Color Combos Galore Challenge #153

Here's this week's challenge over at Color Combos Galore. I passed on this challenge so no layout from me this week. I've been busy trying to get over this lingering cold (so annoying) plus a little girl who has an inflamed tooth. She's on antibiotics now, so hopefully all will be well soon. Anyway, back to the challenge - #153. This week the colours are yellow, green-blue, white, and a bold blue. Very yummy and refreshing if I do say-so myself. And the Designer's Challenge is Typography (letters). Why don't you head on over at have a look at the Design Team's reveal - lots of yummy inspiration to get you started!

What I Love...

These wonderful goodies were sent to me by Ginette (from Vancover), one of my lovely blog readers. Ginette won a RAK from me earlier this year, and this was her way to say thank-you. Isn't the key chain just so cute! I can't wait to attach him to one of my bags (my girls have already tried to claim him but they have been told in no uncertain terms to keep their HANDS OFF!!!). And some scrapping goodies...sigh! So pretty...I can't thank-you enough Ginette! (-:

The Summer CHA Show means one thing- more stunning releases from Webster's!!! Oh so pretty...four new ranges to drool over, and don't even get me started on the embellishments, ribbons, and netting. I really am going to need a bigger house. (-: This first range is Hollywood Vogue and is my absolute favourite (even though it has purple in it). Lol!!!

Wonderfall...so lovely.

Waiting For Santa - one of my most favourite Christmas ranges EVER!!!

And finally Sweet Season. This is just adorable. And girly. And oh, so me!!!

So what's your favourite paper range that has been relesed for the Summer CHA Show?

Zva Creative July Projects

Here's my 2nd July project for Zva Creative. Because I had a nasty cold at the time of creating this, I borrowed one of Jana Eubank's sketches to give me some inspiration (see below for sketch). Zva Creative products used: pink rhinestone flourish (CR02CA102), rhinestone alphas (CRP-01CB-102), pink rhinestone bracket (CRB-02CB-110), silk flowers (FL01CB112 and FL01CB106), white pearls (PE-02CB-101/CR-02CA-127), and 3d bulk flowers in pink (FLBK02CA103). Papers are by Websters. Journalling block by Bella! I have layered the different types of flowers together to create some texture and contrast. And I have filled the rhinestone bracket with Dimensional Magic to help it pop off the page.

Here's the sketch I borrowed from Jana Eubank. She has lots of gorgeous sketches to choose from. Go on - go have a look for yourself. (-:

And here's my 3rd monthly project for Zva Creative. I combined it with a "no patterned paper" challenge that is running over at Noel Mignon's. Zva Creative products used: green rhinestone flourish (CR-03CA-115), felt flowers (FL01CB114 and FL-01CB-116), pearls (PE-02CB-102), and gemstone brads (BRBK02CA101 and BRBK02CA102). Hamby - transparency and rub-ons. Making Memories - butterfly embellishment. Cosmo Cricket - mini alpha stickers. AC Thickers - glittered alphas. Tattered Angels - glimmer screen and Glimmermist (Lime Twist and Turquoise Blue). Had a blast creating this layout - so much fun! I sprayed the Lime Twist on the cardstock as my base colour. I then put the butterfly screen in position, and sprayed again with Turquoise Blue. Once it was dry, I added rub-ons in the desired positions. I then placed the transparency on top, sewed it all down, and finished decorating my layout as desired. I used various pieces from my different Noel Mignon kits to finish it off.

Worse Than Children!!!

Stupid cat! It's worse than having children - seriously! At least my girls know better than to touch ANYTHING on my scrapping desk. They know they can look but DON'T TOUCH! But no, not my cat. Apparently this rule doesn't apply to her!!! I had my layout all laid out perfectly, last night, ready to be glued down this morning. But guess what? I woke up this morning and pieces of my layout are MISSING....aarrgghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Ok Jules - just breath. Pandora (our crazy psychotic Maine Coone) decided to steal three of my rhinestone alphas and my large pink rhinestone bracket. I've since found one of the alphas - the other two are nowhere to be found. And the bracket - thank-goodness as it was my last one. She has a whole house to play in. So why does she have to choose my scrapping desk as her play area??? WHY!!!!! What fun can scrapping supplies be to a cat? Seriously? A mouse, or string, I can understand. But rhinestones? Really? I DON'T THINK SO!!! She is in SO MUCH TROUBLE...

