Zva Creative February 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. 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, 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, February 28th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, March 1st and the 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 2nd 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.

My nominated focus colour for this month was pink. I'm so glad I have girls, lol!!! My layout is titled: In The Blink Of An Eye. Zva Creative products used: rhinestone flourish CR-03CA-108; pearls PE-02CB-102; pearl strips PE-02CB-108; 1/8" gemstone brads BRBK02CA101; rhinestone alphas CRP01CB102; and felt flowers FL01CB115 and FL01CB117. Other products used: GCD papers; Chalkboard Glimmermist (Strawberry Shortcake); Martha Stewart punch; Tim Holtz mask; Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers; Maya Road stamps; Autumn Leaves stamps; and a black journalling pen.

The blog hop begins here: Kim Hughes http://paperhugs.typepad.com/paper_hugs/

Your next stop is here: Gail Lindner http://www.gaillindner.typepad.com/

Thank you SO MUCH for joining us. Don't forget to check back to find out who the lucky winners are, and I hope we see you again next month for the March Blog Hop. Until then, happy scrapping!!! (-:

Another One???

We've added another fur baby to our collection. I didn't go looking for her, she was actually given to me. She desperately needed a home, and me being the softie that I am, I agreed to take her in. She is half tabby and half Rag Doll, so she has a lovely soft, loving temperament. Perfect for my girls.
But she is still nameless. So far we have though of Tinsel and Cleopatra. My other two are named Pandora and Othello. So I have to have a name that fits. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. (-:

UPDATE: We've found a name. Now, it's doesn't fit with my other two, but #$%* happens!!! We have decided to name her Jellybean. Why? I hear you ask. Because she's small, sweet, and jumps around like a jumping bean. So, Jellybean it is. (-:

Pencil Lines Sketch #227

It's my week off over at Pencil Lines, but I decided to join in the fun anyway. I usually just can't help myself, and sketch #227 was no exception. The guest designer this week is Francine Couldon. And the Design Team have outdone themselves this week. Why not pop over and check it all out? And don't forget, if you would like to apply for the Pencil Lines Design Team, today is the deadline, so hurry!!!
This is my take on this week's sketch. Titled: Happy Princess. I have used the "Truly Scrumptious" kit from Noel Mignon. Am I allowed to admit that this is now one of my favourite layouts EVER??? It kind of came together by accident, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I love the mix of Pink Paislee, Amercian Crafts, and Fancy Pants papers. They just work so well together. And the hessian, masking tape, and gesso - oh me, oh my, talk about texture. Love! Love! Love! (-:

Color Combos Galore Challenge #181

This week's challenge at Color Combos Galore is just the sweetest!

Challenge #181 consists of turquoise, green, lemon yellow and off-white, and the Designer's Challenge is lace and all things filigree.
Here's my take on this week's challenge. Titled: K. My green isn't quite the right shade of green. I had problems with my mists - I couldn't get the right colour. Plus I was running out of time. So I claimed artistic freedom and went with the green you see above. (-: I've used Prima papers, Dusty Attic and Scrapware chipboard, Prima flowers, and American Crafts rose ribbons.

Not To Be...

It's not to be. I didn't make it onto the design team for Spellbinders. But at least now I can share some of my creations with you. This is the layout I created for Round 1. Titled: Rejoice.

This is the card I created for Round 2.

I was really happy with how this card turned out. I'm not a card maker at all, so I was relieved when I managed to pull this together.

This was my final submission for Round 3. It consisted of a layout and card based on the same theme. My theme was simply LOVE.

Titled: Be Mine.

This is my card. Oh well, I guess there's always next year. (-:

Pencil Lines Sketch #226

Yes, it's time for a new sketch over at Pencil Lines. This week, we bring you sketch #226. Our guest designer this week is Lexi Bridges. And we have lots of inspiration from the Design Team this week. Why don't you like to drop by and join the fun?

Here's my layout for this week's sketch. I went with bright, pink and girly from the new Echo Park range. Titled: Good Morning Fuzzy (it's about my youngest's curly, fuzzy bed-hair that greets me every morning).

I'm starting to feel normal again after a week of dealing with flu germs. So today, I'm off to clean my house, and then some shopping with my girls after school. Hopefully, I can follow all this with some scrapping tonight. (-: It's good to be back to routine...

Evolution Of A Scrapper?

I was going through some old files and found these layouts. I can't believe how much my style has changed in the past 5 years. Although, in some ways, it hasn't changed at all - my layouts are still girly, feminine and filled with bling, lol! This layout was, and still is, one of my favourites. If I were to recreate it today, I think there would be a lot more dimension, layering and details.
This was the first layout I ever had published. Seriously! I created it for a Scrapbook Creations competition, and they sent back a note asking if they could publish it. So, I didn't win the prize, but I did get published. I was okay with that deal. (-:

This is another of my favourites. This was the layout that triggered my love of whitespace.

