Body Snatchers...

If I told you I had just completed a layout with texture paste, masking tape, mesh, glitter, Glimmermist, Glitter Glam, transparency, bling, and Sassafras, what would you think? That I was out of my mind and that my body had been invaded by a body snatcher? Yeah, that's what I thought too!!! (-: But I did. Really. I still can't believe I used texture paste...finally...and did I mention it was SO MUCH FUN!!! Why, oh why, didn't I try this sooner??? Come back Monday morning for the full reveal. (-:

Color Combos Galore Challenge #173

Here's the last Color Combos Galore challenge for the month of December. Challenge #173 includes kraft, off white, lavender and dark green. The Designer's Challenge is to use mesh. This is your last chance to join in the fun and be in the running to win a prize pack from WIP kits.

Here's my layout for this week's challenge. Titled: They Call Him Misty. The layout is about Malayla's Year 2 teacher whom they have nicknamed "Misty". I have misted a mesh background in purple, then added a white Hambly grid transparency over top. I have used Hollywood Vogue Webster's Pages, and the pearls (PE-02CB-101/CR-02CA-127) and pearl flourishes (PE-03CA-110) are from Zva Creative.

Fall Layout Tag Team...

Here's a layout I did quite some time ago (October I think???). It was for Noel Mignon's fall layout tag team. The inspiration layout was actually one of mine from earlier this year (Little Lady). All the layouts created have been displayed on the slide here (in the forum). I have used Noel Mignon's Sleepy Hollow kit to create this layout.

December Zva Blog Hop Winners announced

We'd like to congratulate the FIVE December Zva Creative Blog Hop winners! Their names will be found on the following blogs:

Angelica Franssen
Tanya Tahir
Debbie Olson
Windy Robinson
Gail Lindner

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

I want to take this opportunity to share a couple of girly birthday cards with you. Having two daughters, I find it easier to make two cards at the same time, but in different colours. Zva Creative products used: pearl brads BRBK02CA103; rhinestone flourish CRB-03CA-106 (cut to size); rhinestone strips CR-01CB-109; silk flowers FL01CB106; and felt flowers FL01CB117. I finished them off with a little glitter and some Dimensional Magic. Well, at least I have their cards done for next year, lol!!! (-:

Zva Creative December DT Blog Hop!

Zva Creative and the Design Team welcomes you to join us this month for a blog hop that we feel is always extra special!

There is now an added twist to our blog hops, YAY! As you know, Zva offers so many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers and crystals. We want to make sure that they shine bright for you, so each designer was asked to share a creation using a specific color or color combination on their blog hop project.

The Blog Hop begins at Kim Hughes' blog: Paper Hugs. She will have the complete list of all blogs that are participating in case there is a glitch along the way. (There is also a full list of all the Zva Creative DT members in my side bar). If you would like to play along, just follow along the blog path. I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way. Hidden on FIVE of the blogs is a Zva Creative prize package ...WOOT! WOOT! Winners 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.

The Blog Hop starts today, December 27th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, December 28th and the 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 29th on each of the five winning blogs. The full list will be found on Kim Hughes' blog as well (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.

Being the holiday season, I thought I would share a non-traditional Christmas layout with you. Titled: Cake Decorating 101. I rarely do traditional Christmas colours, so having blue as my nominated focus colour for December worked well for me. I wanted to go with something bright and festive, to showcase the lovely Christmas cupcakes that my daughters' created at their cooking class. Zva Creative products used: pearl flourish PEB-03CA-106; silk flowers FL01CB110 and FL01CB112; felt flowers FL01CB114; gemstone brads BRBK02CA101; pearls PE-02CB-102; rhinestone strips CR01CB113; and 2mm foam dots. Other products used: Webster's Pages papers, journalling cards, tulle, and fabric ribbon; Carolees Creations mini alphas; Making Memories paint and Glimmermist.

The blog hop begins here: Kim Hughes Paper Hugs

Your next stop is here: Tomoko Takahashi Crop Addict

Thank you SO MUCH for joining us. And I hope you will return to join us in the New Year with our next blog hop! Until then, have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone...

