Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Just as I thought I wouldn't be able to post before seriously being on holiday.......I just had to share this photo with you:)

We went snow tubing in Canal Walk Shopping centre. They built a snow ramp in the middle of the centre - and as you can see from my facial expression it is definitely a speedy descent. It was the most fun I've had in a long time!!! We went with friends and I'm sure everybody in the centre knew when we were on our way down - yelps and giggles surrounded us all the way downhill.

After the tube experience we went to the games arcade - I've never been so excited to spend money in my life! Every time we got tickets as prizes we were more excited than my little one - must be contagious:) In the end we could've bought shares in a toy shop with the money we spent but the blue dolphin (and don't forget 2 mini fizzers!!) we won is worth so much more:) . Had a blast!!

May you have a total blast this holiday season and may you experience the feeling I had when they took this picture! ;)

and a very merry Christmas to you all......

Wow, I must admit these were a few very busy weeks!! (I suppose it is obvious with the lack of blog posts:). Did some scrapping and made some more gifts but not even getting close to photographing everything and posting it :(..........this means lots and lots of posts for the new year lined up - yeee-aaaaah!!

My Christmas wish to you is a festive season filled with love and kindness and loads of laughter (yeah, there will be some tears but by the grace of God we can also live through those - they cleanse the soul and remind us how lucky we are to be given this wonderful life to live and experience everyday!) - and don't forget the eating (lips smacking and drooling already!!)

May you always know God's love and protection surrounds you every breath you take - ALWAYS.

Make a lot of memories to keep the LO's coming and have a truly amazing Christmas and we'll blog again in the Happy 2011!

Lotsofluv ;-0

Tag Happy

This is what scrapping is all about. I had hours of fun playing with these tags! I used ordinary brown shipping tags (about R27 for 100 from a stationary shop) in different sizes to start with. This is where Tim Holtz come into the picture! Use lots of different distress ink (I even used blue and vivid orange!!) over each other to really distress the look of the tag.

Start of with a background stamp (the new Kaisercraft ones work well as do the Glitz Design stamps). The image consists of loads of different very small stamps (the Delish stamps are perfect) in different colours (I used the same distress inks I coloured the tags with). Some sentiments were stamped in black or red to create a focal point and a great final image. Border punches finish of the edges of the tags (I didn't use the punches on all the tags - some are still "plain bottomed" - (not a description one often uses :)

Ink the edges of the tag (some were inked in sepia, others in charcoal) and add a ribbon to add the finishing touch.

A simple sentiment in the teensy tiny Kaisercraft letter stickers (they are REALLY tiny!!) completes this tag. Tied to a rose it conveys the message perfectly!

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Hope I've inspired you to grab your distress inks and PLAY.....

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Happy Scrappin'

I heard a birdie tweet..

I absolutely adore the Birdie Wreath from Kaisercraft! As I wasn't sure what to do with a birdie wreath (a Christmas wreath I hang on my front door - yeah, I have that idea:) but a birdie wreath was a bit different. Then my GF had the bright idea to make a mirror out of it - that way it makes a very useful and stunning gift!!

......and there you have it - beautiful isn't it? I like the funky photos with the sky and myself taking the pics - just had to add both - hie hie!

The birdies were covered and I then added a bling eye and covered the whole bird with dimensional glaze - they blended so perfectly with the paper, I needed them to stand out a bit more. The mirror is actually a perspex mirror - Hubbies clever idea!! It is extremely light and if the wreath does fall it isn't back to square one with a shattered mirror :o

I added some teensy details to make it more interesting on the eye - the ribbon adds a bit of flair and this little birdhouse charm was just too cute. In the end a lovely gift for a very special person:)

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Happy scrappin'

Photies..

Now this is pampering for you!!! If they know it is your wedding anniversary at Spier this is the reception you get!! Even the floor was strewn with rose petals and the bath was half filled with rose blossoms, petals and floating candles! Chocolates and wine to complete the picture. Such a lovely gesture and it made is feel so special:) P.S. Sorry to disappoint you, the cutie on the bed doesn't come with the room :( hie hie

This family photo was taken on our wedding anniversary as we fetched our princess from Ouma - they were gallivanting at the beach and we took this lovely family photo. I am sooooo blessed!!

Happy scrappin'

Win some yummy Cosmo Cricket!

