Nanotechnology

If you've read my last post you'll know how I recently entered (and won!) an exciting 6-week challenge called Scrapz.University over at Scrapz.biz. I shared how the final round was to create a set of cards with the supplies I was provided with. But it didn't stop there.....

The other half of the challenge was to create a 'mini' layout. Or at least it felt quite mini to me since I usually scrap 12x12". The criteria was to make a layout no bigger than 6x6", and since I didn't think I could do any smaller this was the size I stuck with.

Each of the finalists were sent a package of goodies - largely Cosmo Cricket Togetherness supplies, and the deal was we had to use at least one of everything by the time we completed our three cards and our mini-layout. I did my cards first as I knew I'd be able to use a lot of the supplies on them, so I only had a few leftover unique supplies to use up on my layout.

And I have to say it was a lot easier than I imagined. Mainly because by the time you add your photo and a couple of embellishments there really isn't much room for anything else!! I didn't want it to appear crowded so I left my journaling hidden (in the pocket behind the photo) and figured I'd quit whilst I was ahead as I do have a tendency to keep on adding things until it's just too much :-)

Have you ever tried scrapping this small?

Togetherness Cards

How about some bright cheery, almost Eastery cards for you today?

I've used the same technique for all these cards by painting/spraying/inking and then embossing my background.

And then layering some embellishments and fussy-cut pieces on top. It's all pretty simple really, but don't they look fun sitting all together?

Apart from those Jenni Bowlin banner stickers, all the other embellishmnets are from the Cosmo Cricket Togetherness collection.

I made these cards for a challenge at Scrapz.biz when I made it into the final round of Scrapz University! Yes it was as fun as it sounds!!

All the finalists were sent a little package of goodies and certain challenges were set. This included the challenge to create a set of 3 cards using only the supplies we were sent, and at least one part of all the supplies we were sent.

I believe that pom-pom trim might be Prima.
So whilst I made these cards a month ago or so, and I wasn't thinking about it at the time, don't you think they could easily pass as Easter cards now?

Anyway, the good news is I also have another (mini) layout to share with you from this challenge. And the better news is that I ended up being the winner of Scrapz University which means I'll be Guest Designing with them next month, and creating with their beautiful kits in June! Oh my gosh, if you love vintage shabby chic romantic papers, or if your favourite brands include Prima, Melissa Francis, Websters and the like, OR if you just love to get your money's worth then I would definitely sign up for this kit club. It is JAM PACKED!!! But I'm not giving any more away. You'll just have to wait!

Paradise Coming

On my last stint of night-duty The Man had a family gathering in Tasmania so he took the two girls off on a mini-holiday. Very exciting. Moodles first plane-trip, a day at the fair, lots of cake involved and a ride on a scenic chairlift over the coast.

I'm sure it was stunning. I'm sure if they weren't all holding on for dear life then perhaps there would have been better shots. I'm sure if it was anywhere else other than Tasmania then the sun would have been shining. Still.... it looks amazing doesn't it?

I used my January Who's Who kit and Buster Brown add-on from Studio Calico. I need to invest more time with this kit - it's full of delicious autumny colours. 

And I also managed to incorporate the actual chairlift ticket which The Man dutifully bought back for me. Bless him, he knew I'd probably want to scrap it!

It was so easy to use the word 'magic' in this title, which is perfect because that's the current 'Bird is the Word' challenge.

Happy Easter everyone :-)

Tongue Twister

I got such a pleasant surprise one day when I popped over to Two Peas. I had Pea-Mail! It was from the amazingly talented Jen Gallacher asking if I would like to be a Guest Designer on her Stretch Your Sketch class for April :-) I was over-the-moon!!

Yes, that's right. I'm a Stretch Your Sketch Guest. Try saying that 3 times fast!

Now I won't lie, the sketch was a little challenging for me on first appearances. Mainly because I don't do circles very often on my layouts - and as you can see this sketch is all circles!!! *LOL*

I figured I had the perfect photos for it since we had just gone on a recent 10-pin bowling expedition (you know - circle sketch, bowling balls..... can you see where I was going with this?!)

And after I let my trusty Silhouette handle all the circle-work all I had to do was embellish. Easy done :-)

I used up more of my Studio Calico Candy Shoppe kit (I'm trying to become a kit-killer!) with a few other goodies thrown into the mix too.

So if you want to see my full layout and/or join in the challenge then check out all the details over here at Two Peas. Trust me, it's a lot of fun!

Welcome to this Place

Did you see the recent Colour Combo challenge over on the Crate Paper blog? Oh my gosh, how much do I love what Tara Anderson does? The answer is.... A LOT!!

Her inspirational photos were just amazing, and her layouts never cease to inspire me. Combined with the layouts the other DT girls did I couldn't help but want to give this challenge a go too :-)

The colours we were challenged to use were Coral, Aqua and Butter Cream, and you were allowed to add black, white and kraft. I immediately dug out all my Crate Paper stash and siphoned off the papers that would meet this criteria.

From there it was really easy - I just let the products guide me. I've used a combination of a few older collections (Mia, Pink Plum, and Paper Dolls) and added a few touches of ink and spray and texture because I just can't help it!

