What Comfort Zone?

At the very last minute (how typical of me), I decided to join the January Blog Challenge over at Glitz Design. Now all I can say is, this challenge pushed me so far out of my comfort zone, that I don't have a comfort zone left. I'm fairly certain it's gone for good, lol!

There was so much in this photo to use for inspiration. I focused on the circle element from the mirror; the soft, subtle colours; the flowers and snowflakes; and the hanging garland.

I love using my bright colours, so this challenge pushed me totally out of my groove. But I think I succeeded? I'm fairly happy with the end result. Especially since I even managed to use my Cuttlebug for embossing and die cutting. Plus I used chalks on my page - something I haven't done in years. :-) I love using my old supplies.

Titled: Love, Cherish, Adore.

Products used: Glitz Design papers, Glitz Design paper layers, Glitz Design Peek-A-Boos, Glitz Design alpha stickers, and Imaginarium Designs chipboard titles.

UPDATE: My layout made the January Blog Challenge Top 5. What an honour! Woo-hoo!

Here's a close-up of one of my favourite dies - Tim Holtz rosette.

And a new favourite die - Donna Salazar for Spellbinders.

A Little Different...

We are branching out over at Scrapbook Kits (With A Difference). I've decided we need something more than just class kits. We now have pre-made layouts and pre-made mini-albums. (And yes, we still do Limited Edition kits of all styles and themes). So I just wanted to share something a little different...

Boys Will Be Boys - a pre-made layout that I created using Creative Imaginations papers.

One of the joys of owning a store is that I get to play with papers that I would never, ever get to play with otherwise.

Udderly Cute - isn't this just adorabel and so much fun?

I'm working on a couple more with puppy dogs and monkeys. If you are interested in purchasing any of them you can find the details here (at Scrapbook Kits).

CSI Case File 2

Decided to try something new, and had a play with the Case File 2 colour challenge over at Color Stories Inspiration (CSI). Hmmmm...not sure about the purple (blah!), but loved the other colours, lol! Here's my take on the challenge:

Titled: Beautiful. I didn't feel like doing much journaling this time around (have had a stomach bug and didn't even feel like finishing this layout, but I did). The journaling reads: I have something more precious than diamonds. I have you!". Products used: Glitz Design papers, rub-ons and Peek-A-Boos. Prima flowers.

I had a great time layering the Prima flowers and doilies. (-:

Look at all those details and depth. Sigh...makes me happy.

Scrap Supplies For Sale...

I've got to get rid of some of my scrapping goodies, lol! I have too much. Here's a few things for sale. Please feel free to share with any of your friends who may be interested. I will put more up as I finish cleaning out my store and scrap room: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2979527403305.152308.1115507546&type=1

TCR #93

I love challenge sites, especially colour and sketch sites. But I just don't get enough time to play in them, as often as I would like to. But every so often, a colour combination (or sketch) comes along that I just can't say "no" to! And that was the case for this week's colour challenge over at The Color Room. So I ignored my unpacking for the day, and played instead.

Using Palette #93, this is what I created. Titled: Future.

Now, these are not colours that I would usually put together for myself, but they just called to me, and I absolutely adore the end result.

I used this opportunity to play with my Imaginarium Designs chipboard. I used a beautiful decorative border and some mini chipboard alphas. The border has been painted with Lily Pad Glimmermist, then I added a layer of Wicked Glimmer Glaze. The alphas have been inked with English Ivy from Ingvilde Bolme/Prima, then coated with Eucalyptus Stickles. Once dry, I added a further coat of Dimensional Magic.

Here's a detailed shot of the flowers I created. I used the Pink Paislee pleated trim, a few paper flowers, and some gorgeous Zva Creative pearl brads.

I'm so excited about just playing again, that I might even go and play over at CSI as well. I've heard the colour combination over there this week is quite exciting. See ya! Got to go scrap!!!

Imaginarium Designs: Are You Ready For Some Fun?

Now, as many of you know, I'm supposed to be busy unpacking, after moving half-way across Australia. But I haven't scrapped in over a month, and the fact that my brain kept me up until 2am last night thinking about layout designs, I decided I had better take the day off, and just scrap - to get it out of my system. And that is exactly what I did!

ID Products Used: IDFR0002 and IDS0009

IDF0002

IDS0009

Ummm...can you say creative overload??? My brain feels so much better now that I have done something creative. It's slowed down a little, at least for a few days. So I will go back to unpacking tomorrow. But today, I get to share this wonderful layout I created using Imaginarium Designs chipboard. If you want to get your hands on some of this yummy chipboard, or you want to share your amazing ID creations, please, please, please, come and join us at any of the following sites:

Imaginarium Designs Ning Site - here you can find all the amazing creations shared by the Imaginarium Designs Design Team and all our wonderful fans and followers - lots and lots of inspiration to be found. And lots of new friends to make too. :-)

Imaginarium Designs Face Book Page - this is a brand new place for Imaginarium fans. Just click on LIKE to join in all the fun.

Imaginarium Blog Site - keep up-to-date with all the latest information and Design Team creations.

Imaginarium Designs Web Site - want to stock up on your stash of Imaginarium Designs chipboard? Then this is the place for you. (Shhhh.....don't tell anyone, but we have lots of new stuff coming soon!!!).

