Zva Creative August 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: Paper Hugs. She will have the complete list of all blogs that are participating in case there is a glitch along the way. If you would like to play along, 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. Our team has created some marvelous projects that we would like to share with you.

Hidden on 5 of the blogs is a Zva Creative prize package ...YAY! (Woo-hoo!!!). 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.

The Blog Hop starts now and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, August 31st and the 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, September 1st on each of the five winning blogs. The full list will be found on Kim Hughes‘s 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.

Now I would like to share a recent creation with you. I created this layout using product's from a Noel Mignon kit, glimmermist, a Martha Stewart Monarch butterfly punch, some Bella lace paper butterflies, some Hambly rub-ons, and a whole lot of Zva Creative bling. Products used: Pink rhinestone flourishes (CR-01-CB-139 and CRB-03CA-112); pink rhinestone strip (CRC01CB104); and pink pearls (PE-02CB-102).

To create the background I punched out some Monarch butterflies with my punch and placed them on the background sheet of paper. I also added a couple of butterflies from the Bella lace paper. Once I was happy with the positioning, I simply sprayed in varying layers, with Glimmermist chalk (peacock blue, strawberry shortcake and banana pudding). I then cut up various sizes and colours of papers, added punched borders and arranged in layers. I then added the pink Hambly lace rub-on to the bottom of the page, followed by the Zva Creative pink rhinestone strip. I added the photo, and framed it with Zva Creative pink rhinestone flourishes. I also added one punched butterfly to the bottom of the photo, and finished it off with pink pearls in the centre. I added alphas, buttons and a round paper embellishment, before finishing off with some hand-made flowers (made from a punch, rolling the edges of the flowers, and glueing the various pieces together). I added glitter glue to the edges of the flower petals. Then finished the page with a hand-drawn border around the outer edge of the page.

Thank-you for allowing me to share my project with you. I hope you have had fun along the way. To continue, please follow the links below.

The blog hop begins here: Kim Hughes

Your next stop is here: Lynn Mercurio

Thank you SO MUCH for joining us. I hope you have been inspired and that we see you back here soon! (-:

Good Or Bad?

I don't know whether to class today as a good day or a bad day. On the bad side, Keana was home sick all day (and vomited all over the loungeroom carpet - joy, oh joy!!!). And my electric toothbrush died. Dead. Zip. Zilch. Nadda!!! It's gone to toothbrush heaven. )-:

On the good side, I found out this little lovely is coming to join my other Blythe doll. (-: Isn't she pretty. Now I have one for each of the girls (so there will be no fighting over them!!!). But I still have to give them names. I haven't found anything I like yet.

And also on the good side, this morning I submitted several layouts to Scrapbooking Memories, and three of them have been picked up for publication.

So what do I class today as? Good or bad?

Maybe I should just call it a typical day in my life...ha! ha! ha!

Pencil Lines Sketch #202

We are already up to sketch #202 over at Pencil Lines. And this is the final week that we are joined by the team from Color Combos Galore. So again, we present you a sketch combined with a colour challenge. For full details, go here.

This is my take on this week's sketch and colour challenge. Titled: Gone In 24 Hours. It's about a pair of eariings I gave keana for Christmas, and how she lost them within 24 hours. Sigh! Don't you just love children sometimes. (-: (I shouldn't complain, she takes after her mommy - I lost lots of jewellery as a child). Products used: Hambly tranparencies, Autumn Leaves/Rhonna Farrer transparency, Prima flowers, Hambly rub-ons, AC Thickers, October Afternoon alpha stickers, Kaisercraft rhinestones, paper unknown.

Color Combos Galore Challenge #157

Here's this week's challenge over at Color Combos Galore. Challenge #157 is the last in our celebration of the "Getaway" theme. This week's colours include pink, white, kraft anf soft black. The Designer's Challenge is metal.

