Thursday

Life story



Life story

Happy Thursday! September has been such a trying month...so glad to say goodbye to it! :) I'm sharing this altered album cover Life Story...just a really quick project I did last night for my guest blogger Julie Elak's 3D creation/altered item challenge.

Felt. Some punchinella, crochet doiley, metal accents, twill, foam alphas and paper flower.


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Wednesday

Greek



Greek

Hi there friends! Just a really simple layout to share today, featuring some Greek food I had in Geelong. I used the Gauche Alchemy Kitsch Delish Paper Craft Mixed Media Kit. Just a little inking at the edges of the paper and doiley. A white pen to outline the photos and a brown journaling pen. The original intent was to make a mini album but I got lazy *LOL* and decided to just put them all on one layout! :)

I really want to say a big "thank you" to my guest blogger Marit Barentsen who hosted the collage challenge. She is sending all the participants a little something! :)

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Tuesday

This day


This day

This day features my older brother's baby photos. The base cardstock was misted lightly for a little added texture. I fussy-cut the American Crafts patterned paper...it somehow reminded me of the wallpaper at my grandma's old place....Added some alphas, crochet doiley and paper flowers and leaves. Yes, I know it's pink and has flowers...loads of them..I'm thinking boys secretly dig flowers too, right? ;)

P/s: I use precision scissors to do fussy-cutting (while watching tv)...sometimes I just cut through the design and then reassemble...you really can't tell! *LOL* I'm not that skillful with a penknife...I'll be bleeding a lot!;)

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Monday

Life is about discovering yourself



Life is about discovering yourself

If life is about discovering yourself, then I've just discovered that I've somehow got myself lost in a time-space continuum. *LOL*  On Sundays, there's always this frantic need to forge ahead and get DT work done. This Sunday was no exception save for the fact that I completely missed out on this entire week [insert sheepish grin, followed by super sad face]...what a way to start a Monday! 

Oh well. Just have to work harder these few nights. I see a few cards on the horizon or I may have to dig into my spare project stash! *LOL*. The upside is that I can relax a little next Sunday! :)  Anyway, this month's Theme Day over at Gauche Alchemy is all about journal pages. Mine is super simple...just lots of paint, gesso and markers.

P/s: What have you discovered about yourself?

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Friday

Happy anniversary



Happy anniversary

Happy Friday to all! :) Here's my card for this week's challenge at Get Sketchy! The "Happy Anniversary" sentiment is from SRM stickers, patterned paper is from American Crafts, a little tulle and some buttons.

P/s: Don't forget to play along with my guest Julie Elak's 3D creation challenge! :)

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Thursday

Go!


1

Hi there friends! There's a new challenge over at the Some Odd Girl challenge blog....go monochromatic! :) I used Daisy Tia...isn't she sweet?:)

Patterned paper is from Sassafras, image coloured with copics, punchinella, stickles, a little handstitching and bits from Gauche Alchemy's Blue Streak Mixed Media Color Kit.

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Wednesday

Dark side




My littlest nephew, J, showing his "dark side"....*LOL* Actually he was just really moody and sullen because he was teething...

Patterned papers: Graphic 45, Jillibean, Teresa Collins. American Crafts Foam Alphas (outlined with white pen), ribbon, stickers, photo turn and brads. I used the sketch from Creative Scrappers.

P/s: You have till Friday to submit your entries for my guest Marit's collage challenge! :) And the Tinies...


are officially for sale now at Some Odd Girl!!!! :)

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Tuesday

Gift sets with Julie Elak!



Today's guest is the lovely Julie Elak of The Last Minute Crafter. She is a fabulous cardmaker and the queen of gift sets! She always makes a card/tag and a coordinating giftbox that is sure to put a huge smile on any recipient's face! :) She is sharing her tips for making these fabulous gift sets right here! Yay! Of course, there is a little challenge with a wonderful prize for a random participant! :)

Let's first drool at her gift set gallery shall we?





