Pebbles Inc reveal...How To Tuesday!

This week on the Pebbles Inc blog, it was my turn to host "How To Tuesday!".  One thing you've probably noticed about my layouts is that they almost always have some form of doodling on them...so I thought I show you a before and after, and share some techniques.

More often than not, I don't feel my projects are complete unless there is a little freehand doodling thrown in. Doodling is so easy to do and a really economical way to lift your project to the next level. Although this layout was perfectly ok, I felt it just needed that little something extra to finish it off.

I started by adding a double line along the edges of the leaves to add more definition.

Then, I traced around the edge of the "hello" sticker. The word sticker was looking a little lost on my layout, and now with the outline, it really pops off the page!

I also added a pale grey border to the edge of the yellow square. My layout is looking more like I want it to...but not quite.

To finish my layout, I have added a chocolate brown border approximately 1/2inch in from the edge. I prefer to draw my lines freehand, but you could use a ruler. To compensate for any crooked lines, I doodle the lines twice. That way they become a design feature and not an error. I find that the quicker the line is doodled, the better it looks. Here's my finished layout...

There are loads of ways you can add doodling, from adding a freehand title, drawing images, or lines. Here's some examples of my favourite doodling techniques.

Why not try out doodling on your next project? I guarantee you'll love the look, and you'll inject a little more fun into your scrapbooking!
 
If you are looking for more tips and tricks, the How To feature on the Pebbles Inc blog is packed with ideas that you'll love! Check them out here...
 
Thanks for dropping by, Lis.

Scrapware reveal...

This week on the Scrapware blog, the focus is on chipboard buttons! I love adding buttons to my projects, and the great thing about Scrapware's chipboard buttons is that you can customise the colour of them to suit your project!  Paints, mists, patterned paper...whatever works for you.

For my layout, I have sprayed the buttons in glimmermist, then threaded twine through to create bunting. I have added colourful flowers underneath to add a little more interest.  The buttons are raised up on foam tape. The title has also been spritzed in glimmermist, and both products have been coated in a papertole glaze.

Here's a closeup...

Scrapware products used:
BS12 Square Button Card
AZ10 Mini Antique Lowercase
 
Check out the Scrapware blog to see how the DT have used chipboard buttons on their projects.  For more buttons, click here.
 
tfl, Lis.

Sunday Summary...

twelve hours sleep

one scrambled egg

two slices of toast

(one with strawberry jam...yum)

two layouts started

one layout finished

three bags loaded into the car

one hour's drive home from retreat

one happy family together

three bags to unpack

two shoes kicked off

six layouts photographed

one chicken roasted

many potatoes baked

thirty-seven emails to read

one deposit to Camp Mojo paid

one too many scoops of ice cream

two children asleep in bed

one hour until I'm asleep too

and just because I can't have a post without a layout...

I showed the girls at the retreat how to make pipe cleaner rings!

thanks again Martha! Check out how-to here...

thanks for popping by...Lis.

Inspired Blueprints Sketch #50!

Inspired Blueprints has made it to a half century of sketches!!  Sketch #50 has been revealed and the design team have created gorgeous layouts based on this one photo sketch inspired by a layout by Wendy Smith.  Do yourself a favour and check out the IB blog.

Here's my take. I've stuck pretty close to the original and managed to create a bright and vibrant layout about my son using a mix of old and new primary coloured patterned papers. He absolutely loves playing rugby league!  His career stats to date are 3 tries, 1 goal. lol.  Every weekend, Seth gets out there and tries his absolute hardest. He's not bothered if they lose, just that they had fun.  Great attitude I think.

Upload your layouts to the IB gallery by midnight 30 June 2010 to go into the running to win a prize by this month's sponsor, Your Scrapbook Stash!

This weekend I am off to a scrapbooking retreat with some friends and I can't wait! It feels like forever since I dedicated a block of time for scrapping. Hopefully I'll have plenty to share when I get back.

Cheers, Lis.

Scrappy Bargains...

Get in quick! Scrappy Bargains is closing its doors on 30 June 2010!!  There are loads of bargains still to be found...click here to get in on the great deals on offer!

Cheers, Lis.

Layout to share...

...moving on from my last post. Thank you to everyone who sent me messages or left comments. Its really heartwarming to know that other people are facing the same challenges I am. Its strange though...since I wrote that post, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

I created this layout a few weeks ago...a very rare double page!

