Mia's Christening

I've found a new challenge site and what great timing, its their birthday this month at Scrap around the World and they have gone all out with prizes from their fantastic selection of sponsors.  This  is their fantastic Inspiration Board I've used.  Straight away I loved the delicate shades of pink, the roses and the sparklies which reminded me of this gorgeous christening photo I've used, and of course it was a great celebration.

I've created this layout trying out a new style to me, which is successfully used by lots of hugely talented ladies out there.

I've used lots of Kaisercraft papers from the 'Precious Moments' & 'Key to my Heart collections' (5 actually if you are counting), which I have layered up once all were distressed, punched or stitched, with the photo layered up on a total of 8 different layers.  The lace layer breaks up the background a bit.  Dusty Attic chipboard, BoBunny  & I am Roses blooms add more of the soft feminine feel to the page.
Enjoy these closeups

 

Also I'm using this lovely layout as inspiration for all the entrants at the latest Southern Girls Challenge where this time the theme is 'Tic Tac Toe'.  I've used the first line on the grid which is 'Lace - Patterned Paper - Roses'.  This type of challenge ends up with some amazing combinations and is such fun, I can't wait to see what you all come up with.  As usual there are great prizes to be won here from our fabulous sponsors.  Why not join in. 

May IAR Challenge

Its really amazing how far out of your 'comfort zone' you can be pushed when you've got time.  I found an entry in the Maja moodboard and was completely wowed.  After commenting on the blog post I was directed to a fabulous tutorial here.  The samples shown are amazing and as the weather is now keeping me indoors I filled in the time trying this out.  Although not perfect I am really happy with the results.

 

 I've had the Kaisercraft 'Pitter Patter' collections for sometime now so it was a great opportunity to get these out.  I've used the papers, tags & stickers throughout along with doilies, gauze and LOTS of I am Roses blooms.

As the title indicates I am entering these in the May I am Roses challenge, wish me luck.
I am Roses products used are:
D1 & D2 Daisies, Lilies, Tulips, rosebuds, cherry blossums, S10's, tiny leaves.

Hauby turns 70

Don't you love it when you've been saving special photo's for a special project, then when completed you are 100% proud of how it turns out.  I've had this photo (and others) for sometime, of our friend, the retired race commentator Keith Haub's 70th birthday party.

I've used lots of different supplies on this layout, which started with a Heartfelt Creations 'Countryside Evening' paper, with layers of Maja, Kaisercraft and BoBunny scraps.  I've distressed, inked and punched edges.  The burlap helps with the 'male' feel of the page. 
Under the layers I've attempted to add texture using micro beads attached with crackle paste thru a stencil.  More crackle is added on some of the Dusty Attic chipboard.  The Prima bottle caps are also filled with micro beads.

 

I've used lots of Dusty Attic chipboard, Pointer Hands, Music, Page pebbles, Jumbo cogs, Hinges, Hashtag sayings.

Prima Art basics used, 3D Matte Gel, Texture/crackle paste, Micro beads in bronze & splash.

 



This is the sketch I've followed which is the monthly LO sketch from Artfull Crafts.  I'll also be sharing this layout with my newly found friends at Finnabair & Friends FB page 

Wedding Card

For todays project I've created a wedding card to join in on the Imagine if challenge this month which is calls for lace to be used.

A little bit brighter than your run-of-the-mill wedding cards, but hey WTH, the young ones appreciate these bright colours these days don't they.

I adore this BoBunny 'Starcrossed' paper, then loads of red lace, rosette flowers and stickles used on the chipboard.  I added these two black flowers and the gorgeous pearl and heart trim just to break all the red.

For someone who doesn't make cards I'm really outside my comfort zone here.
Thanks for visiting.

Working with Maja

I am really excited to finally have some Maja Design papers to work with.  Being here in Ne Zealand the supply is extremely limited, but I've managed to get my hands on a couple of 6 x 6 pads from Crafty Notionz .  So for my first 'play' with these I decided to join in on the May Maja Mood board.

 

As I had the 6 x 6 pads I decided to try out a couple of cards using the 'Life by the SEA' and 'Vintage Autumn Basics collections.  These papers are simply GORGEOUS.



 

This pink/green card is using papers from the Vintage Autumn Basics collection, featuring Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms in contrasting colours, while the blue/tan card features the Life by the Sea papers using products from SpiegelMom Scrap 





Take a look on the Maja FB page and check out if I'm lucky enough for them to share my card.
Thank you for visiting.

Journal for Jamie

Jamie and Seigrid and getting married in September.  When they announced their engagement they had a photo shoot done resulting in some awesome photos, so here is the 1st of the many creations I am planning using these photos.

This journal cover was made primarily as an entry for the Prima DT call, using lots of their goodies.  I've used all sorts of other products in my stash along with Dusty Attic chipboard, and wouldn't you believe it the colours match this months Inspiration Board perfectly, so I am also sharing this on the Dusty Attic challenge.  Here is their Inspiration Board:

 

After priming the covers with a generous coat of gesso I attached some die cuts and modelling paste thru some stencils, then the fun began.  I got out all my embellishments and started attaching charms, buttons, flowers, laces, die cuts, seed beads & chipboard.  The die cut heart around the photo added more texture once I'd embossed it, it also sits up off the surface for ease of photo placement.

