I've got a crush on you

A few days before Valentines Day I was chatting and joking with my kids about whether they would be expecting any love letters from secret admirers. My DS responded quickly, informing me that none of the girls like him so he wouldn't be receiving any. I was quietly relieved (there will be plenty of time ahead for girlfriends!!)  and I was quick to inform him that he is my forever Valentine. He stole my heart the minute I first laid eyes on his squishy, slightly purple face! His not-so-secret admirer, I've created this page with the new WRMK Crush papers and ephemera to show him just how much I adore him!

The stars of this page have got to be those Honeycomb paper hearts. WRMK have a selection of colour and size pads to choose from, along with stencils which can help you create a massive assortment of projects. For these hearts, I just tried cutting the heart shape freehand with scissors and was delighted when it worked ok!

Simply fan open and tape each flat side down to your project or alternatively, tape the ends to eachother for a 3 Dimensional item.

I've echoed the beautiful gem shapes in the ephemera pack using the Gem shape die cut in my Evolution Advanced. The lush gold accents compliment this gorgeous collection just beautifully.

 As a final touch, I've used my Heatwave pen tool along with some gold foil to draw some little hearts. A few tips i can share on this tool is really wait for it to heat up properly - it makes all the difference! Also, I tried a few other types of foil with the pen and they didn't work. The special heatwave foil is the best for the job.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

High Voltage Smile - July Sassy Scrappers moodboard

Have you seen the delicious moodboard Anita has put together for us this monthat Sassy Scrappers? I couldn't wait to play!

Instantly inspired by the striking makeup, this pic I snapped of my youngest was perfect for the challenge. I'm not sure where she gets the obsession with red lipstick, but a part of me doesn't mind, as it was my Mum's signature shade, and it reminds me of her beautiful smile.

 

For the background, I created the text on my computer and printed it onto kraft stock, using my laser printer. (It's an absolutely bog-standard one btw, cheapest I could find at Officeworks.)

As you can see from the pic above, I covered a section of the text with some red foil and then ran it through my Heidi Swapp Minc machine. The foil really makes the title pop and adds a special touch.

The lower half is totally busting with blooms, just like the moodboard! I've used some Maggie Holmes floral ephemera from the Open Book collection as well as some ones I created myself.

Some of them are just straight black StazOn ink I used with a Kaisercraft stamp on acetate and others are the same stamp, on acetate, using VersaMark and heat set with gold embossing powder. The acetate did warp a bit, but I didn't mind too much, as it gave the flower a bit of character. 

Before and after heat setting the embossing powder

 Tiny details include machine stitching, some rhinestones, adhesive sequins and a Heidi Swapp stamp from the September Skies collection.

I hope you will play along with us!

June Kraft Plus challenge

My project for the June challenge over at Kraft Plus might come across a little left-field! I saw the circles and I saw the animal print and I knew I wanted to push the envelope a little bit. Now you may have seen me do this type of thing with the Glitz hoops I made a while back, but they make such gorgeous wall decor and I'm very in to pink and navy at the moment. Not forgetting the ah-mazingness that is the Heidi Swapp MINC! I left South Africa many moons ago, but my heart will always beat to the sound of the drum.

To start, I glued some fur which I bought at Spotlight to a 12x12 sheet of kraft. It was a messy affair!! Fluff everywhere. I used a strong PVA to glue it down.

Whilst I was waiting for it to dry, I created a leopard print cutfile in Silhouette Studio, using an image of leopard print I found on the internet.

I then mounted the cut file to the fur paper using my sewing machine.  I just sewed in a circle and trimmed off the excess. My nose is itching just thinking about it! I then glued this furry circle to the underside of one of the smaller hoops (16cm diameter) I bought my embroidery hoops at Spotlight too.

To continue the leopard theme, I purchased an awesome vector print of a geometric leopard and printed it off onto cardstock. This also went into one of the smaller hoops.

The larger hoop (19cm diameter) was a bit more complicated to put togther logistically, as it took a few steps (and a few trial and error prints to get right!)

• First off, I found another awesome image of a geographic Africa. I adjusted the colour to suit and then printed it off onto cardstock, using my colour inkject printer.

• Next, I set the text 'left my heart in' and sent the same piece of paper to print, this time using my black and white laser printer. The reason I did this, is because the foil will only bond to toner.

