Prima BAP September...

It has been a really, really, really long time since I have done one of these. Life has kept me busy and I keep missing the BAP deadlines. But I decided that September's BAP was for me, and I was going to have some fun. So have fun I did!!!!

"WAITING FOR BABY"

Yeah, this is a picture of me pregnant, with my first child. :-) I looked sooooo different back then, lol!

SEPTEMBER PRIMA BAP

This is the sketch I have based my layout on. Lots of texture, layers, grunge, and FUN!!!!!

I decided nothing was off limits with this layout - I have used Dylusions and Glimmermist, texture paste, washi tape (this was the inspiration for the entire layout), strips of Prima paper, Prima resin, Prima flowers, Prima vines, Prima rub-ons, Prima stamps, Prima chipboard, and Prima bling (rhinestone arrows, pearls, rhinestone strips, pearl centres). 

Here's a few close-ups of all the details. I have a new motto - if it isn't the colour I need, then make it the colour I need. :-) I had a lot of fun altering the colours of the flowers and chipboard. 

Of course I have included bling. How could I not? :-)

This photo was actually taken 3 days before my first born arrived. We thought we still had 2-3 weeks up our sleeves, but the doctor decided my breech baby had to come out sooner. 

Have you gotten your Prima BAP done? Are you going to join in the fun? I'm almost tempted to do another one, but I think I'll just wait for the October BAP instead. 
Hope you are having a great weekend. Me?  We have school holidays so it is total mayhem, lol!
Cheers and hugs, x

And The New Design Team Member Is...

ME!!!!!!! :-)

I made the Creative Inspiration Paint Design Team. And I have new team members to play with too - check out who, right here. :-) I am soooooo happy and excited, and cannot wait to start creating with all those glorious colours (you should check out the colours - there are so many to choose from). I am going to be in heaven!!!

Paperhaus September Project Texture Tutorial...

If you happen to hop on over to the Paperhaus blog, you will find this layout on show, with a mini tutorial on how I created the textured background. Please feel free to share it with any friends who might like to try something new. :-)

"WILD BEAUTY"

Oh yeah, I had a lot of fun with this one. :-) This was all about play and experimentation. 

I wanted a little bit of grunge, but also a touch of rustic. I think the Prima leaves and branches, and the twine circling the photo, add exactly that sentiment. 

I have held onto these Prima leaves FOREVER. I never thought I was going to find/create the perfect layout for them. But I was wrong. 

I love this mask that I have used to create the background. 

It is the perfect size (I find many of them too big). 

Yes, I went for the layers and textures. :-) And don't forget, if you would like to know how I created this background, just hop on over to the PaperHaus Blog.  Products Used: Imaginarium Designs chipboard; Prima vines, flowers, leaves, and felt; Zva Creative rhinestone flourishes; texture paste; embossing enamel; Dylusions; Glimmermist; and enamel dots.  
Catch you all later - my studio is calling my name!!! Happy scrapping!

Colorbok Beach House Signature Collection Layout And Competition...

Do you like a little colour? Yeah, I do too! (Is it that obvious, lol!)

Today I am sharing my September project on the Colorbok blog. But there is a bonus - if you hop on over to the blog and leave a comment, you'll automatically be entered into the running to win a Beach House Signature Collection paper pad. But be quick - the competition closes on the 24th September. 

"TWO GIRLS IN ONESIES"

I just love this photo of my two girls messing around at the Adelaide Show. They are so happy and excited (actually, we all had a fantastic day, and loads of fun). And I wanted my layout to reflect that fun with bright colours and touches of whimsy.

They LOVE their new onesies, and where them EVERYWHERE. Hmmm...and they keep accusing me of embarrassing them - I don't think so!!! :-) I think they do that all on their own, lol!

I really enjoyed working with these colours and papers. They are great papers for making your own embellishments, and adding your own personal touches.  So, what have you got planned for the weekend? Me? I've already explored a new Mexican Cafe, and done a little op shopping. ;-) I had fun!!! Cheers and hugs, xxx

Purple Pumpkin Colour Splash!

Today I am sharing this layout on the Purple Pumpkin blog. If you hop on over to the PP Blog , you will find extra photos and details about the products used. 

"FLUTTER"

Yeah, I went all artsy and grungy on this one, lol! 

And I even did a personal challenge - to use the colour purple. Yes, I still struggle with that colour...sigh...

All these funky Purple Pumpkin goodies can be found at the Purple Pumpkin Store.  And that gorgeous piece of chipboard can be found on the Imaginarium Designs site. 
Hope you are having a good weekend. :-)
Cheers, xxx

Santa Can See You...

