Christmas Inspired ...

Did a layout last night using the Scrapbook Savvy Monthly Sketch and it got me all inspired to get on top of some of my Christmas photos...so you may be seeing a few more festive layouts soon.

These photos warm my heart as my 2 darlings are actually being nice to each other. They are sat in front of granma and grandads tree waiting for the second round of presents...

Used some of my old stash too...how proud am I... I have had the charms for about 3 years :lol:

On personal note I survived my wisdom teeth extraction and am not to bruised or swollen and have had some great rest time (care of DH) and been able to get on top of my swap commitments...fabulous...almost worth the surgery (not!)

The Night Before Christmas layout is a scraplift of a layout by Sarah Schwerin over on Scrapbook Savvy.

I have chosen to use photos that are the start of a family tradition ...a snack for Santa...Crown and Choc coated raspberries...yum. The kids were so excited when they had been eaten in the morning.

Quick layout post

Just a quick post to show you a layout I did for another Scrapbook Savvy challenge...


This layout is for Julie Heards Word It Up Challenge where you are required to journal on transparency. So I have stamped 2 JBs on transparency with lime green Stazon and secured them with brads.


The bird is a converted paisley chip board...and the little owl is slipped under the photo to the right...(for Ashtons "the hoots" layouts I always feature and owl somewhere)


This could almost be a White With 1 layout :lol:

Yay...my Net is back ...

I can't believe how much I missed the internet...I have not blogged for that reason. So here is the updates...

White With 1 - the new artists have been announced ...so joining our little team is Melissa Heather, Liz Hicks and Sandie Mallon. Welcome to the team girls I am sure you are going to blow the veiwers away with your unique styles and stunning work. So I now have 7 fabulous girls on my team and they are all very talented scrappers. My new artist join my sister Wendy Smith, my best friend Kell Lusted, Tassie girl Kayla MacAulay and the gorgeous Alice Fettling on the blog. I would also like to say a big thankyou to Tamara MacAulay for here input over the last 6 month, she has stepped down from the site as she has other commitments.

Scrapping - so not much on this front I have had no mojo since my internet has been down. I have done a couple for over on Scrapbook Savvy.

"Stay in the lines" is for Kerryn's Ad Challenge where we used the M&M ad for inspiration. I am quite please how this turned out as it is not my usual style. I have used quiet a few swap items on this page so thanks to all the girls who contributed to the page :)

The photo is of my gorgeous boy and Rob colouring in before bed ...this has become a bit of a routine and notice Rob is colouring the pink fairy...the things you do...I love this as it captures what a fabulous father he is and the quality time that he spends with the kids even if it not what he would rather be doing.

On the Stampin' Up! front I have done a charity session today at a local retirement home and I had a ball. I had so much fun that I am going back in a couple of weeks to do a scrapbooking for beginners session with the residents as well. I think I have found a new favourite thing to do. Also my first lot of orders arrived today so that was exciting...a bit like Christmas even though the goodies weren't for me...I love parcels. So I will be getting everyones goodies out to them over the next few days (for those stalking my blog...you know who you are:0)

Well that is about it for tonight...only to say I will be MIA after Friday for a few days as I am having my wisdom teeth out so think of me and my swollen cheeks :lol:

This Weekend...

So what is happening this weekend scrapping wise?

Mysitcal Scrapbooks is having their Mid Month Marathon with loads of great challenges ...6 to be exact.

The challenge that I have set is called "telling tales" and requires you to take inspiration from a childrens story book, here is my example layout ...

Love to see you on the forum joining all the fun.

I also have a Stampin' Up! workshop tomorrow at Emma's and I am planning to demonstrate these cute little notelets...as well as the Love notes box.

They are stamped with the Baroque Motifs Set and I have used Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranite inks.

Todays layouts

So I completed a couple of layouts last night and I thought I would share them with you.

