Some Challenges

I've made a nice early start on the challenges this month - hopefully I can keep it up through the year - LOL!!

This is the challenge over at the Colour Room this month:

This was my interpretation - I loved the colours in this layout, and they were perfect for these bright photos of Connor I took when he was playing on his slip and slide - on one of the few fine days we've had these holidays!!

This is my layout for the January Sketch Challenge over at Bon's

This one is my layout for the Sketch challenge over at Anna's Craft Cupboard:

Well, that's about it from me for now - about to get cracking on another layout - woohoo!! I am on a roll!!!

Happy Scrapping everyone!!

10 Favourtites from 2010

Hi Everyone - 'tis me again. You can tell I'm on holidays, can't you - I 'm haunting blogland Teehee!

As promised, I am putting up my favourite scrappy moments from 2010.

I have consciously done this after my my favourite family moments because even though scrapping is my obsession, my family is my life - besides, without them, there'd be nothing to scrap, right?? LOL!!

Ok, well, first - this is my favourite photo I took this year, what a surprise it is of Connor. I took this in September at a pub in Bargara, Bundaberg. I like it because Connor is looking just so happy and relaxed. It also shows his personality so well - there is always an impish look about our son - he is so happy-go-lucky, and always ready for a game, or a joke or even just to play a trick. Yes, he is naughty at times, and sometimes needs his cheek pulled into line - but I love the fact he is so spirited and resilient. Funny thing is, I haven't scrapped it yet - hmmmm, must change that as soon as possible!!

Now, I have has some incredible highs in Scrapbooking this year, I was honoured to be selected to join the Addicted To Craft DT, Mel Heather asked me to be on the Kraft It Up Challenge Creative Team when it first started a year ago, and then THIS really made me smile:

No I wasn't made a Master this year - I didn't expect it either, but I did get TWO Honourable Mentions from the Masters Competition. I was absolutely stoked, because I am in awe of the talent of the New Masters, and I was in such unbelievable company getting honourable mentions, so I am quite proud of myself.

I got one HM for the Single Layout section - with this layout. This layout would be in my Top 10 for 2010 list, but I can't actually show it on it's on due to it being in the current issue of Scrapbooking Memories:0)

This is the other HM I got - for a double. I was so surprised that I got this HM due to the fact that I am so not good at doubles, and I have to be honest, I really didn't think this layout had what it takes...

I did it as a bit of a message to Connor - about how, since he is officially starting his learning this year, he must always remember that school isn't the only place and time you learn - sometimes life's lessons are the best teacher....

This year, I've found myself more willing to experiment with a variety of media to create my pages - a trend I've found is popular also amongst my scrappy friend. I am happiest playing with paints, inks, mists and fabrics to add texture and dimension to my pages. I've gone back to using texture paste, chipboard and some of the "older" style of scrapbooking embellishments, but I find I am using them in new ways. I am so excited to be part of such an evolving craft, and I love the enthusiasm for new ideas and techniques in the Scrapping community. I certainly hope to continue to develop my skills in this fabulous hobby.

Now, here are my Top 10 for 2010, in no particular order:

1. I did this layout for a challenge on the My Mind's Eye blog - MME are fast becomming one of my favourite manufacturer. I particularly loved this range - the black flocking on the Kraft was amazing.

2. This is one of my favourite all time photos, I am giving Connor a cuddle after his bath - and when I saw this Prima paper, I just had to use it to scrap it.

3. I remember having lots of fun with this layout - just loved using the fabric and the flower here - it was when I was just starting using a lot of fabric on my layouts.

4. This layout was done from a sketch by Wendy Smith for the Sketch challenge over at Anna's Craft Cupboard - it's of my Dad in about oh, Year 6. The range is from October Afternoon - and was one of my most used ranges this year, I just loved the colours and embies in this range.

5. This was one of the many, many snow holiday pictures I took - I am still working my way through them - haha. I went to town with the grunginess and technique here - embossed the cardstock, stamped, painted, glimmermisted, stitched - you name it, I did it!! Sometimes I just love having a "play." I have been really trying to use up some older bits and pieces this year - and this is someold WRMK Teenage Angst - with some old Prima Youth embellies.

5. Yet another snow photo - and again, did some distressing, glimermisting, painting - used masking too - also made the lollipops with denim and stamping - I used Fancy Pants Father and Son range - and again I love how all the bits game together to form a grungy, masculine layout which I hoped shows the love and admiration that Connor and his Dad share.

