SOLUTION TO MEMBER ISSUES

Hi everyone, as most of you know I having been having issues with the members gadget on my blog. If you click 'Join this Site', it unfortunately does not work and I have no idea how to fix it. We have discovered that the little box placed right next to the 'Join this Site' is a button for the same thing and this does work. You simply click the little square box and it will bring up a page showing members and another button saying 'follow', click on this and follow the prompts. Basically it works the exact same way, your just pressing a different button to begin, alternatively I have added another gadget to my blog which allows you to join my circles. The choice is yours! If you have any more trouble with my blog or need any help please don't hesitate to contact me. I will endeavor to keep this post at the top of my blog for any newcomers to save confusion. I hope your all having a wonderful New Year, I will be back tomorrow or Monday with some new shares and exciting news!! Have a great weekend!!

A YUMMY LAYOUT AND SOME CARDS.....

Hi! Back again.... This time to share with you a layout I created for case-file 110 over at CSI this week. My creativity has gone into overdrive this past week or so..... So much so that I have found it difficult to stop and blog instead!! But I knew that I only had a day or so left to put this layout up, and that I had to get it done. I really enjoyed this color combo. You might think it's very different for me, and in a way your right, because, I use lots of color on my pages now, but once upon a time, before we lost our house, everything I made was brown, brown, and more brown. I never used color at all back then. It was only when I began scrapbooking again early last year that I started using color. That's why I enjoyed this so much. It was a nice trip back to what my pages used to be like! I almost forgot how much I loved these colors, as it has been a while since i used them in any great quantity. CSI also had a sketch for this case-file, designed by the fab Em Stafrace. Don't forget to pop over to the CSI website for more great inspiration, challenges, and more!!

Case-file 110:

 

For the evidence I have used:

Jewels: The Kaisercraft gems, the little gold lock and a the center of one of my flowers. There is also a black flower which is made of crystal like beads

Ribbon/Bow: I have used ribbon to create a little white bow.

Lace: The white flower at the bottom of the page is lace.

Pearls: The center of the small dark brown flower at the top left of the photo has a pearl in the center.

Fabric: I have added calico behind my photo for added texture, and quite a few of the flowers are also fabric.

Flowers: I have lots of yummy flowers on my layout!

 For my testimony, which is tucked in behind the photo, I have used the inspiration word 'hope'. My journaling says:

'I love this photo of you taken on the swing at our local park in Spring. That smile on your face.... You are such a loving boy, yet wild and carefree at the same time. Your smart, polite, and funny. I love the little person you are. You are only 2 years old, yet some days you seem older than me. It is my greatest hope that as you grow you will continue to keep the same qualities you have now. They will set you on the right track in life and take you to places far and wide. Already I couldn't be more proud of the little person you have become and I look forward to watching you grow and develop your personality and your mind even more. I love you so very much.'

'With Wild Abandon'

As you can see, I have added quite a bit of chocolate brown to this color combo. This was actually inspired by some of the shades in the dogs fur, and as we can add neutrals (yes... I know the color scheme is already mainly neutral), I figured why not. I have also turned the sketch once in a clockwise direction, then eliminated all the photo's but one. In the sketch this photo is the circle one. I have used a rectangle and added the circular twine frame wrapped in cotton. I'm actually really happy with the way this layout turned out. before I had finished embellishing and stuff I thought it looked a little weird, mainly because of how I positioned my paper layers..... but now that it is finished, I couldn't be happier!!

Some detailed shots:

Some yummy Prima flowers.... I know it looks a little purple in this photo, but in real life it is actually much creamier, very similar in color to the background in the inspiration image. The chipboard is from Dusty Attic, which I decided to leave raw. It has been forever since I used raw chipboard on a layout, I normally always paint it, though I made the right choice here. 

Here you can see how I have wrapped, twisted and folded some white cotton around the natural twine to create a frame for my photo. It is such a cool, distressed effect that it gives, I just love it!! The title was cut from a Collections Elements words sheet, then inked around the edges with some brown stazon. You could use any ink, however I chose this one because some other types of inks will rub off, even when dry, and stain your photo.