Everything was then given another generous coat of gesso, then when dry various shades of greens & blues were painted over, under and in the embellishments until I was happy with the finish.  I then highlighted areas with gold rub-n-buff.

Enjoy these closeups.



 

Dusty Attic products used on this journal are DA 232 Jumbo Cogs and DA 1074H Love This.

 

 

New Inspiration

While surfing through You Tube I've come across yet another wonderfully talented lady who does fantastic art journal pages with easy-to-follow video's.  So I've subscribed to her channel and put her blog on my favourites bar.  Take a look at Andrea Walford's work for yourself, you'll be impressed.

While waiting for paint to dry on the art journal page I'm working on at the moment I decided to have a go at one of her pages I watched last night.  Here is the link to her page titled 'Shine'.

 

This is my interpretation of the page, which I've done on a page with the background prepared earlier by wiping off brushes and baby wipes while doing another page.  I love the extra colour its brought into the page. 

 

This was an extremely easy page to do, I thoroughly enjoyed doing it.  Thanks Andrea for the inspiration. 

Champion Racehorse

Time for a new challenge at Southern Girls Challenge where the theme for Team Lou is 'Animal Antics'.  Pop over and see the amazing creations all the girls have to inspire you with.
Its been quite a hectic week, so instead of rushing and putting up a substandard layout I've found an oldie which has never been shown before.

 

Young Indian was bred, owned and trained by my husbands parents.  He was a beautiful animal.  He won lots of races, then retired after breaking a bone in his leg to a stud career.  This photo was taken as he won his biggest race, and was actually scanned from a magazine.  The rosette is strategically placed to hide some script on the photo.

 

This layout was done way back when I first started scrapbooking, so is very basic, but still something I'm very proud of.

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my picture and hope to see your creations at SGC.

National Scrapbook Day (NSD) Blog Hop

Happy NSD all!  We are totally excited that you’ve joined us this weekend for this extra special blog hop.  SpiegelMom Scraps(SMS) and the Southern Girls Challenge Blog owners and Design Teams have united and are aspiring to inspire YOU!  This hop has such a wide variety of paper crafting styles and media being used that it’s sure to knock your socks off.   Jody Spiegelhoff owns SpiegelMom Scraps! And one of her lovely Design Team Sparklers, Louise is an owner of the Southern Girls Challenge Blog.  Louise and Jody thought having the 2 Design Teams join forces for this weekend would rock!  I think they were right J  So, it’s time to grab your favorite beverage (depending on the time of day where you live), a yummy treat and get ready to click & scroll your way to some fabulous inspiration! 

 

Here I've used lots of SMS goodies on top of this gorgeous BoBunny paper.  Jody's washi tape and sequins are a newby to me and I so love how they look on this page.  My new favourite product here is these cork chevrons, very versatile.

You’re starting your inspirational adventure here and just follow any of these links and jump from blog to blog.  We'd all love to hear your encouraging comments and would be doubly thrilled if you would do us the honour of following our blogs.  Jody has very kindly put up a fantastic prize for a lucky commenter, so you've got to be in to win.  

Here’s your line up!

SpiegelMom Scraps!

 Dawn Turley

 Julie Blakeman

 Karen Oliver

 Kat Benjamin

 Lauren Colless

 Louise Forsyth

 Lyne Blodgett

 Neha Aggarwal

 Sarah Nancarrow

 Wendy Nicola Jackson

 Brenda Morgan - you are here

 Shell Becker

 Alicia Borowski

 Laura Rumble

 Jennifer Dykstra

 Rachelle Olaridge

 Jennifer Shamblin

Tracy Jackson

 If you are following this list correctly you would have visited Wendy's brilliant blog before taking her link to arrive here.  Next in line is Shell and I'm sure you'll be wowed by her creations.

We trust you are enjoying this 'ride',  are having a fun NSD weekend and most importantly now have so much inspiration to get stuck into your own crafting

Facebook Challenges with SMS & SGC

As an introduction to the blog hop which is scheduled for Sunday US CST time (Monday morning NZ time)  Jody has organised some challenges for everyone to enter on Facebook as well.  They go live throughout the day, so please join in the fun and try a few of these for yourself.

Sorry but these times are US CST times, with the challenges starting at Saturday 2nd May:
8am     Sketch layout
12pm   Planner
4pm     Treasure Hunt
8pm     Card
These are my contributions:

 

The LO and card have sketches provided on Facebook, while the criteria for the Treasure Hunt (for this I've made the tag) is to 1. Use something still in its bag unused (the stamp), use something gold (the lettering is written on gold foil), use something cork (SMS chevrons), use an office supply (staples). 

 

Please visit us on the official Facebook page here and join in the fun, we'd love to see your work.

 

As I've used lots of flowers on my layout I am also entering it into the monthly I am Roses challenge.