• I then cut a piece of gold foil and placed this over the text area.

• Lastl, I ran it through the Minc on number 3 setting. (See below for step by steps pics)

I cut it out and mounted it into my final hoop. The outside of the hoop was then stitched with some embroidery thread to add an extra African vibe. It was a bit of a chuff and took loads of time (especially the stitching) but I'm super happy with the outcome!

I hope you will join us this month! Here is a reminder of the challenge.

 You've got until the end of this month to get your fabulous entries in.

Also, the MINC will be available in the Sassy Scrappers store very soon! You can place your order already, here

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hashtag Tags - Sassy Scrapper

TGIF! We are blessed with gorgeous sunshine in my corner of the world and my smashing child is going to have loads of fun playing at half time at the Bronco's game on Sunday! 

Over on the Sassy Scrapper blog today, we are talking all-occasion tags and a little something to keep them in! Pop over if you want to see what's inside ;)

Have a great weekend!

 

Wish upon a Star - Jenni Bowlin Studio

A bit of a disappointment for my fellow friends in Maroon tonight... bring on game 2! ;)

Feel happy about scoring a deal instead of goals by visiting the Jenni Bowlin blog today where you'll find this digital layout (I loved playing around on my first attempt, I had to give another one a go!!) Creating a little stash of digi supplies and having fun mixing and matching JBS files! The two main kits I worked with here are Sunny Skies designed by Lisa Dickinson at 50% off  and Flags & Stars for only $1 along with lots of other goodies you can find in the Snap, Click Supply store!

Enjoy Today - Sassy Scrappers

Hello hello!

Where has this week gone?! Last week was a flurry of activity, having some delish

freelance design work as well as teaching my first class at 

Queensland Scrapbooking Retreats in Kilcoy. I will do a proper post 

on my day there, but quickly wanted to share this layout which is on 

the Sassy Scrappers blog today, using Simple Stories 'DIY Boutique'. 

Get this collection is all I am going to say, it's SO fun!

Pop over to see how to create a simple mini album on your pages 

as well as all the nitty gritties ;)

Thank you so much for popping in!

 

Pretty & Fabulous - Sassy Scrappers

Hello again, I am 'eeeeeking' in a big way today, as tomorrow I will be teaching at QLD Scrapbooking Retreats in Kilcoy! I am so excited (and rather nervous) I hope all the ladies who attend will enjoy creating their layouts!

My beautiful niece in on the Sassy Scrappers blog today - some Silhouette tips included in the post as well :)

Have a fabulous weekend!

HRH Queen Elsa - Jenni Bowlin Studio

As some of you know, my DD is obsessed with all things 'Frozen'. The soundtrack seems to 

follow us around wherever we go, even my son belts out his own renditions in the shower! 

My beautiful girl recently earned herself an 'Elsa' character dress up costume and she 

features in this hybrid layout on the Jenni Bowlin Studio blog today. I've used 
JBS Digital DieCut & Perforated Paper Collection as well as JBS Digital Vintage Tags & Pockets. 

Both are on offer right now in the store for One-Buck-Wednesday, so go grab yourself a bargain!

If you hop over, there are lots of close ups of all the delicious JBS goodies I've used on this page.

Thank you so much for visiting!

You & Me - Sassy Scrappers

TGIF everyone! It has been a super busy one workwise for me and I am very glad
to have the weekend in sight ;)

Sharing this page on the Sassy Scrappers blog today - loving this Simple Stories 'DIY Boutique'
too much! Pop over to see how I made the enamel dots on this page.

To all the Mums, have a happy weekend x

Hello, adore you - Sassy Scrappers

Happy Friday to you! This layout is on the Sassy Scrappers blog today along
with a little technique tip...

Wishing you a relaxing long weekend for all the Aussies.

Ten tiny fingers - Jenni Bowlin Studios

For a sweet little person in your life, I have a keepsake hybrid pull-out album on the Jenni Bowlin Studio blog today. The Baby of Mine collection is just $2.50! Pop over for more info and how I put it together.

Boredgame - Sassy Scappers

Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Easter.

I've created a boardgame to help get me through a long school holiday break.
It's over on the Sassy Scrappers blog today - hop over to download a copy to play
with your little monsters darlings ;)

One man's trash....

