Webster June Challenge / Keeping the Best Sketch Challenge

I have made it just in time! My last layout for the month is for the Webster June {Contain It}Challenge using the Keeping the Best... sketch.

Here is the sketch:

The challenge at Webster's required the use of any of the new mini folders and bags. I was very fortunate to win the May Webster's challenge so received a VERY generous parcel in the mail the other day with the entire range of Sweet Notes. The colours of the range are even better in real life! I was uber excited so just had to play. Here is what I came up with...

The mini card opens up to reveal a little note:

 And a few other close-ups:

Thanks for coming by.

Scrap Around The World - June Challenge

I've just recently come across a new challenge, headed by the very talented Helen Tilbury, Scrap Around The World. It provides a mood board and a sketch to interpret as you will. This is their second challenge, and I just fell in love with both the inspiration pieces.

Here are the details:

Isn't it gorgeous??

Anyway, here is my interpretation - not my usual style - no white cardstock for a start, but I was inspired by the colours and retro feel:

The papers come from the range, "75 cents" from Kaisercraft.
I cut one of the papers to 8.5 x 11" and printed on some digital stamps from Anna Aspnes (the camera), Katie Pertiet (the watery banners) and Veronica Spriggs (the shells and fish). Getting the colours right was a bit of a guess, but was happy with how it turned out. Phew!

The photo is of my three children jumping the waves at the beach. It may be a little hard to see, but I managed to catch them all jumping at once. They can do this for hours!

Some close-ups:

  You can see the camera on the top corner here, as well as the journaling card which just slips out:

Thanks for looking.:-)

CSI - Case File No.76 & some news...

Another week, another challenge at CSI. I found the colour scheme personally challenging, so decided to stretch myself and have a go. The challenge:

I decided to turn the sketch by Emma Stafrace as so:

And my layout:

For the evidence I used:

• circles, sun, trees, balloon (hot-air balloon), ladybugs

For the testimony I used:

• journal on your photograph; & IW word: day

The journaling reads:

• Oma gave you this notebook the other day and you haven't stopped writing in it since. Today, when we were sitting and playing outside, you even brought it out to write in.

This week, I used some of the elements from the printables offered, mainly the circles, banners and ladybugs. It's the first time I've used the printables and found them to be fabulous! I shall certainly use them again. 

It ended up being a fun and enjoyable challenge.:-)

And some exciting news...I just recently found out I am one of 12 Guest Designers for Prima 2013-2014! I was so shocked. I had to read the post again and again. The post is HERE which tells of the Design Team for 2013-2014 and the Guest Designers for the year. It's an amazing line-up of super talented ladies for both the Design Team and the Guest Designers - can't believe I'm part of it! It's all really surreal and I feel really fortunate for this opportunity.

Thanks for coming by!

CSI - Case File No.75

I decided to enter the case challenge again this week at CSI because it included a colour scheme that I am not very confident with - pastels. The dreamy, romantic look is one I greatly admire, but not one that I am able to create so well. So this was a great challenge for me to get me out of my comfort zone.

The case file:

My layout:

My journaling slips into the glassine bag I used as a layer that has a blue tab attached to the journaling page to pull out easier.
The journaling reads:
You asked me for a jar to go collecting.
A little while later you returned and handed it to me, a flower and some bugs inside, and said,
"This is for you, Mummy because you're pretty like a flower and I love you."
My sweet boy. You are so thoughtful and charming.
I love you too, never-ending.

(The never-ending part is something we say to each other that he started).

From the file I used:
Scheme - all the colours
Evidence - lace, chevrons, flowers, distressing, jewels (rhinestones), ruffles, heart, gold and banner title.
Testimony - IW word: me, add jewels to your journaling (I added rhinestones to my journaling page).

Thanks for looking.

CSI - Case File No.74

I have just handed in my last assignment for the semester, for uni, so thought I'd give myself a well deserved break. What better way to spend it than with CSI Case File No. 74! The little inspiration picture is so adorable, and I just LOVE these colours together:

And my solution to the case

Journaling reads: Cherish these moments of togetherness. Of play and laughter. Of sunshine and happiness. May your childhood memories be filled with love and joy.
From the case file I used:
For EVIDENCE: lace, flowers and leaves
For TESTIMONY: Inspiration words and Documenting a childhood memory.

For the background I used a mixture of acrylic paint, and Derwent Inktense Blocks (which I just LOVE). I also used these blocks on the leaves which I had doodled on some gessoed book paper.

The challenge ends June 9, so still time to enter.

Thanks for looking!

ScrapFriends Sketch Challenge #14 - Guest Designer

ScrapFriends have their new sketch up for the month. I love it...

 I couldn't keep away from my gesso for too long, so it is in use again here:

To be honest, when I finished this layout, I wasn't sure if I liked it, but my eldest daughter said she loved it, so felt better with her approval. Funny that.

The background has arrows die-cut in green/teal paper that I stuck down over some black misting. Then I gessoed (thanks Lizzy H for confirming it's a valid word...in scrapbooking land anyway:-)) all over it. You can probably see a hint of the arrows best on the main picture.

Then I used a mixture of alcohol inks and Glimmer mists over it. The die-cut arrow piece in white was cut with my Silhouette (LOVE this toy - use it on all my layouts). Black indian ink was then splattered over it.

The circle frames are black paint, painted with a dry brush on some acetate before cutting out and putting vellum underneath.

Thanks for looking!

Paper Stories DT June Sketch

First day of the month and first day of winter for us Aussies. Where I live, it has been raining all day! I love this weather when I'm indoors, just not when I'm out in it!

Anyway, a whole lot of new challenges around. Please take time to check out the new challenge at Paper Stories. There's a $20 store voucher to win!

Here's the sketch:

And my version:

Initially I was going to use a green/raspberry combination, but somehow it evolved to be the colours here,  with no raspberry in sight! Not quite sure how that happened!
Also, I didn't use any gesso on this layout, which is a bit unusual for me, but thought I'd try not to use it-kind of like 'seeing if I could survive without my addiction' sort of thing.:-)

Hope to see your layout soon at Paper Stories!

Thanks for coming by!