So, are you ready for some creative fun? Then let's go!!!

Let's Play Catch-Up...

Oh my goodness, life has been so busy, and I haven't had a chance to share everything that has happened. Christmas and New Year have gone, and we are well into 2012 already. So let's start at the beginning...

For the first time in quite a while, we had a simple, fun, family Christmas together. By we, I mean my two brothers (Steven and Matthew), their wives (Kylie and Amanda), and all our children. Yes, and my hubby too, lol! No, I didn't forget him. He has actually taken a month off from work, and it has been wonderful having so much time together as a family.

My girls are always asking about my Blythe dolls, and wanting to touch them, and change their clothes and positions (which drives me crazy - I hate sharing my dolls, lol!). So I decided it was time for them to get their own. Let's just say this Christmas present was a HUGE hit, and my dolls are now safe!!!

And the Blythe doll clothes pattern that I ordered a while ago finally turned up. Which means I now have to remember how to actually sew, not just use my sewing machine for my layouts. Hmmmm....this could be interesting, dangerous, or frustrating. I'll let you know, lol!!!

Our move to Adelaide went smoothly. I'm still unpacking, but the worst is over. I have to pinch myself everyday to believe that we are actually here - we (by we, I mean all of us - hubby, me and our 2 girls) have a beautiful house (yes, it is only a rental and I will have to give it up one day...sigh...), with a pool, and more room than we know what to do with (I have my own scrap room, plus my own room for my store). It has everything we could possibly want, and it is so close to everything (Bunnings is just over 1 km away in one direction, and Coles is 1.1kms away in the other direction). We are less than 10 kms from the zoo and the city, and about 15-20 minutes from the airport, IKEA and beaches. The girls school is less than 5 kms away too. We are so happy and content it seems wrong...probably because we've never experienced this before. The weather is BEAUTIFUL. After a lifetime in Queensland, I am deliriously happy to be in hot, dry weather. Yes, Adelaide does still get humid, but it is nowhere near as bad as Queensland. Yes, we are in love...and yes, we are staying in Adelaide! (My cats are probably relieved about that as I am sure they do NOT want to fly EVER again!!!).

Tomorrow, we are heading off to a local Filippino Festival (if it stops raining). I am so excited - I've never had the opportunity to experience this sort of celebration before. I'm sure my camera will get a good work-out. (-: It should be a wonderful day, full of new experiences, foods, and people...yay!!!!!

Crafty Sketches January Challenge

The January Sketch is up over at Crafty Sketches. This month's sketch was designed by the wonderful Annette Gearside.

All the details for the January Sketch can be found here. I hope you will pop on over and check out the awesome Design Team creations. They have definitely been busy this month!!!

It's such a great sketch - so I decided to have some fun with it. Here's my take. Titled: To Awake. My eldest daughter actually took the photo on a school excursion, but it suited my theme perfectly. My need to "awaken" and make some changes in my life.

Challenges at Scrapbook Kits...

A new year, brings new challenges. Over at Scrapbook Kits, we have two new challenges for you - our Inspiration Challenge and our Sketch Challenge. Our Design Team have been extremely busy creating all sorts of inspiration for you. Make sure you pop on over, and take a peek. Better still, why not join in the fun? I would love to see your creations.

Our Inspiration Challenge for January 2012 is all about Summer. Bright, summery and citrus colours. (Picture found on Pinterest). How does this inspire you? A picnic in the park? A swim at the beach?

And our January Sketch challenge (designed by me). The Design Team had a blast with this sketch and have created so many different interpretations. Want to check them out? Then just click here. I hope you'll come and join us for some scrapping fun!

Even On Etsy...

Oh my goodness, I'm on a roll today...I have just opened a store on Etsy. I don't currently have anything uploaded for sale, that will have to wait a while, until we are settled in our new house. But yes, I have taken the first step towards change...I am now on Etsy.

One Little Word 2012...

I'm been having a really hard time choosing my "WORD" for 2012. There are so many possibilities with where I am in my life at the moment - forward, flourish, challenge, awaken, enjoy, appreciate...all are possibilities. But I needed something to represent the upheaval that I have just brought down on my family with our move to Adelaide. Leaving Brisbane behind and moving to a new city, a new school, a new community...so I have chosen CHANGE as my word for 2012. This is what I will focus on for 2012 - change to my outlook on life, change to my health and exercise routine, change to my lifestyle, change to my store (it needs an overhaul, lol!!!), change to how I interact with my children and partner, change to how I view my creative skills, ...change all around me. I have been given this wonderful opportunity to start a new life, with a clean slate, in Adelaide. This year, I have to make the most of this opportunity, and change whatever needs to be done to make this new life successful.

Which Team?

I've got some exciting news to share with you today....I made the Imaginarium Designs Design Team. Yes, I have been given this awesome opportunity to work with some amazing scrappers from all around the world (some of which I have had the pleasure of working with before, so it's a great feeling to be working with old friends again). I am looking forward to a creative year of sharing some inspiration with you - lots of layouts, maybe some cards, definitely a few off-the-page projects, and a few tutorials heading your way this year! Here's to an exciting start for 2012...Yay!!!!!!!