Skissedilla Sketch #177

Hi all,

I love all the sketches at Skissedilla but have never managed to do a layout within the weekly timeframe... until this week!

Here is the sketch:

And my interpretation:

And some close-ups:

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill); washi tape; old book paper; machine stitching; acrylic paint; buttons (Basic Grey and craft stash); stamp (unknown); gems (Kaisercraft); alphas (American Crafts); Faber-Castell gelatos.

There's a few layers here. First I used a purple gelato to give a watercolour effect as a base, then glued on some old book paper, over which I added some green striped washi tape, and added a border stamp before machine stitching in both purple and green. Then I sponged some acrylic paint in both purple and green before flicking on some black paint. Final touch was adding the photo followed by bling, buttons and title.

Thanks so much for looking.

Keeping the best... Sketch #43

Hello all,

I've just managed to finish my layout in time for Keeping the best... Sketch #43. It's due today - Sept 30. I love the sketch and what the designers have all done..

Here is the sketch:

And here is my version:

And some close-ups:

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill, American Crafts); paper (Kaisercraft); flowers and elements (Basic Grey, Prima, Sassafras Lass, K&Company, micador); twine (Jillibean); gesso, acrylic paint (watered down); mask (The Crafters Workshop); punch (Stampin'Up); embossing folder (Cuttlebug); alphas (Kaisercraft); machine stitching.

Thanks for coming by.

ScrapFriends Sketch Challenge #5

Hi all,

I just LOVE the sketch for the current challenge at ScrapFriends.  Here it is:

I love the big photo spread. I had a few photos in mind, and had them printed, but finally chose to enter the challenge with the following:

This is my eldest daughter. I took this photo on a spur one day recently whilst out for a walk, and I just think it encapsulates her so well in this moment of time. It is just so her.

And here are some close-ups:

Supplies: cardstock (AmericanCrafts); paper (PinkPaislee, Echo Park, Prima packaging); doilies; flowers (Prima, Green Tara, Kaiser); layered stickers (Basic Grey); fairy (Prima); lace; stitching; twine & butterfly pin (jillibean); pearls (Kaiser, KanbanCrafts); tissue tape (Tim Holtz); punches (Stampin' Up, punchbunch) butterfly die-cut (Stampin' Up); glimmermist (Tattered Angels).

I just LOVE this paper from Pink Paislee with it's soft pink and bold yellow. I cut around one side of the blooms then slipped the misted doilies in underneath before adding more flowers and elements. The cardstock underneath you can't see so well, but after trialling many colours, I finally decided to paint some glimmermist around the edge of some white cardstock for just a soft pink to peek out.

The challenge ends September 30.

Thankyou so much for popping by.

September Challenge#2 (CSI#37)

Hello everyone,

For this month only, CSI and Once Upon a Sketch have decided to join forces and offer challenges that combine both a case file as well as a sketch. Such a great union of challenges that I thought I must give it a go.  For more details about the challenges go here.

I decided to enter Challenge #2 (CSI #37).
Here is the case file:



The sketch must be used, as well as all the colours in the scheme, at least 2 elements from the 'evidence' and at least 1 element from the 'testimony'.

Here is my entry:

From the 'evidence', I used stripes and dots, a book page (for the hexagons and flower), some pen work and circles - if you categorise the gears as circles. From the 'testimony', I used my own hand-writing font as well as the word 'think'.
Here are some close-ups:

Supplies used: cardstock (watercolour paper); paper (Kaiser); chipboard (Imaginarium & Kaiser); acrylic paint; hexagon die-cut (Die-namics); brad (Basic Grey); rhinestones (Kaiser); pearls (KanbanCrafts); acrylic paint dabber-pearl (Ranger); chandelier garland (Magnolia), alpha's (Bella! Chipz)..

The due date for this challenge ends September 24, 2:00pm AEST, so still a little time to enter if you haven't already. Challenge #3 (CSI #38) is already up as well, so if entering Challenge #2 is pushing you too much for time, have a go at Challenge #3.

Thanks for coming by.

A little experimenting

Hello all,

Hope you are all having a wonderful week.

I thought I'd share a layout that I've recently completed. It's a little different to what I would usually do, but I'm exploring and experimenting to find my style, whilst also trying to stretch myself.

Initially this was going to be for the sketch challenge #42 from Keeping the best..., but I missed the due date. For some reason I thought I had longer. No problem, they have another sketch up here which I intend to give a go.