Thank Goodness For Sketches...

I've been struggling with a nasty cold (or flu?) since Friday night. As a result, my brain feels like cotton wool and I can't think straight, and my scrapping is suffering. I started working on this layout on Friday but was struggling with it. So, I did what any smart scrapper would do - I found a sketch I liked, and worked from there. It was so much easier to scrap when I didn't have to think about what I was doing, because I already had a plan in front of me. I've kept some parts of the sketch, and changed other parts totally. Titled: Ever So Sweet. Products used: everything is by Bo-Bunny (new Petal Pushers range) except for the mini alpha stickers (Carolees Creations), kindy glitz, Dimensional Magic, and rhinestones (Kaisercraft).

Here's the sketch I used created by Aphra Bolyer.

Pencil Lines Sketch #197

Sketch 197 has gone up over at Pencil Lines. Our guest designer is Rae Barthel and the Design Team have been sponsored by Nikki Sivils. There are lots of yummy layouts and cards to view to help get your inspiration flowing.

Here's my take on the sketch. Titled: Face Paint Fun. My youngest LOVES to put make-up on (either herself or anyone who is willing to be a guinea pig!). In these photos, Nanna was the guinea pig (ahem...model?). (-: I have swapped one of the photos in the sketch for a journalling spot instead. The bread tags have been hand stitched onto the page. And some of the sunflowers have been highlighted with kindy glitz. All the products (except the alphas - Heidi Swapp) are from Nikki Sivils.

My Little Mermaids...

My two girls had their first ever mini swimming carnival today. It was nothing serious - just a chance for them to actually learn how carnivals operate and what is expected if they continue with their swimming path. The carnival didn't start until 1:00pm but my two wanted to go to the pool early (11:30am) so they could swim for a while in the outside heated pool (the races were held in the indoor heated pool). Which we did - and I will point out my two are the only crazy two children who did this (it was overcast and quite chilly today). They had three races each, plus a novelty race. Keana came first in each of her three races (freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke). She was racing against girls her age. But for Malayla, it was a different story. She swam amazingly and would have placed if she had been put in with girls her own age (she only turned 8 about 3 weeks ago). But they put her in with 9 and 10 year olds, and she didn't stand a chance. They were bigger and stronger then her. She came in 4th for two races, and 5th for the other. She took this surprisingly well - so I am very proud of her for that. No sooner than the carnival was over, all the other children and parents went home, but my two jumped back in the outdoor pool for some more swimming. Sigh! My little mermaids...they are sleeping so well tonight. Hee! Hee! Hee! (-:

In The Dog House...

Come on, admit it - who has one of those husbands, who takes months to fix something, even if you ask them several times? Me! Me! Me! I won't mention the old airconditioner that I am still waiting to have removed from our bedroom window (10 months and counting), or the bookshelf that is broken and needs nailing together (12 months and counting), or the leak at the back of the toilet (forever and still counting). No, we won't mention any of that. I can live with those things (just) because they are minor inconveniences. But what we will mention, is the leak in the kitchen sink (about 12 months and counting). We have one of those lever taps, that you swivel, to determine how hot or cold you want it. In certain positions, the tap has started to leak. I mentioned this to my husband, and asked him to fix it please. He replied, "but it's not leaking now!". Yes, well, that "it's not leaking now!" leak has turned into a flood under the sink. He's not due home for another 2 weeks, but he's already in the dog house!!! Grrrr.....

Color Combos Galore Challenge #152

The next reveal is up at Color Combos Galore. This week, with Challenge #152, we have lots of pretty pink, green, and white for you. Isn't this combo just divine? The Designer's Cahallenge this week is pleats and/or ruffles.

I just LOVE this colour combination and had so much fun with it. This layout is titled: Out Of Focus and I have used lots of bits and pieces from different Noel Mignon kits (Lemonade Stand, Sonoma County), plus a few items from my own stash (Heidi Swapp mirror butterfly, American Crafts ribbon roses, Prima sultan centres, and Jillibean Soup journalling dot). For my pleats, I did a hand-made flower. I cut a 12" strip of paper, folded it accordian style, and then glued the ends together. I topped it off with a ribbon rose and sultan centre. So what do you think? Are you going to join us this week for a great colour challenge? I can't wait to see what you create - so make sure you upload it to the Color Combos Galore Gallery!

