisercraft and Green Tara.  All products can be found here.

I hope your week started well and that you will find a little time to be creative.  Thank you so much for visiting!
Until next time!
M xox

More retreat layouts

Hi everyone! I seriously don't know what happened to my last week. Before I knew it, it was gone! In the meantime, I still had 2 layouts lying here since the retreat, waiting for journalling before I could share. I've managed to finish it off today, so here we go...

This is a pic of my daughter and 3 friends that I've been meaning to scrap for ages.  They made their own 'Twilight' t-shirts and then had great fun posing for pics afterwards.  I've used the Authentique 'Uncommon' range with a couple of extra bits.

 I fussy cut the flowers from one of the pattern papers and gave it a lift with some foam tape.

The pink doilies were made using one of the 'solid' colours from the range and the Cheery Lynn Designs 'French Pastry' die.  Wow! Simply love these dies and they give a perfect cut every time! The bird cage is a rub on from Kaisercraft that I rubbed onto acetate and then cut around it.

A bit of seam binding and a mini Green Tara rose to round things off.  Oh, and the punch I've used is the Martha Stewart 'Layered Arch' punch.

The following layout is of DH and I fooling around during a photo shoot that my gorgeous friend, Kathy, did for us.  You will have to look long and hard to find a photo of my DH with a straight face. The males in my house are just not capable of a decent smile. Lol!  Well, I was sort of playing along in this one!
I've used one of the gorgeous MME Lost and Found Two ranges called 'Breeze'. Just love the stuff!  The clouds are painted chipboard and the flowers are Prima with some Green Tara mini roses.  All the products used for these 2 layouts are available from Handmade by Suzanne.

A close up of my title. :)

That's all for today. I hope you are having a fantastic weekend!  Will be doing a bit of blog hopping later to catch up on all my favourite blogs!

Thank you for visiting and for your lovely comments!

Until next time.

M xox

HBS September sketch and DT layout

It was lovely Spring weather here in Perth on the first day of September but since yesterday its been a bit chilly and drizzling on and off.  I managed to get pics of my layouts when the sun was out a bit earlier though. :) 
Handmade by Suzanne has a new sketch up for September, designed by our own very talented Shell and it's a beauty!

Here is my take on it.  I've used some older Fancy Pants papers that I had in my stash for quite a while now. It always feels good to use up older products.  :)  The two little guys in the photos are my friend's little boys and they are just the cutest.

Love these bottle caps from HBS and the Green Tara paper string must be one of my faves for boy layouts.

So why don't you give the sketch a go this month?  The winner gets determined by random draw and you could win yourself a $30 voucher from the store.  With all the new products that's arriving almost daily now and with HBS' low prices, you'd be able to buy yourself a whole load of new goodies!  You can see all the details here.

I've also done my first DT layout for the month using my fabulous kit from Handmade by Suzanne. If you haven't seen the new MME 'Lost & Found Two' ranges yet, you are missing a lot.  They are SO amazing and even much better IRL.  I've use a small photo of my mom when she was in her mid 20's. I love how elegant she looked.  She's turning 80 this year and is still such a perfect lady. Love her to bits.

And now for all the close ups. :)  Here is my little cluster in the top corner.  I have tea-stained all the doilies and the calico flowers were stained using Glimmer Mist 'Black Cherry'.  The Green Tara mini roses were perfect for this.

Some Green Tara rosebuds tied together with a piece of tea stained muslin.  Can you see the pink muslin peeping out from under the frame? That was stained using Glimmer Mist too. :)

The wooden frame is from Kaisercraft and was just the perfect size for my photo.

And a Kaisercraft wooden butterfly decorated with a row of Kaisercraft pearls.

It was the first time I tea stained anything and i love the look it gave the doilies.  Will be doing this more often.

That's all for today.  I hope you are all enjoying some warmer weather wherever you are.  Happy Spring!

Thanks for popping by!

Until next time.

M xox

Post Retreat post :)

Hi there scappy friends!  I hope you are all doing well.  I've had an awesome weekend at the HBS Retreat and met so many wonderful ladies.  I was so tired yesterday, but can't wait to do it all again!!
I have only one layout to share today.  Still got to finish the others off and will upload later in the week.
Decided to play along at Kraft It Up this month. I do really love working with Kraft cardstock. Should do it more often. This month was a sketch challenge and here is my take on it. The pics are of my friend's little boy (at almost 4) being a silly boy for his mom.  Too cute. :)

I've used the Graphic 45 'Magic of Oz' range and I just totally love all the gorgeous elements that is so easy to fussy cut.  You can find it here.

 Used my Kaisercraft 'Grid' stamp in the top corner.  Note to self:  Use these stamps more often.

 Loved cutting out all these silly figures.  Perfect for a 'silly' page. :)

That's all for today.  I've got to go and conquer the mountain of washing that built up over the weekend.  DS went on a camp too.  I'm getting there! :)
I hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks for visiting!
Until next time.
M xox