Scrapping Challenge

So here we are and that time of month again. I've decided I did so well in the last challenge at my local store that I would give it a go again. Fingers crossed that I'm as lucky as last month.....

We were given a piece of white cardstock, a double sided patterned paper, a transparancy sheet, two ribbons and a sheet of rubons to use. Oh and the little extra was to incorporate paint somewhere on the layout. I wonder if you've found the use of paint.... it was actually used on the reverse of the transparency flourishes. As much as I love paint, and I must say I have quite a few to choose from, I'm not such a fan to use it directly on a layout. I think it looks pretty good after all, don't you?

We Dare You Challenge

This weeks challenge was to look at the younger you. I've been trying to complete a few pages recently for my 'Me' album and this was a great opportunity to create yet another page about my childhood memories. Funny as it may seem I actually wrote about our clothes line and wash days.

We thought we were so cool when we got a twin tub washer as an upgrade from the old wringer model. Only problem was we were a family of six and it only fit one sheet in at a time. Wash day literally meant all day long.

Here's what I wrote:

Clothes line. As every kid did back in the sixties the clothes line was the only way to fly. Mum had a wire line job and after we all had a turn (several) the line was on a slight angle after that. On wash days every line space was taken and with six of us it didn’t take too much to fill. I remember the old laundry tubs were made of concrete. The twin tub washing machine replaced the old one with the wringer you used to feed the washing through to squeeze out the excess water. Still, for the size of the loads it could only take a sheet at a time as it was so small. Washing day went for literally the whole day. Piles of washing would fill the small laundry and spill out on the path beside the room.

Scrapapple May Project

Our May challenge from Scrapapple was to create a winter themed page using some beautiful double sided papers from the new Upsy Daisy Design range. I haven't seen this range before and was very excited to use these high quality papers.

The layout consisted of a few distressing techniques including tearing, inking and of course the obligatory machine stitching.

The close up of the tags shows how easy it is to 'dress up' pre bought tags. Printing your journaling directly on to your tag is simple. Firstly take some some measurements of where you would like your printing to go, then print this out on scrap paper. Using repositionable tape, place your tag over the template and hold in position with the tape. Hold the tag up to the light to ensure you have your measurements correct. Now run this through your printer and remove the tape. Viola, all done.

The second highlight to the tag came in the form of punched leaves. I used my Sakura punch, folded the leaf in half and secured with liquid glue done the centre of the fold. This was placed over the tags own leaf design.

New Haircut

I recently saw a great layout that used up small squares of patterned paper. I fell in love with this single piece of paper and had to give this idea a try.

I had also just purchased another Sizzix die cut of a bird, flower and leaves and thought this would be the perfect layout to showcase this on.

If you noticed I actually used the last of the scraps on my Shoes layout for this weeks Scrappit challenge. I really think this was the first time I actually used every scrap - this was so worth the cost of the paper.


It was a a bit scary really to see the transformation from a girl to a young woman when Kate had her hair styled. Not just any old trim but an actually style cut. Wow, looking good girl!

We Dare You Challenge

This weeks challenge was of all things 'Shoes'. Well you've certainly come to the right person here. I am sooooo into shoes.

Here's the extract from what was included on my page.

"I say it’s not how many shoes you have but what you do with them, and, that’s what I’m sticking to. These are my new 2009 favourites. Purchased from Mollini in December, and not the only pair I have from Mollini, aren’t they the most stunning pair of shoes you’ve ever seen. I love buying something that nobody, or not many at least, are wearing. There is nothing more disappointing than to purchase something than see someone else wearing the same thing. These shoes fit lit a glove and just make me feel super cool! I’ve actually come to the realisation that due to my impending retirement, I won’t need as many shoes anymore. So, I took the brave step and culled about sixteen of my sixty odd pairs I had. And, mind you, I’m not going to replace them unless I believe I’ll wear them when I’m long gone from my working career. I just love shoes of all colours and styles, low or high heel, boots or strappy, they just make me happy. Ah well, I’d still rather retire than to purchase shoes. Oh, and I can’t believe I’ve just written that…….. 16.05.09"

This on is dedicated to all you shoe lovers out there - you know who I mean!

Scrapping Challenge

So how happy was I to win this month's challenge from my local store. Wow, the pressure was sure on though, I don't think I could have lifted my head high if I didn't win this one.

We seem to put so much pressure on ourselves and yet what a buzz you get to win something. Thanks guys for voting for me.

We Dare You Challenge

This weeks challenge was to give yourself permission. Well didn't this one come in just in time after my recent 'little' purchase. Perfect for me to record that little something that made my heart skip a beat.