Just A Little Something...

to share with you.

Firstly, a layout made with Bo-Bunny's Love Bandit range (this is one of my favs).

Titled: Baby You Shine.

It's all Bo-Bunny products except the mini Alpha Stickers (Carolees Creations) and the pearls (Zva Creative). The layout is based on a JB Mercantile sketch from Pencil Lines.

And, lo-and-behold, another card!

I've used the same Bo-Bunny range and products for the card.

Titled: You Are So Sweet.

The pearl flourish is from Zva Creative, and the mini alpha stickers are Carolees Creations.

I know it's hard to see, but I have actually done a paper bow (where the button is).

July Zva Blog Hop Winners Announced...

We'd like to congratulate the five July Zva Blog Hop winners!

Their names will be found on the following blogs:
Debbie Olson: http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/muse_and_amuse/
Veronica Goh: http://scrappychic-pages.blogspot.com/
Julia Stainton: http://bellepapier.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Kim Moreno: http://www.livingthecircuslife.blogspot.com/
Jillian Deiling Cassity: http://scrappyjilly.blogspot.com/

One winner from each of the 5 blogs will receive a Zva prize package worth $30.00. Yay! Congrats to our winners!

And here's a little inspiration to end the blog hop. I created this layout with the intention of using some white or pink pearl flourishes, but they got lost in the paper and design. So I opted for the black pearl flourishes instead, and it ended up being the perfect match. I created my border with a mask placed in the centre of the page, then spraying chalk glimmermist around the edges. Once it was dry I zig-zag stitched around the entire edge. I've cut up some Hambly screens and lots of Webster's pages to create the layout design. A Webster's ribbon rose and two gem sparkles on the glittered butterflies (Bella! paper), finish off the layout.

We hope you have enjoyed your time with us on this Blog Hop. It has been wonderful to have you join us, and we hope to see you back for the next blog hop in August. We'll have a whole new display of inspiration for you! (-:

Zva Creative July DT Blog Hop!

The Zva Designers are joining together today to share a project that we have created using some of our favorite Zva Creative products. I am hoping that you will take some time to join us for a little bit of fun again this month!

The Blog Hop begins at Kim Hughes' blog (Paperhugs). She will have the complete list of all blogs that are participating incase there is a glitch along the way. If you would like to play along, I am linking to one of the Zva designers (Wendy McKee) and that designer is linking to the next and so on. There are 19 design team members, so be prepared to be inspired along the way. Hidden on 5 of the blogs is a ZvaCreative prize package ...Woot! Woot! Those blogs will be randomly chosen after the hop is over, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way. This Blog Hop runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, July 20th and the 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, July, 21st on each of the winning blogs and the full list will be found on Kim Hughes‘s blog (linked above). We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to all of the blogs once again on Wednesday...plus, you never know what kind of inspirational creation that you may find there.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this Zva Blog Hop post...you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. The more times you leave a comment along the blog hop path though, the more chances you will have to be one of the lucky winners.

I wanted to share this project with you. Pink and green are one of my favourite colour combinations, so I couldn't resist using the lime green Artisan tape to make my own flowers, with the hot pink felt flowers (from Zva) layered on top. And finishing them off with a big Zva pearl in the centre. How luscious do they look? Throw in some lime green pearls and rhinestones, and the page just sparkles. Products used: large felt flowers (FL-01CB-115); medium felt flowers (FL01CB117); green pearl flourish (PEB-03CA-111); mixed rhinestones (CR-02CB-101); green rhinestone corner frame (CR-03CA-105); large pink rhinestone strip (CRC01CB104); 1/4" gemstone brads (BRBK02CA101); and large pearl brads (BRBK02CA103).
Please hop on over to see: Wendy McKee.

Thank you SO MUCH for joining us. And good luck!!! (-:

Pencil Lines Sketch #196

This week we have Nikki Sivils joining us for sketch #196 over at Pencil Lines. Why not drop in and say hello, and check out the amazing things the DT have created with her products.