Here's my take on the challenge. This is the second time this year that I have used these colours, and it is the second time I have struggled with it. I don't know why - absolutely no idea! Maybe it's the black? It shouldn't be the pink because I work with that colour all the time. Although, it is a pale pink and I often struggle with pale colours. Never mind. At least I got it completed. (-: I have titled this layout "One Curious Little Miss" because Malayla is our nature girl - always investigating and wondering about the flora and fauna found on this planet (Keana is curious too, but it is technology that holds her fascination). The roses are hand-made (told you that you would get sick of seeing these roses!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!). I created the background with some pink paint, a piece of lace, and some Glimmermist (graphite).

So, are you up for the challenge?

Come on over and join the fun at Color Combos Galore.

Prima August BAP...

Wow, it's been quite a few months since I've got one of these done. This is the sketch for Prima's August Build-A-Page. It's has lots of room for your own personal interpretation.

Which is exactly what I did with my layout. Titled: What You Love (it's about all the foods my daughter likes at 7 years of age). Products used: Prima papers, Prima stamp, Prima rhinestone flourish, Prima pearls and rhinestones, Prima flower centre, and My Little Shoebox mini alphas. Yes, I know it's bright and colourful - I like it that way!!! (-:

It's Been A Long Time...

since I have done a scraplift. Like forever!!! I can't even remember the last one I did. But this month's challenge over at Webster's Inspire Me is to do just that. You can choose from a simple, moderate or complex layout created by members of the DT. I have chosen Steph Devlin's complex layout to scraplift.

And here's my take on it. What do you think? Have I done Steph's page justice? I really hope so. I love her work and would be disapppointed if I messed up. This challenge was great because it pushed me to use more layers on a layout than I have EVER done before. If you look closely you will see there are about 9 layers from the bottom piece of paper through to the photo on top. All the products are from Webster's except for the bling which is from Zva Creative. (PE-02CB-102 pearls, CR-01CB-111 rhinestone strips, CR-02CA-110 rhinestone flourish).

I'm In Love...

with these hand-made roses. A good friend, Kerry Murray, recently taught me how to create them using a punch. I can't thank her enough for taking the time to teach me. I am seriously, seriously addicted to them. (-: The best thing is, once you get the hang of it, they are very, very easy to make. I used paper from the Noel Mignon Office Party kit to create these roses, and the layout. The rhinestones and bling are all from Zva Creative. (CRW-03CA-107, CRW-02CA-103, CR01CB137, and CR01CB101).

Playing With Kits...

I've been playing with my Noel Mignon kits again. I just can't help myself. (-: They are so amazingly co-ordinated. I've done several layouts but I can only share this one at the moment. Titled: Show Me The Curls - it's about my youngest daughter's mass of curls (which no-one else in the family has). Products used: Noel Mignon Office Party kit, Zva Creative rhinestones, Scenic Route rub-on. The roses are hand-made and have been high-lighted with liquid glitter.

Pencil Lines Sketch #201

This week's sketch over at Pencil Lines is a double page spread. Sketch #201 can be done as a single page, double page, or even condensed down onto a single page too! The team from Color Combos Galore is back again this week to provide more inspiration and fun.

Here's my take on the sketch. I've done a double page, titled: EKKA (which is our local annual show). Products used: My Mind's Eye papers, Hambly transparency, American Craft chipboard, Scenic Route chipboard alphas, Making Memories chipboard bracket, and Kaisercraft rhinestones.

Colour Me Purple!!!

Decided to play with my new Bo-Bunny Peacock Lane range of papers. Guess what? They are all purple!!! (-: Thank-goodness my youngest daughter likes purple - at least I know I will always have photos of her wearing purple. I used a Pencil Lines sketch for this one. Titled: Sugar And Spice. Products Used: Bo-Bunny - everything except the cardstock.

Red, White And Blue...

Seriously, I did not start out with the intention of creating a red, white and blue layout. I thought it was going to be either monochromatic blue, or a blue and white layout. But then I found this photo and it took on a mind of its own. Sigh! This is what happens when you are a scrap-by-the-seat-of-your-pants scrapper. I'm not one of thiose people who can plan their layouts down to the last detail. My brain has a one track path when it comes to scrapping, and I have to follow through with what it throws at me, otherwise the layout usually doesn't work.

