Crop for a Cause workshop November 2010

Well I don't know how I did it being at the end of my pregnancy but I recently attended the latest Crop for a Cause Workshop that was held on the 20th November. It is a 12 hr crop that raises funds for many different causes and it run and organised by Melissa Kennedy. She is one amazing woman always finding time to organise these workshops which have a huge amount of giveaways, prizes and competitions. The door prizes alone of which there are HEAPS are all individually wrapped... it is like Christmas presents under your tree times 10! And we all know how much time present wrapping takes. I have provided enclosure links above if you would like more information about the crops which are held in Geelong Victoria and also one to Melissa's blog.

I don't usually get a great deal done at crops, as I am never organised and spend too much time gas bagging! Also, I must say I scrap best in my own space at home with all my tools and embellishments at hands reach. This time was different however... I actually found time to complete the double layout and Christmas decoration challenge prior to attending and also completed a couple of layouts on the day. One of which I can't share yet - sorry :( This was aside from competing in a scrap off where we were all given the same paper and embellishments to come up with a layout for.

I had a VERY eventful day and my luck was definitely with me. I won the double layout challenge where you had to scrap a double Christmas themed layout. Below is what I came up with and there was some REALLY STIFF competition so I was just thrilled to have won.

I am totally in love with the paper I used on this one - it was 'My Minds Eye - Holly Jolly' - my favourite Christmas paper to date. Oh and a HEAP of Helmar glues to make everything stick including PVA, 450 and Scrap Dots. Where would I be without my Helmar?

Also, here is the decoration I created. I didn't win first, second or third in this one, but I enjoyed creating it and knowing that the decoration we created was being added to the hampers everyone supplied goodies for. The box below the tree was filled with Cadbury favourites, so even if my work isn't the favourite thing on their Christmas table, I am sure the chocolates will please :D

I was also lucky enough to win the layout scrap off, where we had 45 minutes to scrap away and come up with a layout. For those that know me, know I take a great deal of time to create my layouts and would NEVER get one done in this time let alone it be good enough to have won! It was a Christmas layout and I have just the perfect photo to put in there, so I am extra thrilled to have gotten another layout done. I will add a photo as soon as I have had a chance to take one :D

I really enjoyed the crop - probably because we got there earlier this time and probably because I know going to the next one will be a real challenge for me to make it to having a new bub on my hands by then. If you are in the area and can get a chance to go I really recommend it. All the ladies that attend are lovely and it is just a wonderful atmosphere to scrap in. Just wish they were more often :D

Well that is all from me... I will have a post shortly of a layout I finished for Tomorrow's Memories. It is for a kit that you can purchase in the shop or via post. Just contact the shop if you are interested. It would have arrived in the shop already, so you are welcome to check it out in real life when you pop in.

xxxx

New Fancy Pants at Tomorrow's Memories

I was lucky enough to receive some yummy new Fancy Pants papers from Tomorrow's
Memories to work with. I just LOVE fancy pants, and couldn't believe how well the colours went with some photos my hubby took of me when I got to drive my brand new car out of the show room.

I was SO excited to finally get my new car, and it was lovely the deal they made at the dealership. It is rare that I get photos taken of me (as with most of us I am usually the one behind the camera) so it was nice to record something that was special to me. I will never forget when I picked it up as it was 2 days before we found out we were expecting our second child. It is funny how two events together can help you remember the dates of special moments.

I think my favourite part of the papers was the acetate overlay that I got to match. I couldn't believe how well it just lifted the design of the paper. I had not used one of these before on my layouts, so it was nice to work with something a little different and a new challenge. It is hard to pick which part of the layout it is, but it has all the leaves and flowers that are around the edge, and the rest of it is clear. It is great for some extra thickness and makes the layout more sturdy too which is great. These papers are sure to sell quickly, so if you are wanting to get your hands on them, pop down to the shop as soon as you can!

I also received the new Artee kids line of papers to create some invitations with. Invitations are always a little challenging, but I hope it helps people to come up with some invitations for parties that are a little extra special.

As always these will be on display at Tomorrow's Memories arriving there either late this week or early next week, so pop down and see them in real life.

xxx

Rasberry Goodness

Well I must say I am quite busy with some scrapbooking commitments at the moment. Lucky we have a long weekend this weekend and it will be raining, so should hopefully make a great dent into it all.

I have finished one little project that I thought I would share with you though. I have been having a bit of a play with some of the yummy Rasberry products that were sent to me over a week ago, and well, I can't believe how easy it is to put this range together to come up with something a little more special than usual.

This is a little noodle box I have just finished.

It was so easy to create this having all various products that match from paper to embellishments to finish it off.