Wishing you all a joyous and festive holiday season. Don't forget to eat, drink and be merry, play safe, and be good. I hope Santa finds you, and that your New Year is filled with love, laughter and happiness. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, from the De Lumen family. xxx

Color Combos Galore Challenge #172

Just in time for Christmas, we have this lovely festive pallette for you over at Color Combos Galore. The colours for Challenge #172 include light olive green, off white, butter yellow, and red. And don't forget, if you join in the fun, you could be in the running to win a wonderful prize from this month's sponsor, WIP Kits.

This is my take on this week's challenge. Being summer over this side of the world, I decided to turn the festive colours, into a summer layout. (-: Titled: Sassy And Sweet. I've used a huge mix of papers on this layout - Pink Paislee, Echo Park, Lilly Bee, Fancy Pants and The Girl's Paperie.

Yummy Cupcakes...

I wasn't feeling creative today (because I am still trying to recover from this nasty, nasty cold!), but my girls were. They both attended a cake decorating class today (hosted by Sugarland).
They spent 1.5 hours learning to decorate...
and create these amazing creations...

which mummy and daddy just can't wait to taste...(-:

What Do You Do?

What do you do when you are so sick that you can't entertain your children? (Because they have given you their germs and you have a really nasty cold!!!). What do you do when it is also raining outside and they have nowhere to play? You get out the Gelli-Baff (found at all good department and toy stores), and buy yourself an hour of peace. This is how my girls spent yesterday. In a bath full of crystal jelly - gooey stuff. (-: They absolutely LOVED it, and destroyed my bathroom in the process (although they were good girls and cleaned up when I refused to do it!!!). I must remember to replenish my Gelli-baff stock after Christmas. (-:

Pencil Lines Sketch #218

This week over at Pencil Lines, we have sketch #218 for you. It has lots of room for your own interpretation. Check out what the DT created - each and every one is so different.

This is my take on the sketch. Titled: Life. I used the Noel Mignon Office Party kit for this creation. The paper flowers and rhinestone strips (Heidi Swapp) are from my own stash.

Noel Mignon "The Gift" Challenge...

I created this for Noel's "The Gift" challenge. I have used the Lemonade Stand kit (sold out). Titled: The Gift Of Love For All Creatures Great And Small. I created this layout to explain my love of animals, in all sizes, and how I see this as a gift from myself. I have more patience and love for the creatures, than I do for humanity.

Color Combos Galore Challenge #171

Challenge #171 is now live at Color Combos Galore. this week's colours include aqua, white, taupe and teal. The designer's challenge is to use ribbon on your layout. And remember, if you come and play with us, you could win yourself a W.I.P. Kit.

This is my take on the challenge. I was inspired by a layout Watanabe created over on the Crate Paper blog, a few months ago. Titled: Little Miss Moo (it's about the nickname I gave my daughter). I can't believe I actually used vellum - it has been forever since I've used that stuff on a layout. But I'm really happy with the end result. The ribbons were too bright on their own, but with the vellum over them, they no longer over-power the photos. Products used: Making Memories charm and die cut; Hambly rub-ons; Bella! chipbaord alphas; Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers; American Crafts (?) chipboard shapes; Chatterbox brads; Tattered Angels Glimmermist; Heidi Swapp ghost shape; and Zva Creative pearls.

OMG!!!! It's Sassafrass!

I actually made the Sassafrass blog! Finally!!! After trying for more than a year. Woo-hoo!!! {Insert happy dance here}. You can see my layout here. It's the Supermodel 101 layout that I did for Pencil Lines last weekend. (-: Yes, I know it's just a simple blog post, but the simple things are what make me happy. (-:

Zva Creative December Monthly Project No. 2

Here's my second Zva Creative monthly project for December. Titled: Sleeping Beauty x3. Zva Creative products used: NEW DESIGN pearl leaves (PEW-03CB-101); pearl strips (PE-02CB-110); pearls (PE-02CB-101/CR-02CA-127); 1/4" gemstone brads (BRBK02CA101); and bulk 3D flowers (Icy Blossoms and small roses in blue). Other products used: Jillibean Soup papers and journalling spot; buttons and chipboard hearts - unknown; Elle's Studio journalling tag; Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers; and AC Thickers.

I did something else today too - I finally learnt how to use a Cuttlebug. And Spellbinders dies. And I had SO MUCH FUN!!!! I will start incorporating these techniques into my layouts very soon. The only other thing I have to learn to use now is my Zutter. (-: Mmmm..... maybe I should use my Slice more often too??? (-;

Changes To The Plans...

