Saturday 28 May 2011

A new Design Team for Me & FIVE Layouts this week!!!



Phew, this week has been very busy for me - and to top it all I have been feeling pretty bad - full of flu & all 3 kids at home have been sick too - so it has been a week of running around to doctors & pharmacies, all when I am not feeling wonderful myself, and I have have met a scrappy deadline every single day!  Well, the good news is that I AM FEELING BETTER :) and I am very happy with my achievements this week - a good feeling!!

I have made it onto another design team - SCRAP-IT-LAH - well I actually found out weeks ago but I've learnt how to "hold it in" now until I'm allowed to announce it!  You can read all about the announcement HERE and if you don't know about Scrap-it-Lah challenge blog now is a good time to add them to your reader/blog roll & check out their MONTHLY CHALLENGES.  We have a great challenge coming up for you for June (I know because I have just completed my layout & sent it in - you can check back at the beginning of the new month - remember to look here for the latest challenge - which will be up after the 1st of June).

Scrap-it-Lah is a Malaysian challenge blog & I am so impressed with the Malaysian/Singaporean/South East Asian region scrapbooking style that I felt compelled to apply to this DT.  I have done some of their challenges in the past & they are always excellent - like this one for example - look here!  Yes, that high standard is what you have to look forward to & I do hope you will play along with us at Scrap-it-Lah!
                                                                                                                                                                 

Now onto the rest of my week!  It started on Sunday with the reveal at Bird is the Word - the new word being Life/Live/Living- you can see the reveal here and here is my layout!  This challenge is still open for 3 more weeks & the Sun/Sunshine challenge is open for another week still so get those entries in!

I combined this with a TIMED CHALLENGE over at Scrapbook Challenges (you won't find it in the forum though as it was part of a fun weekend organised for the Design Team only - the DT Olympics - so it is on the Design Team Blog).  We were put into 3 teams of 3 & I was "runner" no. 2.

It took me 1.5 hours to do this page, which is half my usual time, and considering that I misted, stamped, punched, fussy-cut & journaled, plus altered some chipboard I was pleased with my time & WE WON no thanks to me LOL as my time was the slowest in the group - oh well - quality not quantity I say!


I had to follow a sketch & had to mist, hand-journal & alter a piece of chipboard (see top right) I misted that swirl :) but it was fun nonetheless & I did win a lovely sheet of Basic Grey Bling in one of the other challenges.

I used mostly October Afternoon 5 & Dime for this page because of the speed challenge - using all one line definitely helps - and I now store my latest products ALL TOGETHER in 12 inch bags - papers AND embellishments & it's been the best move I've ever made in my organisational life - WAAAAY EASIER...

Supplies:-

Backing paper - October Afternoon - 5 & Dime - Butterscotch
Fussy-cut paper - October Afternoon - 5 & Dime - Lemon Drops
Blue printed paper - October Afternoon - 5 & Dime - Rock Candy
Stickers, chipboard, punched circles, all October Afternoon 5 & Dime shape stickers & Chip 'n Stick
Green Grosgrain Ribbon - American Crafts
Baby brads - stash
Brads - SEI
Chipboard - Enmarc
Dymo
Martha Stewart Deep Shell punch
Making Memories gold staples
Chipboard Alphas - American Crafts Thickers Sunrise

Doubled up my new punch there because I am just CRAZY FOR IT!!!
                                                                                                                                                                   



Next up I did this layout for Sketchy Thursdays, which I combined with this gorgeous palette at The Colour Room .


You still have until Wednesday midnight EST to enter this sketch at Sketchy Thursdays.

I used American Crafts stash for my layout & the chipboard frame is sponsored by Imaginarium Designs who are currently sponsoring Once Upon a Sketch & sending us free chippie ALL YEAR LONG - woo hoo!  If you want to purchase any of their awesome designs go to Seriously Scrapbooking - they are Australian based but chipboard is light & flat & they will ship it to you anywhere in the world!