More Yummy Prima flowers and wood icons, Dusty Attic Chipboard, Kaisercraft Gems, ect.... The majority of the papers used were also by Kaisercraft, thought here were some other brands in there too. I have also added a few different sized wooden beads randomly over the layout. The one behind the Prima wood veneer rose is the biggest, with the rest being much smaller. I have really enjoyed finding different things to use on my layout recently. Even if it is just one very small thing, it adds something new and different to every page I create.

As you can see I have once again created lots of layers and quite a bit of dimension on this page. My Mom was having a laugh at me the other day because I was actually pulling things off my page because it didn't have enough dimension, and then starting again!!

Here, not only can you see some more of those layers and the dimension, but also some of the texture in the background. I just used my normal process for creating this background, and I'm really happy with the final result.

I know I haven't used much of the yellow in this layout, but it seemed to fit better as an accent color, so I just added a little in my paper layers, and i added this MME brad, which not only had the yellow, but fit perfectly with the sketch!!

I would also like to quickly share with you today a couple of cards I made. Remember I mentioned in my last post that Prima's February BAP really inspired me and I created quite a few different items based on the sketch? Well these 2 cards are among those. The first card I made for my Mom's Birthday a few days past, I have used some prima flowers and wood icons, along with products from Studio Calico, Papers from Basic Grey, Kaisercraft, and MME, and some Dusty Attic chipboard.

'Happy Birthday'

 Purple is not really a color I use very often, but I had these gorgeous flowers sitting about, and Ii couldn't really think of a better use for them at the time. When the card was finished, I was like.... 'Why did I do that, the purple looks so good I should have done a layout instead', thankfully this also meant I had made a perfect card for my Mom.

'New beginnings'

While this card is doesn't actually say 'New beginnings', that is what it is meant to convey. The clock is meant to represent the passing of time, while the flowers are representation of Spring and growth. I used quite a few different mixed-media techniques on this card, almost as much work went into it as a layout... LOL! I have added some calico, thread, twine rope, and ribbon for added texture, along with a paper straw for contrast. All the flowers and papers used here are by Prima.

That's it from me today.... I still have to get my layout uploaded to the CSI gallery, bath Jet and lots, lots more before dinner. Thankyou all for stopping by and for taking the time to leave your comments, or become a member! It really makes my day!! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and have a wonderful creative week ahead!!

PRIMA SKETCH FUN!!!

Hi all!!! Once again it has been a little while since I last shared a post with you :-(. Thankfully I am no longer sick, haven't been all week now, but I have had a lot going on, which has sadly left me not much time for scrapping or blogging.... So since I have the afternoon free I thought I would make the most of an opportunity to share this layout made for Prima's February Build A Page sketch challenge!! This month's sketch is by Prima Design Team member Lene Bjornerud.... you can find the challenge post here. I absolutely adored this sketch, so much so that it actually prompted a whole series of layouts, and even a few cards, though I will only be sharing the one with you today. I was also really inspired by last months PPP, I'm totally in love with all things blue at the moment, and this color scheme also prompted a few little projects, including a canvas I am still working on as a gift for my Moms birthday next week. 

Here is this month's sketch:

 

Gorgeous right!!! I have mirrored the sketch for my layout.... Here is what I came up with:

'2'

 For my background I have used paper from the Meadow Lark Collection..... I know its an old one, but it is also a fave!!! I love the big grey flower outlines on the print its perfect for a mixed media background, which was done with my fave Prima netting stencil, mists, acrylic ink, watercolors, gesso and paint. I love the color of the blue on the background, but i can't remember how I got it that shade.... Hopefully I can figure it out, as I would love to do it again!!

I have wrapped some wire together to create a frame for my photo, which I painted white with gesso and then added twine. As you can see I have kept my title quite simple and just used a number 2 from Finn's mechanicals, layered on top of an Ingvild Bolme heart gear.

I have added a few small pieces of a Dusty Attic chipboard flourish which I cut up and painted white with gesso. I love how well these few small pieces complemented all those yummy Prima products perfectly. Adding a great finishing touch to the page.

I have also glued some wire to the backs of some green Prima leaves and then painted it all white with gesso. When it dried I was left with these gorgeous very pale green leaves that matched my layout perfectly. I added them to the frame around my photo.

I found this cute little Prima chipboard birdcage in my stash and i really wanted to use it on here, but something just didn't quite fit so I painted an old metal birdcage white.... again.... and layered it on top.

