Monday 28 December 2015

Falmouth Christmas - Studio 75 Winter Morning Collection






Hi Everyone!  Finally I've got a few minutes on my son's computer -
using my husband's ipad as a hotspot!!  For some unknown reason
it refuses to recognise my laptop which is quite a problem as it means
to get online I must log out of my son's Google account & into mine!


We are away on vacation & we have NO WIFI!!!  That may sound
unbelievable to you but it is TRUE sadly!!  The place where we 
are staying has no wifi - and this is a common thing in Africa!
Hence I am not posting a lot at the moment {I did manage
to preschedule one post before we left!}


SO A VERY MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!
I created this layout for Studio 75 HERE - you can see my blogpost 
there for all the links to the store & the papers I've used.  It's my last
 post on the Studio 75 blog as my DT term of 6 months has ended &, 
although I was invited back for a new term, I have decided to reduce
 the number of Design Teams I am on in 2016.  Due to our attempt to
 move to the UK & start a new life, having no idea what free time I will have!


I didn't have time to create this project before I left on vacation so I had to plan
my page & take with me the necessary supplies I needed to create it - AND
I had to create it on the floor of our apartment!  It was pretty uncomfortable
working like this but I'm happy I was able to do it & I love the way it turned out!


I enjoyed creating slowly for a change (like slow cooking...) inking up the edges,
stamping & generally going "old school"  - & think this layout will make a good
 base for a teaching page as it is quite an unusual composition with various
 different techniques to share.  I do hope I will have the time & opportunity to
 teach classes in the UK.  I taught a big class here in Cape Town & loved it!!


I did a lot of fussy cutting on this page as well as tearing, which I always love,
& used the beautiful matching Studio 75 ribbon to create a double bow.  


The base paper I used was from the Yummy Collection, while all the rest were from
the Winter Morning Collection.  It started out as cream, but I recoloured it by misting
with Prima Color Bloom Sprays & water, then stamped with a chicken wire stamp
from Crafty Individuals in the UK & a flower stamp from Faber Castell. 


My alphas are from Tim Holtz for Ranger & my flowers are from Prima - Royal 
Menagerie Collection.  I also used some white doilies & some dyed cheesecloth.  


I muted my embellishments with white acrylic paint for a colder, more frosty look.  


The photo was taken during our overseas holiday, at Falmouth Harbour, 
where we were VERY COLD!!  We have never experienced really cold
temperatures before so it will be a whole new experience for us when
we move & no doubt will involve a whole new wardrobe eventually too!!


Thanks so much for stopping by here today!
I really appreciate it!!  I wish I could get online more easily here
but it really is virtually impossible & as we haven't been away all
year I am just trying to embrace the situation & enjoy some family time :)
I do have another project to share so will try to do that sometime soon too!!







Sunday 20 December 2015

7 Dots Challenge for December - Cold Weather
Eurodisney 2012 Layout using Yuletide Collection!






Hi everyone!  Today there is a brand new challenge up at 7 Dots Studio HERE,
presenting our final challenge of the year - our December/January COLD WEATHER 
challenge!  As usual there is a lovely big merit prize up for grabs & always a couple of 
features too so play along for your chance to win some more very sought after 7 Dots
 Studio Merchandise!  Create any papercrafty item - just remember to use at least 
ONE 7 Dots Studio product & let us know what it is if it's not easy to see.


HOW AWESOME is the Yuletide Collection!?  What a festive delight!!  Only once I 
actually tucked into it & created this page did I realise that it really does well with traditional 
Wintery Christmas time layouts.  Luckily I had just ONE suitable photo - seeing as for me,
 in South Africa, our Christmases are always full of sunshine!  In 2012 my family & I 
travelled  abroad & spent new year in France!  At EuroDisney of all places!! 
 It was simply MAGICAL!!!


The 7 Dots Studio pattern papers are so detailed that they do half the mixed media 
work for you, which is a real time saver!  All that was left for me was to flick on lots
 & lots of my home-made white mist, as my SNOW then use some Prima soft gloss gel to 
apply some Prima micro beads & some LSG fusing for the ultra snowy overload effects!



I used up almost the entire tag sheet from the Yuletide Collection.  I have never 
known another manufacturer to produce these & why there hasn't been a copycat yet
 I just don't know, as the idea is incredibly awesome.  They are die-cut pop outs & 
layering them around the centre then popping a photo in the middle is a really 
satisfying  way to get a quick creative fix!  With some other stash for good
 measure too of course - the more the merrier!!


The grey alphas are REALLY OLD - Doodlebug I think?  And the Thickers are from 
American Crafts - yes I still have tons of those - they went out of fashion so fast when
 the die-cutting machines made their début - but I still like the look of them occasionally!  