Hop over to Leah's blog and win a stash of Cosmo Cricket to last a LOOOONG time :)

Magnet Mania

I think you're gonna love these tins as much as I do! The tins are much bigger and the magnets are made from the STUNNING Prima blossoms (crystals on them look just like dewdrops!). i found them a bit bulky for LO's going in an album, but they are absolutely perfect for OTP projects. For these flowers I used a magnet with a bit more cling - the Prima flowers are much heavier than the teeny tiny pebble magnets. On the lid I added some pearls with my new I-rock tool - totally cool!!

These square tins have five magnets inside - the flowers were bought in bulk and I spritzed them with some glimmer mist to give them a bit of oomph!! The lace flower on the top is my own creation (yes, my friends giggled and laughed when I created it - soooo big!! - bet now they're eating their words:)

Happy scrappin'

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P.S. The weekend at Spier was totally AMAZING - felt like a second honeymoon - absolutely perfect!! (and I think I gained at least 10kilos from all the Moyo, picnics and lavish bfasts!!)

Home is.......

The perfect photo of my LO arrived via e-mail yesterday! This is my Spier LO that won me a whole bunch of yummy prizes. A short recap - we knew the theme was about Home / Homestead - we had NO idea what product we'll be using and we had just over an hour to complete the page (that INCLUDES the planning :)!
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The journaling reads:
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Dear Ameri,
I hope you always appreciate what a privilege it is to have a place to hang your swing!! You are truly blessed and have a really great fortunate life!!
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....... and these are my prizes!! A ticket to Scrapbookex 2011 with Tim Holtz and Margie Romney-Aslett (WOOOOWEEEEE!!!), a weekend for two B&B at Spier, Full body massage and foot massage from Mangwanani Spa, American Crafts Ribbon and stickers, Get Scrapping'Kit Club for two months and a kit plus a lot of scrapping goodies from the Lilly K range, Creative Keepsakes 18 months Calendar kit, Tote-Ally Tool Tote (PINK and black - stunning!!) and a PINK Cuttlebug plus Font!! Now isn't that awesome (hie hie - please don't drool on your keyboard, I can not be held liable if you cause a shocking experience;)

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I feel so blessed and spoiled!! Thanks to all the sponsors and organisers!!

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Tomorrow I'm off to Spier for my prize-winning weekend away - it is our wedding anniversary the 31st and it is the first time in 12 years me and my hubby will go on a weekend away just the two of us!! Friday night is a Moyo treat (hubs never had the amazing experience of a Moyo dinner:) and the rest of the weekend will be relaxing and chilling - just what I need!

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Hope you have a place to hang your swing - to feel safe and secure and to call home!

Y

Happy scrappin'

A little something....

Oi joi joi, I simply can't believe I'm already making Christmas goodies!! There is so much to think of - so many people you don't want to forget!! Now it is not only family and friends but teachers and coaches etc. These little magnet tins make the ideal gift as a little added something to a special person's gift or as a little gift to say thank you to a teacher.

The tins are from Merrypak and the nice thing about the see-through lid is you don't have to cover it with paper - saves time if you're in a hurry (or want to make at least 20!!!) The pink blossom magnets are really inexpensive to make - I bought plastic 3D self-adhesive stickers at Accessorize ages ago (R64 for about 40 or so), I've used them on many projects and these are the leftovers of the pack. Use ready stick small circle craft magnets (bought mine at PNA but pretty sure all craft stores will stock them) and stick to a blossom matching your 3D sticker, then stick the sticker to your blossom and VOILA!! Now simply ink the edges and you have a pretty magnet:)

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To complete the tin add a printed paper to the bottom of the tin (you don't even have to stick it down as the magnets will hold it in place!) and add a rub-on to the lid. Pretty simple and very effective.These pebble magnets work out a bit more expensive as the pebbles are from Prima but they are sooooo gorgeous and it is worth spending a bit more for the more sophisticated look. Same principle putting it all together - I've added a postcard print to the bottom of the tin -love the way it highlights the lovely design of the pebbles as it is not to busy to distract the eye.

