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 :)!
Y
The journaling reads:
Y
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!!
Y

....... 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;)

Y

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

Y

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!

Y

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:)

.

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 :)

.

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!!! :)

.

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:)
Y
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.
Y
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!!
Y
Hope you have a weekend filled with LOTS of scrapping and loads of fun!
Y
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.

.

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.

.

Have a scrapfull weekend!

.

Happy scrappin'