I used up some of my white doily offcuts on this page too as well as a glorious gold doily
 too - did you know that Prima are now making them in packs of 50 FIFTY for doily


 If you enjoy your visits here please sign up to my Google Friend Connect
 in my top right side bar HERE as well as my Facebook Artist page
 HERE & my Instagram HERE It makes me happy!!



Tuesday 8 December 2015

Studio 75 Challenge 12 - Mood Board Challenge
Growing Your Wings Layout






Hi everyone!  How are you this week?  I sure hope you are good!  Things my side are moving along quite fast right now.  For those of you who connect with me on social media you will be more in the know on what is going on my side at the moment.  We are enjoying our final GRANDE FINALE CHALLENGE at Scrap Around The World this month as I am closing the site down to concentrate on my new adventure - which is moving home & hopefully starting a new life in a new country - exciting times ahead!  So 
PLEASE play along if you can - we have 22 prizes up for grabs & a Wall of Fame featuring 20 players! 


Today I am here to share the new challenge from Studio 75 in Poland, with you.  
You can view the challenge, that went live a couple of days ago, HERE.  
This month the challenge is based around the beautiful mood board below.
The rules are really simple - you can create ANYTHING papercrafty based
on the mood board colours & include any elements you like from it too.


I really LOVE this board!  The colours AND the elements are all so lovely & soft!

Creating with it was an absolute PLEASURE!  You DO NOT have to use any
Studio 75 products, as they can be hard to come by outside of Poland BUT 
if you do please let us know what you have used!  And remember that the 
merit chosen winner will win 30zloty worth of their choice of goodies
 in the Studio 75 online store - so you can get some of this sought-after
product for yourself if you win!  Please do not back-link - all projects 
must be NEW & you can submit up to 3 entries but as separate posts.
 

 I used all the blue Studio 75 Primo papers HERE - all Studio 75 papers
are so easy to use & match with everything!  I have a great time stash-busting
whenever I am doing my DT projects, because I always end up using lots of stuff!


To ground my design I used an awesome Prima background stamp with some stone
grey Tsukeniko ink, adding some light texture with the addition of some gauze
tucked in under my photo (that I raised up on some dimensional board first).


I have a tin of bling to last me the rest of my life, but most of them have now lost their
stickiness so I have to tip them out onto my desk & "pick & mix!"  The white alphas
are from Crate & the grey are the little Prima ones from a couple of years back -
they are AWESOME because they go on forever!  Because they're on 12 inch sheets!


Something I also have tons of are loads & loads of rolls of twine.  
There was a time I couldn't walk past one in real life or on line,
 without popping it into my cart!  Not to worry as I do love the look
 of it rolled & scrolled under my photo & peeking out around it! 
 This one is quite waxy & thick which makes for great loopy circles.  


Flairs are one of my FAVOURITE embellishments & I could keep on buying them forever ♥ 
I've bought them from all over the place in the past so can't remember where these 3 are 
from. The flowers are from PRIMA of course (I've been collecting those for YEARS now
but actually get through them quite fast as I am such a flower freak)!!


The resin fairy & the Beauty typewriter key {paper clip} also come from Prima.  
The fairy ties in with the "Growing your Wings" title & finally found it's perfect page! 
 It's been hiding out in my drawer for the last few years :)  So there you have it - 
a new challenge & some serious stash busting!!  I hope you will play along
REMEMBER TO BOOK MARK THE STUDIO 75 CHALLENGE HERE!!
 If you enjoy your visits here please sign up to my Google Friend Connect
 in my top right side bar HERE as well as my Facebook Artist page
 HERE & my Instagram HERE It makes me happy & keeps
me motivated to stay creative!!  SEE YOU SOON!!!




Sunday 6 December 2015

Christmas Sweetie Jar & Tag
Using Magic Time Collection by Studio 75







Hello everyone!  Today I am sharing with you a recent project 
I created, shown on the Studio 75 blog recently HERE.


I decorated a large jar & made a tag to match.
This year I saved every jar that came into our home, once the contents had been 
consumed, so that I would have the basis for many Christmas projects!


I used all sorts of goodies from the new Magic Time Christmas Collection.  
If you click into the link above you can take a look at all of them on the
Studio 75 blog, where I also explain how I put everything together.


This was really fun to create & quick & easy too!
The good thing about off-the-page projects is that they
 look a lot more impressive than they are difficult to create!!


With a hot glue gun you can rule the world!
I enjoyed adding all sorts of extra bits from my stash,
namely some sparkly tulle, some gauze, some die-cut leaves,
Prima flowers, glass beads & a dangly crystal.  


