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

Hold Fast to your Dreams - CSI Case File no. 104

Hello Everyone

I hope you are having a super Sunday! It is a beautiful and hot day in Africa! ;-)

I have a page to share with you today for the CSI Challenge no.104.



Here's my take on it.

Evidence: Frames, Hearts
Testimony: Documenting sleep
My journalling is at the back of my page and says this:
When you sleep, I hope that you have the most wonderful dreams! I hope you dream of exotic and interesting places, of people you will meet and the exciting and thrilling things you will do! I hope that in your sleep you are finding those dreams that really make your heart sing and all the things that really make you happy! Hold on to those exciting and happy dreams..and make them your reality! I will be your biggest fan! Love Mommy!

I did stencilling, gesso, stamping and spritzing on my background! I actually love how it turned out.

I used the MME Find Your Wings and Fly collection. The colours were perfect for this challenge.

Almost forgot, the sketch I used as inspiration is from Page Drafts.



Thanks for popping by!
Have a super day!
Denise x

Happy - OUAS January Challenge

Hello Everyone

I hope that you have started the year on a very positive note and that these few few days of 2014 have been good one's. So far, this year has been good and I am a happy chappy! ;-)

I am sharing my page with you for the OUAS January Challenge.

Journalling Theme: "Lesson learnt..." 

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.

I have really been getting stuck into my stash and so I was pleased to use these gorgeous Crate Papers and accents.

This is my little journalling card behind my photo and tells you about my Happiness learn. This has certainly not always been an easy learn and sometimes I still need to remind myself of this little fact. 

I used some Petloo flowers and leaves, along with some chipboard pieces for my clusters.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a super evening!

Denise x

Beach Boy - BoBunny Zip-A-Dee-Doodle

Hello Everyone

I have had such a great start to the week, with 2 sets of happy scrappy news...firstly the Berry Bleu DT announcement and then secondly a publication email. 

Then a little parcel was delivered to the house today and is was my birthday present from my husband! I asked him for some Gelato's and, man oh man, this girl is soooooo happy! I can't wait to start playing with them! My birthday is only on Saturday but he knew that I couldn't wait to have a look, so I have opened them and hope to play a little later!!!! This is one happy girl!!! ;-)

For the South African ladies out there, I thought I would share this info with you.  I really did not think we got Gelato's here in South Africa, but you can check this site here and their prices are really reasonable!

Okay, now to actually get to my new layout for BoBunny using the Zip-A-Dee-Doodle collection. Here is the page I created for the BoBunny blog today! You are welcome to click on the link above and you can go and see what Maryia created as well.

We had recently been on vacation to the coast and I thought that the Zip-A-Dee-Doodle Collection would be perfect for a "beach" page, as it has the lovely blues and greens! It is also such a fun collection and so is also perfect for this theme.

Fussy cut elements from this collection were layered and added to this page, which created texture, as well as interest on the page.

To add to this "beach" theme I added gauze and gesso, which gives one the feeling of the fish nets and also is a flowing element, which draws the eye across the page.

BoBunny Supplies:

Patterned Paper: Journal, Meow, Zig Zag, Authentic, Creative/ Zip-A-Dee-Doodle

Stickers: Dimensional stickers, Combo Stickers/ Zip-A-Dee-Doodle

Jewels: Fright Delight

Trinkets: Zip-A-Dee-Doodle 

Chipboard: 12 x 12 Zip-A-Dee-Doodle 

Stamps: Distressed Textures

Misc Me Stickers: Zip-A-Dee-Doodle

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a super Monday!

Denise x

Sisters/Friends - Berry Bleu Anything Goes July Challenge

Hi Everyone

I hope you have had a good week, and are seeing the weekend in sight! I am mighty pleased to be home already! Let the weekend begin!!!! ;-)

I have a canvas to share with you today, which I am entering for the Berry71Bleu challenge, here. So here is my project.  It measures about 60cmx60cm.

I used Bo Bunny Prairie Chic papers. The big chipboard is Celebr8, and the alpha chippies are W&M. The flowers are Prima, Petaloo and no-name brands. The swirl crystals are Prima too.

I firstly gessoed the big chipboard frame to the canvas and then added layers of gesso, cheesecloth, sprays and paints. Then I randomly stamped and added fussy cut Bo Bunny hexagon papers on the canvas.  Lastly, I added my photo, with the blooms and bits.

This is one of my favourite photo's of my sister and I, taken at her 40th birthday party. It really is testament to the fact that we are good friends, as well as sisters.

Thanks so much for popping in!
I really appreciate the visit!
Have a super evening!
Denise x

Gone to the Beach - Scrap Africa Sketch no.19 / Sketchbook 365 July Challenge

Hello Everyone

I hope you had a great weekend and a great Monday!

There is a new sketch over at Scrap Africa here, and it would be awesome if you could play along.  Here is the sketch.

Here is my take on it.

I did a lot of cheesecloth, gesso and spritzing on the background and also added some sand gesso too!

 I used DoCrafts Papermania Ahoy There collection and it was perfect for these little photo's of Joe, on the beach at Umhloti Sept 2011.

The sanded gesso and cheesecloth added lots of texture.

I am also entering this page for the Sketchbook 365 sketch challenge, which is remarkably, a very similar sketch.

So thanks for stopping by.

Your visits are truly appreciated.

Have a super evening!

Denise x