Cards - FabScraps Serenity Collection

Hello Everyone

Sorry for being missing in action for a few days.

I so love having my brother here and it's really so great to spend time with him and the family and sadly he left yesterday evening but now at least, my life can get some normality again! ;-)

I have some cards to share with you, from the soft and beautiful Serenity Collection from FabScraps.

Here is the first card.

I upcycled an old scarf to provide some softness for this card.

Supplies List:

Patterned Paper: FabScraps C77 002 Cherished 2; FabScraps Harmony 2 C77 004

Journal Pack: MC77 001A

Blooms: 4 – 1 small, 2 medium sized and 1 large

Die-cut leaves

Cardstock: soft teal and 2 greens

White Pearl

White Lace

3D Adhesive Foam

Greeting Stamp & writing stamp

Pigment Ink – Versa Magic Sahara Sand & Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy

White Gel Pen

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of soft teal cardstock 30cm x 16cm and fold in half.  Use Sahara Sand to ink all the edges.
2. Use Sahara Sand pigment ink and the writing stamp to stamp from the top right towards the middle and from the bottom left towards the middle.  Don’t use an acrylic block, but just press down with your fingers to stamp.
3. Tear a 9cm x 16 cm from the stripey Harmony 2 patterned paper and ink the edges with Sahara Sand. The 9cm edges are straight and the 16cm edges are torn.
4. Stick down this piece in the middle of the card, not gluing the torn edges completely to the edge, so that you can tuck some lace underneath, as well as turn up these torn edges.
5. Fussy cut 3 envelopes from the journal pack elements, as well as some stamped circles and the butterfly circle and a small butterfly. Ink all the edges and arrange as per the photo.  The 3 envelopes are raised with 3D foam.
6. I recycled an old scarf for my lacey elements, but any petty lace will do and must be tucked under the torn edges of the stripey paper and glued in place.
7. Stamp the sentiment with Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy on the writing side of the Harmony 2 patterned paper.  I used a fairly white-ish part, so that my stamping would be clearly visible. Cut out the stamped sentiment and ink the edges with Sahara Sand.
8. Use 3D foam to adhere the sentiment across the 3 envelopes. 
9. Place your blooms, on the right hand-side above the sentiment, layering them up. Also add the die-cut leaves, which have been highlighted with a white gel pen.
10. Add some more lacey bits inbetween this cluster, for softness.

I also made a tag from this beautiful collection.

I had received this crocheted doiley in a prize pack and loved that it was the perfect fir for this tag.

Supplies List:

Patterned Paper: FabScraps C77 006 Peaceful 2, FabScraps C77 002 Cherished 2

Stencils:  FabScraps DS35 005 Jungle Twine

Journal Pack: MC77 001A

Blooms: 2 medium sized blooms, 1 green and 1 orange

Cardstock: white

Die-Cuts:  3 Ornate circular die-cuts, 1 very small (approx. 2cm diameter), small (approx. 6.5cm diameter) and 1 medium (approx. 10cm diameter)

Brown Pearls and a brown brad

White and cream lace

3D Adhesive Foam

Crocheted doiley – approximately 7.5cm diameter

Greeting Stamp

Distress Ink – Tea-dye

Pigment Ink – Jumbo Java

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of white cardstock 11,5cm x 18cm and distress the edges and ink with tea-dye distress ink.
2. Cut a rectangle 10.5cm x 16,5cm of Peaceful 2 patterned paper and distress and ink the edges, with tea-dye ink.
3. Stick down this Peaceful 2 rectangle onto the cardstock.
4. Place the Twine stencil over the entire tag and again, using tea-dye distress ink, ink over the entire patterned paper, ensuring a fairly even coverage of ink.
5. Cut an ornate circular die-cut, approx. 10cm in diameter, from the Peaceful 2 paper, using the dragonfly side. Cut another smaller circle die-cut from the Cherished 2 paper.
6. Ink the edges of these circles with tea-dye and then stick them down, the bigger one top left, just so that the left hand side of the circle just overlaps the left hand side of the tag.  The smaller one, bottom right and slightly tucked under the larger one. The very small one, raise with 3D foam and tuck under the medium doiley, top left of the tag.
7. Cut out the “Just for You” circle from the journal pack goodies and adhere, using the 3D foam to the centre of the larger doiley. Also add the crocheted doiley and secure with glue.
8. Add the white lace, under the medium sized doiley and the cream lace for the tag holder, using the brown brad.
9. Add brown pearls and layer blooms, as per the photo.
10. Lastly stamp a “greeting” in the top right hand corner using Jumbo Java Pigment ink.