This is my 2nd August project for Zva Creative. It is titled: She Is As Sweet As Cherry Pie. Zva Creative Products used: rhinestone alphas, pearl brads, coloured pearls, clear rhinestone strips, pearl flourishes, felt flowers, large blue tie-dye flowers, large silk pointed petal flowers, small silk pointed petal flowers. Other products used: GCD papers, Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers, stickles, black journalling pen, and bazzill cardstock.

Just As I Thought...

I found this blog today. Sarah Wilson - journalist and tv presenter. Definitely interesting reading, and just as I thought.. do you remember the post I did a week or so ago about wanting to simplify my life? Here, just in case you want to read it. Well, Sarah's blog has just confirmed a lot of my suspicions. No, I am not going to go all hippie and alternative on you (not that there's anything wrong with that - but it's just not me). However, I am going to follow up on Sarah's research and start making some changes. But there will be no changes that involve giving up chocolate, coffee or scrapbooking - just not going to happen. Not ever!!! I don't care what the research says - some things are just sacred. (-:

Pencil Lines and Color Combos Galore

Wow! Pencil Lines has it's 200th sketch up. Isn't that just amazing! But to make it even better, we have combined with Color Combos Galore to present a whole new take on the sketch. It's kind of like two for the price of one!!! (-: Our guest host is Janet Perafan-Babar and the Design Team from Color Combos Galore. Plus we have a bonus RAK up for grabs to celebrate this fantastic milestone.

Here's the Color Combination that we have combined with the sketch.

And here's my take on the combined challenge. Titled: The Great Outdoors.
I have used Glimmermist (Graphite) for my background. A Prima stamp for my background image. Transparency borders from Heather Bailey and Autumn Leaves. And sticker alphas from Little Yellow Bicyle and Carolees Creations. Chipboard flowers from American Crafts.
I hope you will join in the fun this week. I would love to see your creations. (-:

Jules To The Rescue!!!

I have a story to share, but first, let me share one of my August projects for Zva Creative. This one is titled: Let's Dance, and is about my eldest daughter's love of dancing. I used the Girl's Paperie papers, and layered the die cut papers (which I had cut up) with some of the floral papers. I added some stamping using the Girls's Paperie stamps. And I embellished all this with lots of Zva Creative goodies. Products used: pearl brads (BRBK02CA101); pearls (PE-02CB-101/CR-02CA-127); large blue felt flowers (FL01CB114); medium blue felt flowers (FL-01CB-116); rhinestone flourish blue (CR-03CA-115); rhinestone flourish corner green and blue (CR-03CA-105); sweet blossoms 3/8" pink (FLBK02CA103); sweet blossoms 3/4" light pink (FLBK02CA111); and icy blossoms 1" blue (FLBK02CA114). The sticker alphas are Sassafrass and the chipboard alphas are AC Thickers.

We've had some excitement in the house tonight. I had a micro bat crawl out of my airconditioner. I was planning on taking a photo of him but Pandora (my Maine Coon) decided he might be good for dinner. So I had to banish her to the garage. And while I was doing that he fell off the airconditioner, and my other cat (Othello the Manx) decided to investigate. So I reasoned that wrapping him in a tea towel might be the safer option rather than worrying about photographs. He squeaked at me and bared his teeth, so I took him outside, and pegged the tea towel to the clothes line, so that he could fly away at his own lesisure. But I presume he will be back, because I think he has made his home in the airconditioner. He must crawl through a gap outside somewhere. I will investigate tomorrow. Thank-goodness my girls are not scared of bats and vampires (all thanks to Bindi Irwin and Twilight!!!). (-:

Just A Tad Worn Out...

It's been a big couple of days for my little girls. Yesterday, and today, was the school carnival, with swimming lessons thrown in last night, just to wear them out a little bit more. Tee-hee!!!

Yesterday was the field events - shot put, discus, ball games etc. Today was the track events - sprints, hurdles, relays etc. Because we are in Primary school, not all the events are "serious" events. How can you consider "foam rocket throwing" a serious event? (-:

We have the "non-serious" sack race.