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First off, I am so honored that Yvonne asked me to guest blog!  I started following Yvonne's blog when I saw some of her creations on Card Patterns.  I then visited her blog and discovered that she has a natural talent for creating the most wonderful scrapbook layouts.  She  has the ability to turn normal everyday events into fabulous memories.









Yvonne asked that I share some tips with you for using templates. I have so much fun creating quick gift sets, so of course I said yes.  I am also issuing a challenge to you.  Create a new non-card or layout project.  Ideally, create something using a template, but even a tag or altered item would be great.  Now I know templates can be intimidating, but so long as you have a printer, I think you can do it!!!  I am even going to sweeten the challenge by offering one random participant 3 templates from Perfect Presentation!

When I create a gift set, I usually start off by creating the card.  I find inspiration from sketches and patterned paper.  I usually pick a sketch and then figure out what stamps would work best with it.  Next, I choose patterned paper to go along with it.  Once I have the card finished, I use the same stamps and patterned paper to create a coordinating box.   I am a fan of gift cards, so I look for templates that are a good size to hold a gift card and a bit of candy.  Gift cards may be boring and thought of as the easy gift, but recipients seem to like them a lot!  By creating my own box I am adding a personal touch and a bit of fun.

There are so many templates out there - available both in PDF and versions for cutting machines.  Today I used a free pdf from Perfect Presentation - "Goody Box".  There are also freebies available on PTI and My Time Made Easy. - freebies are a great way to try out templates for the first time.


Tips for using templates:

1 - Print the template out on thick card stock to create a sturdy box.
2 - Set the print quality to "draft" so that the printed lines are not as noticeable when the template is put together. 
3 - If your printer will not work with thick card stock you can always print it out on copy paper, cut it out, and then trace it onto the card stock. 
4 - Try to cut just inside the line so it does not show in the end. 
5 - Use super sticky tape to put your project together and be sure that the tape is stuck on really good by running your finger over it several times (I use Therm-O-Web SuperTape but scor-tape is another popular one).
6 - Decorate by cutting mats out of PP, stamping directly on the template, embossing etc.  It is easier to decorate before you put the template together.
7 - After putting your template together, wait to add heavy contents until the next day...most tapes take 24 hours to cure.
8 - Yvonne has told me that I should think of a scrapbook layout as a big card - I want you to think of the template as a 3-D card. 
9 - Most importantly, have fun!!!
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Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to create a new non-card or layout project. It would be ideal if you used a template but any altered item will be accepted as well. The deadline for submission is Friday 8th October. Please link up your creations using  Inlinkz located at the end of this post. If it doesn't work, feel free to leave your links in the comments section. Looking forward to seeing your 3D creations! :)

As always, please leave a little love for my guest Julie! :)


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Friday

Love notes



Love notes
Love notes: sweet messages to my bloggy pals who always stop by to leave me the sweetest comments! :) Thank you so much! :)

The last two weeks of my life have passed by in a blur! I forgot to announce that I'm now designing for Get Sketchy! *LOL* :) This is my card for this week's sketch! :) American Crafts patterned paper. Some handstitching. Washi tape. Sticker sentiment is from EK Success. Brads.
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And the winner for last week's "surprise" giveaway (okay, it's a $20 papercrafting kit with lots of yummy embellishments!) is...

#21 Smita!

Congratulations! :)

P/s: Don't forget to play along with my guest blogger Marit's collage challenge! :)

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Thursday

Birthday greetings...and a digital freebie!



Birthday greetings

Birthday greetings to Operation Write Home! :) Do you like the image on my card? Because this Some Odd Girl exclusive image is free!:) Download it HERE! :)

A super simple card...just some masking and misting on the background and the image was coloured with Copics! Sentiment if from SRM stickers.

