Reflections

Scrapbooking & RAK Reminder!

I know it's been a while, but today I thought I would share a scrapbooking page that features a photo that James entered into our local Annual Show back in 2008 that was awarded a Highly Commended for his age group.

 
As you can see, I've kept the page relatively simple, in his favourite colour, with the only decorative element being the brad border trim along the bottom.

 
On the homefront, the weather isn't sounding all that flash outside again today - gusty cold winds once again - not that it matters too much really because James has some friends coming over today and aside from some Wii, Playstation & Nerf Gun battles, I'm taking them all to see Mr. Popper's Penguins at the cinema!  Wish me luck!  *grin*

 
Don't forget that today is your last chance to enter my Birthday Random Act Of Kindness - there's not a huge number of entries there, so you're in with a good chance to be randomly drawn as the winner tomorrow!  Good luck!

Here's hoping you have a fantastic day!

Scrappit - Design Team Challenge

This week's Scrappit Design Team Challenge was to:

Make a layout where the title is inspired by a corporate logo (either in theme or design or both)

So - what did I use as my inspiration - why none other than the current Scrappit Website header!

I used a dark brown cardstock background to which I added my photo (which I downloaded from the internet) followed by a gorgeous 2 Crafty Scroll Frame into which I added my white page title.

I then added a scattering of flowers across the page - some simple mini punched ones that I added KaiserCraft Pearls to the centre of AND some stunning white Paper Perfect Sunflowers that I made myself using a fantastic mould that I recently purchased!

I just love how much dimension & texture these Sunflowers add to a project - these ones haven't even been painted or inked but are perfect just the way they are!

Scrappit - September Scrappitpack

Scrappit released their new September Scrappitpacks last week and I thought I would share the gorgeous pack that the very lovely Paula sent me to create with!

Aren't the colours so very pretty?

This page created for my dear friend Jan of one of her gorgeous grand daughters and it features photos taken by the very talented Linley Gordon of LaBelle Photographics - such sweet photography!

I should mention too that the actual flowers weren't included in the Scrappitpack BUT I thought they complimented the pack perfectly!

In other news, I know I've been a little absent of late with my blogging - just call it life getting in the way . . . there just never seems to be enough hours in the day sometimes!

Many thanks for all your emails of concern . . . we've all been keeping well and finding plenty to keep us busy! Actually, it's hard to believe BUT the school holidays are quickly approaching once again - the boys are really looking forward to being able to chill out for a couple of weeks. Perhaps I'll be able to catch up on some old blog posts as I really would like to bring it all up-to-date once again . . . stay tuned!

July Scrappitpack - Doodlebug

Scrappit has released their July Scrappitpacks and today I thought I would share my version of the 'Doodlebug' pack!

Such a cute pattern paper in this pack!

The flowers were punched and then given a little added dimension with a balling tool on an old mousemat before adding a pearl flower centre to each one.

Many thanks to Jan for allowing me to use this photo of her gorgeous grand daughter on this page too!

On the homefront we spent the weekend pruning back a couple of our Peppercorn trees and Grevilleas which are starting to impact on our driveway as well as two Gum trees which unfortunately appear to be dying - we've actually pruned them back to stumps in the hope that they just might re-shoot. We have our fingers crossed! I also got stuck into the vegetable garden and harvested the last of our Cabbages and Sweet Potatoes too . . . now to get on and do a little re-planting!

Scrappit - Design Team Challenge

This week's Scrappit Design Team challenge was to add a photo frame inside your photo - well - I didn't quite do a frame around the whole inside of my photo BUT I did add a rubon 'squiggly' border on the left-hand edge of it!

Whilst I loved these chipboard letters I'd chosen for the page title, they were definatley way too vibrant - a quick sanding with sand paper followed by a light inking with pinecone coloured ink and voila - grunged up letters that compliment the pattern paper and overall design perfectly!

Oh - and I should mention too that I can't lay claim to the photo that features on this page either - it was one I found whilst googling images on the internet - I thought it was the perfect compliment to the theme of my page!

After such a busy weekend, we'd told the boys that they could have a lazy morning today whilst I caught up on a few things around the house. The boys gave the Playstation a bit of a workout, read some books and we then ventured outside and got stuck into some gardening this afternoon. It was lovely out in the sunshine, well at least until that cold wind got up again later this afternoon - then it was time to pack everything up, gather up some more firewood and head back inside once again! Brr - it sure is cold again outside tonight!

Scrappit - Design Team Challenge

This week's Scrappit Design Team Challenge was "Do you have an older paper in your stash that you haven't used and aren't sure if you will?  Trim it into strips and see what other types of border designs you can create with smaller pieces"

Rather than cutting up another pattern paper, I decided to use a piece that has been tucked away in my pattern paper leftovers and use it as a border to my whole page.

 

Here's a couple of close-ups of the page too!

Saturday night saw us head to Melbourne to see our first live 2010 AFL game at Etihad Stadium - whilst we had high hopes for the game, unforunately Carlton couldn't manage a win for us . . . oh well - maybe next time!
  