Don't you just love the shot of Keana's hair? Too funny!!!

Hurdles - my darling girl came in second for this - I was so proud of her because she tried so hard!!! Especially since they had the hurdles way too high and didn't put them down until several races later.

Sprints - Keana had troubles with her shoes but managed to make it into the semi-finals. I think her shoes were too loose and annoying her as she ran.

And my sweet Malayla, ran her little heart out, and managed to make it into the semi-finals too. All in all, they both had a great couple of days. Which house colour won over all? No idea - they are keeping us in suspense until Monday. But at last count, the girls' house team (GOLD) was in second place, trailing by about 7 points.

Color Combos Galore Challenge #155

Challenge #155 is live over at Color Combos Galore. This week's Designer Challenge is to be inspired by the grid design on the door.

This is my end result. I have used my Noel Mignon Sonoma County kit and products from my own stash (Glimmermist, Stickles, Making Memories felt brads, black Hambly transparency, Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers, and AC Thickers). I created the layout by drawing a border 1" thick around the outer edge. Then I divided the centre into squares, each 2.5" x 2.5".
Next, I Glimmermisted the background, then I decorated each square as desired. I finished by sewing around the border and adding my journalling. I then rubbed out any visible pencil lines.

Operation Beautiful...

Right. I just found this on Kate Mason's blog. The original link is here. It is called Operation Beautiful and it is one of the smartest moves against "fat talk" that I have ever come across. Count me in! I'm definitely going to do this. Maybe we can finally make the advertising industry and many men realise we are sick to death of their definition of skinny!!! But most of all, I am doing this because I have two young girls who I don't want subjected to all this crap.

Back To Basics...and other thoughts

This is the first layout I created for Challenge #155 over at Color Combos Galore. But I wasn't entriely happy with it, so I didn't submit this one, and created another layout. Titled: Any Excuse - it is about some of my scrapping friends and our shared love of retreats. I created the polka dot background using a Heidi Swapp mask and Glimmermist. I used lots of scrap papers and just kept layering them until I was happy with it. I cut out some flowers from some really old paper (can't even remember the name of the manufacturer) and threw is some Heidi Swapp felt butterflies.

The next couple of weeks will see some interesting styles and colours with my layouts. Yes, I have had to use colours that I either do not like or would never, ever choose for myself. In most cases, I have ended up happy with the final result. And my layouts seem to be taking a turn to the arty side. Why? I have no idea - I am a scrap by-the-seat-of-my-pants scrapper. I go where I am led by my artistic inclinations. But It's made a nice change from my usual girly and pretty layouts.

And I have made a decision in regards to our family lifestyle. I am going back to basics. What do I mean by that? For starters, not more bacterial gel, no more hand gel soap, no more ten different types of shampoos and conditioners because everyone has different types of hair. We are going back to basics. We are going back to being simplified. No more several different types of cleaners, vitamins, minerals, mustards, sauces and everything else. Back to the basics - simplified and easy. Enough is enough. I am fed up with society (and advertising) telling me I have to have all these different things. Nope, not anymore I don't. Life is about to get a whole lot easier (especially when I am shopping). (-: I wonder if I should warn my girls??? LOL!!!

Pencil Lines Sketch #199

Sketch #199 is up over at Pencil Lines. Our guest designer this week is Mahlin Wiggur. And we have a full gallery of layouts from the DT - so lots, and lots of inspiration for your viewing. And we have something exciting coming for you next week. Make sure to come back for sketch #200 because it's time to celebrate and have some fun!!!

Here's my take on sketch #199. I have used the Noel Mignon Sonoma County kit to create this layout. I made the circle around the number 4 by cutting out the centre of a round Jenni Bowlin sticker. The Jillibean soup journalling spots are from my own stash.