As always i have used lots of stunning Prima flowers on here.... all different kinds!!! I have also broken apart some of the wood icons, to get more use out of them. I hate hiding 3 quarters of such stunning products behind other things..... saves money to!!!

For my paper layers I have used papers from the Engraver, Printery and Just Us Collections, which as you can see I have added some netting to and my usual calico.

Yes.... I have finally managed to get some new, up-to-date photo's printed out!!! This is my fave out of the set. It will probably be the new photo to appear in almost every project I complete... LOL!!

As always my layout has a lot of dimension.... I'm starting to wonder where I'm going to store them all. I can't get them in albums, and they are really starting to pile up..... If I keep this up I will have to rent a storage shed just to store them all!!!

So that's it from me today.... Got lots to do!!! Its my Mom's birthday on Wednesday and I need to finish her B'day present and card.... which hopefully I will be able to share with you in the next couple of days!!! Not to mention all the other projects i have sitting there waiting, including the other things I did with this great sketch!!

Before I go I would like to thank all my regular visitors for taking the time to stop by and for all your fab comments.... makes my day to see what everyone wrote!!! For those who are new to my blog, Welcome! Feel free to look around, become a follower (the 'join this site' button is broken, so please just click the little twin squares right next to it, It is another button for the same thing), join my circles and leave some comments. I would love to have you all here. Have a great week everyone! Thanks for dropping by!!!

FINAL 2 SHARES FROM CSI....

Hello again.... Before I get started I would like to apologize to all the wonderful people who visit my blog..... I promised to share another post on Monday.... It's now Sunday morning here in WA and I am still only just getting around to it. I have been very unwell for a couple of weeks now, and extremely so this last week and I have not been able to do much at all so once again I am deeply sorry. The good news is this means I get to share with you 2 layouts today instead of 1. I will be sharing my layout from CSI case-file 107, and also my final layout for my Guest Designer spot as a CSI Special Agent, case-file 108. I have enjoyed this experience and opportunity so very much, and I would like to thank the lovely Debbie Tehrani and all the other wonderful ladies at CSI for having me along this month. I greatly appreciate the support everyone has given me, but most of all I would like to thank Debbie for believing in me. 

So first up today, I would like to share with you the layout I made for case-file 107. For the second time in a matter of weeks I have created a layout focused on me.  I adored the girly colors and fun elements of this case-file, and realized it was just perfect for scrapbooking a photo of me from my 21st birthday taken just 3 and a half years ago.... I still can't believe how much of my life has changed in such a small amount of time. I fell pregnant and became a mother, and now I am raising an adorable little boy who will be 3 in just a few months. It's strange to realize how much has happened and how much my life has changed in so small amount of time. I sometimes wonder where the last 3 and a half years have gone.  

Here is an image of case-file 107:

Make sure you pop by the website (you can find it here), where you can find out all the details for the challenges, including the rules, and where you can view all the fab DT work, visit the gallery to view other amazing entries, or stop by and have a chat with other members. I hope to see you there.

For my evidence I have used :

A long title: 'Only those who risk going far can find out how far one can go'

A wet medium: I have used gesso, texture paste, watercolor paints, stamping, and liquid pearls.

Raindrops/ Splashes: I have added splashes of paint randomly all over the background.

Stripes/ Harlequin pattern: My background paper is striped, as is the yellow and white piece of paper in my layers.

Diamond shapes: it's very hard to see but I have used some white Tulle in my layers, which is all diamond shaped, hopefully you will be able to see it in some close-ups.

Heart: Small heart shapes make up the cut out pieces of the white Prima cog on the top right-hand side of the photograph.

Ribbon: I have used twine around the photo.

Flowers: As always (well almost always) I have used some gorgeous Prima flowers on here, along with some cheapy mini roses from my local $2 shop.

Umbrellas: I have used a very small acetate Umbrella from Kaisercraft, which is placed near the top right-hand corner of the layout, held on by the washi tape.

I was aiming to use everything on the list to see if I could make it work and challenge myself a little extra, but no such luck.... I was three things short, clouds, flair, and mini brads did not make it onto this page.... :-( oh well, there is always next time!!