 Supplies:- 

Craft & printed paper - American Crafts Splendour
Pink printed paper - American Crafts - Blithe
*** both are double-sided papers & I used both sides***
Chipboard Frame - Imaginarium Designs
Paint - Making Memories - Daiquiri & Lemon
Glitter - Stickles - Shabby Shutters
Chipboard Swirl - Enmarc
Chipboard Alphas - American Craft Thickers - Hardcover
Text-print alphas - October Afternoon - Hometown Summer
Pearl brads - American Crafts Elements - Letterbox
Metal roses - American Crafts - Dear Lizzy - Enchanted
Chipboard Flowers - American Crafts Noteworthy
Decorative hatpins - Little Yellow Bicycle
Mini stickers - Making Memories - Tiny Alphas
Doily - Little Yellow Bicycle
Sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Snow Queen
7 Gypsies Gaffer tape
Golden ribbon - American Crafts Peachy Keen
Gold staples - Making Memories
Border stickers - Crate Paper - Emma's Shoppe
Yellow scallop sticker - Doodlebug Fancy Frills
Deep Shell punch - Martha Stewart

I simply cut my printed paper & flipped over the bottom section to the revese side - which is the craft cardstock.

Then I used masking tape at the back to hold the pieces together at the seam.

I derived my title from the iconic 1983 song by Spandau Ballet - GOLD - (A - because my youngest daughter has incredibly shiny, golden hair) and (B - because she is like gold to us).

I am also entering this at City Crafter Challenge Blog for their "I've been Framed" challenge that closes at the end of the month so you still have a few days to enter this one too!
I experimented with some creative composition for these photos - for the first time ever - I've seen others do it & love the look of it!  (ie:- not showing the whole face/body etc...)

I am certainly enjoying my computer journaling at the moment & have seen that I don't like the hand-writing fonts as much as the typography fonts (particularly the old typewriter fonts - being my favourites).

 Can you spot the strip of 7 gypsies gaffer tape there under the ribbon?  I just needed something to make it stand out a little more - and HOW BEAUTIFUL is my new MS punch - just can't get enough of it!




Next I'll share  this week's  Colour Combos Galore layout but you can take a peek at it here.  I also sent in my DT layout for the upcoming sketch at Once Upon a...Sketch, which will be revealed next week so I can't share that here yet - but if you haven't completed your take on the last sketch yet you only have a few more days to do so so check it out here & get cracking to be in line for some tremendous prizes as per always at Once Upon a Sketch!

You can take a look at my DT layout for that challenge over here ( haven't blogged that yet!) and REMEMBER there is a MASSIVE giveaway going on at Once Upon a Sketch too - a whole May Nook kit up for grabs so get on over there now you hear me?!



28 comments:

Alia said...

Two gorgeous layouts with special touches!! You always have great news to share - congratulations!!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

CONGRATS on the DT!! That is AWESOME!!! I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee your lo's!! JUST GORGEOUS!! You are AMAZING! :):):):):):):):):):):):)

Diana said...

Beautiful, both of them. And love the journaling/title on the second one especially.
You are on a DT roll! Phew!
I love typewriter fonts too. American typewriter is my favourite.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Congratulations on another DT spot...you are going to be kept super busy. Lovely layouts Helen.

Jolanda said...

wow Helen,your work is always amazing!!
Beautiful work with thw ribbon!
Have a nice weekend!
x

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

I have so many things I want to say and I don't know where to start, alright, first, thanks for your birthday wish for me, thanks for being a sweet friend!
Next, congrats for another new DT spot!!
And you are keeping my eyes busy with these lovely layout, they are so pretty, especially the ribbon treatment on both, you are so creative my friend! Thanks for sharing!

Rachael Funnell said...

*YAY* A BIG CONGRATS Helen on your DT spot.....
glad to hear you are feeling better & hoping your 3 kids are on the mend too.....
Your LO's are Super Gorgeous, I love how you always put so much in your Posts!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend....
XXX

Kerryn said...

Congratulations on your DT spot!

Fabulous pages!!

dstandard said...

Congrats first of all - your layouts are awesome as always - each is always a piece of art!

Pearl said...

Awesome new DT news , Helen ! You sure do great with challenges !!!! ;) as these latest layouts prove yet again !

Nadhrah Maidin said...

congratulations...you well deserve it! Its ok to be busy...busy is GOOD!