Scrapbooking - Creating Dimension

I love creating dimension on my papercrafting projects, particularly handcutting and then layering pattern paper pieces back onto my background with the use of dimensional adhesive.

Whilst I may not be turning out a lot of paper crafting projects at the moment, I have to admit that I really enjoyed putting this page together!

As you can see from the shadows cast on this page, the flowers on the lower right hand side have been treated in this way. Each flower or group of flowers were cut, maybe given a little shaping (Paper Tole style) and then adhered with a little Helmar Scrap Dots glue.

Incase you're wondering too, the butterfly is one that was printed onto a clear transparency and then cut out and had it's body sewn onto project. I love the way, with a little bend of the transparency, the butterfly holds it form and appears to be flying off the page!

In other crafting news, whislt I've been on a go-slow with my actual papercrafting, I've been tackling a little more sorting out and reading of magazines that I have sitting here - it's nice to see things looking a little more organised once again!

Scrappit Design Team Challenge

This weeks' Scrappit Design Team challenge was to use a hole punch to punch a border around a photo - I decided to vary the challenge a little and just added a decorative punched border down the left-hand side of my photo.

Incidentally, this page has been created using pattern papers and metal charms from the new 'ScrappIt Now' Kit - this one is such a pretty kit and I must say that I've had a great time playing around with it! Stay tuned for some more creative projects coming up soon!

As you can see my punched design has also been backed with pink cardstock which compliments the pink flowers in the actual photo!

Aren't those charms just the cutest - I love how they aren't too bulky but still have some dimension to them as well!

So . . . what else has been happening on the homefront? Well . . . I've made the decision and taken action to become an Early Childhood Relief Teacher - I've talked about doing this for quite some time BUT I finally have all the paperwork completed. I decided on Relief Teaching because it will allow me so much more freedom than going back to full-time work, especially whilst the boys are still at Primary School. Before becoming a stay-at-home mum I'd been the local Pre-School Teacher for 9 years . . . now after 11 years, I'm going to return to my profession - infact, tomorrow I'm going to visit the same Pre-School so that I can meet the children because I've already been invited to do some relief work there in the very near future.

April 'ScrappIt Now'

April 'ScrappIt Now' has been released and along with it the April 'ScrappIt Now Newsletter too! This month it was Penny and I that got to work with this most gorgeous kit!

Here's a 12 x 12 scrapbooking page that I created using a sketch from Becky Fleck - this was actually what I worked on at our last Longford Crafters day, where everyone used this same sketch as inspiration to create a scrapbooking page or greeting card of their choice!

Here's the Becky Fleck sketch that I used

Don't you just love this new line from Basic Grey - it's just so very pretty!

The small purple and green hearts were cut using dies on the Cuttlebug (thanks Sandy) and I chose to mount some of them up on foam tape for some added dimension too!

The circle is a journal block piece from the same Basic Grey line that actually includes a transparency overlay as well - I've just added a couple of hearts and some acrylic accents to give it a little more interest before attaching a quote in the very centre!

Don't forget to download your copy of the 'ScrappIt Now' Newsletter - it's available now!

April Scrappitpack

With a new month just around the corner, Scrappit has released their April Scrappitpacks a little early this month.

Here's the gorgeous pack I got to work with this month - I so love these colours!

This photo was taken when our now 8-year-old Adam was only 3 1/2 years old and he suffered a day of vomiting. He was so tired and exhausted but try as I might, he just wouldn't go and have a sleep. I was quite very relieved when after only a short time of laying on the floor with a Tamagotchi, I discovered that he'd finally drifted off to sleep and remained so for quite some time too!

 

The punched blossoms were strategically punched from the centres of swirls in the pattern paper, were given a little shape with my balling tool on a foam mat and then had a Kaisercraft Pearl added to the centre of each of them as well

It's such a gorgeous pack . . . I've actually had this photo printed for quite some time too, so it's nice to know that both it and the memory have now been preserved. 

In other news . . . Mel and I have still been walking and I've continued swimming when the boys have their activities at the pool as well. It will be interesting to see how motivated I remain once the school holidays are in full swing . . . Term 1 just seems to have passed by so very quickly!

Thursday night last week saw us at a School Picnic which the boys said was a lot of fun and then I got to enjoy a lovely social luncheon with some friends on Friday which was a great way to end a busy week. Saturday saw the boys attending their Cricket Break-up BBQ and both of them receiving a participation trophy as well.

Yesterday . . . well . . . since it was the last Sunday in the month, it was time for Go-Kart Racing again. Unfortunately, there are still no other entries in the Rookie class, so James got to race on his own. He's been focused on beating his own times and his Dad has been trying out a few different things on the kart as well, so hopefully they'll be nice and organised by the time the Kart Club's Open Event rolls around in May!

Here's hoping you have a fantastic week - it's school holiday time here now, so I'm looking forward to not having to worry about that morning routine for just a little while!