I've incorporated the title into my journaling which reads "live your life with arms wide open. Be ready to embrace people" as just a little piece of advice to my Munchy.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off night-duty for a week and we're hitting the road to see all the rellies for Easter. There'll be minimal crafting done I imagine, but don't fear - I've still got a few projects and pages ready to share. xxx

If you go into the woods today

Playing with more Sassafras goodies. I can't get enough! I truly do love their products (and did you see my layout on their blog the other day? eeek!!)

I used this inspiration piece from the Scrap the Girls challenge to guide me. I loved the idea of all those clustered layers of whimsicle creatures and bright happy colours.

Putting all my left-over Foldies to good use!

And an equally whimsical and happy topic to scrap about..... Munchy shouting her teddy-bears to a picnic :-)

She was the perfect host. She laid out a picnic blanket, lined them all up and fed them in turn. I tell you that girl can be determined and decisive and strong-willed, but she also has a compassionate heart and a caring nature. Much like her mum really :-)

Once Upon a Sketch

Can you believe we got 101 entries for the first Once Upon a Sketch challenge? How awesome!! Needless to say, it's just going to take a little bit more time for us to sort through all those amazing projects to decide on a winner!

But in the meantime, the second challenge has just gone live, so you can get busy making up a layout, card or off-the-page project like I have done. Here's the sketch:

And don't forget that you need to include some journaling. For this challenge the journaling criteria is that you have to write why you've chosen to scrap this photo. Pretty easy right?!

For my DT example I decided to suck it up and finally put together this mini-album to commemorate Moodles 1st birthday.......... which was back in November :-)

I think sometimes it can be hard to work up the motivation to do a whole mini-album. At least, that's what I find most of the time (I'm still only up to day 7 of my December Daily!!!) It just seems like a daunting task.

But can you believe I put this whole thing together in one session? It suddenly came as a revelation that I could just tackle each page like a little layout. And when I then used the sketch for all my journaling pages it was even easier!!

Other pages I simply filled with some photos and a couple of embellishments.

I used Bella Boulevard papers and stickers with American Craft and Studio Calico journaling spots.

So if you weren't one of the 101 people who jumped on the bandwagon and joined in this fun new sketch challenge then you definitely need to get on board for challenge #2!!

There's some absolutely amazing prizes on offer by our very generous sponsors - this month Scrap Matrix have some huge vouchers to give away, and tonnes of gorgeous eye-candy by the Design Team. Hope to see you over there!

Getting my Glitz on

I love this photo of my Moodles. It makes me giggle every time.

We were at a country Show back in my home town recently. It had plenty of sideshows and we indulged in the obligatory showbags and fairy floss :-) One of the kind and generous ladies who was running one of the sideshows gave Moodles this pinwheel and my brother was trying to teach her how to blow on it to make it spin.

But she didn't quite get it. She kept getting confused! She understood that she had to bring it up to her mouth, but then I captured this cute photo of her closing her eyes and trying to lick it instead!!

If you notice in my 'CHA wishlist' I recently discovered the wonderfullness that is Glitz Designs. I'm especially looking forward to getting some of the Afternoon Muse collection (I'm waiting for my order to arrive!) But these Love Nest papers that I've used here are rocking too!!

And I love their Paper Layers - what a great idea for a product! Saves me ripping up my own vintage books! And this page in particular was perfect.... except it was boy. I tried to make him a bit more girly with the addition of a cute little Jenni Bowlin bow :-)

In time I found myself

Is there anything better in the world that a slice of watermelon on a lovely summer evening at the park with friends? At least not for a 4-year-old!

I used the sketch at Stuck Sketches for this layout. The idea of having three vertical strips behind my photo intrigued me, and I came up with the idea of using tags.

I adjusted the sketch slightly as I only had the one photo that I wanted to use, and I squashed everything down so I could have room for white space  further embellishments.

The tags themselves I made from some Starters, adding some stamping for more detail and colour with Distress Inks.

How absolutely gorgeous are the new Prima Rose Trims? So extravagant!! I just want to stroke them - but instead I poked them with some Maya Road trinket pins :-)

And yes, that's some leftover piece of honeycomb paper I cut out for this layout here.

3 ways to win

If you're looking for something to do on this cloudy Monday afternoon then why don't you check out these links:

- Handmade by Suzanne is running a "Get Our Badge" competition with over $200 worth of vouchers to give away!! Check it out here.

- Little Red Rocket is giving you a chance to win these gorgeous handmade goodies. Find out how to win here.

- Or if you're up for a challenge, then check out the current poster at From Screen 2 Scrap. There's a tonne of prizes on offer. See it here.

April Showers

I've been scrapping up a bit of a storm this week.
Which suits this month's theme at My Mind's Eye very nicely!

The challenge is set on their blog to use the sketch below with the theme "April Showers".

I went a bit arty/painty on this one. I just couldn't help myself :-) And apart from only using one photo instead of two, and spreading my title out, I think you can still see the sketch.... at least I hope you can!

I had run out of rain photos to scrap at the moment, but had this lovely sunshiny one of the Moodles learning to walk, so the idea was born to write this little piece of advice to her which would tie everything together.

"Walk in the Sunshine. Learn to Dance in the Rain"

All of the materials for this page apart from a few of the alphas are by My Mind's Eye. It's a mixture of a few lines, mainly So Sophie and Alphabet Soup.