I have more projects that I am working on, but just not finished yet, so will be sharing these for you soon. Some are for Rasberry as well as for Tomorrow's Memories that sent me a wonderful pack of stuff last week also. So stay tuned!

xxx

Rasberry 'Open to the Public' event

YEP! This is a GREAT opportunity to stock up on some yummy Rasberry products.

Rasberry are opening their doors to the public for 3 days next week. There is going to be some awesome deals, prizes and activities.

Having just joined their design I have received some beautiful stuff in the mail this week to have a play with, so stay tuned for some posts featuring their gorgeous designs.

Anyway, here are the details for the event:

rasberry pop up retail

open to the Public

28th Oct - 30th Oct

9:30am - 3:30pm

amazing prizes, offers and activities

365 Cantebury Road

Cantebury, Vic

www.rasberry.com.au

New Copic fan

YEP! I finally got me some Copic markers and I love them already! I am doing a class tonight to learn how to use them properly and their many applications, but I couldn't help myself and had to have a play last night.

Not really sure what I am going to do with the images yet - probably make it onto some of my gift bags or cards, but they are there coloured and cut out ready to go on an appropriate project.

Have a great day everyone.

xxx

Gift bags

Well of late, my new love has been creating these simple little gift bags for when I have a present to give someone, and YEP of late there have been a few. I love creating them and they are just so much more personal. I simply started with some plain brown paper gift bags and decorated them using my current stash and lettering cut out with my pazzles. Here are just a few of the ones I have created recently as I can't seem to locate pics of the others...

Hope you enjoy my share, and you are inspired to go away and create some of your own.

These last two would have to be my favourite, as I just LOVE these cut outs I did with my pazzles using files from 'My Scrap Chic' She is one awesome lady!

Have a great day everyone xxx

Twiddleybitz DT Resignation

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been some time between posts again, but I have some news to share.

I have decided to resign from my spot on the Design Team with Twiddleybitz which will enable me to focus on some other opportunities and commitments I have currently been putting aside.

I have really enjoyed my time on the team and the opportunities it has brought with it, but there is only so much a girl can do, especially with a new bub arriving in less that 3 months time!

I do have some new stuff to post, so look out over the coming week for some new inspiration :)

xxxx

Display at Tomorrow's Memories

The other day I got a lovely e-mail from Vicki one of the owners of Tomorrow's Memories. It contained a pic of a lovely display of recent layouts I sent across to them.

It was so lovely to know that they have done such a pretty display of the layouts with the papers and embellishments, but even nicer to have the photo sent across to me. Although I am so far away from the shop, it is really nice to still feel just as much a part of the team. I just wish I could pop in there and see everyone, as I miss them SO much....... well maybe a can!

YEP in a few weeks time I am heading off to Perth with my little man. I really can't wait to see everyone, and introduce them to the special little man in my life.

Hope you have a great weekend everyone, and I will have some new shares over the weekend. Off to Crop for a Cause tomorrow which will be super fun, hoping to get some of those Christmas cards out of the way early.

xxxx

And the WINNER is......

Firstly I would like to take an opportunity to thank everyone for their support of Twiddleybitz, and my first blog hop. I can't believe how much fun it was and all the beautiful and inspiring ideas that were posted by my fellow DT members. Tiff our coordinator did a wonderful job in organising the event, and well with success like this I am sure there will be more to come.

Now I know I have kept you all waiting LONG enough! So here is the winning number that was generated:

The lucky person to be receiving a pack of goodies from me is:

Lisa Jansen

Congratulations Lisa, and thanks for your lovely comments!

Please e-mail me your postal details so that I can get that surprise package off to you!

xxxx

Not long now till I draw the winner...

OK so I will probably do it in the morning, but you still have a couple of hours to leave a comment and follow my blog.

There are also prizes for leaving comments on all DT members posts as part of the hop... just go to Carol's blog for the start if you have missed all the action over the weekend :) There is SO much inspiring work to check out, some complete with tutorials as well.

xxxxx

Hippity hop and although you are getting tired... keep on hoppin' - only one more to go now

Well I hope all of you are enjoying the blog hop. I know I am!! The ideas, inspiration and chance to win some awesome prizes has just been amazing.... and well now it is my turn :D

For you all, I have created this 12 months of pics of my little man. He is due to go into his new room soon as we have number two on the way at the end of the year. He will be a little young than most (17 months) but we are hoping for a smooth transition to a low toddler bed that my husband and I are currently designing to match in with the linen set that I have purchased for his room. His room will be all about monkeys (his favourite animal at the moment), and so I thought it would be nice to have something already made to go up in his room.