I put together "smoochy hugs" for the "Mystical 26" challenge over on Mystical Scrapbooks...for this challenge you are required to use paper doilies on your layout.

Here I have coupled them with felt to create interesting flower accents. The large bling swirls were a RAK from my sister Wendy and the paper range is Jenny Bowlin and Hambly Screen Prints.

As usual there is a little owl hidden on the transparency care of a swap ...it evades me who gave me that one (sorry) and instead of buttons I am on a mission to use my old stash of brads...hence the red hearts.
My "little Artist" is a layout I have done for Renee C's product/technique challenge over on Scrapbook Savvy.

For this challenge you were required to use a minimum of 2 haberdashery items on the layout.

I used buttons, ribbon, and felt (dinosaur is from a swap ...not sure who did these ones but they are ultra cute)

As usual I have included an owl on the layout and that too was from a swap (thanks Tamara!)

I have also used mesh (I know sooo 4 years ago) but it part of my mission to use my older stash and I think (along with eyelets) that is due for a comeback...bring back the mesh I say.
In fact if you have used mesh on a layout lately ...leave me a comment with a link to the image I would love to see it...

So I have made a descision

I have made the decision to use this blog not just for my Stampin' Up! but for all my scrapping ...so it will feature my Mystical Scrapbooks Design Team layouts and any other work I complete. As you may, or may not, know I run a Challenge Blog "white with 1" so occassionally I will be be posting about those challenges too. It is a great blog inspired by white and 1 other colour ...if you love white you will love our monthly challenge.

So saying that I would like to share my latest work with you ...

This layout "a mums love" is the August Roadmaps Sketch... I just loved this photo of Eve and I ...captured by my sister Wendy in a non posed moment...don't you love those flukes...as I look shocking looking at the camera :lol:

I have used a Fancy Pants script stamp to alter the paper flowers as I am having a design crisis at the moment when it comes to the green tara and simular paper flowers ...I am so over them so I am trying on layouts to use them differently or alter them some what. What I do love though is the SEI leaves ...I can't get enough of them. I also decided that my ribbon and brad stash needs a dent putting in it so my new mission is to use some on most layouts (we'll see how that goes :lol:)

This layout "old macs farm" is a layout I completed using the Stuck! Sketch and also used the challenge criteria for Mystical Scrapbooks Use Your Stash Challenge ....arrows...

I have been dying to use my Scrapfx doodlet and it was just the perfect layout to go on. Also as usual on all of the layouts I do featuring Ashton (or as we call him "The Hoot") I have included a Collections Owl, which has been inked up in Stampin' Up! Really Rust and Close to Cocoa Ink. The transparency I created using the Stampin' Up! Spot On Jumbo Wheel and Timber Stazon...these wheels are fantastic for creating your own transparencies.

Mystical Scrapbooks is having a 7 week competition inspired by the TV show "GLADIATORS!" and in round 2 I am the gladiator (aka MEGA PUNCH) scary I know...

So this is my layout for the round...and the criteria was Bling, wings and 2 photos.

This layout I have used the Sassafras Lass papers which I love as they are very me in colour.

I am really impressed ...

This is the first lot of projects I have made using my Stampin' Up! kit. They are inspired by the stunning roses my Mum got from Dad (pictured to the left of the layout)...he is such the romantic.

I created a layout, mini album, gift box, card and love notes box.

The stamp set is "Looks Like Spring"

The ink colour are from the in colour range they are "Groovy Guava", "River Rock" and "Old Olive".

The paper range is "Secret Garden" simply scrapping kit and the cardstock on the layout is "River Rock" textured.

So what do you think? I was really thrilled with how these turned out. At first I was not that taken with the colours but I love them now I think they coordinate really well and have a classic charm about them.

I am really excited about the products now I have had a chance to play and can't wait to try the stamps in a different colour scheme.

I have my first workshop on Sunday so I will have a couple of new projects to showcase then.

If you are interested in any of the products showcased contact me.