... Is another man's treasure! I was at a party a couple of weeks ago and rescued some 

embroidery hoops from certain 'compactment', lol.

Using the totally divine Glitz Design 77 (which is available in the Sassy Scrappers store now)
I'm popping these babies into the monthly challenge on the Glitz blog.

 The hoops have been given a beautiful splash of colour and shimmer with Color Shine 

(Navy, Gold Lamé & Georgia Peach.) Not too sure about the moving mountains bit, 

but this phrase is a personal reminder to myself that I need to get to bed earlier!! 

A subtle Finnley Giant Rhinestone embellie was perfect for this one.

  

The dot pattern is from the Carpe Diem collection. I've created some paper flowers to sit 

alongside some Manor House blooms and popped a couple of stickers on.

This one was subconsciously influenced by Game of Thrones, I'm sure!

If you fancy playing along, the challenge runs until April 30.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Let's hear it for the boy - Jot magazine

Happy Sunday to you!

Have you heard that the stunning new Jot Magazine issue 5 is now live and chock full of inspiration!
I'm fortunate enough to have a couple of layouts in this one, including this ode to my DH, which
I created for the 'men' call with a song in my head.

The bright colours in the photo had me reaching for bold prints, (Glitz Design Finnley 'Bows').
The wording was cut using my Silhouette and then matted with more strong colours
(Glitz Wild & Free 'Hello Adventure')

The bright colours are echoed with rainbow machine stitching around the photo.
I've left a gap open where I've slipped my journalling inside.

I've created a kind of ombré effect inside the cut using a fine tipped coloured pen.

Head over for a peek with a cuppa and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ditch the Floaties

This happened one magical night when I created three layouts. Unheard of in my camp really,
 but I was just on my own little mission, completely inspired (wish that kind of inspiration would
strike more regularly! ;)

It's predominantly Basic Grey yumminess with some Heidi Swapp touches...
A tale of my little fishy in a big pond without her floaties. A proud moment (and a layout I love to boot!)



The devil is certainly in the details in this one - heaps of tiny bits here and there, like this Greatest View flair,
those delicious BG Fresh Cut chippie alphas (a present from me to me, hehe.)

Some glittering pops with BG Capture metallic candy buttons and a couple
of the rain drops filled with Glossy Accents.



Heidi Swapp 'Hello Today' ephemera & glitter buzzwords
and Basic Grey 'Mint Julep' ephemera



A few items have been machine stitched for interest and I'm still crazy about making my own
epoxy stickers with my Epiphany tool.



Also a reminder on the March Moodboard at Sassy Scrappers.
We have some amazing entries already this month... why don't you pop over and have a go!

Thank you so much for popping in!

Happy Life - Jenni Bowlin Studio

Hello hello!

I've often been asked why I haven't dabbled in digital scrapping more. I guess, being so close to what I did for a living, it felt a bit less like a hobby. As you know, I am a hybrid team member over at Jenni Bowlin Studio, but I felt so inspired to try a fully digital layout that I couldn't resist!!

If you are thinking about giving it a go, now is the perfect time with the Homespun and County Fair kits on sale today in the digital shoppe! If you pop over to the Jenni Bowlin Studio blog, I have a few tips for you on how to create some effects and your own embellishments!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Sugar & Spice - Sassy Scrappers

The weeks just fly. Friday again, and that means I am up on the Sassy blog today with this layout about trying to keep my little girl sweet but sassy.

Luck o' the Irish

Anyone who knows me will tell you, our family heritage reads like a bit of a melting pot!
In that pot (of gold, hehe) there be Irish blood coursing through my children's veins, and
at age 8, it seemed an appropriate time to let my DS in on a bit of background history.

I've taken inspiration from all the gorgeous sequin action going on over at the Doodlebug
blog. New Doodlebug embellishments are available in the Sassy Scrappers store now!

Some simple stencilling using a Heidi Swapp starburst stencil with some vibrant
'Citron' Color Shine draws attention to my glittering clover.

To complement this fun Simple Stories 'A Charmed Life' collection, I've created
a few of my own shamrock printables to dot around the page for depth.


If you would like to create your own 'lucky' layout - you can download my Shamrock
print & cut file for Silhouette Cameo by clicking here.

If you would like to download a simple printable you can download that by clicking here.

For personal use only please

Thanks for stopping by!