Love, Live Music - OUAS Feb Challenge

Hello Everyone

I have just managed to squeeze this page in before the deadline. I was sure at one point that I would not get to play along.  But, I am pleased that I managed to get this page done in time.

So here is the challenge.

Journalling Theme: "Totally addicted to...." 

You are free to interpret our theme ANY WAY you like. It is for your inspiration and this theme word DOES NOT need to be part of your title or journalling. But please make sure your layout is based on the sketch below and includes journalling (hidden journalling is fine). Acceptable journalling is MORE than just a sentence, or generic writing such as date/place etc. It needs to be present and at least 3 lines long. Remember, hidden journalling (under a photo/tag or behind your page) is perfectly fine but please DO let us know in your post where your journalling is! 

Here is my take on it.

My title of Love, Live Music kinda tells you what this page is about.  My journalling card that starts with "Me" that you can see peeking out behind the phone dial says this: I absolutely cannot go a day without turning on the radio and listening to the music.  There is normally a song that stays with me the entire day and which I cannot get out of my brain.  I know song words and artists and love to dance and sing, even if just doing the dishes.  I love and live music!

I really did not have a photo of me, that would have depicted my love of music.  So I went to Pinterest and saw this retro photo of this awesome radio with these gorgeous flowers, and just knew that this was perfect.

So I created this page to compliment the photo and I love how it turned out.

The background involved lots of gesso, stencilling, texture paste, paints, inks, stamping and washi.

I used the Fancy Pants Trendsetter Collection. The colouring was a perfect match with the photo.

Thanks for stopping by to see my take on this challenge!

I hope you have a super evening!

Denise x

Birthday Card - BoBunny

Hello Everyone

Today is my neice's 13th Birthday and is a very special day for her! I really hope that she has a wonderful and special day.

I made a card for her with the Pincushion Collection from BoBunny.

I used my new BoBunny washi tape too! I just can't get enough of it! ;-)

Anyways, just a quick post before we are off to share in the family dinner.

Have a super evening!
Denise x

Blossom-ing Friendship

Hello Everyone

I hope you are having a great weekend!

I have really had to catch up on some DT work, and I am pleased to say that I have really scrapped up a storm so far this weekend...so I can actually breathe! LOL...So I had some time to play along with the CSI Challenge too.



I used Em's sketch for inspiration too.

I really love this page and I am so pleased with how it turned out.  I really had fun playing with the background and then putting the whole page together.

Evidence: Pet accents, Flower, Pearls
Testimony: Journalling from a pet's point of view.
My journalling is at the back of the page and says this.

My name is Blossom and I am 3 months old. I came to this family on the 05 January 2014. I am a Border Collie even though my owner is not quite convinced of this!
I am a little vacuum cleaner of note and I am always hungry. I also love to chew things and recently have been getting into quite a bit of hot water, over the things I love to nibble on.
I have a friend Rosie that is my basket sharer and partner in crime, as well as a little boy, named Joe.
In the afternoons we love to play in the front garden while Mommy takes photo’s and the play gets very rough and tumble.
I also love to have a little snoozes on Joe’s lap and we share everything from food, to toys, to blankets.
One of my favourite places to also snooze is at the feet of my Mommy, under her scrapping table, when she is busy with her crafting. That’s when I am really at peace and just content to catch a quick shut eye.
I love my new little home and friends… we certainly have a Blossom-ing friendship!

I used the super new collection from BoBunny - Happy Tails...it was so perfect for this page. I also love the new washi tape from BoBunny...it's really fabulous.

I also used BoBunny stamps, as well as some Prima and JustRite stamps.

When I look at these photo's I always smile! Joe and his doggies, playing in the front garden! That is the stuff of life! ;-)

Thanks so much for popping by!
I really appreciate the visits.
Have a super Sunday!
Denise x

Once Upon a Time - Berry71Bleu

Hello Everyone

I showed you a little sneak peek of my layout the other day and thanks to all who left a lovely comment on the Berry71Bleu blog.

So here is the full reveal on my blog.

I created a vintage page of my grandparents. I got this photo from my Aunt at Christmas time and really wanted to use it, as it was so very special! My grandparents were so young here and don't they make a handsome couple!!

I had some embossed papers leftover from my Zeus and Zoe DT kit which I stuck down to the card stock and then added some book page strips across these.  I then gessoed everything and then laid a stencil down and added some spray ink. I added some pen lines and stamping to complete the background.

I had a beautiful, vintage tag from Marivic, which was the inspiration for this page, as the lady in the tag reminded me so much of my Gran when she was young. I also used a gorgeous Molossi chipboard title, a beautiful Manor House flower and the fabulous glass accent flower by Art-i-cake.

Initially I was a bit worried as to the colour combination, but in the end I was thrilled with how the colours all worked so nicely together.  The combination really added to the vintage feel.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope you have a super Friday and weekend!
Denise x

Once Upon a Time - Berry71Bleu Feb Mixed Media Challenge

Hello Everyone

It's starting to rain outside, it's a balmy evening and I am quickly writing this post before I need to get back creating some DT projects.