A few close ups to whet your appetite first....

And, here's the layout.

Permission

Well as mentioned yesterday on our trip to Cairns we didn't quite get to the sports store to buy the boys a gift from us but instead we happened upon a little store called Louis Vuitton. A bit of site seeing was all that I started out to do but then I held one bag then another and before you knew it I had something like 10 bags off the shelves and on the counter for me to pick from.

I know I know it was a bit extravagant but hey it's not like 25 years of marriage comes along too often and I really wanted something to remember it by. Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway. A cool four figures later and I had my own little bag to take back with me. They wrap them so well it's a shame to throw the packaging away.

The LV bag came in it's own bag inside a box that was wrapped with leather strapping then inside a huge carry bag. We were the last on board the plane and low and behold there wasn't much overhead room left. Pete had to push it in the storage area to be able to bring the door down. Eek I just wanted to keep it all so perfect before we got home.

I did manage to take the bag, bag, box and bag to work on Tuesday for show and tell. Oh I felt sooo good to finally have a LV bag all my own.

Jealous yet??

25th Anniversary

Well it's happened. We've actually reached our 25th Wedding Anniversary and to celebrate we took off to Cairns for a very long weekend. I hadn't been there for some 40 years and Pete had never been.

It was such a nice time to enjoy our break child free......yeah. We took off on Friday morning and arrived by lunch time. We'd hired a car to get us around and off we set. For the balance of that day we walked around Cairns Central and familiarised ourselves with the area. It did seem that a lot of Cairns was based on different areas of Brisbane and it's suburbs. If you combined Southbank, Noosa, Redcliffe, Burleigh Heads and a few others together you've got Cairns. This no way takes away from it's appeal but actually made us feel more at home.

Day two and we took the journey to Kuranda by Skyrail. I managed to 'suck it up' and jump on board the gondola to take us over the tree tops to our destination. We made it to Kuranda for lunch and was entertained by a fabulous sweet maker and other entertainers. Back down the mountain by rail for the 1 1/2 hr journey back to base. I did even manage to stick my head out the window for some great train and scenery shots.

Day three and we drove to Palm Cove for breakfast. Wow what a great place to stop for brekkie. We then took off on one of the most scenic drives to Port Douglas. The highway broke to single lane roads winding their way through some very majestic views. Port Douglas was so like Noosa and was great to stop there for lunch and some Market purchases.

On our last day we decided to try to find a sports store to get the boys a gift from us. Oh No!! we didn't quite make it but stay tuned for what actually happened.

Before we knew it we were back with the pack at home and rushing around trying to do some menial jobs before starting back at work on the Tuesday. It was definitely a whirlwind weekend and we really enjoyed ourselves being close and not being interrupted for one reason or another.

This great shot of this frog was taken as we walked back from the Casino one night. He was sitting all alone on a window of a shop. At first glance I actually thought he was fake but with a gentle poke he came alive. He was so small but such a gentle little fellow. I did put him back on the window in case you were wondering.

Scrappit Pack - May

I was given two great kits from Scappit for the month of May. This one was the new Basic Grey Porcelain papers and they have such a beautiful and subtle colour to them. Is there nothing BG can't come up with?

I've added a simple overlay scroll design combined with some felt flowers from Fancy Pants. I am such a huge fan of any kind of jounalling tags and these new ones from K&Company are so colourful. If you've noticed I've added old with new again on this layout, still continuing to use up my older stock on every layout.

Photo is from Christmas Eve and my Great Niece Emma is being her adorable self yet again.

The second kit is from Bo Bunny and these great two sided papers gave me such freedom to utilise all these sides. By tearing a couple of the paper edges, using a scallop punch and adding a touch of doodling this layout was completed in record time. Again I chose to add some journaling tags, brads, flower and chipboard heart to compliment.

To complete I added some letter stickers and an arrow from a previous monthly pack. The photos are from Kate's 12th birthday party at Wet 'n Wild with a couple of her besties. Here they are sharing one of many humongous drinks together.

Scrappit Challenge

Our brief for the May Scrappit Challenge from the lovely Sharon was to use at least 2sheets of patterned paper - check, 1 sheet of card - check, 1 hand cut title - eek but check, journaling block with at least 3 sentences - check and bling - almost forgot but check.

Scrappit Challenge

Our April Scrappit Challenge was created myself and the brief was to contain 2 sheets of patterned paper, hand or machine stitching of some kind, a handcut shape freehand or using a template, letter stickers and using staples.

So here's my take on my challenge for April....