Monday, November 9, 2015

This is why I scrapbook

I started scrapbooking over 15 years ago and have taken photos for most of my life. My dad gave me a camera for my 10th birthday and it remains one of my favourite things to do. My friends and family are more surprised if I don't have a camera in my hand than if I do. (Even though my girls don't like me taking their photo's now, they still go through the old ones to use when posting on their friends Facebook pages for birthdays etc. so I must have done the right thing at one point.)

About the time I started scrapbooking, I took this photo of my eldest daughter at her first ballet concert and printed off a copy for my mother. She kept it in a frame on the bookcase and the other day bought it to me asking if she could have another as this one had deteriorated so badly (due to years of exposure to sunlight). Which leads me to why I scrapbook - not only to be creative and express myself artistically but to preserve memories and moments in time by containing them in acid free albums out of sunlight and dust's harms way.


I then had the task of looking through negatives to find the original photo and reprint it. A daunting task as while I am organised with photos, the negs are a bit of a nightmare. But I did find it without too much drama: 




I went & bought a negative/slide scanner and now have a new project, which considering the number of photos I have taken will be a huge task (as well as those of my Dad). This mean my scrapbooking and card making may have to take a back seat for a bit but I still hope to share on a regular basis, some creativity.




Sunday, November 8, 2015

What a doll!

I make no secret of my love for paper dolls. I have said it before and I will say it again "They remind me of my childhood - I have always loved to play with paper and dress them up". 

It is something that I think kids/young adults these days don't realise, that there was a time when real dolls were expensive and if you had more than one, you were very lucky. So paper dolls, you could have a few and be happy with that and make cute outfits. They didn't take up a lot of room and were easily transportable and swapable (not a real word - I know.

I love Audrey's classic style and so I made this card for my classic, stylish friend, Maria:



Monday, November 2, 2015

Art Journalling

I have tinkered with art journalling in the past and really enjoy it. The whole process, the getting messy, using up stuff and just being creative with no other purpose - very liberating. 

But as with most creative things I got stuck in a mojo-less rut and put away my art journal, until.... this weekend I went to a class and WOW did I get inspired. It was so much fun, that I did another page the very next day. Thought I'd share:


This was the one I did in the class, so colours, theme etc were sort of predetermined, but very relevant and below is my very own creation - lovin' it!


Can't wait for the next class - I got my mojo back baby!!!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Love, Marriage, Baby Carriage

I have been busy busy busy...with work but most importantly I have been making engagement and wedding invitations for my friend's daughter. So while I have been creating and crafty I am unable to show you at the moment.

I did take a small break and whipped up this cute little baby card using the new Julie Nutting Baby Doll stamp:



Ok I got so excited about my baby doll stamp that I am posting this rather unadorned card. No colouring, just stamped & cut out. The only "clever" thing I did was adjust the armoire to a chest of drawers. Also no attempt at photographing it properly- told you - I'm excited

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Old World Charm

I've not had a lot of time for being creative lately, but when needs must, then I find the time. There are a few upcoming birthdays that needed me to craft up and just get them done and they are all made with scraps (a big thanks to my friend Jenny for gifting me her Bo Bunny 'Madeleine' scraps)and bits & bobs:

Taking the sting out of this message, on the inside I wrote "That makes you more valuable". I used Graphic 45 '12 days of Christmas'and Bo Bunny paper 'Heritage'with Tim Holtz tag, Darkroom Door and Unity stamps, some Green Tara washi tape and Studio Calico wooden numbers .


The fluffy bird and tag are Bo Bunny 'Madeleine' 

This sweet Fairy Wishes card uses Bo Bunny 'Madeleine', 7 Gypsies 'Victoria' paper, a vintage photo and some muslin.



More of the Bo Bunny 'Madeleine'and 7 Gypsies 'Victoria' but a rosier hue.




Saturday, July 18, 2015

Happy, Sad & Strong - Wonderful Women in My Life

An interesting day making some very different cards for some wonderful women...

This first one is for my neighbour's birthday tomorrow. She is such a special person and we have been friends and neighbours for over 20 years:

Papers used: 7 Gypsies, K&Co and Graphic 45 with a Stampin Up stamp and Green Tara satin ribbon.

The next one is for my friend who unexpectedly lost her sister this week. It is such a sad time and I just wanted to let her know I feel for her:


It is very simple and uses Crafty Individuals Paper with Kaisercraft stickers, a die cut banner and stamped sentiment.

The last card is for my aunt who is recovering from breast cancer surgery:


I used Kaisercraft paper, a Unity stamped tag and wooden shapes.



Thursday, July 9, 2015

Long time no blog

I have been extremely slack in terms of the upkeep of my blog, so here is a full on catch up since Mothers Day:

My gorgeous birthday cake (back in June) made by my talented friend "Cakes by Michelle Camp" - luscious Hazelnut & Raspberry with a stunning Peony on top:




Now back to craft...