For my testimony I have once again used all 3 Inspiration words, getting a little repetitive I know but I could make the others work for me, and I didn't feel comfortable publicly complimenting myself... Lol!! The journaling is once again hidden on the back of my layout and it says....
 "I know that I have never been one for partying, clubbing, or casinos, not even dinner or the movies, but I must admit that my 21st birthday was an awesome night spent with family and friends. The hotel room I stayed in at the Crown Casino Perth was stunning.... the bath to die for! We had an amazing dinner with family and close friends at one of the fabulous restaurant's there, before heading up to the casino floor for some drinks and a play of the pokeys. This cool August night is one of my best memories of time spent with family and friends, and looking back, it is a good reminder that I need to get out and socialize more.... Just because something isn't really my 'thing', it doesn't mean I can't have fun and still enjoy the company of the people I spend time with"  

Here is how I solved case-file 107:

'Only Those Who Risk Going Far Can Find Out How Far One Can Go'

  As you can see, and as I mentioned above, I have used a variety of mediums for my background. I have started with some texture paste, and why that was still wet I have randomly added UTEE embossing powder, heat setting it before painting with my watercolors. I really love the effect this has given as the embossed areas act as a resist while the parts that are just texture paste, do not, and will still take color. I've also added paint flicks, stamping and created an enamel dot effect using ranger liquid pearls.

Close-ups:

I'm also very into Ingvild Bolme everything at the moment.... I'm just so devastated that her products are next to impossible to buy anywhere I live.... even in Perth :-( Thankfully the last time I went shopping a few hours drive from here I was able to stumble on a few of her items.... Sadly though they only had 1 packet left of each item... needless to say I cleaned them out of their final products!!!!

When I saw the new paper clips Prima were releasing I remembered some old paper clips that I had stashed away somewhere, purchased at Target nonetheless, a couple of years ago. I vaguely remembered that they were Pink, which is when I realized they would be the perfect element to my page. You can also see much better in this photo my little tiny acetate umbrella, which I cut from some Kaisercraft transparency.... I had not thought that I would be able to use an umbrella as part of my evidence, but then I found this.... needless to say it was perfect!!

Once again I have decided to add the half of the Dusty Attic Chipboard frame to my layout, which I have simply painted white with gesso. Until I found these frames just a few weeks ago I had never really been one for chipboard..... even though I always buy it.... It just sits there and never gets used. I found myself digging through it all the other day finding bits and pieces to use on my layouts so you will be seeing much more chipboard in the future!!
As you can see I have layered my chipboard under my paper layers here though I have popped it up just the slightest with a hint of foam tape.

I chose this title because it had meaning that relates to my journaling. As I mentioned in it, I have never been one to go out much, not just parties, but even dinner or the movies. I always preferred to spend my time at home with my family. Going out for my 21st reminded me that I would never have the things I want in life if I didn't get out there and have a go. It made me realize that if I didn't go out and meet new people, make new friends, and have fun then i was wasting my life. It reminded me what was important, and that life was about taking risks.

Love this gorgeous pink Prima rose, the Le Mia flowers are some of my faves at the moment, I just wish I could find them somewhere in all the colors!! As you can see in this photo here I have tucked in some little random flowers around the edges, including that really cute little yellow one, tucked right under there!!
This photo was taken in my hotel room, and when I saw it, I couldn't believe how awesome it was, I was not expecting something quite so fancy. My parents really went all out for my 21st, hence the wood veneer, as that was my reaction when I saw my room, not to mention everything else they had done for me..... 'Seriously'..... Seriously amazing is what it was. I am very lucky to have such wonderful parents!!

Next up we have case-file 108, Sadly this is my final creation for CSI. I have enjoyed this experience so much and am eternally grateful to have been part of such an amazing team this month. When I first saw this case-file, I immediately thought of creating another girly page, and right up until it came time for me to stick the photo on my layout, this is what it was going to be. At the last minute I changed my mind and decided I could make this palette work for my Son. I have used a photo that I have used many times before, I'm slowly running out of good photo's to use, plus this remains one of my fave pics, and we currently have no photo paper or ink for the printer. I have lots of stunning new photo's on the computer which I am dying to print and scrapbook, so hopefully I will get that opportunity sometime within the next few weeks!