Here's my interpretation of this week's sketch. Titled: Bee-utiful. I'm not great with themed paper ranges, so I had to think about this one for a while before I could pull it all together. I have used Strawberry Shortcake Chalk Glimmermist for the background, and I have sewn and doodled around the border. I cut out lots of bits and pieces from the range for a minimalist approach. I added some Kindy Glitz and Dimensional Magig, and we were good to go! (-:

Color Combos Galore Ch#151

Challenge #151 is now live over at Color Combos Galore. I just LOVE these colours - they are so summery, refreshing and inspiring. This weeks Designer Challenge is using transparencies. For all the details, please go here.

I created this layout using products from the Noel Mignon "Sunkissed Kit" (sorry, sold out). I added the Hambly doily stickers from my own stash (I've used them so often recently that I think I need to order a new packet!!!). I focused on the white, teal and lemon, and threw in just a dash of orange (sounds like a tropical fruit punch, doesn't it! LOL!!!). I created my own transparency by applying a Jenni Bowlin butterfly rub-on to a clear transparency and cutting it out. So, are you up for a colour challenge? This one was so much fun!!!

Busy Days...

Yay! The children are back at school!!! Now I can get back into my routine. (-: Two weeks at home with my two girls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, will wear anyone out. I thought I would share this photo of Malayla at her 8th birthday party on the weekend. We didn't have a family party this year because hubby was away, so it was just girl-friends from school (plus her sister). Thank goodness she agreed to a chocolate mud cake from the local bakery (with a picture of her on the icing). I usually make the cakes for my daughter's parties, but with hubby being away, and both girls home for school, I decided it would be too stressful. All the girls had a great time (it was a beading party at a local bead shop). Very girly and crafty. (-:

I've been busy creating 3 layouts (and I still have 3 more to go), but I can't share any of them with you yet. I can tell you that I used the Noel Mignon "Sunkissed" kit to create all three - one for Pencil Lines, one for Color Combos Galore, and one one for Zva Creative. Which reminds me, Zva Creative is having another blog hop on the 19th July (starting 11:00pm Australian time or 9:00am USA time). I really hope you can come back and join the fun - we all had a blast at the last blog hop. Ok. That's it for me - time to get some shut-eye!!! (-:

Go On, Challenge Yourself!!!

Woo-hoo! Challenge #150 is up over at Color Combos Galore. The challenge this week is red, sand, pale blue and dusty blue, plus florals and ginghams. For all the details, go here. I skipped thsi week, so I haven't got a layout to show you. But the other DT have created some amazing inspiration to share with you.

And if that isn't enough of a challenge for you, Scrap With V started their Cyber Crop last night. The theme is "women around the house". The challenges are all up, and you have over a week to get them done, then uploaded. And there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs too. You can find all the details in the forum.

Right. I'm off to have a granny nap - I've had other people's children at my house for the past 3 days, I had to share a bed with Keana last night (who woke me up so many times I lost count, plus she's all legs, and is a cuddly sleeper which I am NOT) and I did Malayla's 8th birthday party this morning. So I am stuffed. The girls are at a friends place for a couple of hours. So it is quiet. (-: When I wake up I might just finally get the floors mopped. Yee-hah!!!

Just Because Layouts...

I did a couple of layouts - just for me - just because I felt like it. Plus I REALLY wanted to play with the new Bo-Bunny Petal Pushers range - ever so yummy!!! This one is titled: Her Crazy Self. Can you tell that Keana takes after me? Because she sure doesn't take after her daddy!!! (-:

I used an older range of Bo-Bunny papers and embellishments for this one (I think it was called Love Shack). I had all the papers on my table so I just used what was in front of me rather than trying to find something else. This layout is titled: Xmas Morning. Nope - I'm not big on using traditional Christmas colours and elements.

Cards? No Way!!!

Shock! Horror! Yes, I actually made cards. I really need to go spend a week with a card-maker so that I can get the hang of it. I don't know why, but I just don't enjoy making cards the way I enjoy creating layouts. Sigh! But they are good for using up scraps. (-: Here, I've used Bo-Bunny papers and Bella! ribbon. Titled: Guess Who Loves You? Maybe I can give this to my hubby next year for Valentines?