Our Christmas this year is going to be shared with many friends & family
so I decided on the oversized jars & tags as they are quick & easy to
 make as well as being inexpensive.  I am filling them with chocolates
 wrapped in sparkly red, green & gold foil paper & I love that they are REUSABLE
& hope that their new owners will retain them for years to come & enjoy them.


The circular Studio 75 Christmas sentiments fit the lids perfectly 
{I first spray painted all the lids gold then adhered a crochet doily 
on top of each} Now that the doilies are no longer such a trend 
on layouts this is a great way to finish off your doily stash!!


And there you have it!
Red, green & gold goodness!!
I am such a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas!!!


Now onto my tag!  Tags are honestly DEAD EASY to make!!
And they look IMPRESSIVE!!!  If you have never made your own
Christmas is always a very good time to start.  The base of a tag can
be anything...I have used the Prima cardboard backing to the flowers
I used (now that I have finished them off!), cut down the middle -
adhered together then punch cut with a fancy Martha Stewart punch.


If you are anything like me you've always got stray short lengths of ribbon in one
 of your drawers {I cut out all mine from newly purchased clothing as I hang my
 blouses on hangers & fold everything else} so that's what I've used here -
 a simple length of white twill.  


I used box cardboard between my layers to add some cushy dimension, 
followed by a sentiment card on each side {a blank one on the back
 so there is space for me to write a personalised message}.  


Embellishing is always the fun part & we all have bits of bling lying about, offcuts
 of  thread & extra die-cuts so tags are a great way to use up all your itty bits!


Please, please, please! 
 If you enjoy your visits here please sign up to my Google Friend Connect
 in my top right side bar HERE as well as my Facebook Artist page
 HERE & my Instagram HERE It makes me happy!!



Friday 4 December 2015

Scrap Around The World Grand Finale Challenge! PRIZES!!





HERE THEY ARE PEOPLE!!  PLEASE PLAY ALONG!!!
It's our GRAND FINALE CHALLENGE at Scrap Around The World!
Our VERY LAST CHALLENGE - & it would mean so much to me ♥

1ST PRIZE - 50 Euros worth of products from The MiNi art


{Image shows only part of the chipboard and stencils that you will receive}
The MiNi art is a Polish craft products manufacturer specializing in chipboard, 
rubber stamps, masks & stencils as well as scrapbooking papers, plywood,
felt embellishments & self-adhesive buttons.  Our goal is to supply our 
customers with great quality products, which is why all the MiNi art 
products are made & packed in Poland.  Customers can choose 
products from our collections or request special products based
 on their own designs.  For more information, please visit our 
ONLINE STORE. Find us on Facebook & Pinterest too.



2ND PRIZE - $50 AUS store credit from The Dusty Attic


The Dusty Attic is an Australian owned Laser Cutting business that designs
 & manufactures craft items & embellishments for the paper crafting market.  
We began in July 2009 & are located in Perth, Western Australia.  We are proud 
to be able to make our mark on the scrap booking & craft industry with our great
 range of products. We are continually creating new designs to keep things fresh! 
  
We love seeing the creations our customers have made & also love to hear your feedback, as this helps us with new ideas.  We have an online store 
from which you can get all of your Dusty Attic supplies. Visit our store HERE 
and our blog HERE! If you are a retail business & would like to stock our 
range of unique products, please contact us for details on how to 
open up a wholesale account.




3RD PRIZE - Over $50 worth of scrapbooking supplies 
also from Design Team member Pamela Ellis {Canada}


This prize includes - Swirlydoos Sun Kissed main kit including Bo Bunny
 & Authentique papers, Bo Bunny Double Dot jewels, Prima flowers,
 Petaloo flowers, Creative Embellishments chipboard heart, Stickles, 
2 die-cut tags, word & alpha stickers, lace ribbon, twine as well as 
an extra pack of Prima flowers & Prima wood embellishments!



4TH PRIZE - Over $50 worth of scrapbooking supplies 
from Design Team member Pamela Ellis {Canada}


This prize includes -  Bo Bunny 'Juliet' 12x12 collection pack, 
Bo Bunny 'Juliet' 6x6 paper pad, Dusty Attic stencil, 
Prima Color Bloom spray 'Peony' - THANK YOU
PAM FOR YOUR TWO GENEROUS PRIZES!!


5th PRIZE Over $50 worth of scrapbooking supplies
from Design Team member Helen Tilbury {South Africa}


Huge Prima & Webster's Pages assorted embellishments pack.



6th PRIZE - $50 worth of scrapbooking supplies 
from Design Team member Tusia Lech {Poland}


This prize includes - as assortment of patterned papers from ILS & UHK Gallery,
Prima ribbons, Scrapiniec chipboard, 7 Dots Studio stickers & die-cut elements,
American Crafts dimensional stickers.