One of my goals, before the end of the year got here, was to start back with my gym routine. And I have - kind of... I started back with Step and Pump classes, a little weight training, and some time on the treadmill. All good over the past couple of weeks. Until yesterday!!! I fell and twisted my ankle and skinned my toes on my left foot. In our driveway. (-: While trying to take the groceries inside, lol!!!. Damn!!! It is now swollen to twice it's usual size, and starting to turn balck and blue. Can you say "really pissed off with myself???" Unbelievably stupid thing to do. So now I will have to take more time off from the gym while it heals...

But there are also other changes to my plans. Good ones. Hubby will actually be home for three weeks over Christmas and the New Year. How happy am I? And our girls??? (-: And finally, we will get to start painting the house. YAY!!! So if you know of any sites with great inpiration and colours for painting a house, please point me in the right direction. It would be greatly appreciated. (-: I know Keana wants purple and yellow, and Malayla wants aqua and pink...this should be fun. Lol! But I have no idea what colours I want to use in my scraproom, and the rest of the house. Oh, so many choices... so what's your favourites colours? Care to share???

I've got new toys to play with - Spellbinder's dies. I will share something with you once I've got it mastered. Talking about sharing, in the new year I hope to do a few video tutorials for you, since my darling hubby purchased me a new web cam. If you have any particular techniques you would like to see, leave me a message and let me know. (-: I'm happy to accomodate to the best of my abilities.

And I know I promised a Blog Candy RAK before Christmas. I haven't forgotten. I will get something up on my blog soon... if I can get a few minutes to myself!!! (-:

And Keana has been saying funny things again. As we reversed out of the driveway this morning, I muttered something about our lawn mowing man needing to get his act together and get our lawns mowed - it looks like a jungle full of dandelions. And yes, I mean a jungle!!! As we drive off, Malayla looks at our yard and says, "it looks like wheat". Keana, not being able to help herself, pipes up and says "we will be selling Uncle Toby's Oats soon...". Of course, I crack up laughing, and the girls aren't quite sure why it was so funny. But to have your yard described as a field of wheat and oats is just too hysterical. If only...(-:

She Said What???

While driving to the shops this morning, I had the car behind me way too close. I said something about this out loud and called the driver a few rude things. Then things get funny, and the conversation goes like this:
Keana: "It's because it's got a P on it".
Me: "Well, that explains things".
After a small pause, Keana: "What does it mean when they have an L on the car?"
Me: "L means they are a Learner driver - they are just starting to learn to drive".
Keana: "You mean, they are lunatics???"
This was followed by me roaring with laughter while trying to drive. And for the next ten minutes, every time I thought about what she had said, I started giggling again. Oh my goodness, didn't she hit the nail on the head with that comment!!! (-:

Pencil Lines Sketch #217

This week at Pencil Lines, we are bringing you Sketch #217. Our guest designer is the amazing Emma Trout. Why not stop by and check out all the inspiration from the DT. And remember, if you join in the fun before the end of December, you can be in the running for a lovely prize RAK.

As many of you already know, I don't do 8.5" x 11". Don't get me wrong, I have tried layouts that size in the past, but they frustrated me. I am a 12" x 12" girl, and always will be. So I adapted the sketch to suit my layout. Titled: Supermodel 101. My apologies now for using the same photos as last week's layout for Pencil Lines. I didn'tt realise until it was too late. (-: I'm an emotional scrapper - I go with what feels right, and these photos were right for this layout. As you can see, I've been playing with my Glimmermists and Sassafrass products again! (-: Yummy, yummy stuff!!! LOL!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

So, how much rain is too much rain? Most of the east coast of Australia has been drenched, and is flooded in many areas. Our crops have been ruined, and it is going to be tough for the farmer's. First it was drought, now it is floods. I think we are in for a very wet Christmas and Summer. Because of all the rain, there has been lots of this happening - Keana in bed playing Nintendo, and Pandora looking out the window, while keeping Keana company. Cute, heh???

