More from Egypt

Yay I'm the winner. 
Todays layout has been created very rushed as Part 2 of the monthly Scrap-a-bull facebook challenge. For Part 1 I submitted my lovely layout about 'Mia's Christening', and was luckily chosen in the Top 3 which now required me to create a layout following this sketch

 

For my layout I rotated this sketch once clockwise to suit my photos.

 

I started by creating LOTS of strips of texture under my photos, using ripped dictionary paper, embossed cardstock, corrugated cardboard, drywall tape, burlap.  All then got a coat of gesso before being coloured primarily with Lindy's Stamp Gang mists.

 

Next I heat embossed the awesome Dusty Attic Geometric Corners, which I cut into the 5 pieces I've attached around the page.  These were surrounded with glass & micro beads.  I LOVE THESE.

 

 

 

 



 

To finish the page I added some splotches, some light random stamping then heat embossed Imagine if . stars.  I'm impressed with the new Prima stamp I've used around the outside of the page.

 

Thank you to all of you who voted for me on facebook, I wouldn't have won without you all.

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Butterfly garden

Here we are mid year already, so I'm making the most of not being particularly busy at work.  I'm chuffed I've found yet another awesome monthly challenge to enter The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge is another site that offers an awesome inspiration board and very minimal requirements to join in.  This month is their birthday so they have put all the themes from the last 12 months on their board. 

 

For those of you who know my work you will know I LOVE FLOWERS, so that is my theme of choice.  Here I've created a tag which I am also entering into the monthly Imagine if . .  challenge.  I am also entering this into the Lindy's Stamp Gang colour challenge using their colour chart



The tag I've created was firstly covered with drywall tape then I added lace, lots of Imagine if chippies then glass beads.  When all the glue was dry it got a coat of gesso, then a coat of black paint. 

 

Then believe it or not I sprayed the whole thing with LSG Sweet Violet Purple Teal where obviously the Teal has really won over the other colours, even though when moisture is applied the purple shines thru.  The little mini roses were coloured with LSG Ramblin' Rose Pink grunged a bit with TH Black Soot.  The velvet stem and leaves was grunged by spraying with LSG Opal Sea Oats. 

 

As usual I had fun making my own flowers, I adore these zipper flowers - this one has a rolled paper flower for the centre along with a bead.  Butterflies from the G45 Steampunk Debutante collection finish the page along with the sweet sentiment.

 

Thank you for visiting, I hope you like what you find here and hopefully I can inspire you in some way with my creations.  To find a tutorial for the zipper flower just follow the link provided in my Tutorials page.



Fish the Family Dish

Todays layout has been a real joy to create, especially after pushing the boundaries so far out for my last layout.  Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed that challenge, but its also nice to ease back into familiar territory again.  Here I have created a layout using the Maja moodboard, which in itself was quite a challenge to create this 12 x 12 page out of only a 6 x 6 pad.

 

Luckily the colours choosen here match my one and only 6 x 6 pad perfectly .  I decided to create a 'patchwork quilt' for my background by using 4 pages which were cut into 3" squares.

  

I've used the 'Vintage Autumn basics' collection, where I've distressed all 16 squares before arranging on my page.  I stitched around 4 squares only, just randomly placed around the page, also stitching around my photo.

 

 

 

I've used lots of Dusty Attic chipboard which were mostly painted, I glued micro beads to create the reed flower heads.  The anchor was crackled under the paint and looks very aged now. The Imagine if sea egg has been finished with Perfect Pearls, so its really shimmers. The little starfish are actually real starfish which I've just painted. 

 

 

 

 

I enjoyed making this male page and really loved achieving a page with no flowers.  

Its been a pleasure working with these gorgeous Maja papers as they are so versatile, they can be used from soft 'baby' projects right thru to grungy 'male' creations.

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.

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.