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a super, scrappy day!

Denise x

It was the Perfect Day - Scrap Africa Sketch Challenge no.62

Hello Everyone

There is a new sketch at Scrap Africa and hopefully it's one that gets those creative juices flowing.

Here's my take on it, but it would be super if you popped over and had a look at the Design Teams projects! ;-)

This photo is of my Mom, who was about 20 years old here and was bridesmaid at her brothers wedding.  She was so beautiful here. I really love this photo! ;-)

I used the beautiful papers from BoBunny Garden Journal.

Well thanks for stopping by!
Hopefully you can find some time to create, in between Christmas shopping and preparations! ;-)

Have a super Sunday!
Denise x

Altered Book Canvas - Berry71BLeu

Hello Everyone

I am up on the Berry71Bleu blog here to share my take on this months Mood Board.  Kay created a gorgeous board.

So I decided to make a gift for my Mother for Mothers Day.

I had this idea rollling around in my head for ages and so decided to go ahead and create it.

I used an old book, which I first stuck down onto the canvas and then altered the book with gesso, paints, stamps, papers and blooms.

I used the gorgeous Graphic 45 Place in Time papers.

The resin heart is Prima, which I coloured with distress paint.

The chipboard rounds and little Scarab beetle is Umwow.

The chipboard leaves are Celebr8 and the blooms Petaloo.

Here's a side view of the book.

The gesso acts like glue and so running the brush along the pages, made most of them stick.  

I also used quite a bit down the middle of the book, which when dried, kept the book open.

I arranged the flowers cascading down the middle of the book and then onto the pages.

This project really came together so easily and was so enjoyable to create.

I really hope my Mother likes it and can put it somewhere nice.

I also created a little card, which I will put between the pages.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you have a super evening!

Denise x

General Cards

Hello Everyone

I met up with my scrappy buddies last week Tuesday and I managed, through all the chatter and laughter, to create some cards! ;-)

I used the soft and vintagey Rustic Harmony Collection from Kaisercraft.

I used an old BoBunny butterfly stamp to create the background! So simple...yet really effective, I thought! ;-)

I always like having different cards on hand, for all sorts of occasions. These are just the sort! ;-)

Hope you have a super evening!
Denise x

Sisters - Prima BAP February

Hello Everyone

I finished a page for the Prima February BAP.  I kinda struggled with the sketch, but eventually I was able to put my own spin on it and think it turned out okay.



Here's my take on it.

I used the All About Me Collection, along with some Blue Fern Studios chipboard pieces and Prima blooms and Petaloo blooms.

I wanted to keep the styling light and fresh.

I used some of the squares around my title and sub title, to pull everything together.

Here is a close-up of the journalling.

I used some shimmer sprays on the background with a stencil and so when photographing the page, it was a little difficult.  I guess this is also why the writing does not appear sharp.

"Being a sister myself, I know that it's not always easy to agree on everything and always get along! But I love seeing the two of you enjoying each others company and really having fun together Dec 2014"

These two girlies are my neices and it's really scary to know that they were babes just yesterday and today they are young ladies!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a super evening!
Denise x

Valentine's Card - Scrap Africa Sketch no.44

Morning Everyone

This first month of the year has just flown by and already again it is the 01st of another month.
It's the love month, also my husbands birthday month, my Mom and my neice.  So yes...a busy month ahead! ;-)

We have a new sketch challenge at Scrap Africa to celebrate the month of love.

I made a card for this challenge.

I used the very pretty Star-Crossed collection from BoBunny. I also used some rub-ons I have had for ages from Making Memories and a wooden heart which I painted and crackled.

