Top 11 of 2011

Been doing some reflecting this week over what happened during 2011.  I really enjoyed my scrapping this year, I had some time off work, and I was able to spend more time scrapping.  I also went away to my first ever retreat, which was so enjoyable.....  loved it to bits, actually.
Anyway, I experimented with some different styles and techniques, tried using negative space and, shock horror, paint...lol.. I re-discovered the joy of using chipboard, and experimented with loads of ways to alter it. I hand made a lot of my embellishments - using fabric, dies and punches, and I also discovered my HUGE stash of stamps, and started using them as backgrounds to create layers.

So without further ado, here are my favourite layouts from 2011 - in no particular order :)

This would have to be one of my all-time favourite layouts.  I used the stunning Little Black Dress range from Basic Grey - and a Kaisercraft Lace stamp, along with some Prima and Kaisercraft flowers. The dress form is a Dusty attick one, painted in Tim Holtz Crackle paint.  I've addes some tulle (misted with Glimmermist) and some decorations to add interest.  The photo is of my Mum, aged about 17.  I have been lucky enough to score some fantastic vintage photos, and I am enjoying scrapping copies of them and putting them into a "Family History" album.

This is one I did really early in the year - I was still scrapping our Snow holiday photos at that stage, and used some Fancy Pants paper and other bits n pieces.  I did lots of paper scrunching and inking on this one - and even used my cricut to cut out snowflakes.  Love all the textures here, and how the paper wraps around the photo - kinda making my baby all snug and warm.

This layout was one I did at retreat - my gorgeous lil great-niece Eva.  I stamped the circle cardstock background - edging it in pink ribbon to add interest - and made a distressed artisan shape to hug it all in... Used Basic Grey Sweet Treats...loved the muted prettty colours of this range.  Ahhh - so glad I have girls to scrap now!!  LOL!

Going back to grunge - this layout was done by probably my favourite range of 2011 - Crate Paper Toy Box - one of the best boy ranges ever!!!  Used muslin, paint splatters and stamps to give texture to the background.  Don't you love the photos - took one of the best photos ever of Connor one minute, then the next he's pulling his hat over his face so I can't take anymore...little imp...lol..

Hehe - more stamping and glimmermisting of the background here.  Used another of my favourite ranges from this year - Jillibean Soup Watermelon gazpacho.  LOVE bright colours - and these were so good for boys, and matched this photo perfectly.  I made the Denim/Hessian flower using Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die.  Had a real love affair with banners this year too - handmade this one with a circle punch.  There is also a gorgeous lil flag from "A Lil Somethin"  - This would have to have been the best lil handmade embie site to crop up in 2011...gorgeous, and fantastic for boy scrappers.

This is another of my all-time faves.  I was thrilled with how this turned out - using gorgeous Webster's pages papers, lots of Prima/Kaisercraft flowers, lace and Prima/Websters Resin.  Photo is of my lovely lil Great Nephew Kian.  Couldn't resist "borrowing" this photo of my niece's Facebook album - I mean, who can resist a sleeping bubba??

Another vingage layout - using more beautiful Webster's pages...   This is me dressed for the beach, aged about 3... hehe...  That fence is a Dusty Attic, and it's been stamped, and Distress Embossed.  I handmade the creamy coloured flowers with a scallop circle punch and patterned paper.  Favourite thing to do in 2012?  Make handmade flowers...lol..

Haha - told you I was really getting into Vintage/Shabby...lol..this photo is of my Dad's parents on their wedding day.  Used a stamped background - and yes you've seen it before, this one is one of my favourite stamps, Hero Arts with script and butterflies...  Used Pink Paislee paper and diecuts, and Prima flowers/vines, with Dusty Attic and RW Laser Cuts chipboard.  Used Alcohol ink to alter the chipboard.  More Scallop punch handmade flowers are on this one too..lol..

I adore this layout because I love the story behind these photos - we found this crab in some bought prawns, on Bribie Island...Connor immediately wanted to put it back in the ocean to be with its family..so cute.  Pink Paislee Nantucket was used for this layout - another lovely range... I used dimensional magic on the crab diecut to make it shiney, and altered the chippy letters and coral with paint and glimmerglam.  Also, I experimented with the journalling here, and typed some journalling onto some masking tape..  I liked the effect, and will definately do this again!!
Sketch was from the Get Picky site.

Another layout from the Crate paper Toy Box range.  Used more muslin, this time sprayed with Mr Hueys mist and used a Tim Holtz Grunge stamp on the background.  Made the hessian cogs with the Sizzix/Tim Holtz cogs Die.  Loved the clustering of embies on this one - will have to do that more..lol..
Photo taken at the same time as the other Toy Box layout - amazing how Connor's mood can change ....now he's pretending to be cranky to stop me taking photos...didn't work though...  still clicked away..bwwhahahah!

Here is my gorgeous sun-shiney boy happy as can be at the harbour.  Used Echo Park papers for this one - one of the must-have manufacturers of 2011.

Hand made the banner here too - and used paint on the background of some swiss dot bazill - love how that technique brings up the texture of the cardstock. 

Well that's it from me - thank you for joining me on my scrapping journey during 2011 :)

Hope to see more of you in 2012 - enjoy scrapping!!