Yesterday, we had the Swimming School Christmas break-up party. It was hot, and humid, but Santa still came along. Each child received a book. There were lollies to eat, face-painting, puppet shows, arts and craft activities, a jumping castle, and of course swimming. That was until the storm arrived two hours into the party. Not that it stopped the children from swimming. After the storm had settled, and the lightning was gone, they all hoped back in the water and kept swimming, while it rained. And they absolutely loved it! (-:

We spent about 3 hours there, which was enough to wear my two out. They slept well last night. And so did I! (-: Today was a quiet day. We cleaned out Malayla's room to make space for any Christmas gifts she might receive, then I took my girls to Toyworld as they had saved some money and wanted to buy a remote control helicoptor (I agreed because I think there might be some good photo opportunities with the helicoptor and the cat, lol!!!). We also visited a friend who recently had a little baby girl (Keira). It was a nice, quiet, laid back day - the kind that I LOVE!!! Hopefully tomorrow, I will get to do some scrapping and holiday crafts (if I am lucky!!!).

Color Combos Galore Challenge #170

Another week has already slipped by. I can't believe how fast Christmas is sneaking up on us. (-: This week Color Combos Galore brings you challenge #170, with the perfect colours for a Christmas layout. There's a medium green, strawberry red, brown, and cream/beige. And the Designer's Challenge is to use the word "GIFT" in your title or journalling.

And of course I couldn't help myself, I just had to use this beautiful picture of my girls. Their red t-shirts matched this colur combination perfectly. Layout titled: With You Every Day Is A Gift. I've used a mixture of manufacturer's and products on this layout, including Making Memories, Jillibean Soup, Sassafrass, Pink Paislee, Tattered Angels, Bella! and Maya Road. This is one of those layouts that just kind of fell together. (-: It started with the left over Jillibean Soup paper (red and cream polka dots) on my desk, then went from there.

Just Playing...

I had some new Webster's Pages goodies sitting on my desk, so I thought I would have a play. Here's what I made. Titled: Life. I'm not sure if I'm 100% happy with the end result, but I definitely had a lot of fun just playing - no deadline, no agenda. I've added some Zva Creative goodies too (rhinestone flourish CR-03CA-106) - after all, what's a layout without bling??? (-: LOL!!!

Pencil Lines Sketch #216

This week Pencil Lines brings you sketch #216. Our guest designer is the fabulous Piradee Talvanna. Why not drop by the blog and check out what the design team have done with this fantastic sketch?

Here's my take on the sketch. Titled: To The Moon And Back. I have used the Noel Mignon "Sunkissed" kit for this creation. I have added a few things from my own stash - Maya Road chipboard shape, Prima flower centre, WRMK paper, Kaisercraft rhinestones, Heidi Swapp ghost shapes, Collections chipboard shape, and Sassafrass felt shape.

Zva Creative Project No.1 December...

Here's my first Zva Creative monthly DT project. Titled: To Santa From Malayla. This is a layout to record Malayla's Chrsitmas Wish List for 2010. I've got to do Keana's next. (-: Zva Creative products used: rhinestone butterfly flourish (CRB-03CB-108); rhinestone strips

(CRC-01CB-103); silk flowers (FL01CB113); bulk 3D flowers (in red); gemstone brad (BRBK02CA101); and pearls (PE-02CB-101/CR-02CA-127). This is my first time playing with the new Webster's Pages "Waiting For Santa" range of papers and embellishments. I'm not a fan of the traditional red and green combo in general, but I actually like this with the kraft and blue thrown in. I think it turned out very whimsical and romantic.

Let The Holidays Begin...

School's over for my two. This is Mrs Peall. She is adored by all her students (and the parents). Keana loves her to bits and will definitely miss her next year. But I will make it up to her by joining Mrs Peall at the movies during the school holidays. How many students do you know that actually want to be seen at the movies with their teacher??? We are going to go and see Tangled.

