Summer Fun!

The challenge over at Scrap and Stamp Saturday this week is Summer Fun!! I'm sure we all have those amazing summer photos begging to be scrapped. Be creative and join in the fun - remember to add a stamp to the mix:)

The heart on the page was a symbol two ways for me - the love I have for my daughter and the love she has for summer, sun and sea!! She is an outside child and loves every minute she can spend outdoors. I made a freehand drawing of the heart on the reverse of the polka dot cardstock - cut out and then simply wrapped embroidery cotton around the heart. I love the playful effect this adds to the LO.

The stamp on the journalling block is absolutely the cutest in my stash!! Those skinny legs is so adorable!! I've also added the shell and sand castle to tie in with the theme of the LO!

The title reads Sun, Sea and Fun. Playing at the beach we discovered this huge hole someone dug earlier - it was a VERY windy day (it even started drizzling later on) but wasn't too cold if you were sheltered from the wind. Eventually we were the only people on the beach - the wind blew the others homeward!!!- but playing in the hole, the wind swept over our heads and we had the best playtime of the entire holiday!!

Hope you create some stunning summer memories!

Happy scrappin'

Tag, you're it!

I just love working with tags! If you create a few you are never short on a special something to add that wow factor to any gift. Simply wrap a bottle of wine or even flavoured oil in brown paper, add the tag and you're ready to go:) - easy as that!

This tag is one of my designs for my carding class, very easy, but very effective technique.

Y Add a border punch to tag bottom to create visual interest.

Y Ink tag.

Y Use a doilie as a mask to spray glimmer mist for background. (If you don't have glimmer mist use the age old paint and paintbrush technique!!)

Y Cut two birdcages (one in brown, one in music print) and cover just the birdie with music print.

Y Ink birdie and wing in contrasting colour. (I used French Blue Cats Eye)

Y Peep birdie and wing out from under birdcage and attach to tag.

Y Add sequins and seed bead to bottom of birdcage for some sparkle (add a bead eye if you like!).

Y Add two colour co-ordinating beads to wax string (any string will do:) and add to birdcage loop.

Add to your gift or your stash (you can even add it to a LO!!) and Voila...easy and stunning!!

Happy scrappin'

Comments for non bloggers

I've had sooo many people ask me this question: "How can I comment if I do not blog myself?". Well, here is the rundown on blogger (the other blog sites might have their own thing going:).

Under the post you want to leave a comment click on comments (it might say 3comments of 0comments)

Type your comment in the block provided (always positive and amazing comments ;)

Click under the block on Comment As: Select Profile - click on the arrow

Choose name/URL

Type in your name (leave URL open)

Click Post comment.

Voila - you have successfully commented on a blog (preferably mine;;)

Enjoy your blog hopping and happy scrappin'

Love of my Life

The challenge at Scrap and Stamp Saturday is about a man in your life you adore, admire or look up to. Husband, father, brother, friend, colleage or even celebrity! The one and only and most important man in my life is DEFINITELY my husband! We've been friends about 23years, a couple for 19 and married for 13 years! .....and yes, I'm still madly in love! My mom always say she has been praying for my husband since the day I was born....and her prayers were answered - I got the best of the best and thank the Lord everyday for the blessing of an amazing husband and a truly astonishing father to our little princess. (I think if they perfected cloning I would be stinking filthy rich:)

Anyway ... back to the scrapbooking! As the challenge involves a stamp of some sort I decided to stamp the title directly onto the photograph with Staz-On - and I love the effect! I wanted to keep the focus on the photo and added a few key embellishments as not to overcomplicate the page. A tissue paper flower, compass (as he is the one keeping me on track:), ticket stubs and ADORE Bingo did the trick. A little bit of faux stitching to add interest and a scallop strip completed the look I wanted.

Scrap the man that inspires you (or lights your fire:) and play with us at Scrap and Stamp Saturday!

Y Happy Scrappin'

Tough Times....

Life throws us curve balls! It is not always easy and always bliss. Sometimes when life gives you lemons all you want to do is cry (not even contemplating lemonade:)

One day, when I look back, I know the times I see only one row of footsteps - when I felt desperate and struggling - those are the times the Lord carried me in His arms, held me close and kept me safe!!

My you be aware today and every day - the Lord's love and protection surrounds you!!

Playing Card (excuse the pun:)

The black silhouette images and cut-outs are soooo lovely to play with. I created this card with off-cuts from a LO and by adding the silhouette it just brings a whole new dimension to the card. A punch strip with a few pearls and a quick mountain-valley-fold flower adds extra detail and the photo corner just brings it all together!

Play with your off-cuts and get creative!

Happy scrappin'

Title Stamping

Creating stamped titles can be oodles of fun - playing with stamps you forgot about and creating with supplies that are stashed up can be a perfect challenge to get you out of the rut!
The funky BFF title I created for my BFF LO over at Scrap and Stamp Saturday was the perfect opportunity to play. I had very little space for my title, yet I wanted to portray the special friendship these two have. It also occurred to me that we know what BFF stands for but in 20years time they might have no clue:).

I stamped the BFF with Gel-a-tins letters and added the teeny weeny letters inside with my Making Memories magnet stamp set. It has loads of tiny letters and you build your words or sentiments on a steel plate attached to a handle for easy stamping. It even has three sizes in plates to make life a little easier. I also have a set with different pictures and the little heart was perfect inside the B. I've had these stamps for many, many years and the little letters often come in really handy.

Be creative with your titles and have fun playing:)

YHappy scrappin'

Alcohol ink alteration

At the Scrapbook Convention at Spier we made this awesome journal with Tim Holtz! I absolutely loved every second - I love the product, I simple love all the trinkets and goodies and I really like the distressing, inking and grunging!! I was a HAPPY CHAPPY!!

This is the lovely adornment on the spine of the book. Little bits and pieces put together to really have an eye-catching effect on the journal.

The one thing that I wanted to change about the journal was the knob on the front. The white just stood out a little too much to my liking and I wanted it more subtle and ancient looking.

These knobs are so easy to work with. Simply unscrew the knob from the cover and you are ready to alter as you wish!

Vitally important is the Tim Holtz craft mat - one of the best inventions ever!! It resists heat (you can even bake cookies on it!!) and it doesn't stain or absorb.

On the applicator add a few drops of Pearl, Copper and Butterscotch. A few drops Alcohol Blending Solution just blend it all together and you are ready to go..........

....a few swipes and blotches over the knob and VOILA - a beautiful coppery knob to complete my project. The Alcohol Inks are permanent and the nice thing is if you do make a mistake you can remove it with the blending solution and change the colour or amount of ink you've used. This is such a versatile product with so many uses and applications - I feel a lot of inking coming this way......

YHappy Scrappin'