My Monthly Challenges...

There just aren't enough hours in the day...sigh...I haven't even completed my two monthly challenges from November yet (but I will, I promise - eventually). Now it time to put up the December challenges. 

 So here goes...

This is the sketch I have designed for my December Sketch Challenge. I wanted to try something different - I rarely (if ever) use a grid design, so I thought it was time to get some practice in, lol! 

And here is my colour inspiration choice for December (found on Pinterest). I decided to go with colours that I have never used before - pink, navy and gold, and I am thinking maybe on a kraft background?

If you would like to join in and use my sketch or inspiration picture to inspire your creativity, please feel free to do so. All I ask is that you give credit for using my sketch. :-)

Happy Hump Day!!!

December PaperHaus Sketch...

The December PaperHaus sketch is now up over on the PaperHaus blog. And guess what? I had the honour of designing this month's sketch. Woo-hoo! Hope you like it. :-)

Here's my sketch design for December. If you pop on over to the blog, you will find lots of layout examples by our wonderful PaperHaus design team members. 

This is my take on the sketch. Titled: Noel (Baby's First Christmas). 

I've used lots of Jillibean Soup goodies (papers, die cuts, stickers, flowers, twine), along with some Heidi Swapp ghost shapes, washi tape, Couture Creations flowers, and Zva Creative pearls. 

And just a few close-ups:

 It looks like real snow, doesn't it?

 I tried to create this layout without flowers, but it just didn't work for me.
So I gave in and added them!

Lots of layers, and little added bits.

Happy Scrapping everyone!

PaperHaus 12 Days Of Christmas Blog Hop...

Welcome to the PaperHaus 12 days of Christmas Blog Hop! 

 Are you ready for some fun, some inspiration, and some prizes? Then here we go...

Here's the line up for the blog hop. Just be sure to hop along, leave comments, and once you are done, leave a comment on THIS POST to be entered into the epic giveaway drawing on December 12!

PaperHaus Blog --> Start here!!!

Trina

Jelissa

Vivian

Emilia

Sara

Candice

Lisa

Shamu

Marilyn

Lynn

Linda

Katarina

Julianne --> You are HERE!

PaperHaus Blog --> This is your next stop!

I am so glad you stopped by today. Christmas is my favourite time of year (although I have my suspicions I would enjoy it even more if it was winter over here, instead of summer!!!)

But whether it is summer or winter, it is a great excuse to decorate your house with beautiful hand-made decorations. Let me take this opportunity to share a few ideas with you... 

I wanted unique personalised tags for my daughters, so I created these. All I needed was a couple of tags, some paper, flowers, chipboard, damask sticker (or stamp), ribbons, and glitter. Ever so easy and quick to make. And this will ensure there is NO MIX UP with presents, even if they are wrapped exactly the same. 

I love clear Christmas baubles because I can do so many things with them. I simply filled the bauble with strips of rolled paper, added a sprinkle of glitter, and stuck a rhinestone embellishment on the outside.

Here's another of the clear Christmas baubles - and they also make wonderful gifts for family, friends, and teachers. :-) It doesn't get more personal than a hand-made Christmas tree ornament. 

Now, for today's giveaway! Prima has offered this giveaway for us to hand out to one lucky PaperHaus follower! That's right! All you need to do is become a follower of the PaperHaus blog, and leave a comment on THIS BLOG POST telling us what your favourite segment of the Winter Issue was your favourite! It doesn't get any easier than that! 

Don't forget, your next stop is HERE -- the PaperHaus Blog.

Have fun and Happy Hopping! 

PaperHaus Winter Issue And Blog Hop...

It's here! It's here! It's here! The PaperHaus Winter Issue is now available. 

And do you know what that means? 

It means the PaperHaus 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop is about to start. :-)

Are you ready for a fabulous 12 days of fun and prizes? 

Then hop your way over to PaperHaus and check this out:

PAPERHAUS 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BLOG HOP!!!

What are you waiting for? Get hopping! And don't forget to leave some love and comments to win yourself some scrappy goodies. :-)

Mount Barker Christmas Pageant...

I surprised my girls today with a trip to Mount Barker for the annual Christmas Pageant. We had soooooo much fun. It was an absolutely glorious day (unlike Queensland where I would have been melting with the heat and humidity). Today may be the first day of Summer, but the differences in temperatures between Brisbane and Mount Barker are nearly unbelievable. In Brisbane today it was 30 degrees celsius (and undoubtedly hot and humid). In Mount Barker it was a cool, but sunny, 18 degrees celsius. I am NEVER, EVER, EVER returning to Queensland to live. NEVER!!!!!

I made sure we arrived early to secure a good spot. While waiting for the pageant to start, I went exploring (I left hubby and the girls minding our seats. Actually, the girls were drawing chalk pictures on the road, while hubby was minding the seats, lol!). Let's just say, I found some AMAZING shops in Mount Barker, and many of my family and friends are going to receive gorgeous Christmas gifts this year. Oh, and yeah, my house is going to look really pretty too!!! Yes, the retail therapy up there is really, really good. Sigh...my kind of town... :-)

But eventually I ran out of cash and arms to carry everything, so I had to settle for watching the Christmas pageant instead, lol!  

 Christmas trees anyone? 

These ladies were lovely.

 And all the characters were so happy to stop and pose for me. :-)

Some even jumped in front of my camera to make sure I took a photo of them, lol!!!

Did I tell you I am totally in love with Mount Barker? Really! I cannot wait to call this my new home. The people I have met here already have been so nice, and so friendly. After years of searching, I think we may have finally found out forever home. :-)