6. Yep, another MME range - this time it was the Meadowlark Range which Louisa from Addicted to Craft sent me to play with. This photo was one of those photos you take on the spur of the moment - Connor was actually at the time trying to muster up a pathetic face, because he was trying to get an ice block out of his grandparents - LOL - I love the black and white photo with the black and white paper, with just a touch of the MME Red Lush letters thrown in...

7. Once again, this was me using up some old papers and embies - this time the Rough and Tough range from Fancy Pants. I actually used a transparency on this layout - and adhered most of the elements of the page over it. Another experiment was the lifting of the middle photo on foam 3D dots - I think it worked will - what do you think??

8. I am soooo in love with these papers - Sass Lass, but I've forgotten the name of the range - my bad - all I know is I love using them with paint and lots of layering of fabric, doilies, pattern paper and ribbons to great an ultra shabby look. Really feminine for me - and a real change from my usually grungy look.

10. Finally, I instantly fell in love with the Earthy, yet bold colours of the Fancy Pants "Rusted Sun" range. This paper is absolutely gorgeous with its colours and designs, and was perfect for this photo, I thought. More distressing, inking, layering, oh, and another Transparency used in the title!!

So, if you are still reading this after my ultra long post (sorry 'bout that - I do tend to waffle a bit!) Thank you, hope you enjoyed my little "Show and Tell"

Cheers for now.

January Kraft It Up

Sadly, this is my last month on the Kraft It Up Creative Team - the past 12 months have been an absolute delight and a pleasure working with such talented ladies.
I would like to thank Mel for asking me to join the team when she first started the Blog last year. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my experience. On the upside, at least it means I can participate in the challenges.

This month the challenge is:

"To create a layout based on the theme Summer and you must also use the word Summer in your title, using Kraft cardstock as your base"

This is what I created:

I loved doing this layout - using October Afternoon papers. The stamp is Tim Holtz Ultimate Grunge stamp - just love Tim Holtz stamps, well, I just love anything Tim Holtz - LOL!

Till tomorrow - when I will do my Top 10 Favourites for 2010 - Don't forget to stop by the Kraft It Up Blog, and give the challenge a go - the prizes are awesome!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

I hope that 2011 brings you all happiness and health:)

Do you have any New Years Resolutions?? I don't keep New Year Resolutions well - I tend to go off track by oh, about lunch on January First - LOL!!


I have goals and I love the idea of focussing on a word - picking a word for the year to focus on, and work toward achieving it. Last year my focus work was Balance - I needed to focus on adding balance to my life, juggling being a mummy, wife, teacher, scrapbooker.... it took time, and I am still working on it, but it has really helped me focus on what to do to acheive my goals.
Here is a little pic I got of Ali Edward's Blog





This year, my word is going to be:


Minimise

There are so many things in my life I want to minimise - my waistline, my kitchen cupboards, my scrap supply... I am such a hoarder, and I really just want to simplify my life:0)

Here is challenge: Think of a word you want to focus on this year - post it in in my comments box, and I'll draw a random RAK at the end of this week :0)


Now - a bit of a review of 2010.....

When I think about it, in the ordinary hum drum of life, I have so so much to be thankful for - a loving family, a happy, sweet, healthy little boy, a job I love, well most of the time anyway, and good friends.

THESE moments are the moments from this year that bring a smile to my face whenever I think of them -

• It was such an honour to attend my Nanna's 90th birthday party. I am so lucky that I had all 4 of my grandparents until well into my 20s - I have so many beautiful memories of time spent with all of them. I hope Connor will be that lucky.... Anyway, now that I am 40, I have one Grandparent left - and that is my Nanna, she is amazing, so sharp - still does her own shopping, pays her bills.... I am amazed by her vitality

• Watching Connor enjoy the snow for the first time, we didn't have a lot of money this year - Mark isn't working, and I have had time off due to illness, but we really wanted to do this - and it was so rewarding to work towards saving money, and then to enjoy the moment Connor first saw/felt snow - just so magic, and well worth the effort :0)
  

• In November, Mark was lucky enough to win a trip to Geelong and Lorne - another dream of mine was to travel the Great Ocean Road, so it was a delightful surprise to get to do this in 2010 too. Here is Connor feeding a King Parrot at our resort in Lorne - these parrots just flew down to our tables while we were eating breakfast.

• While we were in Geelong, Mark decided that it would be good for us to take a helicopter flight around Corio Bay - I have never been in a helicopter, and I must say I was petrified - but so so pleased that I did it, and conquered my fear instead of letting my fear of heights ruin my experiences of our holiday. It was so beautiful up there, too - and I think the highligt was spotting a pod of dolphins from the sky

What have your highlights of 2010 been?