We have a super Guest Designer Beck Beattie, who I have admired and followed for a long time, so please pop along and see her inspiration!

There is a PPBN voucher up for grabs and also a prize pack from Scrapmatts.

So maybe play along?

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

Hello Friend - Once Upon a Sketch October Challenge

Hello Everyone

I hope that you are having a super Saturday, whatever you are doing!

We had the most amazing African thunderstorm last night, with lots of wind, lightning and thunder...but unfortunately, not very much rain.  The wind continued blowing this whole day and has just blown all the clouds away.  Some much needed rain, would have been really nice.

I finished my page for the OUAS October challenge. This was the challenge.

Journalling Theme: "The women/girls etc in our lives..." 

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! 

I turned the sketch on it's side.

So here's my take on it.

This page is about my sister Sharon.

This photo was taken on my engagement day in 2005. I was saying to my sister, just this morning, that we looked so young here. LOL

My journalling is under the photo and is the tag sticking out. It says this:

My sister is not just my sister, but also my best friend.  We virtually see or speak to each other every single day.  We chat, we confide and we support each other, in so many ways.

Sometimes, it is just to pop in and have that very needed cup of tea! ;-)

We don't always see eye to eye and sometimes a little space is needed..

But we always find our way back to sisterhood and friendship.

It is a relationship that I hold very dear and one I hope will carry us into the elderly years.

We often laugh and say that we had better tell the other one, when at 80, our memory is fading or we are doing daft things. I hope that is surely the case!!!

Here is a close-up of the two of us.

I used the really pretty Botanical Tea from Graphic 45, and it was so fitting, because we love our tea and so often share a cuppa together.

Here is a close-up of the stencilling and watercolouring, along with lots of fussy cut elements.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I really appreciate the visit.

Be back soon!

Denise x

Live Your Own Fairy Tale - Birthday Canvas - Scrap Around the World September Challenge

Hello Everyone

I hope your Monday was good and that it was kind to you! I had a fairly busy one, but not a bad one at all! ;-)

As I mentioned yesterday, it's my neice's 11th Birthday today and so I shared the trinket box with you yesterday and today I share the canvas which I made for her as well. I am also entering into the Scrap Around the World September Challenge, because it fitted in beautifully with the theme.

Here was the super, magical mood board.



I used the Enchanted Garden Collection, which was perfect for this theme.

The magical element of the mood board was by far the one that stood out for me and little girls, always believe in magic! So I wanted to give my neice something that could encourage her, but also awaken some of that magic inside her - hence the title - Live Your Own Fairy Tale!! This photo was taken a few years ago....but is such a playful and gorgeous one, that I just had to use it! ;-)

I used the new BoBunny stickable stencils and they were just so awesome to create my background, along with some gesso, paints and stamps.

I used the Ephemera Pack for this collection and I loved the rub-ons and goodies that came with it! I still think the rub-ons look fresh! ;-)

I fussy cut all sorts of little bits, which added to this magical theme.

All the blooms are Petaloo flowers.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope this added a little magic to your day!
Have a super one!
Denise x

40 - Sketch no.29 - Scrap Africa

Hello Everyone

I have enjoyed a lovely day at home, as we had another Public Holiday today and it was bliss! I did a little grocery shopping, visited my aunt and then had some scrappy time as hubby took Joe to go a watch his older brother play rugby! It has been me and the doggies, scrapping and chatting! ;-)

There's a new sketch up at Scrap Africa here. Juliana Michaels is our special guest designer and there is some wonderful inspiration from her and the DT up on the blog.  It would be super if you could pop over and take a look.

Here's my sketch and then my take on it! LOL

This is another page where I used my stash! I have a load of Kaisercraft papers that have been waiting for me and I finally used this collection. I was very happy with the result.

My sister turned 40 a while back and this was her at her birthday party.

I loved all the beautiful diecuts and they were so very pretty.  So I used quite a few and then added in a few Petaloo blooms.

It was a lovely celebration and one I really enjoyed!

Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you will play along!
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

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