I'm up on the Berry71Bleu blog today here for the February Mixed Media challenge.

Here's a little sneak peak, but I really hope that you will pop along and see what I did.

I hope you have a super evening and find some scrappy time, maybe even join our mixed media challenge.

Be back soon!

Denise x

Pretty Perfect - Scrap Around the World Feb Challenge

Hello Everyone

I hope you have had a restful and good Sunday! I have had a good one, and have enjoyed some rest, some scrapping, some swimming and just chilling at home! ;-)

I finished a page for the Scrap Around the World Feb Challenge here.  This was the super mood board.



I loved the various shades of purple on that amazing cake. So that was the inspiration for my page.  I created a page using various shades of purple. I also liked the little bit of gold bling that was thrown in to the mix, and so also added a little bit of gold bling to my page.

Here is what I came up with.

I used quite a number of different purples and then my embossed bricks were made with gold and terracotta embossing powder.

This photo is of my sweet little neice. She is just adorable in this photo! The tag underneath the photo has some journalling on and I just wanted to write a little note for her.  Sadly her parents have split up and it has meant that I have not seen very much of her for months, and my note just wanted to let her know that she is still in our hearts and thoughts.

I really went to town on the background and it actually took me quite some time. There were many techniques and they all took time to dry and settle. Gluing strips, gessoing, adding washi tape, stamping, watercolouring, embossing, splatsing! LOL

I also embossed this gorgeous chipboard piece from Enmarc, with purple ink and white powder, and then still inked the edges again with purple.  I love how it came out.

I was actually surprised at how many purple flowers I had! I really did not think that I had that many!
So luckily I had quite enough for this page.

I really loved working with the purples...quite a few people shy away from it..
Do you scrap with purple?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a super Sunday!
Denise

You Bring the Sunshine - Scrap Africa Challenge no.26

Hello Everyone

We have a really super new challenge over at Scrap Africa here. Tusia Lech is our Special Guest Designer and we have a whole new 7 Dots Studio Collection up for grabs.

The challenge is about altered chipboard.

So to tell you about the challenge, it is "Chipboard with a Difference" and it means you need to use some chipboard on your layout, card or altered piece, but cannot be left raw and must be altered. This challenge is hosted by the lovely Ada Nicholls.

Here is my take on it.

My chipboard flowers were embossed with powder and then heated. Some of them were pattern stamped with ink and them embossed.

On the background I did some gesso stencilling and then spritzed it with Enmarc Dazzles - Sunflower.  I also did some random stamping with a BoBunny stamp.

The flowers are BoBunny and Prima and the papers, stickers and accents are Hello Sunshine from BoBunny.

Please pop over to the Scrap Africa blog to see what Tusia and the other 7 Dots Studio Design Team created. They really made some awesome projects.

Have a super Saturday.

Denise x

Cards

Hello Everyone

I am so pleased that Friday has come as I had a hectic week! ;-)

Yesterday was my hubby's birthday, so I created a card for his Birthday! I can honestly tell you that this card was made in 15 mins flat.  I really did not have a lot of time, and so this is my version of "Pretty Darn Quick"! ;-)

I used Teresa Collins Summer Stories and even though I used a flower, I still think it is rather masculine.

Then today being Valentine's Day I made another card for him, this time using BoBunny Head Over Heals.

This card took a bit longer than 15min! ;-)

So yes, cards were the order of the day!;-)

I hope you have a happy, romantic and hearty filled day today!
Thanks for your visit.
Denise x

My First Book - CSI Case File no.109

Hello Everyone

Monday sure was a busy day! I hope you have had a good one.

I finished my page for the new case file at CSI...it is a goodie.



Here's my take on it.

Evidence: Books stacked, Mimic the architechural details
Testimony: The word read
This photo is about the first book that I have ever owned, one that I bought for myself.
My journalling is a tag in the little folder behind the photo that says Memories.
My journalling says this: This was the first book I ever bought for myself. It was bought at a fete or something but I remember how proud I was that I owned a book. I read it from cover to cover and many times over! It was the first of many books that I bought and loved! 1983

I used a combination of Prima School Memories collection and 7 Gypsies, along with some DoCrafts. Quite a mix match.

I wanted the page to have a bit of a vintage feel, as this book is quite old.

I love reading, and this was certainly the start of my love affair with books! This, however, is probably the only book that I for certain know the Title and the author...I am just horrid at remembering book titles and authors. BUT ask me any song title or artist and I could tell you. I wish I knew why that is! LOL

Anyways, thanks for visiting today!
I hope you have an awesome day!
Denise x

From me to You! - Prima BAP Feb

Hello Everyone

It has been a restful and pleasant day! It has been a hot day, but luckily it has cooled down a little bit now.

