Just everyday stuff,

nothing unusual. As always, I challenge myself to use things I’ve held onto not thinking I would ever use. These cards are all an example of that; the mauve and green one came about because I wanted to use the mauve butterfly (the green paper actually came for free with a magazine), and the yellow/gold paper is by daisy d’s. I used more of the daisy d’s labels and lots of flowers. I like the aqua and gold combination.

There’s nothing like spending money when it’s not actually yours, and I’ve been having fun this week spending some of my birthday vouchers. I spent my $100 Chandon voucher yesterday, so I’m very excited about what I got.  When I’ve sold gift vouchers to customers for gifts they sometimes ask if it’s an alright gift. I can say from personal experience, it’s more than acceptable! I got to have the fun of picking out what I wanted, and then I’ll get to use it all, what more could a scrapbooker ask for?

I can feel the weather heating up…

which I really don’t like, because summer is getting closer and closer. I stayed quietly inside today, so I made the following cards. Most of them are Christmas cards, I’ve used Making Memories and Daisy d’s papers, lots of buttons, stitching, inking, and ribbons. I’ve got a lot of buttons I bought op shopping recently, and I just love these ranges by Daisy d’s and Making Memories. I think I bought nearly all the St Nick range by Making Memories last year, which I still like more than any of their other Christmas ranges. These ranges are great because I cut the bell, santa, shepherds, etc. from some of the papers, so everything matches.

This one I made with the Eva range by Basic Grey, lots of layering of flowers on this one.

A bit of this, a bit of that…

This morning I taught class at Chandon, which went really well. Today we did this Kaisercraft layout designed by Melissa Kennedy:

I really enjoy the classes; as someone who usually scraps alone it’s great to meet with like-minded people in a friendly environment. I’m constantly surprised at how much I enjoy teaching, as I never had before Chandon, and I didn’t know how I would go. It’s great encouraging people to be confident in their work, as well as (hopefully!) giving them tips/advice to use in their scrapbooking.

As always, I’ve got some cards on the go, here are my latest:

I’ve used the Basic Grey Eva and Euphoria ranges for the top ones; I love these papers. There’s something about Basic Grey- their papers are always lovely and don’t seem to get tired or out of date. I’m also still using up my Christmas stuff, as you can see from the bottom two.

It’s just as well I’m into using up what I’ve already got, because I was working at Chandon on the website the other day and there is lots of lovely stuff coming out in the next few months which I know I will have to buy. There’s Heidi Swapp, Basic Grey ranges (including a new Christmas one), Sassafras Lass, and the list goes on and on. I don’t think I’ll have any problems using my gift voucher. Yesterday I did some more op shopping, and I got some great ribbon and lace really cheap; I love finding treasures that cost next to nothing, they add indivuality to my projects.

These 5 cards

I’ve made in the last couple of days. This one is the last of my Sunshine Lollipop paper by Sassafras Lass. I’ve used the Cuttlebug butterfly die and embossing folder, and added stitching and inking:

These next 2 are Kaisercraft ranges, on which I’ve stitched My Mind’s Eye journalling cards. The embellishments are distressed label holders, kaisercraft brads, and stamped images.

These next 2 are Kaisercraft papers, stitched and inked, and embellished with chipboard I’ve covered, and flowers I made with my Cuttlebug.

I know it’s rather simple,

but I didn’t want to add too much to this photo of beautiful Monty. I used Making Memories ledger paper over grey cardstock, then I just added Heidi Swapp clear extras and butterflies cut with my Cuttlebug. I like the simplicity.

Also, I submitted the layout I did last week using the Basic Grey Eva range to their online gallery, and they accepted it. That means it can be viewed on their website under gallery. I just had to write a little description and note the particular papers I used.

Is there such a thing

as too many Christmas cards? That’s of course a rhetorical question, because we know the answer is; no! I’ve made these 7 Christmas cards in the last couple of days. They’re all a combination of; Making Memories and Daisy d’s papers, inking and machine stitching, and frames I painted and glittered, tags I made with pictures and paint, and heaps of other little embellishments. They were a lot of fun.

I also did this layout of my sister and cousin. When it first came out, I didn’t like this range by Basic Grey much, but it’s really grown on me. I like history, so I think it’s cool that the names of these papers are things like “Versailles” and “French Lace”. The colours and patterns are feminine but strong. I also used the petals from a Heidi Swapp flower I cut to create the scalloped edge down the side. It always pays to think outside the square …

Using up the scraps of the scraps

I like to make things that are a bit of a challenge, whether it’s finding things within a certain group of colours, budget, etc. These 3 cards I made using the leftovers of the leftover cardstock. It was more challenging, but that’s when it’s useful that papers are made doublesided (for the coordinating print), and I get to use lots of embellishments. I’ve also used some stuff that I didn’t think I would use, but hadn’t thrown out, such as the daisy d’s labels. I’ve just inked the edges, and decorated them for the cards.

This week I’ve taught two classes at Chandon (but they were both the same layout). It’s this lovely heritage style page designed by Debbie:

The papers are by K&Co, who do lovely heritage style ranges, and everyone loves these designs. It was a simple, but very effective page. I enjoyed seeing all the photos people used, including wedding photos, and some that were taken over 60 years ago. I love these heritage pages with the old photos, because that’s really why scrapbooking is so important – to document the past and present for those who see it in the future.

Finished some more…

This is the first layout

I’ve done in at least 6 weeks. My scrapbooking inspiration went AWOL for awhile, so I was just making cards. But now I’m inspired again, so I just finished this layout. I used Pink Paislee papers (love the colours), with Heidi Swapp embellishments, lace paper, rhinetones, and machine stitching. I really like the black stitching around the edges; it adds a nice finishing touch without being too much.

I also used the pink paislee letter stickers on the Heidi Swapp mirror, but they didn’t show up very well. To make the letters stand out more I outlined the letters with kindyglitz. I’m also right into ribbons, lace, and buttons; I like to use up as much stuff as possible.

Since it’s Father’s Day tomorrow, this is the card I made for my Dad:

So today I’m another year older…

Today I turn 26. It feels strange to see that’s my age, I’m only a little off being 30! Since I finished VCE the years have just flown by.

I had a pretty cool day, busy but I got to do some of my favourite things. I spent some birthday money at Chandon (can’t wait to use my new butterfly cuttlebug die/embossing folder!), I went out for lunch with mum, Cherie and Felix came for a visit, and some family came over for pizza and cheesecake. It wasn’t anything too crazy, but I got to spend time with the people who I care about, which is all that really matters. Oh my goodness, little Felix playing with Chopper was the funniest thing! Felix turns 1 in a couple of days, so he’s walking, and Chopper was so placid; he never got nasty like most cats would. Priceless.

I received a beautiful leather journal, and I got vouchers for some of my favourite places, including; Lilypond, Chandon, and Coles Myer (I so need new clothes…). So, overall I did pretty well. I feel blessed.