Life is Amazing!!

Hi Everyone

 

Today I'm sharing a layout created for All About Scrapbooks using up what I had left from Simple Stories Life in Color range.

I love this range. I love it for both creating layouts and for keeping up with Project Life.

So versatile.

 

I'll start with my layout.

 

 

My background paper is one I had left from Basic Grey's Barista Range.

I ran a strip of paper down one side, and then swiped gesso in a messy, random style atop this strip and across the centre of the page. 

I then swiped some black paint in random spots, and applied a few flicks too.

I really wanted this part to look a bit grungy - as this page features my son - I wanted to enhance the 'messy boy' theme.

I began layering up with other papers, and added a few embellishments from the sticker sheets and also some of the chipboard frames I love.

 

 

I then added some 2Crafty chipboard, painting them black.

I cut out my title from a patterned paper (love this).

 

At this stage, my layout was predominantly black and yellow. I felt it needed a lift, so added a few pieces of red, with embellishments and torn strips of washi tape.

The red really lifted the layout.

 

To finish it off I added my journaling.  I encourage you all to journal on your pages.

Often this is the part we leave out, but really, words are crucial to telling your stories. 

Photos and embellishments can only tell so much.

Your words give your layout depth.

Your words make it personal.

Your words give it meaning and emotion.

 

I also created a Project Life Spread using up this range.

Here it is:

 

 

Here's the left side:

 

 

And the right:

 

 

As I said, this range tells our everyday stories so well!!

I could use this range over and over.

I love that I've completed another week of Project Life.

BIG Tick!

 

I'll be back soon.

xxx

Yes! to Adventure.....

Hi Everyone.   Today I thought I'd try something a little different.......scrap a page/layout without a photo!  Eeek! This is a big challenge for me because I'm all about the photos, oh and yeah, the words, I'm all about the words too.   A little while ago, I ordered some 12x12 overlay transparencies from All About Scrapbooks.  I knew I wanted to do something a little different...... but it had just sat in the 'to do' pile (or should I call it the 'going around in my head' pile).   So today's the day.....  

  Yep, I've scrapped straight onto the overlay......it's my actual layout.  I thought the clear would look awesome in my scrap album - add some real interest and a fun element.   I was pretty happy with how it turned out.  I added some white gesso and black paint flicks to help bring out the transparency - clear look.  

  I am currently in the process of planning an overseas trip!! How exciting!! It's been on the itinerary for a long time, however, there's been a few hurdles to overcome to get to this point.  But now it's all excitement and dreaming and planning (oh yeah and a bit of happy dancin thrown in too!!) - somehow the uncertainty and hurdles have actually made it even more exciting!!  Isn't that life in general? Makes me think of all my favourite quotes "You've gotta have both sunshine and rain to have a rainbow" "If it weren't for the darkness, we wouldn't see the stars" Anyway, I've transgressed!! Back to my layout.   I love the 2Crafty Chipboard on there - and how it's highlighted Point A and Point B. I also added lots of arrow chipboards, and words. I cut out a tag shape to put my title on, and finished it off with a few strips of washi tape.  

  This is the layout, photo taken on a white background.  

   I love how the gold is really bold, and draws your eye in.   So who's gonna join in the challenge, and scrap a layout with no photo?   I'm sure there's stacks of life moments that you forgot to capture on camera.....but you can still scrap the memory! I hope you join me....its all about capturing our lives.   I'll be back soon xxx

Everyday is an Adventure - Designing for All About Scrapbooks

Hi everyone, well what a week that was!
 

Today, after a mental week, I'm sharing a recent layout created for All About Scrapbooks using My Minds Eye 'My Story' Range.

I adore this range, and have created a couple of layouts with it, but still had lots left, so decided to keep playing......

And yep, there's nothing like some scrappiness and creative time to make me feel calm.....

 

 

This layout is about my One Little Word for 2016, inspired by the amazing Ali Edwards. Every year I select a word to focus on, to inspire me throughout the year. Last year it was 'Brave', and this was the perfect word for me. It was a wonderful fit, and really allowed me to grow and find my inner confidence.  I will continue to carry this word with me always. This year, however,  my word has felt different.  This year my word found me - it kept appearing, so I decided to listen.

However, for a lot of personal reasons, and due to huge uncertainty, I have really struggled to embrace the word.  This layout is about that story, and how, going forward, this is changing.

 

I created a simple watercolour background, and then added a strip of paper.

I added some layers of paper, and then went crazy hand cutting from all the papers.

I hand cut some gorgeous flowers from the beautiful floral paper. 

I attached my photo, and added a few cut out butterflies and arrows. 

Even my title was cut out from paper.

   

I used foam tape inbetween the layers of these, to create some depth.

Finally,  I finished it off with a few of the Enamel Shapes. 

Love these!!!

 

This range is truly beautiful, one of my absolute favourites that I've had the pleasure of working with.

There's still plenty left in store. 

Go HERE to have a look!

I also used the leftovers to create a weekly spread for Project Life. 

I cut all my paper scraps to 6x4 and 3x4 to suit my pockets.

Here's the week:

 

 

 Here's the left side:

 

 

And here's the right:

 

 

This week was a busy one, with my girl and I going on an adventure together. 

Because of this I had lots of extra photos, so I added in an extra page.

