Challenges Galore

Wow another month beginning already, and here I've REALLY pushed myself WAY outside of my comfort zone.  I've been following all the extremely talented crafters sharing their Finnabair inspired projects on facebook.  I would so love to be able to produce canvas' like they do, who knows I believe Anna is coming here to New Zealand later this year, hopefully I can get to a class (or two). 
My layout has also been inspired by several inspiration boards from 3 different challenges, below.

 

I started with a Kaisercraft 'Key to my Heart' paper.  I layered strips of scrap paper, lace and drywall tape under the photo area.  Then applied texture paste thru a stencil before giving the area a coat of gesso.  I randomly touched areas with a script stamp then got to work with 2 different Lindy's Stamp Gang mists (listed below).  The Dusty Attic number panel was then attached under the photo after it was painted several times and aged.  Prima glass beads and micro beads were then attached.  A couple of I am Roses & leaves finish the page. 

 

Before attaching the photo everything was again touched up with the Lindy's Stamp Gang mists - the page is shimmering sadly not shown in the photo.

Enjoy these closeups:

 

 

I REALLY struggled with this page infact I walked away from it several times without a clue as to how to progress.  After the background was done I nearly put it all in the rubbish until I pulled out this awesome Dusty Attic number panel.  I challenged myself to use minimal flowers - yay I did achieve this.

 

Challenges I am entering this into along with their inspiration boards and products used are as follows:

 

 

Dusty Attic products used are DA802 Zippers, DA1026 Heart Arrows #2, DA11704 Live Beautifully, DA1050 Number Panel Large



 

Lindy's Stamp Gang products used are Starburst Ramblin Rose Pink & Starburst Azure Sea Asters 

 

Scrap Around the World  I was inspired by the soft tones of this board, and the word 'Happiness' which is how you feel after looking at this cute photo.



 I'll also be sharing this with my new friends on the Finnabair facebook page I'm following.

Thanks for visiting, I'd love to hear what you think of this.

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.

 

 

Pretty's for Prima

I am excited and extremely humbled to have the privilege to put together this collection of my work and be considered for a position on the Design Team for Prima Marketing.

Firstly here is an altered journal I've made for my nephew and his fiancé, who are marrying later this year.  I really love doing this type of work and alter all sorts of things.

 

 

Enjoy these close-ups



 

 

 

Prima products used here are: Seashore paper, Sunrise sunset stencil, Shabby Chic Treasures - mailbox, Art basics - modelling paste, gesso, 3D matte gel, micro beads & glass beads.

 

Secondly this simple card was a pleasure to make:

 

 

 

Prima products used here are: Ledger pad paper, flower spray - ladybird, Say it in Crystals - Divine

 

Thirdly, my layout featuring another one of my nephews in his favourite pastime:

 

 

More close-ups to enjoy

 

Prima products used here are: Seashore paper & tags, woodgrain & anchors stencil, Art basics modelling paste, flowers - blue mini rose & seashore, Shabby Chic Treasures - resin birds, Junkyard Findings - Vintage Trinkets, light bulb & bottle caps, flower spray - lady bird.

 

Lastly here is my 'tag' notebook (2 oversized tags turned into a notebook:

 

 

Prima products used here are: Seashore paper, flower, Say it in Crystals - Divine.

 

Thank you for this chance to showcase some of creations to you, it has been a pleasure to put this collection together. 

Farewell Imagine If

It is bittersweet writing this post as it is the last project I'll be sharing in my capacity as Design Team member for Imagine if . .  .  These last 12 months have gone sooooo fast, its really unbelievable its over already.  It's been a fantastic ride as I've been amongst some awesome talent, Jo really picked herself a great bunch of crafters, and I think . . . no, I know we have all really grown from this experience.  Who would have thought 12 months ago the type of creations we have all come up with . . . . wow.  And it's a bit sad too now its all over, but I'm going to try to carry on pushing myself - after I catch my breath of course. 

So here's my farewell layout, using all the new chipboard Jo has produced for us this month.  She sent us dolls, keys & locks & wings to play with.

 

I've used Kaisercraft paper from the 'Precious Moments' and 'Just Believe' collections, and have finally used my Martha Stewart 'Round the Page' punch - LOVE IT.  I've used a DSD stamp under the paper doily, then had lots of fun creating this gorgeous doll.  Sadly I can't take all the credit for her as I have used the idea I saw on Gabrielle Pollacco's awesome blog (and used her dolls head also - thanks Gabbi). 