During Education Week, the parents were invited up to Seth's school to sit in on lessons and observe what they do. I had a fabulous time. I watched the religion lesson where they were learning about St Patrick. At the end of the story, the children had to describe how St Patrick must have felt. It was really interesting. Then they cut out shamrocks (Seth's one is on the layout). I never knew the shamrock represented the cross. lol. I helped the kids on Seth's table pin them on their shirts. They completed work sheets and drew pictures. I was really surprised that they move from task to task quite quickly. I guess that's so the kids stay focused.

Thanks for popping by! Lis.

ps. Yesterday was my sister's baby shower...only 5 more weeks until I become an Aunty! YAY!!

Getting real...

This week I was reading Stephanie Howell's blog (this post in particular) and it was like a breath of fresh air. I've often felt the need to sensor myself and separate my scrappy self from the real me.  You never quite know who is reading your blog afterall.  So, in an effort to show that we don't all live in a perfect world, here's a few home truths...

1. Three years ago I lost 40 kg which was awesome and I was looking totally hot. Since then, I've put on 50kg!! Not happy.  Hence the reason you will very rarely see a full body shot of me, and one of the reasons I didn't go to my high school reunion...I just couldn't face it.
2. Weight has been an issue for all of my teen/adult life. I am an emotional eater and I need to stop being the victim and figure out / move on from what I am "feeding". Watching "Ruby" every week has helped immensely. I'm so glad she's telling her story. I feel like I'm wasting my 30's being so overweight. The fashion out there is so nice and I want a part of it.  I have no idea what my style is because there are only a few shops around here that cater to my size, so my style is what I can find to fit me iykwim. Hopefully soon that'll change. Watch this space...
3. I am painfully shy and tend to go about things quietly. I am not one to burst into a room and announce my presence. If you happen to see me at a scrap event, come and say hi because once I get going, I love having a chat! lol.
4. I often doubt my abilities and feel that my work isn't good enough...and I'm always amazed, surprised and happy when my work is picked up for publication, or someone leaves a comment saying that I've inspired them in some way.
5. I'm terrified that my business is not going to be successful. I figure if I love the products I've put together, then there's bound to be someone else out there who loves it too. I haven't set myself a golden number of kits I want to sell and will increase numbers when I'm ready.
6. I was diagnosed with severe depression almost 18 months ago (although its been much longer than that) and have been taking the "yippee" pills ever since. They help. Talking to counselors has also helped, but ultimately I know its up to me. I'm just not ready.  The good days are outnumbering the bad.
7. I love being a mum, but sometimes I need more. I have never wanted to be a stay at home mum. I crave adult conversation too much...and would definitely spend way too much shopping if I were.
8. When my hubby is away for work, I flounder. Andrew is totally my rock.  Sensible Capricorn and highly emotional Pisces...the perfect compliment. He puts up with a lot of foolishness on my part.
9. My house is currently a disorganised, chaotic space worthy of a place on "Clean House". I am not attached to my clutter at all, but I haven't got the energy to deal with it.  If Niecy Nash knocked on my door tomorrow, I would greet her with the biggest hug. I hate having people "drop over"...I need a few hours notice. At the very least, I need to shut my bedroom door to hide the "floordrobe".
10. I spend way too much time on the computer...don't we all? I like it when we go away somewhere that doesn't have access to the internet. The sad thing is, I look at the same sites out there all the time. lol.

There you have it. A little bit about me.  Do yourself a favour and get real too. Its cheaper than therapy! lol.  Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints - sketch #49

Sketch 49 has been revealed over at Inspired Blueprints and its a cracker! Such a simple sketch, with loads of potential. Check out the IB blog to see how the DT interpreted this one.

For this sketch, each of the DT has done a layout about themselves. All too often we get caught up scrapping about our children and we forget that we should be documented too.  I have rotated the sketch left to suit the photo I had on hand. It took me a while to figure out my journaling...so I googled "pisces" and reminded myself that I am a true pisces through and through...I am who I am.  Emotional, creative, easily led...lol.

I have used Scrapware's new Do-Hicky #7 (CH341) and combined it with a Zva Creative bling flourish and Prima flowers.  The chipboard is so easy to manipulate, so I wrapped the bling in and around the flourish.

As always, you have until midnight on the last day of the month to upload your takes into the Inspired Blueprints gallery to be elligible to win this month's prize. I can't wait to see what you create!

tfl, Lis.