I have a page to share with you, for the Prima BAP Feb challenge.

Here's the sketch.

Here's my take on it.

My son often leaves me little notes and postage, sometimes hidden and sometimes in plain sight.  Just little notes where he doodles, writes our names and draws hearts etc...they really are so very sweet.  If I haven't found them, then he comes and asks whether I found my post! They sometimes are just folded or sometimes he has made little envelopes for them.

So this page is about replying to those notes, with a note of my own in the form of a scrap page. Hence the name, From Me to You. This page has a few little messages all over, the one being "Never Give Up" and then "Anything is Possible" and "Yes I Can".... I have also journalled on the back where I write my little note to him and include what I mean by the notes on the front. I hope he will read it one day soon! ;-)

I used the "All About Me" Collection, along with some Prima stencils and stamps.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a super Sunday!

Denise x

Today, Remember When - CSI Case File no.108

Hello Everyone

I hope you are having a super Saturday! I am chuffed, as I got a new toy today! I got a new camera!!!!! YEEEEEEEEHAAAA. My old one would have cost me an arm and a leg to fix, and so it was better to buy a new one than mend the old one! So thanks heavens above, I can sigh a sigh of relief and look forward to getting to know my new toy! ;-))

I finished a page for the Case File no.108 at CSI. Here was the Case File.



Here is my page.

Evidence: Mixed Media, Stamps
Testimony: Telling a story never told before and inspiration from the Art Journal Prompts



I went through the Art Journal Prompts and found this lovely picture of a mended flower with these words: Perhaps strength doesn't reside in having never been broken...but in the courage required to grown strong in the broken places.

So the page I created is exactly about that, me looking back "Today" and remembering when I wasn't always so whole and the journey that took place in order to mend myself.

This photo was from around that time, 2004, when I was already on this journey.

I was 30 when I guess I experienced a mid-life crisis. I was in a relationship that really wasn't working for me and really was not happy with my life in general. It all was just one big mess and I was feeling quite helpless to help myself. I really did not know which way to turn and thought that if I did not find my way soon, that I would just fall into a deep,dark hole and I would never be able to climb out.

A friend of mine suggested I go and see a growth counsellor. I was sceptical at first, but so desperate for some help that I went and met with this lady. Her name was Fran Newington. Looking back at that first meeting it's hilarious, as I walked away from it thinking that I didn't feel any better and that she hadn't given me any cures or recipes for self improvement. LOL

In any,case, I persisted, or perhaps she persisted with me, rather, and she became one of the most important people I have ever met in my life. She was exactly what I needed and helped me mend ME. It wasn't always an easy journey, but it sure was a rewarding one.

She was one of the most remarkable women ever and had such a way about her that we became friends and she helped me through some of the biggest changes in my life. She did not judge, she did not chide, she just guided and loved me through every step.

She started me on a journey of self discovery that has never ended, and this journey has been continual and daily! She taught me so much and I am a very different person today, thanks to her.

Today I can look back and see how my life changed and improved so much, and today I am mostly happy. I guess there will always be dark days or dark moments, but for 95% of the time, I am happy.

It surely does take a LOT of courage to change but being a little more mended and less broken, in the end, is definitely worth it all!

I used Kaisercraft Enchanted Garden Collection. I also used some Kaisercraft stamps, along with some MME stamps and Prima and Petaloo flowers.

This is probably one of my longest posts ever! LOL
I really appreciate the visit!
Have a super day!
Denise x

Beauty - Mix and Match - BoBunny

Hello Everyone

I am up on the BoBunny blog today with Gabi and Maryia, and we are "mix and matching" the BoBunny collections. Please pop over and have a look at their fabulous pages too! ;-)

It is actually quite fun doing this, and it's quite amazing how many collections you can actually mix and match together to create a page.

So here is my page.

I used a combination of Zip-A-Dee-Doodle, Pincushion, Head Over Heals,Woodland Winter and Fright Delight collections.Can you believe that?! I made sure that I incorporated black, as I needed to ground my photo on the various patterned papers.  The black also adds to the slightly grungy yet shabby feel!

I made some flowers with die-cuts and instead of using leaves, I used some wool, which was rather thready.
It added a different texture to the page, which I loved!

Since a large percentage of this layout was created with Pincushion, I thought it would be a nice touch to include some sewing and sewed my buttons to the page.

BoBunny Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Boyfriend/ Head Over Heals; Collage / Zip-A-Dee-Doodle; Pincushion, Doilies, Toile, Backstitch / Pincushion
Stickers: Cardstock Sticker / Woodland Winter
Noteworthy: Pincushion
Buttons: Pincushion
Jewels: Fright Delight
Chipboard:12 x 12/ Pincushion
Stamps: It is Written
6 x 6 Paper Pad: Pincushion
Blossoms: Harvest Orange Pansy

Thanks so much for visiting today!
I really appreciate your visit!
Denise x