Scrap artist anniversary party!

So, has everyone been scrapping and shopping their hearts out over at ScrapArtist? I had some time to myself this morning and jumped onto a couple of their challenges. Ok, I just did it for the free kit, but it's worth it. It also felt good to just do some fun layouts that didn't have to be perfect. We put too much pressure on ourselves sometime.

And finally I'm also celebrating that I've got some sort of workflow happening with my EHD, finding photos, kits etc to use was a bit of a challenge to start off with.

So, without too much more ado, here they are...


This layout was for the hysterical bellyflop challenge - scrap a not so perfect photo. FANTASTIC idea. Once again about the pressure we put on ourselves to BE perfect, TAKE perfect photos and MAKE perfect layouts. I just had some fun with this one, and it's great.

Paper, star, ribbon all by Tia Bennet (2 peas freebie). Star alpha by Dani Mogstad. Jounalling stamp by me! Fonts used are 2Peas Magic Forest and 2Peas Fancy Free.

This layout was for the sketch challenge, which was also heaps of fun. Did some different stuff here, got to use a flower lol, and it was great to just relax and let it happen.

Papers and glitter flower by Robin Cabana, Seaside bliss. Stitching, Circle paint brush and staples all by Jessica Bolton. Poetry words by Kim Hill. Nancie's shmootzy alpha brushes for the title. Fonts used are VTPortable Remington, Vaguely repulsive and 2Peas Gimme Coffee.

Not to mention that I finally got to use up some kits in my stash that were going to waste :) Now I can go and shop the ScrapArtist sale with a clear conscience lol...

Official!!

Some of you know this, or have worked it out. I created this layout yesterday to help me come to terms with the facts... I got myself a job! Just a casual retail spot in a local store, but it's the first work outside of home I've had in 9 years and it's a bit of a culture shock!

I used lots of different Jomi{Designs} kits here. Papers are from Let Go, Flower doodles pack 1 and 2, gauze from Beachhouse elements, Frame over photo from her Love special mini kit. All of these are available at PDW. Fonts used are DSP Pollyanna and vaguely repulsive. Created in Cs2.

And this is a layout that I made last night, just because. Well, actually it's because I am being rather forcefully reminded of how much he is like me lately, both in looks, tastes, mannerisms. Eeeek. Poor kid.

Papers and elements from Jessica Bolton (Eclectic Scraps) Signature collection, and also Messy Paint Strokes. T initial stamp by Traci Sims. Fonts used are snowshoe and Times and Times again. Created in Cs2.

Time to go hang out some more washing.

I'm going to be MIA for the next 3 or 4 days, so if you need me, and it's urgent, yell REALLY loud, ok?

Neglect...

I should be sued by the ISPCB - the International Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Blogs for neglect of this poor blog. All will become clear, or at least less muddy soon, however just know that I am so busy and tired right now, I'm hardly even scrapping, let alone anything else. But I check my email many times a day lol, and read most ppl's blogs at least once a day, so don't forget me, you hear?

I would love to give you a couple of layouts to admire, but blogger isn't co-operating, so please go to the galleries to see them, and maybe while you're there, spread some love and sunshine around.

Young happy love

Sam the ham

I know that Sharon touched on this last week (I think lol) but it IS sad to see the tumbleweeds rolling through a lot of digi sites with the explosion on the scene of Digishoptalk. Love that place, and the old places and it's not so much split loyalties as a changing of the guard... Just a change. I've only been doing this for a year, and I've seen so many already - it's not a very stable industry so to speak.

No real point here, just some ramblings from my fried brain.

Stay tuned for more random ramblings, sometime soon, I hope :)

Well, that was fast...

My honey, he's such a legend. Within not quite a week of surprising me with my new Mac Mini, he's even got me set up with most of my software and a MASSIVE External Hard Drive for all my toys. You could almost say I'm back in business...

Some Small gripes about Mac's.... there's no Picasa for Mac. Which is killing me right now. However we're looking into some other software called Shoebox that looks pretty neat, and it supports an EHD. Only problem is I'll probably have to get the Pro version because the Express (home) version only supports a limited number of images.... so what's the problem? I just did a search on my ehd for .jpg. 18,900 + images later... and that doesn't count psd's or anything like that. That's a lot of pictures!

