Mini album and a sneak peek...

As promised...here's the mini album I taught at the Scrapbooking Delights / Scrapbook Savvy retreat on the weekend.  Album is by Scrapware and all other products are Girls Paperie.

**********************************

I've just released the sneak peeks for next month's Storyboard Kit, "Camryn".  This kit is absolutely gorgeous and subscribers will not be disappointed!  There's a limited number for sale upon release, so be in quick.

Cheers, Lis.

Retreat class layout...

Last weekend was the 2nd annual Scrapbooking Delights / Scrapbook Savvy retreat! I had an absolute ball, caught up with friends, made new ones, created and didn't sleep much. lol.  I also taught a class on behalf of Scrapbooking Delights.  The class project was a Scrapware mini-album all about yourself, which I will share tomorrow. As I'm a big believer in getting your monies worth at a class, I also included instructions for completing a layout with the leftovers! So here it is. Fun paper folding and spiral flowers. All product (except kraft cardstock) by the Girls Paperie.

This photo was taken only a minute after my nephew was born. I absolutely love the look on my sister's face, the tears in her eyes and the wonderment. Totally beautiful.

Cheers, Lis.

Pebbles Inc reveal...final :-(

This week sees the reveal of my last project for Pebbles Inc. I have so enjoyed my time with the Pebbles DT and I wish the new team all the best. I know they will love playing with Pebbles products as much as I have.

My layout appears in the "Whip It Up Wednesday" post. This layout would take less than 30 minutes to recreate...and let's face it, sometimes its great to create something in the precious few minutes we have spare in the day!

Pebbles supplies used: Twitterpated Love You (751007), Twitterpated 3x3 Cards (751000), Twitterpated Sweetheart (751010), Tree House Adventure (751032), May Bouquet Bloom (751017), Tree House Paper Flowers (741002)Baby Pink Glitter Candy Dots (744213).  Other supplies used: Alphabet (American Crafts), Brads (American Crafts), Pen (American Crafts), Twine, Staples

To create my layout in a flash, I have used standard sized 4x6 photos saving me time in cropping them down.  Here's how:

• First, tear the top and bottom off a coordinating sheet of patterned paper and attach to centre of base paper.
• Add photos across your layout, varying the heights to add interest.
• Next, punch out a strip of patterned paper, trim to 4" in length, and add above and below photos.
• Trim a word strip of paper to 4" lengths too and add on top of the punched borders.
• Doodle a quick border around your layout and add your title. I've added Candy Dots to the title to further define it.
• Layer three flowers together and fix together with a brad, then add to your layout with leaves.
• Finish off your layout with some twine tied in a bow and add some fun words in the opposite corner.

Done...see, it wasn't that hard. The format of this layout would work turned on its side for landscape photos, or you could extend it to create a double page layout.

tfl, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints Sketch #54

I don't know what is about this time of year, but there are a tonne of retreats happening over the next couple of weekends. The weather is getting warmer and we're all starting to come out of our scrappy hibernations. For my northern scrappy friends, this sees the end of the school holidays and more free time!  Sounds like you need some inspiration to get you moving!!  Inspired Blueprints to the rescue!  Sketch #54 has just been released and this sketch is SO versatile, you will want to create something straight away.  Here 'tis...

...and my take. For my layout, I have used American Crafts "Botanique" range. I absolutely love those colours together...soft greens and peachy pinks, lemon, bronze and spring green. Perfect for a little girl layout. This is just one of those random shots of Eme. I don't know where it was taken or why, but I love her big smile and those gorgeous eyes! I never want to forget that look.

You can view the rest of the DT samples here on the Inspired Blueprints blog...they are gorgeous!  Upload your layouts to the IB gallery by midnight 31 August 2010 to be in the running to win this month's prize!

Cheers, Lis.

Layouts to share...

Last night I got together with the girls at Scrapbooking Delights for the midnight crop. I absolutely love getting out and scrapping with my friends. Nothing like sitting in a room with likeminded scrapbook nutters, creating away, chatting, laughing and unwinding. I had no agenda for what I wanted to achieve. Sometimes its just enough to move around bits of paper.  I came home with two almost done layouts, and I put the finishing touches on them this morning.

This pic was taken at Little Athletics one night when I was in charge of stamping the kids arms as they went around the circuit. I turned my back for a minute, and there was Eme covered in purple bee stamps! All up her arms, all over her hands...and one bee smack bang in the middle of her face. lol.

Another one of my gorgeous girl...this one was taken on Christmas morning 2009. All the chaos of unwrapping pressies was over, and Eme was sitting their quietly dressing her baby doll in its new clothes...and of course, one has to do that while dressed as a princess. So cute. lol. Wish I was still young enough to get around in princess outfits.  The photos are a little dark unfortunately, but there were printed and I can't find the digi copies to edit.  Lots of fussy cutting on this one. Not my usual style at all.

Sometimes its good to play with papers and colours and see what happens.

*******************************

For all the local scrappers out there...Scrapbooking Delights and Scrapbook Savvy are co-hosting a retreat next weekend at Tahmoor, NSW (Southern Highlands). There's still a couple of spots available if you're interested.  Cost is $230 and includes accommodation, meals, scrapping space and an awesome goodie bag.  I am teaching on behalf of Scrapbooking Delights...the most gorgeous butterfly 6x4 mini album by Scrapware teamed with Girls Paperie patterned papers.  Anthea Peterson is teaching a layout class on behalf of Scrapbook Savvy. With both classes, you will receive instructions to create a further project with the class kit.  If you're interested in coming, please contact either Scrapbooking Delights or Scrapbook Savvy.