I had an interesting experience at the shopping centre a few days ago. It was wet, it was windy, and it was cold; and the last thing any one would want to do is dawdle. But for one heavily pregnant woman, carrying groceries in one hand, and a difficult 2 year old girl in the other hand, it wasn't going to be that easy. Her daughter decided that today was the day, to sit on the cold, wet ground, and refuse to budge. And trying to pick up a toddler when you are heavily pregnant, and carrying groceries, isn't exactly "easy". I could hear her asking her daughter to get off the ground and walk to the car. I could hear the frustration in her voice. And I could see her daughter pouting and shaking her head no. 
My heart went out to her. I thought to myself - I've been here and done this, lol!!! I decided to do my good deed for the day. I looked at the little girl and said, "You do know that Santa can see you, and if you keep disobeying your mummy, he might think you are a naughty girl. And Santa doesn't bring gifts to naughty girls at Christmas time." Well, she stopped howling, and looked at me. I suggested she get off the ground and walk to the car for her mummy before Santa saw her. She shook her head no. I looked at her mum, and said, "Would you like my help?". Mum nodded. I asked, "Where is your car?". She pointed to the end of the row. So I walked over, picked up her little girl and stuck her under my arm, and started walking towards the car. The little girl started howling again, but her mum just looked relieved, so I kept on walking. 
We reached the car. I placed her daughter on the ground, and said "I hope the rest of your day is a little easier for you". Her daughter just looked at me as if to say "I REALLY don't like you!". I just smiled, and walked back to my car. :-)
It may not have seemed like much, but I know it made that woman's life just a little easier at that point in time. I really do hope the rest of her day went a little more smoothly. 
Cheers and hugs, x

My PaperHaus RAK Winner Is...

When choosing a winner for my RAKs, I have two methods I rely on. The first, is putting the names in a bowl and letting my daughters choose the winner/s. The second, when there are a lot of names or comments, is using the Random.Org number generator. 
In this instance, I have used the Random.Org number generator. Now, I really wish I knew how to do a screen shot of who the number generator chose as the winner (but I am a little challenged in that technical area, lol!). There were 62 comments, so I put in 1 as the start, and 62 as the end. And what did it come back with????
31 - exactly half way. Yes. Really!!! :-) I think it will be a long time before I see this again, lol! 
So that makes our winner - DANA HOLLAND-NORRIS!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Dana. :-) Please contact me with your mailing address, and I'll get this RAK of goodies on it's way to your doorstep. 
Cheers and happy scrapping, xxx

The Good And The Bad...

Firstly, the good. The new Design Team for PaperHaus has been announced. And I am so happy and excited to be able to say, that I am staying on with the team for another term. :-) Just click HERE to check out the new team. Believe me, it's an AWESOME team. 
And now, unfortunately, the bad...

My baby boy Othello (he's a Manx, and the oldest of my cats) has disappeared. It's been over a week, so I have accepted he is gone permanently. Othello was about 14 years old, and very much a home body (he had arthritis in his back legs so he never wandered far). I have called, I have searched the yard, I have looked for a body, but there is nothing. He has just disappeared totally. 
He was my baby, and he loved me as much as I loved him (just ask my hubby). I miss him. But I keep reminding myself that he had the best 14 years ever. He has been loved, spoilt, pampered, and patted.  RIP my handsome boy, wherever you may be. Travel safely over the Rainbow Bridge. 
Thanks for stopping by, xxx

Scrap Around The World September Challenge...

Have you seen the September Challenge over at Scrap Around The World? No? Wow, you are in for a special treat this month! Are you ready for something totally different? 

I seriously LOVE a good challenge, and I am totally smitten with this mood board. How awesome is this? Black and white!!!!!
And before you think - I can't, or it's too hard - head on over to the Scrap Around The World blog and check out the AMAZING inspiration from the Design Team. Then, when you are finished checking them out, check out even more incredible inspiration from our challenge players. 
All the rules and guidelines for playing can be found right HERE. 
Happy scrapping, xxx

PaperHaus Fall Splendor Blog Hop...

"Welcome to the Fall Splendor Blog Hop with PaperHaus! We are celebrating the release of the new FALL edition of Paperhuas Magazine but also celebrating the 1 year anniversary of Paperhaus Magazine! We are excited to be part of this amazing celebration! Click below for the magazine link! The Fall Splendor event is filled with inspiration from PaperHaus and our blog, so make sure you click through every blog for inspiration! Also comment on every blog to get a chance to win an amazing daily prize! We hope you enjoy this blog hop, and remember the Fall Splendor Blog hop runs from September 1st to the 15th, so there is plenty of time to be inspired!

PaperHaus Fall Issue 2013

DAY 13 FALL SPLENDOR BLOG HOP

PAPERHAUS - www.paperhaus.com

Julianne McKenna-De Lumen - www.theblingprincess.blogspot.com.au

Melissa Gener - www.missygener.com

Cathi O'Neill - http://celticknotted.blogspot.com.au

Eclectic Paperie - http://eclecticpaperie.blogspot.com.au

"HELLO FALL"

Having lived most of my life in Queensland, I have missed all the joys and pleasures of Fall. That is, until I moved to South Australia last year. I felt like a kid at Disneyland - the colours just left me speechless, and the beautiful crisp mornings, and rustling leaves under foot, all filled with joy - all the time. (It kind of drove my children crazy because I was always ooohhhing and ahhhing about all the colours and leaves, lol!). So I decided this was a perfect opoprtunity to create a layout that recorded my fascination with this season. 