Also it has refused to install some of my favourite fonts, claiming they have serious errors. Particularly all my Melissa Baxter Font Boutique fonts, which is a total bummer cos I LOVE those fonts.

The new interface is taking some getting used to.

Now the pluses -

It's DEAD quiet. I mean so quiet you can actually hear yourself think.

Ok, I can't think of any other pluses right now, except for probably the biggest one - no more wireless drop-outs. Last week I was probably connected for one hour out of every 6. In 30 second increments. How am I supposed to even read emails with that kind of connection? So now, I'm on, I'm stable, and I'm having fun.

Ok, in other news, my thoughts are with my Dad right now. Hi dad.... He's got trouble with his dialysis arm and is in a great deal of pain and misery right now. Big {{hugs}} for dad, I'm thinking of you almost constantly.

Got some other stuff going on too at home that I can't talk about yet. No, I'm NOT pregnant lol. Things are just a bit crazy around here, so if I go Awol, just yell nice and loud.

Ok, so if you've read this far, hooray! Have a pretty layout to make you smile.


Background paper from Comforting quilt, everything else from Ashley Olson's new Baby Girl Big Kit. Can't remember the fonts - go to SBB or Digishoptalk and see there, ok? lol...

Ok, gotta post and run peoples!

Things that make you go... say what?

Can we all say MACINTOSH?

Can we all say SURPRISE HONEY!!

Can we all say - ok, now I'm surfing GREAT, but I got no TOYS and only an 80 gig hard-drive, that's already 30 gig full....

D'oh!

Can't post any pictures, or layouts or nuffin.... they're all on my pc.... But hang around, hopefully this will be fixed asap!

Ahhh......

I really need to feel like this right now. School holidays aren't the best of times, and when it's only 8 degrees outside (although thankfully, NOT raining!) you need to do more stuff inside!

Papers and elements from Jomi{Designs} Move with passion kit from Plain Digital Wrapper. Fonts used are DSP Pollyanna and vaguely repulsive.

So if I do vanish, I've taken the credit card, dumped the kids and run away! I'll think of you all when I'm on my beach. HA!

Or, I'm cleaning out some cupboards and have been buried in all the JUNK in my house. Anyone want some junk? I don't want it anymore.... time to clean it OUT!

Later all :)

Scrappin for fun!

And for the challenge. I was scared how many brushes I have on this computer that I don't use. Ok, so I'm not going to be setting up shop as a designer anytime soon, but I'd like to get my head around these pesky things once and for all....


Layout created for the Subscribers Mix-N-Match challenge over at SBB - thanks Meredith!

Background paper from Meredith's Boho Purse mini, the Torn side piece is from her Warm Honey mini, both from the downloads at SBB. Journalling strips from Jen Wilson's Seasonal scraps. Brushwork under the photo and title block are from Meredith Fenwick's DigiSupply Closet brushes, the title is Kim Christensen's cardstock alpha brushes, the Name and date brush is another Meredith Fenwick, from her Antique Letter stamps (all from SBB), and finally, the brushes over the photo are Rococo brushes by Dianne Rigdon. Fonts used are Digs My Hart and Highland Perk.

This would have to have been one of my favourite shots I got of Tyson as a baby... you have to remember, all I had for years was a compact NON zoom type film camera... No wonder that I took to digital like a maniac. And I love looking back on these photos and seeing that my "vision" was always there. I have learnt tons and tons about composition, backdrops etc etc, but still, my vision was there. It's kinda gratifying.

Amy, have a safe and happy trip, can't wait to catch up when you get back!

How could I miss this...

Sorry everyone... I posted this layout quickly at lunchtime today and I forgot to blog it! d'oh! How could I miss out on this adorable face? I love this photo I snapped of her when I was supposed to be baby-sitting on Monday!

Papers and elements all from Blush by Suzy Nunes available at PlainDigitalWrapper. Wild tear from AtomicCupcake. Stamped alpha by Andrea Victoria from SSD. Fonts used are Goudy Old Style and AL Constitution.

Ok, sorry to post and run on you, but life's a bit crazy around here at the moment....

Later all!

I'm ba-ack!!

I made it. It's been a very busy day today, but I had to come back and share this layout I created for *skip* on Monday night (I think....). Life has been keeping him very busy, he's been under a lot of pressure at work and doing work out of hours as well and I just wanted to make him smile, even just a little. Which he did!