7th PRIZE - $50 gift voucher from 
Design Team member Nupur Patel {India}


{To be used at the online scrapbooking store of your choice}



8th PRIZE - Over $30 worth of scrapbooking supplies
from Design Team member Heather McMahon {Australia}


This prize includes - Manor House Creations flower pack, Bo Bunny acrylic stamps,
 2 packs of Darkroom Door photo chips, Graphic 45 chipboard buttons & much more!



9th PRIZE - $30 worth of laser-cut chipboard from 2Crafty Chipboard


{Image is for illustration purposes & may not reflect exactly what you will receive}



10th PRIZE - $30 worth of laser-cut chipboard 
also from 2Crafty Chipboard


{Image is for illustration purposes & may not reflect exactly what you will receive}



2Crafty Chipboard is an Australian owned & operated manufacturer & wholesaler
 of laser cut chipboard products, located in Sydney, Australia.  We have been in
 operation since October 2006 & have more than 1 000 designs on offer.  We
 pride ourselves on quality products that are versatile & up to date with market 
trends, as well as offering unbeatable customer service, with quick turnaround
 of jobs large & small. Visit our website HERE & our blog HERE!  We are happy
 to quote on personalized jobs, whether it be a single title for customer,
 or large jobs for retreats, classes, etc. If you are a retailer would like to
 stock our products, please contact us for more information. 



11th PRIZE - $30 gift voucher from 
Design Team member Pascale B. {France}

{To be used at an online scrapbooking store of your choice.
Please note that this prize does NOT include postage}



12th PRIZE - $30 worth of Julie Nutting Stamps 
from Design Team Member Helen Tilbury {South Africa}





13th PRIZE - $25 worth of scrapbooking supplies 
from Design Team member Nicole Doiron {Canada}


This prize includes - AC Amy Tangerine 'Cut & Paste' 6x6 paper pad,
 rotary phrase stamp, adhesives resin bows, die cut tags & wood veneer tags.



14th PRIZE - $25 worth of scrapbooking supplies
from Design Team member Valia Katzaki {Greece}


This prize includes - Prima 'Julie Nutting' cling stamps, DecoArt Media 
black modeling paste, assorted vintage flowers & chipboard.



15th PRIZE - $20 worth of products from Scrapiniec


{Image is for illustration purposes & may not reflect exactly what you will receive}



16th PRIZE - $20 worth of products also from Scrapiniec


{Image is for illustration purposes & may not reflect exactly what you will receive}


Scrapiniec is the first Polish producer of die-cut chipboard for scrapbooking.  We make individual orders & fulfill even the most unusual requests.  We are characterized by reliability, high quality products & friendly customer contact.  You can visit our blog HERE & look at all our amazing designs in our online shop HERE!  We are also very present on social media & would love you to join us on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE, Google Plus HERE, Pinterest HERE & Twitter HERE!



17th PRIZE - $15 worth of Prima products from 
Design Team Member Helen Tilbury {South Africa}


3 x Julie Nutting Christmas Ornament packs,
Holly, Angel & Starr {Prima Marketing Inc}


18th PRIZE - $15 worth of Prima Product also from 
Design Team Member Helen Tilbury {South Africa}




19th PRIZE - $15 gift voucher from The Flying Unicorn



The Flying Unicorn on-line store HERE has an incredible selection of products for all paper-craft artists.  Our Kit of the Month is filled is filled with the latest & greatest - including an off-the-page project to keep your creative muse flowing!  Be sure to check out Flying Unicorn forums HERE, a hot & happening place which includes monthly challenges, tips, techniques & friendships that last!  We also have a blog HERE & a Facebook page HERE where you can find loads of inspiration!



20th PRIZE - $20 gift voucher from Design Team 
member Fiona Paltridge {Australia}


{To be used at the online scrapbooking store of your choice.
Please note that this prize does NOT include postage}




RANDOM PRIZE

A prize package valued at over $50 from 13arts


{exactly as shown}


13arts is a Polish manufacturer specializing in scrapbook papers, embellishments 
& mixed media, artistic mediums.  See our store HERE where we ship worldwide!
  Our blog HERE is full of inspiration & we have a monthly challenge where all
 are welcome!  Please follow us on Instagram HERE, Twitter HERE
Pinterest HERE & Facebook HERE!




FOLLOWERS PRIZE

$30 worth of products from Studio 75




Studio 75 is a Polish manufacturer of scrapbooking papers & items such as chipboard albums, notebooks, spiral bindings & magnetic sheets.  We have our online store HERE, a bustling Facebook page HERE & a highly inspirational blog HERE!  Come visit us - let's connect!


The deadline for this challenge is Thursday 31 December 2015.