The Story of the Operation

No, not a real operation. The Game. Who else remembers that fabulous childhood game where you try and delicately remove weird pieces of the cartoon man's anatomy and if you touch the sides his nose lights up?! A great piece of nostalgia right?

Well that's what Munchy asked to receive at Christmas last year. "So I can be just like you Mummy" she said. It makes me giggle because if that's what she thinks my operating theatre is like it might be a whole lot more fun!

They've changed the game around a bit since I remember it. Now there's a whole strategy of play with different levels of difficulty, and a range of electronic beeps and whistles instead of just the buzzing. I guess time has evolved the cartoon man into something a little more spectacular.

To scrap about this retro theme I chose a bunch of Basic Grey goodies from my Studio Calico Spencer's kit. They're the type of supplies that I would never have bought for myself but have ended up just loving ;-) And they suited this page perfectly.

When putting this page together you might find it a little hard to believe I actually started off with the sketch challenge at The Scrapbook Store as my inspiration. But along the way things were 'adjusted' to suit me better. I kept the strip of embellishments to the left of the photo, but then they kind of spread out along the top right as well. I just couldn't resist using all those speech bubbles!

PS. Yes, I used the term "retro-fabulousness" in my journaling.

The Story of Hanging on for Dear Life

Last month I took part in the sketch challenge at Scrap Therapy (which I just so happened to have won!) so it really is time I shared this page here too.

The sketch was a little challenging for me, mainly because I don't often 'do' circles in my layouts. I'm pretty much strictly straight lines and sharp corners. And certainly I'm not into cutting any curved lines into my photos so I knew having a round photo was out of the question.

Once I figured out how to incorporate the circle element and still have the layout look like mine the rest was easy. There's no fancy circle-cutters in my house so I resorted to tracing around a dinner plate to get the size I wanted!

One of the first things I do when I approach as sketch is to figure out where I'm going to add my journaling if the sketch hasn't allowed room for it. This is essential for me, so I always have to adjust the sketch accordingly. For this one it meant clustering all my elements in the top left corner so there was space below it to write everything I needed to say. Despite how much importance I place on journaling I often don't know what I'm going to say before the pen is in my hand!

On this occasion I took my cue from the photo. It's pretty cute right? But what you don't see ('cos I cropped it out of the photo) is that she's actually stuck up on top of the playground and can't get down. That's the face of pure terror! Ummmmm yes, I stopped to take a photo first ;-) So I wrote about how it's ok to be scared sometimes, and that circumstances aren't always going to go according to plan but that some things will remain forever stable like her family's love.

The Story of the Happily Ever After

So I've had a few weddings again lately. There's nothing more perfect is there, than watching 2 people declare their love for one another in front of family and friends?

Of course, I don't really buy cards these days, which means having a ready stash of every-occasion cards on standby instead.

I'm not sure about you but when I think of wedding cards I think of soft romantic colours, layers of flowers and fabric and a shabby-chic style. Every time.

But of course, if you know me at all then you also know that's not my usual style. So when it came to making some wedding cards I looked to someone whom I knew embodies all that and who's super-inspiring to boot! That's my friend Nadia Cannizzo :-)

Despite having a 3-week-old baby in the house that lady is still creating up a storm, and lucky for me she gave me permission to scrap-lift a couple of her cards so that I had something reasonably decent to give away at my recent weddings.

Trust me, I wouldn't have known where to start on a project like this if it wasn't for a truck-load of eye-candy on Nadia's site. But it's so nice to stretch your creative muscle once in a while isn't it? These might not be my usual style but I had such fun putting them together.

xxx

The Story of the Autumn Beach Excursion

My annual leave has been very creative so far. I've got quite the abundance of new layouts, although I'm trying to work out which ones I can share and which ones *might* become part of my application for Masters. In the meantime I've also got a few 'older' layouts that haven't yet made it on my blog.

I've got no intention of even contemplating Project Life, but that didn't stop me from picking up Kayla's first Project Life Kit she's now offering subscriptions to at Polly! Scrap Kits. It was quite stunning and the Heidi Swapp papers are just my style.

I mixed in a few leftovers from the Main Kit and a couple of items from my stash to work with the May sketch at The Scrapbook Store to inspire my layout.

The papers in the kit are all 6x6" which isn't too much of a creative stretch to make a layout when you think about it. After all, apart from the background most of the time the papers I use are all cut up anyway. And the Jillibean Soup polaroid frames were perfect to line up across the top as the sketch suggested. 