Papers and elements from Jessica Bolton's Love this guy kit - awesome kit. Love this kit in fact. And I used another of her Painted Arrows - what a fantastic idea these were. And she put so many in - 19 in fact. An arrow for every occasion! Fonts are LoveMeAvenue and FB Sprinkles.

Ok, time for bed I think. Well, some sewing or reading or something IN bed at least.

Last day of term tomorrow.... so you know what comes next! The dreaded school holidays! Eeek! Must try and stay positive - new photo opportunites. I hope to really GO somewhere or do something with them this time. Although number one on the agenda Monday morning will be sleeping in. :)

Happy, but exhausted.

Just to let everyone know, although I am sure it won't mean much to most, Go the Mighty QLD boys. We watched the game last night and screamed ourselves hoarse over the last 10 minutes. And they did it. State of Origin 2006 is ours.

Ok, I know I live in SA and that most ppl here don't have a clue about Rugby, but I just had to say it.

Ok, on to more scrapping type things.... I just quickly posted another layout. I'm in-between the marathon weekly shopping and a classparty at Tyson's class, so I have to keep moving. Much as I'd love to stay and chat lol....

Paper and elements from Jomi{Designs} 100% Genunie from Plain Digital Wrapper. Stamped alpha by Kim Christensen from this months SBB Newsletter. Wild tear action from AtomicCupcake. Fonts used are VTPortableRemington and Vaguely Repulsive.

I will just quickly take the time to say how much I love this kit - the papers are so worn and the colours are just beautiful. Go check it out at PlainDigitalWrapper - now!

I'll try to get back and post another layout later on - I've got a couple champing at the bit so to speak, but otherwise, it's off to a class of about 30 9 and 10 year olds - yay me!

Scrappin' fool....

I've been a scrapping fool today... got 2 layouts done and finished (you'll have to wait and see them!) because I just couldn't sit on this layout any longer. I created it last week, and I STILL love it!


This layout was created with Jessica Bolton's gorgeous Epiphany kit and her painted arrows - both at EclecticScraps. Love the colours in this kit, and the textures are perfect! Fonts used are Vaguely Repulsive, 2peas Barefoot professor, Dozen, Times and times again and 2peas Billboard.

But despite my current OVER-supply of design team kits to use, I still can't help a bit of shopping. Although I should TRY to help it, as I'm not likely to use any of them any time soon. Well, actually not shopping. Wish listing. Date stamps by Karen Hunt at SBB, and Christine Smith at TDC has a new stamped alpha that I just found tonight. Not to mention the new Quarterly assortment at the Sweetshoppe - not that I ever used the last one, but you never know! Ok, I admit it... I just can't walk away from a bargain.

The morning with the twins went well - they were very good for me. Thankfully! They took it in turns to scream. Of course, at just gone 10 months they are at a 'challenging' time with mobility, communication and frustration. Lol. And the only other thing I have to report is that now, at 10.30, I have to hang out a load of shirts... *skip* admitted after dinner that he completely forgot to tell me this morning he was on his last shirt. D'oh! So I'll catch you all tomorrow with some more eye-candy for you!

PDW hype!

So, who got caught up in the grand opening hype of Plain Digital Wrapper? I was very curious to see who they had on board, as I knew that 2 of my "bosses" were going to be selling there. The list is very impressive indeed. - headed up by Holly McCaig. But Suzy and Jomi's kits look right at home there, and there's some new stuff out that I need to scrap with that you all should love.

Here's a couple of layouts to tide you over until I get back onto my PC again :)

Created using Midnight Garden by Suzy Nunes - papers and alpha and funky elements! Fonts used are Journal and Jey.

Created using Little Man kit also by Suzy Nunes, font used is Socially Awkward.

Man - simple is so much harder than anything else to scrap. Lol....

Both of these kits are available right now at Plain Digital Wrapper.

Also on your must stop by list, Jessica has uploaded a new Quickpage at her store www.Eclecticscraps.com. Go and get it and take the wonderful Epiphany kit for a run. You won't regret it.

I'm off to babysit the twins. On my OWN. Eeek! Just kidding. (I think). I might get back on here later on though :)

Later everyone!