Here is Case-file 108:

For the evidence I have used:
Mixed-media background: I have used gesso, texture paste, watercolor pencils and paints, lead pencil, stamping, ink and kindy glitz.
Bird: There is a tiny little bird sitting on the bike seat in the MME brad.
Newsprint: I have used a newsprint paper in my layers.... Most of it got covered sadly, but you can see a small bit of it in one of the close-ups.
Flowers: As always I have added flowers, this time a combination of Prima flowers, and Dusty Attic mini rose stems.
Stamps: The butterfly Stamps in the background.
Pen work: I have actually used pencil but I figured it was kind of the same thing. I have used pencil to outline some of the masking as well as draw in the smaller circles everywhere.
For my testimony I have used the inspiration words: share, story and everyone, and have also chosen to document what art means to me. My journaling is once again hidden on the back of the layout. It says:
"I have always loved art and creating, ever since I was a little girl. Art has always been to me a way of expressing myself, a way to share my view on things with everyone, telling my story. Since i was little I used drawing and painting as a way to record how I saw the world, things I would imagine and dream were real, my hopes and dreams. Nothing in my entire existence though has inspired me to create more than you have. Everything I have created since I learned I was to become a mother has been created for, or because of you. Even if i draw a picture of a flower.... It's because I want to one day share with you the beautiful and precious things I see in the world. I truly love creating, I love scrapbooking and recording memories and moments of you, and for you. I believe it makes me a better mother to you, though I will never love anything as much as I love you. You are my reason for being, for existing, my reason for hope, happiness and love. All the joy in my life comes from you."

Here is my take on case-file 108:

'What Blue Eyes you Have'

For the background I have used a Crafter's Workshop 12x12 mask. It has three separate patterns.... hexagons, circles and stars.... As you can see i have used the circles. I brought this mask about 2 and a half years ago, and in all that time I used it once to add a few texture paste stars to a layout. Somehow I was never able to make mask with very close patterns work for me.... Now I don't know what I was thinking as I really love how this background turned out!! I have used a lead pencil to define some of the circles here and there, really making them pop off the background. I have also used it to circle around some of the paint flickers and add little circles all over the page. This is one of my fave things to do at the moment so you will likely see a fair bit more of it!!

Here you can see the little bird in the brad! It was so cute and perfect for this page.... I knew I had to find somewhere for it!! As you can see I have added dark brown thread around my paper layers, messy and loose poking out here, there, and everywhere. Its a great way to add just a little more texture to the page, as well as add to that distressed feel! My layers are made up, as always, with a combination of papers, calico, the photo and twine.

I cut this silhouette image of the little boys head out from some Kaisercraft paper. It just reminded me so much of Jet that I had to add it to my page. I have attached it on top of the photo using some foam tape. I have added some flowers behind, and below my layers, along with some metal pieces and the pegs to complete my cluster.
As you can see in this photo, after stamping my butterflies I have used a combinations of paints and pencils to add some extra color, before outlining and highlighting certain areas with Kindy Glitz. 

You can vaguely see the newsprint paper here... I'm not sure how it ended up practically invisible, it certainly was not my intention. As I said earlier, I have been using lots of chipboard lately and you could expect to see more! This little clock was broken when I pulled it out of my stash and I have been unable to find the other half, so I am thinking I must have used it sometime ago. I have also added the chipboard arrows which I have painted dark brown.

As always there is a fair bit of dimension on my page, though this time not quite as much as normal! I finished the layout by adding the small paper butterflies, the Prima Junkyard Findings and Studio Calico wood veneer on my twine frame, and adding some of the small Dusty Attic rose stems.

That's all I have to share today. I'm still unwell and need to rest a little. Thankfully though, I am getting better. Once again thankyou so much to the lovely Debbie Tehrani for having me along at CSI this month.... it has been a pleasure working with you. Thankyou also to the lovely ladies on the Design Team for making me feel so welcome!! Don't forget to pop over to the CSI website (you can find the link at the top of this post), and check it out. We would love for you to play along with this weeks challenge. They also have a new Scrap 365 case that just opened. I hope everyone is having a fantastic creative weekend and that you found something here to inspire you!! Thankyou for visiting!! I will try and stop by again soon with more to share!