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Wednesday

Mood swing



Mood swing

Hi there! Today I'm sharing a layout that I did for Gauche Alchemy, Mood Swing, which features vintage photos of my father and older brother...:)

Patterned paper: Graphic 45. A little inking and masking on the brown cardstock for a subtle texture. Lots of inking everywhere else. I layered two pieces of punchinella for a cool backdrop for the photos. Added a little extra texture by just using a paper piercer around the inner border. Lots of stickers and bits from Gauche Alchemy's Lady Marmelade Orange Mixed Media Color Kit.

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Tuesday

Our home



Our home

This month's challenge at Gauche Alchemy is Napkin Art and I was inspired to make this Our Home wall hanging on a 6 X 12 piece of acrylic. :)


The base paper is from Prima...I used Crackle Paint in Rock Candy for subtle cracks, then added some gold distresss stickles for a really sparkly finish [can't tell from the photo though :(]. It was actually a bit hard to handle the napkin since it tears easily but the flowers are so pretty! :) Some buttons, stickers, paper flowers and bits from Gauche Alchemy's Pink Parts Mixed Media Color Kit.

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Monday

She was torn...an art journal page



She was torn...an art journal page

Happy Monday friends! Today I'm sharing an art journal page! Yeah, you read right...not a misprint! *LOL* Kind of had to since my guest blogger Marit issued a collage challenge! :) I was inspired by the prompt over at TAAFOMFT...fave manufacturers... :) She was torn because it was so hard to choose...she really loved them all...[yes, I'm referring to myself in third person here!]

I first misted the background, then did some masking and inking. I added bits and pieces of scrap paper, stickers and some embellies from Gauche Alchemy.

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I also want to say a big thank you to all the participants of my guest blogger Karen Baker's grid technique challenge! Especially those who were inspired to share multiple cards! :) All the entries were truly spectacular (I'm so totally gonna CASE some of you!:)
and the winner who was chosen randomly is.....(drumroll...)

# 7 Kavitha!

Congratulations girl! :) 

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Saturday

Hello friend! and a little giveaway!



Hello friend

Hello friend! It's Digi Day with Some Odd Girl over at Paper Craft Planet! :) I hope you can stop by to say "hi" and play along with our challenges! :) And there may be a digital freebie or two! ;)

And I promised a little giveaway this week...I thought it should be a surprise! [Insert BIG smile!] so leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner next Friday!:)

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Friday

Happy Birthday!



Happy Birthday!

Just a really quick Happy Birthday! card using the digital image from Some Odd Girl and this week's sketch from Card Patterns! :) Patterned papers are from Prima, SRM letter stickers and some monkey stickers! :)

Have you named Some Odd Girl's latest Monkee yet? Fabulous prizes to be won! ;)
There's a new challenge up on the Some Odd Girl Challenge blog too! 
And have you collected your September freebie from the Some Odd Girl store? It's Bussie, a really cute school bus! :)

If you live in Singapore, come play along with KCK's first ever challenge here! :)

P/s: I'm a little behind in my google reader...so sorry! I promise to catch up soon!:)

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Thursday

Coming up



Coming up

The new challenge at Scrapping the Music is up! This week's song is Pink's "Get this party started!" and the prize is a $15 gift certificate to Studio Calico! :) My layout, Coming Up, features my brother when he was a baby...apparently, he couldn't resist climbing stairs...kind of like his son right now! * LOL* ;)

This layout was put together really quickly. Pink Paislee paper. Some white paint. Inking. Ribbon. Foam thickers. Stickers. Journaling cards. Metallic brads. And a crochet doiley.

P/s: Don't forget to submit your entries for my guest blogger Karen Baker's grid technique challenge. It ends tomorrow! :)

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Wednesday

Everyday things




Hi there! Today I'm sharing a simple tin box that I decorated...a box to store Everyday Things..:) Actually, this is my "spare" project...because I didn't have my usual crafting day on Sunday...:( ...I have about 10 never-seen-before projects that I hold on to in case of "emergencies" like when I have to go somewhere on Sundays..*LOL*.....DO YOU? ;)

A little misting on white cardstock, the edges were inked with Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick...I did a little subtle stamping on the edges and on the foam flag too. Some washi tape on silver mesh ribbon, pink ribbon, crochet doiley, paper flower, handmade felt flowers and Heidi Grace pin.