I know that recently I've been scrapping lots of beach photos from my tropical holiday, but in fact these snaps were taken a couple of weeks before in 'sunny' Victoria. 

Ironically, we've lived close(ish) to the beach on and off for nearly 3 years now, but we've actually only visited it once before. That's quite sad really isn't it? Despite it being April it was quite a warm day so we decided in the spirit of family adventuring that we would take an excursion to the coast.

Kids are resilient little creatures aren't they? They thought nothing of stripping off and jumping in the water and building a few sandcastles! On the other hand I was still huddled up in my jumper and scarf ;-)

The Story of My Last Hurrah

Sadly my time at Flourish With a Bling came to an end at the beginning of the month. It's been a great year with them and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work for some of the nicest girls in the industry. As a last hurrah we were asked to make a layout all about ourselves!

To be honest, I don't actually find that sort of thing hard. I know some people struggle with it, but I just use it as an opportunity to make a sort of "dear diary" page. I knew it was going to incorporate a lot of (quite personal) journaling but I guess I don't shy away from that sort of thing either ;-)

As far as the construction of the page is concerned I wanted it to be true to my style with lots of linear layers, and a big emphasis on the FWABulous bling. I've used the latest JBS collection "Modern Mercantile" which in it's entirety has quite a Springy vibe with its greens, yellows and browns. But by choosing out the neutrals and blues I've taken it in quite a different direction. I've thrown on some Evalicious tags for good measure too.

If you're interested in the journaling you can click on the photos for a bigger image if you want to read it. In a nutshell though, it tells the story of the journey I've been on recently as I contemplate whether or not I truly want to be a doctor for the rest of my life. I've never really doubted it before, in fact it's something that I've known God was calling me to do since I was about 16. But I guess the reality of working so many crazy hours, the stress, the ongoing study, the recent exams is enough to just make me take a second look.

I don't know if I know the answer that will apply for the rest of my life. But for right now I know that it's still something I'm destined to do. I get reminded of it every time I have the opportunity to witness a new life being brought into the world. What a privileged position I have to regularly share couples life-changing moments and be the first human hands to touch a newborn. I'm not sure that I will ever tire of that :-)



Supplies:

JBS Modern Mercantile Novelties JBS Modern Mercantile Melange JBS Modern Mercantile Etcetera JBS Modern Mercantile Hodge Podge JBS Rubons: Canning Jar Fun JBS Rubons: Printers Block Alpha FWAB Jasmine Puffy flourish: Teal Evalicious My Week Label Tags Evalicious Escape Miscellany Tags

InLinkz.com

Projects that Wow Bloghop *With Giveaway*

Welcome to the "Projects that Wow" Blog hop. You should have made your way here from the amazingly talented Anna-Karin's blog. But if you're just here by chance then welcome all the same!!

Eeeeekkk! Wasn't I just saying that when one door closes another opens? Well I'm super-excited to announce that I was asked to contribute to a new online class called "Projects that Wow" at Jennifer Grace Creates!!!

The Blog Hop begins and ends at Jennifer Grace who is known for her fabulous blog events. But if you get lost here's the order of stops which allows you a sneak peak into all the other fabulous contributor's worlds along the way.

Jennifer Grace - http://jennifergracecreates.com/

Sarah Webb  http://scropping.blogspot.co.uk/

Elena Stefanidou http://home2love.blogspot.co.uk/

Stacey Young http://staceyeyoung.blogspot.co.uk/

Riikka Kovasin http://paperiliitin.blogspot.co.uk/

Peg Hewitt  http://www.pegsplaytime.blogspot.com.au/

Ashley Calder http://ashleycalder.blogspot.co.uk/

Stacey Michaud http://staceymichaud.blogspot.co.uk/

Brit Sviggum http://britshverdag.blogspot.co.uk/

Sasha Farina http://www.sashafarina.com/

Jill Cornell http://jillcornell.blogspot.co.uk/

Diane Payne http://dianepayne.typepad.com/

Anna-Karin Evaldsson http://layersofink.blogspot.co.uk/

>>> Natalie Elphinstone http://onescrappydoctor.blogspot.co.uk/

Jennifer Chapin http://jenchapin.blogspot.co.uk/

Angie Gutshall http://mylittleblessings123.blogspot.co.uk/

Jennifer Grace - http://jennifergracecreates.com/

Can you see why I'm so excited to have been counted amongst such superstars?! 