The pocket is from the Simple Stories range.

Here's the front:

 

 

And the back:

 

 

And here's how it looks sitting on the weekly spread:

 

 

 

I love how it's a different size to the rest - it creates real interest and a point of difference within my weekly layouts.

 

Well after a long post, that's it from me.......

Have a lovely weekend

xxx

 

National Scrapbook Day!

Hi everyone

Well it was National Scrapbook Day just a couple of days ago, and I had such a busy day with kids sport and family commitments.  I thought there was no way I could fit in some 'me time'.  So I happily enjoyed checking Facebook and Instagram for challenges and other inspo from people.
Suddenly I noticed a challenge by Cocoa Vanilla.  I love this company.  Absolutely gorgeous paper ranges and also they are Australian!!!!
What's not to love!

So I snuck into my scraproom - I had only 20 minutes, but my brain was whirring and I knew I had some leftover Cocoa Vanilla goodies.  With no time to procrastinate, I put this together, using bits and pieces from their Hello Lovely range.
With Mothers Day looming, I was inspired to create a layout with my mother-in-law (well almost) and my daughter. 

Gosh I really love their ephemera - die cut packs.  Most of this layout is created using  these.  I just layered them up.

I can't wait to get some of their new ranges. They are amazing. I LOVE them all!!

That's it from me, hope you got to be creative on National Scrapbook Day!!

xxx

Project Life - another week done!

I unexpectedly got another week of my Project Life done - how good is that!! so thought I'd share it with you all.
I created this one out of some of the gorgeous products from All About Scrapbooks..
 

 

I truly love this Project.

Of all the creative commitments I have, the first one to get pushed back, when life gets busy is this.  And do you know what?  I don't know why.

When I look back on my projects, this one totally has my heart.  It's the one that evokes the most emotion, the one that brings the memories flooding back, the one that highlights the most change that occurs around here. 

 

My layouts are my real creative outlet, where I often get messy and experiment. 

However, this project is about getting it done.  Not overthinking it, just print, stick and write.

So maybe it seems the easiest to put off.

Last year I put it off, and got over 20 weeks behind.  Aaargh!

I nearly gave up.

I nearly stopped.

But then I looked back at what I had done, and I was reminded of how wonderful this project is.
Of how it truly captures our real, everyday lives.

I pulled a lot of late nights, to get caught up.

I'm so glad I did.

 

This year, so far, I am almost up to date.

Four weeks behind is nearly up to date right?

This year I'm determined not to fall behind again, and so I have a different tact.

I create with the leftovers from my layouts. 

I leave it all on my desk and I just go for it!

As they are all leftovers, they all coordinate.

I cut them into 4x6 and 3x4 shapes.  Simple as that!

It really is making it easier.

 

Here's a few close ups of the left side:

 

 

 

 

 And the right side:

 

 

 

Often I add in a few extra photos by creating a flap with washi tape.

It's usually when I want to tell a story and need more than one photo, but I don't want it to take up any more pockets.

 

 

Yay!

Another week done and dusted.

Love it!

Celebrating my loves.....

Good morning everyone.

My turn to share my latest creation from All About Scrapbooks - my fave online scrap store.
 

With Mothers Day coming this Sunday, I thought it was a perfect time to scrap a layout of my biggest loves and me!I love being a mum to these two amazing creatures.

I used a   few papers from Crate Paper's Hello Love range. 

I love the freshness and simplicity of this range.

 

 

I began with my white background and then added some soft watercolour to the background.

I added a strip of paper down the side - I absolutely love that hand drawn heart paper.

I then began layering a few of the tags I cut from one of their papers. 

 I love how companies make these papers, as I've explained before I cut them all out, and then begin tucking them behind my photo.

 

 

I decided to stick with just coral, red, black and white with a teeny splash of gold.

I painted a 2Crafty Chipboard border word in black, and added this to the  edge of the strip of paper.

Those little hearts scattered on the page are simply cut from the hand drawn heart paper.

 

 

I love the simple colour combo, and those little gold hearts from the range (adore these!) just give that simple lift to the layout.

 

To all the mums out there, have a lovely mothers day - I hope you get to enjoy some time with your precious babies, no matter how old they are!!

For anyone who feels a little sadness on this day, for whatever reason, big hugs. You are not alone.

I will be lighting a candle for my beautiful mum, and celebrating her amazing spirit.

 

See you soon.

xxx

Scrap the Girls May Reveal!

Hi everyone.

Well another month has flown by, which means a NEW Challenge over at Scrap the Girls!!

This month we have an awesome sketch.

Here it is:

And here's my take on it:

I do love a sketch....it does the thinking for me!  If you find yourself shuffling papers too often, and not finishing anything, try a sketch!  It will pretty much tell you what to put where! The hardest part is choosing the papers!!

Instead of layering lots of papers behind my photos, I chose to use mixed media as the background and then just added a few tags and embellies as per the sketch.  Remember, the sketch is a guide - we want to see your interpretation of it.

This photo was taken very recently, of myself and my 14 year old daughter.  It was a fun moment, that I'm so glad I've captured.

Give this month's challenge a go.  There's an awesome prize pack up for grabs! 
I can't wait to see your entries.
For more inspo from the rest of the Scrap the Girls Design Team, go HERE