Scrapware reveal and DT call!!

Here's a couple of my latest layouts for Scrapware!  This week on the Scrapware blog we are featuring different ways to use trees.  For this layout I have used JB09 - The Facts Journal Bit and CH140 - Love Fern Large. The tree has been spritzed in Coffee Shop glimmermist (my "go to" colour). I have then trimmed out flowers from patterned paper and layered them throughout the branches to create the canopy.

There photos were taken on our recent trip to Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW.  They have been breeding up a storm and their babies are just adorable.  I love that they aren't tall enough to reach the feeder, so they pick up the leftovers from each others back. lol.  Seth and I fed the giraffes carrots and it was such a magical experience. I never realised how huge their heads are!

I have coloured in "the facts" on the journal bit in dark brown marker, then coated it in a glaze. The text area has been left raw.  You can check out more trees in the Scrapware collection here.

This layout appeared on the Scrapware blog last week when we were featuring houses.  I have used BD09 House Border chipboard and AZ10 Mini Antique Lowercase alphas. Once again, I have coated the chipboard in Coffee Shop glimmermist (my all time fav!).  The lettering has been left raw.

This is my family home, and my parents have lived her for nearly 40 years!  I am going to be so sad when it goes on the market soon.  I have so many happy memories there and my Dad has done so much work to that house! He created these fabulous 2 level bedrooms for my sister and I that had a bed upstairs and a little sitting area downstairs with courtyards.  Some family is going to be very happy there...and look at that view! Oh well...my parents' new house will be just as wonderful and just think of all the new memories we can create there.

I have added number stickers to the house to add a little interest and to document the house number for all eternity. lol.  You can see more houses available from Scrapware here.

...and now for that design team call!!
CALLING ALL CHIPBOARD LOVERS!!
Are you passionate about Chipboard and love to create?  Scrapware are looking for 3-6 new Design Team Members for a six month term, which may be extended to 12 months.

Responsibilities:

• Create three projects per month
• Host the Scrapware blog for a week on a rotational basis
• Prepare one step-by-step Project Sheet each new product release detailing how to complete one of the projects you have created
• You will need to be exclusive to Scrapware as a chipboard manufacturer. You may be on other design teams but not for a competing manufacturer or distributor to Scrapware.

Perks:

• Enough chipboard to create at least 3 projects per month, with plenty left over for personal use
• The opportunity to play with brand new Scrapware products prior to their release
• Be promoted as a Scrapware Design Team member on the Scrapware blog and website

How to Apply:

• Provide three scrapbook projects - layouts/cards/OTP that include chipboard (Scrapware is preferred, but not essential)
• Provide your Name, Address, Email and Blog Link

Send your application to scrapware@gmail.com no later than 30 June 2010. Please put "Designer Call" as your email subject and keep message size to under 500KB. New members will be contacted and an announcement will be made on the 10th of July.

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Scrapware are an awesome company to design for and very generous with their product...go ahead and apply!

Cheers, Lis.

Pebbles Inc reveal...rubons

Over on the Pebbles Inc blog, you can find all kinds of inspirational ways to use Pebbles products...like "Product Parade". Last week's product parade was Rubons! I absolutely love Pebbles Inc rubons. They are so easy to apply and they have a great depth of colour.  Coordinating rubons were released with their three latest collections...and here's a sample from the Twitterpated range.

Very cute!  Here's my layout...I have used the Twitterpated collection to document this gorgeous photo of my kiddies at Western Plains Zoo. I can't believe how grown up they both are now!

I have used Pebbles rubons on the perforated cards, to dress up a journaling spot and to create a frame around my photo.

Pebbles supplies used:  Twitterpated 3x3 Cards (751000), Twitterpated Delight (751001), Twitterpated Giddy (751005)
Twitterpated Charm (751008), Twitterpated Love You (751007), Twitterpated Paper Flowers (741000), Twitterpated Pebbles Chips (744112), Twitterpated Journal Stickers (732003), Brown Glitter Candy Dots (744227), Sun Yellow Spool Ribbon (44033), Charming ABC Stickers (732001), Love You Rub Ons (760238), Sweet Thing Rub Ons (760237), Twitterpated Rub Ons (735000).  Other supplies used: Cardstock (American Crafts), Pen

Check out the Pebbles blog to see how the DT used this fab product!

tfl, Lis.