 

Its such a fun idea and so easy to do.  I then added the sparkling wings, which were painted then finished with a layer of stickles.  The padlocks and keys were heat embossed silver then touched up with TH Vintage Photo ink.  The heart was painted then clear heat embossed.

 

I've used lots of I am Roses blooms, so will be entering this into their monthly challenge also.  Blooms used are Daisy, S10 blooms, small daisies & leaves.

 

I'll also be entering this in the Artfull Crafts colour challenge for this month.

 

Imagine if . .  products used are Angel wings

                                                    hearts

                                                    keys

                                                    locks

                                                    doll

mihi Tessa

In todays layout I've used a gorgeous photo of my niece celebrating the most important day of her life - her graduation.  Tessa had a rough time getting through her school days, so now finally she is on top of the world after years of catch up and hard grind.  Well done Tessa.

 

In keeping with the kiwiana theme introduced by the gorgeous feather cloak being worn I've used only green's & brown's throughout.  Believe it or not this stunning HOTP paper actually has pretty pink flowers in the bottom corner, but gesso and a strategically placed flower hid them nicely.  The papers have been distressed & inked, the stitching is on top of printed stitching (which actually looked cheap & tacky).  Burlap & the HOTP trim border the layers perfectly.  The awesome koru from Imagine if . .  have been flocked along with 'TESSA', then glimmer misted  just to tone the colours down a bit.  Felt kiwi add more kiwiana to the page.

 

I found a tutorial for these stunning burlap flowers on You Tube, take a look here.  Skeleton leaves, pheasant feathers & beads finish the embellishments.

 

Good ole Google is very handy, here I've used Google translations to add yet more kiwiana.  "mihi Tessa i runga i to koutou puta" translates to "Congratulations Tessa on your graduation".  I've used cuttlebug dies for the lettering.

 

I'm really please with how the page has turned out with all the embellishments from Imagine if . ..  Most of these can be found in felt and chipboard and are all proudly NZ made.  Go and check out their range (which is being added to daily) for that little something different.  Its the only place I am aware of to find such a great range of kiwiana. 

 

For a closer look of this layout and many others, come and visit the Imagine if . . stall at SENZ, where Jo and her helpers will also be running some classes and have some make & takes for you all.

 



Better than Most

Well here we are, time for a new challenge at Southern Girls Challenge, where the theme this time is 'Shimmer'.  Check out what the other talented DT's have come up with as inspiration for you also.  There are some great prizes are up for grabs from our awesome sponsors.  So here is my offering:

 

I started with a paper from the Prima Ledger pad (which just arrived yesterday), which I inked with TH Walnut Stain, then used a TCW template with coloured homemade texture paste to add a bit more interest.  The shimmer on my page comes from the Bella Glitz glittered cardstock that I've used to matt the photo on. In my mind beforehand I'd imagined a large square of this after going thru my Round the Page punches, but alas the card was too thick for the punch to handle, so back to good ole trusty scissors.  A bit of lace, zig zag trim, IAR flowers, TH Alpha tiles add extra interest to the page.  

 

I've used a couple of the dies from our sponsor Marriane Design here which I use quite regularly, the flourish & the mini roses (which I absolutely adore, they are so easy to make).

 

The bird & birdcage are chipboard pieces from Imagine If. . ..  The birdcage was painted then embossed with TH Distress Embossing Powder, whereas the bird was flocked with several different colours to give this mottled look.  Again more Marrianne Design diecuts finish this top corner.

 

I love how this page has turned out, as it is so different to how I first planned it.  I hope you'll find it a bit different to all the other gorgeous DT examples, and will come along and take part in our challenge.

 

Thank you for visiting, I can't wait to see your entries.

Girls will be girls

Todays layout has been made to share with the lovely ladies at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  The theme this month is of course 'Love' and here I've incorporated the use of their layout sketch with the theme.  Now that my sister Dena lives in Australia she doesn't see much of her family still living here in NZ.  Here are some lovely photos taken with her with daughter Tessa, grand daughter Zana & niece Anaree.

 

I've used paper from my stash and grunged it up with corrugated card & TH inks.  Doilies underlay the stunning photo's, then random flowers & a Dusty Attic Corner Flourish #1 DA0628 (which I just gave a light coat of gesso) finishes the page.

Thanks for visiting, have a happy, scrappy day.