An engagement card I made for my friends daughter (and who's engagement & wedding invitations I have been asked to make):




And another upcoming engagement card: 



A thank you card for a lovely friend: 



and this special birthday tag was made for me by a talented friend:



and for something completely different... a mask made from white Green Tara leaves and colour misted:





Saturday, May 23, 2015

Mothers Day Cards

Yes I know that Mothers Day has come and gone, but I still wanted to share the cards I made for my mother and mother-in-law. I had been asked by Green Tara to see what I could come up with using the pineapple paper. It is used mainly for invitations but I was interested to see if it could be die cut and embossed. The answer is yes it can and beautifully. It is also on special so probably won't be around for long.

I wasn't sure as it is a fibrous paper, yet lovely and soft and was pleasantly surprised to see that it cut and embossed cleanly - no stray bits. I have an original Cuttlebug, so to be safe I did do two passes the first time, but then checked and it still cut cleanly on one pass through the machine. On the first card, I simply used a stylus and foam pad to create the leaf veins and the rounded tips on the petals. I also used white stamens and Ivory Jute ribbon. The second card I embossed the butterfly through the Cuttlebug. The flower on the second card was made with white petals spritzed with Glimmer Mist and Yellow stamens (stamens used for feelers on the butterfly also).





Monday, May 4, 2015

Friday, April 24, 2015

Fantasy Blooms

I recently made some layouts for Green Tara using some of their new Fantasy Blooms....there are eleven different colour packs, so this is just a taste.


Fantasy Blooms - Rose


Fantasy Blooms - Blue & Teal


Fantasy Blooms - Lavender

Monday, April 6, 2015

Jenny's 50th

Over the Easter Long Weekend I have been finishing off some layouts and cards....This layout was all about Jenny and the magnificent roses she received for her birthday. I used so many different rose papers from different companies but they all came together when used with Green Tara roses. I used Fuscia roses and white ones that I dyed with glimmer mist. I love how the paper roses just sucked up the ink, but I was still able to leave some white, just like the real ones. I also took apart the Green Tara stemmed silk leaves and used them in little bundles.


Sunday, April 5, 2015

Feet First

The photos in this layout were taken by my extremely talented friend Karina, quite a while ago. They were taken with a subtle purpose & intent as we celebrate and remember all things in scrapbooking.



Papers used are Basic Grey with K&Co transperancy, MME journal cards and a variety of flowers. Also used the Kaisercraft stencil to extend the cinderblock wall.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

New Dolls, Old Dolls

I have made no secret as to my passion for the Julie Nutting Doll stamps. Other than the fact that they are pure fun to play with, they are so versatile (if you have the patience) and she keeps putting out new ones.

These cards are simple, with not a great deal of fine embellishment that my lovely friends use, but they are still cute.

This one is using the Chiara stamp, but I've dressed her in Aidan's jeans....that's right she's wearing boyfriend jeans!



She is embellished with a Green Tara satin bow, Green Tara white stemmed flowers (de-stemed) and Green Tara lace. My Hollyhock Die is getting a work out as the background flowers and a wooden fence keeps the garden in place.

Now on to an old favourite of mine - Riley. I really love her stance and flirty little dress, which I've embellished with some Green Tara red gingham frill ribbon, a Green Tara mini rosebud, Green Tara small red petal and a pearl.



Saturday, March 7, 2015

Falling Leaves

It seems only fitting as Autumn is upon us here in Australia, that I post a layout celebrating leaves and the fun kids have with them. 

These photos were taken by my friend Karina way back in 2008. One of the memories that comes back when I see these photos is that my eldest was adamant that it wasn't cold so didn't bring a jumper to the park with her...so she ended up wearing mine as of course she was "freezing"!




Papers and embellishments are Pink Paislee, Maya Road Chipboard tree and Green Tara leaves.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Welcome Little One

Our neighbors have just had a new addition to their family , so I thought I'd give them this simple, yet sweet card. The teddy is a white die cut that I coloured with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, white, black & brown pens and added a sweet little white bow:


Sunday, February 15, 2015

It seems like forever

It certainly has been a while since my last post and while I have managed to make some lovely cards and layouts, I haven't blogged them (yet). Working full time certainly puts a crimp in not only my crafting but also my blogging and with massive changes going on at home (not bad), it's all a bit overwhelming sometimes.

I made this card for my boss's birthday. It was a special number but I didn't want to highlight that too much, just wish her lots of happiness:



Monday, January 26, 2015

Celebrating Australia Day

Happy Australia Day!

This is how I am celebrating it this year....on the Harbour after 2 days cruising...God's Country for sure:



Thursday, January 15, 2015

Special Birthday's

January is a big month as far as birthdays are concerned in my world. So far this year (and we are only 2 weeks in) I have had 6 close family & friends....and still more to come. These are two for 2 very special scrapbooking friends who's birthdays we celebrated on Tuesday night:





Thursday, January 1, 2015