Sooo much fun!

We had our yearly scrapbook retreat this past weekend and WOW was it fun!! I still don't think after a weekend of three buffet meals a day this trampoline was a good idea but since I am always the one behind the lens this was the perfect opportunity to get a photo of ME (my expression looks like I'm on a rollercoaster ride!!!).

Some friends politely opted not to jump (maybe because my bum ended up 1cm from the ground as I did my seating jump!!!) but it was definately worth the shot!!

It is great to just break away, forget the stress of life and have a scrapbreak! Four days in a row - pure bliss!!

Enjoy your scrapbreak (even if it is just 5 stolen minutes today!!)

Emboss, paint and distress a bit! (or a LOT!)

This layout was definately exciting to complete. I demonstrated loads of techniques in a class and wanted to add them to a layout to complete the look (all on one layout was quite a challenge!!) I used dry embossing (Cuttle bug, templates and free hand) wet embossing, stamping with ink and stamping with paint, painting / embossing / altering chipboard and how to add glitter to projects (Glitter embossing, paint stamping and dimensional glue!) I even embossed metal tape to complete the shimmer look.

That beautiful silly face just completes the picture!

Life goes on!

This little flower was completely forgotten and was discovered (after a few weeks - I must admit!!!) all wilted and mouldy. The amazing part is - out of this dead, slightly smelly flower were bright green sprouts of new life!

Then I realised, this is life. No matter how bad it gets - LIFE GOES ON! (whether we like it or not!!)

The Lord gives us little miracles to brighten our lives - even if we don't see them!

I'll post the scrapped layout little later - happy scrappin!

This layout is a lift form the kaisercraft website. I've added some stickles for extra details on the dots (yeah, we all need to be a little dotty sometimes!!) then stamped and embossed my letters before hand cutting (a time consuming effort!) and adding with foam tape for a 3-D effect. A little dimensional glue and pearl dots added the extra oomph (and yes, this is a proper word - it is even in the thesaurus:).

Using a nature photo with the floral scheme turned out to be a good combination after all.

I received this as part of an e-mail and it made me think (not entirely positive thoughts, I must admit!!)

You can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I think we can add missing scissors/mounting squares/photos!!

Happy scrappin.

Off-cut ideas

I had so much of the beautiful Airy Fairy paper left over, I simply had to do something special with it. This is the cutest (and inexpensive) gift. Just cover a blank notepad with the paper and embellish as desired. Buy clear pens and roll strips of paper (rolls easily on a kebab stick!!) and insert in the back of the pen. (If you find pens with matching caps to your paper - good for you!!:) Your pens now colour co-ordinate with your notebook and tra-la-la...... you impress the recipient with your thoughtful gift!


Quick, easy and in-expensive yet thoughtful (but very smart looking!!) - my kinda gift!

I'ts the little details

The single page layout idea was lifted from the Kaisercraft website (stunning ideas BTW!!) by a scrapping buddy. I converted it to a double page layout to accommodate more photos (when you take 60 to 70 photos of anything worthwhile - and not so worthwhile!!! - you need a double!)

I find the little details is what really makes you look twice! The little dragonfly in her hair is a small dragonfly punch (yes, those punches you all have but never use!!) that I heat embossed for a shimmering raised effect.
I added dimensional glue to the corners and some silver glitter to tie the shimmering look together.

.......and yes, if you were wondering, the look in those eyes melt my heart every day!!!

Carding Box

I guess everyone has a box (or BOXES!!) of off-cuts lying around. I'm trying to inspire my fellow scrappers to use those off-cuts to design beautiful handmade cards. My problem is storage (as I can fill a shop of two with my stash :) so I designed a card box and inserts for perfect safe keeping. The wonderful thing about teaching a class is that I get to see all the different interpretations. The difference a paper selection makes always amazes me. As a perfect size for photos and recipe cards we had a multitude of design and colours - one prettier than the next.

I find the easiest way to do this is make a few cards immediately after finishing your scrap pages. Scraplift (or shall I say cardlift!?!) your layout design onto your cards - all your paper stash and embellishments are in front of you, already sorted so this will only take a minute! (a minute for that precious cup of tea that's been calling you!!)

Don't know 'bout you, but I'd much rather take R40 and buy a pretty packet of rhinestones (okay, anything scrapping ) than throw away my beautiful off-cuts and buy a shop card!

Good luck with your cards (remember to save one for my bday!!)

Funky photo display

Okay, I admit, this is not the hottest photo I ever took!! Problem was my mom slapped it on the wall so quickly I didn't even have a chance to properly photograph it!! An amazing idea for a child's room (and obviously for granny!!) or any area. The paper depicts the tone and even browns and greens would make a lovely living room addition.

The hanging photos are interchangeable as they clip to the ribbon - versatile I'd say! (This is the "digital frame that displays your photos by itself" budget version 1.1!!) . Decorate the clips with bling (OOOH how I love thee :) and ribbon and voila!

Hope you feel TOTALLY inspired!

Added dimension.

Ahoy, scrapmates

This page really took some imagination to complete. I limited myself to just cardstock (good one if you're on a budget!!) and wanted to add some texture. Texture paste created wonderful velvety lines for the stitching details (can't really sew - so that's a plus!!) and I added glitter to the paste for the "looks like embossed" flower. Fimo air dry clay - and my little one's cookie cutters did the trick for and eye-catching "YOU". The butterfly adds some dimension (again bought - I'm am a reluctant needle worker!) and a transparency title sealed the deal. The photo's were on the spot cellphone photies - unfortunate poor quality - but the elements on the page disguises this really well. I still LOVED the photos, so I scrapped them anyway - why not!

Scrap away fellow addicts.