And that hasn't changed.

I think this may have been one of the first monochromatic layouts that I did. Don't you just love that photo? LOL!!!

This was probably my first layout where I actually used fabric. I like the colours and the layout, but that technique has never really stuck with me. I guess I'm just not a material kind of girl? (Yes, I know that was a lame joke, but I just couldn't help myself!!!). Tomorrow we will be back to our regular programming... with recent layouts. (-:

Bump In The Road...

My apologies if you have been checking in to see what I have been up to, and not found my blog updated. Unfortunately, my youngest daughter caught the flu last weekend, and then decided to share her germs with the rest of the family. So I am resting, slowly recovering, and trying to get back on track. I am hoping that tomorrow we will be back to the regular programming...(-:

Zva Creative Monthly Projects...

I've been playing with my Zva Creative products again. I just can't help myself - they are so pretty and so much fun. I've just finished completing another couple of projects for Febraury, and thought I'd share them with you. But I've kept my favourite to reveal at the Zva Creative February Blog Hop. You'll have to come back on the 28th February (USA time) to see it. Here's my first layout - titled "Love To Dance. Zva Creative products used: rhinestone alphas (CRP-01CB-101); 1/4" gemstone brads (BRBK02CA101); rhinestone flourishes (CR-03CA-113); rhinestone strips (CR-01CB-111); pearls (PE-02CB-102); silk flowers (FL01CB104, FL01CB105, FL01CB113 and FL01CB112); and 1mm foam dots. Other products used: K & Co papers, Fancy Pants papers, Martha Stewart punches, Amercian Crafts Thickers, kindy glitz.

Here's my second layout. It is simply titled "Snap!", and it's about my eldest daughter's sudden interest and love of photography. Zva Creative products used: rhinestone flourish (CR-03CA-104); silk flowers (FL-01CB-115); felt flowers (FL01CB117); 1/4" gemstone brads (BRBK02CA101); and 2mm foam dots. Other products used: Amercian Crafts cardstock, GCD papers, Amercian Crafts Thickers, white gel pen.

Pencil Lines Sketch #225

The moment I saw it, I fell in love with this week's sketch over at Pencil Lines. Who could resist when it has a banner? Sketch #225 has endless possibilities, and the Pencil Lines DT have created an amzing range of layouts to prove it. And our talented Guest Designer this week, is Anthea Peterson, another Aussie gal!

Woo-hoo!

This is my take on the sketch. I surprised myself and decided to have a play with some Amercian Crafts/Dear Lizzy papers. I've always been at a loss on how to use their papers, but I think I finally worked it out. (-: My layout is titled "The Music In My Heart". Other products used: Zva Creative rhinestone flourishes, bulk 3D flowers, rhinestone strips and clear rhinestones; Dusty Attic chipboard; Hambly Transparency; Prima alpha stickers and stamp;and Martha Stewart punches. My background (behind the photo, and of which most of it is now covered), was created with a stamp, some embossing ink, and a little Glimmermist.

Color Combos Galore Challenge #179

This week over at Color Combos Galore, we have a Valentine's theme for you to play with. Challenge #179 is now live. The Designer's Challenge is to use photos of your partner or loved one. There's a whole lot of DT inspiration in the gallery if you need some ideas.
Yes, this is my husband. And no, he is not going to forgive me for doing this to him, lol!!! (-: My layout is titled:" My Love. Really?" I decided to let my artistic side out this week. I don't do masculine layouts often, so I decided to just have fun with it. Mmm... I think I had better go and beg for forgiveness now, lol!!! (-:

Pencil Lines Sketch #224

This week, we have sketch #224 for you over at Pencil Lines. Our guest designer this week is Fauve van Maanen from The Netherlands. Once again, the DT have been busy cooking up an inspiration explosion. Come on, drop by and take a peek.

This is my take on this week's sketch. Titled: Girl, You Are My Little Princess. Products used: My Mind's Eye papers, stickers and die cuts; Kaisercraft bling flourishes and clear rhinestones; white gel pen; Kindy Glitz; and pink ribbon.

Happy Birthday To You!!!

Today was my grandfather's 85th birthday. So we all headed to the coast today, armed with cupcakes and presents. Here he is with 4 of his 5 grandchildren.

We had a nice family time together, and it has been a long, long time since we have all been able to do that (it's a long story!!). But today, we all had fun together. I got this photo of my two younger brothers. I seriously cannot remember the last time I got a photo of them together. Maybe at a family wedding???

And I got to see my darling nephew Theo again. He's two weeks old now. (-: And I am going to visit him again next weekend. Yay! More sweet photos.