So here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it:

I used watercolour paper as the base, an idea I took from Iris Babao Uy. Then used black gel paint to make some swirls and painted it in with watercolours. After this, I wasn't sure what I was doing, but continued with using distress inks around the edge with some watercolour paint and stamping. Some more stamping and stitching and then added the layers of paper with some twine. I think I need some practice with my stamping though, but I also reckon it looks a little better in reality than on a photograph...but that could just be me trying to make myself feel better! LOL! I had almost finished the layout when I saw Rachael Funnell's amazing work here, and noted she had hot-air balloons stamped onto the cardstock, so thought I might try it as well. (Thankyou Rachael :-)).

Anyway, be sure to check out the latest sketch challenge by Keeping the best..., even if you don't want to enter, all the layouts by the designers are just STUNNING!  Go here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Give-away

Hello all,

Just a quick note to let you know of a great international giveaway. The beautiful Rachael Funnell is celebrating her 2nd year in blog land. Her work is stunning and very inspirational. Check out one of her latest posts here. To enter her giveaway, visit her blog here.

This is what she's giving away to one lucky follower:

So be sure to pop over for some stunning visual candy!

ScrapFriends Colour Palette Challenge #5

Hi everyone,

ScrapFriends has just released their new Colour Palette Challenge - #5. Here it is:

I admit when I first received this palette, I was really nervous as this was my first stint as a guest designer,  and the colours aren't ones I would normally use. I think it was the light blue in the mix that had me stumped a bit. It took me a while to get the courage to start, and  this is what I eventually came up with:

And some close-ups:

Materials used: Paper: Basic Grey, Echo Park, DCWV, Prima, American Crafts, Making Memories, Grace Taylor; Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug; Washi Tape; Kaiser chipboard; Prima flower; Muslin(gauze); Die-cuts: Tim Holtz, Magnolia Ink; Punches: Ek Success, Punch Bunch; liquid pearsl; Mister Huey's color mists.

So I hope you don't feel intimidated by this colour challenge and give it a go. You have ample time to enter as it ends Oct 14.  For inspiration visit the site here, where the designers have all done such gorgeous layouts with this challenge ...it seems I was the only one out of my comfort zone!

Thanks for stopping by.  I look forward to seeing your layouts.
Have a great day.

ScrapFriends Birthday Candy Giveaway

Hello all,

ScrapFriends is celebrating their first birthday with a huge giveaway. The shop will also have a birthday sale on Oct 3 and Oct 4, so be sure to mark it on your calenders.

There are 3 gorgeous Candy Giveaways:

Zephyr Candy

Paris Candy

Tea Thyme Candy

So be sure to visit their blog here for details.

Thanks for popping by!

Lily Bee September Sketch Challenge

Hello all,
Firstly I would like to apologise to anyone who has clicked on one of my pages from a site (a sketch challenge site) and came through to my general blog. I have only recently realised how to link it properly. So sorry if you were given the run-around. Hopefully I have it right now. :-)

At Lily Bee, there are a number of challenges that are running throughout the month. The first one, a sketch challenge is by Anna-Maria Wolniak. Her work is just amazing. So here is the sketch:

And my interpretation followed by some close-ups:

Again, I didn't stray too much from the sketch (or rather, not at all), but after seeing some of the other layouts on the flickr gallery, I'm inspired to do this sketch again with a different interpretation - and try and move out of my comfort zone of taking a sketch so literally.

Materials used: Lily Bee paper; Bazzill cardstock; watered down acrylic paint for the splatters; American Crafts Thickers; and brads.

Thanks for looking!

And thankyou to those of you who have been taking the time to leave me lovely comments. Makes my day!

Keeping the best... - Sketch Challenge #41

Spring has sprung in this part of the world, and it's just glorious! So nice to see some sunshine and be out!

At the last minute, I decided to enter a challenge happening at Keeping the best..., I had a few ideas for the sketch challenge, but ended up changing my photos and paper a few dozen times and finished with a result nothing like I was planning or expecting.

Anyway, here is the sketch for challenge #41:

And here is my entry:

And a few close-ups:

The designers have done some amazing work on their interpretation. Worth popping over to see.

The challenge ends today - by the end of September 2. If you can whip up a layout, you still have a bit of time.

Materials used: Kaisercraft  paper; EK success punch; American Crafts Thickers; Basic Grey and craft stock buttons; gesso.

Thanks for taking the time to pop by.

PS: The goose that I am, linked this page on the challenge site with the title of the page under the layout, instead of my name. I don't think I was meant to do that! LOL!