P/s: Some Odd Girl is having a Monkee Contest! :) 


Help name this little monkee and you could win the FULL set of monkees, a $40 certificate to any CSN store and an 8 piece Copic Ciao Set! :) Contest ends on October 17. Read all the details here! :)

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Tuesday

Paper collage building with Marit Barentsen



Today's guest is Marit Barentsen, a mixed media artist/instructor from The Netherlands. I "met" Marit through Scrapping The Music and I just love her unique style...especially those awesome art journaling pages! :) Today, she shares a tutorial on building a paper collage (yay!) and will issue a challenge with a RAK for a random participant! :)

Let's have a look at her awesome creations! :)



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I’m Marit Barentsen and I am excited that Yvonne asked me to be her guest blogger! She wants me to tell a bit about myself and my inspiration so here we go: I am a passionate artist who’s loves to try new techniques, products and ideas and I always try to stretch myself in my work. I started scrapping back in 2001 and my style evolved from the "traditional scrapbooking" to the free style art journaling. That's what I'm doing mostly right now.






I graduated as a teacher in arts and I have my own website and private community where I teach online workshops. I also work as a graphic designer and I write articles for the Dutch scrap magazine “Creatief met Foto’s”.

My favorite medium is paper, but I couldn't live without pens, markers, paint and spray ink...
I don't buy much stuff in the traditional scrapbooking stores. I rather stroll on a flea market looking for "treasures" like old books, vintage cards, lace and buttons. I also visit the artist store quite frequently for plain paper, cardboard and all sorts of paint and pens. I get my inspiration from "life itself" - everything I see or hear can trigger my imagination and make me start a new lay-out. My big tip for inspiration: look around with fresh eyes, like you did when you were a kid. If you don't just "see" but also "look" you can find inspiration everywhere!

Interested in Marit's workshops?





The online art journal workshop "Let it Loose" (teacher: Marit) has just started on September 6th but you can still join!
The online art journal workshop "Mixed Emotions" (teachers: Marit Barentsen and Michelle LaPoint Rydell) starts in October.


All info can be found on Marit's Paper World

Using collage on your lay-out/art journal page. 





Start with any base you like. A 12 x 12 sheet, an art journal page in a book etc. (In this example I painted a piece of paper, tore it and glue the pieces on the art journal page.)


Now the fun begins! Cut all kinds of paper scraps with decoration from magazines. (TIP: store the left overs in a folder. If you do this more often you will build up a collection over time.)


Create a frame around the page using all different pieces of paper. Then look for photos or pictures in magazines and make a collage with all different images. It’s fun to combine faces (eyes, mouth), use animal heads on human bodies and so on. Just play and fool around … feel like a little kid and have fun!


Find a quote you like and use markers to “draw” the letters. You can try writing different types or use colours. (TIP: A lot of nice quotes can be found on www.brainyquote.com

If you have space left on your page fill it up with more cut out shapes or doodle with paint, copic markers, colouring pencils or anything else you like! Just don’t think too much about it and doodle like you did in highschool… have fun!

Here’s another example of a page made with collage.

The CHALLENGE:
Make a lay-out, card or art journal page using a quote and collage. It can be only collaging the border or a full page collage… that’s up to you!:)
The winner will get a small RAK with things that can be used for art journaling like journaling pads, pieces of lace, vintage images, bookpages etc.

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How's that for a challenge??? :)

You have a little over 2 weeks to play along...the deadline is 24 September! :) Please leave the links to your projects with Inlinkz located at the end of this post! :) [This is the first time I'm using this so I hope it works!]

As always, please leave a little love for my guest! :) Thank you so much my sweet friends! :)


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