Now let me tell you a little bit about the class.

'Projects that WOW!’ is about making your projects stand out from the crowd. What makes you pause and look closer at a scrapbook page when you are flicking through your own albums, or looking at other people’s layouts in magazines? Which cards jump out at you from Pinterest or from envelopes when you open them? What details of paper-crafted home décor or jewellery make you stop and say ‘wow!’? It’s time to learn some of these techniques or styles and put them to use!

The class will contain 15 lessons and at least 3 videos, each with a different theme or 'prompt'. Above you'll see a sneak of the page I'm contributing to the lesson on "Bling is the Thing" which is all about focusing on glitter, pearls, sequins and shine. Was that perfect for my style or what?!!

Like all good Blog Hops there is a prize to be won!! 'This blog hop includes a giveaway for three class places (worth £10 each). To enter you just need to comment anywhere on the ‘Projects that WOW!’ blog hop by 11.59pm BST Thursday 5th June. EACH COMMENT on EACH BLOG in the hop counts as an EXTRA ENTRY into the draw. The winners will be announced at Jennifer Grace Creates on Friday 6th June. If you’ve already purchased a class place and then you win, the class price will be refunded to you. So don’t wait to sign up! Go HERE to buy a place now!'

The next stop will take you to the outstanding Jennifer Chapin's blog. You'll just love what she's got to share. Don't forget to leave a comment here on this post to have a chance at winning a spot in the class.

The Story of Horses and Doors

Another 7-year-old birthday requiring another girly card. I really should be more organised and just have a stash of these. But I don't. So I make them as required.

But it doesn't mean that they can't be quick and simple and even use just the scraps left-over on my desk! Hey - the kids don't know that!

I grabbed the negative from my Silhouette-cut horses from the last batch of cards (which I shared here) and sprayed them pink. Then I simply layered up some strips of paper from my Polly! Guest kit, and haphazardly stamped a "Happy Birthday" onto a speech bubble. A touch of sparkly stars and the card is done!

It was enough to make Munchy gasp in delight, so that's all that matters. It's enough just to impress my own kids.

In other scrappy news around the blogosphere, I've got a post up on the Evalicious blog (you can see it here). It's got to be one of my recent favourite layouts, and it came about a bit by accident which is always nice 'cos then it makes me feel like I'm some kind of creative genius ;-)

And sadly, my term with Flourish With a Bling came to an end yesterday so there's one last hurrah for all the Design Team with layouts that we've created about ourselves! It was an absolute honour to serve on this team and I'll really miss them all. Lucky for me I've still got a generous supply of bling left to play with! 

I guess where one door closes another will open up so I'm excited to see what will come next. But you know what? Even if it's not another Design Team or another publication or another Guest stint I'm really enjoying my scrapping lately and that's all that matters. Even The Man commented today that my journaling seems to be taking a more serious note on my layouts, so I'm excited to be memory keeping in this special way we have.

Until next time.
xxx

The Story of My Ghostbusters Tee

This post can be viewed in it's original location on the Polly! Scrap Kits blog here. 
Thanks so much Kayla and Amanda for having me as your Guest Designer. It was such a blast!!

Hello again Polly! fans :-) It's Natalie back one last time (sob, sniff) to share the latest layout I made with the gorgeous Candy Dreams Polly Kit.

Whilst the kit in general was quite brightly coloured (you only have to look back at the other layouts created to see that) there were a few bits and pieces that were a little more toned down, and by focusing on them I've created a page that has an altogether different theme to it!

I started with the Amy Tangerine kraft paper as my background and then picked out the other woodgrain elements from the kit to match with it. That included the gorgeous Thickers of course, but also the wooden tags, toothpick flags and the Fancy Pants chevron paper.

Of course a colour scheme would be rather boring if it were just kraft and woodgrain, so I paired it with all the teal and blue tones, and used red as my highlight colour. I just so happened to have a photo that matched this exact colour scheme - a selphie I took in the bathroom mirror after I discovered an old favourite childhood T-shirt of mine and was checking to see if it still fit. The good news is... it did!! Albeit rather tightly ;-)

It's been an absolute blast working with the Polly! kit this month, and I hope you've enjoyed my little insights into how I create. Thanks so much for having me along for the journey Kayla. I can't wait to see what's coming up next!

xx