Here's Malayla with Mr Lay. My poor little girl cried when she had to say goodbye. She loves Mr Lay so much. We are hoping that she will be in his class next year as he is teaching 3/4 combined. He has been such a good influence on her. I think her heart will break if she isn't in his class. But we won't find out until the 20th January. )-:

Malayla's friend Alex stayed over Friday night. So I relaxed a little and let the girls have Taco's for dinner, followed by Caramel and Chocolate popcorn, and ice-cream. They ate that while they watched Eclipse. (-: My girl's - the vampire lovers!!! I gave them pillows, blankets and sleeping bags, and let the three of them sleep in the loungeroom for the night. Malayla slept on the lounge, and Alex and Keana made a bed on the floor. They fell asleep around 10:30pm and Keana and Alex were up again at 5:00am. Yes, you read that right - 5:00am!!! By 5:45am they were outside on the trampoline. I felt sorry for my neighbours (no, not really!!!). (-: By 7:00am Malayla had woken and joined them. By midday, I was ready to tear my hair out. At 1:00pm I had my friend Janice drop in , with her two - Joshua (8) and Kaiya (4). At that point I was totally over the school holidays, lol!!! But surprisingly, the kids all played very well together. So Janice and I talked life and scrapping while the kids played.

Keana was in bed by 6:30pm last night - absolutely exhausted. I had Malayla in bed by 7:15pm. Finally, some peace and quiet. So I scrapped. I'm finishing off a Zva Creative project using Webster's Pages. I hope to upload later today or tomorrow. We're having a quiet day home today - I need time to scrap and recover. (-:

CCG #169 and WIP Kits...

This is probably one of my favourite, ever colour combinations from Color Combos Galore. So pretty, girly, dainty and feminine. This is Challenge #169 and the Designer's Challenge is to add shine and sparkle. And if you join in the fun this month, you could be in the running to win a fabulous prize from our sponsor - Work In Progress Kits (WIPKits).

Here's my take on the challenge. Titled: So Beautiful. The flourish I have used is from Zva Creative, (as is the rhinestone strips), and it is the same colour as the gold baubles in the challenge picture - that's where I took my inspiration from. It was a large flourish which I simply cut into smaller pieces. The papers are really old (maybe 3 years?) Daisy D's. I have been holding on to them forever, for just the right project - and this was it!!! I've also added Glimmermist to my handmade roses, but it's a little hard to see (it has been raining here and is not good for trying to photograph layouts!).

Christmas Red and Refusals...

I got some new Glimmermists - the limited edition Christmas range, and I am IN LOVE!!! The Santa Baby (red - as shown in the layout above) and Jack Frost (blue) are two of my favourite colours EVER!!! I'm going to get a few more bottles and stock up (becuase I don't want to run out unexpectedly - lol!!!) I created this layout using the Office Party kit from Noel Mignon. I have added the Zva Creative paper roses and rhinestones from my own stash. Titled: Xmas Red. The title of the layout comes from the colour of the Christmas t-shirt that Malyla is wearing in the photo. I wanted to record her refusal to wear the new t-shirt that I had especially purchased for the school Christmas Carols. I won the battle, and she wore it in the end. (-: And didn't she just look adorable?

November Zva Blog Hop Winners Announced...

We'd like to congratulate the FIVE November Zva Blog Hop winners! Their names will be found on the following blogs:

Camilla Ekman: http://camillaslillasida.blogspot.com/
Ingrid Danvers: http://www.ingriddanvers.com
Jolanda Meurs: http://www.jolandameurs.blogspot.com
Susan Lui: http://www.luv2scrap-pages.blogspot.com
Lou Collins: http://prettypaperandchipboard.blogspot.com

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

I wanted to take this opportunity to share a couple of off-the-page projects I have done with my Zva Creative goodies. I purchased some clear and plain coloured baubles, then decorated them to my tastes. The pink bauble is simply a clear bauble into which I poured some Dimensional Magic and glitter. I swirled it around, covering the inside, then let it dry. I decorated the outside with pink rhinestone strips. The gold bauble has simply had a black border flourish added to it. I used two flourishes - one in front, and one in the back. They meet at the sides.

Products used: CRC01CB104 (hot pink rhinestone strip); CR-01CB-111 (light pink rhinestone strips); CR01CB134 (black border flourish)

For the blue bauble, I added some Jack Frost glimmermist (only needs a little) into the bauble, swirling it around to cover the insides, and then allowing it to dry. I then added clear rhinestone strips which I then recoloured with an aqua blue copic pen. The pink bauble has simply had lots and lots of pearls in different sizes added to it.

Products used: PE-02CB-101/CR-02CA-127 (individual pearls) and CR-01CB-109 (clear rhinestone strips)