I've also played around with bigger blossoms and tins - gorgeous.............but................all good things come to those who are patient :)

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Now you can give a few of your stunning photographs and a magnet set to someone special in your life - let them stick your winning smile on their fridge - maybe this will entice them to buy you a nice BIG Christmas surprise (preferably something scrapbooking off course!!! :)

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Happy Scrappin'

Flights of Fancy

Another of my gorgeous Tim Holtz dies. I haven't had much time to play with these but managed a few cards with my trial runs:)
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The die cuts the background as well as the delicate wing structure - perfect for playing around. You can create just with the detailed part (e.g. angel wings on a photo) or use both to create a stunning effect. With the Happy Birthday card I layered printed paper onto plain but you can easily do the reverse for a stunning effect. I can imagine using transparency for the delicate wings or some Glimmer Mist for a shimmery effect on the background.......mmmmmmmmmmm.............

The lovely crackle effect shows of beautiful on this grungeboard butterfly. You can even add some dimensional tape to the edges of the wing to give them a nice lift. A simple lacy border (EK's amazing punch!) just adds some detail to the cards.
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I often create cards "hanging over" the edges - this does complicate the envelope part!!:) The solution is simple - I wrap my gift (sometimes normal brown book wrapping paper works beautifully - just add a little glimmer mist / mask / stamps) add a stunning ribbon or lace and simply slide the card on top of the gift. The card is part of the presentation - voila!!
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Hope you have a weekend filled with LOTS of scrapping and loads of fun!
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Happy scrappin'

Get Picky..

Woohoo... hop over to the Get Picky blog for inspiration and creative challenges for multi photo LO's. (being snap happy I definitely have LOTS of photos of every single event so this is just perfect!). Lay your hands on this wonderful goodies! The first challenge will be launched 15 October so get ready, only 10 days to go......

Happy scrappin'

Hanging Sign

I must admit, these Tim Holtz dies by Sizzix is the best dies I've ever worked with. I use them in my CuttleBug and they work like an absolute charm! They cut through EVERYTHING with such ease - chipboard, grungeboard, foam etc. no problem.

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The black and white card is cut from grungeboard and then crackle painted with Tim Holtz crackle paint (another one part application that blows my mind!) and the brown card was cut out of printed paper with dimensional glaze added to the sign post on some music paper background.
I've added a swirl stamp to both signs just to add a little oomph - pretty:). The Happy Birthday is chipboard cut-outs inked and dimensional glaze over the top.

These are really versatile as you can just use the sign on your LO's or cards and you can use the hanging part as a photo corner or convert it to a lamp post. I've also added the butterfly and bird cage to my stash :)))) and will add some projects with these at a later stage.

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Have a scrapfull weekend!

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Happy scrappin'

Blossom

A Beautiful selection of eye candy - some of the awesomeness of nature at Spier!

SA Scrapbook Convention ala Spier

Any idea why the weekend you've been anticipating for months is shorter than a weekend of housework??? Alas, Spier has come and gone but is was the best one EVER!! Hop over to Scrapbookex and JOIN US next time - I promise you the time of your life!!!!!
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We did 6 classes with the most amazing and talented teachers. The product was divine and the goodies even better. Every company supplied us with enough to create at least two or three more projects. I will load some of the projects as I've had time to add the finishing touches but I promise you will be impressed!
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Hop over to the teacher's blogs for some exhilarating inspiration:
Debby Schuh
Nic Howard
Jodi Sanford
Jeri Tanner
Tracie Hudson
and our very own celeb teacher Candice Greenway.
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Saturday we had a charity scrap challenge (buy a kit - no idea beforehand what paper etc. but with a rough theme in mind for your photo). We had about 1hr 15min to complete the LO and we had soooo much fun. All the proceeds went to The Homestead (scrapping for a cause is superbly super!!). The prizes were amazing and the LO's were judged solely by the 6 international teachers - soooooooooooo many amazing LO's, we are truly creative scrapbookers but only one winner ........................................
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wait for it....................................
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wait for it...................................
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ME!!!!!
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:))))))))))))))) - this is a very happy smiley face (as my mom put it - I must be glad I have ears otherwise my smile would've gone right round my face - hie hie)
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I was so blessed to take part in the challenge and very, very blessed to be able to attend the convention and this was really the cherry on top!!
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Thank you to all the teachers for your vote of confidence and thank you to all the other scrapbookers for making this a truly amazing experience and for your inspiration and contagious creativity. Thank you to the sponsors and the organisers!!
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:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) sorry, can't stop smiling!!
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In the elation and excitement the photograph of my LO is really overexposed and slightly blurry (my hands were shaking for an hour afterwards!!) but I will source a photo from the organisers
(the LO's will be published Craftwise and Scrapping & Kie) and post it ASAP!! The LO's were donated to The Homestead - they will be framed and proudly displayed in their offices.
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Pheeewww, who new you could be exhausted after a weekend of pure bliss - I need a holiday :0 (will have to use my yummy Spa vouchers soon - have never EVER been for a full body massage in my life so this is really a treat!!)
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Happy scrappin'
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:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ;)

It's Journal time.....