Cheers, Lis.

Layouts to share...

I recently applied for the Bo Bunny design team and unfortunately I didn't get picked, so I thought I'd share the work I'd submitted. They have picked an absolutely awesome team for the next year though and I can't wait to see what they create.

I do love this line...Sun Kissed...these pics of Eme were taken at Merry Beach in January. The icecream van would swing past our cabin everyday, and since we were holidaying, it made complete sense to eat icecream before dinner! lol.

Just a little card to send to a friend for no special occasion other than to say hello...

Another layout using the Sun Kissed range and double dot paper. These pics were taken by Kim when we were out on a play date with our kids. Eme had so much fun launching off that fence!  She looks so beautiful in these photos.

A little invitation with a pull out tag...

Layout using Mama-razzi, and based on the sketch I created for Camp Mojo.  This is one of the first photos I took with my new camera and Seth graciously gave me two frames to get it right! lol. He probably had more important things to do like play his DS. hehehe.

Lastly, another little card for a friend to brighten their day...I must send that one off soon.

Thanks for popping by. Lis.

Pebbles Inc reveal...

This week on the Pebbles Inc blog, the design team have been challenged to create projects inspired by items other than scrapbooking, and my inspiration came from home decor.

I absolutely love looking at home decorating sites, and particularly love Pottery Barn. I wish it was in Australia!  The Pottery Barn flashpage really caught my eye and I thought it would look fab translated into a layout.

My other piece of inspiration came from this rag quilt. I love all those frayed edges!

To create my layout, I first laid the foundation of eight patterned paper squares. Each square measures 3.5". I have distressed the edge of each square to replicate the frayed quilt, and doodled around each of the squares to mimic the stitching.  I then added my title to the top left of the squares, as in the Pottery Barn flashpage. The photo was placed across the middle, and a little more interest added top right.

This is a photo of me taken when I was nine weeks old. Look at those chubby cheeks! I think they're still that chubby. lol.

Pebbles supplies used: Twitterpated Charm (751008); Twitterpated Sweet (751002); Twitterpated Sweetheart (751010); May Bouquet 3x3 Cards (751012); Made with Love Duplicate Stickers (761003); Yellow Glitter Candy Dots(744221). Other supplies used: Alphabet (American Crafts); Pen (American Crafts)

I had so much fun doing this challenge and I think I'll be paying more attention to the images around me...you never know when inspiration will strike!

Cheers, Lis.

Scrapware reveal...

Its vintage week on the Scrapware blog. Vintage style layouts have always seemed a little daunting to me, so I took the approach of simple is best. For my project, I have used Scrapware's:

• CH63 CH Fancy Brackets
• AZ07 Antique Uppercase

The brackets have been coloured with a dark grey marker, then glazed. The "H" has been inked with umber ink and glazed.

The letter has been raised up on foam tape and placed over the top of the bracket to create a family crest. "H" stands for Heyhoe...my maiden name. The Heyhoe's first came to Australia in 1911 when my granddad was a little boy. He's pictured on the right with my great grandmother and his four brothers (his sisters weren't born when this was taken). My granddad was born in England, but his siblings were born here. If ever you come across a Heyhoe, chances are, we're related. lol.

This paper by Studio Calico had a very 1920's art deco feel to it...just perfect for the age of this photo of my ancestors. A little bit of decorative lace, cardstock and flowers complete the look.

Vintage style needn't be busy or complicated. Stick to your true style and you will create a layout you love. There are plenty of vintage inspired pieces available from Scrapware here.

Cheers, Lis.

May Arts ribbon...

I absolutely love May Arts ribbon, and when I saw the opportunity to playing along on their blog, I jumped at it! For the competition, I had to create a "how-to" blog post showcasing May Arts ribbons. For my tutorial, I have shared how to create your own fabric covered brads using May Arts ribbon. You can view the tutorial here.

For this layout I have used Cosmo Cricket's DeLovely and Little Yellow Bicycle patterned papers. Those gorgeous hot pink flowers are by Petaloo. They're made of wire and cellophane...just beautiful! Local girls, you can pick some up for yourself at Scrapbooking Delights.  These are Eme's daycare photos for the past four years. I can't believe how much she's grown! Time is just flying by so quickly and she'll be off to school in a few months.

I also created a masculine version to show that you can still use big, beautiful ribbons on boy layouts. Patterned papers are by Fancy Pants and Bella (Ruby Rock-it).

Love this pic of Andrew and Seth together. It was taken last Christmas at the grandparents house. Like father, like son is so true! Seth is definitely a mini Andrew. lol.

In other news...I'm finally an Aunty!! My nephew made his was into the world at 11pm last night and he's just adorable. I will share some photos soon.

Cheers, Lis.

Inspired Blueprints #53

Sketch #53 has been revealed at Inspired Blueprints...and we know you all love a multi-photo sketch! Here 'tis...

For my layout, I have added an extra photo where the journaling strips are. The papers are by Cosmo Cricket and My Minds Eye. Such a fun and easy sketch to interpret, and great for those "event" style layouts.

These pics were taken at my sister's baby shower. One of the games was to put a paper plate on top of your head, and then draw a picture of the baby without looking! The end results were hilarious!! My cousin Vicky won...loved the afro baby hair...lol.  Look at the concentration on Beth's face!

Head on over to the Inspired Blueprints blog to check out the DT's samples, and remember to upload your takes on the sketch to the gallery by midnight 31 August 2010 to go into the draw for this month's prize.

Cheers, Lis.