12 Hours...

12 hours is how long we spent at the EKKA yesterday (for my overseas reader's, that's our annual local show/carnival). And I can honestly say we are STUFFED and EXHAUSTED today. Here's some of what we did: we saw all the display animals (cats, horsed, dogs, birds and poultry), including chickens that had been coloured pink, purple, blue and green. The ducks were huge, the geese were even bigger, and the turkeys were gi-normous!!!

And my girls loved every second of it.

The girls got to try out at being mini Master chefs and made pizzas.

Of course, we went on rides, including the super slide and the ghost train.

They each got to milk a cow.

Pat a llama.

Cuddle some baby chicks.

Try lots of food - ice-cream, fairyfloss, crab ravioli, strawberries, tomoatoes, chips, cheese and many others.

Pretend they were scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.

Watch a fashion parade.

Pat a whole menagerie of baby animals.

Learn how honey was harvested.

See some fossilized rocks and minerals.

Watch the Toyota Hi-Lux Driving Team.

Watch a monster truck jumping over old cars.

Watch the Yamaha Freestyle Motocross team in action

Go to the showbag pavillion.

And finish with the fireworks.

Yes, it was a long day, but we all had lots and lots of fun.

And to think, we probably only got to see about 1/4 of what the show has to offer.

You really need 3-4 days to see everything. Scary thought isn't it? (-:

Color Combos Galore Challenge #154

Here's Challenge 154 over at Color Combos Galore. The combination is white, pink, yellow and orange. Absolutely divine colours - I loved it so much I did two layouts with this combination (I will post the second layout later). The Designer's Challenge is get together's with family and friends (either photos or journalling).

This is my layout for this weeks combo. I wanted the colours to be the focus and highlights of my page, so I chose a black base and white background, then added dashes of colour. I've used lots of Zva Creative products (flowers, rhinestones, flourishes).

Free Entertainment?

I almost wet myself today. Seriously! I was laughing so hard at my DH that I couldn't breath and just about peed myself. You see, my hubby had to put a trampoline together by himself. And he's never had to do one before. Let's just say, it didn't go as planned.

I made the mistake of standing at the window to watch. Here's DH trying to join the metal base pieces together. No sooner than he would join one connection, another connection around the other side of the trampoline would come apart, and it would fall over. He would go around to that side, join it back together, and another join on the other side would come apart. He was getting so frustrated. Meanwhile, I was just about peeing myself. It was SO FUNNY! After several minutes of trying to compose myself, I went outside to help him. Yes, we did get the base joined together, but I couldn't look at him without cracking up.

But it gets better. Yes, it does!!! After joining the base, I left him to his own devices. He was attempting to put the mat and springs on. My parting words were "are you sure you have the mat the right way up?" He told me to mind my own business and go away. So I did. A little while later I heard the cursing. Yes, you guessed it - the mat was on upside down. He had to take all the springs off, turn it over, and re-attach all the springs again. Um...I told you so!!! (-: ROFL!!! Seriously, this was some of the best free entertainment I have had in quite a while. But I have my suspicions darling husband is in no rush to repeat this performance (*snort* *snort*).

Give Me A Dash Of Colour!

I created this layout using the August sketch from Crafty Sketches (see below). As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to create something bright and colourful to match my daughter's personality. And this sums her up perfectly - a Party Diva! I've resorted to my beloved Sassafrass for a dash of bright colour.

Here's the Crafty Sketches August sketch created by Wendy. You have until the end of the month to join in for some fun and a wonderful prize.

Pencil Lines Sketch 198

This week's sketch (#198) has been created by our very own Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.

Isn't it a beauty!!! And our guest designer this week at Pencil Lines is Carole Janson.

Don't forget to drop in and see what amazing creations the DT have created from this sketch.

This is my take on the sketch. Titled: Funny Little Clown.

I've used products from Noel Mignon's Sunkissed Kit (sold out).
The heart thing didn't work for me, so I have opted for a sun-shaped background instead.

I have added doodling and glitter to my sun-shape to give it more definition.

And I have added stitching to my paper for more texture and detail.

Because of the bright, fun colours and large shape, I have kept this layout simple.

I didn't want the photo to get lost in too much detail.