Or maybe I could give him this one? Again, I have used older style Bo-Bunny papers. Unfortunately, the Stickles glitter on the letter "e" leaked into the Dimensional Magic. I think I need to photograph cards differently to layouts? This card looks very flat, but in fact all the coloured squares on this one are actually raised. Suggestions anyone?

Pencil Lines Sketch #194

Here is sketch #194 which is now up over at Pencil Lines. I hope you will drop in and say hi, and maybe join us for some fun?

The DT have been busy creating some awesome layouts to help inspire you.

Now, please don't faint from shock, but I've done a "purple" layout. Yes, I know I don't like purple (it seems to be the only colour I struggle with), but I really didn't have any choice in the matter. You see those hand-made paper flowers? Well, I made those for another layout I made a few weeks ago, but I didn't use them all, and I didn't want to waste them. And they matched these photos nicely, so I forced myself to use them. I dragged out all the matching Prima papers, and they were all purple, so a purple layout it was! With a dash of pink and yellow for contrast.

Products used: Prima and Basic Grey papers; Prima bling flourish, sultan centres, and flowers; Heidi Swapp ghost shape flowers; Zva Creative gem brads; My Little Shoebox chipboard alphas; and Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers. Other: lace/ribbon; white gel pen.

Happy Birthday To You!!!

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Malayla, happy birthday to you. We love you so much!!!! My sweet girl turned 8 years old today. She was lucky enough to receive some lovely presents this morning - Alice In Wonderland DVD, some toy turtles (that she collects), a Barbie doll, some Lego, and some Magic Fabric. So she is one very happy and excited little girl.

Here's one of the new additions to her collection. She has named this one "Bling". How appropriate! (-: We celebrated today by going to Montville. We had lunch toegther, did some window shopping, and played in some playgrounds. And the sun stayed out all day - NO RAIN!!!
It was a lovely family day out.

And to our American counterparts - Happy 4th July.

We hope you have a wonderful day of celebrations.

CCG Challenge#149

Here's this weeks challenge over at Color Combos Galore. Challenge #149 includes red, pink, light green and white/cream. This weeks Designer's Cahhllenge is Focus on Design. You can read all the details here.

This is what I created with this weeks colour challenge. I absolutely loved the colours, although I did struggle with the design a little. I originally started with the pink border strip being one piece, and placed towards the bottom of the page. And I had the dress form on the right. But it didn't look right - it was unbalanced. So I moved the dress form to the left, and cut the border in two, then I moved the pieces around the page until I found a position and balance that I liked. And this is the end result. Titled: How Does Your Garden Grow? Products used: Webster's and Prima papers; Making Memories chipboard; Heidi Swapp die cut; My Litlle Shoebox mini alpha stickers; Zva Creative rhinestone flourish; K and Co. stickers; Webster's stickers; and Kaisercraft rhinestones.

Tomorrow is Malayla's 8th birthday!!! Woo-hoo!!! But she is not having her party until the 10th July (because it is the middle of school holidays and everyone is away). But I am sure I will still have some photos to share. I can't believe my little baby is now a little girl. (-:

Hiccups...

Sorry for vanishing, but I assure you, I am still here. Although my sanity may not be. I have just upgraded my computer (or should I say, am still in the process of doing this???). You see, we've had a few hiccups along the way. For example, the pictures on my blog have disappeared, and I don't know why. Sigh!!! And half of my back-up on my external hard-drive has disappeared. Crap!!! And when I imported my photos into Photoshop elements, it doubled-up so that I ended up with 26,000+ photos. Damn!!! So it has been a LONG couple of days. I did have a layout to share with you but it's part of the back-up file that went missing. So I will have to re-shoot and upload again. If you would like to check it out before then, you can find it at Color Combos Galore (the new challenge has gone up).

And in between all this, I have had to rearrange and reorganise my scraproom. It is now, finally, functional and ready to use. I have thrown out so much stuff (yay for me!!!). And I have sorted all my embellishments by colour, so now I can find things. And I have all my tools/equipment out (set up and ready to go) so that I can use them as I desire. It all flows a lot more smoothly. I still have to put tags on everything (and sort through one more box of papers), then I will take photographs and share. (-: The bonus is, that when I am finally finished, I will be doing a blog candy competition. So make sure you come back for that! There are lots of goodies up for grabs.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!