My mum is finally heading home tomorrow. It's been two weeks since she fractured her hip and she is just starting to get around again. So she has opted to go home. It's been nice having company, but at the same time I've missed having the house to myself. Because my hubby works in the mines, I spend a lot of time at home by myself. And I don't mind it. I like the peace and quiet when I am working, and my two girls chatter constantly when they are home, so I get enough noise from them. But I have actually had someone at home with me (either the girls on school holidays, Tony on 3 weeks annual leave, or my mother on 3 weeks of holidays and recovery) for the whole past nine weeks. So I am ready to reclaim my home to myself. Aaahhhh...peace and quiet.

My Scrap Room...

This is what you see when you first walk into my room from the front of the house. I have just finished re-arranging everything, so it looks a lot different from what it did yesterday. The laptop is mine, but my girls use it so I can keep an eye on them while I am scrapping.

My papers and cardstock...(-:

The open door in the background leads to the garage. There is a large sliding door to the right in this picture. It leads to the patio and backyard.

This bookshelf actually has one more shelf on it at the top. But I didn't photograph it because it is my husband's shelf and it is a mess. (-: Do you see the boxes at the bottom? The one on the left is filled with Thickers and Doodlebug alphas, the one on the right is filled with kits from Noel Mignon. Yes, I know I have a problem...

My table and sewing machine.

My desk and computer. With all my pretty flowers at the top right of the photo.

Those buckets are filled with ribbons. I still have to sort them out. (-: I'll be giving some away in a RAK after I have finished sorting!!!

See? Lots, and lots, of ribbons.

My other addiction - Glimmermists!!! (-: I LOVE these.

My table, today, as I type this. Finishing off another kit layout for Arnolds.

Color Combos Galore Challenge #178

Here's the color combination this week over at Color Combos Galore. Isn't it pretty? This is Challenge #178 and the Designer's Challenge is to use rub-ons or stamps. We have a guest designer and featured member joining s this week, so don't forget to drop by and check out all the inspiration.

This week I couldn't find rub-ons in the right shade of green. I have hundreds of rub-ons, but none in mint green. So please forgive me as my green is not a perfect match. But I think I did okay with everything else. Titled: And So She Begins To Bloom. Products Used: Zva Creative pearl flourish, Websters Pages paper, Fancy Pants papers, Glimmermist, Tatered Angels mask, baker's twine, Kaisercraft rhinestones, Prima pearls, foam tape, Carolees Creations mini alpha stickers, My Mind's Eye stickers.

Finally!!!

I created these layouts nearly a year ago. They were picked up by Scrapbooking Memories for publication, but they have been delayed several times. Finally, the big day has come! You can find this layout on page 137. Titled: Simply You. I created this layout using lots of Sassafras scraps. I love them too much to throw them out, so I save them, and every so often I use them on a random layout.

And you can find this layout on page 89. Titled: Becoming 6. I created this layout using a Pencil Lines sketch and some really old Bo-Bunny papers. Throw in a few Prima flowers, and some bling, and I'm all done!

Bling It On!

Here's the layout I created for the Scrapbook Creations "Top 10 Bling It On" article. You can find it in Issue 85 of the Scrapbook Creations magazine. Titled: Mr & Mrs. Zva Creative products used: silk flowers, gemstone brads, pearl flourishes, rhinestone circles, and rhinestone alphas. Other products used: Pink Paislee tape, Bazzill cardstock, glue gun, and a white gel pen. Now, keep in mind that I created this layout nearly 6 months ago, and my style has changed a lot since then. (-: In fact, it's changed totally, lol!!!

Ummm...how do I...

do masculine layouts??? These are three layouts I just finished for Arnolds. They will be sold as kits. Seriously, it has been SO LONG since I've done a masculine layout, that I really struggled with these. Not to mention the paper is 3 Bugs In A Rug, and SO NOT ME!!! I really had to work on making the paper my own and looking at it in a different light. I think I succeeded?
These layouts are why I haven't blogged for a while. I've been busy finishing them off, plus organising classes for Arnold's over the next couple of months. It looks like my first class might be Saturday 19th March. I am so excited to be teaching again!!! Woo-hoo!!!

Give me time, and a little practice, and I will get better at these masculine pages for the kits. I'm just a little rusty. (-: But it was a good feeling to push myself out of my comfort zone. Hopefully, I will be back to blogging regularly by next week. I've also been busy dealing with my mother, who decided to go rollerblading with my daughters about 10 days ago, and fell over and fractured her hip. Did I mention she was 60??? What was she thinking!!! Anyway, she is stuck at my place until it heals enough for her to travel back home. The doctor says that should be sometime next week. Sigh! I miss having my house to myself...