They just grow so quick, so I dug out this Twiddleybitz 'Days to remember' calendar which comes complete with the words that I decided not to use as I wasn't creating a calendar.

Although it was very time consuming to make, it is well worth it when you get to the end and see all those smiling faces looking back at you.

OK, so how to create it. But first some detailed picks....

1. The first job was to cut the blue cardstock to fit each of the wooden pieces. I was only doing one side and therefore only needed 6 + one for the title. I then stiched with white cotton around the edge with a twin needle (this does the 2 lines at once) on the sewing machine. These were all then stuck to the wooden pieces and the slots cut out with my craft knife once dry.

2. The next job was to thread the ribbon. When I threaded it I used a file to space it and then stuck the ribbon to each wooden piece with some double sided tape. This keeps all the wooded pieces even when it is hung.

3. I then cut up the red netting to stick down, and adhered with Helmar 450 glue which is my favourite for making things stick that take a little more effort to stay down. It is also fantastic with ribbon as it doesn't bleed through and show up when dry - even on organza!

4. I then covered all the frames with paper and stuck my photos of choice behind them. These were then adhered to the wooden pieces with some foam tape.

5. The heart swizzle stick has the heart cut off to create a plain wave. I then painted the twiddleybitz arrows, star and the wave with white paint before stamping the light blue on them, to bring out the blue more. You need to wait for the paint to dry before stamping, but it gives a much better base for your chosen colour if it is a bright one.

6. I then embellished the photo hanger with the arrows, titles for the months, some pearls and a title for the top.

I hope you have enjoyed my share, and remember - just because a particular off the page product has a purpose, it doesn't mean it can't be adapted for something different.

GIVEAWAY!!!

I can't let you go without knowing that there will be a giveaway on my blog as well. I will be sending off a lovely pack of assorted goodies, OF COURSE including some yummy twiddleybitz.

To be in the running, you have to have a mailing address in Australia, leave a comment here on my blog and also 'follow' my blog. If you have successfully done this by midnight Monday the 9th August, you will be in the running for this lovely prize.

OK, so the blog hop is still going with one more post to come. The lovely and always inspiring Tiff Sawyer our co-ordinator is the next to share, so make sure you keep following as her post will be up at 8pm tonight.

I would also like to take an opportunity to thank Tiff for organising such wonderful fun for us all to enjoy over this weekend... it has been a BLAST!!

xxx

Twiddleybitz blog hop

Well, ladies the first Twiddleybitz blog hop has begun! There is a heap of inspiration to go around so make sure you check it out!

There are also a heap of giveaways that you can get involved to win on the different blogs. It will be going all weekend and started yesterday. My turn isn't until tomorrow, but in the mean time you can go and check out all the posts for some amazing work and prizes.

Hope you see you back here tomorrow night when I will have my turn.

To see the start of the hop... check out Carol's Paper Pantry

xxx

Twiddleybitz blog hop

Well, ladies the first Twiddleybitz blog hop has begun! There is a heap of inspiration to go around so make sure you check it out!

There are also a heap of giveaways that you can get involved to win on the different blogs. It will be going all weekend and started yesterday. My turn isn't until tomorrow, but in the mean time you can go and check out all the posts for some amazing work and prizes.

Hope you see you back here tomorrow night when I will have my turn.

To see the start of the hop... check out Carol's Paper Pantry

New stuff for TM on the way!

YEP despite being sick I have somehow managed to finish some work for Tomorrow's Memories that was sent off in the mail yesterday, so should hopefully be there late this week or early next week.

I absolutely loved working with the papers and embellishments that I was sent, and thought 'why not knock over some more of those wedding pics that will create my future wedding album when I have finished scrapping them all! These papers suited the photos really well, and I even used some new products and new techniques to complete them :)

There was not much that needed to be done to this paper so I simply tried to accent the beautiful gold detail on the paper but cutting the butterfly wings out and lifting them and adding some Glimmermist and diamond dust. I also used some lovely Twiddleybitz fern leaves & mirror butterfly, and pretty ribbon embellishments. OH and my favourite border punch by Martha Stewart!

In this one I used some of the lovely flowers I learnt to make at a recent retreat. Mel Kennedy showed us how to make them. I then added some diamond dust for a more sparkly effect.


I have been trying to play around trying new styles, and well this one is a little more plain than my usual work, but I think it was enough.

Hope you enjoyed my latest share, and remember if you are in Perth you can check these out in real life at Tomorrows Memories.

xxxx

Blog Awards

I was very surprised to get these lovely blog awards from a friend of mine - the talented Deb Johnston. You must check out her blog, there are SO many inspiring projects on there, and she sells a heap of stuff too!