OOOOHHHH I soooo much enjoyed these Kaisercraft Journal Books. The nice thing is it comes with lined paper included!!! It makes is a beautiful gift for absolutely anyone. I think I scrapped about 5 of these over a period and everyone turns out to be my favourite. It is amazing how just a different paper can change the look of the project. It is also quick and easy to do (remembered last night I had to make the book for a friend's birthday today!! :0). With glue, brayer, ink and craft knife the project is done in a jiffy.

The paper is the new range from 7Gypsies (to die for!) and the butterflies were actually 3 left over in a Karen Foster pack of about 12 self-adhesive butterflies. Pretty pretty:)

The inside cover is completed by a Kaisercraft butterfly stamp and a gorgeous frienship quote stamp. The page is a bit glossy and my ink refused to dry (yes - scrapbooking supplies have a mind of their own, especially when you are in a hurry!!!) so I ended up clear embossing the stamped images and the inked edge (must admit, the end result embossed is soooo much prettier!).

Scrapbooking supplies packed and ready for Scrapbook Convention at Spier. Making a weekend of it so will be on my way on Friday already :-)))))) (this is a VERY happy face!!!)

Happy scrappin'

Family...

I was looking through all my photos for good colour combinations for Scrapbook Convention at Spier (8 sleeps to go!!!) and found this stunning family photo taken at West Coast National Park almost exactly a year ago! We went on a flower search and found lots and lots of different bugs, worms and lizards to play with! If I do use the photos at Spier I promise to load the LO!! If not at Spier I'll definitely have to scrap it - it was such a beautiful day and such good family memories.

I've been busy creating but forgot my camera at my parents - so no photos of LOs or projects this week :( Will have it back by Sunday and will share some of the ideas.

Have a super stunning week!

Happy scrappin'

Have a Prima Birthday!

I really enjoy working with the Prima paper. Everything about it is absolutely beautiful. I wanted to make a really special Birthday card for a very special friend. Something that took a little longer than the usual quick cut and paste (even though I have a box full of ready made cards I always end up making another quick one the night - or minute - before!!).

The distressed edge adds to the rustic feel and the ribbon gives the whole card a little softness. The flower was a perfect match and the little charm says "Made with Love" - isn't it too gorgeous! The diamond glaze draws the eye to the angel on the paper and the butterfly highlighted is just enough to make it pop. A few pearls and beads round of the front of the card perfectly.

The envelope needed to make a statement as well as this was a major part of the presentation of the gift. I simple stamped a few images in different colours and shades purple and teal and added some pearls to the flower centres. A charm added to the flower made the perfect accent.

The cut-offs were to beautiful to waste and two quick tags were just the thing! I added these later to presents wrapped in purple and green tissue paper and they looked stunning!Hope you have true friends that appreciate you for who you are and celebrate life with you every chance you get!!

Happy scrappin'

I fell in love....

No-no, don't get me wrong, I'm still addicted to my lovely hubby :) I'm just loving the Martha Stewart around the edge punches!! I didn't want too much on this LO but still wanted to add some detail to draw the eye in. The gorgeous edge definitely does the trick. The punches are so easy to use and after only a few mishaps with the alignment it works like a charm! (I do think the problem was more on the operator side:)

I used it as a border punch at the bottom of the photo and added a antique book page to mat the photo. A few rub-ons and the page is done. I must admit it is very plain but I really love the overall effect and the antique finish of the title rub-on is just the cherry on the cake.

FYI - the little one sucking on mom's finger is my brother - I was a lot cuter :-P

Happy scrappin'

Inspiration

I just looove it when I hop onto a blog that inspires me and gets met going with new ideas and projects I want to try out!!

Hop over to Tracie's blog for some lovely inspiration and some freebies up for grabs!

Many moons ago.....