I haven't played with my stash of rub-ons recently, so I decided I had better change that. I have cut some of the rub-ons into smaller pieces to suite my needs, and I have even rubbed some over the photo (the tree branches and circles). 

Yes, I have even layered the rub-ons over the spray mists. (I had forgotten how versatile they can be, lol!).

Don't you just love all those colours on that one tree? Sigh...it just makes me so ridiculously happy. Yes, Autumn is DEFINITELY my favourite season - this is when I am my most content.  PRODUCTS USED:  Noel Mignon kit; Zva Creative pearl designs; Bo-Bunny rub-ons; Pink Paislee rub-ons; Tattered Angels Glimmermist; Glossy Accents; tag; and a black pen. 
Now before we part ways, you are welcome to leave me a little love. Why? Because all comments automatically go into the draw to enter this chock-a-block full bag of Purple Pumpkin goodies. 

You will find 3-4 colours of twine, 5-6 flowers, tickets in at least 5 different colours, flair buttons, cloth buttons, wooden buttons, a crochet doily, and a few resin shapes.  Lots of pretty embellishments for you to play with!!!
Hope you are enjoying the blog hop!  Your next stop is Melissa Gener - www.missygener.com Cheers, x

Imaginarium Designs September Projects...

You may remember that I recently mentioned I had attended two of Louise Nelson's classes at the Camp Mojo Retreat. Well, here is the end result - two gorgeous layouts created using Louise's techniques and Imaginarium Designs chipboard. As a double bonus, I was able to submit these as my Imaginarium Designs September Projects (I am sharing these on the ID blog today). 

"I Smile Because Of You"

I'm not going to give away all of Louise's secrets (because that isn't fair to her), but we had a lot of fun with embossing enamel and masks while creating this layout. 

Oh, and yes, there are some Purple Pumpkin embellishments that I have used too. 

I just love this title - can't wait for it to be released in store (hopefully soon).

Seriously, I had the best time attending Louise's classes. It was messy, it was FUN, and it was very "freeing". 

"Forever"

The second class and layout involved using Croco Crakling Colour as the background medium. The result? Lots of texture and dimension. Love! Love! Love!

Scrapping with these techniques is seriously addictive. There will be lots more where this came from, lol!

Can you say FUN??????? :-)
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend! Me? I'm decluttering. (I need more room for all the Kaisercraft OTP projects that I am about to create).
Cheers and big hugs, xxx

Kaisercraft St Nicholas Collection...

Yes, I have more Christmas inspiration for you! Today, we are sharing the St Nicholas collection on the Kaisercraft blog. Such a beautiful, traditional, and romantic range of papers. 

"MERRY CHRISTMAS"

For this layout, I've gone with a grid pattern background, and lots of paper punching. 

Sorry, I don't have any close-ups this time around. :-( My bad! 

And I created this cute card too. I'm not a card fan, but I really like the way this one turned out - it's just so cute and sweet. If you would like to see some more Christmas inspiration from the other DT members, just click on the Kaisercraft blog link - right here. 
It's Friday - I'm out of here! :-) I have a huge weekend planned - the Adelaide Show, my daughter's 10th Birthday Slumber party, and a Calisthenics concert too!!!
Have a great weekend, xxx

Colorbok Folding Mini Album...

Today, I'd like to share this mini album I created with the Cartwheel Signature Collection from Colorbok. This range is bright, colourful, fun, and pretty - perfect for a little girl's album. If you would like to view more details, please click on the Colorbok link - right here. 

My youngest daughter has a thing for note books, note pads, albums, and writing paper (geez, I wonder where she get's that from???). And with her birthday fast approaching (next week), I thought I would make her a special present that she could fill with her own photos and journalling. 

Because she can be a little rough, I have created this album out of chipboard, and covered the edges with washi tape - hopefully this will help it last a little longer. 

Here's a few close-ups of the inside. There are lots of envelopes, journalling tags, and spaces for photos. 

Aren't the colours and patterns just gorgeous!!!

I have included a pocket for extra journalling tags, photos, or notes. 

Lots and lots of layers and pages, all waiting to be filled with memories and photos.

I've decorated the journalling tags with inspirational phrases.

I have decorated all the envelopes with paper die cuts, stickers, and journalling blocks.

I just love having envelopes inside mini albums - you can store such wonderful cherished mementos in them.

I have added extra glitter and fabric flowers to the background papers for extra dimension and texture. 

Thank-you for stopping by and joining me today! And if you come back tomorrow, I'll be sharing more Christmas inspiration. :-)