Check out the link to blog under my blog lists.

Ok, so now it is my turn to nominate some blogs. This is a REALLY hard one.

First I would like to nominate Sonya Thair who has once again taken her scrapping to a new level. I have always loved her work, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, she does AGAIN. Check out her blog via the link under the Tomorrow's Memories DT girls.

Next I would like to nominate Teresa Abajo. Teresa does some absolutely divine cards and I always enjoy seeing what she has come up with next. So if you are ever after some card idea's check out her blog. Her link is listed under the Twiddleybitz DT girls.

For the third person I want to nominate is Louise Williams. I just love her work and amazing layouts especially. Her use of flowers on her work is absolutely amazing!

Ok lastly I would like to nominate Tracey Holdyk, not only does she keep her blog updated regularly, but she does some really beautiful work in a style that is just so different from mine, and I just love it. She too is listed under the Tomorrow's Memories DT girls.

Well done ladies, your blogs are a pleasure to read.

xxxx

Exciting news to share

OK, well it has nearly killed me keeping this a secret, and well I didn't from everyone. BUT now I am at a stage that I am comfortable sharing with everyone.

On Monday we had an ultrasound to see our second bub to be. YEP Baby Beattie No. 2 is on the way. I always wanted kids close in age, and I am so pleased because there will be only 19months between them.

It has been a very different pregnancy so far so I was looking forward to the scan, just to know all is OK, and well it was awesome to see our little jellybean up on the screen and here is a pic from the scan.

Up until last week had been very tired and felt like I had been hit by a bus. I also had a bad cough as the start of the pregnancy where I cracked a rib and although I couldn't get it confirmed (couldn't get an x-ray because of the possibility of being pregnant) it didn't heal for 8 weeks! So all this combined has meant a huge lack of scrapping being done. I just haven't had the energy to even think about doing much scrapbooking. Just really wanted to crash on the couch whenever I could get a chance.

I have gotten back into the scrapping over the last couple of weeks, but unfortunately it is not work I am allowed to share at this stage :( I will share them as soon as I can. I am off on a retreat this weekend so hoping to get some things done so that I can share them next week. So stay tuned.

Hope you are having a week as good as mine has been.

xxxx

Wedding Carriage

Well this time I have been up to my usual... altering a product to suit what I wanted to do with it. It was the 'Princess Carriage' from Twiddleybitz that I have removed the 'Princess' off the top to replace with one of their beautiful titles 'Our Special Day'.

There are a heap of Twiddleybitz pieces used on this one... There is the title 'our special day', two fern leaves, mirror leaves 4 pieces, Grapevine corner, the fancy flourish long and of course the princess carriage itself. I have uses some beautiful mulberry roses and Prima leaves/vines to accent this piece as well as some Prima pearls that are just divine. The carriage itself has been painted with Tim Holtz crackle paint (picket fences) and then some frayed burlap distress ink lightly rubbed over the top to give more of an aged look.

Sorry you had to be quick with this one :)

It will be nice to FINALLY have a mini wedding album on display at home (after nearly 5 years LOL)

Hope you enjoyed having a look at my latest project.

Remember, if you are wanting some ideas for what to do with your Twiddleybitz pieces, check out the twiddleybitz Ning site at www.twiddleybitz.ning.com as the gallery is full of SO MANY beautiful inspiring pieces that have been done by the Design team and members of the site.

Have a good week everyone!

xxx

New Layouts heading off to Tomorrow's Memories

Ok, I am going to try and keep on a roll with my scrapping and posting for all of you out there that take a squiz at my blog.

Here are a couple of layouts I have done for Tomorrow's Memories in Perth WA. They probably won't arrive over there until late in the week, but if you are in the area, be sure to see them in real life, as photos are never the same if you want to take some ideas from them.

The papers I have used are from TPC Studio, various embellishments from Tomorrow's memories, Twiddleybitz chipboard and some beautiful embossed paper available in the shop as well.

These photos are from my wedding, taken with my parents.

I have gone nude on the title for the above layout (adding nothing to the chipboard) and it went really well

The green glimmer seems to have been picked up a little too much by my flash... but it is too hard to take it without the flash at night :) It looks a great deal more subtle on the actual layout :)

Have a great Sunday everyone

xxxx

SIA Competition Entry

As promised, here is my entry for the SIA sketch challenge. I have used my new favourite BoBunny paper and some Twiddleybitz pieces on this one, with more photos of my son's first trip to the beach.

The theme for the challenges was 'what if' that needed to be tied into the layout, and this was my take.

Have a good weekend everybody

xxxx