Decisions, decisions, decisions........we have to make them constantly, daily, weekly, monthly! Sometimes it just makes life easier to use a range like this Kaisercraft range where all the thinking and deciding has been done for you!! Everything matches - paper, stamps, rub-ons, embellishments, die-cut (already cut!!) - EVERYTHING! So yes..... I admit, I sometimes grab all the goodies that go together for the days I don't feel like mixing and matching and have a few minutes (always adding up be be a few HOURS:) to do a page.

The cutie pie in the front of the photo is .. yes, you guessed it.... ME! Even if I have to say so myself - isn't it adorable!! I was about 4years old with my brother and Ouma and Oupa (granny and granddad). I think grandpa would have made a good pirate with that beard! (he only had it a few months - drove my mom mad:)

Grab a few papers and get scrappin' ladies ........hard to believe but Christmas is once again around the corner - it is time to start planning what you want to make your family this year round (and if they whirl their eyes in their sockets because they get a gorgeous homemade scrapbook gift ......next year they go on my naughty list ;-0

Happy scrappin'

Tea Party!

Oi, this brings back memories of childhood! Playing tea party with cold water tea, milk and sugar! I think I had at least a gallon a week! Now I see the same trend in my little girl. This was playing at Ouma and the photo immediately brought a smile to my face.

I used the flowers on the paper to add dimension to the layout. I carefully cut each petal with a craft knife (yip, it took a long time!!) and gave them a lift with 3D foam squares. A little bit of dimensional glaze and each flower is a embellishment on it's own. I had a sheet of rub-ons (at least 7 years old!) that was absolutely perfect for a border of words, a title and even a few elements in-between the flowers and stems.

Perfect!

Hope you have fond childhood memories to cherish - if not, there's no time like the present to start creating your own!!

Happy scrappin'

Christmas in July!

Oh yes, I'm still busy scrapping the Christmas photies! Sure I'm not the only one:)

I love having photos printed - and the problem is this............ I LOVE to scrap the latest developed photos! The memories are still fresh and they are so funky (and full of drool as a flip through them a thousand times!) - the older photos immediately take a back seat. I've made peace with this and do not even attempt to scrap cronologically any more. I scrap what I want, when I want and what inspires me at the time. If I buy beautiful baby paper I'll get those 40 000 baby pictures out of the photo box and scrap away - if it is a photo that inspires me I'll go through the (at least) 80 000 sheets of paper until something totally bowls me over - then I dive into my stash (and with stash I mean STASH!!!) of embellishments to find matching goodies - just to find 10 other things I like with some other paper or some other photos or cards or sketch or ribbon or brad or or or or .........................................

It is seriously addictive circle - and I totally LOOOOOOOVE it! It makes me happy and it makes me smile - and THAT is what scrapbooking is all about!

Scrap what you love, when you want to (they can always stack the other 125 000 photos in a standard album when you are not around any more:) - most importantly - enjoy every second!

Happy scrappin'

PageMaps Blog Contest

OOOOOH, I love PageMaps and I love their challenges. They have a stunning competition running - hop over and have a squiz http://www.pagemaps.com/blog. The prize is some gorgeous chipboard goodies and you have to use the above sketch any which way you like - with only a few colour requirements!

This is my take on the sketch! Hope you are inspired to play!

Happy scrappin'

WOOOWEEEEE!! What a stunning break we had! I was blown away - I've never had a hug from an Elephant before:) We visited the Buffelsdrift Game Farm just outside Oudtshoorn and these Elephants were definitely the highlight of our trip! You buy buckets with fruit and veggies and they eat from your hand! They even had a few tricks up their sleeve - blow like a Vuvuzela, kick a soccer ball (and BLOW it with the trunk!), sit down (this is obviously not something an elephant is designed to do on a regular basis!!), swing their legs, blow dust and eat a bucket of food in record time (I do think this trick is practised profusely as you have to buy the food to feed them! :). You can even sit on their backs! The best by far is the Elephant hugs!!!!! They are so strong, even at 8 years of age they almost knock you over - and this is when they are gentle!!

The Cango Wildlife Sanctuary is also a definite MUST SEE! It is beautiful and has more animals than the Tygerberg Zoo!!!! Beautiful and amazing! We even got to wrestle a Crocodile (now hush-hush I didn't say it was real! ;).

Hope the only thing you wrestle with is a Crocodile and may you get at least one elephant hug today!!

Happy scrappin'