Eila Sandberg said...

You certainly are in Shangri-Lah Helen *wink* - how awesome to hear the news about your new DT gig - CONGRATULATIONS wooohoooo TOOT!! I see that you're teaming up with Lou too, yay! Also I have discovered the fabulousness of the South East Asian/Malaysian/Singapore girls, they are truly so amazingly friendly and incredibly talented. Really happy to hear that you and the kids are on the mend, xoxo. I so love to see the close-ups of your pages here on your blog, then I can really dig into the details that I am always wondering about. Absolutely glorious work Helen! Be well, take real good care and see ya when we get back from our trip to London! Mwah!

Shayne said...

Congrats on the new dt!

Love both these LO's, but particularly the 2nd one, perhaps it's the colour combo? SImple and detailed at the same time.

Glad to hear that you're on the mend. I'm still struggling somewhat, but WILL get there!

Happy Sunday.

Stefanie said...

Congrats.
I bought that punch, then sold it on again.
I love the Asian style of scrapbooking too, so much layering and bright colours - completely different to my style.
My kidlets down with snot and so forth too, glad you're on th emend.

Chantal Vandenberg said...

Congratulations!!! These layouts are sooo gorgeous! I love them heaps! Great title "You are Gold" - I love that song heaps hey. I've totally got that going on in my head now lol! :D

xo

Unknown said...

the first lo Wow! This is really gorgeous! Love every detail!and cool to delightful colors.
and another lo scrapped it so beautifully and love the take of the ribbon!!

hugs carla

scrapbookertink said...

CONGRATULATIONS and celebrations, well done you, love both layouts but my favourite is the swimming pool one love the funky bright colours,take care have a fab week x

Yolande (pronounced you-land-a) said...

Congrads Helen! Awesome news to hear that you will be inspiring scrappers at another challenge site. :) Both your layouts are superb...I especially like the "you are gold" LO...gorgeous colours, design, embellies...stunning photies, great sentiment...all just divine.
Have a fab week!

Alison said...

Congrats on the new DT spot...love the LOs AND the MS punch!
Alison xx

Bente Fagerberg said...

BIG congrats to you my friend. Ia gree about the girls scrapping in the eastern parts. They are so incredibly talented so I am sure that will be a perfect fit for you..lol...:-D. I think I heard about that site from Jessy's blog.
I just adore your layouts above. I am totally in love with the 'gold' one. Absolutely stunning. You have been so productive I am speechless, just waiting for whats to come. I hear you have more up your sleeve...

Keshet said...

Congrats on the new DT Helen! I absolutely adore both of these layouts--such classic, clean designs and perfect finishing details. You're totally inspiring me today!

Sabrina Scrapbook said...

Helen, congratulations again for the new DT spot!! I am a Malaysian and will look fwd to the next challenge and what you all gonna have for us ;) And I love what you did with the ribbon on your LO! Overall, it's a brilliantly done page :)

Jasmine S said...

YAY, Congrats on the new DT. Will have to check it out. Now these two masterpieces are fabulous. I just love your details and I'm off to have another look.

Cathy said...

WOO HOO Congrats on your new DT spot Helen!!! ADORE your LO's.. just beautiful! Sorry to hear you and yours weren't well and glad to hear you are on the mend. Have a fab week :)))

Unknown said...

WOW. Your LO's look amazing.. Thanks so much for playing along with us at CCCB!

Congrats on your new DT spot.. That is so cool..

cnelson said...

Congrats on your new DT spot! These are just GORGEOUS! Sorry you have not been feeling well, but glad you are starting to feel better! Thanks so much for joining us at CCCB!

Mel said...

Oh Helen, congrrats dear girl, wow there is so much eye candy here, cannot believe you have done all this whilst being under the weather. Oh my goodness you rock my girl, these are my faves, you are an awesome scrapper, so not surprised you are being snapped up all over the place. Love You Melxx

Sharm Nidyanandan said...

woot woot!!!! Congratulations Helen!!!!! Cant wait to see the amazing things you come up with for the DT!!! I'm sure it'll be awesome!! :) Lovely layouts you have there! Love the layering!! so gorgeous!!! :)